All Blog Posts from From The Road

From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

(ST. PAUL, MINN.) - John McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, told CBS News that McCain would go to the Gulf Coast region to help prepare for Hurricane Gustav tonight if he could.

“He is a sand bag guy,” Davis said. But given the entourage of Secret Service and press that currently travel with the candidate, Davis said that he would just “get in the way.”

“It is not like the old days where he can fly down there and pitch in.”

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

(ST. PAUL, MINN) - As all eyes turn to coverage of Hurricane Gustav, Republicans are scrambling as try to adjust their convention from a "festive occasion" to a tamped-down affair.

Meantine, television networks are redirecting resources; convention speakers and delegates are cancelling appearances.

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

ST. PAUL, MINN. - At an undisclosed location outside of St. Paul, the press received a briefing on the security measures and communications center prepared to handle all range of security problems that might arise during next week's Republican National Convention.

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From CBS News’ Allison O’Keefe:

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) As reporters start to arrive in this twin city, Republicans have the handouts ready and waiting. Today it was a color copy of the New York Post’s front page. “O My God: Dems erect Obama temple” reads the cover over a picture of the stage at Invesco Field.

Today the finishing touches were put on the Republican National Convention stage and the plain, brown podium, which resembles one a college professor might used, was unveiled. Convention President and CEO, Maria Cino told reporters that the stage will be a sharp contrast to the Democratic convention in Denver. “I think what you see is a very simplistic stage. A stage that is much lower than it has been in the past. A stage that John McCain has used throughout his campaign where he is talking directly to his audience not standing above his audience.”

Behind the podium is an enormous screen that stands 30 feet high and 50 feet wide, which will show biography videos and other forms of media. According to Cino, it is the first HD screen to be used at a convention.

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

(CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA) - Barack Obama's campaign unveiled a website today in response to John McCain’s latest TV ad, which calls Obama a "celebrity" - complete with pictures of Britney Spears an Paris Hilton - and suggests he's not ready to be president.

On a conference call today to announce the site, lowroadexpress.com, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said the ad is an example of “frivolous and demeaning style of dialogue in this campaign.” The website is aimed at housing Obama campaign posts showcasing news commentary and other examples of McCain purportedly taking the “low road.”

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Barack Obama continues to try to make John McCain's recent TV ad backfire on the Republican. At a town hall meeting in Iowa today, Obama reiterated his assertion that since Republicans have no new ideas, they continue to make the election about him. "All of those negative ads that he's running won't do a thing to lower your gas prices," Obama told a crowd of about a thousand.

Sen. McCain's new ad "Celeb," which showcases Obama's celebrity status, is getting a lot of attention, especially from Obama himself. "All we have been hearing about is Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I do have to ask my opponent, is that the best you can come up with? Is that really what this election is about?" The comment received a welcome reception. At one point, when Obama was referring to his opponent, someone in the audience shouted, "Hater!"

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Barack Obama is trying to make John McCain's recent TV ad backfire on the Republican.

At a town hall meeting in Iowa today, Obama reiterated his assertion that since Republicans have no new ideas, they continue to make the election about him. "All of those negative ads that he's running won't do a thing to lower your gas prices," Obama told a crowd of about a thousand.

Sen. McCain's new ad "Celeb," which showcases Obama's celebrity status, is getting a lot of attention, especially from Obama himself. "All we have been hearing about is Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I do have to ask my opponent, is that the best you can come up with? Is that really what this election is about?" The comment received a welcome reception. At one point, when Obama was referring to his opponent, someone in the audience shouted, "Hater!"

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe

(ROLLA, MO) – During two town hall meetings in Missouri today, Barack Obama accused John McCain of scaring the American public.

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe

(SPRINGFIELD, MO.) - Forget negative ads and attacks on the stump, Barack Obama went back in time and challenged John McCain to an old fashioned duel.

“I was just reading that Wild Bill Hickok. He had the first duel in the town square here in Springfield,” Obama told the crowd of around 1,000. Referencing his extended family tree, Obama said that legend has it that he is related to Hickok.

“So we’re going to research that cause I’m ready to duel John McCain on taxes. Right now, right here. I am a quick draw.”

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From CBS News' Allison O'Keefe:

(SPRINGFIELD, MO.) - Barack Obama holds a town hall meeting in the battleground state of Missouri today, where he'll focus on domestic policy as he continues to move past his overseas trip that ended last week. Obama is expected to discuss green jobs, energy, and how to restore confidence in the U.S. economy, according to his campaign.

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