Archive - September 8, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama: "They're Not Telling the Truth"

The Democratic nominee tells Keith Olbermann that McCain and Palin are "stretching the bounds of spin" when touting reform in their most recent TV ad. Watch video above. Plus: John and Cindy McCain are expected to be guests on "The View" for the full hour Friday. AND: Obama is set to appear on Letterman Wednesday. Permalink

ABC News/WashPost: White Women Flocking to McCain After St. Paul

Latest poll out Monday finds: Among white women: McCain 53, Obama 41 Ahead of conventions, among same group: Obama 50, McCain 42. Horserace numbers also find the two in a dead heat: Obama 47, McCain 46. Read more -- including who is winning independents -- here. Conducted September 5-7, error margin 3 points. Permalink

Another Poll Suggests McCain Convention Bounce

From CBS News national poll: McCain 46, Obama 44 Read more -- including the state of the enthusiasm gap -- here. Dates conducted: Sept. 5-7. Error margin: 4 points. Permalink

McCain Camp Bashes Book Ban Brouhaha

Calling the charge "a vicious smear," the McCain team releases memo denying that Palin ever sought to ban books from Wasilla's library. Says she merely asked "a rhetorical question" about the library's policy on challenging books. Read the memo here. Permalink

Obama Ad: McCain, Palin No Mavericks

New TV spot from the Illinois Senator stresses McCain's ties to Bush and lobbyists, and says Palin "was for the 'bridge to nowhere' before she was against it." "You don't call that maverick, you call that more of the same." Click above to watch, and read script here. Ad airs beginning Monday in key battleground states. Permalink

Michelle Obama's Turn on "Ellen"

After her husband famously danced with the talk show host last year, Michelle Obama gets down with Ellen DeGeneres on Monday's show. Click above to watch the moves. Permalink

Obama Calls Palin Out on Bridge to Nowhere

On the trail in Michigan, the Illinois Senator hits his new opponent hard Monday for her stance on the infamous earmark. "She was for it until everybody started raising a fuss about it and she started running for governor and then suddenly she was against it!" "I mean you can't just make stuff up. You can't just recreate yourself. You can't just reinvent yourself. The American people aren't stupid." Plus: McCain defends Palin in local NBC interview, saying, "Gov. Palin learned that earmarks are bad and she did say, we don’t need our Bridge to Nowhere." Permalink

Democratic State Senator Retains Troopergate Oversight Role

The head of the Alaska Legislative Council rules Sen. Hollis French will continue to oversee the ethics investigation, despite accusations by the GOP that he is manipulating the probe for political impact. Permalink

Obama on Taxes: "You Think I Like Writing a Check?"

The Land of Lincolner sticks up for his tax plan on Fox's "The O' Reilly Factor" in the second segment of his interview released Tuesday. "Look, I don’t like paying taxes.... What I believe is, is that there are certain things we have got to do." More excerpts here. Interview to air Monday at 8 pm ET. Two more segments will air Tuesday and Wednesday. Permalink

Obama: "It's Hard to Believe" McCain's For Change

The Democratic nominee jabs at McCain during a Flint, Michigan rally, suggests his rival would deliver a third Bush term if elected. Adds: "You don't have to tell people in Michigan the economy is not in good shape. But you do need to tell John McCain." McCain camp responds here. Permalink

Rendell to McCain-Palin: Stop Lying About Obama's Tax Plan

The Pennsylvania Governor accuses the GOP ticketmates of using "the big lie strategy," where the campaign repeats something often enough and hopes it sticks. Says on a media call with reporters: "I call on Senator McCain to stop misleading, stop lying, about Senator Obama’s tax plan." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Led with new poll showing the presidential race "dead even." Stephanopoulos credited Palin for the dramatic shift of white women toward McCain and the greater numbers who believe he will bring change. Also said Democrats have had trouble choosing a strategy against Palin, while Republicans think she takes Alaska and Montana off the table and could have a major impact in Ohio, Missouri and Michigan. NBC: Led with two packages on the '08 race. Said McCain aides noticed "a shift" after St. Paul with bigger crowds, rise in polls. Noted Palin staying with McCain on the stump longer than originally planned. Said McCain advisers studied Palin's tapes before selecting her, knew she could effectively deliver a line against Obama. Highlighted Obama's "new bluntness" on the stump, Clinton not going after Palin at her Florida event. CBS: Tennis Permalink

Streisand Among Obama Hollywood Fundraiser Headliners

She will perform at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel Sept. 16 for the $2,500-per-person event. DreamWorks team Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, as well as political savant Andy Spahn, will co-host. Permalink

Wasilla Provides Palin Documents

The Alaska city posts a set of documents on its web site — including past city budgets, descriptions of Palin’s duties as mayor, and whether any books were ever banned from the city library — in response to reporters’ repeated questions. Permalink

McCain-Palin Keep Heat on Obama in Missouri

The two take their campaign to the Show Me State, slamming their Democratic opponent to the wild cheers of voters at a rally in Lee's Summit. Palin slams Obama for talking up "change" but not supporting the surge: "In Iraq change happened, and that's a great thing for America, Senator." Click above to watch. Continues to recap her record as mayor and governor as she introduces herself to voters. An enthusiastic crowd interrupts her remarks to chant: "Sarah, Sarah, Sarah." McCain attacks his rival on earmarks and his ability to bring about change: "Obama hasn't stood up to anyone in his party yet, and that's what we'll do." Permalink