Archive - September 21, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

McCain: Take Politics Out of the White House

On Sunday's "60 Minutes," the Republican nominee says as president he would remove the political office from the White House and move it to the RNC. "It’s time to show the American people that politics will not be part of this massive effort we’re going to have to go on to restore our nation’s economy." Plus: McCain names former Democratic HUD secretary Andrew Cuomo as a potential replacement to Christopher Cox as head of the SEC. CLICK ABOVE TO WATCH. And: Maintains that financial deregulation in the 1990s was a good idea. Interview with Obama also airs on the program-- click here for more. Obama campaign circulates fact check of McCain's comments. Permalink

Pelosi Gives Thumbs Down to Bailout Proposal

In a statement Sunday, the House Speaker says the Bush administration's proposed financial package "does not include the necessary safeguards." "Democrats believe a responsible solution should include independent oversight, protections for homeowners and constraints on excessive executive compensation." "We will not simply hand over a $700 billion blank check to Wall Street and hope for a better outcome." Read full statement. Permalink

McCain: Obama a Politician, Not a Leader

Speaking to the National Guard convention in Baltimore, the Arizonan blisters Obama's leadership on the financial crisis and the war in Iraq: "Whether it’s a reversal in war, or an economic emergency, he reacts as a politician and not as a leader, seeking an advantage for himself instead of a solution for his country." Read his full remarks here. Permalink

Obama on Rescue Plan: "No Blank Check"

The Senator releases a "statement of principles" on the proposed financial bailout. Calls for help for homeowners as well as "an emergency economic plan for working families." "This should not be a handout to Wall Street." Also criticizes the White House response to date: "Thus far, the Administration has only offered a concept with a staggering price tag, not a plan." Read his statement here. Strategist Axelrod: "He believes we have to do something to deal with this crisis and the concept is something he agrees with, but he wants to see it implemented along the lines and principles he's laid out." Permalink

Obama: The "Great Deregulator" Promises a "Disastrous Path"

The Democrat continues pounding McCain on economic policy during an afternoon rally in Charlotte. Says those who share McCain's economic philosophy are responsible for the financial meltdown. "Senator McCain, who candidly admitted not long ago that he doesn’t know as much about economics as he should, wants to keep going down the same, disastrous path...." Read his full prepared remarks, and click above for excerpts. McCain response: "...Barack Obama called for ‘decisive action’ while offering absolutely no new ideas, policies or concrete solutions – it shows he is just not ready to lead." Read full statement. Permalink

Palin Keeps Up Attack on Obama

Speaking at a rally in Lady Lake, Florida, the GOP veep candidate criticizes Obama for failing to take a firm stance on the economic bailout. "This week he voted present on the major economic issue of the day, and that's not leadership...." Also blasts "reckless CEOs walking off with multi-million dollar golden parachutes." Estimates of Palin's crowd size range up to 60,000. Permalink

Obama, McCain Support More Oversight of Rescue Deal

Speaking on CNBC Sunday, McCain and Obama say any deal to shore up Wall Street should include independent oversight and limits on CEO pay. McCain floats idea of an oversight board that may include Buffett, Romney or Bloomberg, and suggests no CEO aided by taxpayers should earn more than the highest-paid person in the federal government. Click above for more. Read the full interview with Obama, and the full interview with McCain. Read about their calls for more oversight in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Plus: TIME's Duffy weighs in: "If the administration's $700 billion Wall Street bailout plan is approved by Congress, the United States will see changes to its political economy that were unimaginable a week ago." Permalink

Poll: Tight Race in Florida

From St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9/Miami Herald: McCain: 47 Obama: 45 Undecided: 7 Yet Floridians trust Obama over McCain to improve the economy, 49% to 40%. To read more, including voters' top issues and a breakdown by race-- click here. Poll conducted Sept. 14-17; error margin: 3.5 points. Plus: Ohio poll gives McCain a six-point advantage in the Buckeye State. Permalink

$3 Million a Day

The candidates spend a record $94 million in August, largely on advertising. Obama: $33 million in advertising, $4.9 million on travel, $2.8 million on payroll. McCain: $23 million on advertising, $3 million on travel, $1.2 million on payroll. Clinton's campaign still owes $9 million to vendors. Plus: McCain took in $8.8 million in the two days after adding Palin to the ticket. Permalink

CANDIDATE PROFILING

--Barack Obama Sr. remembered as a "complex dreamer" whose promising life ended abruptly. Permalink

"SNL" Spoofs McCain Ads

The Senator visits a recording studio on "Saturday Night Live" for some "truth-enhanced negative campaign messages." Click above to watch. "Barack Obama says he wants universal health care. Is that so? Health care for the entire universe? Including Osama bin Laden? I think we'll pass." Politico: Senate candidate/former SNL staffer Al Franken helped write the skit. Permalink

Kissinger, Uribe Added to Palin's UN Agenda

The GOP veep candidate will meet with the former Secretary of State and Colombia's president in New York Tuesday. Will also meet Afghan President Karzai, as previously scheduled. Permalink

NY Times: Quietly, Candidates Prep for the Transition

John Podesta is leading the transition effort for Obama, and William Timmons for McCain. OMB official: "The amount of work being done before the election, formal and informal, is the most ever." Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

Secretary Paulson visits the Sunday shows to make the case for a swift financial rescue package. Response from Sens. Dodd and Kyl, Reps. Frank and Boehner, and an interview with Mayor Bloomberg-- click here. Permalink

McCain, Obama Beef Up Economic Teams

Both candidates huddle with economic advisers and add more to the bench, as they scramble to respond to the financial crisis. WashPost: "Some Obama advisers conceded yesterday that they have concerns about how gingerly Obama has approached the crisis, even in the face of relentless attacks from McCain." Permalink