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Obama Camp Sails Lose Some Wind

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The Washington Post

Published: August 30, 2008

PITTSBURGH - Democratic running mates Barack Obama and Joseph Biden embarked on a Rust Belt bus tour Friday that aimed to capitalize on a convention that appeared to ease party tensions and ended with Obama's historic and widely acclaimed acceptance speech before a record national audience.

But some of the Democrats' momentum quickly disappeared Friday morning, when the campaign was caught off guard by the announcement of presumptive GOP nominee John McCain that he had selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The Obama campaign, like most political observers, had expected McCain to select a more traditional running mate, such as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney or Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

"I haven't met her before," Obama said at a biodiesel plant in Monaca, Pa. Nor had Biden, who will debate Palin in St. Louis on Oct. 8. Later Friday afternoon, Obama spoke to Palin by telephone and wished her luck - though not too much luck - in the race. Biden also called Palin, and the two shared tales of the lengthy and secretive processes that led to their selections, aides to Biden said.

Obama described Palin as "a compelling person ... with a terrific personal story. I'm sure that she will help make the case for Republicans." But, he added, hitting on a theme from his convention speech, "Ultimately, John McCain is at the top of the ticket. He wants to take the country in the wrong direction. I'm assuming Gov. Palin agrees with him and his policies."

The Democratic team will spend Labor Day weekend on a caravan through the critical swing states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, where the candidates will court working-class voters, whom Obama has struggled to attract.

Biden, a native of Scranton, Pa., with a lunch-pail pedigree, is expected to bolster Obama's credentials among this critical demographic, as well as with senior citizens.

Biden, who is more easygoing and conversational than Obama on the campaign trail, showed the levity he will bring to the ticket when the pair arrived at a Pittsburgh hotel to tape a "60 Minutes" interview Friday evening and were greeted by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. "Hey, coach, I'm Joe Biden. I'm second-string," the vice presidential candidate quipped.

Today, Obama and Biden will attend the funeral of Democratic Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who died suddenly Aug. 20.

The senators will make stops in Dublin and Toledo, Ohio, and in Battle Creek, Mich.

On Labor Day, Obama will march in a Detroit parade with AFL-CIO president John Sweeney, before speaking to an audience of union organizers who plan to mobilize for the Democrat.

Obama's acceptance speech at Denver's Invesco Field on Thursday night drew more than 38 million viewers, the most ever for a convention address.

McCain and Palin made a direct appeal to supporters of Hillary Clinton on Friday, hoping to tap into lingering discontent with Obama among female voters.

Mindful of this threat, Obama acknowledged Palin's ascent as the first woman named to a Republican presidential ticket, calling it "one more indicator of this country moving forward ... one more hit against that glass ceiling."

An initial campaign statement was less gracious. Obama spokesman Bill Burton noted Palin's staunch opposition to abortion and support for expanded oil drilling, and he ridiculed her resume.

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