Executive Privilege

Barck Obama is a regular customer at the Hyde Park Beauty Salon and Barber Shop in Chicago, getting a trim about once a week (standard cut: $21). But the glass-fronted barbershop has been drawing a crowd of gawkers during Senator Obama's recent visits.

So tonight, his barber made a housecall. The President-elect got an in-home haircut at the apartment of his friend, Mike Signator, in the same Hyde Park building where Obama regularly visits the gym.

-- Scott Horsley

7:37 PM ET | 11-11-2008 | permalink

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Palin's Return Home

NPR's Martin Kaste sent us this recording of Gov. Sarah Palin talking to reporters after her return to Anchorage late last night. She says she and John McCain "have a great relationship"; backtracks on her earlier call for Ted Stevens to resign; and says when she supposedly "went rogue" she was just trying to make contact with reporters.

Martin tells us the staff from Palin's gubernatorial office set up the presser, which mostly included reporters for Alaskan news outlets. The Governor's staff have a big job to do repairing relationships with the local media, who have bristled at their lack of access to the Governor while she campaigned for the Vice Presidency. But the McCain campaign staff that flew in with Palin just wanted to get her home and tried to kibosh the press conference. After a spirited discussion between the two forces, the Governor's own press staff prevailed. You can hear the McCain handlers in the background repeatedly trying to cut off the avail ("thank you everybody! thank you!") as Palin continues to take questions.

-- Evie Stone

4:25 PM ET | 11- 6-2008 | permalink

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Sign Of The Times

Rose Hoban, WUNC

 

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports from what's left of the North Carolina GOP event.

... the Republicans have all left. But as Obama's speech came on the TV in the hotel ballroom, about a dozen hotel employees gathered to watch -- all of them African-American.

-- Evie Stone

12:17 AM ET | 11- 5-2008 | permalink

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Biltmore Dispatch #2: Denial Is Not A River In Arizona

Hundreds of faithful John McCain supporters in the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom at the Biltmore in Phoenix are waving red pom-poms and watching numbers on a screen that show the race far closer than any of the networks' returns would indicate. When the screens switch to Fox and CNN, the numbers show a huge electoral lead for Obama. The partiers turn back to their drinks. Frankly, they just seem happy to be with other like-minded people on what appears to be a big night for the Democrats.

Meanwhile, outside, arc lights beam into the sky above a lawn where McCain will speak to a small group of reporters and cameras at a yet-to-be determined time. NPR's Scott Horsley will be among them. In fact, he's gone inside the bubble already.

-- Ted Robbins

10:36 PM ET | 11- 4-2008 | permalink

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Grant Park Dispatch #3: Where's Anderson?

The chosen few (read: the 75,000 with tickets) were let into the main event shortly before 8:00. They came running across the field to the gates, pushing their way to the front, waving American flags and their cameras, chanting Yes We Can and O-bama. One person could be heard above the rest yelling for Anderson Cooper. (Cooper is anchoring CNN's election night broadcast in New York, along with Wolf Blitzer, a panel of talking heads, and some holograms.)

Mel Kramer/NPR

 

How long they'll be waiting and chanting is anybody's guess, but nobody's doubting their enthusiasm.

-- Thomas Pierce

10:33 PM ET | 11- 4-2008 | permalink

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Biltmore Dispatch #1: Main Street U.S.A.

Much of the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix has been turned into a sort of political theme park. The Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom is "TV Land" with a hundred or so reporters standing in front of cameras delivering stand-ups. The lawn in the middle of the 37-acre resort is "Country First". This is where John McCain will deliver his speech tonight -- outdoors, on a stage draped with a "Country First" banner. Behind the stage, there's a huge American flag. Hundreds of print, radio, and online reporters are in the Grand Ballroom, AKA the press filing center. Let's call that "Digital Frontier Land."

Right now the crowd is mostly media and campaign operatives. Guests are just starting to arrive, but when they do they won't approach the numbers in Chicago; most estimates are in the 3,000 to 5,000 range. This is an invitation-only event. Besides, there's nowhere to park.

-- Ted Robbins

5:40 PM ET | 11- 4-2008 | permalink

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Grant Park Dispatch #2: A New Hope?

The first ticketed people were just admitted to the fenced area at the Obama site -- the Star Wars theme song blaring as they literally ran over the bridge near Congress Hill after getting through the security checkpoint.

Thomas Pierce/NPR

 

People are clad in all manner of Obama gear, and one girl was almost brought to tears when it seemed she couldn't get in due to a strangely printed ticket (she got in). It's not clear if the admitted have full access or if they're being ushered to a second waiting area.

-- Thomas Pierce

5:05 PM ET | 11- 4-2008 | permalink

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Fly Around In Albuquerque

John McCain's plane was close to landing in Albuquerque this afternoon for his last event of the presidential campaign when the pilot suddenly throttled up and headed skyward.

Several wags in the press corps hummed the theme from "Top Gun" (a McCain staple) as the 737 circled around for a second try.

Reporters applauded once the plane was safely on the ground. A crew member explained that the first landing was aborted due to "traffic on the runway."

-- Scott Horsley

4:37 PM ET | 11- 4-2008 | permalink

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Grant Park Dispatch #1: Risers And American Flags

I count 27 American flags on the stage where Obama will either acknowledge victory or concede defeat tonight. TV crews set up for live shots on gigantic risers overlooking the stage.

Risers in all directions

Thomas Pierce/NPR

 

Regardless of the outcome, the city is preparing for an unbelievable turnout tonight. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has said there might be as many as a million people in the park, most of them outside the fenced area. The campaign expects about 75,000 ticketed guests in this small southeastern corner. People have already lined up at the single entrance designated for the public -- even though they can't get in until after 8:30pm. For those without tickets, the city is setting up large jumbotron screens elsewhere in the park.

In their guide to the evening's festivities, the Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Transit Authority and the Metra will run extra buses and trains this afternoon and evening. They promise to keep at it until the job is done.

Streets are blocked off all the way to Michigan Avenue. The city's entire police force (13,500 members) is on duty today -- manning all the checkpoints and roadblocks, directing traffic, and working with U.S. Secret Service to ensure the safety the candidate when he arrives.

-- Thomas Pierce

2:16 PM ET | 11- 4-2008 | permalink

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Bow Down Before The One You Serve

A bit of ill timing today in North Carolina, where Republican Senator Liddy Dole has tried to paint her Democratic challenger Kay Hagan as "Godless"...Hagan's election night event tomorrow will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum. The venue's headliners tonight: industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails.

Our Sean Bowditch reports that the spike-clad goth punks are already lining up outside the Coliseum. But before you start cooking up elaborate theories about coordination between the Hagan forces and the wraiths of NIN, Sean provides evidence that any contact thusfar has been incidental: he overheard a Hagan staffer referring to the band as the (somewhat less threatening) "five inch nails."

-- Evie Stone

4:58 PM ET | 11- 3-2008 | permalink

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Road Life: Glamor, Glitz, A Lifetime On The Hips

For those of you who enjoy the occasional peek behind the curtain: Time's Karen Tumulty takes us through a typical day of campaign journo dining. Faced with a regimented schedule that leaves little room for exercise, plus a seemingly endless supply of bacon and cookies, is it any wonder reporters have been known to put on as much as 40 lbs over the course of a campaign? Just reading this makes us want a nice, crisp salad. Or maybe some Alka-Seltzer.

-- Evie Stone

12:28 PM ET | 11- 3-2008 | permalink

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Where's Joe When You Need Him?

John McCain is traveling across Florida by bus today, stressing his commitment to low taxes.

The campaign bills this as the "Joe the Plumber" tour, in honor of the Ohio man who challenged Barack Obama's plan to raise taxes on families and small businesses making more than a quarter-million dollars a year.

Bus tours are a colorful staple of the campaign trail, a chance for the candidate to hit numerous small towns in a single day -- in this case along Florida's vote-rich I-4 corridor.

For traveling reporters, though, bus tours are challenging: long stretches on the road with no power for their laptop computers, and today at least a particularly fragrant back-of-the-bus bathroom.

"We actually need Joe the Plumber," one reporter joked.

-- Scott Horsley

11:56 AM ET | 10-23-2008 | permalink

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Joe-mentum

Joe the plumber, the megastar of last night's presidential debate, is certainly getting A LOT of attention today. His image is plastered across cable news. The blogs can't get enough of the Ohio native. NPR even assembled the "Joes Of Our Lives".

