The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from October 29th, 2008
REALLY BIG SHOW
Bill Clinton pushes aside any grievances, tells a cheering Kissimmee, Florida crowd during a joint late-night rally that Obama "should be our president." Says Obama "represents America's future," defends him on his "redistributing the wealth" remark and more. "We have so much promise and so much peril. This man should be our president. All of our presidents." Obama has equal praise for the former president (and his wife), reminds supporters of the economic conditions under President Clinton. Read Mark Halperin's take of the event here. Permalink
Obama Insists "Socialism" Label Hasn't Stuck on "Daily Show"
The Democrat makes a serious attempt to defend himself from attacks by the McCain camp that his tax agenda has socialist tendencies in a Comedy Central interview Wednesday. But, admits he hasn't won over everyone: "I think that there's a certain segment of hardcore Sean Hannity fans that probably wouldn't want to go have a beer with me. There's no doubt about that.” Also jokes that his satellite appearance on Comedy Central is his infomercial, laughs about the possibility of the Bradley Effect taking place in the voting booth. Watch video clip above. Read pool report here. Permalink
NYT: Early Voting an "Election Year Hit"
The Paper of Record sums up the experience for the millions of voters who will already have cast their ballot by Nov. 4. Permalink
OBAMA TV
The Land of Lincolner stars in brilliantly-produced half hour of air time on broadcast and cable TV called "Barack Obama: American Stories." Program features five real middle-class families from all over the country (four from battleground states) -- and also includes testimonials from prominent figures in both parties. Ends with a live segment of Obama speaking to a Florida crowd. NO MENTIONS OF PRESIDENT BUSH OR MCCAIN. Watch the segment above. Read the transcript here. McCain camp responds: "As anyone who has bought anything from an infomercial knows, the sales-job is always better than the product. Buyer beware." Permalink
McCain: Obama's No Socialist; Racism Won't Determine Election
On Wednesday's "Larry King Live," the candidate says he doesn't think his opponent is a socialist. And/But: Does "believe that he has been in the far left of American politics and stated time after time that he believes in spreading the wealth around." Also acknowledges some racism in America, "but I am totally convinced that 99 and forty-four one-hundredths percent of Americans are going to make the decision based on who is best to lead this country." Watch video clip above. Read the full transcript here. Permalink
Vying Over His Agenda
The WSJ reveals that even before Election Day, Democrats are pushing to shape Obama's legislative priorities, and that there's tensions over how fast to move on big issues. Permalink
McCain: Obama's 30-Min Ad Is Being "Paid for With Broken Promises"
The Arizonan does a pre-emptive lash out a his rival's infomercial running on seven networks Wednesday night at a rally in Riviera Beach, Florida. Calls it a "gauzy, feel-good commercial" that was able to be run because he opted out of public financing, despite vowing to work out an agreement with his opponent before doing so. Read full remarks here. Permalink
RNC Ad Tackles Obama on Experience
Hard-hitting spot suggests Obama is not equipped for the White House. "Would you get on a plane with a pilot who has never flown?... Would you go under with a surgeon who never operated?" Click above to watch, and read script here. Ad debuted on NBC's "Nightly News" Wednesday. RNC says it will "run in major markets in target states." Permalink
Obama Explains What He'd Do Next If He Loses
The Land of Lincolner tells ABC News’ Charlie Gibson that he plans to return to his pre-presidential candidate life if he comes up short on November 4. “I’m a relatively young man. They say there’s no second acts in politics, but you know, I think there are enough exceptions out there that I think I could envision returning to the Senate and just doing some terrific work with the next President and the next Congress.” Also defends his 30-minute TV buy, vows to work with Republicans if president even if he gets a majority in the House and Senate. Watch video above. Read more excerpts here. Permalink
Homestate Defense: McCain Robocalling Arizona
Campaign and GOP running calls in the Grand Canyon State attacking Obama as weak on terrorism. “...Barack Obama is so dangerously inexperienced, his running mate Joe Biden just said he invites a major international crisis that he will be unprepared to handle alone.” Permalink
Palin 2012?
The Alaska Governor suggests to ABC News that she expects to remain a force in national politics no matter what happens November 4. Says she doesn't plan to "give up and wave a white flag of surrender against some of the political shots that we've taken," adding, "I'm not doing this for naught.” Full interview to air Thursday and Friday on “Good Morning America.” Permalink
LATEST BATTLEGROUND NUMBERS
From TIME/CNN polls, among likely voters: Colorado: Obama 53, McCain 45 Florida: Obama 51, McCain 47 Georgia: McCain 52, Obama 47 Missouri: McCain 50, Obama 48 Virginia: Obama 53, McCain 44 Dates conducted: Oct. 23-28. Error margin: 3.5 points. For more -- including how these states break down by gender and income -- click here. Permalink
Laser Guided Missiles Versus the Kitchen Sink
Obama's Wednesday message: McCain=Bush and more of the same. For McCain's Wednesday message(s) click here. Permalink
MCCAIN: OBAMA NOT UP TO TASK OF PROTECTING U.S.
The Arizonan Senator makes a statement on foreign policy, paints Obama as unprepared to lead, after holding a national security roundtable in Tampa, Florida. "The question is whether this is a man who has what it takes to protect America from Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda, and other grave threats in the world. And he has given you no reason to answer in the affirmative." Says the national security threat "mattered before the economic turmoil of the present. They will matter still when it has passed." Read full remarks here. Read Democrats' response here. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
