Archive - August 29, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Ice Cream Treats for Obamas, Bidens

The foursome stop by the Windmill Ice Cream Shop in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Friday afternoon. Highlight: The ice cream. It was delicious. Best visual: Watching top adviser Axelrod eat a 3-inch chocolate-dipped vanilla cone. “This is going to be a mess,” he tells the press. Read the pool report here. Permalink

Palin=$

McCain camp claims $3 million poured in by 6 pm ET Friday after Palin pick. Permalink

Palin: I "Put Down the BlackBerries and Pick Up the Breast Pump"

The brand new veep contender explains how she multi-tasks motherhood and the governor's office to People magazine. I "do a couple of things different and still get it all done.” Her husband adds: "We’re an Alaska family that adapts.” PLUS: McCain denies his running mate has "a short resume." "She first ran for office back in 1992. I don’t know what Senator Obama was doing then, but the first time she ran was 1992. That’s 16 years. I think that’s a pretty, pretty event-filled and record-filled resume." People magazine snags the first sit-down with the two families. Read more of their comments here. Permalink

Obama Backs Off "Hair Trigger" Reaction to Palin

On the trail Friday in Pennsylvania, the Democrat distances himself from his campaign's first, sharply worded reaction to McCain's veep choice. Suggests his campaign was on a "hair trigger," and says, "The statement that Joe and I put out reflects our sentiments." Adds: "I haven't met her before. She seems like a compelling person ... with a terrific personal story." Read the campaign's original statement, and the following "good cop" statement. Update: Obama and Biden place separate phone calls to Palin Friday. Obama wishes her luck, "but not too much." Permalink

Obama, Biden Kick Off Battleground Bus Tour in Pennsylvania

The now official Democratic ticket makes Friday visits to a biodiesel fuel plant in Monaca, an ice cream store in Aliquippa and a rally in downtown Beaver. Pennsylvania is the first stop on the bus tour that will also take the two Democrats to Ohio, Michigan and Indiana during the Labor Day weekend. Plus: The Obama and Biden families meet with Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin in Pittsburg. Permalink

Clinton to Palin: Congrats, But You're Still The Wrong Choice

The NY Senator gives a mixed welcome to McCain's new running mate: "We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain. While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate." Permalink

Before the Offer, McCain Met Palin Just Once

A tick-tock released by the McCain campaign shows the two met six months ago, but their relationship developed quickly. , 4:15 PM

Palin: GOP Needs Diversity

In a CNBC interview earlier this week, the surprise veep hinted at McCain's coming announcement. Also made the case for drilling in ANWR. Read transcript here or watch video above. Permalink

Sarah Barracuda

A highly competitive, athletic woman with a cool high school nickname, who owns a float plane and loves mooseburgers. Read your essential, finely-culled Sarah Palin facts here. Permalink

Conservative Skeptics on Palin

National Review Editor and TIME contributor Ramesh Ponnuru expresses his disapproval of McCain's "reckless choice." Questions the pick for her "inexperience," "tokenism," and no known compatibility with McCain or debating ability. "I am not even sure that the pick will have quite the galvanizing effect on conservatives that it seems to be having now as it sinks in. The concerns I’ve mentioned here—about her readiness and her credentials—are the kind of thing that many conservative voters take seriously." Permalink

Rush: "A Babe on the Ticket"

Talk show king says of Palin choice: "It's an inspired choice... this is absolutely fabulous." "We're the ones with the babe on the ticket." Read more of what Rush said about Palin here. Permalink

WORLD RECORD

38 million watch Obama at Invesco Field Friday-- making it the most-watched convention night in history. The total beat the Olympics opening ceremony, Academy Awards, and American Idol finale this year. See photos from the event here. Permalink

McCain - Palin

Sen. McCain appears in Dayton, Ohio at the rally to roll out his running mate, Alaska Govorner Sarah Palin. Watch video above. McCain: "She's got the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today." Palin: “I know it will demand the best that I have to give, and I promise nothing less.” Neither mention Obama or Biden directly. Permalink

Obama Spokesman: "More of the Same"

Obama communications director Robert Gibbs tells MSNBC: "The governor of Alaska is going to be more of the same George Bush policies. You don't have significant breaks from the Bush administration." Though he concedes she has "a compelling voice." Original campaign statement swiftly criticizes the "former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience. Read full statement. Counter-punch from McCain aide Hazelbaker: "She has a record of accomplishment that Senator Obama simply cannot match.” Read full response . Plus: Good cop statement on Palin from Obama and Biden: "It is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics...." Read the whole thing. , 11:30 AM

Dobson Plans to Vote for McCain

The head of Focus On The Family, who previously said he wouldn't vote for the Arizonan "under any cirumstances," says he has changed his mind. "If flip-flopping is a sin, then I am a sinner." Permalink