The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from October 25th, 2008
McKinnon Denounces "Mutiny"
McCain cheerleader and former media strategist Mark McKinnon says his candidate is Seabiscuit, and/but Obama is Secretariat -- so don't blame Steve Schmidt if the Democrat wins -- and he urges an end to the burgeoning circular firing squad in GOP ranks. "I don’t defend everything the campaign has done. . . . [I]t doesn’t mean that I disagree with the fundamental strategic premise that in order to win, McCain had to disqualify Obama. I knew that, and I knew that’s where the campaign would have to go." Essential reading here. Permalink
Iowa Poll: Obama's Lead Grows
From Lee Enterprises poll: Obama 54, McCain 39. Dates conducted: Oct. 19-22. Error margin: 4 points. Read more here. Permalink
THE MYTH OF 60
Sunday NY Times on a potential President Obama and big Democratic control of Congress. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): “If the White House political team can’t figure out a way to get two Republican senators to vote with us between Air Force One, tea at the White House, U.S. attorneys and judges and dams and roads and ambassadors and all that other stuff, somebody should take them out to the woodshed." “Sixty is less a magic number than a zone.” Permalink
Palin Set for Keystone State Blitz
The Alaska Governor's Pennsylvania tour is set to begin Tuesday in Harrisburg. She'll also make stops in Hershey and other cities next week. Swing to be interrupted for a quick stop in Missouri as well. Permalink
Giuliani Wants Investigation Into "Illegal Access" of Joe the Plumber's Records
The former New York City mayor and former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery hold McCain camp media call Saturday to discuss the issue. Giuliani says asking Obama a question shouldn't open him to this kind of "probe," wants an investigation looking into who accessed his personal data before Election Day. Calls it a sort of "political retribution," adding "if this is the way the Obama administration is going to conduct itself the American people should know" before voting. Permalink
McCain: "I'm Gonna Test Them"
Continuing to push back on Biden's "international crisis" remarks, the Arizonan says that he won't allow enemies to "test him" in morning remarks at the New Mexico State Fair Grounds in Albuquerque. "I have been tested. I'm gonna test them. They're not gonna test me.'' Permalink
Palin Wears Her "Own Jacket" to Sioux City Rally
While stumping in the Reddest part of Iowa Saturday, the Alaska Governor makes reference to the RNC's $150,000 shopping spree when commenting on the weather. Tells the crowd she stepped off the plane with her daughter Piper by her side and put on a nice, warm jacket. “And it’s my own jacket,” she says, emphasizing the word “own.” Palin’s quip is met with loud applause and whistles from a crowd. Permalink
"McCain Has Been Throwing Everything He's Got at Us, Hoping Something Will Stick"
Obama mocks McCain for his new criticism of President Bush, bashes the candidate for going negative in his Reno, Nevada rally. "He's even called me a socialist for suggesting that we focus on tax cuts, not for corporations and the wealthy, but for the middle class." "Then, the other day, he took it to a whole new level. He said that I was like George W. Bush. You can't make this stuff up, folks." Read the full remarks here. Plus: Remarks delivered amidst some technical difficulties. Permalink
B. CLINTON, OBAMA TO HIT THE STUMP
The former president and the Democratic nominee will campaign together Wednesday in Orlando, Florida. It will be their first joint appearance on the campaign trail. Permalink
What It Takes: Saturday Edition
HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five most important people in American politics right now -- who aren't running for president. Permalink
TRANSITIONING
NY Times on what the winner will do starting after Election Day. Names floated for an Obama administration here. Names floated for an McCain administration here. Permalink
Obama Speaks Directly to Voters in New Two-Minute TV Ad
The Democratic nominee explains his economic agenda -- including jobs, taxes, health care, oil -- and how he'd pay for his proposals in direct, to-camera spot. "At this defining moment in our history, the question is not, 'are you better off than you were four years ago?'... The real question is will our country be better off four years from now?" Watch it above. Read script here. Campaign says ad "will air across the country in key states." Amount and length of buy TBD. McCain camp responds here. Permalink
POLL: BUCKEYE STATE RACE TIGHT
Latest Ohio Newspaper Poll finds: Obama 49, McCain 46 Dates conducted: Oct. 18-22. Error margin: 3.3 percentage points. Cleveland Plain Dealer: "When compared with the two previous Ohio Newspaper Polls, suggests the Illinois senator has momentum on his side." Permalink
New RNC Ad Blasts "Untested" Obama
Latest independent expenditure spot asks what would happen if the economic crisis gets worse and Obama is too inexperienced to handle it. "But what if the storm does get worse? With someone who’s untested at the helm." Watch it above. Read script here. RNC says the ad "will run in major markets in target states." Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink
"Thank God She's Not Going to Have to be President from Day One"
Sen. Lieberman tells Connecticut reporters when asked if Palin is ready to be president right when elected: "Thank God she's not going to have to be president from Day One. McCain's going to be alive and well." Permalink
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