Archive - December 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Ralph Mouth Sweet on Edwards

Iconic figure -- with his normal exquisite timing -- says nice things about the Tar Heel; not so nice about Hillary Clinton. Permalink

Locked and Loaded

WashPost's masterful Dan Balz on how Hillary Clinton is ending the Iowa process low-key and out of the line of fire. Permalink

In the barber chair, Huckabee responds to Romney campaign's description of his press conference as a "meltdown" by saying, "What do you expect from them?" followed by a classic head shake (no smile included). Watch it here. At midday Des Moines press conference Huckabee spikes spot attacking Romney on abortion, spending, guns, even though it had already been delivered to TV stations. Romney spokesman Madden: "To say one thing one minute and then turn around and show an attack ad to reporters the next will, obviously, leave folks with a very cynical view of Mike Huckabee and his message.” Read his full response. Instead, Huckabee launches two new ads, on his fiscal record and abortion. Watch them here. Permalink

Edwards and Iowa Paid Media

Catch a sneak peak of asonofamillworker's Des Moines Register ad running Tuesday. Read the full text here. The message: working people versus corporate greed. Plus: 60-second TV roadblock coming 1/2 and 1/3 across the state (every market) will hit very similar message of the print ad. Permalink

Huckabee Flicks Bush Over Intelligence Report

Downplays delay in reading this month's NIE on Iran-- "President Bush didn't read it for four years; I don't know why I should read it in four hours." Permalink

Rep. King Does IA Radio Spot for Thompson

Touts record, says "conservatives with conviction," should pick Thompson. Listen to it here. Permalink

Obama Camp Looks Beyond Iowa

Conference call with campaign manager Plouffe, 24-slide powerpoint presentation focus on what Obama's accomplished in Iowa -- but also NH, SC, NV, and Feb. 5 states, citing polls, fundraising, organization, crowd sizes. Perhaps trying to preempt a poor Iowa showing, Plouffe repeatedly cites "1 on 7" "avalanche" of spending facing Obama by Clinton, Edwards and outside groups backing them. Read powerpoint presentation of strategy here (pdf). The Edwards campaign responds: "Their pre-occupation with money instead of the power of a strong message speaks volumes to a flailing campaign." Read full statement here. Permalink

Biden, Richardson Battle Each Other

Dueling Iowa memos make their respective cases. Read Biden's here, and Richardson's here. Permalink

Washington Senator Cantwell Endorses Clinton

"Hillary is ready to address our energy challenges," says Cantwell, Clinton's 10th Senate supporter. Read more here. Permalink

Romney's Closing Iowa TV Ad

Perfectly executed distillation of his positive message in thirty seconds. Watch it above. Read the script here. Permalink

More Pro-Huck Calls Hitting Romney in Iowa

Politico discovers third-party group Trust Huckabee is at it again, focuses on slamming Romney on abortion. Permalink

Re-Re-Re-Evaluating Rudy Giuliani's Chances

In an intervie w with TIME's Mark Halperin, Giuliani explains and defends the major campaign decisions that got him where he is today — written off by (too) many, and/but still with a plausible path to the nomination after several bad weeks. Read the campaign's compelling companion post-Iowa, post-New Hampshire strategy memo here. Permalink