[big campaign] '08 Daily News Clips - 10/08

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Election Daily News Clips October 8th, 2008 *Candidate Tracking:* ***All times in Eastern Standard Time 10:50am BUSH: Meets with the Prime Minister of Grenada at the White House 1:35pm McCain and Palin: Hold a "Road to Victory" rally at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 2:25pm BUSH: Signs H.R. 7081, the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act at the White House 5:15pm McCain and Palin: Hold a "Main Street USA" rally in Strongsville, Ohio 9:00pm McCain and Palin: Joint interview airs on Fox News' "Hannity and Colmes" 10:00pm Palin: Interview airs on Fox News' "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" News Clips: MCCAIN NEWS *McCain, Obama clash over causes, cures of crisis (AP 10/08/08)* By CHARLES BABINGTO NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a debate in which Republican McCain called for a sweeping $300 billion program to shield homeowners from mortgage foreclosure. http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PRESIDENTIAL_DEBATE?SITE=FLROC&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-10-08-00-07-38 *Obama and McCain Clash Over Economy (NYT 10/08/08)* By ADAM NAGOURNEY Senators John McCain and Barack Obama debated for 90 minutes on Tuesday night before a nation in economic crisis, each promising anxious Americans that he had the better plan and vision to lead the country through what both men said was the most dire domestic situation since the Great Depression… Mr. McCain chose not to use the evening — the second of three scheduled debates — to attack Mr. Obama's background or character. But in a moment that caught the attention of people in both parties, he appeared agitated at one point as he dismissively criticized Mr. Obama's record in the Senate and referred to his opponent only as "that one." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/us/politics/08debate.html *Economic Crisis Dominates Debate: McCain and Obama Differ Over Causes and Solutions (WaPo 10/08/09)* By Dan Balz, Anne E. Kornblut and Michael Abramowitz NASHVILLE, Oct. 7 -- On a day when the stock market took another sharp plunge, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama clashed repeatedly here Tuesday night over the causes of the economic meltdown that has shaken the country and offered sharply contrasting prescriptions for how to restore stability. McCain played the role of the aggressor throughout the 90-minute debate, accusing his Democratic rival of favoring major tax and spending increases and of relying too often on big government programs to reshape the nation's health-care system. He said he would do more to shake up Washington and bring cooperation to the capital. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/07/AR2008100703372_pf.html *Economy dominates the McCain-Obama matchup (LA Times 10/08/09)* By Bob Drogin McCain, the Republican nominee, unveiled the major surprise of the night as he sought to turn around his faltering campaign after weeks of sinking polls. As his Democratic rival watched from a nearby stool, McCain promised to launch a federal program to buy failing mortgages directly from homeowners and mortgage providers and replace them with fixed-rate mortgages. A fact sheet from his campaign said the plan would cost taxpayers roughly $300 billion. "Is it expensive?" McCain asked. "Yes. But we all know, my friends, until we stabilize home values in America, we're never going to start turning around and creating jobs and fixing the economy." http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-assess8-2008oct08,0,6881351.story *McCain, Obama spar over economy in debate (USA TODAY 10/08/09)* By Kathy Kiely and David Jackson NASHVILLE — John McCain and Barack Obama exchanged blame and offered proposals to address the nation's financial crisis during Tuesday's presidential debate, with McCain promising aid to struggling homeowners and Obama saying the government must assure the massive federal financial rescue package works as planned. The town hall-style debate focused immediately on the economy and stayed on it for much of the night, with McCain calling for the Treasury Department to buy up troubled mortgages -- with some conditions -- and renegotiate them with homeowners at the current value of homes. His campaign estimated the cost of the program at $300 billion. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-07-debate-tuesday_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip *Analysis: Sharp tone, no gaffes in town hall debate (USA TODAY 10/08/09)* By Susan Page NASHVILLE — When John McCain was counted out for the Republican nomination last year, he used town-hall-style meetings — more than 100 in every corner of New Hampshire — to fuel his comeback in January's Granite State primary. Now, his support flagging one month before November's election, the Arizona senator hoped the casual format in his second debate against Democrat Barack Obama on Tuesday would help him shake up another race that seemed to be sliding away. But the evening was less freewheeling than most town halls — the rules negotiated between the campaigns imposed time limits and prevented follow-ups — and most of the back-and-forth echoed the candidates' stump speeches and TV ads. The Nashville http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-07-analysis_N.htm *Analysis: Obama gains, McCain seeks game-changer (AP 10/07/08)* By LIZ SIDOTI WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama made strides toward easing voters' concerns about his candidacy in Tuesday night's debate. John McCain, despite raising pointed questions about his rival's readiness, didn't create the game-changing moment he'll need between now and Election Day. There are still four weeks to go, but time is running out on McCain. Poised and confident, Obama directly confronted his greatest hurdle - and did it by turning the tables on McCain during a foreign policy question. http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEBATE_ANALYSIS?SITE=FLROC&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-10-07-23-53-00 *A debate for sobering times (Salon.com 10/08/08)* By Walter Shapiro With the economy nose-diving, McCain did not achieve the surge he needed, while Obama looked masterly as the candidate of reassurance. McCain came across as solid and competent (though his incessant talk of "earmarks" was enough to prompt viewers to reach for their earmuffs). But with four weeks left before the election and with his poll numbers collapsing along with the Dow Jones Average, McCain needed a debate performance that would support a domestic surge in his fading electoral prospects. Such a stirring comeback was not on the calendar for Tuesday night -- and now McCain has to gamble on a breakthrough when the two candidates meet for the final time at Hofstra University on Oct. 15. