A final campaign swing for John McCain on 'Saturday Night Live'

We know the Republicans are short on cash in these last few days of the presidential campaign -– but have they really been reduced to raising funds by hawking campaign-related tchotchkes on the QVC home shopping channel?

With only three days until Election Day, that was the premise of the opening sketch on “Saturday Night Live," featuring GOP standard-bearer John McCain and Tina Fey in what she no doubt hopes will be one of her last portrayals of McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. (Click on the Read more link below to see the full transcript.)

“This past Wednesday, Barack Obama purchased air time on three major networks,” McCain starts off, referring to the Democrat's lavishly produced half-hour infomercial. “We, however, can only afford QVC.”

“These campaigns sure are expensive,” Fey says, running her fingers slowly over the fine fabric of her black suit -- a slick reminder of the $150,000 in clothing the Republican National Committee purchased for Palin and her family.

Among the wares the candidates are shilling:

• 10 commemorative plates, one for each of the 10 town hall debates between McCain and Obama: "They're blank," McCain says. "He wouldn't agree to those debates. Too bad. They're still nice plates."
• A limited-edition set of “Joe" action figures -– Joe the Plumber, Joe Six-Pack and Joe Biden: “If you pull this cord, he talks for 45 minutes!” says Fey.
• “McCain Fine Gold” jewelry, presented by a smiling Cindy McCain channeling Vanna White: It's the perfect purchase for "someone who likes fine jewelry and also respects a politician who can reach across the aisle," the Arizona senator says. “It commemorates the McCain-Feingold Act, and also looks good with evening wear. Thank you, Cindy!”

"Look, would I rather be on three major networks?" McCain asks. "Of course, but I'm a true maverick -- a Republican without money."

-- Leslie Hoffecker

Andrew Malcolm

Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000. A veteran foreign and national correspondent, Malcolm served on the Times Editorial Board and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2004. He is the author of 10 nonfiction books and father of four.

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Ticket Notice: Sunday shows -- Davis, Axelrod and everyone breathing over at CNN

ABC's "This Week": David Axelrod (Obama's chief strategist -- see photo); Rick Davis (McCain campaign manager); roundtable with Mark Halperin of Time magazine, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, Republican strategist Matthew Dowd and George Will of ABC News.

CBS' "Face the Nation": David Axelrod (Obama chief strategist) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C./McCain supporter); Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y./chairman, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee) and John Ensign (R-Nev./chairman, National Republican Senatorial Committee).

CNN's "Late Edition" (three-hour special, starting  at 10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT): Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa./Obama supporter) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa./McCain supporter);  Govs. Tim Kaine (D-Va./Obama supporter) and Mark Sanford (R-S.C./McCain supporter); Govs. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn./McCain supporter) and Deval Patrick (D-Mass./Obama supporter); GOP strategists Alex Castellanos and Leslie Sanchez and Democratic strategists Donna Brazile and James Carville; Candy Crowley, Campbell Brown and John King of CNN; Democratic strategist Paul Begala, former White House advisor David Gergen, CNN political analysts Bill Schneider and Gloria Borger, Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post, GOP strategist Ed Rollins, Tara Wall of the Washington Times editorial page and Hilary Rosen of HuffingtonPost.com

"Fox News Sunday":  Rick Davis (McCain campaign manager); David Plouffe (Obama campaign manager); Karl Rove (GOP strategist); roundtable with Brit Hume of Fox News' Washington bureau, Mara Liasson and Juan Williams of NPR, and Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard.

NBC's "Meet the Press": Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass./Obama supporter); former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn./McCain supporter); roundtable with David Broder of the Washington Post, Michele Norris of NPR, and David Gregory and Chuck Todd of NBC News.

-- Leslie Hoffecker

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Photo credit: Associated Press

One California family splits on the Obama-McCain race, and lets the world know

California's Orange County may not be quite the Republican bastion it once was, but the part of it where Nancy Wagner lives sure is.

She knows. Wagner, 57, is a registered Democrat and a solid supporter of Barack Obama. As best she can tell, that pretty much makes her the exception in her Yorba Linda neighborhood.

Indeed, even Wagner's household is divided on the subject. Her husband, Jon Wagner, 59, is a registered Republican and a John McCain backer. (The secret to the success of their 33-year marriage? "We respect our differences," Nancy says.)

Not so long ago, when Nancy decided she wanted to express her political preference through a yard sign, she knew she couldn't misrepresent to the public her husband's view. But she also realized she had a hole card to play.

She tells The Ticket: "My proudest achievement as a mother is that I've raised three Democratic daughters."

She's joking. Her proudest achievement, she quickly adds, is that the three -- ages 30, 28 and 22 -- are accomplished young women.

But the fact remains -- each plans to join her in voting for Obama (two now live in San Diego, the other in New York).

