Archive - October 27, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Palin: "The Face of This Race" Is Changing

The Alaska Governor tells Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes" there's a lot of enthusiasm out there for the GOP ticket, the race is tightening due to details on Obama's tax agenda. "Finally there is some candidness being forced out of Barack Obama for him to get to fess up on what his plans are for tax increases and spreading the wealth." Watch Part 1 of the interview here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here. Read more excerpts here. Plus: The View's Hasselbeck also tells Hannity Americans have a right to know more about Obama's association with Ayers. Get all the details here. Also: Palin tells Scott Hennen's radio show that Obama "needs to be called out" for not helping to head off the mortgage crisis in Congress. More here. Permalink

ATF: Assassination Plot Targeting Obama, Other African-Americans Disrupted

Court documents unsealed Monday show two neo-Nazi skinheads planned to rob a gun store and shoot or decapitate Obama and 102 other black people in a murder spree. ATF special agent tells the AP that the two were targeting a predominantly African-American Tennessee high school with assassinating Obama being their "last, final act." "They didn't believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying." Permalink

Biden: Obama Muslim Rumors Will Likely "Dissipate"

The VP candidate dismisses concerns that voters are wary of the Illinois Senator because they think he's a Muslim in an interview with KY3 News' Dave Catanese. "The few people who believe that have just been infected by fear and concern." Also says he won't resign his Senate seat until he's sworn in as veep. See more key excerpts here. Permalink

STEVENS FOUND GUILTY

A federal jury finds the Senate's longest-serving Republican guilty on all seven counts of making false statements on Senate financial documents. He was charged with concealing more than $250,000 worth of gifts and free home renovations. The 84-year-old is currently fighting for reelection to his Alaska Senate seat. Permalink

CLOSING ARGUMENT

Obama introduces a new speech in Canton, Ohio -- a state that sealed Bush's '04 re-election -- to "cap off" his two-year campaign. Promises to restore economic prosperity and a higher purpose to the country, accuses his rival of resorting to smear tactics to win votes. "In one week, you can put an end to the politics that would divide a nation just to win an election; that tries to pit region against region, city against town, Republican against Democrat; that asks us to fear at a time when we need hope." Read his full remarks here. McCain camp responds: Says "he was unable to support his rhetoric with a single accomplishment." Read statement here. Permalink

McCain Pounds "Barack the Redistributor"

At a rally in Dayton, the GOP candidate seizes on a 2001 Obama radio interview as evidence "we are still learning more about Senator Obama and his agenda." "That is what change means for Barack the Redistributor: It means taking your money and giving it to someone else." Also states flatly: "We both disagree with President Bush on economic policy." Read his full prepared remarks here. Permalink

Palin Vows to Work With Israel Ambassador

The GOP veep candidate discusses U.S.-Israeli relations, the Iranian nuclear threat in her down with Ambassador Sallai Meridor Monday morning. "I look forward to hearing about your work with the Jewish Agency and all the plans that we have. We'll be working together." Permalink

Hawkeye, Granite State Numbers

From the Marist Poll, among likely voters: IOWA: Obama 52, McCain 42 Conducted Oct 23-24. Error margin: 4 points. Read more here. NEW HAMPSHIRE: Obama 50, McCain 45 Conducted Oct. 22-23. Error margin: 4 points. Read more here. 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

McCain on Economy: "The American People Can Trust Me"

The Arizonan continues to distance himself from Bush when discussing his economic plan following a roundtable with advisers on the financial crisis in Cleveland, Ohio. "We both disagree with President Bush on economic policy. He thinks taxes have been too low and I think spending has been too high." Calls Obama the "most liberal person" ever to run for the presidency, hits him on taxes, jobs and more. Read full remarks here. Obama camp responds here. Plus: McCain and Palin will be interviewed live in Pennsylvania by CNBC's Maria Bartiromo Tuesday morning. Read more here. Permalink

Palin: Obama, Democrats Will Raise Your Taxes

While speaking in Leesburg, Virginia Monday morning, the Alaska Governor says their rival and the rest of his party is looking to "punish hard work" by implementing higher taxes. "If big government spenders control the House and the Senate and heaven forbid the White House, they will have a monopoly in Washington." She's met with a huge, enthusiastic crowd, as well as a new cheer: "Use your brain, vote McCain." Watch video clip above. Permalink

Biden Compares Obama Attacks to Those on Past Presidents

The Democratic VP candidate repeatedly matches attacks on his running mate to those on Presidents Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy in Greenville, North Carolina rally. Notes challenges to Jefferson's Christianity, Lincoln's commitment to individual rights, FDR's change and whether it was safe to pick JFK. Also repeats support for three-month moratorium on home foreclosures, and again calls on McCain to stop his "scurrilous" robocalls, saying "the purpose is to deliberately further divide the country." McCain camp responds here. Permalink

Christian Group Launches Pro-Obama Ads

The Matthew 25 Network unveils three radio ads backing the Illinois Senator. One minute-long ad features Obama speaking about his Christian faith. Listen here. Another features former Reagan official Douglas Kmiec: "Can you be pro-life and vote for Sen. Obama?... The answer is unequivocally yes." Available here. Group says ads will air on Christian music stations in Michigan, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina. Permalink

Polls: Obama Strong in Old Dominion

Virginia Commonwealth University: Obama 51, McCain 40 Dates conducted: Oct. 20-22. Error margin: 4 points. Read more here. Washington Post: Obama 52, McCain 44 Dates conducted: Oct 22-25. Error margin: 3.5 points. Read more here. Permalink

McCain to Return to Commander in Chief Theme in Final Push

NY Times columnist Bill Kristol: The camaign will showcase former secretaries of state and retired senior military officers in Wednesday Florida event. Permalink