Archive - November 21, 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Romney Blitzing NH Airwaves

Spending $200,000 a week for ads on WMUR, airing better than once an hour 24/7. Permalink

Dems Won't Cross Picket Line for Debate if CBS Strikes

Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson and Dodd confirm they'd skip the last DNC-sanctioned debate Dec. 10 if writers walk. Read Clinton, Edwards statements here. Update: Michelle Obama won't co-host "The View" Dec. 5 if strike continues, the Obama campaign announces.... Permalink

Dems Downplay Iraq Progress

Romney seizes on improvements in Iraq, while Dems point to continued shortcomings. Permalink

Giuliani Launches Third NH TV Ad

Airing in NH, Boston, releases another ad touting his NYC record. Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

McClellan Publisher Says He Doesn't Nail Bush

Book's publisher says: Bush "told him something that wasn't true, but the president didn't know it wasn't true. The president told him what he thought to be the case.'' Earlier: Gingrich says McClellan wrote for cash, speculates publisher's pressure led to disclosure (not, he says, that there's anything wrong with that.) Watch clip above. Click here for more responses. Permalink

New Romney NH Radio Ad Features Sen. Gregg

In 60-second spot NH senator touts Romney's fiscal conservatism, leadership. Plus: New Iowa radio ad also touts fiscal crederntials. Listen to it here. Permalink

McCain Launches New NH Radio Ad

Tells voters he didn't always think climate change was an issue, but he listened to NH voters and is now working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Listen to it here. Read script here. Permalink

Edwards Releases Hunger Plan

Unveils 6-point plan to address the 35m Americans who go hungry. Part of his effort "to shake up Washington"-- click here to listen to Edwards explain more. Permalink

Thompson: What You See is What You Get

Recognizes he doesn’t fit stereotype as “the perfect candidate” or meet expectations of being “scripted and slick.” Tells AP: “I’m Just Fred... I don't take myself too seriously, but I take what I'm doing pretty seriously.” Permalink

Romney: Country Fortunate Obama Isn't Pres.

Says in IA: “If we were to do what Barack Obama had suggested, which is just pull out...that would have made Afghanistan look like child's play as a place to launch attacks against us.'' Obama camp response: "If Barack Obama were president, we would never have gone into Iraq in the first place." Edwards camp response: "(Edwards) believes the only way to get reform is to have a president with some backbone." Permalink

Biden is Schmoozer-in-Chief With World Leaders

Met with 105 leaders in his career, tops among candidates. Followed by Dodd (97) and Clinton (91). Ron Paul's total-- 1. Permalink

Hopefuls Plan Holidays on the Hustings

As candidates sit down to Iowa turkeys Thursday, some campaigns grapple with Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's plans. Obama aide Axelrod: "You don't want to wind up being the Grinch, stealing Christmas and invading people's privacy." A half-joking NH GOP Chair: "We fully expect candidates working the Communion line at St. Joseph's on Christmas Eve." Plus: Politico explores why candidates are thankful this year. Permalink

Serious as a Heart Attack: Huckabee Gains Ground in Iowa

ABC News/Washington Post poll shows Huckabee surging past Thompson and Giuliani: Romney 28, Huckabee 24, Thompson 15, Giuliani 13 Since last poll in July: Romney +2%, Huckabee +16%, Thompson +2%, Giuliani -1%. Read more poll results here. Permalink

Huckabee: Imm. Children Not to Blame for Border Failures

Tells GMA you don't "grind your heel into the face of a 6-year-old child" because U.S. borders aren't secure. Watch video above. Plus: Day before Thanksgiving writes Des Moines Register op-ed saying voters should ignore partisan politics, focus on family, unifying the nation. Permalink

Clinton Highlights Economic Woes in NH Mailing

Flyer bullets economic plan, quotes Concord grandmother: "These are tough times for the middle class." See other Clinton mailings here and here. Permalink