Archive - November 12, 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Hoping to keep up momentum from successful JJ Dinner, campaign sends e-mail looking to raise $850,000 online this week. Goal is to cancel fundraising trip so Obama can stay in IA. Read e-mail here, and watch Obama video of Saturday's speech. Permalink

Thompson Snags Nat'l Right to Life Endorsement

Largest anti-abortion group makes it official Tuesday (without Thompson present). Read candidate's statement here. Plus: Thompson tells Radio Iowa Monday "I can understand why they would endorse me" because of his conservative record. Listen to him here. Meanwhile: Huckabee campaign calls the NRLC's endorsement "a mistake." Permalink

McCain Launches TV Ad in New Hampshire, Boston

Spot called "Outrageous" criticizes Washington spending proposals -- including Hillary Clinton's Woodstock museum (again). Watch ad above. Read script here. Plus: Tancredo TV ad to air in NH, IA shows terrorist bombing crowded mall. Watch it here, listen to him explain ad to Radio Iowa here. Permalink

Here They Come at the Man From Hope

Skilled Opposition Researchers for GOP Candidates All Go After Huckabee YouTube video "found" by Matt Drudge is latest gambit to expose Arkansan's record. Club for Growth piles on too. The game? Stop Huckabee from getting a ticket out of Iowa... Response: Huckabee camp denounces "rumors and lies" on the tax issue. Permalink

McCain Gets More Specific in Denouncing 527 Support

In new statement, calls out former aide by name in asking TV ad to be pulled. Meanwhile, Romney criticizes McCain over the pro-McCain ad, and the NY Times predicts an explosion in 527 spending. Read more here. HALPERIN'S TAKE: Who will fund the 527s to come? Permalink

Edwards Questions Clinton's Ability to "Turn Up the Heat"

Says in Monday statement: “Somebody will have to tell me how you ‘turn up the heat’ by voting with Bush, Cheney and the neocons on their path to war with Iran.” Full statement here. Hillary camp's response: "What George Bush does is attack Democrats and divide the country. John Edwards' campaign resembles that more and more every day." Permalink

Giuliani Braintrust Stresses Delegate-Rich Feb. 5 States

On conference call and in interviews, campaign manager DuHaime and strategist Seaborn try to shape reporters' views on early-versus-late wins. Listen to them here, and read about it here. Also: Giuliani campaign floating memo pooh-poohing McCain threat, despite poll increase. Touché: Romney campaign memo invokes Easter Bunny to criticize the Giuliani camp’s national focus, touts NH polls. Read it here. Permalink

Clinton's Planted Question Nothing New?

Huffington Post uncovers MSNBC broadcast on rigged question during 1999 Senate campaign. Plus: Obama says WE don't plant questions at Monday NH presser. Watch video here. Permalink

B. Clinton: "Boys" Getting Tough on Wife

In South Carolina, says she can handle the attacks. Plus: Clinton’s press operation called ruthless, effective. "There's a Swift Boat around every corner," Clinton operative says. "We'll be damned if we're going to let that happen again." Permalink

Clinton Rejects "Calculating" Charge

In AP interview suggests her image as a calculating politician comes from her pragmatic focus on results. "It's a passion that I carry with me every single day." Permalink

Candidates Use Veterans Day to Talk Policy

Edwards proposes $400 mil plan for vets with PTSD. Biden says U.S. needs to streamline medical care in government-run veterans hospitals. Romney suggests improvements to education benefits for vets, technology used in military. McCain says at Veterans Day parade U.S. is winning the war in Iraq. Candidates tout web videos: Clinton's here, McCain's here, Romney's here, Thompson's here. Permalink

Bad Day in the Papers for Fred Thompson

Slew of Monday stories focus on former Tennessee senator's campaign problems: Los Angeles Times on him combating the laziness factor. Roll Call on his lack of Hill support. (One Rep: “They are agnostic about him.") Read more here. Boston Globe on how his acting fame doesn't mean he's well known on the trail. Permalink