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Politics up to the Minute

Headlines from September 30th, 2008

McCain Plays the Bill Clinton Card

Minute-long TV spot from the Arizonan's camp quotes the former president while touting McCain's record pushing for stronger regulations with Fannie and Freddie. Uses Clinton quote to suggest the responsibility for the economic crisis lies in part with Obama and the Democrats. Ad accuses them of preventing reforms and staying "silent" on regulation. Watch it above. Read script here. Amount and length of buy TBD. Campaign says "ad will be televised nationally." Permalink

43 Talks to 44 — Whoever That Is

White House spokesman Tony Fratto says McCain and Obama each called President Bush Tuesday to discuss the crisis. "Both calls were very constructive, and the president appreciated hearing from them." Permalink

Boehner: Candidates' FDIC Proposal Helpful to Bailout Negotiations

The House Minority Leader issues an afternoon statement praising both McCain’s, Obama’s suggestion the agency raise its bank deposit reimbursement limit from $100,000 to $250,000. “Increasing the FDIC cap is a proposal put on the table by Roy Blunt and House Republicans but ruled out by Democrats during the negotiations that led to yesterday’s unsuccessful vote.” Full statement here. Permalink

Two-Minute Obama Ad Promotes "New Direction" on Economy

The Senator talks up his economic package in straight-to-camera TV spot. Click above to watch, and read script here. Campaign says ad will air "in key states" beginning Tuesday. Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink

Voters Think Biden Will Win, But Palin More Likeable

New Marist Poll finds voters believe the Democrat will edge out his opponent Thursday and display a better understanding of the issues. But most think Palin will be more likeable, including 42% of Democrats. Neither has a favorability rating above 50%. Conducted Sept. 24-25; error margin up to 4 points. Read more on the poll here. Permalink

Gibbs on McCain: "This Guy Zig-Zags. If He's Driving a Car Get Off the Sidewalk"

For the second straight day, Obama spokesman plays tough on morning TV. On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," the campaign aide targets McCain's response to the economic crisis, suggesting he has been hypocritical and a flip-flopper. "What I do think in the last two and a half to three weeks -- including that last debate -- that people got a sense of who is steady in a crisis and quite frankly who's erratic in a crisis." Also previews Obama's Tuesday speech, saying he'll lay out the consequences of the bailout bill not passing. Must-watch video clip above. Permalink

McCain Urges Treasury to Act Without Legislation on Bailout

Speaking on morning television, the Arizonan urges the Treasury Department to address the economic crisis on its own by buying $1 trillion in mortgages and tapping its exchange stabilization fund. Also backs raising the FDIC insurance cap to $250,000. On CNN: "I will do whatever is necessary... We haven't convinced people that this is a rescue effort not just for Wall Street but for Main Street America." On MSNBC: "I think Americans have yet to fully understand this is not in the interests of Wall Street or Washington insiders." On Fox: "I'll put my presidential campaign on the back burner if necessary." Also on CNN, declines to comment specifically on Gov. Palin's discussion of Russia's proximity to Alaska: "I'm not going to parse every answer to every question." On Fox, says neither he nor Gov. Palin will complain about the media's treatment of her. "She's tough." Permalink

BUSH WARNS OF DIRE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES

The President warns that if there's not swift action on bailout legislation the economic damage to the nation will be "painful and lasting," citing the markets. "We're in an urgent situation and consequences will grow worse each day we do not act." Also acknowledges "this is a difficult vote for members of Congress," they'll continue to work with leaders on the Hill. "This is not the end of the legislative process. Producing legislation is complicated and it can be contentious.... What matters is we get a law." Full remarks here. Permalink

Obama Proposes Raising FDIC Limit to $250,000

The Land of Lincolner suggests in morning statement that a provision be added to the bailout bill that would insure people's savings up to $250,000. Currently, the agency's bank deposit insurance limit is $100,000. Says the step would "boost small businesses, make our banking system more secure, and help restore public confidence in our financial system." Full statement here. Permalink

RNC Ad: Obama Will Cost You More

Latest independent expenditure from the party suggests Obama's proposals would cost taxpayers a trillion more on top of the bailout. "Barack Obama's plan? It will make the problem worse." Watch spot above. Read script here. Amount and length of buy TBD. RNC says it will air in "Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Indiana." Obama camp responds here. Permalink

Morning Show Summary

Failed rescued package dominated news shows, along with the uncertainty of what happens next. Guests included Obama spokesman Gibbs, McCain aide Wallace, and various lawmakers-- click here for more. Permalink

AP: McCain Reaches "Political Dead End" With Bailout Failure

Tough analysis piece says the Arizonan’s decision to suspend his campaign in order to deal with the financial bill tied him tighter to it, therefore backing him into a corner post-failure. "All in all, McCain might have been better served by staying out of the mess and above the fray." Permalink

Where They Are Tuesday

McCain: Des Moines, IA; Washington, DC Palin: Sedona, AZ (no public events) Obama: Reno, NV Biden: Wilmington, DE (no public events) Permalink

Troopergate Suit Moves into Court

A lawsuit aimed at freezing the Alaska Legislature's abuse-of-power investigation of Palin is expected to begin Thursday. The suit filed by five GOP lawmakers has been combined with a similar lawsuit from the attorney general. Both argue the legislature doesn't have the authority to investigate Palin. Permalink

VP CANDIDATES PREP FOR DEBATE

Palin spends three days in debate camp with top McCain aides at his Sedona ranch. NY Times: "The amount of time and staff power being devoted to this was evidence of concern among Mr. McCain’s associates that Ms. Palin’s early triumphs...has been overtaken by a series of setbacks." Wall Street Journal: "The McCain campaign aims to halt what it sees as a perceived decline in the crispness and precision of Gov. Palin's latest remarks as well as a fall in recent polls..." Politico: "If Sarah Palin goofs, flounders, stumbles or blunders during her debate against Joe Biden on Thursday night, Biden is going to let it slide." Permalink

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