The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from October 1st, 2008
Palin Previews Debate on Hannity
The Alaska Governor tells the conservative radio talk show host that she's looking forward to her Thursday face-off with Biden. Says she'll be able to lay out contrasts between the tickets "without that filter of mainstream media trying to I think maybe censor some of my comments." Also slams her opponent for previous remarks on offshore drilling. Listen to it here and read remarks here. Permalink
The (Non-)Answer We Have Been Waiting For
Katie Couric apparently stumps Gov. Palin on Wednesday's "vice presidential questions" on CBS' "Evening News." Palin appears unable to name a Supreme Court decision besides Roe v. Wade that she disagrees with: "There’s— of course— in the great history of America rulings there have been rulings, that’s never going to be absolute consensus by every American...." Biden says he disagrees with Supreme Court rulings invalidating a portion of the Violence Against Women Act, which he wrote. Watch video clip above. Read the full transcript here. Politico-media circles have buzzed for days about Palin's taped reply. Permalink
AND TWO MORE...
Two sets of national numbers out Wednesday evening perpetuate latest poll trends among likely voters showing Obama up. AP/GfK: Obama 48, McCain 41 Dates conducted: Sept. 27-Sept. 30. Error margin: 3.4 points. Read more here. CBS News: Obama 50, McCain 41 Dates conducted: Sept. 27-30. Error margin: 3 points. Read more here. And another key state poll: KCCI Des Moines, Iowa poll finds Obama 55, McCain 39. Details here. Permalink
More Data Shows Obama Battleground Strength
From latest TIME/CNN state polls: FLORIDA: Obama 51, McCain 47 MINNESOTA: Obama 54, McCain 43 MISSOURI: Obama 49, McCain 48 NEVADA: Obama 51, McCain 47 VIRGINIA: Obama 53, McCain 44 Dates conducted: Sept. 28-30. Error margin: Ranges from 3.5 to 4 points. Read more here. Permalink
Mr. Optimism, Part II
Latest TV spot takes his stump speech message to the airwaves, says it "shouldn't take a crisis" to pull Democrats and Republicans together on the Hill. Suggests a strong leader could promote constant bipartisanship: "We need a President who can avert crisis. Put people back to work." Watch it above. Read script here. Campaign says ad will air "nationally." Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink
Barbour: "Obviously, in a McCain Administration, She Will Not Have Much of a Role in Foreign Policy"
Sly Mississippi governor, McCain friend, and former RNC chairman Haley Barbour talks down the Alaska Governor's foreign policy creds to local NBC-affiliate KYTV. "It is honest to say, though, if I live in the state closest to Russia, I probably have got more sensitivity. I live in a state on the Gulf of Mexico, I got more sensitivity to hurricanes than people in Kansas." Watch the interview here. Permalink
Murphy: Republicans See “Stunning Lack of Competence” in McCain Campaign
Former top strategist to the Arizona Senator and TIME contributor says GOP operatives see visit to Des Moines Register ed board as latest example of wrongheadedness. Read more here. "What the hell was McCain even doing there in the first place?" Permalink
McCain Hates Georgetown
Find out why the Republican nominee disdains one of Washington’s most fashionable neighborhoods here. And why fabled AP reporter Mike Glover calls McCain “irritable” and “sarcastic” here. Permalink
MCCAIN ABANDONS MICHIGAN
Politico: McCain will go off TV in the Wolverine State, stop dropping mail and send most of his staff to places like Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida. Associated Press: "Republican presidential candidate John McCain is giving up on winning Michigan." "Republican officials with knowledge of the strategy said the GOP candidate is shifting resources to other states." What Electoral College options would McCain have to get to 270 if he abandoned Michigan? Answer here. Source: McCain/RNC considering making a play in Maine, including buying TV ad time. Developing hot... Permalink
McCain "Guardedly Optimistic" Bill Will Pass
The Senator tells NPR he's confident the financial rescue will get "a very large vote" in the Senate, after speaking to House colleagues is "guardedly optimistic" it will clear that body as well. Also praises Gov. Palin: “I've turned to her advice many times in the past. I can’t imagine turning to Senator Obama or Senator Biden, because they've been wrong." Read the full interview here. Permalink
Giuliani Decries Media "Double Standard" for GOP
In an afternoon conference call, the former mayor says the press is giving Biden a pass for his gaffes. Says if Palin had said FDR appeared on TV in 1929, "there would be entire specials devoted to why she should be taken off the ticket." And if McCan had said it, the press would raise concerns over McCain's health and age, Giuliani said. Also criticizes scrutiny of Palin's lack of foreign policy experience, saying Obama was not pressed on a lack of executive experience. "I think there is a great deal of unfairness in this." Permalink
Bush Confident "Improved" Bailout Bill Will Pass
The President speaks from the Oval Office ahead of Wednesday night's Senate vote on the bailout bill. Says "it's very important for members to take this bill very seriously." "It's important to get credit flowing again so small businesses in our communities will be able to finance their operations..." Read full remarks here. Permalink
"Obama's Answers Are Better"
The former president rallies the crowd in Orlando, Florida during his first time out on the trail for Obama. Says voters should pick Obama because he's read through both candidates' proposals, he is stronger on key issues. Also says he has a superior veep candidate, lavishing praise on Biden. Adds the next veep will need to help with international affairs since President will be bogged down by economy. Permalink
Obama TV Ad Labels McCain "Big Spender"
Latest spot offers tough indictment of McCain's tax and Social Security plans, saying his proposals would inflate the national debt. "So as we borrow from China to fund his spending spree, ask yourself. Can we afford John McCain?" Watch ad above. Read script here. Campaign says it "will air in key states across the country beginning today." Amount and length of buy TBD. McCain camp responds here. Permalink
Poll: Women Flocking Back to Obama
New national numbers find McCain is losing female voters “faster than Sarah Palin attracted them after the Republican convention.” Among women: Obama 55, McCain 38. After McCain picked Palin they were virtually tied Obama 48, McCain 47. Before GOP convention Obama led 49 to 39. Dates conducted: Sept. 26-29. Error margin: 3 points. Read more -- including national head-to-heads -- on the poll here. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