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/10/08/debate2/print.html *Debate Tactics Reflect Shift in Contest's Dynamics (WSJ 10/08/08)* By GERALD F. SEIB Sen. Barack Obama wanted the second presidential debate Tuesday night to be about the economy. Sen. John McCain, by contrast, wanted the debate to be about Sen. Obama. They both got their wish. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122343918239914493.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy *For the New Contagion, the Same Old Prescriptions (WaPo 10/08/08)* By Steven Pearlstein Against a backdrop of an unfolding meltdown in global financial markets and the near-certainty of a U.S. recession, the two candidates for president used the occasion of a much-anticipated town hall meeting last night to repeat all the talking points they were making long before the recent bank failures, the free fall of stock prices and the federal government's expensive rescue efforts. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/08/AR2008100800090_pf.html *Body language: confident Obama, combative McCain (AP 10/08/08))* By JOCELYN NOVECK NEW YORK (AP) -- The McCains and the Obamas moved about the stage separately for a little while after their debate, greeting people on the stage, but not each other. Then John McCain tapped Barack Obama's back briefly and Obama turned and reached his hand out. Rather than shaking it, McCain directed him to his wife, Cindy. If it wasn't clear on TV, photos showed that the two men did shake hands after Tuesday's contest. But that awkward physical moment highlighted a reality that viewers were reminded of repeatedly Tuesday evening: There's no love lost between these two men. And it was McCain, slipping in the polls and increasingly on the attack in recent days, who appeared to have far more trouble concealing his apparent distaste for his opponent. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEBATE_IMAGE?SITE=TXMCA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT *Long History for Proposal on Mortgages by McCain (NYT 10/08/08)* By JACKIE CALMES The Obama camp is correct that the new $700 billion bailout of the financial system gives the Treasury the authority to buy troubled mortgages. But the law leaves unclear how the authority is to be used, according to a person who was privy to the recent legislative negotiations between the White House and Congress and who is not affiliated with either campaign. The mortgage renewal idea actually originated with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, said Charlie Black, a senior adviser to Mr. McCain. And Mrs. Clinton, who proposed the idea in a recent newspaper column, borrowed it from a Depression-era New Deal agency, the Home Owner's Loan Corporation. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/us/politics/08mortgage.html?pagewanted=print *In Debate, McCain Touted Mortgage Plan Already Proposed By Obama (Huff Po 10/07/08)* By Seth Coulter Walls It was the first question of the evening: how to turn the economy around and help those ensnared in the housing crisis. And in John McCain's first answer, he bragged about a bold new proposal he would implement as president -- that Obama already fought for in the recently passed bailout bill. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/07/in-debate-mccain-touted-m_n_132828.html *Skyline Debate: First Thoughts (WaPo blog 10/07/08)* By Chris Cillizza RESOLVED: There was no game changer. Tonight's second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain featured areas of agreement, a few areas of marked contrast on issues and absolutely no mention of Charles Keating, Bill Ayers or Tony Rezko. As almost always happens in these one-on-one encounters, the candidates played far nicer with each other than their campaigns had been doing in the days and hours leading up to tonight's set-to in Nashville. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/10/the_nashville_skyline_debate_f.html?hpid=artslot *GOP likes 'that one' too (Politcio blog 10/07/08)* By Ben Smith A Republican official emails, on background: The most memorable line of the night belonged to John McCain. McCain pointed out that "That One" vote for the 05 energy bill. Look for Republicans to note in coming days that "That One" also voted for higher taxes at least 94 times; "That One" has associations with unrepentant terrorists, etc… http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/GOP_likes_that_one_too.html?showall *"That One" Debate. One More To Go. (Time blog 10/07/08)* Posted by Michael Scherer A few thoughts on the debate: My guess is "that one" will be the moment remembered from this one. Why? Because it can be used as shorthand for the overwhelming mood of the evening. There was deep tension between the two men. McCain appeared to hold Obama in low regard. Obama appeared to treat McCain like a disruptive student in his law school class. The teacher acknowledged the dissenter, explained why he was wrong, and moved on. http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/10/that_one_debate_one_more_to_go.html *The Second Presidential Debate (Time blog 10/07/08)* By Karen Tumulty Summing up? I'm not sure this was a good night for Barack Obama, but I think it was a bad night for John McCain. And these last two debates were supposed to be his best ones. http://www.time-blog.com/election_debates/2008/10/the-presidential-debates-round.html?xid=site-cnn-partner *You Guys Are Nuts (National Review Online 10/07/08)* By Andy McCarthy With due respect, I think tonight was a disaster for our side. I'm dumbfounded that no one else seems to think so. Obama did everything he needed to do, McCain did nothing he needed to do. What am I missing? http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmFkOTk5MTNhZjVjMmYzYzhlY2RiYmQzN2Y3ZGZjMTg= *"That One," McCain Calls Obama In Debate (VIDEO) (Huff Po 10/07/08)* By Seth Colter Walls During a discussion about energy, McCain punctuates a contrast with Obama by referring to him as "that one," while once again not looking in his opponent's direction (merely jabbing a finger across his chest). That's not going to win McCain any Miss Congeniality points. Nor will it reassure any voters who believe McCain is improperly trying to capitalize on Obama's "otherness." