Palin pick may have canceled bounce
CNN Sep 1, 08 3:38 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The Democratic National Convention and Barack Obama’s acceptance speech failed to boost his ratings despite their favorable reception, reports CNN. Obama and John McCain were in a dead heat a week ago, and remain virtually tied, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey. McCain’s well-timed announcement of Sarah Palin as his running mate—which was also favorably received—may have canceled out Obama’s bounce, said a pollster.
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Associated Press Aug 31, 08 7:05 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Sarah Palin bragged yesterday about opposing a nearly $400 million pork barrel project that, it turns out, she initially supported, the AP reports. Palin did slam the so-called "bridge to nowhere" after becoming governor of Alaska 2 years ago. But on the campaign trail, she was all for the bridge linking an Alaskan town to an island with 50 residents and an airport.
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But GOP eyes Gustav as opportunity for Katrina redemption
CNN Aug 31, 08 4:07 PM CDT
(Newser)
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As Hurricane Gustav bore down on the Gulf Coast today, John McCain announced a drastically curtailed schedule for the opening day of the convention that will anoint him his party's presidential nominee, CNN reports. But as organizers stripped a grandiose event down to the bare minimum, Politico reports that Republicans are looking for a silver lining in Gustav's ominous clouds—Katrina redemption.
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Mac draws sharp contrast between his pick and Obama
Politico Aug 31, 08 2:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Calling Sarah Palin “a partner and a soul mate,” John McCain gave his first televised interview this morning since dropping the Alaskan bombshell on the nation as his pick for running mate. He highlighted her experience—a single visit to Kuwait and her role as commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard—before painting her as a maverick, who’s held her own party leaders to the flame, Politico reports.
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Republicans called Alaska gov. a 'maverick'
Politico Aug 31, 08 1:00 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Sarah Palin ruled the political morning shows today at the expense of Barack Obama's historic speech last week, Politico reports: John McCain rebuked criticisms that Palin was unqualified to be "a heartbeat away" from the presidency. “She’s been commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard," he said on Fox News Sunday . "She’s had judgment on these issues." On This Week and Meet the Press , Republicans Sen. Lindsey Graham and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty chimed in that Palin has been "in charge of the National Guard" and a "commander in chief."
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OPINION
Republicans get pumped for a 'babe' on the ticket: Dowd
New York Times Aug 31, 08 11:07 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Sarah Palin’s rise to the national stage makes for a great political chick-flick, Maureen Dowd observes in the New York Times . The plot: “the 2-year governor of an oversized igloo becomes commander in chief after the president-elect chokes on a pretzel on day one.” And experience, schmexperience —“The PTA is great preparation for dealing with the KGB,” Palin would say after an Alaskan face-off with Vladimir Putin.
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Bush unlikely to attend; McCain may speak from hurricane zone
Politico Aug 31, 08 9:02 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Hurricane Gustav will likely remove President Bush from the Republican National Convention and see John McCain delivering his acceptance speech from amid the rubble, if the “storm of the century” hits the Gulf Coast as hard as predicted. Convention officials have created a five-state working group to update and assist delegates from the hurricane zone, reports Politico, and McCain is scheduled to be in Jackson, Miss. today.
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Women divided over conservative female veep pick's stand on women's issues
New York Times Aug 31, 08 8:30 AM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate is drawing a mixed reaction from the female swing voters his campaign is desperate to woo, reports the New York Times . Some conservative women who have been lukewarm about a McCain presidency are energized by the pick, whereas many independents and Clinton fans take issue with the Alaska governor’s anti-abortion stance and other issues vital to women.
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'Maverick’ was always top pick: Mac camp
Washington Post Aug 31, 08 6:11 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was a strong contender to be John McCain's running mate all along, his campaign has revealed. Looking to diffuse speculation that Palin was a hasty, last-minute choice, aides told the Washington Pos t that she was high on McCain’s list since their first meeting in February. Advisers also divulged that Cindy McCain played a major role in the veepstakes.
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Hockey mom has seen her opponents crumble during short career
Anchorage Daily News Aug 30, 08 8:39 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Republican whistleblower Sarah Palin surged into politics as Alaska's Joan of Arc, daring to battle corporate interests over oil taxes and a natural gas pipeline. She won both fights and made powerful enemies—but the ethics at the heart of her straight-talking politics sparked a blaze of admiration among voters, the Anchorage Daily News reports.
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Mac says party won't celebrate if US is battling hurricane
Politico Aug 30, 08 7:08 PM CDT
(Newser)
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GOP leaders are monitoring Hurricane Gustav "from day to day" to decide whether to delay the Republican National Convention, John McCain said today. “It just wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near-tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster,” he said in a taped interview for tomorrow's Fox News Sunday .
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Obama advisers struggle to criticize milestone for women
New York Times Aug 30, 08 5:35 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Barack Obama and John McCain are tinkering with political strategy today to account for Sarah Palin's game-changing entrance into the campaign. Camp Obama, which had planned attack ads against likely veep candidates Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty, is struggling to criticize Palin, knowing she represents a political milestone for women. The camp's latest ad mentions her only in passing, the New York Times reports.