Opinion
It was the right speech ... the speech Dem had to give ... a mashup of speeches ...
Guardian (UK) Aug 29, 08 1:39 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The chattering class saw strength—even Rovian aggression—in Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, for better or worse. A sampling of what observers are saying: The Democratic nominee managed to be about voters, not himself, magnificently deflecting John McCain’s entire “celebrity” narrative, Michael Tomasky writes in the Guardian . This speech is exactly what Democrats have been calling for: a bare-knuckled attack on McCain, challenging the Republican "not to stoop to questioning his motives," Dan Balz writes in the Washington Post .
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Alaska governor 'honored,' aims appeal at women displeased with Democrats
Associated Press Aug 29, 08 12:59 PM CDT
(AP)
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John McCain described Sarah Palin, his choice for vice presidential running mate, as "exactly who I need. She's exactly who this country needs to help us fight the same old Washington politics of me first and country second." McCain and Palin appeared together in Ohio on their way to the Republican National Convention. "I am honored," she said after being selected.
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Party boasts strong voter registration, turnout in Mountain states
Politico Aug 29, 08 12:54 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The Mountain West has historically gone for the GOP, but thanks to aggressive grass-roots organizing, Democrats believe they have a shot at turning red states blue, Politico reports. More field offices, opened much earlier than the GOP's, have boosted registration in Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. “This presidential cycle is different,” says the head of New Mexico’s Democratic Party. “The ground game is completely different.”
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State probes claim that Mac pick had former in-law canned from job
TPM Muckraker Aug 29, 08 12:30 PM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain’s running mate comes to the national campaign embroiled in a scandal back home, Talking Points Memo reports. Alaska’s legislative council has appointed a special commission to investigate Gov. Sarah Palin, who’s accused of pressuring the state’s department of public safety to fire her former brother-in-law, state trooper Mike Wooten—who is battling Palin’s sister in a messy custody suit.
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ANALYSIS
Alaska gov. helps with women, conservatives, but lacks experience
Wall Street Journal Aug 29, 08 11:22 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Sarah Palin is an unconventional vice presidential pick for John McCain, the Wall Street Journal notes. Her selection seems like the latest ploy to lure Hillary Clinton supporters to the Republican ticket, while simultaneously appeasing McCain’s conservative base and burnishing his reformer credentials. But Palin also lacks experience, undermining one of McCain’s main criticisms of Democratic nominee Barack Obama.
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42-year-old first-termer is first woman to serve on top GOP ticket
MSNBC Aug 29, 08 10:04 AM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his VP choice, NBC reports; McCain is expected to make the announcement at a rally in Ohio at noon today. Palin is a socially conservative mother of five who is both the state’s first woman governor and, at 42, its youngest.
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Rumor says Alaska gov. Palin is the one
MSNBC Aug 29, 08 8:11 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been told he won’t be John McCain’s running mate, MSNBC reports. The governor told listeners to his radio show that “I'm not going to be” at the nominating rally planned for today in Ohio. “I plan to be at the state fair. You can draw your conclusion from that.” Meanwhile, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has moved to the top of the rumor list after a secretive charter plane landed near Dayton from her state. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, has no plans to be in Ohio, NBC notes.
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Part of plot to win votes for McCain, he claims
CNN Aug 29, 08 4:26 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Invoking the era of Cold War conspiracies, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the US of sparking conflict in Georgia to give John McCain a campaign boost. “They need a small victorious war,” the told CNN. He insisted the US encouraged Georgia to attack their two breakaway regions earlier this month, forcing Russia to intervene. The White House called the accusations “absurd."
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Storm could raise specter of Katrina, detract from McCain
Washington Post Aug 29, 08 1:53 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Republicans are considering delaying the start of next week's convention in Minneapolis if deadly Hurricane Gustav hits big, reports the Washington Post . The storm is on course to nail the Gulf Coast with full force early next week, and party officials don’t want America thinking about President Bush’s bungled Katrina response when McCain takes center stage. The White House may also yank Bush from the convention line-up. He's now scheduled for Monday's opening.
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Campaign takes a break from attack commercials to say 'job well done'
CNN Aug 28, 08 5:24 PM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain delivers an unusual message to Barack Obama tonight in a new campaign ad: "Congratulations." In the ad, which the Republican's camp had teased as "exciting" early in the day, McCain looks into the camera and says,"How perfect that your nomination would come on this historic day," referring to the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. "Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight, senator, job well done."
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'I have a different political standpoint,' estranged sib says
Us Magazine Aug 28, 08 4:42 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Cindy McCain’s estranged half-sister is not voting Republican, Us Magazine reports. “I’m voting for Obama,” says Kathleen Hensley Portalski, 65, adding she has “a different political standpoint. I’m not a big war believer.”
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