The AP reports that from "a Pennsylvania rainstorm to two thunderous Virginia rallies, Barack Obama told revved-up followers Tuesday they were 'so close' to winning. Targeting two key states, defending one and surging in the other, Obama stayed on the safe ground of linking...John McCain to President Bush."
NBC Nightly News reported, "Soggy Delaware County is one of the few places near Philly where registered Republicans still outnumber registered Democrats. But less than a week out, the Obama campaign sees the economy as the reason it may score big here, even in pockets of red."
According to The CBS Evening News, "It's precisely because Virginia's becoming friendlier to the Democrats that Senator McCain...is so desperate to win Pennsylvania." Fox News' Special Report reported, "Even though the polls show Sen. Obama out in front in the state, he is not taking Pennsylvania for granted." Obama, "supposedly comfortably ahead in Pennsylvania, is acting as if it is neck and neck, visiting a phone bank in Pittsburgh and making a phone call or two himself."
ABC World News reported John McCain is "spending the waning days of his campaign defending a number of Republican states," and though "he may be down in the polls...you wouldn't know it. He's really becoming aggressive and going after some of these states and he's also doing some of the most aggressive and spirited campaigning since he started running for president."
NBC Nightly News opened its broadcast by noting that McCain "likes to joke that he's got the Obama campaign right where he wants them. He likes to say he's been down before, he's the survivor of a near-death experience, both as a POW and a politician. But these days are a test of the McCain campaign. The electoral map looks grim."
The AP says McCain is "showing gritty determination even as many indicators point to a Barack Obama victory and Republicans engage in fingerpointing typical of losing campaigns." McCain is described as "an enthusiastic underdog with what advisers say is a deep personal belief that he still has a chance to stage an upset next week."
Meanwhile, the AP reports, "Doubts about John McCain's chances for the presidency grew louder among fellow Republicans on Tuesday as a White House race largely focused on Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania entered its final week. Even two Republicans once on McCain's short list for vice president sounded skeptical. In a fundraising e-mail on behalf of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Mitt Romney referred to 'the very real possibility of an Obama presidency.' In the Midwest, Gov. Tim Pawlenty gave a dour assessment of McCain's chances in his state, saying Barack Obama 'has a pretty good advantage in Minnesota right now.'
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Fox News' Special Report reported John McCain camp "has joined those demanding the Los Angeles times release a 2003 video that shows Barack Obama celebrating with a group of Palestinians hostile to Israel. Peter Wallsten wrote in April about Obama's association with former Palestinian operative Rashid Khalidi. ... Wallsten called Khalidi 'a critic of Israel and advocate for Palestinian rights.' He said, quote, 'a special tribute came from Khalidi's friend and frequent dinner companion, the young state Sen. Barack Obama."
Today, the Los Angeles Times says that "its promise to a source prevents the paper from posting the video, which shows Barack Obama praising Palestinian activist Rashid Khalidi at a 2003 banquet." The Politico's Ben Smith noted that the McCain campaign "hadn't previously demanded the video, though conservative bloggers have, and neither other reporters nor McCain's researchers have been able to dig up a copy."
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, appearing on Fox News' On The Record, said Khalidi "has made very incendiary remarks about Israel. ... He has a connection with the PLO. He worked for...WAFA, he was their spokesman. I believe Khalidi's wife was the translator for that organization, which was affiliated with the PLO. There is no dispute about the fact that he has a very hostile view to the state of Israel."
Republican lawmakers yesterday issued calls for Sen. Ted Stevens to resign in the wake of his felony conviction, including GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The AP reports, "'It is clear that Sen. Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down,' McCain said. That comment beat Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's call for Stevens' resignation." The Hill reports that McConnell on Tuesday evening called for Stevens to quit, and notes, "McConnell initially put out a statement saying that Stevens 'will be held accountable so the public trust can be restored.'" Roll Call reports that McConnell is "joining a growing chorus of Republican lawmakers seeking the ouster of the convicted felon."
Under the headline "McCain And Palin Say Stevens Should Resign," the Washington Post reports the "unfolding events led to speculation in political and legal circles about whether Stevens would face prison time and whether President Bush might pardon him or commute his sentence." The Washington Times reports McCain said Stevens' "case is 'a sign of the corruption and insider dealing that has become so pervasive in our nation's capital.'"
