FT MYERS, Fla — Joe Biden ribbed RNC speakers Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman at what was billed as an economic roundtable, and pushed the Obama campaign’s new line of attack against McCain campaign manager Rick Davis — who said yesterday that the election is “not about issues,” but rather “composite view of what people take away from these candidates.”

“Not about issues?” Biden exclaimed, incredulous. “These are middle class people, busting their neck, and they don’t have enough money to top off the tank, when they pull in. That to me is an issue. It’s an issue to me and to Barack Obama.”

“You have the best personality in the world, it ain’t going to help you pick up your health care costs,” he said. “You can have the greatest character in the world, if you’re not going to give me a fighting chance to keep my job, I love you but I don’t want you as my president.”

Biden, who often prefaces attacks on Republicans by calling them his good friends, hammed it up while ripping last night’s GOP convention speeches by his buddies Fred Thompson, and Joe Lieberman, and a man he’s yet to call his pal, George Bush.

“Last night, at the Republican convention in Minnesota George Bush said, and I quote, ‘the man we need is John McCain,’” he said. “John’s earned his endorsement, he’s voted with him 90% of the time. So, it look like we have another Minnesota Twins team up there.”

(more…)

PITTSBURGH, PA - As Hurricane Gustav barrels in on New Orleans, Sen. McCain and the RNC said today that they are closely monitoring the storm and open to suspending or canceling portions of the upcoming convention.

McCain told Fox News Sunday’s Chris Wallace in an interview set to air tomorrow that he is concerned about the storm, which is on a path to hit New Orleans late Monday or early Tuesday–one day into the convention.

“I’m afraid Chris that we may have to look at that situation and we’ll try to monitor it. I’ve been talking to governors Jindal, Barbour, Reilly, Crist, I’ve been talking to all of them, but you know 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. So we’re monitoring it from day to day and I’m saying a few prayers too,” McCain said during a pretaped interview in Pittsburgh today.

The presumptive GOP nominee has sought to distinguish himself from President Bush on the campaign trail and has been extremely critical of the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, which hit three years ago this week.

During a conference call with reporters today RNC Deputy Chairman Frank Donatelli said the GOP is “very, very aware of the situation” and will take “appropriate programmatic action to recognize that potential situation.”

Though Donatelli said postponing the RNC is not in the cards.

“I don’t think that is a possibility. To postpone a convention is much more difficult than you might think,” he said. “I am not sure that would be the preferred method. I do believe there are other methods to deal with that potential situation so that we recognize and show the gravity of the situation and still do our business.”

Vice President Dick Cheney avoided talking presidential politics during his American Legion speech today in Phoenix but he said he is excited to nominate McCain in St. Paul next week:

“Come January, President Bush and I will turn our duties over to others. I realize the annual convention of the American Legion is not a political event and I will not speak this morning about the presidential campaign. But in present company, there is one thing I have to say, I am proud and delighted that next week your fellow legionnaire, Senator John McCain of Arizona, will be nominated for President of the United States.”

BURBANK, CA — One day, four new ads. The Republican National Committee and the McCain campaign continued to try to divide Democrats and use previous Hillary Clinton comments and voters in their new spots, while the DNC and the Obama campaign continued to hit McCain on the economy and compare him to President Bush.

McCain’s latest spot:

From the RNC:

From the DNC:

From Camp Obama:

The McCain campaign is beginning to widely promote “Road To Convention Rallies” in Dayton, OH and Washington, PA set for next Friday and Saturday–a.k.a. the VP announcement tour.

The JohnMcCain.com homepage now features a lead graphic (above) with links directing supporters to the event details and ticketing information. Thus far, the listing for each event only promises appearances by the candidate and his wife but it is widely expected that Sen. McCain will be joined by his VP nominee starting with the Friday morning rally at the Nutter Center in Dayton.

