From The Hotline for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008

MCCAIN

Lend Me Your Earmarks!

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008


John McCain raised "at least" $4M at a Chicago fundraiser last p.m., and he continued to try "to build upon excitement within the GOP ranks" over his new running mate, Sarah Palin.

"Speaking to several hundred people," McCain chided Barack Obama for doing little to seek change within his party or in reforming pork-barrel spending. McCain: "The America people want change in Washington and they want the right kind of change. They are glad that someone like Gov. Sarah Palin has taken on her party and the special interests in Alaska. I have stood up against my party when I had to. And Sen. Obama has never once stood up to his party. You know that very well in the state of Illinois."

McCain contended that Obama has asked for $932M in "pork barrel projects" during his first term in the Senate. McCain, on Obama: "That averages out to about $1 million a day that he's been in the United States Senate. ... So, who's going to be the team of change, Obama and Biden or McCain and Palin? I think we know the difference."

McCain also touted Palin's opposition to AK's Bridge to Nowhere, "though he did not mention the controversy surrounding her initial support for the project" while she was a GOV candidate. McCain, on Palin's opposition: "That's guts. That's guts" (Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 9/9).

The S@#t Hits The Fannie

McCain and Palin write in today's Wall Street Journal, "fixing Fannie and Freddie, and reforming our mortgage and financial markets, is critical to getting the housing market and the entire economy moving again."

"A great deal of the savings and wealth of American families is wrapped up in the value of their homes. A house has traditionally been the wealth-building course to retirement. The housing industry employs millions of Americans. One of us, John McCain, said over two years ago, 'If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose.'"

"Fannie and Freddie's lobbyists succeeded and Congress failed. Under our administration this will not happen again."

"In the first 100 days" of a McCain/Palin admin., "we will look at every agency and department and expenditure of the federal government and ask this simple question: Is it serving the needs of the taxpayer? If it is not, we will reform it or shut it down, and we will spend money only on what is truly in the interest of the American people" (9/9).

Beauty And The Beast

"In the past week," McCain and Palin have transformed the GOP campaign narrative "into what amounts to a running biography of this new political odd couple."

"In the duo's new stump speech" and their first post-convo ad, "the impression campaign strategists hope to leave is unmistakable" -- McCain "is the war hero. Palin is the Every%C2%ADmom. And together, they will rattle" DC.

"Considering the big challenges the country faces," the "focus on personal narratives might strike some as jarringly superficial for the times." There is also the "danger" that "even the most compelling" life story "can fade, begging the question: Where's the beef? For McCain, "the answer comes largely in policy positions that mirror those of an unpopular" POTUS, "and for Palin, her brief time as a public figure prompts many more questions than answers."

But the McCain camp "is betting its best chance to win is by aiming for the gut, not the heads, of voters" (Martin/VandeHei, Politico, 9/9).

Meanwhile, the Palin effect on McCain's camp continued to be the talk of the town:

• McCain's choice of Palin as running mate "hasn't just fired up" core GOP voters, "it's also energized" McCain "as he starts the final sprint" toward the general election. Ex-NH GOP chair/McCain adviser Steve Duprey: "There was a personal chemistry right off the bat" (Chen, Bloomberg, 9/9).

• If McCain "threw a political Hail Mary pass by picking" Palin as his running mate, "this much is clear: She caught it and ran." Ten days after McCain tapped Palin, "the buzz generated by the GOP ticket shows no sign of abating, even as Palin has yet to answer questions from the press or the public" (Helman, Boston Globe, 9/9).

• Palin "has already been good for McCain's fundraising efforts." Of the $47M he raised in Aug., $10M came in the three days after he announced her selection (Kugler, AP, 9/8).

• GOP strategist Doug Heye, on Palin: "Certainly McCain has gotten a bounce. ... The choice of Palin knocked the political wind out of the Obama campaign. They were absolutely caught off guard. They're staggering right now" (Youngman, The Hill, 9/8).

• GOP pollster David Winston writes in Roll Call, McCain's choice of Palin "excited the base in a way that no other choice would have done while, at the same time, connecting with a number of key voter groups: married women with children, independents and blue-collar" Dems. And although Palin "has hurdles to leap," the McCain camp "has a big and well-deserved win under its belt" (9/9).

• Des Moines Register's Yepsen notes, Dems "ought to worry. McCain has the Mo." And the upcoming VP debate "favors" McCain/Palin. Why? What if Palin "sticks to her talking points, and Biden, being Biden, talks too much?" Or, "he comes off as condescending or too aggressive. It's tough for a male politician to debate a female politician without coming off as a heavy. This will offend women voters (which McCain needs), and the GOP side will net the win" (9/9).

