Gov. Sarah Palin continues to dominate current coverage of American politics. The scrap over Sen. Barack Obama's "lipstick on a pig" comment drew national media attention yesterday, including prominent spots on all three nightly news programs. ABC World News called it "a case study in what might be called 'short fuse politics': A candidate says something, within seconds, his opponent cries foul and suddenly, you have the makings of a perfect political storm." The CBS Evening News says that if Sen. John McCain's campaign was "outraged" over the comment, Obama "said today he's just as outraged over their use of it." CBS added, "Having played into the hands of his rivals with a flip comment that left him open to attack, Obama today denounced what he called a cynical insincere game played by the Republicans and a willing news media." NBC Nightly News noted, "A whole lot of us have used the expression, from Dick Cheney to John McCain, who used it to describe the who used it to describe the Clinton's health care policy, to Barack Obama, who used it the other day to question John McCain's ability to change policies."
The AP says Obama used fairly tough language, accusing the McCain camp of "using 'lies and phony outrage and Swift-boat politics' in claiming he used a sexist comment" against Gov. Sarah Palin. Calling it "the latest made-up controversy by the John McCain campaign," Obama added, "I don't care what they say about me. But I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and Swift-boat politics. Enough is enough." CNN's The Situation Room noted that Obama has been "under pressure from some fellow Democrats to show his tougher side."
The Los Angeles Times adds the McCain campaign quickly responded to Obama's objections with an email "from spokesman Brian Rogers: 'Barack Obama can't campaign with schoolyard insults and then try to claim outrage at the tone of the campaign. His talk of new politics is as empty as his campaign trail promises, and his record of bucking his party and reaching across the aisle simply doesn't exist.'"
The Washington Post, in an editorial, mocks the McCain camps outrage on the issue, saying "this cynical use of the gender card is unusually silly." But in the Wall Street Journal, Karl Rove writes, "Of all the advantages" Palin "has brought to the GOP ticket, the most important may be that she has gotten into Barack Obama's head. How else to explain Sen. Obama's decision to go one-on-one against 'Sarah Barracuda'? ... It's a matchup he'll lose."
The Washington Post reports this morning that Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin "took their bid for the White House to Northern Virginia yesterday, rallying thousands of supporters by vowing to shake up Washington and saying they will fight for votes in the increasingly Democratic region." The appearance "served as one of Palin's first public events in front of the suburban voters who could determine the race in Virginia and several other battleground states." The Hill reports that pair "made a foray into the bluest part of the state -- Northern Virginia -- instead of a more red-friendly area to build on their momentum in a state that continues to poll like a swing state, despite its GOP-heavy history." The CBS Evening News reported the candidates "drew their biggest crowd yet, more than 23,000. And there was no doubt who many of them came to see." CNN's The Situation Room called the size of the crowd "a new sign of momentum" for the McCain camp and that the "star of this show right now is" Palin.
McCain Camp Said To Be "Nervous" As Palin Returns To Alaska The AP reports Palin last night returned to Alaska to see her son off to Iraq. NBC Nightly News reports, "This is a nervous moment for the McCain campaign. Because they are worried, what is a McCain rally going to look like without Gov. Palin there? ... They are nervous about it."
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The AP reports that ABC said yesterday that Charles Gibson's interview with Gov. Sarah Palin will "form the basis of a special prime-time edition of '20/20' Friday." Gibson "is traveling to Fairbanks and Wasilla, Alaska, for the first TV interviews with Palin since she was selected as John McCain's running mate. The first excerpts of the talks will be shown on 'World News' Thursday." The New York Times says the two days of interviews with Gibson "could be the first test of Ms. Palin's ability to parry substantive questions on foreign and domestic policy." The Politico adds that Sen. John McCain's camp "is quickly moving to augment her staff and put in place an infrastructure that can address the unexpected wave of interest. This team of aides and advisers is tasked with," among other things, preparing Palin for media appearances," including the ABC interview.
Meanwhile, an editorial in the New York Times says "it is well past time" for Palin, the "self-proclaimed reformer, to fill in for the voting public the gaping blanks about her record and qualifications to be vice president. The best way to do that would be exactly what the campaign of John McCain is avoiding -- an honest news conference."
