Headlines from August 31st, 2008

John and Cindy McCain both spoke on the morning shows. Meanwhile: GOP surrogates, including Giuliani, Pawlenty, Lieberman, Fiorina, Graham, Fred Thompson discuss the upcoming convention, Gustav's impact. Read The Page's full coverage here. Permalink

Palin for Bridge to Nowhere Before She Was Against It

Anchorage Daily News: The Alaska governor campaigned on the build-the-bridge platform in 2006, telling Ketchikan residents she felt their pain when politicians called them "nowhere." Adds, “They're still feeling pain today in Ketchikan, over Palin's subsequent decision to use the bridge funds for other projects...” Further fact checks Palin’s recent statements since becoming McCain’s running mate with her record in the state. Permalink

Politico: Conservative Base Loving Palin Pick

Limbaugh tells Jonathan Martin the response he's gotten from listeners on the selection of Palin: “Home f***ing run.” “Palin=Guns, Babies, Jesus. Contrast that to Obama's bitter clingers. Obama just lost blue-collar, white Democratic voters in Pennsylvania and other states.” Permalink

Latest List of GOP Convention No-Shows

LA Times lays out who won't be in St. Paul this week and why. --Gov. Schwarzenegger will bow out to stay in California and deal with a budget stalemate. Govs. Jindal and Perry say they'l cancel their prime-time convention appearances because of Gustav. --At least 10 incumbent senators have sent their regrets, mostly those in hotly contested races. --Alaska Sen. Stevens is awaiting trial on seven federal charges from a corruption scandal. Idaho Sen. Larry Craig also has reasons to avoid the Twin Cities. Permalink

Where They Are Sunday

McCain/Palin: Jackson, MS; O'Fallon, MO Obama/Biden: Toledo, OH; Battle Creek, MI Permalink

Newsweek Stars

McCain and his newly minted veep candidate land this week's cover. Package of stories include McCain's "hidden depths," a Q&A with the Arizonan and Palin as McCain's "Mrs. Right." Permalink

Headlines from August 30th, 2008

Poll: Palin a Mystery

A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds that 51% of Americans have never heard of McCain's running mate. Only 39% say she is ready to be president, if needed-- the lowest proportion since Dan Quayle in 1988. 33% say she is not ready, and 29% have no opinion. Two of three say Palin will have no impact on their vote. Conducted Friday; Error margin: 4 points. Permalink

Corn Fight!

Stopping at an Ohio farm stand, Obama, Biden, and Gov. Strickland squabble over which region has the best corn. Biden: "I used to think the South Jersey corn is ... the best corn." Obama: "Illinois has a little corn. I just want to make sure you know that." Strickland: "Ah, that's for hogs." Read the pool report. , 9:00 PM

First Biden Ad

Obama's veep pick is featured in his first ad, a positive bio piece to air in northeastern Pennsylvania. Biden talks about visiting his "grandpop" in Scranton, and compares his family to Obama's. "It feels good to be coming home, and bringing home a friend." Click above to watch, and read more here. Permalink

McCain Collects Over $7 Million Since Palin Announcement

Donations are pouring in to the Republican's campaign since Friday morning's announcement. Social and religious conservatives have been particularly energized by the VP pick. Palin raised less than $500,000 for her Alaska gubernatorial campaign. Permalink

Sunday NY Times: Palin Pick Sends Obama Team Scrambling

The Paper of Record says Obama staffers are headed to Anchorage and Palin's town of Wasilla to research the little-known governor, as the campaign develops its response. Plans to highlight her conservatism and short experience, and to enlist Sen. Clinton to hold on to women. Meanwhile, staffers are reviewing GOP convention speeches to ensure they don't push the experience issue too hard against Obama. Permalink

McCain: "I Know How People Are Hurting"

The Senator pushes back against the charge he's economically out of touch with voters. Tells the Chicago Tribune: "I have town hall meetings all over the country all of the time and I know how people are hurting." On the coming convention: "Sure I'm nervous... Sen. Obama is probably the greatest speaker of our time." Read more from his interview. Permalink

McCain May Curtail, Suspend Convention Due to Gustav

The GOP candidate tells Fox News that the convention may be trimmed, altered or even suspended for a day or two due to the storm. McCain: "It wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster." Watch video above. Full interview to air on Sunday's "Fox News Sunday." Meanwhile, the evacuation grows from Louisiana as Gustav strengthens to a Category 4 hurricane. Permalink

Some Alaska Pols Unwowed By Palin Choice

The State Senate president-- a Republican-- says she thought it was a joke: "She's not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president?" Plus: The Obama camp circulates negative reaction in newspapers from Alaska and elsewhere. , 2:10 PM

Cindy McCain "Offended" By Obama Speech

The candidate's wife tells ABC's "This Week" that Obama's derision of the McCain family's wealth was unfair and offensive. “My father had nothing. He and my mother sold everything they had to raise $10,000. I’m proud of what my dad and my mother did and what they built and left me.” In Thursday's stadium speech, Obama says McCain "doesn't know" and "doesn't get" what ordinary Americans are experiencing. Full interview airs on Sunday's "This Week." Permalink

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