Archive - October 3, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

NEW INDEPENDENT TV SPOT SKEWERS OBAMA ON ABORTION

Committee for Truth in Politics ad accuses him of voting against protecting infants who survive late term abortions while a state senator. Also suggests he is working to roll back the Supreme Court ban on partial birth abortion. In the spot, a woman speaks over the coos of a newborn baby. Watch it above. Permalink

Palin Disagrees With Campaign Pulling Out of Michigan

Speaking with Fox News' Carl Cameron, the VP candidate says she'd like to continue campaigning in the Wolverine State, which the campaign is largely leaving. "I want to get back to Michigan and I want to try." Click above to watch. Says when she learned of the decision she sent an e-mail essentially saying "Oh come on, do we have to?" Also: Said she believes some of Obama's comments "disqualify someone from consideration as the next commander in chief." Watch video clip. Plus: Pledges to take more questions from voters and reporters. Read interview transcript here. Permalink

PALINS RELEASE TAX RECORDS

Sarah and Todd Palin release their tax returns for 2006 and 2007. The two paid about $37,000 in taxes on some $294,000 in gross income over the two years. They donated $8,200 to charity. Read more here. Permalink

Candidates React to Bailout Passage

OBAMA speaking in Pennsylvania: "If we can stop the bleeding with this package, implement it effectively, and then move forward to deal with the broader problems on Main Street, then hopefully we can get our economy back on track." MCCAIN statement: "I commend the House of Representatives for coming together to pass the economic rescue bill today. I'm glad I suspended my campaign to go back to Washington to help bring the House Republicans to the table." Earlier: The House easily passes the financial rescue package on the second try, 263-171. Permalink

BUSH SIGNS BAILOUT BILL

The President turns the $700 billion plan into law Friday afternoon. Also swings by the Treasury Department to thank Secretary Paulson. Read remarks here. Earlier: Bush praises the House and Senate for passing the bailout legislation, assures he expects much if not all the tax dollars invested in the bailout to be paid back. Also notes it will take some time for the legislation to have its full impact on the economy. Full remarks here. Permalink

"I Almost Felt a Little Sorry Last Night for My Old Friend Joe Biden"

The Arizonan lavishes praise on his running mate for her debate performance Thursday night while at a town hall meeting in Pueblo, Colorado. "She did a magnificent job. We've got a message, Sarah Palin and I, change is coming to Washington. They're not going to like it my friends." WashPost's Balz: Attention now shifts back to McCain. Permalink

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

Tough McCain camp spot challenges Obama's claims that he's a tax cutter, labels him as part of the Left. "He's not truthful on taxes. At least Congressional liberals admit they want to raise your taxes." Watch it above. Read script here. Campaign says it will air "nationally." Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink

Claim: McCain Favoring Negative Ads

Evan Tracey of the Campaign Media Analysis Group says almost all the Republican's ad spending is going toward three ads attacking Obama. Permalink

Obama: McCain, Palin Know Something About "Job Killing"

The Land of Lincolner cites line in veep debate where Palin suggested the Obama-Biden economic plan would "kill jobs" during an event in Abington, Pennsylvania. "So when Senator McCain and his running mate talk about job killing, that’s something they know a thing or two about. Because the policies they’re supporting are killing jobs every single day." Read his prepared remarks here. Permalink

What It Takes: Friday Edition

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

Biden Addresses Son's Deployment Ceremony

The VP candidate speaks in Dover as Beau Biden -- Delaware's attorney general -- heads to Iraq as part of the Delaware National Guard. Gov. Palin also spoke at her son's deployment ceremony. Permalink

What Happened and What's Next

TIME's Mark Halperin and Politico's Jonathan Martin explain on CNN what happened in St. Louis-- and what McCain has to do now. Click above to watch. , 10:50 AM

Candidates Decry September Job Numbers

MCCAIN: "Our nation cannot afford Senator Obama’s higher taxes." Statement here. OBAMA: "This country can’t afford Senator McCain’s plan to give America four more years of the same policies..." Statement here. 159,000 jobs were lost last month, the steepest drop in employment in five years and the ninth straight monthly decline. Permalink

The Race, Status Quo Ante; For Palin, Late Night Jokes Could Cease

No big moments, no news, little to spoof about Palin, no major Biden gaffes. Biden gets choked up while mentioning being a single parent -- watch video here. Palin calls the Democrats' stance on Iraq a "white flag of surrender"-- watch video here. Mark Halperin's grades: Palin: B; Biden: B For more grades and report card excerpts on style, substance, offense and defense, click here. Read full report cards on Time.com: Palin's here and Biden's here. Permalink

Obama TV Ad Uses Biden's Debate "Bridge to Nowhere" Line

Latest spot uses footage from the veep debate quoting Palin where she suggests McCain pays for his health care plan by taxing health care benefits. Then shows Biden's response, including him calling the plan the "Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere." Watch it above. Read script here. Campaign says it wil air on "national cable." Amount and length of buy TBD. McCain camp responds here. Permalink