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Politics up to the Minute

Headlines from August 20th, 2008

Giuliani to Keynote GOP Convention

The former New York City Mayor and former McCain rival will deliver the keynote address Tuesday, Sept. 2 in St. Paul. Cindy McCain is also slotted to speak, will address the crowd Wednesday night. Laura Bush, California Gov. Schwarzenegger, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ridge, Louisiana Gov. Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty, Florida Gov. Crist, Romney, McCain's other rivals will speak as well. Get the latest list of themes and speakers from the RNC here. Update: Giuliani participating in afternoon McCain conference call. Permalink

Obama Camp to Call for Review of Superdelegates' Role

WashPost's Balz: Obama's camp will call next week for the creation of a new commission to revise the rules for selecting a presidential nominee in 2012 to reduce the power of superdelegates. The commission also will be urged to redraw the calendar for 2012 to avoid starting the primaries and caucuses so early, try to assure more uniform rules for the caucuses. Permalink

Halperin Breaks Down Latest on the Veepstakes

TIME’s senior political analyst tells CNN who's on the short lists and why. For Obama: Biden has populist appeal and Bayh has executive experience, but don't completely rule out a surprise pick. Watch video above. For McCain: Lieberman would be "a disaster" for the GOP convention, speculation may just be a way to make pro-lifers happier with the eventual choice. Watch video here. Permalink

McCain: Obama's Getting "Testy" on Iraq, Patriotism

The Arizonan responds to Obama's call for McCain to stop attacking his patriotism Wednesday during his Las Cruces, New Mexico town hall. Also defends his attacks against his rival. "Yesterday, Senator Obama got a little testy on this issue. He said that I am questioning his patriotism. Let me be clear: I am not questioning his patriotism; I am questioning his judgment." More excerpts here. Permalink

Obama: American Dream "At Stake in This Election"

The Illinois Senator touts his economic policy Wednesday at a town hall in Martinsville, Virginia. "People feel like the American Dream is slipping away. That's what is at stake in this election... We have to fundamentally change how America does business" Also hits McCain on taxes and brings up Gramm "nation of whiners" comment. Obama will later hold an evening town hall in Lynchburg, where Sen. Webb will introduce him and appear live via satellite at the LIUNA Convention and at the APWU Convention. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

Networks led with the Madrid airline crash. ABC: About four minutes in, mention of veepstakes and report on Obama’s new “velvet hammer strategy” against McCain. Said he “seems to have a taste for combat” and attacks McCain “with bravado,” while running numerous negative ads. Also included McCain’s continued questioning of his judgment. Finally, suggested candidates may take a higher road once VP’s are named and begin attacking. CBS: Nine minutes in, outlined results of new New York Times/CBS News poll, transitioned into recap of Wednesday's veep speculation. Played clips of McCain on Laura Ingraham Show, Obama town hall in Virginia and McCain speaking in New Mexico. Reported that McCain's recent ads have "belittled" Obama and painted him as "hysterical." NBC: Led with deadly Spain plane crash, then turned to latest poll numbers, including head-to-heads, issues, more. Aired package on Lieberman being considered for veep, noting his primetime slot at the convention. Called them inseparable on the campaign trail. Showed interview where he said he doesn’t expect to be asked, called his name being floated “hypothetical.” Noted his travel to Georgia. Later did package on “America’s independent streak,” profiling those voters. Permalink

Stevens Trial to Take Place in D.C.

A Federal Judge denies indicted Sen. Ted Stevens' request Wednesday to have his trial moved to his home state of Alaska. The Republican, who has been charged with multiple counts of corruption, requested the relocation to facilitate his November re-election bid. Permalink

Ingraham Implores McCain Not to Pick a Pro-Choice Veep

The conservative radio host pushes the Arizonan on how he could consider someone who isn't pro-life in Wednesday's show. McCain refuses to answer the question, citing the secrecy he'd like to keep about the process. Ingraham responds: "I'm just going to tell you from the conservative perspective we are literally imploring you to not turn your back on your great pro-life record over decades now..." Excerpt of the broadcast here. Permalink

NYT Magazine to Feature Obama Economics on Cover

The Land of Lincolner sits down with the Times' Leonhardt to discuss his remedies for a growing list of economic ills. "..we need to bring about the end of the era of unresponsive and inefficient government and short-term thinking." Read it here. Permalink

Joe Lieberman (D-I-R-CT) to Speak in St. Paul

A Republican insider says the Connecticut Senator will address next month's convention. Permalink

New Obama TV Ad Targets McCain on Taxes

The Land of Lincolner releases latest spot trying to characterize McCain's plan as in the tank for special interests and Big Business while touting his plan for the middle class. "John McCain's tax plan: For big corporations – two-hundred-billion in new tax breaks." Watch it above. McCain camp response: "So while American families are hurting and jobs are becoming scarce, Barack Obama is pushing for billions in higher taxes." Permalink

Romney the Insurer

Government report: Nearly three-quarters of previously uninsured Massachusetts residents now have medical coverage under the state's landmark campaign to insure virtually all residents. Since the Romney-backed program launched in June '06, 439,000 more people have enrolled in health insurance and nearly half signed up for private insurance not funded by taxpayers. Read the full report here. Permalink

McCain Hits Celebrity Theme Again in New Radio Ad

The Arizonan's latest spot "Millions" accuses his rival of planning "massive spending" if he's in the White House, compares him to rich celebrities who like to burn cash. "Celebrities like to spend their millions. Barack Obama is no different. Only it's your money he wants to spend." Listen to it here and read the script here. The cost of the buy and how long it's airing is unknown. Obama camp response: “Yet again, John McCain makes another false, low-road attack while he’s offering just more of the same Bush economics that have failed us for eight years." Permalink

Tale of Two Joeys -- And More

No major veepstakes news overnight. Conservatives roused to stop a Lieberman pick. But some open to the choice and Sen Graham reportedly pushing it. Plus: Lieberman and Lindsey Graham left Tuesday for a two-day tour of Poland, the Ukraine and Georgia. A joke making the rounds in political circles: If the veep choices are Lieberman and Biden, what will be special about the vice presidential debate? Click here for the punchline. Permalink