Archive - September 9, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

FIGHT OVER MCCAIN'S HONOR LEADS TO ANGRIEST, MOST PERSONAL STATEMENTS SO FAR. New McCain ad on education produces angry back-and-forth statements. Read Obama campaign's original response here and McCain camp's comeback here. Plus: Obama strategist Anita Dunn calls McCain's effort an "increasingly dishonorable campaign." Statement here. Developing... hard and fast. Permalink

Obama Banks on Ground Game

TIME's Newton-Small: After a bad week in the polls, the Obama camp is still confident it can get out the vote. Permalink

DEAD HEAT

Latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll: Obama 47, McCain 46 Within the margin of error. Dates conducted: Sept. 6-8. Error margin: 3.3 points. Get more findings -- including how Palin and Biden impact the ticket -- here. Wall Street Journal on "The Palin Effect": "A majority of voters say they are comfortable with the idea of the first-term Alaska governor as vice president, despite a national debate over whether she is experienced enough for the job." Permalink

Obama Campaign Book Hits Shelves

"Change We Can Believe In" features the Senator's plans for the economy, health care and more, as well as the text of seven speeches. Obama wrote the book's foreword. Climbs fast up Amazon on its first day, with e-book available as well. Permalink

AP Thumb on the Scale: Obama On Defense

Wire service analysis finds the Land of Lincolner in a new position as he fights a resurgent and cash-flush GOP ticket. Notes that one of Obama's potential winning issues, the war in Iraq, has receded in voters' minds, while McCain is making gains on the economy. Permalink

Poll: More Undecided Voters Shifting to McCain

CBS News poll: Among voters who were uncommitted in August, 20 percent have moved to McCain, 14 percent are now with Obama, and 64 percent are still undecided. Also finds that 81 percent of respondents think the veep selection is influential, while only 38 percent felt that way in August. Read more here. Permalink

McCain, Palin Hit Back Hard With Own Education Ad

Latest McCain TV spot charges that Obama's only achievement in education policy is drafting legislation to teach "comprehensive sex education" to kindergartners. "Learning about sex before learning to read? Barack Obama. Wrong on education. Wrong for your family." Watch ad above. Read script here. Comes same day Obama unveils his latest education policy plan. Obama camp responds, calling the ad "shameful and downright perverse." Permalink

Sebelius: Palin's Novelty Will Wear Off

The Kansas governor, a woman, says voters will soon return their focus to issues: “The bottom line is that the voters, male and female, will be looking at who is going to lead this country and what direction they’re going to take us." Adds that she thinks "women voters and men voters are really looking for a new direction." RNC responds: "Voters are looking for someone who is ready to ‘lead this country’ in a ‘new direction’ – not the same old political attacks Barack Obama and Joe Biden continue to employ..." Permalink

Palin Reminds Pennsylvania Voters of Obama's "Bitter" Remark

The Alaska Governor kicks off a town hall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by recalling Obama's remarks in San Francisco in April where he called some Keystone State residents "bitter." "Here in Pennsylvania we just don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they're listening, and then turns around and talks how bitterly they cling to their guns and their religion when those people aren't listening." Watch video above. McCain-Palin are greeted by wild cheers on stage at the event's opening, Palin says into the mic: "John this is going to be fun today. This is going to be good." Permalink

O'Reilly Asks Obama About Wright, Ayers, More

Fox host explores Land of Lincolner's associations in latest installment of recorded interview. On Wright: "The relationship was ruptured, I'm not a member of the church." On Father Pfleger: "I haven't seen the guy in a year and half." More excerpts here. Permalink

Obama Bumps into "Big Daddy Garlits" at Virginia Soda Shoppe

The Democratic nominee makes a pit stop in Abingdon, Virginia for a vanilla milkshake, a burger and some sweet potato fries, runs into the 76-year-old Don Garlits, the pioneer of drag racing. “This is the father of drag racing, right here!” Obama says, introducing the retired Garlits to the cameras. Read pool report here. Permalink

McCain Camp: Biden Stem Cell Comments “A New Low"

The Republican’s campaign blasts the Delaware Senator for “launching an offensive debate over who cares more about special needs children.” Full statement here. Obama camp responds, attacking McCain for his "extreme position in opposing stem cell research." "It’s simply insulting for them to suggest that raising a substantive difference on this critical issue is playing politics." Earlier: On the trail in Missouri, Biden criticizes Republicans who oppose stem cell research while touting support of disabled children. "If you care about (children with developmental disabilities), why don't you support stem cell research?" Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Political news led the show, with polling data and the finding that fewer than one in five voters have not chosen a candidate. Package from Pennsylvania looked at "the Palin effect," said McCain never had as many rally participants or enthusiasm in his year and a half of campaigning alone. Quoted the candidates repeatedly attacking earmarks, though mentioned Palin hired a DC lobbyist as Wasilla mayor and she originally favored the Bridge to Nowhere. Obama package wrapped up the day, including his education plan. Stephanopoulos reviewed polling data. Later, package looked at women excited by Palin in Park Ridge, Illinois-- Hillary Clinton's home town. CBS: Led with Palin and Obama on the trail. Reported on Obama campaign "adjustments" to Palin's presence by "focusing on the issues" and saying "the Republicans are running on empty." Did "Reality Check" piece on Palin Bridge to Nowhere claims. Reported Palin "never said 'no thanks' to the federal funds," called her record on earmarks "mixed." Ran package on undecided voters, reporting Palin is "challenging the assumption" that the top of the ticket is the biggest factor for them. Also ran detailed piece breaking down Obama and McCain tax plans. Briefly mentioned new McCain education ad and Obama response to plan for Iraq troop withdrawal, and outlined results of new CBS News poll. NBC: Spent first 10 minutes on ‘08 race. Led with NBC/WSJ poll numbers, back-to-back packages on day’s political events. Said Obama camp is trying ... Permalink

Obama Campaign Calls Out Palin on Bridge

Democratic press release shows media consensus that Republicans still aren’t leveling on Palin’s Bridge to Nowhere record. Read it here. Plus: McCain team announces new "Palin Truth Squad" to fight "internet and liberal smears" against the governor. Read more. Permalink