Archive - September 14, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

What Obama Should Do

TIME's Mark Halperin -- appearing Sunday on ABC's "World News" -- reports on the three most urgent pieces of advice Democratic strategists are giving the Obama campaign. Watch it above. Permalink

McCain Hits the NASCAR Circuit

The Senator and his wife swing by the Sylvania 300 race in New Hampshire Saturday. Speaks with drivers, joined by Richard Petty and Curt Schilling. McCain makes a brief appearance on ABC at the race-- click above to watch. Read pool reports here and here. Earlier: McCain tells the Union Leader he's "grown to love" the swing state, jokes about Romney's house. Permalink

New Minnesota, Iowa Numbers

From Minneapolis Star Tribune: McCain 45, Obama 45 Poll conducted Sept. 10-12; error margin 3.9 points. Read more here. From Des Moines Register: Obama 52, McCain 40 Poll conducted Sept. 8-10; error margin 4 points. Read more here. Permalink

Obama Team: McCain Promises "Lobbyist-Run White House"

The Democrat's team seizes on a TIME report that longtime lobbyist William Timmons has been recruited for a possible McCain transition. Campaign launches a new TV ad, holds afternoon conference call and circulates memo blasting McCain's ties to lobbyists. Read the memo here. Rep. Wasserman Schultz on media call: "We have a campaign here that is of, by and for the lobbyists... that is the last thing that we need in this country." TV ad: "His campaign is run by lobbyists. Now we find out McCain’s White House will be lobbyist-run too... Does that sound like change to you? Click above to watch, and read script here. Size, location of ad buy unknown. RNC responds: Obama's attacks "a transparent attempt to cover-up for his campaign’s lack of transparency and abundance of special-interest connections.” Read full response. Permalink

Obama, Palin Head to the Centennial State

The Democratic nominee and his vice presidential GOP counterpart campaign separately in Colorado Monday. Obama is in Grand Junction and Pueblo, while Palin stumps in Golden. Plus: Wash Post's Balz on how Colorado is on the Obama campaign's list of vulnerable states. Rocky Mountain News: "The two most charismatic figures in the race for the White House... square off in the square state, seeking its nine electoral votes and hoping a domino effect will occur Nov. 4 in Nevada and New Mexico...." Meanwhile, McCain is in Florida and Biden in Michigan Monday. Permalink

Obama Smashes His Fundraising Record

The Senator pulls in $66 million in August, and added 500,000 new donors. Total cash on hand totals $77 million. Previous best month saw $55 million. Campaign manager Plouffe: "The 500,000 new donors to the Obama campaign demonstrate just how strongly the American people are looking to kick the special interests out and change Washington." Read campaign release here. POLITICO: He still needs more to get through November. Permalink

Outside Air Wars

The SEIU launches a pro-Obama commercial, as outside groups on both sides prepare to ramp up TV advertising. Ad features struggling family, touts Obama's tax cuts while hitting McCain's comments on the economy. $2.1 million buy to air in six states. Hits airwaves Monday-- click above to watch. Meanwhile, an anti-Obama group-- including some behind 2004's "Swift Boat" ads-- prepares a round of attack ads against the Democrat. Permalink

Palin's Take on SNL: "Quite Funny"

The vice presidential nominee enjoyed Tina Fey's spoof of her, according to her spokeswoman: "Especially because the governor has dressed up as Tina Fey for Halloween." "Saturday Night Live's" Fey made her debut as Sarah Palin on the season premiere, along with Amy Poehler as Sen. Clinton. Click above to watch. Palin: "Tonight we are crossing party lines to address the now-very ugly role that sexism is playing in the campaign." Clinton: "An issue which I am frankly surprised to hear people suddenly care about." Permalink

"This Week" to Host McCain Town Hall

The ABC program will host the Republican nominee for an hour-long forum Sept. 28 in Columbus, Ohio. The Obama campaign is still considering an invitation to join. Permalink

POLICY CORNER

--McCain and Obama call for closer U.S.-Chinese ties on trade, the environment and other issues in an upcoming China trade magazine. Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

Obama, McCain surrogates do battle on the morning's network shows-- read more here. Permalink

PALIN POTPOURRI

--Palin has sought over $450 million from Washington for Alaska project during the last two years. --Todd Palin plays "unpaid but central role" in his wife's administration. --Palin has not yet taken a stance toward Sen. Stevens and Rep. Young, party-mates caught in corruption probes. --Palin's popularity in Alaska seems to muzzle criticism. Permalink

McCain, Palin to Hold Joint Town Halls

Sessions being planned for this week in western Michigan and Wisconsin. Permalink

Big Papers Dig Deep -- and Tough -- on Palin Alaska Record

Essential reading: NY Times and WashPost examine Palin's time as governor and mayor. NYT: "Throughout her political career, she has pursued vendettas, fired officials who crossed her and sometimes blurred the line between government and personal grievance...." WashPost: "The universe of the mayor of Wasilla is sharply circumscribed even by the standards of small towns, which limited Palin's exposure to issues such as health care, social services, the environment and education." Stories sure to be followed up by other organizations -- and attacked by the right. Permalink