Archive - September 11, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Palin Apparently Eases Global Warming Stance

In her second interview with Charlie Gibson, the Alaska governor says humans may play a role in climate change-- a different view from what she's suggested in past comments. Also says she continues to disagree with McCain about drilling in ANWR, which he opposes and she supports. "We'll agree to disagree but I'm going to keep pushing that and I think eventually we're all going to come together on that one." Read more excerpts here. More clips of Gibson's interviews from Alaska will be aired on Friday's "World News" and in a "20/20" special. Permalink

Behind Chavez's Expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador

TIME's Padgett and Lopez analyze how domestic politics may have driven Venezuela's decision to expel Patrick Duddy. Permalink

SERVICE NOW

TIME managing editor Rick Stengel and PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff question McCain, Obama during a national service forum Thursday at Columbia University in New York City. The two candidates shake hands/hug between their individual sessions. Obama: Praises mayors' jobs, says he doesn't understand why community organizing took a beating at the GOP convention. McCain: Jokes about his age, praises Ted Kennedy, says he thinks the draft "was most unfair" because "the wealthiest found ways to avoid" it. Plus: TIME magazine devotes this week's mag to service. Get details here. Permalink

MCCAIN, OBAMA VISIT GROUND ZERO

Candidates visit together the site of the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Watch video above. They're joined by Cindy McCain, Michael Bloomberg. All four drop flowers into the makeshift memorial pond, bow their heads in reflection. Obama, McCain shake hands with first responders. Read Obama pool report here. Earlier: McCain delivers remarks from the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Read them here. Obama releases 9/11 anniversary statement here. And: Biden remembers 9/11 in Ohio: "This is not about politics today. This about our fallen heroes and a whole lot of people like the people here today." Permalink

Palin Talks to ABC News About Her National Security Credentials

Charlie Gibson conducts first of three interviews with the vice presidential candidate, focused on national security. Watch video above. TIME's Gibbs and Poniewozik appraise Palin's first encounter with the mainstream media. AP: "Sarah Palin proposed NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine, at risk of putting the U.S. in conflict with Russia, and declared her readiness for high office Thursday as she took a cautious step out of the protective bubble she's been in since joining John McCain's ticket." Palin appears unfamiliar with the Bush Doctrine. Gibson: Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine? Palin: In what respect, Charlie? Gibson: What do you interpret it to be? Palin: His worldview? Gibson: No, the Bush Doctrine. Enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq War. Watch the exchange, and read it here. Also discuss Russia's invasion of Georgia. Palin says the U.S. would "perhaps" need to fight Russia if Georgia joined NATO and Russia invaded the country again. Read the full exchange. Also acknowledges she has not met a foreign head of state, and had not left North America before becoming governor. Read more excerpts from Palin's first TV interview as VP nominee. Permalink

Clinton, Obama Have "Great Conversation" Over Lunch

Spokesmen for Bill Clinton, Obama release a joint statement after their Harlem lunch Thursday. Says they barely talked about the campaign, discussed how the world changed since 9/11. Read it here. Clinton tells reporters before they sit down: "I predict that Senator Obama will win and win pretty handily." Watch video here and Read pool report here and addendums here. Plus: Obama previews the lunch on Letterman Wednesday night, says he looks forward to hearing Clinton's advice. Read transcript here. Politico: It is not clear if Obama wants his advice about how to win the presidency, but many Dems believe it is increasingly clear he could use it. More: Obama camp announces Hillary Clinton will campaign for them in northeast Ohio Sunday. Details here. Permalink

More Palin Multiplier Effect

New McCain-Palin energy formula: more fundraising + volunteers = more state offices + more staff Increases include around 20 more offices in big targeted states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, 10 more in Iowa. Plus: several hundred additional staffers. Permalink

Palin Administration May Fight Subpoenas in Court

The Alaska Governor's team is threatening legal action to block subpoenas as part of the Troopergate investigation. Subpoenas of Palin staffers may be issued as early as Friday. Permalink

Palin's Father on Attacks: "They Are Getting Mean — Very Mean"

Chuck Heath tells CNN that his daughter's new role "makes me nervous": "I mean, she's still my little girl." Adds he was "shocked" when she was picked, the news hasn't "settled in" yet. Watch video above. Part of documentary to air on the veep candidates Saturday evening. Permalink

BLAGOJEVICH GOES OFF MESSAGE

Obama-backing Illinois Governor says it's a "tactical mistake" to question Palin's experience, suggests a governor is better prepared for executive office than a legislator. “The reality is, governors every day have to make decisions for better or for worse... And it's a position that is like what you're going to do when you're president. Legislators, they do different things. They debate and they pass their bills back and forth.” Permalink

Balz: Obama May Have Underestimated McCain

Essential reading: The WashPost sage says Obama probably did not anticipate his opponent's "daring" VP pick or the "relentless barrage" of attacks from his campaign. But adds: "One thing is clear. They do not panic in Chicago." Permalink

McCain: Palin the Country's Top Energy Expert

Speaking to a Maine TV station Wednesday, McCain says his running mate “knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America." Listing credentials for Palin, also notes that Alaska neighbors Russia. Permalink

McCain: Palin to Do "Numerous" Interviews in Coming Days

The Arizona Senator tells a Maine NBC affiliate that the closely guarded veep candidate will do a series of media sit-downs in the immediate future. Permalink

Chafee: Palin a "Cocky Wacko"

The former Rhode Island Republican Senator who supports Obama tells a D.C. crowd Palin's selection has had the unintended effect of energizing the Democratic side. "People were coming into my office, phone calls were flooding in, e-mails were coming in, 'I just sent money to Obama, I couldn’t sleep last night' — from the left. To see this cocky wacko up there," he says to laughter. Adds that the Alaska governor has revived a "lackluster McCain candidacy." Permalink

"Here We Remember Those Who Died"

President Bush dedicates the new memorial at the Pentagon on the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Full remarks here. Earlier: Bush and his wife and Vice President Cheney and his wife observe a moment of silence at 8:46 am ET. Permalink