44 - Politics and Policy in Obama's Washington - September 21, 2008

Debate Over, Obama Takes Off the Gloves

The two presidential campaigns launched a war of ads and press releases as each side claimed victory in last night's debate.

By Web Politics Editor | September 27, 2008; 3:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (51)
Categories: Barack Obama
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McCain Skips Vote on Spending Bill

After returning to Washington early this morning, McCain missed a pair of votes on a massive spending bill.

By Web Politics Editor | September 27, 2008; 3:54 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (48)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain
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Complete Footage: The First Presidential Debate

McCain and Obama debate on the economy and foreign policy in Oxford, Miss.

By Web Politics Editor | September 27, 2008; 9:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: Barack Obama, In Case You Missed It, John McCain, The Debates
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Debate Live Fact Check Starts at 9 p.m.

Fact checking the first presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)
Categories: Today at The Post
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The Blow-by-Blow on Bailout Deal-Making

Financial Desk's coverage of the economy.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 3:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Today at The Post
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Leaders Who Met With Palin Praise Biden

They sought to show they weren't taking sides in the American election contest, going out of their way to tell reporters how much they think of Sen. Joseph Biden.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 2:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (49)
Categories: Joe Biden, Sarah Palin
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Conservative Columnist Turns on Palin

Kathleen Parker, after a scalding critique of Palin's readiness for high office, begs the Alaska governor to step down from the Republican ticket.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 1:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (153)
Categories: Cast of Characters, Sarah Palin
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Obama Heads to Mississippi

Obama said that he was "optimistic" about a bailout deal, but that he would get out of the way of negotiators and head down for the now-confirmed debate.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 12:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Barack Obama, The Debates
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Questions Linger Over McCain's Role in Stalled Bailout Talks

The objective evidence is that things got worse, not better, in Washington after McCain arrived.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 11:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (282)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take, Economy, John McCain, Sarah Palin, The Debates
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McCain Says Yes to Debate in Miss.

McCain announced in a statement that he is resuming his campaign and will travel to Oxford, Miss., this afternoon to face Obama in a debate.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 11:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (327)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain, Primary Source, The Debates
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McCain Spends 90 Minutes on the Hill

McCain shuttled among the offices of Republicans, seeking a deal on an economic rescue plan that would let him depart Washington for tonight's debate with Obama.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 11:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain
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Will McCain Join Obama for Debate?

The fate of tonight's presidential debate in Oxford remains up in the air this morning, with no word from the campaign of Sen. John McCain about whether he intends to be there.

By Web Politics Editor | September 26, 2008; 8:45 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (93)
Categories: John McCain, The Debates
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Presidential Debate Planners Move Forward

Ignoring the proposal from Sen. John McCain that Friday's scheduled presidential debate be postponed, the independent Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday that it is "moving forward with its plan for the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi."

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 4:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (100)
Categories: The Debates
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Obama Answers Critical Question -- About Music

Obama prefers the Rolling Stones over the Beatles.

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 4:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: Barack Obama
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Comment Registration Returns

They're back.

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 4:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: About The Trail
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McCain Stops at Senate en Route to White House

Sen. John McCain returned to Washington on Thursday after declaring that he has suspended his campaign, but he appeared largely detached from the flurry of negotiations on a $700 billion economic rescue package that appeared to be headed to a successful conclusion.

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 3:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (335)
Categories: Barack Obama, John McCain
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Palin Cites 'Victory' in Iraq in Couric Interview

Sarah Palin, describing the need for more troops in Afghanistan, said the United States has achieved "victory" in Iraq.

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (47)
Categories: B_Blog, Media Notes, Sarah Palin
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Jewish Democrats Asked to 'Schlep' Home for Obama

Sarah Silverman makes a funny.

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 2:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Barack Obama, Channel 08
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Financial Crisis Offers a Study in Leadership Styles

Over the course of the past week, it's become clear that there is a significant difference between McCain and Obama in their leadership styles.

By Web Politics Editor | September 25, 2008; 11:19 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (308)
Categories: Barack Obama, Dan Balz's Take, John McCain
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McCain Speaks at Clinton Initiative

The morning after declaring he would suspend his presidential campaigning and return to Washington, McCain made one last campaign stop in N.Y.

