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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 19th, 2008
Obama, VP Choice to Appear Together Saturday
A senior Obama adviser tells the AP the Illinois Senator and his veep will campaign together in Springfield, Illinois, Saturday. The last time Obama appeared there he announced he was running for president. Permalink
U.S., Poland Sign Missile Defense Deal
Secretary of State Rice and Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski sign a deal that will put an American missile defense base in Poland. Permalink
HOOSIER VALUES
What is Barack Obama looking for in a running mate? Obama tells TIME he wants someone who is “not about ego, self-aggrandizement, getting their name in the press” and tells CBS News he wants someone he would “feel comfortable with.” And he wants someone who will disagree with him. Obama at Saddleback: “There are people like ... Dick Lugar, a Republican, who I’d listen to on foreign policy.” On CNN this past Sunday: BLITZER: “Do you agree with Senator Lieberman that Senator Obama has not put the country first?” LUGAR: “No. I think that was clearly a partisan statement at a rally. I respect everybody their opinions in a political campaign, but that’s all that was.” To see what the future could look like, click here. Permalink
Romney Added to Denver Speakers List
The former Massachusetts Governor is scheduled to speak at a GOP counter-rally Tuesday at an arena nearby the Dems' Pepsi Center. The GOP says it's planning to put on speeches by prominent Republican opponents all week. Plus: Pawlenty may also be headed to Colorado next week too. Romney was on message with Sean Hannity on Fox Tuesday night. Permalink
Politico: Source Suggests Lieberman's Being Vetted
Top aides to the Connecticut Senator have reached out to former staffers in recent days with "substantive questions" about the issue areas they focused on while working for him. Staffers are working the phones and sending emails in an apparent attempt to compile a portfolio for the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee. The source adds "it would be unusual if not in the context of being vetted." Plus: Politico also reports McCain is seriously weighing him as a contender. Permalink
LA Times/Bloomberg National Poll Shows Statistical Dead Heat
Their latest numbers show: Obama 45, McCain 43 Read more -- including who is doing a better job of rallying their base -- here. Dates conducted: August 15-18. Error margin: 3 points. Permalink
Dear Barack,
One of the keenest observers of American politics (a/k/a: X) explains to the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee why Biden is his best choice for veep. Read it here. Permalink
Kaine Still Mum on Veep Talk
"I'm not going to talk about my conversations with the campaign," the Virgina Governor says Tuesday. Repeats that he's flattered to be mentioned as a veep contender. Permalink
SOURCE: RIDGE IS OUT
First on The Page: A GOP strategist says the former Pennsylvania Governor is no longer being considered as McCain's veep. Also: Senior McCain aides are calling top donors to sound them out on a pro-choice running mate. Also also: Do RNC rules allow someone not registered as a Republican to be nominated for vice president? And/but: Could all the pro-choicer talk be a straw man to get pro-lifers more enthused about a Romney pick than they otherwise are now???? Permalink
Evening News Roundup
All shows led with intensified veepstakes speculation. ABC: Led with "rampant speculation" on both parties' running mates. First mentioned Obama's Springfield rally Saturday. Then package said Obama's VP announcement is likely at week's end. Clips of Biden, Bayh and Kaine, and clip of Obama mentioning Biden in his VFW speech. Separate package included McCain on the oil rig and his possible Aug. 29 VP announcement. Also included Limbaugh's tough comments about a pro-choice running mate. Finally, word that "Harry and Louise" will be returning to TV ads on health care. CBS: Led with package on Obama veep speculation. Reported Obama will announce his pick Saturday in Springfield and that his campaign is keeping a "tight seal" on details of selection. Also said "Michelle Obama has played important role in the process" and recapped Obama appearance at the VFW. Jeff Greenfield analyzed the timing of the picks, saying McCain has "a tactical advantage." NBC: Led with speculation over the candidates' No. 2's. Noted Obama's tough language in his VFW speech, said Biden is someone Obama could turn to to help him with foreign policy, noting the downfalls are that he'll "undercut his message of change," and has been called "a gaffe machine." Said he'll pick Kaine if he wants "change without experience." Said "safest choice" is Bayh. Said McCain could reveal his veep next Friday or wait til the convention. Suggested he's "seriously considering" Lieberman. Said if Lieberman is on the ticket they would promise ... Permalink
Getting Ready for Something???
Biden's Senate staff sends out an interesting e-mail Tuesday, perhaps in preparation for needing to reach out to his circle in a big hurry. Read it here. Permalink
DNC Adds Carter, Kerry, Daschle, Reed as Denver Speakers
The convention committee announces additional speakers -- including a former president, congressional colleagues, mentors and labor/social group leaders -- for the first three nights. Also announces the convention will gavel open at 5 pm ET Monday and gavel down at 11 pm ET Wednesday. Get all the details on both here. Plus: See the latest schedule to date for Denver's confab here. Permalink
Springfield, USA
The Obama camp says it will kick off its pre-Denver battleground tour before heading to Denver at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois Saturday. Release here. Chicago Sun-Times reports the event will be for Obama to showcase the new ticket. Springfield is the same place where he officially kicked off his campaign in February 2007. Permalink
Say It Is So, Joe
Foreign Relations, Judiciary, debater, speechifier. Beau knows...the pick. Howard Fineman thinks it's likely Biden. Developing... Permalink
Rush: Pro-Choice Veep Pick Would Destroy GOP
Limbaugh gives McCain a harsh warning on his Tuesday broadcast: "If he picks a pro-choice running mate, it's not going to be pretty.... If the McCain camp does that, they will have effectively destroyed the Republican party and put the conservative movement in the bleachers." Also says picking Lieberman or Ridge would "ensure his defeat." Read key quotes from El Rushbo's Tuesday show here. Permalink
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