So while making sure her husband got to express himself through a sign, Nancy came up with a novel way (see above) to make clear that at least within the Wagner family, there's a clear winner in the presidential race.

The reaction of her neighbors? "They appreciate that I just didn't put out an Obama sign," she said.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Ashley Wagner

Fate of McCain, Obama tickets now hangs less on Tuesday's weather

This just in to The Ticket's central politics newsroom:

According to a 3-year-old study just re-released by the folks over at AccuWeather.com, the importance of weather on election day (historically, bad weather deters Democrats; Republicans vote regardless) will be diminished this year.

That's because so many millions of Americans are voting early for the Republicans' John McCain-Sarah Palin ticket or for the Democrats' Barack Obama-Joe Biden ticket or assorted minor parties.

That is, they're voting before election day, when there might be different weather in different parts of the country.

So the risk of one day's bad weather is spread out over many days.

So the weather wherever on the actual election day matters less.

Just wanted to rush that stunner to you from the AccuWeather folks in Pennsylvania.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: WeatherMap.com

Sarah Palin meets a special friend in a Pennsylvania orchard

NEW PARIS, Pa.—Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin arrived at the Boyer Orchards here Friday afternoon, entering a sweet-smelling wooden barn full of crates of apples. "This is gorgeous," Palin said, greeting workers.

The visit was designed to highlight small businesses and their special needs and how a John McCain administration would help them.

And the Republican vice presidential candidate did talk business and taxes with Matthew and Bruce Boyer, whose family has owned and worked this 300-acre orchard for 51 years now.

But it was after their business chat that Palin had some special moments with a special fan, Amber Brown. As Palin left the barn, an excited crowd outside was mid-verse singing "God Bless America," but roared at the sight of Palin.

Brown, who is 23 and from New Paris, held a poster that said: “I have Down’s syndrome and I’m voting for you. I’m a fighter too!”

Palin saw Brown, headed straight for her and they embraced. “I love that poster!" said the mother of a Down syndrome baby (Click on Read more line below to see photo of Palin with her infant son, Trig).

"You’re a fighter and you’re beautiful,” Palin told Brown. The pair posed for pictures and hugged again.

Palin then continued down the rope line, paying special attention to the babies and children, at one point crouching down beside four little girls.

Once Palin finished, she returned to Brown and embraced her again. Palin's husband, Todd, also came by and chatted with Brown and her family.

This is not an unusual encounter for the 44-year-old mother of five, who gets a little emotional at such moments, as a recent MSNBC video unexpectedly captured.

Before meeting Brown, Palin talked with the Boyers, the small businessmen who told her of skyrocketing costs and....

If John McCain pulls an upset, the world may gain one more grocery bagger

After Tuesday, one way or the other, some pollsters and pundits will have some explaining to do.

It may be those who conducted surveys showing the presidential race tightening to a virtual dead heat in recent days.

Or it may be those in the larger group whose polls have shown Barack Obama comfortably ahead of John McCain, and whose focus has been on not whether the Democrat will win but by how much.

Charlie Cook, long one of Washington's most venerated political wonks, belongs firmly in the latter category.  In his latest column for the National Journal, he opines that McCain "probably can't win without divine intervention." In a tease to his subscription-only newsletter, he writes, "Since early September this race has shifted rather dramatically in Obama's favor. ... At this stage, the most relevant question would seem to be: 'How big will the train wreck be for the Republican Party up and down the ballot in November.' "

But let's give Cook this -- if need be, he's prepared to eat crow, big time.

During a Friday evening appearance on MSNBC, he had this to say about how he would come to grips with a McCain come-from-behind victory: "I'm going to be asking, 'Paper or plastic.' Or, 'Do you want fries with that.' "

Others might similarly need to contemplate a career change.

-- Don Frederick 

B. Clinton, M. Obama, S. Palin, M. Romney seek last-minute money

(UPDATE: See below)

In case you've got some spare change after filling Barack Obama's campaign coffers with way more than $605 million this political season.

And chipping in another $10 last week like he asked. And a final $5 this week that he asked for. And another really final $5 that Michelle requested.

In case you've still got some checks left, Sarah Palin could use $5 million by Sunday night. And Bill Clinton is requesting only $189,000, which is less than two speeches for him. But he'd still like you to give it.

Just because you may be among the millions who've already voted doesn't mean you won't be asked to pay more before Tuesday. And, who knows, maybe after Tuesday to cover somebody's debts.

"Every dollar," says the nation's best-known hockey mom in an e-mail, "will help fund our final get-out-the-vote efforts." She notes the polls are tightening and raises the spectre of Democrats "spreading the wealth around."

And all we all know what that means (TAXES!)

Now, ex-president Clinton raises the spectre of Republicans "pulling out all the stops." He's afraid of an insufficiently Democratic Congress for President Obama. He wants large, veto-proof majorities in both houses.