Under the headline "Alaska G.O.P. Still Backs Re-election For Stevens," the New York Times reports, "The party is pushing for [Stevens'] re-election...in the hope that his re-election will allow Republicans to hold onto his seat even if Mr. Stevens eventually resigns." Meanwhile, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that "Sen. Norm Coleman called Tuesday for his Republican colleague to resign."
Meanwhile, The Hill reports if Stevens "returns next January for a seventh full term, GOP and Democratic aides expect an expulsion resolution to hit the floor rather swiftly, possibly even bypassing the Senate Select Committee on Ethics entirely."
The Wall Street Journal reports Republicans are "losing ground in the battle over taxes -- turf they have dominated since the Reagan administration -- even against a Democratic presidential candidate who is promising substantial tax increases." The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll "showed voters preferred Sen. Obama to Sen. McCain on taxes by 14 percentage points."
Meanwhile, McClatchy notes McCain and Obama "each argue that his tax plan is better to help the ever-suffering small businessman. Tax experts, however, suggest that the candidates' blueprints for helping small business are virtually identical for all but 2 percent to 3 percent of the highest-income small businesses. For them, McCain's plan is more generous."
The New York Times says Obama and McCain "outlined tax and spending proposals that would make annual budget deficits worse, analysts say, with Senator John McCain likely to create a deeper hole than Senator Barack Obama would."
McClatchy reports Sen. Barack Obama "will focus on the economy and how his tax plans would help the middle class in a half-hour political infomercial Wednesday night." An unnamed Obama senior campaign adviser "said that most of the program is pre-taped but toward the end will go live to Florida, where Obama is holding campaign rallies Wednesday night." The program will "air at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC, CBS, Fox, Univision, BET, MSNBC and TV One, and at various times in other time zones."
The New York Times, in an article titled, "Obama Infomercial, A Closing Argument To The Everyman," reports Obama's campaign "agreed to provide The New York Times with a minute-long trailer for the 30-minute program. ... The trailer is heavy in strings, flags, presidential imagery and some Americana filmed by Davis Guggenheim, whose father was the campaign documentarian of Robert F. Kennedy."
ABC Will Air Obama Interview Tonight The Washington Post notes that CNN "took a pass" on the infomercial, while Fox News "confirms it wasn't even asked to the party. ABC, the only major broadcaster not carrying the infomercial after the network hemmed and hawed so long the Obama camp moved on, is weirdly being rewarded with a Wednesday one-on-one with the candidate for its evening newscast, which will air shortly before 'The Barack Obama Show' takes over prime time at 8 p.m."
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The Politico reports, "Should McCain lose next Tuesday, the conversation will include who to groom as the next generation of conservative leaders a list that will feature Palin at or near the top." The New York Times reports a "group of prominent conservatives are planning to meet the next day to discuss the way forward, and whatever the outcome, Gov. Sarah Palin will be high on the agenda." Some "elements of the Republican base are already looking ahead to the day...that Ms. Palin is at the top of the ticket.
All national polls continue to show Barack Obama leading John McCain in the race for the White House. The size of Obama's lead, however, continues to vary widely in the different national surveys.
The Gallup daily presidential tracking poll of 2,781 registered voters taken October 25-27 has two likely voter models one (based on past voting behavior and current intention to vote) shows Obama leading McCain 49%-47%, while the second (based on current intention to vote) shows Obama up 51%-44%.
The GWU/Battleground poll of 1,000 likely voters taken October 21-23 and October 26-7 shows Obama leading McCain 49%-46%, remaining steady for the last three days.
An American Research Group poll of 1,200 likely voters taken October 25-27 shows Obama leading McCain 50%-45%.
The IBD /TIPP daily presidential tracking poll of 882 likely voters taken October 23-27 shows Obama leading McCain 48%-44%.
The C-Span/Zogby daily presidential tracking poll of 1,203 likely voters taken October 26-28 shows Obama leading McCain 49%-44%.
An Ipsos/McClatchy poll of 831 likely voters taken October 23-27 shows Obama leading McCain 48%-42%.
