Archive - October 20, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

MIND BOGGLING

The Page quiz: When was the last U.S. presidential election the Republican Party won without a Nixon or a Bush on the ticket? The answer here. Permalink

Overseas markets see gains for third straight day. Comes as France says it will invest $14 billion in banks, the U.S. moves toward a second stimulus package and rising oil prices lifted energy shares. Permalink

DREAM TEAM

Obama, Clinton hold a joint event in Orlando, Florida Monday -- their first since June's rally in Unity, New Hampshire. Clinton introduces Obama, urges early voting and links McCain to Bush on the economy. Obama lavishes the praise on his former rival before getting into his stump speech, calling her tough, passionate, and committed to the causes he is now pushing. "I am proud to call her my friend." Plus: Obama talks to Cincinnati’s WKRC-TV about Biden’s “crisis” remark, his tax plan being labeled “socialist” and the environment. Watch it here. Permalink

McCain Pounces on Biden "Crisis" Remark

The Arizonan goes on the offensive during his event in Belton, Missouri, saying “the next president won’t have time to get used to the office.” Read full remarks here. Plus: Giuliani says remarks are evidence "Biden continues to harbor serious doubts" about Obama's leadership abilities in media call. Listen to it here. Obama camp responds to attacks here. Permalink

Poll: Debates Boosted Obama

NY Times/CBS News poll surveying the same set of voters before the first debate and after the final debate finds: Before debates: Obama 48, McCain 43 After debates: Obama 54, McCain 41 More details here. Plus: Inaugural WashPost/ABC News daily tracking poll finds Obama 53, McCain 44. Permalink

Huckabee, Giuliani Play Obama Drug Card

In an interview with a local Springfield, Missouri TV station, the former Arkansas Governor calls Obama’s drug use a relevant issue. "If Joe the Plumber's back taxes are relevant, a guy who's just playing football in his neighborhood, than everything is relevant." Watch video here. Meanwhile: The former New York mayor goes with the same line on Fox News. “God forbid somebody would do some reporting on Barack Obama’s use of drugs.” Watch video here. Permalink

A Little Heads Up Would Have Been Nice

The Arizonan tells a Pennsylvania newspaper he's disappointed with how Gen. Powell handled his Obama endorsement: "I was surprised that he didn't call me before." Plus: For what McCain said about Palin and Powell, and his response to the claim that the people of western Pennsylvania are racists, click here. Permalink

SALTY!!

In a profane and candid interview with The Atlantic’s Goldberg, top McCain adviser Mark Salter unleashes his contempt for the press saying much of the media has a “thumb on the scale for Obama.” Says McCain “is the old McCain. He just doesn't know what happened to the old press corps." Adds they picked Palin for her reformer record: “If it was going to be a foreign policy pick, then it would be somebody else, I guess, but it wasn't. And she learns quickly. She learns quickly.” Read highlights from the interview here. Warning: Not all language suitable for children. Permalink

It "Depends"

What joke did John Kerry tell about his friend John McCain and adult diapers on Monday? Read it here. Permalink

ONE FOR ALL...

Republicans begin major offensive warning of full Democratic control of Washington... Developing... Permalink

What It Takes: Monday Edition

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

Bush: Americans' Attitudes on Economy Improving

The President tells reporters after meeting with Louisiana business leaders Monday that perspectives about the financial crisis are shifting from "near panic" to a more relaxed state. Plus: Dow ends up 413 Monday on more signs of a reviving credit market. Permalink

McCain Topper: We Can Close the Gap in the Final Stretch

A confident Schmidt swipes at Biden’s Sunday remark in an interview with conservative radio host Scott Hennen saying America wants a president “that does not invite testing, who does not invite crisis.” Adds he thinks voters won’t let Obama’s fundraising, or dismissal of their campaign by the press sway them that the race is over. “Well, I think the American people reject the idea that you can buy the Presidency, and I also believe they reject the idea that the national media decides who wins.” Read transcript here. Permalink

Clinton Rallies Ft. Lauderdale

The New York Senator urges Floridians to cast their ballots early while on the stump for Obama ahead of their evening joint event. Reminds them that votes, not projections, are what win elections. View clip from event above. Permalink

Limbaugh Continues Assault on Powell

For what El Rushbo said on his widely listened to show Monday -- click here. "This was all about Powell and race, nothing about the nation and its welfare." Permalink