But with instant fame comes instant scrutiny. The AP is reporting that neither Joe nor the company he works for are licensed. And he owes $1,200 in back income taxes.

That hasn't stopped the candidates from including Joe in their stump speeches. At a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, McCain gave Joe big props:

The real winner last night was Joe the plumber. Joe's the man. He won and small businesses won across America because the American people are not going to let Senator Obama raise their taxes in a tough economy.

With that, the crowd broke into a chant: "Joe! Joe! Joe!"

Speaking at a rally in New Hampshire, Obama quipped:

[McCain] is trying to suggest a plumber is the guy he's fighting for. How many plumbers you know making a quarter million dollars a year?

I think it's safe to assume Joe Six Pack is out of a job...

-- Sean Bowditch

4:31 PM ET | 10-16-2008 | permalink

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Letterman or Bust

John McCain is going to great lengths to avoid standing up David Letterman (again).

After a campaign rally outside Philadelphia this morning, McCain was supposed to fly to Newark aboard his chartered 737 in time to tape the Letterman show. But traffic delays at the Newark airport made that impossible, so McCain is instead making the Philadelphia-New York trip aboard a hastily scrambled, six-seat helicopter.

This means leaving the traveling press corps behind in Philly. But better that than keep Dave waiting. The late night host has been ribbing McCain without mercy since being stood up three weeks ago when McCain abruptly "suspended" his campaign to deal with the financial crisis.

-- Scott Horsley

3:45 PM ET | 10-16-2008 | permalink

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Whip It Redux

NPR's Don Gonyea, traveling with the Obama campaign, just sent along word that the '70s band DEVO will be whipping up support for Obama this weekend in Akron, Ohio. The band formed in Akron in 1973; and it turns out this will be their first gig there since 1977.

Truth be told, we're just looking for an excuse to post an old-school video of odd-ball musicians who wear dome hats and rock out...

-- Sean Bowditch

1:24 PM ET | 10-15-2008 | permalink

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The Acrobatics Behind The Radio Magic

How NPR Really Sees Obama

Don Gonyea, NPR

 

Our Don Gonyea provides a radio reporter's-eye view of Barack Obama captured during the candidate's statement on the economy earlier today (that's Don's non-camera hand holding the mic in the upper left). Don took this photo crouching outside the Maumee Bay resort near Toledo, where Obama is doing debate prep. The contortions are part of an effort to get a high-quality recording without encroaching on the TV shot. Don writes, "I can guarantee nobody else has this angle on this event."

-- Evie Stone

4:58 PM ET | 10-14-2008 | permalink

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Puck Droppin'

Self-described "hockey mom" Sarah Palin will drop the puck at the Phildephia Flyers' home opener against the Rangers Saturday night. Flyers officials say the appearance isn't political (What could possibly be political about a major party VP candidate making a public appearance three weeks before the election? You guys are so cynical.) She'll be appearing with the winner of a local online contest to find the "ultimate hockey mom." Also-rans in that competition will, we are not kidding, receive a free lipstick -- presumably so their friends and family can continue to distinguish them from pitbulls.

Pennsylvania is an electoral vote-rich swing state that's currently leaning Democratic, and the appearance could garner Palin (and McCain) some positive publicity. But, as Politico's Ken Vogel points out, Philadelphia sports fans are not renowned for their excellent manners:

In addition to rough welcomes for Santa Claus and pop star Beyonce, Philadelphia fans, arguably the most unforgiving in American professional sports, cheered as an opposing team's star player lay motionless on the turf after sustaining what turned out to be a career-ending neck injury, threw batteries at a player who refused to sign with the Phillies baseball team and last month jeered their own mascot for dropping a foul ball.

So how will the city that booed the Easter Bunny receive the (arguably more controversial) VP nominee? Tune in to Comcast SportsNet Saturday night to find out...

-- Evie Stone

4:31 PM ET | 10-10-2008 | permalink

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Defiance

Don Gonyea and I just stopped by Obama's tiny campaign office in Defiance, Ohio, a small town in a part of the state that Obama is working hard to keep in play. The office has a nondescript storefront. Behind one window is a life-size cardboard cut-out of Obama as well as a half-dozen political signs for various down-ticket races. Taped to another window is an ad announcing a local scarecrow contest.

What immediately caught my eye when we walked in was a standard Obama lawn sign tacked to the back wall. It had been set on fire a few nights ago, one corner now burned off. A volunteer found it while canvassing a local neighborhood. Next to it is a note written by the office staff. It reads: "Why We Fight".

-- Sean Bowditch

1:10 PM ET | 10- 8-2008 | permalink

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Obama Chez Gore

NPR's David Greene reports that Barack Obama has dropped by a "post-dessert reception" at Al and Tipper Gore's Nashville home. The party is a $2500 per person (minimum) fundraiser for the Obama Victory Fund (a joint fundraising committee for the DNC and the Obama campaign). The campaign says the guests did not know Obama would be making an appearance when they shelled out the dough -- though there were apparently rumors to that affect swirling among Tennessee Dems.

For the curious among you, here's the invitation.

-- Evie Stone

11:29 PM ET | 10- 7-2008 | permalink

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Notes from the Obama Trail

Barack Obama is flying from Asheville to Nashville today. He spent the last few days in North Carolina, surprising attendees at the state's annual Vance-Aycock dinner the night before a big rally at Asheville High.

NPR's Audie Cornish reports that Obama strategist David Axelrod talked to reporters on the campaign plane today, and he said the following:

"Tonight...Sen McCain, this is his preferred format. He wanted to do all these debates in a town hall format and we understand that. He's [McCain] also signaled to his supporters that he will be aggressive in this debate and that he is going to take the gloves off. I hope in the course of that he has time to speak to the state of the economy which is in deep trouble right now ...we are going to talk about that; we are going to talk about the issues that are important to the American people. But we are prepared for a very aggressive debate."

What will Obama do if McCain brings up Obama's association with controversial types like former Weather Underground leader William Ayers?
"The Senator is going to be prepared to speak to whatever comes up if mccain or anyone else chooses to bring that up."
"If that comes up he will be ready to discuss that but one hopes the focus of this debate will be the issues that touch on the lives of every day people.

On how the tone of the election has changed:
"We're running for president of the United States. It's a rough and tough pursuit and this is part of it."

It's safe to say that neither Obama nor McCain would be headed to Tennessee if not for the debate tonight. The latest polls in the Volunteer State have McCain up by more than 15 points.

--Laurel Wamsley

3:35 PM ET | 10- 7-2008 | permalink

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Keating Irony

ABC's Jake Tapper points out a bit of ill timing...yesterday Bruce Springsteen played a free concert at Ohio State University to promote early voting. The guy who introduced him? John Glenn, former astronaut, former Democratic Senator from Ohio...and former member of the Keating Five. Like McCain, Glenn was reprimanded for exercising "poor judgment" in his actions on behalf of Keating -- but the Senate Ethics Committee did not find him guilty of any rule-breaking.

Several hours after Glenn introduced the Boss, the Obama campaign blasted supporters with an email trashing John McCain for his association with corrupt S&L owner Charles Keating. This afternoon, the Obama camp unveiled a 13-minute documentary about McCain's involvement in the scandal. Seems like a dissonant bit of surrogate timing if the idea is that McCain's Keating Five history is evidence of his tainted character and his ties to the "culture of corruption."

-- Evie Stone

5:27 PM ET | 10- 6-2008 | permalink

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Hussein Returns

Via Hotline On Call:

ESTERO, FL - The sheriff of Lee County refered to the Democratic nominee as "Barack Hussein Obama" today as part of his introductory remarks before Sarah Palin spoke at a rally here.

"On Nov. 4, let's leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happend," Sheriff Mike Scott told the crowd at Germain Arena.

Scott was speaking as part of a program before Palin's arrival at the rally. Palin was at a fundraiser in Naples, Fla. at the time.

McCain rejected the pejorative use of Barack Obama's middle name after an Ohio radio host derisively used it during a McCain warm-up act back in February. Now that it's October, the stakes are much higher. Nonetheless, the campaign immediately sought to distance itself from Sheriff Scott's Hussein-ing. Spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt responds, "We do not condone this inappropriate rhetoric, which distracts from the real questions of judgment, character and experience that voters will base their decisions on this November."