The Rasmussen Reports daily presidential tracking poll for October 27 shows Obama leading McCain 51%-46%, unchanged from the previous day.
The ABC News /Washington Post daily presidential tracking poll of 1,301 likely voters taken October 24-27 shows Obama leading McCain 52%-45%.
The Hotline/Diageo tracking poll of 878 likely voters taken October 25-27 shows Obama up 50%-42%.
A Pew Research poll of 1198 likely voters taken October 23-26 shows Obama leading 53%-38%.
Two Polls Show Obama Up In Ohio A SurveyUSA automated poll of 648 likely Ohio voters shows Obama leading McCain 49%-45%. An LA Times /Bloomberg poll of 644 likely Ohio voters taken October 25-27 shows Obama leading McCain 49%-40%.
Obama Up 7 In Florida An LA Times /Bloomberg poll of 639 likely Florida voters taken October 25-27 shows Obama leading McCain 50%-43%.
Obama Up 7 In Pennsylvania A Rasmussen Reports automated poll of 500 likely Pennsylvania voters taken October 27 shows Obama leading McCain 53%-46%.
Obama Up 4 In Nevada A Rasmussen Reports automated poll of 700 likely Nevada voters taken October 27 shows Obama leading McCain 50%-46%.
McCain Up Just 1 In Georgia An Insider Advantage /Poll Position survey of 637 likely Georgia voters taken October 27 shows McCain leading Obama 48%-47%.
Polls Show Tight Race In Indiana A Howey Political Report /Gauge poll of 600 likely Indiana voters taken October 23-24 shows McCain leading Obama 47%-45%. A South Bend Tribune /WSBT-TV poll of 600 likely voters taken October 23-25 shows Obama leading McCain 48%-47%.
Obama Up 9 In Wisconsin A Strategic Vision (R) poll of 800 likely Wisconsin voters taken October 24-26 shows Obama leading McCain 50%-41%.
Obama Up Big In Washington A Strategic Vision (R) poll of 800 likely Washington State voters taken October 25-26 shows Obama leading McCain 54%-42%. A SurveyUSA automated poll of 630 likely Washington State voters taken October 26-27 shows Obama leading McCain 56%-39%.
Obama Up 15 In New Jersey A Strategic Vision (R) poll of 800 likely New Jersey voters taken October 24-26 shows Obama leading McCain 53%-38%.
McCain Up 10 In Arkansas A Rasmussen Reports automated poll of 500 likely Arkansas voters taken October 27 shows McCain leading Obama 54%-44%.
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Despite a continuing spate of negative economic news, stocks soared yesterday, with nearly 11% increases in the Dow Jones Industrials and S&P 500. The AP reports Wall Street "had another astounding advance Tuesday, with the Dow Jones industrials soaring nearly 900 points in their second-largest point gain ever as late-day bargain hunters stormed into the market." The DJIA "rose 889.35, or 10.88 percent, to 9,065.12." Broader stock indicators "also surged Tuesday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 91.59, or 10.79 percent, to 940.51, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 143.57, or 9.53 percent, to 1,649.47."
While some reports highlighted the economy' continuing downside negative consumer confidence and continued volatility other media sources portrayed the surge as an indication that the credit markets are unfreezing or that equities have finally established a new floor. ABC World News reported, "Despite a flurry of bad economic news today, lower home prices, consumer confidence at an historic low, the market took off like a NASA rocket. ... Some traders explained today's monster move by pointing out the good news, including strong markets overseas and an anticipated cut in interest rates tomorrow by the Federal Reserve," but the "irony was there was just as much bad news today." The CBS Evening News noted that "since the collapse of Lehman Brothers six weeks ago, we've seen the biggest point gain and the biggest point loss ever and 29 sessions when the Dow was up or down in triple digits." NBC Nightly News also noted that "consumer confidence has plunged to its lowest level in 41 years in all of the years that it's been measured."
The New York Times reports the story under the headline, "Even As Dow Soars 11%, Skeptics Lurk." The Times says that after "four mostly miserable weeks, a powerful afternoon rally left traders wondering if it was time to buy again. ... Many other investors, however, remained unpersuaded." USA Today reports the gains "restored $1 trillion in stock value, taking some of the sting out of the $6.6 trillion that's been erased from stock portfolios this year, according to the DJ Wilshire 5000." But analysts "cautioned that this could turn out to be the sixth in a string of failed one-day rallies in less than a month that lured buyers in only to shred more wealth."