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/07/that-one-mccain-calls-oba_n_132802.html *Un - Change – D (Hotline blog 10/07/08)* By Jennifer Skalka McCain hit Obama at every possible turn. But the criticism -- that Obama is going to tax voters into oblivion, that he would invade Pakistan, that he was wrong about the surge in Iraq and that he would fine Americans for not purchasing health insurance -- could've played as too negative. http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/10/un_change_d.html *Count 'em (MSNBC First Read, 10/07/08)* From NBC's Carrie Dann "Fundamental" -- 9 for Obama (including 2 "fundamental change") and 6 for McCain Bush -- 9 Obama, 3 McCain (all efforts to distance himself from a Bush policy) And, as the Obama camp has pointed out tonight, Obama brought up "the middle class" four times, while McCain did not mention the phrase. He did not utter it in the last debate either, which turned into a day-after ad. *No shake (Politcio blog 10/07/08)* By Ben Smith 11:16 PM I didn't immediately see this, but it's another moment in the theater of the debate: McCain doesn't take Obama's offered hand. http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/No_shake.html?showall *Obama Leaves Nashville Intact (Time blog 10/07/08)* By Mark Halperin Once again, no big moments or news. McCain spent much of the evening trying to define Obama on his terms, but never broke all the way through. First 30 minutes focused on the economic crisis. Other issues included foreign policy, health care, energy and more. Mark Halperin's grades: Obama: B+ McCain: B http://thepage.time.com/2008/10/07/game-on-20/ MCCAIN NEWS *McCain Still Targets Pennsylvania, Ohio: Republican's Campaign Faces Mounting Pressure as Recent Polls Show Obama Gaining Ground (WSJ 10/08/08)* By ELIZABETH HOLMES The McCain campaign said it remains committed to Pennsylvania and Ohio, which account for a combined 41 electoral votes. Although it has pulled out of Michigan, the McCain campaign holds out hope for Wisconsin, with 10 electoral votes. Some Republican strategists have quietly expressed concerns that the game plan may be squandering campaign resources sorely needed elsewhere. Areas around the Columbus, Ohio, suburbs, home to working-class Democratic swing voters, remain strong for Sen. Obama. In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas are trending Democratic, and there are doubts about Sen. McCain's ability to turn out voters in the middle parts of the state that are more rural. Meanwhile, longtime Republican strongholds like Virginia and North Carolina now appear to be in play. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122342100824013057.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy *Analysis: McCain's contrition ends over Keating (AP 10/07/08)* By LARRY MARGASAK WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nearly 20 years of John McCain's contrition over his role in a 1980s banking scandal vanished this week in 17 minutes and 30 seconds. It took that long for John Dowd, McCain's lawyer in the Keating Five investigation, to make the mea culpas disappear in a telephone conference call with reporters. Dowd said Monday the Arizona senator, now the Republican presidential nominee, was the victim of "a classic political smear job" and a "cheap shot" by Democrats who investigated him. The lawyer said the Democratic chairman of the Senate ethics committee during the investigation was a "stooge" of his leadership. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MCCAIN_KEATING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT *McCain linked to group in Iran-Contra affair (AP 10/07/08)* By PETE YOST WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Sen. John McCain served on the advisory board to the U.S. chapter of an international group linked to ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America in the 1980s. The U.S. Council for World Freedom also aided rebels trying to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua. That landed the group in the middle of the Iran-Contra affair and in legal trouble with the Internal Revenue Service, which revoked the charitable organization's tax exemption. The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. After setting up the U.S. council, Singlaub served as the international league's chairman. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1848122,00.html *McCain and the U.S. Council for World Freedom (WaPo blog 10/07/08)* By Glenn Kessler When John McCain severed his ties with a group linked to ultra-rightwing death squads in Central America may make a difference considering some of the literature associated with the U.S. Council for World Freedom. McCain has said he resigned from the Council's board in 1984 because he was uncomfortable with the group's activities, but his name was still on the group's letterhead in 1986. He also attended the group's "Freedom Fighter of the Year" award ceremony on Oct. 3, 1985. On July 15, 1985, the group's newsletter featured an article by Robert H. Goldsborough that appears to belittle concerns about then-President Reagan's decision to visit a cemetery with 49 graves of Waffen-SS officers. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/07/mccain_and_the_us_council_for.html *Forget Ayers. McCain Served On Advisory Board Of Whacked Out Council For World Freedom (Talking Points Memo 10/07/08)* By Greg Sargent and Eric Kleefeld In a much discussed story, the Associated Press reported today that John McCain served in the mid-1980s on the advisory board of a right-wing group called the Council for World Freedom, which has been controversial because of the group's aid to the Nicaraguan Contras and the presence of anti-Semites in its ranks. Now we've gotten a hold of another fun little nugget that shows how whacked out this group really is: A newsletter from the group from July 1985 that lashed out at people who criticized Ronald Reagan for visiting the Bitburg cemetery in Germany, which includes the graves of members of the SS. http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/mccains_and_council_for_world_freedom.php#more *Social Security (NPR 10/07/08)* By David Welna McCain said Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill's sitting down to strike a deal on Social Security is a model for what to do now. Problem is, those two gents agreed to raise taxes to cover the Social Security gap...and McCain says on his campaign website he WON'T raise taxes to fix Social Security. http://www.npr.org/blogs/politics/2008/10/social_security.html *McCain Urges More Weapons for Taiwan (WaPo blog 10/07/08)* By Glenn Kessler Sen. John McCain today issued a statement urging the administration to add submarines and F-16s aircraft to a $6 billion package of military equipment for Taiwan that the White House unveiled last week. As it happens, the lobbying firm helmed as recently as May by McCain's chief foreign policy coordinator had a $200,000 contract with Taiwan to provide "advocacy ... with the U.S. Congress and executive branch," which it renewed in June, according to documents filed with the Justice Department. In 2005, Scheunemann signed the contract between his firm, Orion Strategies LLC, and Taiwan's Washington office. On June 4 of this year, his partner, Mike Mitchell, signed a renewal of the contract, which calls for quarterly payments of $50,000. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/07/mccain_urges_more_weapons_for.html#more *GOP movie star Chuck Norris appears to suggest that McCain may die during his first term (America blog 10/07/08)* By John Aravosis (DC) 'If John takes over the presidency at 72 and he ages 3-to-1, how old will he be in four years? Eighty-four years old — and can he handle that kind of pressure in that job?' Norris said, as Huckabee looked on. 'That's why I didn't pick John to support, because I'm just afraid the vice president will wind up taking over his job within that four-year presidency.' added the action star." http://www.americablog.com/2008/10/gop-movie-star-chuck-norris-appears-to.html *Advisers worry about 'grumpy McCain' (Politico 10/07/08)* By: Mike Allen But what friends call "grumpy McCain" is showing up regularly on the campaign trail, and several top advisers worry that it's hurting his campaign by making him appear peevish and hunkered down when the country is looking for a larger and more optimistic brand of leadership. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14364.html *Obama outscores McCain in veterans' group's report card (The Hill 10/07/08) * By Roxana Tiron Barack Obama outscored his Republican rival, Vietnam veteran John McCain, in a report card issued by an influential, nonpartisan veterans' group. The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA's) Action Fund gave the Arizona senator a "D" as part of its congressional report card. Obama received a "B" from the group. McCain is among three senators who scored a "D." Only one senator, Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), received an "F." http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/obama-outscores-mccain-in--veterans-groups-report-card-2008-10-06.html *Behind Obama's Rise: An NBC/WSJ Stat (The Atlantic blog, 10/07/08)* By Marc Ambinder Voters, the survey finds, believe Obama responded to the crisis more effectively than McCain did. Thirty-four percent say they felt more reassured by Obama's approach, versus 29 percent who said they felt less reassured. That's compared with just 25 percent who were reassured by McCain's response, versus 38 percent who were less reassured. In other words, McCain's response earned him a net negative rating; Obama's response earned him a net positive rating. Hard evidence that Obama did himself well by staying calm and McCain hurt himself by suspending the campaign, dramatically returning to Washington, and having little to show for it. http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/behind_obamas_rise_an_nbcwsj_s.php *How McCain Lost His "Base" (The Atlantic blog, 10/07/08)* By Marc Ambinder In 2000, McCain was the only real "hero" in the race, and the media sort of lived through him. Now, the media can sort of live through Obama's "change" movement. http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/premise_of_denying_that_mccain.php PALIN NEWS ***Palin Plays to Conservative Base in Florida Rallies (NYT 10/08/08)* By JULIE BOSMAN From Jacksonville in the northeast to Pensacola in the Panhandle, the fiery crowds gathered to jeer at any hint of liberalism, boo loudly at the mere mention of Senator Barack Obama's name and heckle the traveling press corps (at a rally in Clearwater, one man hurled a racial epithet at a television cameraman). If there were undecideds, independents or swing voters among them, they were awfully hard to spot. Florida is still a too-close-to-call battleground state, with most recent polls showing Mr. Obama ahead, but not by much. That Ms. Palin campaigned there in Republican strongholds like Pensacola suggests an effort to increase turnout among the party's base. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/us/politics/08palin.html?pagewanted=print *Lawmakers defend Palin probe before Alaska Supreme Court (CNN 10/07/08)* ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- Alaskan lawmakers investigating Gov. Sarah Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner defended their probe to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday, three days before the deadline for their report. Palin's Republican allies have asked the court to shut down the legislators' probe, and the justices are scheduled to hear arguments on the issue Wednesday. In a brief filed Tuesday afternoon, lawmakers allege the shutdown request is meant entirely "to avoid a negative impact on the fortunes of one political party." http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/07/palin.investigation/index.html?eref=rss_topstories *Palin on the Plane (NYT blog 10/07/08)* By Julie Bosman Ms. Palin said recently that she was disappointed with the campaign's decision to pull out of Michigan, and, when prompted, she followed up on those comments. "With Michigan, you know, I'm not going to forget about Michigan," she said. "The campaign isn't either. Todd and I particularly here, he and I, we were just talking about this, how important it is that Michigan understands that what we're working on, these economic recovery proposals." http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/palin-on-the-plane/ *Palin Family Could Apply for Free Federal Health Care (Washington Independent 10/08/08)* By Laura McGann ANCHORAGE, Alaska — When Gov. Sarah Palin said during the vice presidential debate Thursday that her family has gone through periods where they've been uninsured and she understands what it's like for Americans "to sit around the kitchen table and try to figure out how are they going to pay out-of-pocket for health care," she forgot to mention something. Unlike the vast majority of Americans, her husband and children had a good chance of qualifying for free, federally funded, comprehensive health care under a program of the Dept. of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service. http://washingtonindependent.com/10743/palin-family-qualifies-for-free-federal-health-care *Palin Attacks Biden While He's At Mother-In-Law's Funeral (Huff Po 10/07/08)* By Sam Stein While the presidential campaign has taken a decidedly personal and vicious tilt these past few days, one individual who has generally been left out of the fray has been Sen. Joe Biden. That's because the Delaware Democrat has been off the trail bereaving the loss of his mother-in-law to a heart attack. As such an informal detente has been in place when it comes to attacking him. But on Tuesday, Sarah Palin broke the truce. