Archive - December 13, 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

"Overeager" Clinton Sock-puppets Content-Provided to NH Website

Clinton spokeswoman: "It will not be repeated." Permalink

GOP Ponders Another Pre-Caucus Iowa Debate

Disappointed with Register confab, some look to add post-X-mas parley. Permalink

Bill Shaheen Resigns from Clinton Campaign

New Hampshire pol, husband of former Gov. Jeanne, quits national co-chair position over Wednesday's drug comment about Obama. "I made a mistake and in light of what happened, I have made the personal decision that I will step down ...." Read his full statement. Obama adviser Axelrod on the resignation: "It was the right thing to do. What he did yesterday was the wrong thing to do. Every campaign ought to send a signal that there’s not going to be a wink and a nod to this kind of activity." Plus: Clinton adviser Mark Penn and Edwards adviser Joe Trippi get snippy over the issue on "Hardball" (with Obama's top adviser shaking his head). Click above for video, click here for full transcript. Plus: Obama strategist David Axelrod talks about Obama's past drug use (says it ended at 20) and Billy Shaheen after the debate. Watch video above. Earlier: CLINTON PERSONALLY APOLOGIZES TO OBAMA OVER DRUG FLAP: On tarmac at Reagan Airport en route to debate, Clinton tells rival that negative, personal characterizations are not a part of her campaign. Permalink

Civil Discourse

Democrats follow GOP by playing very nice in newsless -- if lively -- Des Moines Register debate. Mark Halperin's debate grades: Edwards A- Obama A- Clinton B+ Richardson B+ Biden B- Dodd C Read Halperin's debate report cards here. Des Moines Register's Yepsen: Biden big winner, then Richardson/Dodd/Obama. Permalink

Giuliani NH TV Ad on Immigration

Says leadership on the issue is needed to put an end to illegal immigration. Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

Romney Boosting Attacks on Huckabee...Sometimes

He and aides getting more aggressive against rivals, especially on immigration. But remaining positive in front of voters, as part of delicate Iowa balancing act. Also, calling himself "underdog" for the first time in IA. Permalink

OH, MOTHER

Clinton hits Iowa with a new TV ad featuring the woman who knows her best. Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

Huckabee, Giuliani Tied in New National Poll

American Research Group: GOP: Giuliani 21, Huckabee 21, McCain 18, Romney 16 Dems: Clinton 41, Obama 22, Edwards 13 Error margin: 4 points Click here for comparisons with last month's poll. Permalink

Romney: Huckabee Opened Door to Questions of Faith

On Fox, says Huckabee TV ad touting himself as a "Christian leader" changes the game. Watch clip above. Moments later: Huckabee chides Romney on MSNBC for negative TV ad and mailings. Watch clip above. Permalink

Romney, Clinton Get Gov. Endorsements

Romney gets Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman While Clinton nabs Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski Permalink

Rove Hit with Contempt Vote in U.S. Attorney Scandal

Senate Judiciary Comm. also approves citation for WH chief of staff Bolten. Aren't cooperating with inquiry into attorney firings. Permalink

Novak "Scandalous" Obama Mystery Revealed

Completely impossible-to-follow column includes twisting narrative, casts of thousands, dissing of Clinton, and the claim that the long-held negative information about Obama related to his PAC fund. Permalink

Penn Is Zen

Newsday's version of the Clinton-campaign-sniping story focuses on alleged stay-the-course strategy of her pollster. Penn: "It's really a three-way, close race [in Iowa]. It's an extremely close race all around." Clinton-backer James Carville: "The level of worry is, they feel like they're in a damned close race. I don't really think there's going to be any kind of, quote, shake-up or anything like that. But will there be some moving around? Sure." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC-- Kate Snow handled "tension in the Clinton campaign" story, laying out full storyline since the Philadelphia debate. Included Shaheen update, brief sound from Thursday's debate. Charlie Gibson's "Who Is?" focused on Biden, highlighting role of accident that took Sen.-elect's wife, daughter when he was 29. Thoughts of suicide even felt "rational" at the time. More on the package here. CBS-- Campaign Notebook included Shaheen update, Romney calling Huckabee "liberal" (before reporters, not Iowans), and Giuliani immigration ad. From IA, Jeff Greenfield said debate lacked conflict. NBC-- Brian Williams termed debate “civil” and “polite.” Andrea Mitchell covered Shaheen’s resignation, quoted Clinton aides saying campaign wasn’t involved in initial comments, with Obama aides saying episode was “deliberate.” Permalink

More Huckabee Scrutiny

Latest controversy over women's rights record, including endorsement of the Southern Baptist Convention stance that would should "graciously submit" to their husbands. Huckabee's response: "I had more women in my cabinet...than any other governor probably in Arkansas history.'' Permalink