Archive - December 2, 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

ROMNEY TO ADDRESS NATION ON RELIGION

LONG-ANTICIPATED ADDRESS ENTITLED "FAITH IN AMERICA" IN MOLD OF JFK '60 ADDRESS On Thursday morning, Romney will discuss how his "own faith would inform his Presidency if he were elected." R ead full statement from campaign. HALPERIN'S TAKE: "...It is rare that there are big, emotional campaign moments. This speech, however, will be just that." Permalink

Clinton Throws Toughest Punch Yet

Slipping in polls, she gets more aggressive in Iowa. Asked in Cedar Rapids if Obama has a character problem, she replies, "It’s beginning to look a lot like that." Obama: Foes making "outlandish accusations." Click here for audio. Read more about Sunday's back-and-forth. Permalink

Clinton Focuses Like Laser Beam on the Economy

Tells Wall Street Journal about new foreclosure plan. Calls for 5 year freeze on rates, no foreclosures for 90 days. "There's just too many factors converging here" making economic issues huge, she says. In separate interview with Financial Times, she questions reviving Doha round of global trade talks. Transcript of interview here. Permalink

Giuliani Pens Wall Street Journal Op-Ed

Lays out his economic agenda in boiler-plate language. , 7:00 PM

Obama, Huckabee Lead in D.M. Register Poll

GOP: Huckabee 29 (up 17% since October), Romney 24 (down 5), Giuliani 13 Dems: Obama 28, Clinton 25, Edwards 23 Obama leads among women, erasing Clinton's October advantage. Margin of error in both polls: 4.4%. Read more on the poll here, and Davd Yepsen's take here. HALPERIN'S TAKE: Romney and Clinton must ask, "Will attacking their chief rivals in Iowa in December bring their rivals down, or make them stronger?" Permalink

Update: Giuliani and the Security Billing Story

Where it stands and where it might go, brilliantly detailed by the Politico's Martin. NY Times: "The issue was not raised by voters in a weekend of campaigning in New Hampshire at the Durham event, a holiday parade in Portsmouth, a house party with supporters in Stratham or at a diner in Greenland." , 6:32 PM

Most Superdelegates Up for Grabs

AP survey of 90 percent of Supers finds most say they're undecided. Among those with preference, Clinton holds 2-1 lead over Obama. Permalink

Rove to Obama: Here's How to Beat Her

Essential reading in FT: In detailed memo, Bush strategist calls IA Obama's best chance to stop Clinton and lays out 6-point path to victory. Warns about "garbled" debate answers and says he has to avoid looking "weak and ineffectual." Permalink

Des Moines Mayor Backs Obama

Frank Cownie praises Obama's plans to cut carbon emissions, boost energy efficiency. Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

Fox News Sunday: Rove says Clinton and Giuliani could be derailed by Iowa losses and rapid-fire nominating calendar: "We're in uncharted territory." Watch video above. This Week: Huckabee makes no news, passes on opportunity to talk about Giuliani's billing practices or Romney's religion. Face the Nation: McCain makes no news -- graciously accepts Union Leader endorsement, attributes Huckabee success to debate perfs and calls him “a force to be reckoned with,” passes on chance to criticize Romney and Giuliani for switching their views on immigration. Face the Nation: Axelrod/Wolfson in low-key jousting over health care, electability. Wolfson issues challenges over universal coverage and Obama’s leadership PAC, which Axelrod laughs off. Watch video here. Late Edition: Dodd makes no news -- although he was highly animated. Meet the Press: RUSSERT ANNOUNCES THAT GIULIANI WILL APPEAR ON NEXT WEEK'S SHOW. Permalink

Men Claim Sex With Sen. Craig

Four men go on-the-record with ID paper, two claiming sex with Sen. Craig and two claiming come-ons since the 1980s. Fifth man anonymously describes recent encounter in Denver airport. Permalink

Union Leader Endorses McCain

New Hampshire's largest paper and conservative voice chooses maverick Arizona Senator it once derided. "John McCain is the man to lead America." McCain responds: "It is yet another indication that I have the momentum to win the first-in-the-nation primary." Read more about McCain and the Union Leader here. Permalink

He's Baaaaack

Politico report: Former Clinton adviser Dick Morris giving Huckabee advice. Denies "adviser" role to IA frontrunner. Meanwhile, he's pumping up the candidate as a pundit. Update: Huckabee tells "This Week" that Morris is "a friend" and acknowledges they talk, but denies a consulting role. Permalink

"Hillary May Not Be Inevitable After All"

So says the dean of the South Carolina press corps, Lee Bandy. "Clinton is preparing to lose one primary." Permalink

"Conservative-type" Huckabee Left Mixed Impression in Ark.

Admirers, critics weigh in on decade as often middle-of-the-road governor. Supported conservation, but referred to "wacko" environmentalists. Signed anti-tax pledge, but won't renounce past tax hikes. Permalink