Archive - September 30, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Palin Does Lively Interview With Hugh Hewitt

The GOP veep candidate discusses her occasionally sporting an Israeli flag pin, her family's economic hardships, her son in Iraq. "That little stinker, I guess he’s called his girlfriend a couple of times, but can you believe he hasn’t called his momma yet?" Also refers to herself as a "normal Joe six-pack American" at least twice. Read remarks here. Permalink

McCain: "I Categorically Reject" Doubts About Palin

Speaking to the editorial board of the Des Moines Register, the GOP nominee insists his VP candidate is ready for the job. “People are free to make up their minds. But to argue somehow that she’s not qualified is something I categorically reject.” Also claims "100 percent absolute truth" in his TV ads, and suggests he may keep Paulson on as Treasury Secretary. "I certainly would be more than happy to at least see what else he can accomplish.” Click above to watch. Permalink

Palin Gives Personal Answers to Tough Policy Questions

Asked by CBS' Katie Couric about the morning-after pill and abortion for rape/incest victims, the VP nominee refuses to lay out a clear policy stance. She does say she supports "a culture of life" and opposes jailing women who have abortions. Also declines to name any newspapers or magazines she read as governor, says she considers herself a feminist, and says she doesn't think poorly of gays, stating that she has a close gay friend "who made a choice that isn't the choice that I have made." Plus: Says, in contrast with Sen. Biden, "I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas...." Read full transcript. Permalink

ABC News/WashPost Poll: Candidates Inch Closer

National numbers released Tuesday evening (likely voters): Obama 50, McCain 46 Comes after Sept. 22 poll found Obama 52, McCain 43. Dates conducted: Sept. 27-29. Error margin: 3 points. Read more on the poll here. Permalink

Candidates Vow to Put Economic Crisis Above Politics

Obama, McCain taped interviews air on ABC, NBC evening newscasts, focusing mostly on the economic bailout bill. ON ABC'S "WORLD NEWS": Obama: "Well, I think that right now, everybody needs to lower their rhetoric and just focus on getting the job done." Read transcript here. McCain: "We need to sit down together Republican and Democrat. We don't have (to) inflame the situation today." Read transcript here. ON NBC'S "NIGHTLY NEWS": Obama: "The key now is just to not worry about credit blame publicity, let's just do the spade work to actually get this immediate crisis passed." More here. McCain: Asked if he still thinks Democratic partisanship is to blame for the bailout bill's failure, says he wants to "put that aside now." More here. Permalink

FDIC to Act on Obama, McCain Proposal

Bloomberg News: The agency is expected to ask Congress for permission to temporarily hike deposit insurance limits from $100,000 to $250,000, something both candidates advocated Tuesday. Earlier: House GOP leader Boehner says the candidates' advocacy for raising the cap may be helpful to bailout negotiations. Get all the details here. Permalink

WALL STREET POWERS BACK

The Dow Jones closes almost 500 points higher Tuesday, erasing most of Monday's sharp sell-off. Financial names help lead the rally. Permalink

Dem Leaders Pledge Cooperation With White House, GOP

Pelosi, Reid express their willingness to work together on pushing an economic rescue package through Congress in a letter to the President. “We welcome your statement this morning and are committed to working with you and our Republican colleagues to enact a bipartisan bill without further delay.” Read it here. Permalink

Broken Ankle Won't Keep Ifill from Veep Debate

The PBS host of "Washington Week" reportedly tripped while carrying debate-related material up a staircase Monday. She's still expected to moderate Thursday's showdown between Sen. Biden and Gov. Palin in St. Louis. Permalink

Balz: No Winners in Bailout Vote

The WashPost sage has darts for every side in Monday's vote, a "collective breakdown of leadership." Says McCain "raised more questions about his own style of leadership" and that Obama stands to gain little if/when a bill passes. Also calls Boehner's performance "truly mystifying" and says Pelosi's floor speech was "inexcusable." Permalink

What It Takes: Tuesday Edition

HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five most important people in presidential politics right now— who aren’t running for president. Permalink

Obama: "Our Job Is to Put Out the Fire"

The Land of Lincolner makes the case for a financial rescue plan in Reno, Nevada, telling supporters the economic crisis affects them directly. "If we do not act, it will be harder for you to get a mortgage for your home or the loans you need to buy a car or send your children to college." Read prepared remarks here. McCain camp responds here. More: Politico reports Obama began calling individual rank-and-file members Tuesday, stepping up his advocacy efforts for the bill. Plus: Sen. Clinton underscores the need for quick bipartisan action to halt the economic crisis in media call. Read remarks here. Permalink

McCain on Crisis: "Inaction Is Not an Option"

The Arizonan chastises Congress for their inability to work together and pass the bailout bill in the House during remarks ahead of a roundtable in Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday. Calls the current economic situation "the greatest financial crisis of our lifetimes," going on to say that "Congressional inaction has put every American and the entire economy at risk." Again calls on the Treasury to take action, urges government to grant the FDIC the authority to raise the insurance deposit cap. Full remarks here. Plus: McCain alters his Wednesday schedule, will be heading to Kansas City instead of D.C. Permalink

Gingrich Denies Badmouthing Bailout to Lawmakers

The former speaker says he did not urge House members to vote against the financial package Monday, as reported by Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC. Speaking at the National Press Club, says MSNBC is wrong and probably “deliberately wrong,” calling it a “stunningly dishonest network.” Adds: “I was reluctantly helping it get through." Permalink

Poll: GOP Responsible for Bailout Failure

From ABC News/WashPost: Who is mainly responsible for the defeat of the financial rescue? Republicans 44, Democrats 21 Do you oppose or favor the bill? Oppose 47, Favor 45 A majority say they're concerned the failure could worsen the economic downturn. More from the poll here. Conducted Monday evening. Error margin: 5 points. Permalink