memeorandum: Georgian Civilians Tell of Miserable Conditions as War Captives (Jonathan Finer/Washington Post)

12:20 PM ET, August 24, 2008

Top Items:

In Obama's Choice, a ‘Very Personal Decision’ — WASHINGTON — In the beginning, Senator Barack Obama was not entirely sold on Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. And Mr. Biden told friends that he was pessimistic of his chances of becoming Mr. Obama's Democratic running mate.

Discussion: The New Republic, Los Angeles Times, The Caucus, On Deadline and Truthdig

Washington Post:

Support for Each Candidate Holds Steady — Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are locked in a highly competitive race for the White House, with voters giving McCain a clear edge as a potential commander in chief but Obama a sizable advantage on economic issues …

Discussion: TalkLeft, Washington Monthly, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, Daily Kos, The Other McCain, Real Clear Politics, MSNBC and Prairie Weather

William Kristol / Weekly Standard Blog:

The Democrats' Glass Ceiling — So Hillary Clinton gets about 18 million votes in 2008, and isn't even considered for—she apparently isn't even given the courtesy of being consulted—the vice presidential pick. Joe Biden manages to persuade a few thousand (if that) Iowans to support him.

Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:

Today's new McCain ad quotes Clinton on Obama, asks why she's not on the ticket — Well, it didn't take long for the campaign of Sen. John McCain to bring his good friend Hillary Clinton into the confrontational mix. — Both senators are on the Armed Services Committee and …

Discussion: The Swamp and Wake up America

CBS News:

McCain: Biden A “Very Wise Selection” — Tells Katie Couric Obama's Running Mate “Very Formidable,” Is “A Good Friend And Good Man” — (CBS) In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric Saturday at his home in Sedona, Ariz., presumptive GOP nominee John McCain had kind words …

Discussion: Booman Tribune and TIME.com

McClatchy Washington Bureau:

One place Biden's likely to help Obama is Florida — Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as a running mate could give the ticket a boost in Florida — thanks to Biden's ties to South Florida, including support among a cadre of influential Democratic fundraisers.

Discussion: TalkLeft

Rasmussen Reports:

39% Say Biden the Right Choice, Women Less Enthusiastic — On the day that Barack Obama announced Joe Biden as his running mate, 39% of voters said he made the right choice. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 25% disagreed and another 35% are not sure.

Discussion: The Reaction, Hot Air, The Other McCain, Right Wing News, Think Progress, Don Surber and TalkLeft

Quinnipiac University:

McCain, Obama In Dead Heat In Colorado, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Dem Has Very Small Lead On Economy — Sen. Barack Obama enters the Democratic National Convention in a dead heat with Sen. John McCain for Colorado's crucial nine electoral votes, according to a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters released today.

Discussion: Las Vegas Review-Journal and TalkLeft

Jennifer Parker / Political Radar:

Obama Misspeaks, Calls Biden ‘The Next President’; Biden Calls Obama ‘Barack America’ — ABC News' Sara Just reports: Journalists who were awake until the wee hours waiting for confirmation that Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., was indeed Barack Obama's running mate, cannot be blamed if their hearing is a little fuzzy today.

Discussion: Outside The Beltway, www.redstate.com, Flopping Aces and JustOneMinute

Kate Phillips / The Caucus:
Clinton Featured in McCain's Latest Ad

Discussion: The Impolitic and GINA COBB

Washington Wire:
New McCain Ad Uses Clinton Attacks

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Buck Naked Politics, FiveThirtyEight.com and NO QUARTER

Michael D. Shear / Washington Post:
McCain Tries to Rile Up Clinton Voters Against Obama

Discussion: Newshoggers.com, Hot Air, American Power, PoliticalBase.com Blog, The Caucus and JammieWearingFool

CNN:
Some in Clinton circle ‘outraged’

Discussion: Outside The Beltway, The Moderate Voice and American Spectator

Nedra Pickler / Associated Press:
Biden got Obama call during root canal

Discussion: Agence France Presse and Yahoo! News

Mike Allen / The Politico:

Colin Powell in McCain mix — Retired Gen. Colin Powell is among the potential running mates who have been considered by John McCain, campaign advisers told Politico. — Powell was among the possible vice presidential choices the Arizona Republican senator was thinking of when he said he would not rule …

Discussion: JustOneMinute, The Moderate Voice, Flopping Aces, Brilliant at Breakfast and Hot Air

Tyler Cowen / New York Times:

Finding the Mess Behind the Mess — A BURSTING real estate bubble set off the Japanese recession of the 1990s, which deepened as ailing banks languished. It took Japan's economy more than a decade to resume steady, noticeable growth. — Will this happen to the United States?

Discussion: Angry Bear, EconLog, Marginal Revolution and The Glittering Eye

Maureen Dowd / New York Times:

Too Much of a Bad Thing — My mom did not approve of men who cheated on their wives. She called them “long-tailed rats.” — During the 2000 race, she listened to news reports about John McCain confessing to dalliances that caused his first marriage to fall apart after he came back from his stint as a P.O.W. in Vietnam.

Jonathan Finer / Washington Post:

Georgian Civilians Tell of Miserable Conditions as War Captives — Georgian civilians captured and recently freed by Russian and South Ossetian forces on Saturday described beatings, forced labor and miserable living conditions in prison. — Georgian officials said that 79 Georgian civilians …

Frank Rich / New York Times:

Last Call for Change We Can Believe In — AS the real campaign at last begins in Denver this week, this much is certain: It's time for Barack Obama to dispatch “Change We Can Believe In” to a dignified death. — This isn't because — OMG! — Obama's narrow three- to four-percentage-point lead …

Discussion: Cafe Hayek and Political Radar

Big Tent Democrat / TalkLeft: Some Comic Relief And A Real Problem

Amanda Scott / Barack Obama:

Obama and Biden in Springfield, IL: “With Joe Biden At My Side” — Barack and Joe Biden just finished the Springfield event. Over 35,000 people gathered for Barack's Vice President announcement speech. — Here is part of his speech... Watch the speech below... Read Barack's full remarks, as prepared for delivery...

Discussion: www.redstate.com and Crooks and Liars