Indeed, it's highly unlikely the McCain higher-ups endorse Sheriff Scott's use of the H-bomb. But among the perils of the below-the-belt campaign style we've seen from both sides in recent days...if you've set a standard of low blows, it becomes much harder to convincingly distance yourself from line-crossing remarks and insinuations.

-- Evie Stone

3:05 PM ET | 10- 6-2008 | permalink

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Waaaaaaah.

The Must-Have Accessory for the Discriminating Embed

 

NPR's Don Gonyea sends along the latest unofficial press badge on the Obama bus. Unclear which one of those rugrats is supposed to be Don.

-- Evie Stone

3:54 PM ET | 09-30-2008 | permalink

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Well, Which Is It?

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Sen. McCain made the following statement about the failed bailout bill:

Senator Obama and his allies in Congress infused unnecessary partisanship into the process. Now is not the time to affix the blame. It's time to fix the problem.

Ok, so, we're just going to blame Obama one more time, and then no more blaming, for real.

The heck?

-- Evie Stone

6:02 PM ET | 09-29-2008 | permalink

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Buck-Passing Galore

House Minority Leader John Boehner told reporters this afternoon that Speaker Nancy Pelosi's pre-vote floor speech sapped GOP willingness to step up and vote for the failed financial bailout bill. Boehner said Pelosi's remarks were too partisan and "poisoned our conference." You can follow the link above to judge the speech for yourself, but here's a representatively fiery snippet, re: the size of the package.

It is a number that is staggering, but tells us only the costs of the Bush Administration's failed economic policies-policies built on budgetary recklessness, on an anything goes mentality, with no regulation, no supervision, and no discipline in the system.

Democrats immediately hit back at the Minority Leader's argument, saying they brought in the votes they had promised, and the Republicans basically wimped out and failed to hold up their end of the bargain. Here's Rep. Barney Frank, the chair of the House Financial Services Committee, responding to Boehner:

"Well if that stopped people from voting, then shame on them," he said. "If people's feelings were hurt because of a speech and that led them to vote differently than what they thought the national interest (requires), then they really don't belong here. They're not tough enough."

Wisconsin Democrat David Obey's take: "I guess the Republican leadership is so weak John Boehner couldn't deliver 50 percent of the votes."

Partisan sniping aside, it is clear that no GOP luminary was able to gin up the votes to make this deal happen -- not the President, not the House leadership, and not even nominee John McCain, who suspended his campaign last week in a highly visible effort to bring House Republicans on board with the compromise.

This morning in Columbus, OH, McCain seemed awfully optimistic about the plan's prospects -- almost appearing to take credit for the proposed bill:

I put my campaign on hold for a couple days last week to fight for a rescue plan that put you and your economic security first. I fought for a plan that protected taxpayers, homeowners, consumers and small business owners.

I went to Washington last week to make sure that the taxpayers of Ohio and across this great country were not left footing the bill for mistakes made on Wall Street and in Washington.

(snip)

Senator Obama took a very different approach to the crisis our country faced. At first he didn't want to get involved. Then he was "monitoring the situation." That's not leadership, that's watching from the sidelines.

After the bill's failure, the McCain campaign released a statement blaming Obama for "fail[ing] to lead," and echoing Boehner's Pelosi criticisms, culminating with this:

This bill failed because Barack Obama and the Democrats put politics ahead of country.

The Obama campaign's response:

This is a moment of national crisis, and today's inaction in Congress as well as the angry and hyper-partisan statement released by the McCain campaign are exactly why the American people are disgusted with Washington.

-- Evie Stone

5:08 PM ET | 09-29-2008 | permalink

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The Spin Begins

In the last minutes of the debate, the spin rooms assemble. As if conjured by Jim Lehrer's question about whether another 9/11 is possible, Rudy Giuliani emerges and sets up shop right next to our workspace, where he'll offer responses to the arguments made tonight. The bright TV lights are on him, a group of journalists huddles around, and we radio folk get ready for the post-debate special (on a member station near you, or streaming live from our website!).

For Obama, the spinning signs say Axelrod, Plouffe, Gibbs, and Douglass.

-- Laurel Wamsley

10:32 PM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink

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Campaigns Doing Some Fact-Checking of Their Own

A troupe of young'uns for McCain carry a small parade of McCain/Palin/various-Mississippi-Republicans signs across the front of the press file to outfit the spin rooms that are cordoned off to the side. A moment later, two young women in white shirts and orange ballcaps pass out what I thought were transcripts of the opening remarks. Instead the pale blue papers are McCain responses to Obama's arguments, passed out within minutes the applicable Obama statement.

The summary lines from the three McCain responses passed out so far:

-- Despite Barack Obama's claims, John McCain has a strong record of promoting reform and oversight of Wall Street.

-- Barack Obama too has been supportive of reducing tax cuts for businesses.

-- Barack Obama voted for the 2005 Energy Bill that included billions in tax breaks for oil companies.

Until these handouts appeared, it had been easy to forget that there are representatives from the campaigns in this room. In this big freezing tent, it feels like a press universe, with your TV playing all the stations at once -- Chris Wallace! Dana Bash! That guy I recognize! -- right in front of you.

-- Laurel Wamsley

9:37 PM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink

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Dispatch From the Press File

Hundreds of press folks are in this white media filing tent adjacent to the Ford Center where the debate is happening. It's sub-arctic in here, so journalists are wearing their jackets and are hunched forward over their laptops. NPR's spot at the table is near CBS radio, Fox radio, and a network from France.

Jim Lehrer is on the 30 flat-screen TVs in this room, asking his audience at the debate hall for the debate to be absolutely silent, "taking names" if necessary.

Obama just began giving his opening remarks, and this room is a flurry of people taking notes on laptops. Now McCain, sounding grave as he wishes Sen. Kennedy well, and thanks Haley Barbour and Ole Miss.

-- Laurel Wamsley

9:08 PM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink

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Scenes from Oxford

The mood in Oxford is like a smaller version of an Ole Miss gameday, but with a bit more doubt in the air. Locals and students are excited, and people are filling the square to watch the debate on the big screen. (Students are filling the campus Grove, where Rock the Vote has had bands playing all day, and the sidewalks are lined with booths promoting clean coal or alternative energies, in addition to the student groups for Obama and McCain.) Folks described Oxford, and the rest of northern Mississippi, as essentially Republican, though Oxford in particular is seen as an open-minded place where people can talk about differing ideas.

I grabbed lunch of fried catfish and sweet potato casserole at Ajax Diner on the town square, and politics was all that anyone wanted to talk about. People walked up to me and asked to be interviewed, or volunteered their friends to talk to me, or said they'd been interviewed by Fox News last night.

Security around the debate hall is very tight, and while it's easy to get out, it takes a very long walk down Jackson Avenue to get back inside the bubble. I talked to some folks selling Obama wares outside a barbershop/bail bonds store with a big yellow sign proclaiming "Obama-Land", and a woman called after me, saying she had a song to sing about Obama.

Here she is, Pat Ford Bethel of Memphis, Tennessee:

-- Laurel Wamsley

7:44 PM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink

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McCain Still Undecided About Tomorrow's Debate

NPR's David Greene passes along the latest update from the McCain press staff:

According to the campaign, McCain is remaining in DC tonight. No decision has been made about future travel, and no decision has been made about the debate. The campaign says McCain remains "actively engaged" in brokering a deal that addresses the crisis and protects the American taxpayer. The campaign says it is optimistic McCain "will bring House Republicans on board without driving other parties away, resulting in a successful deal for the American taxpayer."

-- Evie Stone

6:22 PM ET | 09-25-2008 | permalink

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Campaign Suspension Tick-Tock

NPR's David Greene outlines McCain's campaign suspension (though as Dem strategist Jonathan Prince pointed out to Ben Smith today, that might not have been the most accurate choice of words) with a helpful timeline of how the decision was reached and what McCain has been up to instead. One interesting nugget from today:

1:00 p.m.: The McCain campaign plans to suspend all advertising and fundraising, in addition to campaign activities. NPR's Peter Overby points out that McCain does not need to do any fundraising, since he took $84 million in public financing. The McCain campaign is also receiving money from the Republican National Committee, but the RNC has not yet said if it will also stop raising money.

