Archive - October 17, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Obama TV ad airing in Florida says McCain's health care plan is bad news for seniors. Claims the plan will cut Medicare benefits, raise premiums, and more. "After a lifetime of work, seniors' health care shouldn't be a gamble." Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink

McCain Calls Joe the Plumber

The Swamp: The GOP candidate spoke with Joe Wurzelbacher "for a few minutes this morning," aides say. McCain tells the press: "Joe's last name is Wurzelbacher just for your information. He's a great guy. He's proud of his grandfather who served in the United States Marine Corps." Permalink

Obama Hits Florida TV

In an interview with a Tampa station Friday, the Democratic nominee talks flooding insurance, Reagan and baseball. Click above to watch. Also suggests he may not root for the Rays if they make it to the World Series-- find out why here. Permalink

Palin: “I Know Obama Loves America”

Taking a softer tone toward her opponent, the VP candidate says Friday she doesn’t doubt Obama’s patriotism. Tells reporters on her campaign plane she thinks McCain would be a better president, but “I don’t question at all Barack Obama’s love for this great country.” Asked about Rev. Wright, says raising that issue publicly is “up to John McCain to decide.” Plus: Palin is scheduled to sit down with CBN's David Brody this weekend. Permalink

Webb on Palin: McCain's Probably Singing the "What Was I Thinking" Tune

The Virginia Senator suggests the GOP nominee is regretting his veep pick while introducing Obama in Roanoke Friday. "I like country music. There was a song about two years ago, 'I know what I was doing, but what was I was thinking?' John McCain is probably singing that song right now." Also laughs about her asking Biden if she can call him “Joe” at the VP debate: “I was thinking, Joe, what you really oughta do is say, 'Yeah, you can call me whatever you want. In two months, you're gonna be calling me Mr. Vice President.'" Permalink

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Cindy McCain repeats her assertion that "I have always been proud of my country" at Friday's Miami rally. Reprises comment she first made in February, apparently aimed at Michelle Obama. She later claimed the comment "just spilled out of my mouth" and jokingly said she should duct-tape her lips. Developing.... Permalink

WHAT IF???

Politico speculates about how the networks would deal with an election night blowout. See highlights of what they found out here. Permalink

McCain Keeps Up Plumber Battle

At a packed Miami rally, the Arizonan continues to pressure Obama using Joe the Plumber, saying his rival's response to "tough questions" on his tax plan is to attack the victim. Notes that people are digging through Joe the Plumber's personal life and TV crews are camped outside his house. "He just asked a question. And Americans ought to be able to ask Senator Obama tough questions without being smeared and targeted with political attacks." Read his full remarks here. Permalink

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The potential first lady makes a rare visit to press section of the Straight Talk Express to chat with reporters and offer them candy from a trick-or-treater’s plastic pumpkin. Plus: Sen. Lindsey Graham comes too, quipping he’ll be “the government guy who comes to bail you out” for Halloween. Permalink

Palin: "SNL" a Chance to “Rise Above the Political Shots”

On Neal Boortz’s radio show Friday, the VP candidate says she doesn’t have a script to Saturday’s TV appearance, but likes the idea of playing Tina Fey. Adds: “I just want to be there to show Americans that we will rise above the political shots that we take....” Responding to praise for McCain’s routine at the Al Smith dinner, says she wishes there were more time “to express all aspects of who a candidate is.” Listen to it here. Plus: WSJ's Noonan goes tough on Palin in Friday column, suggesting she doesn't have "the tools, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding" needed for high office. Permalink

Biden Cracks on Palin During "Ellen" Appearance

He doesn’t bust a move, but the Democratic veep candidate tells Ellen DeGeneres that she’s free to call him Joe, “as long as you wink at me.” Also criticizes his rival for not agreeing to a second debate, jokes that he’s unhappy about having to follow Colin Farrell on the show during a taping Thursday. "I'm playing the old guy role anyway, you know, this whole campaign and now I gotta come behind him! Jeez!" Interview will air on Monday’s show. Permalink

Palin Skipped in White House Iraq Briefing

Defense Secretary Gates and Secretary of State Rice made calls to McCain, Obama and Biden this week to try to line up support for a compromise deal that cedes some authority over U.S. forces. Spokeswoman Perino: "One of them is going to win the election, and they will be taking over ... So it's only prudent for us to make sure that we get them the information that we think they need." State Department spokesman says Palin wasn’t called because she’s a governor, while the others are senators. Permalink

Letterman Hounds McCain on Ayers

Essential viewing: The late-night host doesn’t let up on where the former Weather Underground leader fits into the campaign while interviewing McCain Thursday. McCain ultimately bails, says: “But the point in this campaign is the economy, the economy and the economy.” Also downplays Palin’s “palling around with terrorists” remark: “There's millions of word said in the campaign. Come on!” Watch video clip above. Permalink

Davis: "Cloud of Suspicion" Hangs Over Election

On a media conference call, McCain campaign manager Rick Davis continues hammering on alleged voter fraud by ACORN. Says "a cloud of suspicion" "seems to right now hang over this election." Says Obama's team is not cooperating with requests for information, including an alleged payment to the group. "I don't understand, unless they think there is a problem with his relationship with ACORN, why they don't just come clean and talk about these things." Also says he would like to speak with the Obama team about "toning down" the negativity on both sides, but "we get dead silence." Permalink