The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from September 17th, 2008
Analysis: McCain's, Obama's Economic Message
Washington Post: "With economic anxiety rising, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama scrambled Wednesday to adjust their messages to connect more directly with financially struggling voters." Politico also looks at the campaigns struggling with a bailout response while the WSJ believes "the nation's economic woes have created new opportunity for Barack Obama to regain control of the campaign debate." Permalink
Poll: McCain-Palin Grabbing Swing Voters
A new TIME poll shows McCain-Palin are winning over the swing voters that both sides need in November. The poll, conducted Sept. 11-15, shows Obama and McCain running a dead heat among women overall. But McCain holds an 18-point lead among older, less-educated likely women voters. Permalink
McCain-Palin Buddy Picture
The GOP ticket finished a successful joint town hall in a Grand Rapids college gym with a huge, enthusiastic crowd and winning answers. McCain and Palin comfortably traded off responding to (mostly super-friendly) questions -- and extolling the other one's virtues. Read more, including how Palin responds to those who doubt her qualifications-- click here. Permalink
Obama Targets McCain on Energy, Social Security in Ads
In an unannounced spot airing in Michigan, the Obama camp portrays McCain against alternative energies and in the pocket of the oil companies. Watch it above. The second ad, also unreleased by the campaign, accuses McCain of wanting to privatize Social Security. Watch it here. Permalink
New National Numbers
From CBS News/New York Times poll: Obama 48, McCain 43, undecided 7 Dates conducted: Sept. 12-16. Error margin: 3 points. More from the poll -- including favorables and unfavorables -- here. Permalink
Vice President Palin, Energy Czar
The Alaska Governor tells Fox News' Hannity that her role in a McCain White House would be focused on energy independence, tax cuts and curbing spending. "We sort of have a do-nothing Senate right now where nobody's wanting to really pick up the ball.... It's going to take…a change in leadership in order to really crush that gridlock and get going on this.” Also says on drilling in ANWR: "No secret, John McCain and I agree to disagree on that one. And I'm going to keep working on him with ANWR." Read more excerpts here. Permalink
Candidates-- Flaws And All-- Sit Down With Couric
In the first installment of the Evening News' "Presidential Questions" series, Katie Couric asks Obama and McCain about their personal flaws. Click here to read their responses, and click above to watch. Clips of Couric's interviews with the two candidates are scheduled to air each Wednesday until Election Day. Permalink
Obama, McCain to Headline Al Smith Dinner
Both presidential candidates will be guest speakers at New York's 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner Oct. 16. Permalink
LATEST TIME/CNN BATTLEGROUND POLLS
Florida: Obama 48, McCain 48 Indiana: McCain 51, Obama 45 North Carolina: McCain 48, Obama 47 Ohio: Obama 49, McCain 47 Wisconsin: Obama 50, McCain 47 Dates conducted: Sept. 14-16. Error margin: Ranges from 3-3.5 points. Read more here. Permalink
Biden Hammers McCain: "Where Was He 5 Years Ago?"
Speaking at the start of a bus tour in Ohio, the VP candidate calls McCain a latecomer to financial regulation. “If John cares so much about this now, where was he a week ago? Where was he a month ago? Where was he five years ago?" "All of a sudden it's 'My goodness, there's greed on Wall Street!'" Permalink
Obama Keeps Pummeling McCain on Economy
In his Elko, Nevada event Obama uses the AIG bailout to suggest the Republicans are responsible for the teetering economy, McCain would bring more of the same. Also stays on the attack for McCain's comments that the "fundamentals of our economy are strong." "It’s been really interesting to watch him respond to this economic news....I mean, where is he getting these lines? The lobbyists running his campaign? Maybe it’s Phil Gramm..." Full remarks here. McCain camp responds: "Barack Obama will say anything to disguise his non-existent record of reforming government..." Statement here. Permalink
Obama Ad Targets McCain on Jobs
Latest spot accuses the Arizonan of supporting tax breaks for companies that move jobs overseas. "Then the workers are rehired to disassemble the plant. And ship the equipment to China. Washington sold them out. With the help of people like John McCain." Watch it above. Read script here. Will air in Pennsylvania and other "key states." Amount and length of buy TBD. RNC responds here. Permalink
"A Shocking Invasion of the Governor's Privacy"
In a statement, McCain chief Rick Davis denounces the apparent hacking of Gov. Palin's private e-mail account. "This is a shocking invasion of the Governor's privacy and a violation of law. The matter has been turned over to the appropriate authorities and we hope that anyone in possession of these emails will destroy them. We will have no further comment." Permalink
Evening News Roundup
Networks led with the bailout of AIG and continued market queasiness. ABC: After financial news, a fairly negative report saying McCain "appears to have changed his tune on regulation in a fundamental way." Cited his apparent change of heart on the AIG bailout, and his longtime stance as a supporter of deregulation, as late as March of this year. The campaign said it's simply a change of emphasis. CBS: After economics, a look at the new CBS/NY Times poll and wrap-up of the candidates' day. A "reality check" gave McCain and Obama mixed grades on the accuracy of their claims about Wall Street and their economic positions. Later, "Presidential Questions" asked the candidates why the U.S. has not been attacked since 9/11, and to name a personal flaw. NBC: Eight minutes in, report recapped the candidates on the trail, noting that McCain gave "qualified support" for the AIG bailout after saying he would oppose the move. A blistering fact check of Gov. Palin found problems with numerous statements she has made, and statements made about her by the campaign. Included statistics on how much energy Alaska produces, claim that she went to Iraq, her stance on the Bridge to Nowhere and others. Finally, a "Where They Stand" report looked at the candidates' views on immigration. Permalink
Dow Plummets at Session Close
A late-day dive sends the Dow Jones down 450 points-- more than 4%. The financial sector leads the charge, dropping more than 6%. Permalink
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