The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from October 21st, 2008
52-42
Latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal national numbers show: Obama 52, McCain 42 Dates conducted Oct. 17-20. Error margin 2.9 points. Read more -- including stats on Palin's experience and favorables -- here. Plus: ABC News/WashPost tracking poll: Obama 53-McCain 44. Conducted Oct. 17-20; error margin 2.5 points. Permalink
Obama: "What We Need Now Is Not Straw Men and Misleading Charges"
Speaking in Miami, the Illinois Senator accuses McCain of lying to voters, saying he has decided to "make up this notion that I've been attacking Joe the Plumber" and is being purposely misleading on his tax plan. "Apparently Senator McCain's decided that if he can't beat our ideas, he'll make up others and run against those." Read full remarks here. McCain response: "It’s helpful that 14 days before Election Day, Barack Obama finally acknowledges that his own plans to raise... taxes will kill jobs, wreck our economy and make life far tougher...." Read full response. Permalink
"I Apologize"
Palin tells CNN her remarks on the values of "the real America" and the "pro-America areas of this great nation" weren't meant to imply some parts of the country are more patriotic than others. "I don't want that misunderstood. If that's the way it came across, I apologize." Also swipes at Biden's comments that Obama would face an international crisis within six months of taking office: "We need to thank Joe for the warning." Read more interview highlights here. Watch video clip above. Permalink
SNL Honcho: Palin Could Make It in Show Biz
Producer Lorne Michaels tells Entertainment Weekly that while Palin "will continue to be underestimated," she was "powerful" on stage Saturday night and "could have her own show." Also discusses the Tina Fey-Palin imitation phenomenon, says the two did talk backstage: "There was no kicking and screaming. We know how to behave." Also hints that there's more candidate appearances before the election. Permalink
Obama Team Loose As Geese
Land of Lincolner spokesmen Burton and Gibbs play cable TV cut-ups Tuesday, with jokes during jousting sessions with McCain aides Pfotenhauer and Wallace. Click above to watch the comedy reel. Burton ribs Pfotenhauer for suggesting that voters in "the real Virginia" back McCain. Gibbs tells Wallace he wouldn't survive a vetting to join Obama’s ticket. Permalink
Biden Calls for End to “Scurrilous” Messages
Speaking in Greeley, Colorado, the Democratic veep candidate demands that McCain pull his negative robocalls and TV ads. "If he's really serious when he said ... that this election is all about the economy, then I say, John, stop your ads, bring down those robocalls." "If it's about the economy, argue about the economy. Not about Barack Obama's character." McCain camp response: Scolds Biden for not addressing his "crisis" remarks in his speech. Read statement here. Permalink
McCain on the Cover of His Favorite Newspaper's Magazine
Politico: "An 8,200-word cover story that goes deep inside the McCain campaign’s inner circle, including the tick-tock behind crafting campaign narratives, “suspending” the campaign, scaling back press access, and the selection of Sarah Palin -- who a friend of Rick Davis told him would look best within the iconic, red frame border of Time magazine." Permalink
Palin Declines to Call Obama "Socialist" in CNN Interview
The Alaska Governor instead invokes Joe the Plumber and his view of Obama's tax plan when asked by CNN investigative reporter Drew Griffin whether she would label the Democratic nominee a socialist. Though suggests Obama would "take more from small businesses and redistribute that according to his priorities," saying that's "not good for the entrepreneurial spirit." Read more interview highlights here. Plus: McCain, Palin release a statement on the idea of a second economic stimulus. Read it here. Permalink
THE TWO BEST GOSH DARN CAMPAIGN VIDEOS OF 2008
ESSENTIAL VIEWING: The (apparent) message: Chuck Schumer is from New York (read: New York)! Watch it here. The (fun) message: John Cornyn is big! Watch it here. 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
"ERRATIC"
Politico: Obama "attacks McCain's temperament head-on" in new TV ad, citing various newspaper descriptions of McCain. "Yes, McCain's been erratic. What he hasn't been is on your side." Watch spot above. Ad has been unannounced by the campaign, is airing in at least Virginia. Permalink
McCain: "I've Been Tested"
The GOP nominee counters Biden’s “crisis” claim during his Harrisburg, Pennsylvania rally by pointing to his experience aboard an aircraft carrier during the Cuban Missile Crisis, preparing to bomb the island. "America will not have a president who needs to be tested. I've been tested, my friends." Permalink
New Data: Obama Up Double Digits
From latest Pew poll, among likely voters: Obama 53, McCain 39 In early October, poll had Obama 49, McCain 42. Dates conducted: Oct. 16-19. Error margin: 2.5 points. Read more here. Permalink
Obama Tries to Preempt Crime Attacks
He tells radio host Ed Gordon Tuesday that crime isn't going to be eliminated overnight, believes there needs to be a change in mindset and family values. "We cannot continue to make excuses for behavior that’s destructive." Also talks about the possibility of being killed, what the Bush administration is leaving behind and the last two weeks of the race. Read more here. Permalink
Palin Keeps Hammering Biden Comment
Campaigning in Reno, Nevada, the Alaska governor seizes on Biden's claim that Obama will be "tested" by foreign leaders. "It wasn't so long ago that he said Barack Obama wasn't up to the job, and that, quote, 'the presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.'" Read more speech excerpts here. Permalink
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