-- Evie Stone

3:32 PM ET | 09-25-2008 | permalink

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Palin Declines to Endorse Stevens

Sarah Palin held her first Q&A session with reporters after a visit to a firehouse near Ground Zero today (she took one impromptu question earlier this week, but this was her first actual news conference). The Alaska Governor was asked about her support for embattled AK Sen. Ted Stevens, whose corruption trial began today. (CLARIFICATION: opening statements and first witnesses were scheduled for today; the jury was seated yesterday.) The AP writes:

The longest-serving Republican in the Senate faces seven counts of making false statements stemming from allegations that he concealed gifts on Senate financial documents. In spite of the charges, he is running for re-election to retain the seat he has held since 1968.

When a reporter asked Palin, Alaska's governor, if she supports the re-election of Stevens, she replied: "Ted Stevens' trial started a couple of days ago. We'll see where that goes."

Palin was also asked if the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were helping the fight against terrorists. Her answer:

"I think our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will lead to further security for our nation. We can never again let them onto our soil."

-- Evie Stone

2:26 PM ET | 09-25-2008 | permalink

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Obama: Debate 'More Important Than Ever'

Barack Obama held a news conference to respond to McCain's call to suspend campaigning and help Congress broker an economic rescue deal. Obama rejected McCain's suggestion that Friday night's debate be postponed:

It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess. And I think that it is -- it is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once. I think there's no reason why we can't be constructive in helping to solve this problem and also tell the American people what we believe and where we stand and where we want to take the country.

So in my mind, actually, it's more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people and try to describe where we want to take the country and where we want to take the economy, as well as dealing with some of the issues of foreign policy that were initially the subject of the debate.

Obama emphasized that he's taking the crisis seriously -- repeating several times that he's in frequent contact with the congressional leadership and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and saying he was willing to do whatever those luminaries thought would be most effective.

He played piously coy when pressed by reporters on whether he thought McCain was playing politics with the issue, responding that he had suggested the campaigns craft a joint statement before making any other decisions, and was surprised to hear that McCain had "gone on television to announce what he intended to do."

In short, as often happens in these situations, some of the greatest politicking on both sides is heralded by the cry "this is no time for politics!"

McCain aims for the perceived high road by calling for a suspension of campaigning and debates -- in a political effort to make Obama seem shallow and petty.

And Obama counters by saying he tried to work with McCain but his opponent went off and acted in his own self-interest anyway, and implies that McCain isn't up for the complicated task of the presidency -- in a political effort to make McCain seem shallow and self-serving.

Here's the whole presser, for your listening pleasure:

-- Evie Stone

4:40 PM ET | 09-24-2008 | permalink

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McCain Calls for Postponing Debate

John McCain has just told reporters (including NPR's David Greene, who helpfully passed along a recap of the remarks) that he plans to return to Washington tomorrow to work on the economic bailout plan. He said he doesn't believe there's a "consensus" on the bill and he doesn't think the current plan is likely to pass. McCain is calling on his opponent Barack Obama to come back to the Capitol as well.

McCain also said the first presidential debate -- scheduled for this Friday in Oxford, MS -- should be delayed until an economic package has passed.

(Neither McCain nor Obama is a member of the relevant committee, the Senate Banking Committee. Both Senators have missed the vast majority of their Senate votes this year.)

-- Evie Stone

UPDATE: Here's the audio of McCain's statement (courtesy of our pals at Planet Money). Text is after the jump.

UPDATE 2: McCain's campaign also says all campaign ads should be pulled until an agreement has been reached on the bailout plan. They are aiming to find a solution before the markets open Monday, and say if a deal is reached tomorrow the debate could still go forward.

Continue reading "McCain Calls for Postponing Debate" »

2:46 PM ET | 09-24-2008 | permalink

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McCain and Staff Differ on Questions

NPR's David Greene reports that John McCain offered to take questions before his meeting about the economy this morning. It was his second Q&A session with the press in 2 days, after a 40-day dry spell. But McCain's press secretary, Brooke Buchannan, was apparently not on board with the impromptu avail. Here's the transcript:

MCCAIN: Any questions?

BUCHANAN: Actually there are no questions.

REPORTER: Sen. Harry Reid said you were going to vote for the Paulson plan.

MCCAIN: I did not say that.

BLOOMBERG: Do you have a comment about that?

MCCAIN: I did not say that.

And that was not the only moment of tension between McCain and his staff today. A few hours later, David sent us this description of another disconnect between McCain and his staff over the candidate's availability:

Palin and McCain are sitting with Georgia's president. McCain appears to gesture to the media to ask a question. AP tries to ask Palin what she's taken from her meetings. Palin looks unsure. Then campaign staff abruptly move the press out of the room.

Were these things really not worked out ahead of time? Or is McCain, who was once famously an open book, frustrated with the tight schedule control and trying to retake the reins of his public persona? (And perhaps win back the affections of a restless press corps -- the group he once referred to as "my base"?)

-- Evie Stone

12:37 PM ET | 09-24-2008 | permalink

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McCain Ends Press Silent Treatment With Economy Avail

This afternoon John McCain held his first press conference since August 13th. It was a rather hastily-arranged affair, and in fact wasn't especially Q&A heavy (he only took four questions -- though that was an improvement over the "two or three" he said he would take). Nearly half of the presser was dedicated to a statement from McCain about the bailout proposal. He told the assembled reporters that "further inaction is simply not an option," but said he wants to see several improvements to the administration's proposal (via prepared text):

First, there must be greater accountability included in the bill. I have suggested a bipartisan board to provide oversight for the rescue. We will not solve a problem caused by poor oversight with a plan that has no oversight. Never before in the history of our nation has so much power and money been concentrated in the hands of one person, and there must be protections and oversight in place.

Second, as a part of that oversight, there must be a path for taxpayers to recover the money that is put into this fund. One trillion dollars is an unprecedented sum. We are talking about ten thousand dollars per household, and that money cannot simply go into a black hole of bad debt with no means of recovering any of the funds.

Third, there must be complete transparency in the review of this legislation and in the implementation of any legislation. This cannot be cobbled together behind closed doors. The American people have the right to know which businesses will be helped, what that selection will be based on and how much that help will cost. All the details should all be made available online and elsewhere for open public scrutiny.

Fourth, no Wall Street executives should profit from taxpayer dollars. It is wrong to ask teachers and farmers and small business owners to fill the gas tanks of the helicopters of Wall Street tycoons. The senior leaders of any firm that is bailed out should not be making more than the highest paid government official.

Fifth and finally, it is completely unacceptable for any kind of earmarks to be included in this bill. It would be outrageous for legislators and lobbyists to pack this rescue plan with taxpayer money for favored companies. This simply cannot happen.

During the Q&A, McCain declined to say which (if any) of those principles would be a deal-breaker for him as he decided how to vote on the package. (Though it's very possible that neither McCain nor Obama will return to Washington for the Senate vote.) He also told reporters he did not think a stimulus package should be added to the bailout legislation, saying the best way for the nation to get out of the economic mess is to cut taxes and spending to create incentives for businesses to "grow and flourish."

-- Evie Stone

5:29 PM ET | 09-23-2008 | permalink

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The Politics of Coal

John McCain's campaign is seizing on an unscripted comment by Joe Biden to question Barack Obama's commitment to developing clean coal technology. Biden, working a rope line in Maumee, Ohio last week was asked why the campaign supports clean coal when wind and solar power are "flourishing." Biden says, "We're not supporting clean coal," later adding, "No coal plants here in America." (At the same time, Biden seems to suggest that the US should develop clean coal technology for export, warning, "Guess what, China is going to burn 300 years of bad coal unless we figure out how to clean their coal up.")

The McCain campaign quickly announced the formation of a "Coalition to Protect Coal Jobs," during a conference call with Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), former Congressman Scott McInnis (R-CO), RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, and former Virginia Governor and Senator George Allen (who knows how damaging an unscripted YouTube moment can be).

For its part, the Obama campaign insists it does support investment in clean coal technology, as part of its ten-year, $150 billion dollar initiative to develop clean energy of all kinds. (McCain proposes $2 billion per year in federal subsidies for clean coal, plus more limited funding for "basic research" on wind, tide, and solar energy.) "The Obama-Biden Department of Energy is committed to developing five 'first-of-a-kind' commercial scale coal-fired plants with carbon capture and sequestration here in the United States," says Biden spokesman David Wade.

Coal generates a lot of political heat because it supplies more than half the nation's electricity, is a significant contributor of greenhouse gases, and because five of the leading coal-producing states (Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Ohio) are battlegrounds in the November election.

