Archive - August 20, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

VEEPSTAKES FEVER — CATCH IT!!!!

While normal Americans work, shop, and go to movies, the political class obsesses over the veepstakes. This unproductive activity does yield one thing: conventional wisdom (if not necessarily actual reporting). HALPERIN'S TAKE: Wednesday afternoon's conventional wisdom about who Obama and McCain will pick as running mates — in order!!!! Permalink

Schumer, Top Senate Challengers to Speak Wednesday at Convention

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair will be joined by Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and Tom Allen of Maine. Permalink

Networks Agree: Obama 45, McCain 42!!!!

Latest NBC News/WSJ poll and CBS News/New York Times poll show the exact same head-to-head numbers. Get details on the NBC/WSJ poll here. Get details on NYT/CBS News poll here. Permalink

"Birds of Prey"

In interview with Politico, McCain slams lobbyists: "Whenever there's a corrupt system, then you’re going to have these birds of prey descend on it to get their share of the spoils." "I would not allow anyone who worked for my administration to go back to lobbying." Plus: The candidate cannot say for certain how many homes he owns. Permalink

Clinton Staff Guarding Against Denver Protests

The New York Senator's staffers are assembling a "whip team" to mobilize in case of anti-Obama protests by Clinton supporters during the convention. Members would stand in front of protesters and raise Obama signs. "Is it typical for a losing candidate to have their own whip team? No. But it's also not usual for a losing candidate to get 18 million votes." Permalink

New Georgia Obama TV Ad Links McCain-Ralph Reed

Latest spot suggests the Arizonan deliberately let the former Christian Coalition head off the hook in his Indian Affairs Committee investigation of Abramoff's lobbying. Watch it above. Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The ad will only run in Atlanta, the campaign wouldn't say the size of the buy. It's expected to go on the air Thursday. McCain camp response: "Barack Obama’s ad is ridiculous. Because of John McCain, corruption was exposed and people like Jack Abramoff went to jail." Read it here. Permalink

Obama's Rice, Clarke Drill McCain Over and Over

The Obama advisers light into McCain, his support for the Iraq War and his general attitude toward combat on afternoon media call. Listen to the full call here. Rice says the Republican's "tendency is to shoot first and to ask questions later," saying he "cheerled Bush's decision to take our eye off the ball and start a war in Iraq that had nothing to do with 9/11." Clarke joins in on slamming "quick-draw McCain," calling him "reckless," "trigger-happy" and "discredited." McCain camp response here. Permalink

Giuliani Says GOP Ready for Pro-Choice Veep

The former New York Mayor suggests on a media call that the GOP isn't "a one issue party," can handle whatever McCain throws at them. "I know John McCain. I know his seriously, his love of country…He will choose the best person, and if that person happens to be, among other things, pro-choice, the party will support that." Giuliani is a pro-choice Republican. Permalink

What the Veep Prospects Are Doing Thursday

Biden is hanging out at home in Delaware with his wife, son and niece, Sebelius is in Iowa to stump for Obama, while Pawlenty spends the evening with young Republicans near the convention site. The AP is tracking them all here. Plus: Sebelius says while in Iowa being mentioned as a potential running mate is something of "an out-of-body experience." And: The latest on the NBC stakeout of Biden's place. Permalink

McCain Spends $32 Million in July

About two-thirds of the candidate's spending went toward advertising. Permalink

Stephanie Tubbs Jones: 1949-2008

The Cleveland Congresswoman dies following an aneurysm Tuesday. The five-term Representative was a prominent Clinton supporter during the primaries and the first black woman to be elected to Congress from Ohio. Earlier: Obama issues statement expressing sadness over news of her condition. "She is a passionate and tireless advocate for the people of Cleveland and a devoted public servant for all Americans. We send our heartfelt prayers to Stephanie and her family at this very difficult time." Permalink

Obama: “No Hints”

Land of Lincolner buys biscuits, zucchini bread, pound cake, bread, tomatoes and peaches Wednesday, but won’t answer running mate questions. Read more here. Permalink

Obama Campaign Breaks Its Own Rule

Campaign aide takes pity on media, states unequivocally that the report of a planned Indiana trip on a Tennesse Web site is untrue. Permalink

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE VEEPSTAKES

HALPERIN'S TAKE: All you need to know about the Obama and McCain picks -- and how the press is covering the insanity. Permalink

LIMBAUGH: "I REALLY HOPE IT'S BIDEN"

El Rushbo starts off his Wednesday broadcast suggesting the GOP would be able to take on the Delaware Senator if he's Obama's veep choice. "I really hope it’s Biden. You don’t want to say that too loud, but I really do hope that it’s Joe Biden, because we’ve got a mountain of archival audio on Joe Biden." "Plus, the arrogance factor times two. Biden and the Messiah would just be delicious." Permalink