Archive - September 1, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Gustav Only Sideswipes New Orleans

A weaker-than-expected hurricane swirled into Lousiana's Cajun country Monday. The hurricane has lost some intensity once it hit land, coming ashore as a Category 2 with 110 mph winds and quickly dropping to a Category 1. Mayor Nagin says residents may be able to return as early as Wednesday. Latest updates here. Some two million have evacuated the area. Storm misses the bulk of oil complex off the coast. Permalink

Stephanopoulos: "The Big Question... What Else Don't We Know About Governor Palin"

ABC News journo also says about 10 Republican operatives, including lawyers, are heading to Alaska for more background work on Gov. Palin. Watch video above. Read more from Stephanopoulos, including what Democrats are saying about Palin's vetting-- click here. Earlier: NBC's Andrea Mitchell also reports that lawyers are headed to the 49th state for "a deeper vet." Click above to watch. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The unanswered questions about Sarah Palin. Permalink

Poll: Obama Gets Slight Convention Bounce

USA Today/Gallup poll finds: Obama 50, McCain 43 Obama held a four-point lead in poll conducted days before the convention. Dates conducted: Aug. 30-31. Error margin: 2-3 points. Read more on the poll here. Permalink

Biden to Rove: "You Can Call Me Anything You Want"

On a campaign flight Monday, the Democrat responded cheerily to being called a "big, blowhard doofus." Said with a grin, "He's a great American.... I learned a long time ago you can call me anything you want." But added a jab of his own: "I don't think we'll have any trouble resuming the campaign. I guess Karl did it already. I guess he didn't get the memo." Earlier: Rove insults Biden at Maine delegate breakfast in St. Paul, later asking, "Is there press in this room?" Permalink

Republicans Finish Short St. Paul Monday

Day one of the Republican National Convention closes at 6:00 pm ET after Hurricane Gustav caused political restraint and a somber mood at the Xcel Center. Laura Bush addresses the convention about relief for the Gulf region: "Like all of you, George and I were planning on coming to enjoy this convention.... Our first priority now is to ensure the safety and well being of those living in the Gulf Coast region." "When such events occur we are reminded that first, we are all Americans." Cindy McCain also urged those in attendance to aid in relief efforts. Plus: Five people are arrested as protests heat up near the convention site. Permalink

Biden Attacks, Despite the Storm

While the Democratic veep candidate says early Monday it's not a day for national politics, he ends up going after McCain for his views on offshore drilling -- and questioning his foreign policy judgment. Tells a group of family, friends outside his Scranton childhood home: "The only guy in America in a position of some authority who is out of sync with the whole rest of the world is John McCain." Permalink

Palin Lawyers Up

An Anchorage attorney ostensibly hired by Palin has requested a copy of witness statements and other evidence from the investigator looking into the issue. The investigator has been instructed by a state Senator not to comply. Gov. Palin fired the state's public safety commissioner, who would not dismiss Palin's sister's ex-husband, a state trooper. Permalink

Networks Focus on Storm Continues

All three network anchors host a primetime hour-long special on Hurricane Gustav from New Orleans. NBC: Brian Williams looks at the lessons learned from Katrina and what kind of political fall-out is being felt at the Republican National Convention. Release here. ABC: Charles Gibson looks at the evacuees and the hurricane's impact on the nation’s politics. He will interview Mayor Nagin. Release here. CBS: Katie Couric looks into the strike and aftermath, including the evacuation process and what went right compared to Katrina. She'll interview Mayor Nagin, Homeland Security Cheif Chertoff. Release here. Permalink

Roberta McCain Settles In at Xcel

The candidate is absent from the GOP convention in St. Paul Monday-- but his 96-year-old mother is attending the evening's session. Permalink

Poll: Obama-Biden Holds 8-Point Lead

From CBS: Obama-Biden: 48 McCain-Palin: 40 The Democrats' lead grows from just 3 points before the Democratic convention. Read more -- including what difference the veep choices are making -- here. Conducted Aug 29-31; error margin: 3 points. Permalink

Cash Money for McCain

The candidate raises $47 million in August-- his best month yet. Some $10 million have flowed in just since Friday, when Gov. Palin joined the ticket. Permalink

"I Am Home. Joe Biden 9.1.08"

Joey Biden returns to his childhood home at 2446 N. Washington Street in the Green Ridge neighborhood of Scranton, Pennsyvlania Monday afternoon and indulges in more than a bit of nostalgia. Permalink

Schmidt Swarmed on Palin Grandchild

Top McCain aide Steve Schmidt is surrounded by press asking about Bristol Palin's pregnancy as he enters the GOP convention site. Says McCain knew of the pregnancy. Asked if Gov. Palin could be an effective VP with her busy family life, says: “I can’t imagine that question being asked of a man.” TIME: Pregnancy no secret in Wasilla. Politico: Grizzled veteran GOP hand Tucker Eskew aiding Palin with media onslaught. ABC: McCain aide Holtz-Eakin: "No sense of panic" in the campaign. Permalink

NY Times: McCain Camp Shines Through Storm

The Paper of Record’s Nagourney writes that the team’s quick alteration of their convention schedule in light of Hurricane Gustav “is perhaps the strongest evidence to date of how much his organization has sharpened over the summer.” Permalink