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/07/palin-criticizes-biden-wh_n_132753.html *Palin stretches truth in campaign speeches (AP 10/07/08)* By BETH FOUHY JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin tells audiences the election is about the "truthfulness and judgment" needed to be president. But the Alaska governor often stretches the truth herself. She has exaggerated the nature of Barack Obama's personal ties to a former 1960s radical and falsely claimed the Democratic presidential candidate plans to raise most people's taxes. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PALIN?SITE=IADES&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT *Palin Rips Obama on Social Security 'Fear and Panic,' but Tangles Health Policy Descriptions (WaPo blog 10/07/08)* By Perry Bacon Jr. PENSACOLA , Fla. -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accused Barack Obama of practicing "old-style politics" and misleading voters in his attacks on Sen. John McCain's Social Security views, continuing her criticism of the Democratic nominee…Palin did not detail exactly how McCain's Social Security reforms would work in the speech beyond saying he would not change it for people who are already retired. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/07/palin_rips_obama_on_social_sec.html *The Palins' un-American activities: Imagine if the Obamas had hooked up with a violently anti-American group in league with the government of Iran. (Salon.com 10/07/08)* By David Talbot "My government is my worst enemy. I'm going to fight them with any means at hand." This was former revolutionary terrorist Bill Ayers back in his old Weather Underground days, right? Imagine what Sarah Palin is going to do with this incendiary quote as she tears into Barack Obama this week. Only one problem. The quote is from Joe Vogler, the raging anti-American who founded the Alaska Independence Party. Inconveniently for Palin, that's the very same secessionist party that her husband, Todd, belonged to for seven years and that she sent a shout-out to as Alaska governor earlier this year. ("Keep up the good work," Palin told AIP members. "And God bless you.") AIP chairwoman Lynette Clark told me recently that Sarah Palin is her kind of gal. "She's Alaskan to the bone ... she sounds just like Joe Vogler." http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/ *Alaska to review per diem payments to Palin (AP 10/07/08)* By BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Alaska's top finance officer will review payments made to Gov. Sarah Palin for nights she charged the state for staying in her own home. Finance Director Kim Garnero said she must determine whether the payments made to Palin in the future should be considered income. Garnero said, "That's something we need to confer with the governor's office on." Palin has received more than $17,000 in per diem payments since taking office in December 2006 for 312 nights she stayed in her Wasilla home about an hour's drive from Anchorage. The state provides a home for the governor in Juneau. http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Oct07/0,4670,PalinTaxReturns,00.html *Milbank: McCain-Palin's Attacks On Media Have Spawned Unprecedented Crowd Hostility Toward Press (Talking Points Memo 10/07/08)* By Greg Sargent Milbank says that after the Palin attacked the New York Times and Katie Couric in her stump speech yesterday in Florida, he and other reporters were pelted with boos, with some saying things like "screw you" and "fucking liberal media." http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/milbank_mccainpalins_attacks_o.php *Claim Palin was union member hard to pin down: Obvious sources don't know, but that isn't end of the story (Las Vegas Sun 10/07/08)* By Michael Mishak But the details of Palin's former union membership have proved elusive. What union did she belong to? When? What was her trade? In a politically active union town such as Las Vegas, her labor affiliation is a matter of some interest. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/oct/07/claim-palin-was-union-member-hard-pin-down/ * * OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS * Cool Hand Barack (WSJ 10/08/08)* Despite McCain's best efforts, Obama glides through his contradictions with ease. Ahead in the polls, Barack Obama used last night's debate to portray himself as a nonradical if vague agent of change. Despite John McCain's best efforts, the Arizona Senator didn't knock Mr. Obama from his cool evasion or even do much to rebut the Democrat's routine talking points. This isn't enough to change the dynamics of the race. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122343890280614449.html *Palin's Kind of Patriotism (NYT 10/08/08)* By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN Criticizing Sarah Palin is truly shooting fish in a barrel. But given the huge attention she is getting, you can't just ignore what she has to say. And there was one thing she said in the debate with Joe Biden that really sticks in my craw. It was when she turned to Biden and declared: "You said recently that higher taxes or asking for higher taxes or paying higher taxes is patriotic. In the middle class of America, which is where Todd and I have been all of our lives, that's not patriotic." What an awful statement. Palin defended the government's $700 billion rescue plan. She defended the surge in Iraq, where her own son is now serving. She defended sending more troops to Afghanistan. And yet, at the same time, she declared that Americans who pay their fair share of taxes to support all those government-led endeavors should not be considered patriotic. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08friedman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print *Mud Pies for 'That One' (NYT 10/08/08)* By MAUREEN DOWD John McCain has long been torn between wanting to succeed and serving a higher cause. Right now, the drive to succeed is trumping any loftier aspirations. He cynically picked a running mate with less care than theater directors give to picking a leading actor's understudy. And he has been running a seamy campaign originally designed by the bad seed of conservative politics, Lee Atwater. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08dowd.html?pagewanted=print *Who Is John McCain? (WaPo 10/08/08)* By E. J. Dionne Jr. Last night's debate raised a different question: Who is the real John McCain? Is he the man who used to tout himself as a problem-solver, or is he the desperate candidate who lurches from attack to attack? The first McCain showed up last night, insisting that our "situation today cries out for bipartisanship." But is that the McCain who would govern? Is that the McCain who is authorizing all those attack ads? Is that the McCain we'll see tomorrow, and the day after? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/07/AR2008100702438_pf.html *It's Time to Think Big on Tax Cuts: McCain should revive his support for an alternative flat-tax system. (WSJ 10/08/08)* By JACK KEMP and PETER FERRARA John McCain needs to show the nation that he has the economic recovery plan to restore long-term economic growth. To do that, he needs to refocus his campaign with a new tax plan. Mr. McCain should come out for an alternative, optional flatter tax system, which he has already supported. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122342333629113303.html *Health Insurance For All: How the GOP Can Frame the Issue (WaPo 10/08/08)* By Michael Gerson It is a shame that a discussion of health-care policy has come near the end of the presidential campaign, when the level of discourse is at its lowest. In the midst of assailing John McCain's mental health -- he is diagnosed as both "erratic" and "out of touch" -- Barack Obama and Joe Biden have pressed an attack on McCain's health-care plan that is deceptive in almost every detail. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/07/AR2008100702437_pf.html *Politics of Attack (NYT 10/08/08)* Editorial Ninety minutes of forced cordiality did not erase the dismal ugliness of [McCain's] campaign in recent weeks, nor did it leave us with much hope that he would not just return to the same dismal ugliness on Wednesday. Ms. Palin, in particular, revels in the attack. Her campaign rallies have become spectacles of anger and insult. "This is not a man who sees America as you see it and how I see America," Ms. Palin has taken to saying. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08wed1.html?pagewanted=print *Gay is a choice? Not that again: Palin's view ignores the fact that, as in religion, the attraction is undeniable. (LA Times 10/08/08)* By Nathaniel Frank So one of Gov. Sarah Palin's best friends is gay. Her pal "happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice that I have made," Palin told Katie Couric last week. That language resurfaced in the vice presidential debate, when Palin insisted that she was "tolerant" of Americans "choosing relationships that they deem best for themselves." Calling homosexuality a choice is the time-tested way politicians signal their belief that it is the wrong choice. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-frank8-2008oct08,0,3944795.story *McCain's dilemma (LA Times 10/08/08)* Editorial His options limited, the GOP candidate struggled to regain the initiative against Obama in the second presidential debate. John McCain boasts that he knows the difference between tactics and strategy, so he must recognize that the final weeks of his campaign against Barack Obama are plagued with difficulties in both realms. His strategic goal -- to run as the more experienced, worldly and wiser candidate -- is undermined by an electorate stubbornly unwilling to regard him as more presidential than his rival. And his tactical response, to challenge Obama with increasing ferocity, is only making matters worse. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-debate8-2008oct08,0,1049724.story BUSH NEWS *Bush: We're Going to Get Through This (Fox News 10/07/08)* WASHINGTON — An upbeat and jovial President Bush acknowledged Tuesday the challenges that Americans are facing in the global financial crisis but expressed confidence that the U. S. economy will recover. "There's no doubt that people from all walks of land and all aspects understand that we're having serious times," he said at an office supply company in the Washington suburb of Chantilly, Va. "We also know that we're the most dynamic econmy in the world, that we've been through tough times before and we're going to come through this time again," he said. Bush defended the moves his administration has taken to address the economic problems, including the $700 billion bailout bill that was approved by Congress last week and immediately signed into law by him. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,433834,00.html OTHER TOP NEWS *Fed slashes interest rate by half percentage point (AP 10/08/08) *By TOM RAUM and JEANNINE AVERSA WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut a key interest rate by 0.5 percent, striving once more to steady reeling financial markets just days after President Bush signed a $700 billion bailout bill into law. The Fed said it was lowering announced that rate to 1.5 percent, noting that it was acting in concert with central banks overseas. http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FINANCIAL_MELTDOWN?SITE=FLROC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-10-08-07-44-51 * Federal Reserve to buy up short-term commercial debt (LA Times 10/08/08)* By Maura Reynolds WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve said Tuesday that it would become a lender of last resort to corporate America and signaled a possible interest rate cut, but the stock market nose-dived again as the financial crisis continued to defy the best efforts of policymakers. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bailout8-2008oct08,0,822022.story *Group's Ad Blames Crisis on Democrats (WSJ 10/08/08)* By BRODY MULLINS and T.W. FARNAM WASHINGTON -- A conservative political organization will begin airing nationwide TV advertisements Wednesday that criticize congressional Democrats for their ties to mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, an early example of what will likely be a flood of spots running up to Election Day focused on the financial crisis. The group sponsoring the $1 million advertising buy, the American Issues Project, is the same organization that spent nearly $3 million on a television campaign to tie Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to former radical William Ayers. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122342367451513361.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy *Ad spending by independent groups rises in race's homestretch (CNN blog 10/07/08)* By Mark Preston So far this election cycle, spending by anti-Obama and anti-McCain groups is dead even with each totaling $6.6 million so far this election cycle. In the last two weeks, Republican issue groups have spent $2.3 million, while Democratic issue groups have accounted for about $1 million. But there has been a recent uptick in the frequency of third-party funded ads, said Evan Tracey, CNN's consultant on television advertising http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/07/ad-spending-by-independent-groups-rises-in-race%E2%80%99s-homestretch/ *Judge orders 17 Guantanamo detainees released to U.S. (McClatchy 10/07/08)* By Marisa Taylor WASHINGTON — In a dramatic setback for the Bush administration, a federal judge ordered the U.S. government Tuesday to immediately release and transfer to the United States 17 Chinese-born Muslims detained for almost seven years at Guantanamo. The decision marked the first time a court has ordered the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. and could prompt the release of dozens of other Guantanamo detainees who have been cleared for release by the military but who can't leave because the government hasn't found a country to send them to. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/53595.html *What are the odds of a terrorist attack? (MSNBC 10/07/08)* By Domenico Montanaro From NBC's Robert Windrem Is this an opportune time for a terrorist attack? Could al Qaeda use the financial distress and political uncertainty to magnify its power? U.S. intelligence officials suggest that while al Qaeda may want to be "part of the conversation" in the presidential election, there is no "specific or extraordinary" threat information, nothing to indicate that terrorists are capable of taking advantage of the current situation. "They attack when they can, when they have an opportunity," said one intelligence official, adding that terrorists have wanted to attack the U.S., have tried and failed on several occasions since Sept. 11th, without success. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/07/1508504.aspx *New U.S. intelligence report warns 'victory' not certain in Iraq (McClatchy 10/07/08)* By Jonathan S. Landay, Warren P. Strobel and Nancy A. Youssef WASHINGTON — A nearly completed high-level U.S. intelligence analysis warns that unresolved ethnic and sectarian tensions in Iraq could unleash a new wave of violence, potentially reversing the major security and political gains achieved over the last year. U.S. officials familiar with the new National Intelligence Estimate said they were unsure when the top-secret report would be completed and whether it would be published before the Nov. 4 presidential election. More than a half-dozen officials spoke to McClatchy on condition of anonymity because NIE's, the most authoritative analyses produced by the U.S. intelligence community, are restricted to the president, his senior aides and members of Congress except in rare instances when just the key findings are made public. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/53605.html *Feds question new voter checks in 6 states (AP 10/07/08)* By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) -- Federal officials have asked election officials in six states to investigate whether social security number checks are being improperly run on people registering to vote. Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue sent a letter Friday to the secretaries of state of Alabama, Georgia and battleground states Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina and Ohio. The letter noted they had submitted "extraordinarily high levels" of verification requests. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VOTING_CHECKS?SITE=NVLAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT *RNC IE expanding buy to Maine, N.C. and Fla. (Politcio blog 10/07/08)* By Jonathan Martin The RNC's independent ad arm is broadening its ad buy to include two more red states, another indication of GOP efforts to bolster their defenses in states they won four years ago. The committee tomorrow will expand on an ad buy that began last week to include North Carolina and Florida, two states where Barack Obama has been vastly outspending John McCain on the airwaves in recent weeks. http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1008/RNC_IE_expanding_buy_to_Maine_NC_and_FL.html?showall *The Fed Can't Save Markets (US News blog 10/07/08)* By Kirk Shinkle The Fed is buying up commercial paper and is now hinting at an interest rate cut. So what's the Dow doing? Falling. Again. http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-ticker/2008/10/7/the-fed-cant-save-markets.html *Retirement accounts have lost $2 trillion (Breitbart 10/07/08)* By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans' retirement plans have lost as much as $2 trillion in the past 15 months, Congress' top budget analyst estimated Tuesday. The upheaval that has engulfed the financial industry and sent the stock market plummeting is devastating workers' savings, forcing people to hold off on major purchases and consider delaying their retirement, said Peter Orszag, the head of the Congressional Budget Office. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D93LQUFO0&show_article=1 *350,000 New Registered Voters in Virginia Since January 1, 2008! (Raising Kane 10/07/08)* by: Lowell See the "flip" for the detailed numbers by locality, but the bottom line is that Virginia has about 350,000 more registered voters now than it did on January 1, 2008. Actually, it's even better than that, since the numbers below do not yet reflect voter registrations between October 1 and October 6. From a Democratic perspective, it's even better than THAT, as I'm hearing that of the 350,000 (or more) new voters, 80% may be Democratic! Keep in mind that John Kerry lost Virginia to George W. Bush by 262,000 votes in 2004, and that 80% of 350,000 is...280,000. :) http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=36B19E81123421F8A3561211B3F9219E?diaryId=16521 *Record Pa. voter registration pads Democrats' edge (AP 10/07/08)* By PETER JACKSON Democrats saw an increase of more than 500,000 new voters in the past year. Republicans saw their ranks shrink by about 28,000. Statewide, there are now almost 1,170,000 more Democrats than Republicans registered in Pennsylvania. There are at least 4,387,027 Democrats and 3,217,464 Republicans. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGs4lqPk5U1QkqfgJXE4rSVapwngD93LSV3O0 *Can Obama's Grass-Roots Army Win Missouri? (Time 10/06/08)* By Karen Ball Nationwide, Obama is massively outspending McCain on payroll: $2.7 million for salaries in August alone, compared with $1.1 million for McCain, according to federal election reports. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1847473-2,00.html *Elizabeth Edwards attacks McCain health plan (USA Today 10/07/08)* RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Elizabeth Edwards calls Republican presidential candidate John McCain's health care plan a "perfect storm" for working families. Edwards spoke out against McCain's plan to deregulate the insurance industry and give families a tax break to pay for care at an event Tuesday at the Virginia Capitol. She says the plan would backfire, resulting in lost care for more than 580,000 Virginians. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-07-edwards-mccain_N.htm?csp=34 *Kenya deports anti-Obama author (CS Monitor 10/07/08)* Jerome Corsi, author of "Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality," tried to launch his new book, but violated immigration rules, Kenyan officials say. By Rob Crilly | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Nairobi, Kenya - The neoconservative author of an anti-Barack Obama book was detained and ordered out of Kenya on Tuesday night for not having a proper work permit, said Kenyan officials. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1008/p04s01-wogn.html *Stevens's Lawyers Question Motives of Star Government Witness (WSJ 10/07/08)* By BRENT KENDALL WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens sought Tuesday to undermine the credibility of the star government witness against the senior Republican lawmaker, saying witness Bill Allen had several personal and financial incentives to cooperate with prosecutors. Sen. Stevens's lead lawyer, Brendan Sullivan, told jurors that Mr. Allen, an oil executive who founded Veco Corp., could protect his family from criminal charges by helping the government build its public corruption case against Sen. Stevens, a former close friend. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122338915106111461.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy *Russian forces in Georgia appear to begin pullout (AP 10/08/08)* By MATT SIEGEL KARALETI, Georgia (AP) -- Russian forces began the final stage of a pullback from positions outside Georgia's separatist South Ossetia region, bulldozing a camp at a key checkpoint as EU monitors looked on. A Russian general said the withdrawal would be completed Wednesday. Moscow must withdraw its troops from buffer zones surrounding South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, by Friday under an agreement brokered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy after Russia's war with Georgia in August. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_GEORGIA_RUSSIA?SITE=DEWIL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT POLLS *CBS Poll: Uncommitted Voters Say Obama Won (CBS News 07/08)* Oct. 8, 2008(CBS) Uncommitted voters named Barack Obama as the winner of the second presidential debate as well, according to a CBS News/Knowledge Networks poll. Immediately after the debate, CBS News interviewed a nationally representative sample of 516 debate watchers assembled by Knowledge Networks who were "uncommitted voters" - voters who are either undecided about who to vote for or who say they could still change their minds. Forty percent of these uncommitted debate watchers said Obama won the debate, 26 percent said John McCain won, and another 34 percent thought it was a tie. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/08/politics/2008debates/printable4508430.shtml *CNN Poll: Obama won the night (CNN blog 10/07/08)* By Paul Steinhauser NASHVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) — A national poll of debate watchers suggests that Barack Obama won the second presidential debate. Fifty-four percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey conducted after the debate ended said that Obama did the best job in the debate, with 30 percent saying John McCain performed better. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/07/cnn-poll-obama-won-the-night/ *Obama Leading In Ohio, Poll Finds: Edge Is 6 Points In a State Looming Large for McCain (WaPo 10/08/08)* By Jon Cohen and Dan Balz Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, October 7, 2008; A01 Aided by the faltering economy, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has the upper hand in the race for Ohio, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, putting Republican John McCain at a disadvantage in a state considered vital to his chances of winning the White House in November. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602373_pf.html *Evangelicals Take on McCain (Christian Broadcast Network, 10/06/08)* By David Brody October 6, 2008 The fact that McCain isn't polling as well with younger Evangelicals seems to indicate Obama's youthful vision of hope (the way the younger generation sees it) resonates to a degree with this group. In my reporting I have noticed that the younger crowd is tired of all the partisan bickering coming from Washington. And while John McCain has been a guy who's been able to work across the aisle, he's also been around Washington for a long time. That perception doesn't do him any favors. http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/459310.aspx *Obama takes a solid lead in Ohio (Public Policy Polling, 10/07/08)* Raleigh, N.C. – Barack Obama leads John McCain 49-43 in Ohio, the newest survey from Public Policy Polling finds. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Ohio_1007785.pdf *More State Polls (Time blog 10/07/08)* Posted by KYLE TRYGSTAD New polls out in Colorado, Nevada, Ohio and Wisconsin: Colorado - Insider Advantage (Oct. 6, 485 LV) Obama 51 (nc vs. last poll, Sept. 17) McCain 45 (+4) Obama leads by 4.0 points in the RCP Average for Colorado Nevada - Insider Advantage (Oct. 6, 468 LV) Obama 49 (+1 vs. last poll, Sept. 30) McCain 47 (nc) Obama leads by 3.0 points in the RCP Average for Nevada Ohio - PPP (Oct. 4-5, 1239 LV) Obama 49 (+5 vs. last poll, Sept. 13-14) McCain 43 (-5) Obama leads by 4.0 points in the RCP Average for Ohio Wisconsin - SurveyUSA (Oct. 5-6, 672 LV) Obama 52 McCain 42 Obama leads by 5.2 points in the RCP Average for Wisconsin http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/10/more_state_polls_1.html *Obama's lead widens to 7 in latest Ipsos/McClatchy poll (McClatchy10/07/08) * By Steven Thomma NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Barack Obama has opened his biggest lead over John McCain of the fall campaign, according to a new Ipsos/McClatchy poll that puts him ahead nationwide by 7 percentage points. Obama's gain appears to come from two key factors. First, voters are ever more anxious about the faltering economy and trust Obama by a 15-point margin over McCain to steer it. Second, their confidence that McCain's running mate Sarah Palin is qualified to step into the presidency if necessary has fallen sharply http://www.freep.com/article/20081007/NEWS15/81007086* * --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the "big campaign" group. To post to this group, send to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] E-mail [email protected] with questions or concerns This is a list of individuals. It is not affiliated with any group or organization. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---