There is more scrutiny of Gov. Sarah Palin in the media today, highlighted by a front-page New York Times look at Palin's claim to have "engineered the deal that jump-started a long-delayed gas pipeline project" in Alaska, saying that the reality "is far more ambiguous than the impression Ms. Palin has left at the convention and on the campaign trail. Certainly she proved effective in attracting developers to a project that has eluded Alaska governors for three decades. But an examination of the pipeline project also found that Ms. Palin has overstated both the progress that has been made and the certainty of success."
The AP today examines Palin's requests for federal help for Alaska this year, saying she "has requested nearly $200 million in so-called 'earmarks' this year." The AP notes that Sen. John McCain yesterday "suggested earmarks are particularly shameful at a time when families are struggling with rising food, gas and home mortgage costs." Palin "has sought $197 million worth of earmarks for 2009, down about 25 percent from the $256 million she sought in the 2008 budget year." The Politico adds that the requests were "for everything from improving recreational halibut fishing to studying the mating habits of crabs and the DNA of harbor seals."
McCain Singled Out Wasilla Earmarks In Criticism Of 2001 Transportation Bill CNN reported on its website that McCain "criticized two of his future running mate's hometown projects in broadsides in 2001 against congressional 'pork-barrel' spending, records from the Arizona senator's office show." CNN noted that "when Palin served as mayor of her hometown of Wasilla, outside Anchorage, she obtained about $27 million in federal 'earmarks' during her last four years in office, according to the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. In a 2001 statement opposing a transportation spending bill McCain singled out for criticism about $3 million worth of those projects."
The Washington Times reports Sen. Barack Obama "tried to direct more than $3 million in taxpayer funds to a Chicago museum" whose chairman is one his "largest campaign fundraisers." Obama has twice "sought to have taxpayers foot the bill for a new theater projector and other equipment at the Adler Planetarium on the Lake Michigan waterfront. Neither of the requests, which totaled $3.3 million, was approved by Congress." The planetarium's chairman, "then and still, is Frank Clark, chief executive of ComEd," who "has pledged to raise more than $200,000 for Mr. Obama's run for the White House."
The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Sen. Joe Biden, campaigning in New Hampshire, suggested that Sen. Hillary Clinton might have been a better running mate for Sen. Barack Obama, saying, "She's easily qualified to be vice president of the United States of America, and quite frankly it might have been a better pick than me, but she is first-rate." The Politico adds that the "remark came in response to a question from a man saying he was glad Obama had chosen Biden over Clinton; Biden was rising to her defense." The New York Daily News reports McCain aides "eagerly seized on the comment as a new way to mock Obama while rekindling hurt feelings among some Democrats over Clinton's rejection from the ticket."
Meanwhile, the AP reports Obama "revealed Wednesday that former President Clinton, once the presidential nominee's nemesis, will campaign for him during the weeks leading up to Election Day."
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In what is becoming a continuing trend, several more stories today report that some Democrats are growing concerned that Sen. Barack Obama is failing to put away Sen. John McCain. The Politico reports that polls "are stirring angst and second-guessing among some of the Democratic Party's most experienced operatives, who worry that Obama squandered opportunities over the summer and may still be underestimating his challenges this fall." The AP adds that while "prominent Democrats" expect McCain to fade in coming days, "there was also a recognition that Obama's campaign needs improvements" and that Palin's "selection as McCain's running mate shook up the race."
However, several prominent columnists today seek to dampen the idea that the race is getting away from Obama. In her New York Times column, Gail Collins writes that some Democrats are "calling each other up to discuss how doomed they are," but says, "Cheer up, Obama-ites. You're overreacting." In his Washington Post column, David Broder agrees, saying an "exaggerated optimism has swept through Republican ranks and an equally exaggerated gloom has infected the Democrats. ... The race is still to be won, with events in the next eight weeks, including the debates, likely to determine the outcome." This "has been -- and remains -- the election of a lifetime."
McCain Up 3 In Fox Poll A Fox News /Opinion Dynamics poll of 900 registered voters taken September 8-9 shows McCain leading Obama 45%-42%, with 2% backing someone else and 12% undecided.
McCain Up 5 In Gallup Tracker The Gallup daily presidential tracking poll of 2,714 registered voters taken September 7-9 shows John McCain leading Barack Obama 48%-43%. McCain has led Obama by 5 points for three days.
Obama Up 1 In Rasmussen Tracker The Rasmussen Reports automated daily presidential tracking poll for September 10 shows Obama and McCain tied at 46% apiece, and Obama up 48%-47% including leaners.