• Scripps Howard's Deroy Murdock writes, "imperfections aside, these nominees offer a dramatic departure from the apostasy that has embarrassed the GOP, betrayed its base and surrendered control of Congress, proving that bad policy equals bad politics." Together, McCain and Palin "will aim an urgently needed fire hose into the clogged gutter that is" today's GOP (New Hampshire Union Leader, 9/8).

(For more on Palin, see today's PALIN story).

The Most Exciting Thing To Happen Since The Horse-Drawn Carriage

After appearing in Lebanon, OH, this a.m., McCain and Palin "will spend most" of the rest of the day in Lancaster Co., PA, "culminating with a rally at Franklin & Marshall College this afternoon." Local GOPers "ran out of tickets" 9/8 afternoon for the rally, "and many people were turned away disappointed." More than 6,500 people are expected to attend (Pidgeon, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 9/9).

So, Is It Fun Being Treated Like A Leper?

FNC's Kilmeade caught up with Pres. Bush 9/7 at the WH. Bush discussed his thoughts on the WH '08 race, including McCain trying to separate himself from the Bush admin.

Kilmeade: "Is it strange to get hits from both sides? We hear John McCain, some of his ads are anti-White House, and we expect it from Senator Barack Obama."

Bush: "John's running as an independent, and he should. I said when I ran for office, I ran for change. Except in 2004, I felt like we ought not to change. I'm not surprised. He's running a good campaign, and he's the most capable person to be president" ("Fox & Friends First," FNC, 9/9).

For more from the interview, see today's PALIN and BUSH stories.

On The Rove Again

"Eight years after helping" Bush defeat McCain in a "bitter" SC primary, Karl Rove "appears to be playing a significant role" in helping McCain's WH bid.

Rove "has downplayed his contact" with the camp, but he met with CO GOP delegates last week. Rove told reporters after the meeting that "he has friends in the McCain organization who occasionally seek his advice." The McCain camp, meanwhile, "denies that Rove has any kind of a prominent position." McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds, asked if he has a major role: "He doesn't. He's a Fox analyst" (Kucinich/Cusack, The Hill, 9/8).

Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies

PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D) called on the McCain camp 9/8 to suspend all ads he says are mischaracterizing Obama by indicating he plans to raise taxes on all Americans.

Rendell, on McCain's camp: "What is going on is a deliberate campaign: I call it 'The Big Lie.' ... Speaker after speaker after speaker created the impression in the American people's minds that Barack Obama was going to raise their taxes. Television ad after television ad, you can't hear a television ad without hearing Barack Obama's going to raise taxes" (Pidgeon, Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 9/9).

Meanwhile, Washington Post's Mallaby writes, McCain's swipe at Obama's tax plan "was something other than straight talk. As a share of the economy, Obama's plan would create an overall tax burden similar to the one that existed in Ronald Reagan's time. It would not choke off job creation; rather, it would slow the growth of the deficit and soften inequality. But the really depressing thing is that McCain himself once knew that" (9/8).

School Ties

McCain and Palin are holding a rally at Fairfax High School on 9/10 a.m. "in violation of a school system policy." According to the Fairfax Co. policy, "school buildings and grounds may not be used for campaign activities during school hours."

Superintendent Jack Dale "said he made an exception to the policy because he thought it would be a good learning experience for students." Dale: "We are not participating in a political rally. ... We are letting our kids have new educational opportunities."

McCain officials, meanwhile, "said they negotiated openly" with school and Fairfax City officials, and the local leaders suggested the high school. Fairfax City "owns the high school building but contracts with the county to operate it" (Craig/Chandler, Washington Post, 9/9).

You, Me, New Hampshire, And Duprey

McCain will make an appearance at the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon on 9/14. "It will be his fourth visit since winning" the NH primary in Jan. (AP, 9/9).

Meanwhile, ex-NH GOP chair/McCain adviser Steve Duprey writes in the New Hampshire Union Leader, "if you compare the efforts" that McCain made for NH with those of Obama, "the contrast could not be clearer. Rather than standing firm to protect" NH's first-in-the-nation primary, Obama "punted and simply said he would speak to" DNC Chair Howard Dean about the issue.

The actions of the two candidates "on this issue of such importance" provides "an insightful window into" their "leadership styles and abilities and the degree to which they back up their words and promises with actions" (9/9).

Or Me, Myself, And I

Washington Post's Robinson writes, "it's hard not to be stirred when" McCain "speaks of wanting only to serve a cause greater than himself -- until you take a closer look and see that he's running one of the most egocentric" WH campaigns "in memory." McCain "is campaigning on a platform that can be summed up in three words: me, me, me" (9/9).

Help Me If You Can, I'm Feeling Down

McCain "is officially on public assistance."