Additionally, country musician John Rich, of Big and Rich, is listed as one of the special guests for the Saturday afternoon event at Consol Energy Park just outside Pittsburgh. Rich recently wrote and dedicated the song, “Raisin’ McCain,” to the presumptive GOP nominee.

The Republican National Convention is set to begin on Monday September 1 in St. Paul, MN though the eventual VP is set to speak that Wednesday with McCain headlining the convention the following night.

LAS CRUCES, NM — Only eight years ago he addressed the Democratic National Convention as part of the ticket going up against George W. Bush but in less than two weeks, Sen. Joe Lieberman, will be speaking on the same night as President Bush at the Republican National Convention. The Connecticut Senator will be part of the four night lineup according to an RNC release sent to reporters Wednesday.

(Note that they have already scheduled a number of his potential runningmates throughout the convention speaking schedule and the campgin could easily move that person to that Wednesday night keynote slot, so unfortunately there are no clues in the lineup.)

RNC RELEASE BELOW:

Monday, Sept. 1
Service
“Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countryman.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s commitment to his fellow Americans, a commitment forged in service to his country, is one of the defining hallmarks of his life. Monday’s events will highlight John McCain’s record of service and sacrifice and reflect his commitment to serving a cause greater than one’s own self-interest.
Speakers will include:

* U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
* Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
* Vice President Richard B. Cheney
* First Lady Laura Bush
* President George W. Bush

Tuesday, Sept. 2
Reform
“If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain’s life is a testament to the fundamental truth that every American can be a force for change. A restless reformer who has dedicated his career to taking on special interests and the status quo, John McCain will deliver the right kind of change and reform to meet the great challenges of our time. On Tuesday, the convention program will underscore his vision of a government that is transparent, principled and worthy of the American people it serves.
Speakers will include:

* Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
* Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
* Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
* Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
* Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
* Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
* Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
* Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
* Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)

Wednesday, Sept. 3
Prosperity
“America’s best days are still to come.”
–Sen. John McCain

The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity. Wednesday’s program will focus on John McCain’s plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others. The day will conclude with an address by the vice presidential nominee.
Speakers will include:

* U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
* Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
* Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
* Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
* Mrs. Cindy McCain
* Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
* Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee

Thursday, Sept. 4
Peace
“Our next president will have a mandate to build an enduring global peace on the foundations of freedom, security, opportunity, prosperity, and hope.”
–Sen. John McCain

John McCain understands the challenges that America faces in the world and the sacrifice necessary to defend our freedom in a way that few others can fathom. Thursday’s events will reflect his vision of an America in pursuit of peace and seen as a beacon of goodwill and hope throughout the world. The evening will close with John McCain accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States.
Speakers will include:

* Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
* Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
* U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
* U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
* John McCain

As Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama and 14 of their friends and family took off for Hawaii Friday morning, the RNC found a way to take a swipe at the candidate’s energy policy - even as he takes a break from the campaign trail.

“In addition to plenty of beaches and sun, Barack Obama will see some of the highest gas prices in the country when he vacations in Hawaii,” RNC spokesman Alex Conant wrote in an email to reporters. “Obama deserves a break from the campaign trail, just like Americans deserve a break from high gas prices. Obama’s opposition to offshore drilling will only make it harder for Americans to afford their own family vacations.”

According to the AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge, Hawaiians pay an average of $4.466 per gallon. Obama, of course, will travel around the island in a motorcade provided by the United States Secret Service.

When the Obama press corps arrived at the Elkhart, Indiana, Jameson Inn where the campaign is staying tonight, Obama staffers were on hand to distribute room keys - and a small white envelope from the RNC.

That’s right, the Republican National Committee.

Inside the envelope addressed to individual members of Obama’s regular traveling press, was a small tire gauge labeled “Obama’s Energy Plan” along the side, and a note that joyously read, “Happy Birthday, Barack Obama!”