By Washington Post Editor | September 25, 2008; 9:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (197)
Categories: John McCain
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After McCain Cancels, Letterman Sharpens His Wit

McCain may have bruised the feelings of late-night comedian David Letterman, who ribbed him on his show.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 9:07 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (290)
Categories: John McCain
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Obama and McCain Issue Joint Statement on the Economy

As agreed upon and promised earlier in the day, rival Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and...

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 8:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (120)
Categories: Barack Obama, Economy, John McCain, Primary Source
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President Bush Calls Obama and McCain

White House spokesman says Bush called Obama and McCain to attend a meeting in Washington on the bailout.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 8:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (304)
Categories: Barack Obama, Economy, John McCain, White House
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Polls Show Obama Edge on Economy

McCain trails Obama on economic questions across a range of polls.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 7:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (61)
Categories: Barack Obama, John McCain, The Pollster
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First Lady: Palin Lacks Foreign Policy Experience

First lady Laura Bush said today that while Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin does not have any significant foreign policy background, the GOP vice presidential candidate is "a very quick study" and can rely on Sen. John McCain.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 6:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (90)
Categories: Sarah Palin
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Virginians Complain of Obama Lawn Sign Shortage

Obama has apparently overlooked one important element of a successful campaign in Virginia: stocking up on those venerable lawn signs.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 6:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Barack Obama, Battlegrounds
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Obama: Debate Should Go On

Speaking to reporters at a hastily called news conference here, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said he would press for the Friday debate to go forward.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 6:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (548)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, The Debates
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McCain's Aides Give the Tick Tock

Schmidt and Salter detail how McCain decided to make his campaign suspension announcement.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 5:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (389)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain, The Debates
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Palin Calls for Action on Financial Crisis

Palin suggested the country could face another depression if Congress did not enact a bailout plan in the near future.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 3:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (103)
Categories: B_Blog, Sarah Palin
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McCain Calls for Debate Delay to Focus on Financial Crisis

McCain said he would suspend his presidential campaign tomorrow to return to Washington and help reach agreement on a plan to solve the financial crisis on Wall Street.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 2:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2165)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Economy, John McCain
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Obama Needles McCain Over Wall Street Ties

Obama took a break to swipe at Sen. John McCain over his cozy ties to corporate executives.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 2:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)
Categories: Barack Obama, Economy, John McCain
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McCain's Barbarians at the Gate

For a presidential candidate running against Wall Street greed, Sen. John McCain's selection of titans of finance to discuss the ailing economy with this morning did little to underline his message.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 1:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (34)
Categories: Economy, John McCain
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McCain Denies Reid's Claim He Backs Bailout

Sen. John McCain said this morning that he has not assured Democratic leaders of his support for the financial bailout package, disputing comments by Majority Leader Harry Reid that he had.

By Web Politics Editor | September 24, 2008; 11:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (105)
Categories: Economy, John McCain
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Post Poll Shows Challenge for McCain

The latest Washington Post-ABC News poll shows how the crisis in the financial sector may be reshaping the presidential race.

By Washington Post Editor | September 24, 2008; 7:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (469)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain, Sarah Palin, The Debates
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Candidate Reaction: Iranian President Ahmadinejad's Remarks

Sen. Barack Obama condemned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's remarks to the United Nations today in a statement released by the campaign.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 8:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)
Categories: Barack Obama, Primary Source
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NRA Targets Obama-Biden in Ongoing Ad Buy

The National Rifle Association is likely to spend "in the eight figure range" on radio and television advertisements in the next 42 days as part of its efforts to deter undecided voters from voting for Barack Obama.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 7:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (40)
Categories: Channel 08
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McCain: Fiorina a 'Role Model'

McCain praises Carly Fiorina and brushes aside suggestions that she ought to give back her golden parachute.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 7:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (51)
Categories: John McCain
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Meetings with Foreign Leaders? Biden's Been There, Done That

As of September 23, Biden's office says, he has met with the leaders of nearly 60 countries, territories and international organizations (such as the United Nations and NATO).

