Archive - August 27, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Does Invesco Walk-Through

After joining veep candidate Biden on the stage at the Pepsi Center Wednesday night Obama and his aides head across the way to get a feel of the stadium where he'll deliver his acceptance speech. Permalink

McCain's Prickly TIME Interview

In a Q&A with TIME's James Carney and Michael Scherer, the GOP candidate denies that his campaign has deviated from the old "straight talk express." Permalink

Where They Are Thursday

Obama: Denver, CO McCain: Phoenix, AZ; Dayton, OH Permalink

That's the Ticket

Obama joins Biden on the Pepsi Center stage Wednesday night. Watch video above. Comes after the vice presidential candidate's speech, where he casts doubt on McCain's national security claim to the presidency. "The choice in this election is clear. These times require more than a good soldier – they require a wise leader. A leader who can deliver change. The change everybody knows we need." Also spends time talking about his blue-collar background, courts the working class and criticizes McCain. Watch video here and read full remarks here. Plus: Watch the video that introduced Biden. McCain camp responds: "Joe Biden is right: We need more than a good soldier, we need a leader with the experience and judgment..." Permalink

"Barack Obama is the Man For This Job"

The former president addresses the Democratic convention in Denver. Offers glowing, detailed praise for Obama, mentioning him by name 15 times in his prepared remarks. Says of 1992: "Together, we prevailed in a campaign in which the Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander in chief. Sound familiar?" Read his prepared remarks. VIDEO: Watch a clip here. PHOTOS: View gallery here. McCain response: "President Clinton was finally forced to testify that Senator Obama is ready to be president, despite his previous arguments to the contrary." Read full response. Permalink

Wednesday in Denver

Day three of the Democratic convention featured a focus on national security, Kerry revenge on flip-flopping and a Bill Clinton barn-burner. Read all about Wednesday's speakers and remarks here. Permalink

THE NOMINEE

Obama is officially named the Democratic Party's nominee for president following a roll call vote on the convention floor. Two-thirds through the vote, Hillary Clinton moves for the party to suspend the procedural rules and nominate Obama by acclamation. "With the goal of unity... let's declare together in one voice right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president." WATCH VIDEO OF CLINTON'S REMARKS HERE. Obama was in a Denver hotel with his wife, daughters and extended family when he learned the news. Permalink

McAuliffe Leaves Door Open to Virginia Governor Run

The former Clinton camp chair -- and Obama peacemaker -- tells reporters at the convention that it’s a possibility. "I have never ruled anything out. We’ll see where we go.” Current Gov. Kaine leaves office in January 2010. Permalink

The Stranger in the Lobby

James Carville tells The Page what he thinks about Obama accepting the nomination at Invesco and how he thinks the convention is going so far. Plus: Bonus banter with Carville and Halperin in the Hyatt lobby . Watch it above. Permalink

"SCHMUCK"!!

Obama campaign chief of staff Jim Messina slams McCain in a meeting with Iowa Democrats. Speaking of McCain's home state of Arizona, says: "If Senator McCain continues to be the schmuck he's being, we're going to play there, you know, and go tell some truth." Developing... Permalink

TIME/CNN BATTLEGROUND POLLS

The latest numbers from key states: Colorado: McCain 47, Obama 46 Pennsylvania: Obama 48, McCain 43 Nevada: Obama 49, McCain 44 New Mexico: Obama 53, McCain 40 Dates conducted: August 24-26. Error margin: 4 points. Read more -- including how Ralph Nader is impacting the race -- here. First of a series of joint polls to be conducted every week in different battleground states through Election Day. Permalink

Carville As Willard Scott

CNN analyst says GOP convention could be blown away by Gustav. Watch video here. New Orleans officials are making preliminary evacuation plans to avoid a Katrina-style chaos as forecasters warn that the storm could grow into a dangerous Category 3 hurricane in the next several days. Also: Carville's non-existent relationship with email. Permalink

Column Wars

In remarkable pushback, the Obama campaign circulates Politico story pointing out that the GOP used classical columns at George W. Bush's 2004 convention. Obama adviser Axelrod replies: “I know that Senator McCain and his people are shooting barbs on the opulence of our convention from the mountaintop in Sedona from the McCain estate. I don’t think that warrants a response." Plus: McCain camp memo calls the football stadium where Obama will accept the nomination Thursday "The Temple of Obama" or "The Barackopolis." Read it here. Permalink

Plouffe: McCain Wants Lieberman

At a TIME-sponsored afternoon coffee event at Bauer's Ristorante in Denver, Obama's campaign manager says he thinks the Arizonan would like to pick Lieberman as his veep. Also says "we still have some work to do" with Clinton supporters and that "we don't run into McCain field organizers." Plus: Plouffe tells The Atlantic that Obama’s internal polling suggests McCain runs a double-digit deficit with swing-voting women and sporadically voting dems in some swing states — something they hope to capitalize on. "And that's before they know about his position on choice and that he's against equal pay." Permalink

Clinton to Delegates: "I Am Here to Release You"

The New York Senator tells her remaining elected delegates they are free to vote for Obama during the roll call. Her announcement prompts shouts of "No, no!" She says: "I am not telling you what to do. You've come here from so many different places having made this journey and feeling in your heart what is right for you to do." Permalink