Archive - September 6, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama to Palin: "You Can't Just Make Stuff Up"

The Land of Lincolner makes his first direct criticism of the GOP veep candidate at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds Saturday in Terre Haute, Indiana. Suggests Palin pretends to oppose spending earmarks when she has embraced them, ridicules the GOP ticketmates for describing themselves as agents of change at the convention. "She's a skillful politician. But, you know, when you've been taking all these earmarks when it's convenient, and then suddenly you're the champion anti-earmark person, that's not change. Come on! I mean, words mean something, you can't just make stuff up." McCain camp response: "Just like so many other issues Barack Obama is all talk, has no record to back it up and isn't ready to make change." Permalink

Candidates Respond to Fannie, Freddie News on Sunday Shows

Obama tells ABC's "This Week" he supports a government takeover as long as shareholders and execs don't profit from it. Adds he was briefed on the Fannie-Freddie plan by Treasury Secretary Paulson in a Friday night phone call. More excerpts here. McCain tells CBS' "Face the Nation" he thinks the takeover "has to be done." "I think that we’ve got to keep people in their homes." More excerpts here. Permalink

Schweitzer 2012

The Montana Governor gets the surprise nod to speak at Tom Harkin's annual Steak Fry in Iowa next weekend. Read Harkin's letter to supporters announcing the coveted slotting here. Permalink

McCain's Schmidt: "Fun Steve is Dead"

Sunday NY Times profiles the work of McCain strategist Steve Schmidt. Permalink

McCain-Palin Keep Drawing Monster Crowds

Making their debut in the West at a Colorado Springs airport hangar, the GOP ticket pulls in between 10,000 and 15,000 voters. Politico: "As with yesterday in Wisconsin and Michigan, there are not just more people but significantly more excitement and anticipation than at past McCain rallies." Permalink

TOGETHER

Obama, McCain release a joint statement saying they'll visit Ground Zero together in New York Thursday to commemorate the anniversary of September 11. “All of us came together on 9/11 - not as Democrats or Republicans – but as Americans." "On Thursday, we will put aside politics and come together to renew that unity, to honor the memory of each and every American who died..." Full statement here. Permalink

McCain's Shimansky Problem

Republican presidential nominee loses the support of bellwether former Clinton backer over Palin pick. Shimansky: "I would have voted for McCain if he made a sensible choice for VP." Read the renowned Democratic activist's full exclusive-to-The-Page statement here. Flashback link from June 6: Shimansky shocker as she tells The Page she transferred her support from Clinton to McCain. Permalink

Obama Bashes McCain to AARP

In Saturday address via satellite to the group's "National Life at 50+" event in D.C., the Democratic nominee frames his rival as wrong on taxes, Social Security, health care and more, using the usual attack lines. "But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time. And I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a 10 percent chance on change." Read remarks here. Plus: Members ask Obama questions following his address. Read pool report here. McCain camp response: "This shows why Barack Obama isn’t ready to lead. John McCain has always promised to fiercely protect Social Security benefits..." Read it here. Permalink

Obama: "We're Not Going to be Bullied, We're Not Going to be Smeared"

The Land of Lincolner counters GOP attacks, braces his supporters for the next two months while speaking at a fundraiser hosted by rocker Bon Jovi in Middletown, New Jersey Friday night. “I hope you guys are up for a fight. I don't believe in coming in second. The American people can't afford for us to come in second." More than 100 people attended the $30,800-per-person dinner/fundraiser. Permalink

Palin Radio Address: I'm Not Your Average Politician

The Alaska Governor continues her attempt to introduce herself to the American public while filling in for McCain in his weekly radio address. Tells voters: "I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment, and I have no plans to join." Also reiterates a lot of the points from her convention speech Wednesday night -- particularly on taxes, energy, reform and ethics. Listen to it here. Permalink

Newsweek: Todd Palin to Lawyer up in Troopergate Matter

Newsmag also says McCain campaign involved in partisan decisions over investigation wrangling. Permalink

Troopergate Trooper Speaks

Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten, Sarah Palin's ex-brother-in-law at the center of the scandal, tells the Washington Post he'd like to put the controversy behind him and "move on with my life." Denies he ever threatened to kill Palin's father, regrets the case has exploded in the national media. "I think that the nomination that Sarah got is great for the state of Alaska. I wish her good luck and the family good luck. I honestly think that everyone involved in this wanted to put this beyond us." , 7:20 AM

In It to Win It

HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five best things that just might come out of St. Paul for John McCain. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five worst things that just might come out of St. Paul for John McCain. Permalink

Palin's Intersection of Religion, Politics

NY Times speaks to the Alaska governor's former and present pastors, fellow church goers, to get a sense of how her religious beliefs are put to work in her politics. Recounts how shortly after taking office as governor in 2006, Palin contacted her former pastor for spiritual advice on how to do her new job. "She asked for a biblical example of people who were great leaders and what was the secret of their leadership," the pastor said. Also takes a look at Palin's nondenominational Wasilla Bible Church, and how it has come under fire recently by gay, Jewish groups. Plus: Chicago Tribune also takes a look at Palin's religion. Permalink

Dems Gain Big in Registrations, GOP Declines

AP: Since the midterms in '06, the Democrats have added more than 2 million voters in 28 states while the Republicans have lost nearly 344,000. Permalink