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 7:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (388)
Categories: Joe Biden
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Mocking the Bailout as an E-Mail Spam Scam

A satirical e-mail is circulating through the inboxes of official Washington mocking Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's proposed financial sector bailout.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 5:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: Making the Rounds
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McCain Lays Out Bailout Principles

McCain said today that "inaction is simply not an option" as Congress considers a bailout plan for Wall Street, but more accountability and transparency is needed.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 5:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (57)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain
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Obama Outlines Principles for Bailout

Obama outlined four principles he said a bailout package must address, saying it would be "wholly unreasonable" for taxpayers to accept the White House's call for legislation with no strings attached.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 4:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (74)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama
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Tepid Public Approval for Fed Action

Federal officials attempting to deal with the crisis on Wall Street are facing not only Capitol Hill questioners but also a skeptical public.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 3:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: The Pollster
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Seeking to Lower Debate Expectations, McCain Praises Obama's 'Eloquence'

Republican presidential nominee John McCain began playing down expectations for Friday night's first debate.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 3:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (223)
Categories: B_Blog, John McCain, The Debates
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Palm Beach Ballots Down for the Count

By Mary Pat Flaherty They're counting again in Palm Beach County. And by later Tuesday,...

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 3:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)

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Lessons From Indiana and Minnesota

In the past four presidential elections, Minnesota has been one of the top 20 Democratic-performing states in the country. During that same period, Indiana has been in the top 15 Republican states. So why are they in play today?

By Lexie Verdon | September 23, 2008; 1:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (138)
Categories: Dan Balz's Take
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Virginia Likes Palin, but Not What She Stands For

The Republican vice presidential candidate is personally popular in Virginia, but Virginians have strong disagreements with Palin on key policy questions.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 1:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)
Categories: B_Blog, Battlegrounds, Sarah Palin
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Obama Talks About the 'Economia' in New Spanish Ads

Barack Obama today started airing new Spanish-language television and radio ads in Colorado, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 12:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (34)
Categories: B_Blog, Barack Obama, Battlegrounds, Channel 08
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Press Policy Shifts as Palin Greets World Leaders

McCain's campaign decided today it would not let a representative of the print media observe GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin greet foreign leaders -- then changed its mind.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 12:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (523)
Categories: Sarah Palin
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Obama Ad Mocks McCain Bermuda Trip -- and Donors

This Barack Obama ad uses Caribbean music and a Bermuda newspaper to paint John McCain as a supporter of companies that benefit from offshore tax havens. But it reaches beyond the available facts.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 11:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)
Categories: Ad Watch, Barack Obama
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Mum's Not the Word, Despite McCain Claim

McCain ad saying Obama has not responded to Wall Street crisis is inaccurate and misleading in some respects.

By Web Politics Editor | September 23, 2008; 11:16 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (156)
Categories: Ad Watch, John McCain
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Biden Walks Back Comment on 'Terrible' Obama Ad

By Perry Bacon Jr. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden issued a statement late Tuesday...

By Web Politics Editor | September 22, 2008; 10:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (246)
Categories: Joe Biden
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The Media Blackout: Nearly 40 Days and Counting

Democrats are keeping track of how long it's been since the Republican presidential ticket has answered questions from the media.

By Post Editor | September 22, 2008; 10:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (144)
Categories: John McCain, Sarah Palin
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Bill Clinton to Campaign for Obama Next Week

Former president Bill Clinton will hold events in Florida, Nevada and Ohio, as well as host fundraisers in New York, California and Ohio.

By Web Politics Editor | September 22, 2008; 7:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (62)
Categories: Cast of Characters
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McCain and Palin Get Their Gear on in Pa.

With Sarah Palin in a red leather jacket and American Chopper dude Paul Teutul on stage, the McCain campaign took on a born-to-be-wild vibe a rally at the courthouse square here.

By Web Politics Editor | September 22, 2008; 7:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (89)
Categories: John McCain, Sarah Palin
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McCain, Aides to Join Palin at Meetings with World Leaders

Seeking to bolster her foreign policy credentials, GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will embark Tuesday on a dizzying series of meetings with heads of state who have traveled to New York for the opening ceremony of the United Nation's General Assembly.

By Web Politics Editor | September 22, 2008; 6:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (269)
Categories: John McCain, Sarah Palin
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Network News

44: September 21, 2008 - September 27, 2008