-- Scott Horsley

UPDATE: The Obama-Biden campaign has now announced the creation of a "Clean Coal Jobs Task Force, aimed at furthering Senator Obama and Senator Biden's commitment to creating jobs and energy independence through clean coal."

2:36 PM ET | 09-23-2008 | permalink

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Rockstars Urge African Aid

As world leaders descend on New York for the annual talk fest known as the UN General Assembly, some celebrities are joining them to promote their cause. Take for instance Irish rockers Bob Geldof and Bono. They are working the crowds to promote more aid and investment in Africa and call themselves "the Mutt and Jeff show".

Bono is also taking the time to meet Republican Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin. He told NPR, "we are meeting wearing my ONE campaign hat. We are asking both parties not to play politics with the poorest of the poor." Geldof said they are "wholly bipartisan", though he quickly pointed out that he thinks all politicians are wankers. Geldof said he would shake hands with "the devil on the left and the devil on the right to get to the people you need to get to." A spokesman for the ONE Campaign, which promotes development aid, said only Bono, not Geldof, would be meeting with Palin.

The two musicians also spoke at the European Commission's office, where they backed EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's efforts to take unused European farm subsidies to buy seeds and fertilizers for African farmers. Bono said, "these African farmers who are just scratching in the dirt, with no fertilizer, with no seeds to plant, are in a chronic state while European farmers, who of course, have solidarity with African farmers, know that there's surplus that's there for them when the bottom falls out of the European market." The U2 lead singer warned, "This is the planting season ... so we have to act fast."

-- Michele Kelemen

11:04 AM ET | 09-23-2008 | permalink

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Obama Rally Crashed By Protesters

NPR's Debbie Elliot sent us this dispatch from the Obama rally today at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., where a group of poster-waving protestors distracted the audience from the speech:

A group of a dozen or so people, most of whom appeared to be African-American, held up signs saying: 'Blacks against Obama,' 'Obama Endorsed by the KKK,' and 'Obama for Abortion.'

They stood up with their signs, then folks started booing and chanting at them. It disrupted Obama's economic rhythm. He tried to get the crowd to ignore them, saying something like, they can hold their signs... and, hey wait a minute... but things didn't really settle down until secret service removed the group from the coliseum.

Once the group had been escorted out, Obama concluded the interruption saying, "Alright, let's get back to work," then continued talking about the U.S. economy.

-- Thomas Pierce

6:35 PM ET | 09-19-2008 | permalink

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McCain on the Message Offensive

It's been a tough week for John McCain. He declared the fundamentals of the economy strong, only to declare them at risk. One aide, trying to stress McCain's record on economic progress, suggested the senator helped invent the blackberry.

Broadly, the deepening crisis on Wall Street has the potential to favor Democrat Barack Obama. All recent polling suggests when it comes to handling the economy, voters give higher marks to Democrats. Meanwhile, Obama has an easier time pushing for tighter regulations on Wall Street -- since McCain has been a longtime fan of deregulation.

Give this state of play, it was no surprise when some of McCain's top advisers -- Steve Schmidt, Mark Salter and Nicolle Wallace -- paid a visit to the press cabin today for a message offensive.

"You look at the poll numbers," Schmidt said, with Salter and Wallace by his side. "We remain in a very close contest."

Schmidt previewed the aggressive message we should expect from McCain in coming days, as he tries to pummel Obama over Wall Street's woes. Schmidt summarized that message this way:

"Obama's notion of reform on these issues and change is a rhetorical device used to advance his political agenda. But he's got no record of reform. He's got no record of leadership really on any issue."

Schmidt also accused Obama of playing on the anxiety of Americans for political gain.

"I think as the American people prepare to make their choice in this election," Schmidt said, "they're likely to give consideration to the fact that the Obama campaign is cheer-leading this crisis."

The advisers spoke as McCain and running mate Sarah Palin did a "Rapid" tour, flying from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This caused some confusion.

"Thank you so much Iowa," Palin said as she began her remarks in Cedar Rapids. "It is so good to be here in Grand Rapids."

-- David Greene

4:11 PM ET | 09-18-2008 | permalink

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Palin Says Markets Need 'Shakin' Up and Fixin''

Governor Palin spoke this morning in a dirt-floor arena at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds just outside Denver. She started about 20 minutes late because she waited until President Bush was finished with his comments on the economy.

She took the campaign's "maverick" message and applied it to the country's financial troubles. She said the financial markets need "some shakin' up and some fixin' ".

Palin said she was glad to see the Federal Reserve and Treasury said no to a bail-out for Lehman Brothers. She said Washington has "been asleep at the switch" and Wall Street hasn't managed business well.

Palin said the McCain campaign is all about reform and putting government back on the side of the people. She didn't provide details during this speech but that wasn't what attendees were looking for. Many said they showed up to see and hear an up-beat, powerful speech and they were not disappointed.

-- Jeff Brady

12:45 PM ET | 09-15-2008 | permalink

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Palin Takeout T

Newest t-shirt making the rounds on the McCain campaign plane...

An olive green number with antlers behind the following text:

"Sarah Palin can hunt, dress, cook and serve her own dinner. Joe Biden can order takeout. Enough said. Vote Palin Veep."

-- David Greene

11:04 AM ET | 09-15-2008 | permalink

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Obama Promises to Hit Back Hard

An attendee at a Barack Obama town hall meeting in Dover, NH today put voice to the question that has many of the candidate's supporters worried this week: when will Obama get tough with John McCain? 39-year-old Glenn Grasso asked:

I've been following your campaign from the beginning, this is the second time I've seen you speak. You assured voters in New Hampshire as well as the rest of the country that you would not tolerate Republican attack ads and the smear campaign that's come to really dominate politics. So for those of us that have given you our support -- and, more importantly, our money -- when and how are you going to start fighting back against attack ads and the smear campaigns?

Obama responded with an accusation you don't often hear politicians make, calling the recent McCain ads "lies." And he promised Grasso that his campaign was planning to respond forcefully.

I know there are a lot of Democrats, and some Independents, and some Republicans, who really want change, who start getting nervous because they've seen this movie before. Every four years -- right? -- you have ads that are just fabricated. They're just made-up. And...(off-mic Audience Member: Lies!)...lies, that's the word I was looking for. And so people start worrying. Here's what I can guarantee you, that we are going to be hitting back hard. We have been hitting back hard, but we're hitting back on the issues that matter to families.

Well...sort of. This morning's Rubik's cube ad isn't particularly issues-based (unless the Obama camp thinks a candidate's email literacy is a crucial issue for American families). But NPR's David Greene, who is traveling with the Obama campaign, says the candidate did indeed hit McCain hard at today's event. Keeping with today's campaign message, Obama called his opponent "out of touch" with struggling families and linked him, as usual, to President Bush.

-- Evie Stone

2:41 PM ET | 09-12-2008 | permalink

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Sept. 11 Brings Peace On The Campaign Trail

The presidential candidates attempted a truce yesterday, to honor the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain visited Ground Zero together. They later shared a stage -- briefly -- at a forum on national service at Columbia University.

Public service seems like a topic that would keep everything civil. Then again, its been hotly debated on the campaign trail. At the Republican convention, McCain's running mate Sarah Palin questioned the value of Obama's time as a community organizer. McCain was asked about that last night:

McCain: Governor Palin was responding to criticism about her inexperience and her job as a small town mayor. Of course I respect community organizers, people who serve their community. And Senator Obama's record there is outstanding.

Obama, for his part praised Palin, who was mayor of Wasilla Alaska. Obama said mayors have some of the toughest jobs in the country. The candidates took questions separately, making one brief appearance on stage together.

-- David Greene

8:27 AM ET | 09-12-2008 | permalink

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Democrats Who Lunch

Barack Obama and his primary-season antagonist Bill Clinton ate lunch together today at Clinton's office in Harlem. A joint statement from their press shops says "They discussed the campaign briefly, but mostly talked about how the world has changed since September 11, 2001."

Before they dined (apparently on sandwiches and flatbread pizza from Cosi...although "beverages were unspecified"), they spoke briefly with the press pool. Clinton, who quelled fears of intra-party tension with an enthusiastically pro-Obama speech at the DNC in Denver, told the reporters he'll do "whatever I'm asked" on behalf of Obama's campaign. He also predicted that "Senator Obama will win, and win handily."

-- Evie Stone

Transcript after the jump.