The latest polling data shows a very tight presidential race at the state level, where it will be decided. On ABC World News, George Stephanopoulos called it "as close as they come," saying that in his estimation, the Democratic ticket leads in states totaling 228 electoral votes, the Republican ticket 227. RealClearPolitics shows Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain 217-189 on its electoral map, with 132 too close to call; when toss-ups are allocated, Obama leads by a slim 273-265. Electoral-Vote.com has Obama leading McCain 281-230.
Its not jus the electoral vote estimates that are close state polls out in the last 24 hours show the two tickets separated by just a handful of votes in a number of key states.
Two Polls Show Obama Up Slightly In Michigan A Time /CNN poll of 966 registered Michigan voters taken September 7-9 shows Obama leading McCain 49%-45%. If third party candidates are included, Obama leads 45%-42%. A Strategic Vision (R) poll of 1,200 likely Michigan voters taken September 5-7 shows Obama leading McCain 45%-44%.
Obama Up 5 In Ohio A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,367 likely Ohio voters taken September 5-9 shows Obama leading McCain 49%-44%, up from a 44%-43% lead in a similar poll released August 26.
Obama Up Slightly In 2 Pennsylvania Polls A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,001 likely Pennsylvania votes taken September 5-9 shows Obama leading McCain 48%-45%, down from a 49%-42% lead in a similar poll released August 26. A Strategic Vision (R) poll of 1,200 likely Pennsylvania voters taken September 5-7 shows Obama leading McCain 47%-45%.
Obama Up 3 In Wisconsin A Strategic Vision (R) poll of 800 likely Wisconsin voters taken September 5-7 shows Obama leading McCain 46%-43%.
Obama Up 5 In New Hampshire A Time /CNN poll of 899 registered New Hampshire voters taken September 7-9 shows Obama leading McCain 51%-45%. If third party candidates are included, Obama leads 48%-43%.
McCain Takes 2 Point Lead In New Mexico A Rasmussen Reports automated poll of 700 likely New Mexico voters taken September 8 shows McCain leading Obama 49%-47%. A similar poll taken before the conventions showed Obama up 47%-41%.
McCain Up 6 In Virginia A Time /CNN poll of 920 registered Virginia voters taken September 7-9 shows McCain leading Obama 50%-46%, and 49%-43% if third party candidates are included.
McCain Up 4 In Missouri A Time /CNN poll of 940 registered Missouri voters taken September 7-9 shows McCain leading Obama 50%-45%, and 48%-44% if third party candidates are included.
McCain Up 7 In Florida A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,032 likely Florida votes taken September 5-9 shows McCain leading Obama 50%-43%, up from a 47%-43% lead in a similar poll released August 26.
McCain Opens Wide Lead In North Dakota. A Rasmussen Reports automated poll of 500 likely North Dakota voters taken September 8 shows McCain leading Obama 55%-41%. A similar survey over the summer showed the race tied.
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Coverage of the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, is generally focused on memorial efforts, particularly today's dedication of a memorial at the Pentagon. Compared to prior years, there is less coverage of the state of US security or of the risk of new attacks. The Washington Times reports President Bush, though "beset by record-low approval ratings and criticism from every side that has not abated for years," takes pride "in the fact there has not been another attack like the one seven years ago." Meanwhile, the AP reports the White House said Wednesday that "the failure to capture Osama bin Laden in the seven years since the Sept. 11 attacks shows the limitations of military and intelligence power."
Al Qaeda Continues To Target Aviation The AP reports Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, speaking at the National Press Club Wednesday, said "aviation remains vulnerable to terrorist attack seven years after 9/11." UPI reports that Chertoff also "warned against complacency," saying that "just the fact that we are safer does not mean we are completely safe and the job is done." USA Today reports on a DHS initiative that "will put all incoming air cargo through radiation detectors at the nation's airports to try to prevent terrorists from smuggling radioactive bombs into the US."
Gates To Unveil Pentagon Memorial The Washington Times reports Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will preside today "at a ceremony to unveil a memorial to those who died at the Pentagon" on 9/11, said "that 'great progress' had been made" since the attacks. "'The reality is, we are getting a lot of [bin Laden's] subordinates and making it much more difficult for them to carry out operations,' he said."
Al Qaeda Gains Ground In South Asia McClatchy reports that al Qaeda "and its allies are gaining ground across the region where the plot was hatched, staging their most lethal attacks yet against NATO forces and posing a growing threat to the US-backed governments in Afghanistan and nuclear-armed Pakistan."
