The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from October 7th, 2008
The Heart of the Ayers Matter
In an exclusive Nashville interview with The Page, Obama strategist Robert Gibbs addresses the key remaining question about his candidate's relationship with William Ayers: Does Obama think it is acceptable to serve on a board with -- and have personal ties -- to an unrepentant domestic terrorist? Watch Gibbs' repeated (non)answer above. Bonus: In a lighter moment, Gibbs talks about his country music favorites. Permalink
Insta-Polls Favor Obama
From CBS News, among uncommitted voters: Obama 39, McCain 27 35 percent saw the debate as a draw-- read more here. From CNN: Obama 54, McCain 30 Permalink
CAMPAIGN DEBATE REACTION
McCain's Hazelbaker: McCain "was the only man who demonstrated he had the independence and strength to take on everything that’s broken in Washington and on Wall Street." Read full statement. Obama's Plouffe: "Barack Obama won a resounding victory in John McCain’s favorite debate format because he made the case for change that will rebuild the middle class." Read full statement. Permalink
McCain Proposes $300 Billion Mortgage Plan
The Arizonan's plan-- proposed during Tuesday's debate-- calls for the federal government to buy up bad mortgages to let homeowners stay in their homes. "Until we stabilize home values in America, we're never going to start turning around and creating jobs and fixing our economy...." Permalink
From the McCain War Room
-- "Barack Obama has much talk but no leadership" -- click here. -- "When Obama was 'silent,' John McCain was warning about Freddie and Fannie" -- click here. -- "The 1999 deregulation that Joe Biden supported" -- click here. Permalink
"THE DIRTIEST CAMPAIGN IN AMERICAN HISTORY"
That's what Cindy McCain says about Barack Obama's campaign. Read all about it here. Permalink
MAKING HISTORY
Sarah Palin holds her first press availability on her campaign plane. No major news. Covers the state of the race, the relevance of Ayers, "Saturday Night Live" parodies and recent negative campaigning. Read more here. Permalink
Congress Grills Former AIG Chiefs
WSJ: Lawmakers portrayed former executives of AIG as running a high-rolling organization that glossed over warnings about risks that helped necessitate a government rescue. Permalink
How Obama Is Doing This
The pride of Sugarland, Texas explains the three super-smart things Barack Obama is doing to consolidate his gains against John McCain. Read 'em right here. Permalink
STILL SMOKIN'
Land of Lincolner tells Men's Health he's bummed cigarettes a few times on the campaign trail. "But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack." Also details his fitness routine, and what's helped him smoke less. Permalink
ANOTHER DROP
Stocks tank again on Wall Street, with the Dow tumbling 508 points by the day's close. S&P drops nearly 6 percent. Permalink
What It Takes: Tuesday Edition
HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five most important people in American politics right now -- who aren't running for president. Permalink
Obama Outspending McCain Nearly 3 to 1 on TV
WashPost: Obama spent more than $20 million on TV ads in 17 states last week with heavy spending in Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan and Ohio. McCain spent about $7.2 million from Sept. 30 to Oct. 6. Permalink
Aides Wary of "Grumpy McCain"
Some in his campaign fears the Arizonan's apparent foul moods recently may hurt Tuesday's debate performance. Adviser: "He’s got to be upbeat and enthusiastic, and he’s really got to channel Reagan." Plus: WashPost's Balz: McCain hopes to change the narrative. Permalink
Bush Does Schoolhouse Rock Town Meeting on the Economy
President Bush addresses the economy and takes questions in Chantilly, Virginia. Promotes the financial rescue package. Counsels patience, but says he's confident the credit and stock markets will eventually rebound. "Thawing the freeze in the financial system is not going to happen overnight... It's going to take time to have its full effect." Earlier in Washington: Fed Chief Bernanke opens the door to a cut in interest rates, as the credit crisis continues. Permalink
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