Continue reading "Democrats Who Lunch" »

2:40 PM ET | 09-11-2008 | permalink

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Venti Pain In The Neck

From NPR's David Greene, who is traveling with the Obama campaign:

View from the Obama pool bus... We're sitting outside the Obama hotel on West 56th Street in New York City, and the NYPD is yelling at people to clear the way (presumably for Obama's imminent walk to his motorcade). The NYPD's one inconvenience: a Starbucks exits right onto the sidewalk they've cleared. From this vantage point, it appears the police have ordered about a dozen latte-drinkers to remain in Starbucks. They're pressed at the windows, watching the scene from inside. Truth be told, NPR has been unable to confirm precisely what orders these patrons have been given, since NPR is currently in a press bus. Its possible these patrons are simply enjoying more caffeine and an excuse to be away from the office.

-- Sean Bowditch

12:19 PM ET | 09-11-2008 | permalink

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Candidates' Statements on the Anniversary of 9/11

Obama:

Today, we honor the memory of the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001, and grieve with the families and friends who lost someone they loved in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will never forget those who died. We will always remember the extraordinary efforts of our firefighters, police and emergency responders, and those who sacrificed their own lives on Flight 93 to protect their fellow Americans. And we give thanks for the Americans defending us every day in our communities at home, and in our military abroad.

On 9/11, Americans across our great country came together to stand with the families of the victims, to donate blood, to give to charity, and to say a prayer for our country. Let us renew that spirit of service and that sense of common purpose. Let us remember that the terrorists responsible for 9/11 are still at large, and must be brought to justice. Let us resolve to defeat terrorist networks, defend the American homeland, stand up for the enduring American values that we cherish, and seek a new birth of freedom at home and around the world.

McCain (delivered in Shanksville, PA):

No American living then should ever forget the heroism that occurred in the skies above this field on September 11, 2001. It is believed that the terrorists on United Flight 93 may have intended to crash the airplane into the United States Capitol. Hundreds if not thousands of people would have been at work in that building when that fateful moment occurred, and been destroyed along with a beautiful symbol of our freedom. They and, very possibly I, owe our lives to the passengers who summoned the courage and love necessary to deny our depraved and hateful enemies their terrible triumph.

I have witnessed great courage and sacrifice for America's sake, but none greater than the sacrifice of those good people who grasped the gravity of the moment, understood the threat, and decided to fight back at the cost of their lives.

I spoke at the memorial service for one of them, Mark Bingham. I acknowledged that few of us could say we loved our country as well as he and all the heroes of September 11 had. The only means we possess to thank them is to try to be as good an American as they were. We might fall well short of their standard, but there is honor in the effort.

In the Gospel of John it is written, 'Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.' Such was their love; a love so sublime that only God's love surpasses it. I am in awe of it as much as I am in debt to it. May God bless their souls.

-- Evie Stone

11:47 AM ET | 09-11-2008 | permalink

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Barr Grabs the Spotlight From Fellow Outsiders

Primary-season internet phenom Ron Paul received a standing ovation at the National Press Club this morning. Paul is no longer running for president, but he was there to moderate an event supporting candidates from outside the two mainstream parties.

But as NPR's Ari Shapiro reports on today's ATC, there was a notable absence at the podium: Libertarian Party nominee (and former GOP Congressman from Georgia) Bob Barr.

Barr was scheduled to appear alongside Paul, Green Party nominee Cynthia McKinney, Constitution Party nominee Chuck Baldwin, and self-nominated independent Ralph Nader at the Press Club. But he didn't show up at the announced event. He did, however, appear afterward to host a solo meet and greet with reporters, chucking third-party unity overboard in favor of self-promotion:

I'm not interested in third parties getting the most possible votes. I'm interested in Bob Barr as the nominee for the Libertarian Party getting the most possible votes and a sufficient number of votes in order to dramatically, positively, and substantively influence public policy in this country in the years ahead.

Barr told reporters that he had invited Ron Paul to be his running-mate on the Libertarian ticket (Paul was the Libertarian nominee for president in 1988). But he doesn't face serious opposition in his race to keep his Texas Congressional seat and is likely reject the VP offer. Paul remains a Republican, but he told the audience today that he declined a McCain campaign request for an endorsement because "essentially he supports none of my positions."

-- Evie Stone

5:04 PM ET | 09-10-2008 | permalink

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Onward -- Swing States, Fundraising, Female Voters

With roughly two months 'til the election, the candidates and their VP's are heading off to crucial swing states. Palin and McCain are scheduled to make Friday appearances in Michigan and Wisconsin, while Obama and Biden are planning to appear separately at three stops in Pennsylvania.

In the coming weeks, according to Politico, the McCain camp plans to take advantage of Palin's "red meat" conservative credentials and dispatch her to "at least 17 fundraisers in 10 states"-- that is, after she finishes a foreign policy tutorial with McCain friend and confidante, Sen. Joe Lieberman.

The Obama camp is trying to counter Palin's possible appeal to female voters. New York Sen. Hillary Clinton will campaign in Florida on Monday for the Obama/Biden ticket.

-- Nancy Cook

1:15 PM ET | 09- 5-2008 | permalink

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Obama: Leave Bristol Alone

Barack Obama was asked in a news conference today about Sarah Palin's teenage daughter's pregnancy. Via NPR's Don Gonyea:

Obama said the media should back off the story, and that it has no bearing on Palin's performance as Governor of Alaska or what kind of Vice President she would be. He denies anyone in his campaign is responsible for spreading rumors about Palin, and adds that anyone caught doing so would be fired.

Obama told reporters, "people's families are off limits, and people's children are especially off limits."

-- Evie Stone

UPDATE: Here's the full Obama quote, in which he points out that he was the child of a teenage mom too.

I have heard some of the news on this and so let me be as clear as possible. I have said before and I will repeat again, I think people's families are off limits, and people's children are especially off limits. This shouldn't be part of our politics, it has no relevance to governor Palin's performance as a governor or her potential performance as a vice president. And so I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories. You know my mother had me when she was 18. And how family deals with issues and teenage children that shouldn't be the topic of our politics and I hope that anybody who is supporting me understands that is off limits.

2:54 PM ET | 09- 1-2008 | permalink

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McCain on Gustav

NPR's Scott Horsley, who's traveling with McCain, passed along this pool report:

McCain said there would be dramatic changes to the convention, turning it from celebratory event to call for action. Standing with Haley Barbour. Palin did not speak.

"We must redirect our efforts from the really celebratory event of the nomination of president and vice president of our party to acting as all Americans. We'll change our program and I'll be announcing details of it in the next few hours. But there's very little doubt that we have to go from a party event to a call to the nation for action, action to help our fellow citizens in this time of tragedy and disaster, action in the form of volunteering, donations, reaching out our hands and our hearts and our wallets to the people who are under such great threat from this great natural disaster. I pledge that tomorrow night, and if necessary, throughout our convention if necessary, to act as Americans not Republians, because America needs us now no matter whether we are Republican or Democrat.''

MORE AFTER THE JUMP

Continue reading "McCain on Gustav" »

1:54 PM ET | 08-31-2008 | permalink

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Straight Talk Crunch

Baskin-Robbins is introducing two new flavors of ice cream in honor of the presidential election: "Straight Talk Crunch" and "Whirl of Change."

Reporters traveling with John McCain got to sample the former today: a tasty blend of white chocolate, caramel, crunchy nuts, and a bit of red hot peppermint.

(No Whirl of Change was served on McCain's campaign plane, so I can't offer an informed opinion of which is better. )

Baskin Robbins is partly owned by Mitt Romney's old firm, Bain Capital, but that may not be a signal of McCain's upcoming VP announcement.

-- Scott Horsley

7:11 PM ET | 08-28-2008 | permalink

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Obama Wheels Up 3:59 pm EDT

Via NPR's Obama campaign road warrior Don Gonyea, the candidate has left Montana, en route to Denver to join the convention.

-- Evie Stone

4:00 PM ET | 08-27-2008 | permalink

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The JoeBamas Hit the Trail

Obama, along with wife Michelle, is kicking off a bus tour of key battleground states starting next week. Joe and Jill Biden will be along for the ride, marking the first time the two families will be together on the trail. The itinerary takes them through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. According to the campaign, the tour will focus on economic issues.

-- Sean Bowditch

1:40 PM ET | 08-27-2008 | permalink

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Property

Obama held a public event this morning at an American Airlines plane overhaul center in Kansas City, MO. NPR's Don Gonyea is traveling with the campaign and captured this exchange...

