The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from August 28th, 2008
Happy 72nd Birthday!!!
McCain celebrates turning another year older Friday by holding a rally with his pending veep choice in Dayton, Ohio. He shares his birthday with the third annniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and Michael Jackson, who turns 50 on Friday. Permalink
Morning Show Summary
All broadcasts led with Obama speech, covered McCain veep speculation. McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker on CBS's "Early Show" said McCain's veep choice will "come from his heart," that the campaign is "monitoring" Hurricane Gustav and that Obama's speech was "electrifying" but unfair. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. on "Early Show." Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on ABC's "Good Morning America" said the government is prepared for Hurricane Gustav. Beau Biden said on CNN's "American Morning" that Thursday was "an amazing night" and his focus is on being a good father, a good attorney general and helping Obama become president. Permalink
"I ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES"
Barack Obama officially accepts the Democratic nomination "with profound gratitude and great humility." Speaks to an estimated 84,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver. Watch video here and read his prepared remarks here. Quickly gets into questioning McCain's judgment, tying him to Bush's presidency, and continues to hammer him throughout speech. "It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it." PHOTOS: SEE A GALLERY OF THE EVENT HERE. Plus: Hillary Clinton releases a statement praising his remarks. Read it here. Permalink
McCain Camp: Obama Speech "Misleading," at Odds With His "Meager Record"
The Arizonan's camp sends out a statement the minute Obama's speech ends, blasting him for his remarks. "When the temple comes down, the fireworks end, and the words are over, the facts remain...Barack Obama is still not ready to be President." Full statement here. Also circulates oppo research on his record. Read document here. Permalink
How the West may be Won
Politico looks at how Democtatic voter registration has surged, with the party holding a 60,000-voter edge over the GOP in Nevada alone. Permalink
Gore: "We Face Essentially the Same Choice We Faced in 2000"
The former vice president urges the crowd to pick the Democrat this time around in his convention speech at Invesco Field. Makes the case for Obama while frequently tying McCain to Bush. "The same policies all over again? Hey, I believe in recycling, but that’s ridiculous." Read prepared remarks here, and watch video here. Permalink
Thursday in Denver
On the last night of the Democratic convention, John Lewis remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Al Gore made a recycling joke and Barack Obama went hard on McCain in his acceptance speech. Read the highlights and prepared remarks here. Permalink
Obama, Biden on "60 Minutes" Sunday
The Democratic ticket will do their first joint interview together as runningmates Sunday. Permalink
NICE FIGHT BREAKS OUT!!
After McCain releases nice-guy ad to air during Obama's speech tonight, Obama topper Plouffe says his campaign plans its own valentine ad to McCain after he accepts his nomination next week. "It's a very nice gesture," Plouffe says. Though also: "We wish more of his ads took that tone." Click above to Watch McCain's one-night-only ad. "How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day. Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight Senator, job well done." Permalink
Carter: McCain "Milking" POW Past
In tough USA Today interview, the former POTUS says McCain is "milking every possible drop of advantage" from his years in Hanoi. Also accuses him of succumbing to "every kind of lobbyist pressure that the right wing Republicans have presented to him," and says Lieberman has abandoned fellow Democrats. Carter is in Denver for Obama's acceptance speech. Permalink
Biden Opens His Mouth
Outside Invesco Field, the Democratic running mate jokes about being veep with a National Guardsman: “If I had your hair I’d be president, you know what I mean? I wouldn’t be screwing around with this job.” Permalink
UNITY PERSONIFIED
Susie Tompkins Buell -- major, major Hillary Clinton backer -- explains why she is now going to support Obama. THIS IS A BIG DEAL: BAY AREA DONOR/ACTIVIST AMONG THE MOST DIE-HARD CLINTON SUPPORTERS. Read the key quotes in her piece here. Permalink
Gustav Churns Closer
Nervous GOP officials track the hurricane as it sweeps across the Carribeean. Forecasters say there's a better than even chance the storm could pound New Orleans in the coming days. Officials still planning to open the Republican convention on schedule Monday. Permalink
Evening News Summary
Networks led with McCain's surprise VP pick. First mention of Obama's acceptance speech came at least seven minutes in. ABC: Called Palin's selection "a bolt from the blue," announced at McCain's largest rally so far. Said he decided against Lieberman only last weekend. Report included Limbaugh "babe" comment. Separate bio piece called her "immensely popular" in Alaska. Stephanopoulos called her "the sweet spot that he was looking for" and said the Obama team recognized it hit her too hard in the beginning. Later, mention of Obama's speech and its large audience, and recapped Obama and Biden in Pennsylvania. CBS: First thirteen minutes of broadcast were devoted to Palin's biography, rollout and analysis. After reporting on the Dayton event, detailed her "compelling life story" and political rise, as well as recapping the Obama camp's reaction and the candidate's subsequent softer tone. Bob Schieffer said McCain was "putting it all on the line" with Palin and Jeff Greenfield laid out the potential pros and cons. Only brief mention of Obama's speech -- and in the context of the Palin pick -- nine minutes in. NBC: Said the election will make history, no matter what. Mentioned Palin and McCain met each other just six months ago, included clip of Joe Scarborough not knowing how to pronounce her name. Report from Alaska mentioned she was in Vogue magazine a few months ago, included her father calling her "a tough nut." Later, mention of major ratings for Obama. ... Permalink
The Phoenix Sphinx
McCain stays uncharacteristically silent when boarding a plane in Phoenix bound for Dayton, Ohio, as reporters shouted a barrage of questions at him about whether he'd made up his mind. Instead, he flashes a double thumbs-up and boards the plane with his wife Cindy. Meanwhile: Campaign manager Rick Davis confirms to Fox News McCain has in fact selected his running mate. Watch video here. Permalink
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