Archive - September 16, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Democrats Join the "Drill, Baby, Drill!" Chorus

Looking to neutralize a key Republican campaign issue, the House majority passes legislation allowing offshore drilling. Permalink

Palin to Meet Foreign Leaders at UN Next Week

Wall Street Journal: GOP strategist says McCain plans to introduce the Alaska Governor to heads of state at the opening of the UN General Assembly next week. The two will likely visit Tuesday, when President Bush will address the assembly. Permalink

New McCain Economic Ad: "Enough Is Enough"

Latest TV ad stays positive, vows McCain will "meet this financial crisis head on" and reform Wall Street. Ends with the tagline: "Experience and leadership in a time of crisis." Watch it above. Read script here. Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink

All Aboard, With Joe Biden

The VP candidate-- and his substantial entourage-- climb aboard Amtrak Tuesday for the trip from Washington, DC to Wilmington, Delaware. “I used to ride this thing every day and nobody paid any attention," the Senator jokes. Permalink

Couric to Interview Palin

TV Newser reports the CBS anchor will sit down with the GOP VP nominee on the campaign trail next week. Interview will also feature Palin and McCain together. Will air within days of the first presidential debate. Permalink

Obama Mocks McCain's Financial Proposals

Speaking in Golden, Colorado, the Land of Lincolner unveils his plan to revamp financial regulations, curb special interests and expand the economy. Also hits McCain on the financial crisis, saying he "did nothing" to head it off, quotes him saying "I’m always for less regulation." Says of McCain's idea for a 9/11-style commission: "Senator McCain offered up the oldest Washington stunt in the book –- you pass the buck to a commission to study the problem." Watch video here and read his remarks here. McCain camp responds: "Aside from inflating his own resume, Barack Obama offered nothing new..." Full statement. Permalink

Michigan GOP: Obama Camp Suit "Desperate"

State Republican Chair Saul Anuzis lashes out against the Obama camp, Michigan Democrats for filing suit over an alleged voter suppression plan, calling the charges "a complete fabrication." Says the move by the Dems is "designed to be nothing more than a distraction." Adds they will be filing their own suit, charging libel. Comes after Obama camp says they're seeking an injunction to block alleged "caging" by the state GOP -- using home foreclosure lists to seek to block residents from voting. Details here. Permalink

LAWMAKERS SUE TO END TROOPERGATE PROBE

Five Alaska GOP legislators file paperwork in Anchorage Superior Court Tuesday asking a judge to stop the ongoing investigation into Palin's firing of a public safety commissioner. Permalink

Fiorina: Palin Doesn't Have Experience to Run Major Company

When asked on a St. Louis radio show whether the Alaska Governor would be ready to run a company like Hewlett Packard if called upon, the top McCain aide says: "No, I don't." Fiorina, the former Packard CEO, goes on to say: "But that’s not what she’s running for. Running a corporation is a different set of things." Listen to audio here. Later adds on MSNBC: None of the candidates can run a major corporation -- including McCain, Palin, Obama, Biden -- because a career background in business is needed. Video here. Obama camp responds here. Permalink

FED LEAVES INTEREST RATE UNCHANGED

The Federal Reserve decides to keep the benchmark lending rate at 2% Tuesday. Permalink

McCain: "It Is a Bad Economy"

The Arizonan uses his remarks during his Tampa rally to discuss the financial crisis, blames it on "unbridled greed" among Wall Street CEOs. Makes a point during the event to say "it is a bad economy," after Monday flurry over his "the fundamentals of our economy are strong," remarks. Attacks Obama on taxes, saying "the worst thing you could do" in a bad economy is raise taxes, suggesting that's what Obama proposes. Full remarks here. Permalink

McCain Knocks Obama For Streisand Fundraiser

Speaking in Vienna, Ohio, McCain hits the Democrat for Tuesday's $28,500-a-person Hollywood fundraiser: "He talked about siding with the people... just before he flew off to Hollywood for a fundraiser with Barbra Streisand and his celebrity friends. Let me tell you, my friends, there is no place I’d rather be than here, with the working men and women of Ohio." Also says: "Sen. Obama's not interested in the politics of hope, he's interested in his political future." Watch video here. Permalink

Obama Camp Plans Another Ad Targeting McCain on the Economy

Latest spot goes after the Arizonan on jobs, suggests his policies contributed to jobs being sent overseas. Developing... Permalink

The Inventor of the BlackBerry (?)

McCain's top economic adviser Holtz-Eakin holds up his BlackBerry when asked by reporters Tuesday what work McCain did as Senate Commerce Committee chair that helped him understand the markets. "He did this," he says, pointing to his device. "Telecommunications of the United States is a premier innovation in the past 15 years, comes right through the Commerce committee so you're looking at the miracle John McCain helped create and that's what he did." Senior aide McDonald responds: "He would not claim to be the inventor or anything, much less the BlackBerry. This was obviously a boneheaded joke by a staffer." Plus: Obama camp says remark falls just short of "the most preposterous thing said all week." Statement here. Permalink