WOMAN IN THE AUDIENCE: I heard George Bush can take your property away if you don't agree with him on his Iraq policy. That happened last year that the Supreme Court gave him that right. And I want to know if youre gonna get our rights back from the constitution.

OBAMA: This has been a serious issue. Now, I have not heard of George Bush taking people's property away just because they disagree with his policies. That can't happen. That would be unconsitutional even under George Bush. [Audience chuckles.]

-- Sean Bowditch

2:00 PM ET | 08-26-2008 | permalink

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Obama Vows to Help Small Biz, Summit 'Magic Mountain'

Lunch was also on the mind of Senator Barack Obama today. At a campaign stop in Davenport, Iowa he met with a group of about 250 at the local fairgrounds. The campaign said most of those who secured seats at the invitation-only event were Independent voters. There were also some Republicans in the audience.

Anyway, getting back to the food...when small business owner Cynthia Friedhof stood up to ask a question, she noted that she and her husband run a restaurant called Ross's. Obama interrupted to ask what their best dish is. Friedhof said it's the Magic Mountain. "Magic Mountain? What's a Magic Mountain?" the candidate asked.

Freidhof answered, "Texas toast grilled, Maid Rite 'loose meat' on top of that. Then Hash browns. French Fries. With Cheddar Cheese sauce poured over the top."

Obama: "Ohhhhhhh! And then you have the antacid following right up there?"

Friedhof: "You were supposed to come there one day but your plane was delayed."

Obama: "We are going to get there and I will order the Magic Mountain."

(And you thought the end of the Iowa State Fair meant the end of exotic campaign food...)

Friedhof then explained that her husband Ron is on the fence in the election. That he's worried about what an Obama presidency would mean for small businesses. Obama asked her to get Ron on the phone.

She did. A conversation ensued. We could only hear one side of it. But Obama assured him that the two could talk more later if Ron had questions.

-- Don Gonyea

2:53 PM ET | 08-25-2008 | permalink

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Keeping the Pork in Politics

Democratic Veep hopeful Joe Biden created a lunch-hour stir on Denver's 16th Street Mall today when he stopped by Boney's Smokehouse Hickory Smoked Pit Barbecue for a bite to eat.

Biden, who was accompanied by several family members, ordered five pulled-pork sandwiches ($4.95 each) and a lemonade from the outdoor eatery.

He shook hands and posed for pictures with the small crowd of onlookers who'd been alerted to Biden's imminent arrival by a scrum of TV cameras.

"We're gonna give 'em the devil," Biden told one well-wisher when she urged him to "go get 'em.".

Boney's owner Trina Lynch said she'd been alerted this morning than a VIP was coming and urged to reserve some barbecued turkey legs. The turkey legs went uneaten, though.

-- Scott Horlsey

2:43 PM ET | 08-25-2008 | permalink

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Obama Has Decided, But His Lips Are Sealed

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that Obama was asked about his VP choice this afternoon at a gift/peanut shop in Emporia, VA.

His coy answer: "I've made the selection and that's all you're going to get."

Well, that's a start. Now where's our text message?!

-- Evie Stone

4:54 PM ET | 08-21-2008 | permalink

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Scenes from a Deli

NPR's Ina Jaffe sent us some observations from Barack Obama's visit to Petersberg, Virginia today...

Irma Henderson, 72, was one of the people packing the Long Street Deli in the historic district of Petersberg when Barack Obama stopped by. Irma, an African-American campaign volunteer, said she wasn't going to try to talk to Obama or get a picture -- she just stood in the back, beaming. "I just want to be in the company of him," she said. In contrast, her friend Evelyn Jamison grabbed Obama's hand and held onto it for a good 3 minutes. I couldn't hear their conversation, but Irma said Evelyn "will be talking about this all night."

Obama stopped to chat with Steve Overgard and Dawn Peterson. They resell foreclosed homes, and business is booming with the mortgage crisis. Inventory about a year ago would've been 10 or 15 houses, Overgard told Obama. Now it's 80 and not slowing down. "We've got to stabilize this situation," Obama said, beginning his foreclosure spiel. Overgard cut him off: "not for ten years so I can retire." Obama replied, "we'll put you in the business of selling new homes."

The place is owned by Heather Takacs and her husband Chris. Heather waits tables on roller skates. "Makes the work easier," she said. "Everyone should wear skates." At one point Obama asked if he could give her a push. She said yes. He was gentle.

Before he left, Obama gave Heather Takacs an autograph. "I'm going to try to win the Presidency, so this'll be worth something," he said as he scribbled. "If I lose, you can sell it on eBay."

-- Evie Stone

4:17 PM ET | 08-21-2008 | permalink

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McCain Blogette Adds 'Author' To Resume

A new John McCain biography is set for release in early September, so mark your calendars -- if you're 7, that is.

My Dad, John McCain is a new children's book, written by Meghan McCain, the candidate's daughter and traveling blogger.

The book hits shelves September 2nd -- but advance copies have been making their way through the aisles of McCain's plane.

At just over 30 pages, the book is -- unsurprisingly -- flattering to the candidate.

It's more pictures than words -- illustrations of McCain from his days serving in the Navy, and from the campaign trail. (The illustrator is listed as by Dan Andreasen. The book notes he's also known for writing and illustrating his own book, A Special Day for Mommy.

Meghan has a few sentences of writing per page. She describes her dad's run for the GOP nomination in 2000. Meghan doesn't mention the bitter campaign against George W. Bush in South Carolina that was the beginning of the end of her father's candidacy that year.

"He campaigned hard in 2000 and met a lot of people all over the country," Meghan writes. "But he didn't get enough votes to win the nomination. Still he was proud of how hard he'd worked. And we were really proud of him too!"

Pages show illustrations of McCain parachuting away from his fiery fighter jet over Vietnam.

"He was alive," Meghan writes. "But both his arms and one leg were broken, and he'd been captured. He was now a prisoner of war."

She writes about how McCain could have been released early, because of his father's service as a Navy Admiral. "He said he'd go home only if everyone who'd been captured before him was set free too. And his captors said no. So my dad stayed in prison for five and a half years."

Meghan tells readers in the final pages that "It takes a great man to be President of the United States, and I know that nobody will work harder than my dad to convince people that he's the right person for the job."

The children's publishing division at Simon and Schuster is releasing the book. One percent of the proceeds will go to a charity serving members of the military and veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injury.

-- David Greene

1:44 PM ET | 08-14-2008 | permalink

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McCain Issues Warning to Russian Leadership

With Barack Obama on vacation, John McCain has the campaign trail all to himself. And he didn't even wait for the Monday rush hour to end before coming out to slam Russia for its actions in Georgia. You can decide if his opener was a swipe at his opponent's visit to sunny Hawaii:

Americans wishing to spend August vacationing with their families or watching the Olympics may wonder why their newspapers and television screens are filled with images of war in the small country of Georgia.

Speaking to reporters at a hotel in Erie, Pa., McCain called for the UN and NATO to swing into diplomatic gear to try and end the conflict, and he warned Russia's leaders that they must "understand the severe, long-term negative consequences that their government's actions will have for Russia's relationship with the U.S. and Europe."

As for questions from reporters - well, McCain isn't taking them often anymore. And when he finished his statement, the more disclplined McCain refused to play ball when a reporter asked about any necessary military preparedness if the Russian-Georgian violence continues.

"This is the total of my recommendations for right now," McCain said, before walking away.

-- David Greene

10:42 AM ET | 08-11-2008 | permalink

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A Day In The Life of the Modern Presidential Candidate...

One minute you're denouncing Russia for "dangerous" moves in South Ossetia. Half-an-hour later, you're nose to nose with the champion big boar at the Iowa State Fair ("Freight Train," a Yorkshire, from Webster City, IA, weighing in at 1259 lbs).

-- Scott Horsley

11:47 AM ET | 08- 8-2008 | permalink

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Mingling in Marion

John McCain and his wife Cindy made an unscheduled stop at a Bob Evans restaurant in Marion, OH today. They didn't stay long enough for biscuits or sausage. But they did shake hands, sign autographs, and pose for cell phone photos.

Mary Dowler, who likes McCain's anti-abortion stance, said she was grateful for the visit. She thinks it will inspire campaign volunteers in the area.

