The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 15th, 2008
The Saddleback Pre-Program
Mark Halperin reports from inside the Saddleback Civil Forum: The announcement about the rules for using the restrooms has been made; the crowd reaction was mixed. Among the songs in the pre-event entertainment: "Biggest Part of Me," "River Deep, Mountain High," and "Love Lives On." Watch the pre-event program via the church's streaming video here. , 7:11 PM
SADDLE UP
McCain and Obama head to Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church Saturday for a candidate forum -- their first appearance together since becoming their party's presumptive nominees. The two hour-long sessions, moderated by Warren, begin at 8 pm ET. Will get roadblocked cable coverage. For more details, click here. Warren: "The idea is really around civility." Politico: Event would have been unimaginable a few years ago. TIME: Obama and McCain's test of faith. Plus: WSJ looks at the 26-year-old behind Obama's outreach to "faith voters." And: BeliefNet has McCain interview clips being shown to evangelicals. * * * * Get The Page delivered to your inbox. Sign up for TIME's daily political newsletter here. Permalink
Balz: Strap In for Three Crucial Weeks
With VP announcements, conventions and acceptance speeches just around the corner, the WashPost sage says "there has never been quite as concentrated a dose of potentially campaign-altering events" in the modern era. "For those who revel in the unpredictability of politics, this calendar is ready-made for enjoyment." Plus: Balz says to expect safe, non-game-changing VP choices with the race this competitive. Permalink
Obama Vacation Comes to an End
The Democrat departs Hawaii at about 4 pm ET Friday. Earlier: The Democrat wraps up his week-long island getaway with body surfing and a visit to the spot where his mother's ashes were spread. Obama resumes campaigning Saturday at a forum with McCain at the Saddleback church in California. PHOTO GALLERY: Obama's Hawaii vacation. Plus: No more vacation, no more jokes from the RNC. Permalink
Head Versus Heart
HALPERIN'S TAKE: McCain and Obama look for running mates. Permalink
McCain Team: DHL Ad "Based On a Lie"
The Republican's campaign responds to the Obama ad, citing a FacCheck.org report that calls the spot "a distortion." Read the response here. The Ohio TV spot pounds McCain and his campaign chief for supporting an air cargo deal that may cost thousands of Ohio jobs. Click above to watch. Release here, and script here. Permalink
McCain Raises $27 Million in July
On morning conference call, McCain topper Rick Davis touts the best fundraising month yet for the candidate. Together with the RNC, they have more than $100 million cash on hand, which "gives us plenty of money... to prosecute a very active campaign in the month of August." Also announce some 600,000 donors. Listen to the audio here. Also says he's "thrilled" that McCain and Obama now have "a pretty even race," and the recent attack ads against Obama have energized the GOP base. Permalink
McCain Huddles With T. Boone Pickens
The candidate and the oilman meet for a private breakfast Friday in Aspen to discuss Pickens' plan for energy independence. In statement, Pickens says he also plans to meet with Sen. Obama. The billionaire has been pushing his renewable energy plan on nationwide TV ads. Permalink
Tax Attack With Celebrity Theme
New McCain TV ad to "air in key states" slams Obama hard on taxes, gas prices, and readiness to lead. Click above to watch. WashPost analysis here. Arizonan's campaign stays on slashing themes of the last few weeks. Obama response: "More of the same old false and discredited attacks that Senator McCain knows aren’t true...." Read full response, and watch video fact check. Permalink
Bush Defiant
Speaking from the White House before leaving for Crawford, the President issues a stern warning to Russia. Watch video above. "Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century." Permalink
Gramm Back in McCain's Good Graces
The Arizona Senator thanks his former campaign co-chair at a fundraiser in Aspen, Colorado, on Thursday night. "Thank you, Phil, for all your friendship and support." Gramm drew McCain's ire and resigned from the campaign in July after calling America "a nation of whiners" over the economy. Permalink
Convention Corner
--With no donation caps, labor groups and the wealthy pour money into conventions. Permalink
FAITH OF THE CANDIDATE
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, McCain discusses how his faith helped him as a Vietnam POW, including how his fellow prisoners staged a "church riot" against captors to worship together. "There were many times I didn't pray for another day and I didn't pray for another hour — I prayed for another minute to keep going." Permalink
Dems to Hold Unity Breakfast at Convention
Martin Luther King III will join with civil rights leaders including Rev. Al Sharpton and faith leaders like Rabbi Jack Moline and Sister Simone Campbell Thursday morning of the convention. The breakfast will be in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of March on Washington. Permalink
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