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Politics up to the Minute

Headlines from September 28th, 2008

Lieberman: Obama's "Katrina" Claim "Outrageously Unfair"

On a conference call, Sen. Lieberman also says Obama's claim that McCain's response to the financial crisis was "Katrina-like" is "just more politics, and simply not true." Says McCain was a key "bridge-builder" for the rescue agreement. "He played a very important and constructive role" to help "protect America's families and businesses from real economic pain." Says McCain made 17 phone calls Saturday to lawmakers, Secretary Paulson and others to push for a deal. Economics aide Holtz-Eakin says McCain's staff is still studying the preliminary agreement. Read Sunday pool report for more. Permalink

Obama: Campaign Crazier Than a Novel

The candidate at a Detroit fundraiser: "You couldn't have written a novel with all the crazy stuff that has happened in this election... I've seen all the cycles of ups and downs, twists and turns." "No matter how many times you reshuffle the deck, what you keep on coming up with is the fact that this is a serious time. It requires serious leadership." Permalink

Palin Talks About Palin

The VP nominee talks about what she learned from her first jobs, the best advice she's received, and the greatest challenge facing the next generation. Click above to watch. Also discusses her favorite authors-- click here to see who they are-- and says the best advice she's received came from an unlikely "philosopher." Click here for the answer. Palin recorded the segment last October during a stop at PBS' "Charlie Rose." Permalink

Obama Pounds McCain's "Katrina-Like" Response to the Economy

Obama at Sunday's Detroit rally: McCain "doesn't understand the storm that hit Wall Street hit Main Street long ago. That's why his first response to the greatest financial meltdown in generations was a Katrina-like response. He sort of stood there." Read Obama's prepared remarks here. Both candidates appear with their wives. McCain campaign response: "Obama ignored his record of opposing middle class tax relief, opposing a competitive tax rate, and opposing a plan to incentivize new battery technology." Read full response. RNC response: Obama "does not understand the auto industry any better than he understands the rest of the economy." Full response here. Permalink

McCain Visits "This Week"

The Senator sits down with George Stephanopoulos for his first post-debate interview. --Said he expects to support the financial rescue deal: "This is something all of us will swallow hard and go forward with. The option of doing nothing is simply not an acceptable option." --Laughed when asked if rarely looking at Obama during the debate was a sign of disdain. "I've been in many many debates, and a lot of times I don't look at my opponents...." Read more from the interview here, and watch clip here. Obama response: "McCain gets it wrong on Fannie/Freddie lobbyists"-- read it here. Permalink

Obama: McCain "Punting Responsibility" With Spending Freeze Plan

The Land of Lincolner appears on CBS' "Face the Nation" with Bob Schieffer. --On McCain's proposed spending freeze: "I think that's a way of punting responsibility. The president has to make choices." --Said he is inclined to vote for the financial rescue, "understanding I’m not happy about it." --Said McCain should not get credit for bringing parties to the negotiating table. Read full transcript here. RNC fact-check here. Permalink

AP: Mayor Palin Helped Herself, Her Allies

Investigation finds as Wasilla mayor, Palin pushed rule changes letting her sell her home and easing the tax burden on her father-in-law, among other potential conflicts. Also accepted gifts from merchants, later thanking them for an "awesome facial" and "gorgeous flowers." Permalink

Schmidt: McCain to Launch Two-Pronged Attack on Obama

The top McCain strategist tells the WashPost his campaign will forcefully claim in coming days that Obama is unprepared to be commander in chief, and that his tax and spending plans will hurt the economy. Reacting to an apparent dip in the polls in the wake of the financial crisis, Schmidt says: "We always understood not only would that lead dissipate but bounce back the other way and then bounce back again." Permalink

"SNL" Offers Palin-Couric Part II

Tina Fey reprises her role as the Alaska governor on Saturday's show, poking fun at Palin's interview with Katie Couric. "Every morning when Alaskans wake up one of the first things they do is see if there are any Russians hanging around... It's our responsibility to say, 'Shoo, get back over there!'" Click above to watch. PLUS: Comedy show also spoofs Friday's debate-- click here to watch. And "Bill Clinton" pays a visit to Weekend Update-- watch the sketch here. Permalink

Palin's Father: Press "Digging for the Bad Side"

Chuck Heath tells CBS News the media is treating his daughter unfairly: "There is a good side of Sarah Palin and they're digging and digging for the bad side and there is no real bad side. They're fabricating a lot of things that I don't want to go into." Click above to watch. Full interview from Wasilla with both of Palin's parents airs Monday on CBS' "Early Show." Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

McCain strategist Schmidt and Obama strategist Axelrod sparred on "Meet the Press." Also Bill Clinton, Sen. Graham, and Sen. Kerry-- click here. Permalink

PALIN POTPOURRI

--The governor orders cheesesteaks, takes questions in Philadelphia. --Palin's stance on mining "leaves many feeling burned." --The governor walks a fine line between religious conviction and public policy. Permalink

Newsweek Fronts "Mr. Cool vs. Mr. Hot"

Cover story looks at "how Obama and McCain view the world." Permalink

Poll Gives Obama Debate Edge

From USA Today/Gallup: Who did a better job in Friday's debate? Obama 46, McCain 34 A majority said the debate didn't change their opinion much of either candidate. Permalink

"Now We Have to Get the Votes"

Sen. Reid, Speaker Pelosi, Sen. Dodd, and Rep. Frank discuss the $700 billion financial rescue agreement on Capitol Hill. Sen. Reid: "This has been a bipartisan approach... now we have to get the votes." Says bill could face vote as early as Wednesday. Speaker Pelosi: Measure is not a Democratic bill, it's a Bush administration bill improved by the Congress. Hopes for a vote Monday. Senior House Republicans speak with reporters Sunday evening-- read the transcript. Rep. Boehner: "I’m encouraging every member of our conference whose conscience will allow them, to support this bill." NY Times: Congress bracing for a difficult vote on the 106-page bill. Washington Post: The plan would give Paulson broad latitude to purchase any assets from any firms at any price and to assemble a team of individuals and institutions to manage them. Politico: With the dollar up on foreign markets late Sunday, so were hopes for the bill’s passage. Wall Street Journal: The bill leaves many mechanics of the operation up to the Treasury. LA Times: Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson is about to become the most powerful mortgage financier of the modern era -- most likely of any era. Bill available here. Obama response: "Now Washington has to show the same sense of urgency in dealing with the crisis facing Main Street and the middle class by passing an emergency economic stimulus ... Permalink