The FEC announced 9/8 that it approved a payment from the federal treasury of $84.1M to the McCain/Palin camp. "Under federal law, the campaign cannot spend more than that sum and cannot take any donations from the public" (New York Sun, 9/9).

Mom! The Meatloaf!

Speaking to "about 90" Westmoreland Co., PA, GOPers on 9/8, Sam Brownback touted the GOP's pro-life platform at a PA Catholics for McCain forum at Seton Hill Univ.

Brownback: "The Democrats aren't the only ones who can make history this year. We Republicans could put a mom in the White House for the first time this year" (Peirce, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 9/9).

Chair Supply

According to Senate Dem leadership aides, McCain surrogate/Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) "will be ousted" as chair of the Homeland Security Cmte "as payback" for his speech at the GOP convo -- but only if Dems "add four or five more seats to their slim" majority.

"It's not yet clear whether" Lieberman's Senate colleagues "are peeved enough to boot" him from the Dem Caucus entirely.

Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid "had no intention" of disciplining Lieberman for merely backing McCain, a Dem close to Reid said. But Reid reportedly "became incensed" by Lieberman's attack on Obama's fitness to serve as commander in chief. Reid's office had no comment on 9/8, but spokesperson Jim Manley said 9/4: "The Democratic Caucus will likely revisit Lieberman's situation after the November elections."

Meanwhile, Lieberman returned to Capitol Hill for the first time since the GOP convo 9/8 "and was greeted by the resignation" of his legis. dir., Joe Goffman (Thrush, Politico, 9/9).

Don't Call Me Daughter

Meghan McCain was on "Today" this a.m. to talk about her new book, "My Dad, John McCain."

M. McCain, on the cover of the book: "It's a real picture of me when I was a child. Barry Goldwater is actually in the original in the corner. ... They took him out of the cover, but I've just always loved it because it is me and my dad at a political setting. He's holding me and I just love it."

M. McCain, on why she wanted to write this book: "I thought there is a lot of younger generations that don't necessarily know my father's whole story. ... And I think that no matter what political background you are, it's an American story. ... It's about heroism, serving your country, American pride, and I thought it would be cool to try to put it in a way that children could understand it."

M. McCain, asked why she included stories about her father not being a good student: "One of my favorite things about my dad is that he wasn't running for president since high school, you know, he was not a good student, you know, notoriously rebellious, drove fast cars, dated a stripper. I think it's hilarious."

NBC's Vieira: "When you are not writing books or blogging, you are also on the campaign trail with your dad and mom and have been doing that for a year. What made you decide to come out from the shadows and be in the spotlight for your dad?"

M. McCain: "You know, I think when I graduated college, I was really inspired by my little brother deploying to Iraq. ... I was just really inspired by actually having a family member overseas, and I just really wanted to get involved. Last summer -- I'm sure as you remember -- it was 'McCain's over. His campaign is dead.' ... I knew it wasn't over because I've seen how my father can change a town hall. I've seen how people can come in not agreeing with him on any level and leave being a supporter."

Vieira: "When your dad picked Governor Palin, there was a lot of conversation about her family and privacy issues. Eight years ago, you were 14. ... And you had an experience with the media that you say ... changed the way probably you live your life or certainly changed your life. Can you talk to us about that?"

M. McCain: "When I was 14 or 15, a reporter asked my father if I had been pregnant at 14 ... how would he feel about me having an abortion, and my father said it would be my own decision. Obviously, that created controversy. ... I still think it's inappropriate. ... Everything that's gone on with Bristol Palin, I just think privacy is privacy when it comes to the family. In this setting, I have chosen to put myself out there. I write a blog, I am actively campaigning, so I'm fair game, but a child, 14, 15, 17, that's not campaigning I don't feel is fair game. And I know from experience."

M. McCain, asked if the Palin kids have asked her for advice: "Yeah, you know, I feel very protective of them. I feel like a godmother. ... I just really want this to be a positive experience for them."

M. McCain, asked how she feels when she hears Obama say her father doesn't get it: "I disagree but I'm biased. I'm his daughter. We share DNA. Obviously, I think my father gets it more than anyone. ... I have two brothers serving in the military. ... My father's obviously a famous war hero. No one knows what war's like other than my family. Period."

M. McCain, asked if she has the political bug: "Never. Never. That's a promise to the American public, never" (NBC, 9/9).

M. McCain also appeared on "The View" this a.m. M. McCain, asked if she has seen her father's temper: "No, but I'm his baby."

M. McCain, asked if she's bothered by the jokes about her father's age: "No, I used to intern at 'Saturday Night Live.' I have a great appreciation for humor. ... He is old" (ABC, 9/9).

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