Archive - September 23, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The former president sits down with Jon Stewart Tuesday night to talk about the economy, his and his wife's support for Obama and more. Stewart also suggests that Clinton would "crush" both candidates if he were in the race now. Clinton pauses before saying "the most important thing is Barack Obama is going to win." Watch video above. Permalink

Obama Condemns Ahmadinejad's UN Remarks, Turns Spotlight on McCain

The Land of Lincolner issues a tough response to the Iranian President's statements in New York Tuesday, says he's "disappointed that he had a platform to air his hateful and anti-Semitic views." Urges McCain to join him in calling for states, private companies to divest from doing business with the nation. "Now is the time for Americans to unite on behalf of the strong sanctions that are needed to increase pressure on the Iranian regime." Full statement here. Permalink

Obama Out to Flip Indiana to Dems

The AP analyzes why Indiana has become an important state to Obama: it's one of only a handful of states where his advertising has been unanswered by McCain, and he has 32 offices and dozens of paid staffers there. Permalink

SHAKEN AND STIRRED

Latest LA Times/Bloomberg poll finds 55% of Americans don't believe the government should be responsible for funding an economic bailout plan. When asked which candidate could do a better job of handling the financial crisis: Obama 48, McCain 35 79% of adults also say they think the country is "on the wrong track," the highest ever recorded by the Times Poll. Dates conducted: Sept. 19-22. Error margin: 3 points. Read more on what voters think of the economy, how it's impacting the race here. Permalink

NY Times: McCain Campaign Manager on Freddie Mac Payroll Through Last Month

The Gray Lady cites two sources saying the troubled mortgage giant paid Rick Davis' lobbying/consulting firm $15,000 a month from 2005 until its recent federal takeover. Arrangement contradicts McCain's claim Sunday that Davis had no ties to the firm for years. McCain campaign declines to comment on the story. Permalink

New Obama TV Ad Skewers McCain on Equal Pay

An unannounced spot by the Obama camp features former Goodyear employee Lilly Ledbetter discussing how getting paid less than the men at her job affected her family. Click above to watch. “I had the same skills as the men at my plant. My family needed that money. On the economy it’s John McCain who needs an education.” Read script here. McCain camp responds: "Barack Obama claims he’s for equal pay for women, but women working in his Senate office earn an average of $9,000 less than men." Statement here. Developing... Permalink

Obama Ramps Up Ad Spending

Talking Points Memo: Obama overall spending on TV ads has jumped 50% in the last two weeks, while McCain's has held steady. Last week Obama spent $9.4 million on TV ads in roughly 15 states, up from $6.5 million two weeks ago. His increased spending is largely fueled by boosts in buys in Florida, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania. Permalink

McCain to Leave Washington Friday

Destination: unknown. Permalink

Obama Officials: Debate Should Continue

Blind quotes from top officials: To NBC: "The president should be able to multitask... The only thing that has changed is McCain’s standing in the polls.” To ABC: "The debate is on." Plus: Obama camp says he called McCain Wednesday morning to request they issue a joint statement urging bipartisanship on the bailout bill. McCain camp says they never connected. Permalink

McCain Lists "Improvements" Needed in Bailout Legislation

During his first presser in more than a month, the Arizonan lists the five things he thinks could be better about Bush's bailout proposal while in Freeland, Michigan. Thinks there needs to be greater accountability, a path for taxpayers to their recover money, transparency in bill's review, implementation, inability for Wall Street execs to profit from it, no earmarks added. Brushes off the question twice on what part of his prerequisites for the bill would be a deal breaker and cause him not to vote for it. Read opening remarks here. Obama camp responds: "Contrary to the lies told by the McCain campaign, it was John McCain who followed Senator Obama’s lead..." Statement here. Permalink

Dean: Bush Just Trying to Protect Wall Street

The DNC chair tells MSNBC that Congress will is likely to only support a bailout bill that also helps taxpayers and mortgage payers. "If President Bush wants to continue to be bipartisan we will have a bill that incorporates the Democrat's desire to protect Main Street along with the president's desire to protect Wall Street." Watch video above. Plus: Also sets up first debate, says McCain reacts to things in a "hot-headed way" and is sometimes "irascible" compared to Obama's "calm" demeanor. Response from RNC chair Duncan, also on MSNBC: "I know (McCain is) a patriot and leader.... It's not about his temperament. He's proven he brings people together. Where's Barack Obama?" Permalink

Obama Calls for More Oversight of Bailout

The Senator delivers a statement and holds a brief press conference in Florida on the proposed financial rescue package. Says it must not be "a welfare program for CEOs." "It is wholly unreasonable to expect that American taxpayers would or should hand this Administration or any Administration a $700 billion blank check with absolutely no oversight or conditions." Read his remarks here. McCain camp responds: "Barack Obama is simply following in John McCain’s footsteps while trying to respond to this financial crisis." Statement here. Permalink

PALIN MEETS WITH URIBE, KISSINGER, KARZAI

The Alaska Governor sits down with the Colombian president and former US Secretary of State in the Big Apple during her second slew of meetings Tuesday. Earlier: Palin chats with the Afghan president, they make small talk about Karzai's child before the press is escorted out. Most pool reporters were barred from the event. PHOTOS: See snapshots of Palin's first day of international meetings here. Palin will continue meeting with international leaders as the UN convenes in New York Wednesday, where she'll be joined by McCain. Permalink

Biden Slugs McCain on Bermuda Trip

The VP candidate goes after the Republican in Virginia, saying he received $50,000 in donations after promising Bermudan business leaders he would preserve a favorable tax loophole. "You know folks, maybe John should be asking those companies that he promised not close this loophole for -- maybe he should be asking those companies to put America first.” Read his remarks here. Permalink

House Democrats Call Bush Out

Majority Whip Clyburn says Dem leaders "are working around the clock on a bipartisan basis" to move forward on the bailout plan, the president needs to get his party on board. "If it's a crisis—as Secretary Paulson and Chairman Bernanke argue—and we all need to come together, then as leader of this nation, the president needs to take the lead and bring the country together behind his plan." Full statement here. Plus: Gingrich calls bailout plan a "dead loser on Election Day." Permalink