The Wall Street Journal reports Treasury Department officials met with banking industry officials "to discuss expanding the Troubled Asset Relief Program to make mutually held, family-owned and other private banks eligible for federal funds." The move "could serve as a peace offering to the politically powerful community-banking industry, which has been outspoken in its criticism of Treasury's execution of TARP. The decision to provide billions of dollars to some of the nation's largest banks has stoked fears among smaller rivals that the government is encouraging consolidation of the industry at their expense." According to the Washington Times, a "growing number of lawmakers and economists are criticizing the Bush administration for extending the massive Wall Street rescue plan far beyond what they had thought were its original limits." Critics "fear the expanded offer will lead to a free-for-all as rival industries fight for access to the bailout funds, while the federal government faces increasingly tough choices over which private companies to help and which to ignore."
GSE Takeover Had Little Impact The Washington Post reports that almost two months after the federal government seized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac "the measures have yet to achieve their intended effect." The GSEs "have spent billions in an attempt to push down loan rates and make it easier for people to borrow money to buy homes. But mortgage rates have gone up."
Crisis Reaches Credit Card Industry The New York Times reports in a front page story that after "years of flooding Americans with credit card offers and sky-high credit lines, lenders are sharply curtailing both, just as an eroding economy squeezes consumers." Lenders "wrote off an estimated $21 billion in bad credit card loans in the first half of 2008," and the industry "stands to lose at least another $55 billion over the next year and a half, analysts say."
Waxman Probes Banks' Compensation The Washington Post reports Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, "demanded that the nation's nine largest banks prove they are not using an emergency infusion of $125 billion in taxpayer funds to lavish their executives with wealthy bonuses."
Just days after the US launched a raid inside Syria, the New York Times reports Defense Secretary Robert Gates, during as address before the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said yesterday that the US "would hold 'fully accountable' any country or group that helped terrorists to acquire or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons." Meanwhile, at UN headquarters yesterday, the Washington Post reports Syria "protested" the US raid, "saying those killed were 'innocent civilians,' and announced it was closing an American school and cultural center in its capital." In Baghdad, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh also "joined Syria in condemning the US incursion." The AP calls the raid "a seminal moment -- casting rare light on the hidden, complex networks that recruit foreign fighters and then deliver them across Syria to the battlefields of Iraq."
IAEA Probes Syrian Nuclear Site. The AP reports from Vienna that "freshly evaluated soil and air samples from a Syrian site bombed by Israel on suspicion it was a covert nuclear reactor provide enough evidence to push ahead with a UN probe," according to the IAEA.
The Washington Post reports that Pakistani and Afghan officials "agreed to make contact with insurgent groups, including the Taliban, in a bid to end bloodshed and violence in their troubled border regions." The leaders "reached the decision" in Islamabad "at the end of a two-day jirgagai, or mini-tribal council." The Christian Science Monitor, meanwhile, reports Pakistan "is starting to cooperate more with the US and Afghanistan in fighting the insurgency in its tribal areas." Adds the Monitor, "The shift is born of a growing recognition in the Pakistani Army of the danger of the insurgency."
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Jay Leno: "And financial experts say the economic crisis" has cost the world "$2.8 trillion. ... You know, it's hard for people to visualize how much a trillion dollars" is, so let "me put that in terms you understand: $2.8 trillion" is "enough money to buy Sarah Palin clothes for a year."
Jay Leno: "I guess there seems to be trouble brewing between...Sarah Palin and John McCain." McCain "aides say that...Palin is 'going rogue' and not taking advice or notes from the McCain campaign. ... They say it's hard to keep her from going off script and making statements that hurt the campaign. In fact, it's gotten so bad, her Secret Service code name now? Joe Biden."
David Letterman: "Alaska Senator Ted Stevens" has "been convicted on seven counts of fraud" and "corruption," but "Republicans are relieved because at least" the story "didn't involve an airport men's room."
David Letterman: "Alaskan authorities were tipped off" to Steven's activities "by Russians who'd been watching with binoculars."
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