Archive - October 26, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

State of the Race

TIME's Mark Halperin on the Palin flap/spat, the electoral map, and the divided government argument -- on ABC News' "World News Sunday." Watch it above. Permalink

WORLD MARKETS SLUMP

The Nikkei index in Japan closed at its lowest in 26 years Monday as the financial crisis drove up the yen, piling the pressure on the country's exporters. Permalink

ABC News/Washington Post tracking poll: Obama 52, McCain 45 McCain makes slight improvement in the percentage saying he would best handle the economy, but still trails Obama 53-42. Get details here. Conducted Oct. 22-25. Error margin: 2.5 points. Permalink

Palin: It Seems "The Coronation Is Already Set"

Speaking in Tampa Sunday, the GOP VP nominee repeatedly accuses the Democrats of acting as if they've already won. "You kinda get the feeling that the Obama campaign thinks this whole election process is just a formality." "Barack Obama and I both have spent quite some time on the basketball court. But where I come from, you have to win the game before you start cutting down the net." Introduced by "The View's" Elizabeth Hasselbeck-- watch video clip. Permalink

Before Huge Crowd, Obama Seizes on McCain Comment

Speaking in Denver, the Land of Lincolner highlights a comment from McCain on "Meet the Press." "Just this morning, Senator McCain said that he and President Bush – 'share a common philosophy.' That’s right, Colorado. I guess that was John McCain finally giving us a little straight talk...." Read more excerpts here, and his full prepared remarks here. Denver police chief estimates crowd at Civic Center Park at 100,000. SEE MORE PHOTOS-- CLICK HERE. McCain response: Barack Obama can't name a single issue or philosophy on which he's opposed the Democratic-controlled Congress-– not one. Read full statement. Plus: Obama later pitches in with some phone-banking in Brighton, Colorado-- read the pool report here. Permalink

"Those Clothes, They Are Not My Property"

Gov. Palin says more Sunday about the clothing bought for her and her family by the RNC. "Those clothes, they are not my property. Just like the lighting and the staging and everything else that the R.N. C. purchased. I’m not taking them with me." Suggests that after the race she'll resume wearing her own clothes, "from my favorite consignment shop in Anchorage, Alaska.” Also points out her wedding ring cost $35. Earlier: Campaign says a third of the $150,000 in clothing was returned immediately. Permalink

McCain Campaigns in Iowa

The GOP nominee stumps in Cedar Falls, Iowa. To cheers: "We talk about offshore drilling and he said he would quote, consider, offshore drilling. We talked about nuclear power, well it has to be safe, environment, blah, blah, blah." Permalink

Obama As 44

New York magazine on what an Obama transition and White House would look like. Bonus: Read about Obama’s likely choice for Treasury Secretary-- click here. And: Politico on the Democrats mulling Axelrod's role post-election. Permalink

Still In It to Win It

On NBC's "Meet the Press" in Iowa, Sen. McCain dismisses polling results showing him far behind Sen. Obama: "I don't believe them... This has been a very close race, and I believe I will win it." "We're going to win it, and it's going to be tight, and we're going to be up late.” Click above to watch clip, and read transcript here. Also: --Said "I'm not George Bush," stressed that he has been unpopular within the Republican party. --Dismissed the importance of Gov. Palin's costly shopping trips: "She lives a frugal life. She and her family are not wealthy." Said she did "fine" in her debate with Sen. Biden. --Said he is "disappointed" about Gen. Powell's endorsement of Obama, but does not agree with Limbaugh that the endorsement was "totally about race. , 10:21 AM

Poll: Obama Leads in the Granite State

From the Boston Globe, among likely New Hampshire voters: Obama 54, McCain 39 Poll conducted Oct. 18-22. Error margin: 3.5 points. Permalink

Obama Ad Hits McCain on the Economy

Thirty-second negative spot says the Arizonan has "no plan to lift our economy up," instead targets Obama "with scare tactics and smears." Depicts McCain and Bush together. "As Americans lose their jobs, homes and savings, it's time for a president who will change the economy, not change the subject." Click above to watch, and read script here. Campaign says ad will air on national cable beginning Monday. Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

Karl Rove, Govs. Kaine and Pawlenty among those hitting the Sunday shows-- click here. Permalink

Chief Morale Officer Schmidt

McCain's senior adviser stays positive and on-message about the Arizonan's odds: "He's been in tougher spots than being behind in a few polls." Pep talk to staff earlier this month: "Being part of an effort that fails does not make you a loser; it makes you a competitor." Permalink

Plouffe: Campaign Keeping Even Keel

"As an organization, we don't get too high or too low," Obama topper David Plouffe tells the LA Times. "It wasn't too long ago that people thought McCain was on a pathway to sure victory." Adds: "We've always believed this race will be decided by a handful of points in a number of these battleground states." Permalink