Top Pentagon brass delivered a pessimistic report on the war in Afghanistan, and the military leaders suggested a change in strategy in dealing with the volatile region. NBC Nightly News reported the "nation's top military commander said today he is 'not convinced' we are winning" the war in Afghanistan. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen "told Congress that America is 'running out of time' in Afghanistan." ABC World News reported Mullen "promised a new strategy to hit Taliban and al Qaeda fighters hiding across the border in Pakistan."
During testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, the Wall Street Journal reports Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Mullen detailed "an array of worrisome dynamics in Afghanistan, from persistent shortages of Western military personnel to what they described as the corruption and ineffectiveness of the fragile Afghan government."
Calling it a "blunt assessment," the Washington Post on its front page quotes Mullen saying, "Frankly, we are running out of time," stressing that not sending more US troops to Afghanistan is "too great a risk to ignore." He said the transfer of about 4,500 troops announced Tuesday by President Bush "does not meet the demands of commanders there, but is 'a good start.'"
The New York Times reports on its front page that President Bush "secretly approved orders in July that for the first time allow American Special Operations forces to carry out ground assaults inside Pakistan without the prior approval of the Pakistani government," according to senior American officials. The "classified orders signal a watershed for the Bush administration after nearly seven years of trying to work with Pakistan to combat the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and after months of high-level stalemate about how to challenge the militants' increasingly secure base in Pakistan's tribal areas."
The AP reports the "government brokers responsible for collecting billions of dollars in federal oil royalties operated in a 'culture of substance abuse and promiscuity' that included having sex with energy company employees, accepting lavish gifts and rigging contracts to favored firms, investigators said Wednesday." The story was reported by each of the networks last night. NBC Nightly News reported, "The agency's inspector general found some employees in a totally dysfunctional environment, allegedly doing things including accepting gifts from oil companies engaging in rampant substance abuse and sexual misconduct and steering contracts to friends." The CBS Evening News put the blame for the scandal with the Bush Administration, saying it has "long been accused of having too close a relationship with the oil industry. Just how close is documented in new reports just out today." ABC World News reported, "The report details years of ethical violations, including two government workers who took gifts and gratuities on at least 135 occasions. Investigators uncovered numerous e-mails, including one from a pipeline company inviting government officials to a tailgate party."
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The AP reports House Democrats "offered a broader drilling proposal Wednesday that would allow offshore energy development beyond 50 miles from the coast if a state gives the go-ahead and opens all federal waters 100 miles from land." The "measure is part of a broader energy package expected to come up for a vote next week that also would roll back tax breaks for the largest oil companies and require them to pay additional royalties with the money to be used to spur renewable energy programs and conservation." The Wall Street Journal reports, "House Democrats, some chanting 'drill, drill,' embraced a plan to open the door for more oil and natural-gas exploration along the entire U.S. coastline, in a shift showing the power of the energy issue in this election."
The Politico says the Democrats' proposal "would go much further on offshore drilling than many anticipated", giving Speaker Nancy Pelosi the "chance to put her political adversaries in a tight spot on the biggest issue of this campaign season. The bill itself may never become law Democratic leaders were still tweaking it Wednesday night but, as a political vehicle, the legislation could give Democrats cover on a potential liability for the party this November."
The AP reports House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel "admitted Wednesday that he owes about $5,000 to the Internal Revenue Service for failing to report income on his returns." But Rangel "asked colleagues to let the ethics committee investigate and urged Republicans to stop trying to have him removed from his post." The New York Times reports in a front-page story that Rangel "said on Wednesday that 'cultural and language barriers' had hindered him from understanding the finances of his Dominican Republic beach house, and vowed to repay several thousand dollars in federal taxes he owes after failing to report $75,000 in rental income from the villa." The Washington Post reports Rangel "acknowledged yesterday that he had not lived up to the 'higher standard' expected of members of Congress, but he maintained that he should not be punished politically for failing to disclose and pay taxes on rental income from his Caribbean resort property."
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Jay Leno: The presidential campaign is "coming down to one very important issue: putting makeup on farm animals. That seems to be where we're at."
Jay Leno: "It's a very strange political campaign. Out on the campaign trail, John McCain and Sarah Palin are talking about how they stood up to the Republican Party, they fought the Republican establishment, and they battled Republicans. Their message: vote Republican."
David Letterman: "If, God forbid, something happens to John McCain, is Sarah Palin ready to be president? I don't think we need to worry about that because Bush has lowered the bar so tremendously, I mean, I'm ready to be president."
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