Bob Schroll, sitting in a nearby booth, was less impressed. Schroll, who said he's "not a fan" of the Arizona Senator, kept his head down, working on a crossword puzzle amidst all the commotion.

Six-year-old Ryan Sheridan had to crane for a glimpse of McCain as older, taller diners stood up in the narrow aisle in front of the restaurant counter. "Can you see him?" someone asked Sheridan. "I can see the white hair," the youngster replied.

-- Scott Horsley

10:49 AM ET | 08- 7-2008 | permalink

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IN Residents Join the Veepstakes Game

From today's Obama pool report, courtesy the WSJ's Christopher Cooper. Obama and IN Sen. (and speculative running-mate contender) Evan Bayh were making the rounds at a Schoops Hamburgers in Portage, Indiana.

Obama and Bayh came in the front, turned right and started working the booths, ropeline style. Obama passed a table of steelworkers and reached beyond them. A bulky steelworker, a local named Tony Capriglione, shouted out at Bayh, "you get a job offer yet?"

The table fell out laughing. Bayh shifted his eyes with mock stealth and discomfort. "Shhhh," he said, walking his eyebrows in Obama's direction.

Then a lady in a pink shirt got in on the fun. "He your vice president?" She shouted at Obama. He chuckled and pretended like he was going to ignore her. "I haven't made a decision about my vice president yet," he said over his shoulder.

-- Evie Stone

5:50 PM ET | 08- 6-2008 | permalink

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There She Is...Miss Buffalo Chip

John McCain dropped by the legendary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last night, with his wife and daughter in tow. On stage at the famous Buffalo Chip campground, McCain joked about encouraging his wife to enter the upcoming beauty contest (which features biker, lingerie, and bikini competitions). If both he and she were successful, he said, Cindy McCain could be the first woman to hold the titles of both First Lady and Miss Buffalo Chip.

-- Scott Horsley

7:25 AM ET | 08- 5-2008 | permalink

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Larry, Curly, Moe, Barack, and John

John McCain addresses the National Urban League's annual conference this morning, less than 24 hours after his campaign accused Barack Obama of "playing the race card." Urban League President Marc Morial has urged the audience to keep an open mind despite the candidates' bickering. He called the crossfire "an old fashioned three stooges pie throwing contest," and told the crowd to ignore it.

McCain didn't accept the Urban League's invitation the last time he was invited (in 2000). Two weeks ago before another predominantly African-American crowd at the NAACP, McCain began his remarks with an apology for ignoring the group's previous invitations. We'll be watching to see whether he will do the same today, and whether he will address the same issues (education and the economy) as he did with the NAACP.

Barack Obama is slated to address the Urban League tomorrow.

-- Audie Cornish

10:51 AM ET | 08- 1-2008 | permalink

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The Foxworthy Vote

Obama's tough primary contest against Hillary Clinton revealed he's got work to do to win over rural white voters. But if two guys standing on the side of the road in Rolla, Missouri right now are any indication, the Illinois Senator is making progress. They're holding a "REDNECKS for OBAMA" sign high and proud, with Obama ready to arrive in this town of 16,000 within the hour.

-- David Greene

3:22 PM ET | 07-30-2008 | permalink

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More Fun With Press Credentials

Having gotten good play with their JV badges last week, the McCain camp is on a roll. Today's press credentials for an event in Reno, NV feature a photo of the cast of Comedy Central's Reno 911!

Not sure how the real cops helping with security will feel about that.

-- Scott Horsley

1:06 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Sarkozy's Warm Welcome For Obama

From French President Nicolas Sarkozy's opening statement at today's joint presser with Barack Obama (via the Federal News Service's translator):

Of course, it's not up to the French to choose the next president of the United States of America. Whomsoever that may be, we will work with him happily and gladly. But I am especially happy to be meeting with the senator I met back in 2006 when we talked in such impassioned terms about Darfur, what was happening there. And there were two of us in that office, and there were two of us in my office. (Laughter.) And one of us became president. Well, let the other do likewise. Well, I mean, that's not meddling.

NPR's Obama campaign road warrior Don Gonyea followed up:

President Sarkozy, your opening statement sounded a great deal like an endorsement. Was it that, and if so, have you conferred with your good friend President Bush about this?

Obama responded by warning Sarkozy to "be very careful" with his answer to that question.

Sarkozy's response:

Well, sir, the Americans will choose their president, you know, not I. Americans will make the choice. And I think you're old enough to have an idea or two of your own.

This awkward exchange is a reminder of Obama's delicate task on this trip, especially in France. He's trying to paint his potential administration as one that would rebuild relationships with America's allies...but he doesn't want to look too cozy with the Frogs just yet. Don't forget the RNC's attempts to tarnish John Kerry's chances in 2004 by saying he merely looked French. As the French newspaper Le Figaro put it: "his huge popularity in our country could ill serve him with a part the American centrist electorate."

-- Evie Stone

2:18 PM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

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With Obama Abroad, McCain Goes Domestic

There is no more imported beer on the Straight Talk Express-jet.

When McCain had a chartered Jet Blue plane, it was usually stocked with Heineken (among other fine European selections).

But last night when I inquired -- for research purposes only -- I was told the new plane (several weeks old actually) stocks only Bud and Bud Light. Those are, of course, the beers Cindy McCain's company distributes. I told the flight attendant I hope they add Stella once the In Bev deal closes...but that may not happen before election day.

For a candidate who says American workers can compete with anyone, this seems like an oddly protectionist bar menu.

-- Scott Horsley

3:38 PM ET | 07-24-2008 | permalink

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I'll See Your Angela Merkel, and Raise You...

From the McCain campaign:

Senator McCain, tomorrow, will meet with the Dalai Lama in Aspen, Colorado.

-- Evie Stone

1:18 PM ET | 07-24-2008 | permalink

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For the Ones Left Behind...

Front: In English

Scott Horsley, NPR

 

Back: En Francais

Scott Horsley, NPR

NPR's Scott Horsley shares photos of McCain's new press badges...specially designed for the "JV Squad" of political reporters covering McCain in Rochester, NH and Wilkes-Barre, PA as their colleagues traipse across Jerusalem and Berlin with Obama.

We're particular fans of the cheese-eating surrender monkey on the back of the pass. Nice beret!

-- Evie Stone

10:28 AM ET | 07-23-2008 | permalink

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Don't See That Every Day

Picture it: a tarmac in Amman, Jordan. The press corps is sitting on the plane awaiting Barack Obama's arrival after a dinner with King Abdullah II at the royal palace.

A grey Mercedes races up the tarmac and screeches to a halt at the bottom of the airplane steps. King Abdullah hops out on the driver's side; Obama from the passenger seat. The men say a friendly goodbye, and Obama boards the plane.

Says NPR's Don Gonyea, who has covered the Bush White House for 8 years and has been on quite a few of these overseas trips: "I've never seen a head of state drive before. Well, I once saw Putin drive a golf cart. But that's it."

Apparently King Abdullah does not subscribe to the Harry Burns theory of rides to the airport.

-- Evie Stone

2:57 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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Obama Press Conference on the Other Hill

Obama is in Amman, Jordan this morning and just finished the first press conference of his trip to Afghanistan and Iraq. Standing in front of the Citadel -- a maze of ruins on a hill above the sprawl that is Amman -- he answered questions about the political situation in both countries.

Yesterday, the Senator took a helicopter ride with Gen. Petraeus above Baghdad to survey the progress there. Obama told reporters today that he understands why Petraeus is opposed to a timetable -- because as the commanding general on the ground, flexibility is key. In fact, Obama said, with Petreaus' job he'd probably feel the same way. But as President, Obama continued, his job would extend beyond Iraq.

Obama on his conversations with Gen. Petraeus:

Obama also didn't back off his initial criticism of the surge, saying we don't know what might have happened had we not committed more troops.

Obama on the surge:

And he commented on the perception that there are only two options regarding Iraq: a rigid timetable that doesn't take the situation on the ground into account or an indefinite commitment with no timetable. He maintains that he still aims to be out of Iraq in 16 months. But if there were a resurgence of ethnic violence that threatened to become genocide, for example, he reserves the right to intervene.

Obama on options in Iraq:

The site of the press conference, the Citadel, is a popular tourist attraction in Amman. According to veteran NPR foreign producer,Tom Bullock, he picked a good spot, where the sounds from all the surrounding mosques converge at times of prayer.

The call to prayer came shortly before Obama began.

-- Thomas Pierce

11:36 AM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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