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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from September 5th, 2008
Government Preparing to Seize Fannie, Freddie
NY Times: Bush administration senior officials tell top execs of the mortgage lending giants the government is preparing to place the two companies under federal control. Permalink
OBAMA, THE CELEB
The latest RNC-McCain camp ad “Temple,” again uses the celebrity label against the Land of Lincolner, charges that behind the hype Obama represents more of the same. “Take away the celebrity. The thrilling words. What’s left? Old ideas masquerading as change.” Ad also uses shots of other congressional Democrats. Don't miss the boffo opening shot. Watch it above. Read script here. Ad will air in 12 battleground states. Permalink
Troopergate Investigation Fast-Tracked
The Alaska Legislature announces it will release its findings on the Palin ethics investigation on October 10, three weeks earlier than expected. The legislative panel in charge of the inquiry also says it will issue subpoenas in the wake of seven witnesses withdrawing from voluntary testimony. The investigation was launched after allegations that Gov. Palin fired a public safety commissioner because of a conflict of interest. Permalink
Biden: My Argument Isn't With McCain the Man, It's His Ideas
The Delaware Senator lavishes praise on his colleague McCain, then energetically lambastes the GOP during a town hall in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Watch video above. “This ain’t your father’s Republican Party…this is a different Republican party.” Also tells a punchy anecdote about how his wife Jill and McCain grabbed dinner on the docks in Greece and ended up dancing on the table together. Permalink
Obama Indulges in Some Banana Cream Pie
The Land of Lincolner scarfs down some afternoon dessert during an unscheduled stop at the Avenue Diner in Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Initially makes a beeline for the grill counter to order his pie, but after about three bites he moves on to work the crowd. Read pool report here. Permalink
Sweet Tooth
John, Cindy McCain and Palin swing by The Chocolate Factory behind the speaking platform following their event, are greeted with applause and general excitement. Palin bought a a large scoop of moose tracks ice cream in a waffle cone, while McCain bought a scoop of watermelon sherbet and a brownie for Cindy. One man tells Palin, referring to her youngest daughter: “There’s a big groundswell for Piper for president.” She replies: “Oh, she would be the one!” Read pool report here. Permalink
McCain-Palin Keep Momentum Going in Wisconsin
The dynamic duo receive a rousing reception at a rally of about 11,000 supporters in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, fresh off the GOP convention. Watch video above. Palin introduces McCain by skewering Obama on the surge, continuing the punchy rhetoric so well-received in her convention speech. "I guess when you turn out to be profoundly wrong on a vital national security issue, maybe it's comforting to pretend that everyone else was wrong too." McCain opens up by saying "isn't this the most marvelous running mate in the history of this nation?" to wild cheers from the crowd. HALPERIN'S TAKE: Read the Palin 60-day TV strategy here. Permalink
Obama Accuses GOP of Ignoring Economy at Convention
The Land of Lincolner chastises McCain, the Republicans, saying they didn't make the economy a big focus in St. Paul during a Friday event in Duryea, Pennsylvania. "They spent a lot of time trying to run me down.... What they didn't talk about is you. And what you're going through in your lives." Jokes that the only state he hasn't campaigned in is Alaska, says he should go up there and check it out. Comes after Obama tours the local glass factory. Read pool report here. Permalink
Preliminary Ratings: McCain Speech Edges Obama's
Early Nielsen numbers say McCain's acceptance speech was watched by 4.8% of Americans households, compared with 4.3% for Obama's Denver address. NBC may have been boosted by the NFL opener immediately beforehand. Permalink
Oprah: No Palin Until After Election
The entertainment superstar tells TMZ she decided at the beginning of the campaign that once she took a public stance in support of a candidate she wouldn’t use her show as a political platform. Says in a statement: “I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over." Permalink
Bon Jovi Helps Stuff Obama Coffers
The rocker hosts a $30,800-per-person dinner/fundraiser at his New Jersey home Friday. Permalink
Jobs, Jobs, No Jobs
Obama team comes out swinging after new jobs report shows the unemployment rate jumped to 6.1%. Sen. McCaskill on morning conference call: "Their economic policies, John McCain's and George Bush's, have been proven job killers." Adds: On Thursday McCain "failed to ever give specifics as to how he would change the economic policies of George Bush." Read more here. Both campaigns also release statements. Obama's here and McCain's here. Permalink
Poll: Half Say Palin Doesn't Have Experience to Be President
ABC News poll shows: When asked if the veep candidate has the right experience to serve effectively as president, 42% of respondents say yes, 50% say no. When asked the same question about Biden, 66% say yes, 21% no. And/But: 50% of all voters view Palin favorably. Read more about the impact of the veep picks, their favorables and unfavorables here. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The 18 ways Sarah Palin can help McCain close the enthusiasm gap. Permalink
FINAL SPRINT
Conventions over, game on. Click here for the key dates. Plus: Politico on the GOP plan for the home stretch. Permalink
Westmoreland Defends "Uppity" Remark
The Republican Georgia Rep. doesn't back down from his Thursday quote labeling the Obamas "uppity." Says in a statement: "I've never heard that term used in a racially derogatory sense. It is important to note that the dictionary definition of 'uppity' is 'affecting an air of inflated self-esteem -- snobbish.'" Full statement here. Comes after he tells The Hill: "Just from what little I've seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they're a member of an elitist class [of] individual that thinks that they're uppity." Permalink
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