And, oh, darn, we just noticed he set a deadline of 3 p.m. today. So we missed that.

But, wait! Just now we got another e-mail, this one from former Gov. Mitt Romney, who says at this moment he's in an airplane "somewhere over Nevada en route to New Mexico."

He says we can make a real difference fighting "the liberal turnout machine" by going to his PAC website, FreeStrongAmerica.com, checking the list of endorsed candidates and, if we can -- you guessed it -- make a last-minute donation.

Aren't we about out of last-minutes by now?

(UPDATE: Apparently not.

(Early Saturday morning we got yet another e-mail money plea, this one from Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, saying that he sensed some last-minute opportunities -- the campaign is starting a TV ad in McCain's homestate of Arizona Saturday.

(If we just gave $5 more, he threatened to put us in a lottery where the winner has to go to Chicago on election night to attend the Grant Park rally. Ah, Chicago's lakefront on a November night. Everybody's vacation dream.)

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credits: Chicago Tribune (M. Obama); Getty Images (S. Palin)

Is there any doubt that Barack Obama will carry California? No

More than a million Californians have registered to vote since Sept. 5, pushing the state’s total to 17.3 million registered voters--the bulk of them, by far, Democrats.

In a statement issued Friday, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen reported that the number of  Democrats increased to 7.683 million, or 44% of the state’s registered voters.

That was an increase of 600,000 voters from May. It also reflects a gain over 2004, when there were 7.1 million Democrats, accounting for 43% of the state’s voters.

Overall, 74.56% of California's eligible voters are registered, a slight drop from the 75% four years ago, and down from 80.21% in 1996.

In the latest count, the number of Republicans fell to 5.42 million, or 31.37% of the state's electorate, down from 5.7 million four years earlier, Bowen said.

The Republicans’ loss was the gain of nonpartisans.

The number of California voters who declined to state a party preference remains the fastest-rising segment. There are now 3.44 million decline-to-state voters, or 19.9% of the electorate. That is up from 2.9 million and 17.67% in 2004.

The long-term trend is less than rosy for political parties. In 1996, 11.3% of the voters declined to state a party preference, while 47.2% were Democrats and 36.4% were Republicans.

In Los Angeles County, Democrats currently hold a 51.8%-24.06% edge over Republicans.

In Orange County, Republicans hold a 44.4%-31.82% edge over Democrats.

Alameda County is the most heavily Democratic county, with 57.59% Democratic. Lassen County in far Northern California has the smallest Democratic registration, at 28.66%.

--Dan Morain

3 newspapers endorse McCain; coincidentally, their reporters dumped from Obama plane

The Barack Obama for president campaign has kicked off its campaign plane three newspaper reporters.

The campaign says it was a tough decision deciding to boot the working reporters for the New York Post, the Dallas Morning News and the Washington Times. But, they say, there are only so many seats on the plane that the spunky new Christian Science Monitor politics blog calls "O-Force One."

And somebody had to go for these last few campaign days.

It's probably just a simple coincidence that all three newspapers recently endorsed Obama's Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, for the White House job.

"It feels like the journalistic equivalent of redistributing the wealth," quipped John Solomon, executive editor of the Times, which lost its seat after three years of travel with the candidate and just 72 hours after endorsing McCain.

That newspaper's website this afternoon headlined a report that Obama spent nearly $700,000 in U.S. campaign donations just on staging and lights for that Berlin victory rally last summer and those 200,000 Germans who can't vote over here. Gee, you could dress more than four Republican vice presidential candidates with that much money.

What's not to like in that news for the Obama campaign?

The Dallas paper reported no evidence its plane departure was political. Think about it: Why would a political campaign take retribution on reporters for a decision made by their publication's separate editorial boards? The publications, after all, pay their own way on the charters.

That would be a cheesy hardball -- and quite possibly counterproductive -- Chicago kind of thing for a frontrunner to do, especially one on a national unity ticket. A candidate's organization would have to reflect an enormous ego and over-confidence to pull something like that.

Next thing you know such a campaign might urge supporters to clog a radio station's phone lines or e-mail boxes just because it gave air-time to an Obama critic.

And it's certainly not the kind of hands-across-the-aisle, bipartisan change we need and/or can believe in a national capital that could use a large dose of both.

True, the Obama campaign has buttoned itself up from most press access, apparently fearing some kind of late-minute gaffe that might threaten its lead in most polls.

A reporter could choose to travel instead on the Joe Biden plane, plenty of seats there, and perhaps really exciting, except the old-time senator who ad libbed that Hillary Clinton might have been a better Democratic VP pick coincidentally hasn't done a media availability since right after the Republican convention in early September.

Amazingly, as Howard Kurtz points out, two seats did suddenly open up on the Obama campaign plane this weekend to accommodate Ebony and Essence magazine reporters. Another coincidence. 

--Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: Associated Press