The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from October 31st, 2008
Oh, The Expectations They'll Set
McCain camp memo released late Friday argues that the race isn't over yet -- and pushes the AP poll that says one in seven are undecided. Read it here. Permalink
Trick Or Treat!
Obama takes daughter Sasha (a "corpse queen") out for Halloween goodness Friday evening in their Chicago neighborhood. Grows angry at journalists who got too close-- "All right guys. That's enough. You've got a shot... Get back on the bus." Read pool report. Permalink
Biden Spooks McCain on Halloween
At Lima, Ohio rally, Democratic veep candidate says “John” is distancing himself from Bush’s economic policies because he saw “the presidency slipping from his grasp.” “John McCain dressed as an agent of change is a costume that just doesn’t fit.” Plus: Biden Friday "literally" count: 18. Permalink
"John McCain is a Real Action Hero"
The Terminator-turned-California governor introduces the GOP nominee at an event in Columbus, Ohio hammers Obama on his tax policies and more. Jokes he's going to invite Obama to "Arnold's Classic" next year because "he needs to do something about those skinny legs." Also says he needs to get "some meat on his ideas." Heaps praise on McCain, saying he's "been tested by torture" and "proven the kind of man he is." "Now John McCain, he's built like a rock... John McCain is a real action hero." McCain follows, gives an energetic version of his typical stump speech. Read remarks here. Permalink
McCain: Obama's Tax Plan Recalls President Hoover
In an interview with ABC’s Charlie Gibson, the GOP nominee keeps battering his opponent’s economic plan. Click above to watch. "To raise taxes on anyone in a bad economy, as history shows us, is a repetition of the days of Herbert Hoover." Adds that he likes his odds on Tuesday: "I think we're going to fool the pundits one more time." Permalink
Obama's To-Do List
Speaking on CNN Friday, the Land of Lincolner lays out what some of his top priorities would be if he wins the White House. #1: Repairing "the plumbing" of the financial system. #2: Energy independence #3: Health care reform #4: Middle-class tax cuts #5: Education reform. Read more from the interview, and read the full transcript. Permalink
Politico's Fantasty League Obama Administration
Online political phenom lists more than 100 names for potential job if the Land of Lincolner takes over in January. Read the (many) names being named here. Permalink
Obama Expects Ramped Up Attacks In Final Stretch
The Land of Lincolner predicts McCain's campaign will employ "more of the slash and burn, say-anything, do-anything politics" in the final days while stumping in Des Moines, Iowa Friday. "A couple of elections ago, there was a presidential candidate who decried this kind of politics and condemned these kinds of tactics. And I admired him for it – we all did." "But the high road didn’t lead him to the White House then, so this time, he decided to take a different route." Read full prepared remarks here. McCain camp responds, criticizes a line where he says his "faith in the American people was vindicated" on day of Iowa caucuses. Statement here. Permalink
Oh, The Waiting!!!
Atlantans spend hours of their Halloween afternoon waiting in line on the last day of early voting. Click above for incredible footage of the 8-10 hour-long line. Permalink
Palin Fears Media Blocking Her Right to Free Speech
The Alaska Governor tells DC radio station WMAL-AM that her First Amendment rights may be threatened by "attacks" from reporters on her criticism of Obama. "If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media." Permalink
McCain TV Ad Stresses POW Background
In one of the Arizonan's closing spots, the campaign focuses on the candidate's history of service to the country, particularly his time in the military. "I've served my country since I was 17 years old. And, spent five years longing for her shores. I came home dedicated to a cause greater than my own." Watch it above. Read script here. Campaign says "ad will be televised in key states." Amount and length of buy TBD. Permalink
What It Takes: Friday Edition
HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five most important people in American politics right now -- who aren't running for president. Permalink
Butter Bust Returns
Radio Iowa: Sources inside the Obama camp say the butter sculpture of the Democrat is on scene at Friday's Des Moines rally. The bust debuted earlier in the campaign. Read more about its history here. Permalink
Gore Recalls 2000 in Florida GOTV Rally
The former vice president whose loss four years ago hinged on the Sunshine State tells a West Palm Beach crowd to take the election seriously. “Take it from me: elections matter, every vote matters.” Adds: “Florida, as you know, may well be the state that determines the outcome of this election -- you may be the one person who determines the outcome here in Florida.” Permalink
Davis: McCain to Outspend Obama on TV
On a morning media call, the McCain chief says the Arizonan will outspend Obama by $10 million on TV over the last 10 days of the race. Also says Obama's infomercial was "an interesting use" of campaign funds, and "we don't see any evidence that that was any kind of a gamechanger or did anything but communicate with their base." Plus: "We're pretty jazzed up about what we're seeing... We are witnessing, I believe, one of the greatest comebacks since John McCain won the primary." Points to Iowa as a state where McCain is now "dead even," noting that Obama is returning to the state. Listen to the call 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.