The RNC along with the McCain campaign seized upon Obama’s advice to a voter last week to properly inflate her tires to increase fuel efficiency, and have managed to create a sideshow to mock Obama’s “judgment” and “experience” when it comes to energy policy.

Today Obama helped continue the story line when he accused the Republicans of being “ignorant” on the issue.  At his Ohio town hall this afternoon, Obama said, “They think it is funny that they are making fun of something that is actually true. They need to do their homework because this is serious business.”

The RNC doubled down on their humorous assault tonight with its “gift” to the press corps. “We hope you’ll enjoy this complimentary tool related to Barack Obama’s energy plan - your very own tire gauge. Because, instead of actually increasing America’s domestic oil supply, this is how Obama thinks you should try to alleviate your pain at the pump,” the note read.

The Obama camp is continuing to field offers from the McCain campaign to visit Iraq and flak from the right that he has only been to the country once. Today the RNC launched a new feature on its website - a clock counting the days since Obama traveled to Iraq. That number stands at 871.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton called McCain’s original proposal a “political stunt” in an email exchange with Talking Points Memo, the popular liberal blog. “We don’t need any more ‘Mission Accomplished’ banners or walks through Baghdad markets to know that Iraq’s leaders have not made the political progress that was the stated purpose of the surge,” Burton told the website.

Today McCain used Burton’s own words at an event in Reno, Nevada, to prove that Obama does not understand the realities on the ground and that war is no political stunt….To which Obama campaign responded with a stinging statement to reporters.

“On the day after the former White House press secretary conceded that the Bush administration used deception and propaganda to take us to war, it seems odd that Senator McCain, who bought the flawed rationale for war so readily, would be lecturing others on their depth of understanding about Iraq.  Senator Obama challenged the President’s rationale for the war from the start, warning that it would divert resources from Afghanistan and the pursuit of Al Qaeda and mire us in an endless civil war.  Senator McCain stubbornly insists on pursuing the failed Bush policy that continues to cost so much, while Senator Obama believes it’s time to begin a deliberate, careful strategy to remove our troops and compel the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own future,” said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

For the McCain campaign, the final April fundraising numbers provide some good news and some bad news.

While the presumptive GOP nominee raised a personal record total of $17.8 million and finished the month with more than $21.7 million in cash on hand according to his campaign’s Federal Election Commission filing, McCain’s money figures still pale in comparison to the numbers put up by likely rival Barack Obama.

Despite facing an ongoing primary fight and losing four of five contests (TX, OH, RI and PA) in April, Obama still raised $31.3 million and went into May with $37.3 million in the campaign war chest. Additionally, more than 50 percent of Obama’s cash came from small donors in increments of $25 or less, while April saw McCain attend nearly daily big money fundraisers around the country. Additionally, the McCain campaign is increasingly focusing it’s attention on big donors, setting up a Victory Fund in coordination with the RNC last month that enables supporters to give up to $70,000 through multiple channels.

However, McCain campaign advisers are pointing to the large haul last month by the Republican National Committee and it’s mammoth cash advantage over the Democratic National Committee. The RNC outraised the DNC by $11 million in April–$15.7 million vs. $4.7 million–and finished the month with a nearly $35 million cash advantage–$40.1 vs. $4.4 million.

When combined, McCain/RNC fundraising nearly matches the Obama/DNC total and the GOPers hold a $20 million+ advantage in cash on hand. While Obama, Clinton and the DNC set up a joint fundraising committee in the last week and the DNC has launched multiple ads and efforts attacking McCain, the continuing primary fight still formally prevents Obama and the DNC from completely coordinating fundraising, messaging and political efforts. McCain and the RNC have no such issue have been working in unison for nearly three months.

President Bush will hit the money trail with McCain in Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon for a major fundraiser–including a private reception for donors giving $25,000+. The President will then join Mitt Romney (without McCain) for two fundraisers in Utah the following day, including an evening event for donors giving or collecting a minimum of $30,800 at Romney’s Park City, UT home.