Archive - December 14, 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

"I'm Getting Ready to Focus on the State of Iowa"

"You can't 'Bubba' your way through a primary anymore." Permalink

Giuliani's Saturday Sunshine State Page-Turn Attempt

While almost every other candidate campaigns hard in Iowa, NH, Giuliani lands in Tampa and gives speech promoting national agenda. “Some people look at the challenges we face as a nation and they fear the future. I welcome it.” Read excerpts here. Earlier: Wall Street Journal's downbeat curtain raiser. Permalink

Boston Globe Endorses McCain, Obama

Southern New Hampshire readers here from liberal voice. For McCain: "The iconoclastic senator from Arizona has earned his reputation for straight talk by actually leveling with voters, even at significant political expense." Read McCain's response here. For Obama: "It is true that all the other Democratic contenders have more conventional resumes, and have spent more time in Washington. But that exposure has tended to give them a sense of government’s constraints. Obama is more open to its possibilities." Permalink

Huckabee Announces Ed Rollins As National Campaign Chair in New Hampshire

Huckabee was fine with the chaos, but adding long-time GOP strategist should fill in "gaps," help spur national movement. Watch clip above. TIME's Jay Carney: "He's just hired one of the toughest and nastiest political operatives the modern GOP has ever known." CBN's The Brody File: "Everybody loves a winner and don't be surprised to see more prominent undecided GOP strategists head towards Huckabee." November flashback: Huckabee blabbed to AP about meeting with Rollins and talking about Reagan '80 comeback. Plus: Huckabee campaign crippled for 24 hours after debate due to massive e-mail breakdown. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC-- Stephanopoulos marveled at the still-up-for-grabs Iowa race -- "No one's willing to make a prediction." Surprised that Clinton's apparently trying to introduce herself so late with softer ads. Mentioned Rollins' move to Huckabee, said Obama has momentum now though Edwards is "still hanging in there." CBS-- Campaign Notebook included Obama's "we might just win this thing" comment, contrasted Giuliani immigration ad with '01 radio comments. Jim Axelrod said Clinton's "trying to hit the rest button" with softer ads, apology, "aw-shucks tone." Nancy Cordes saw bullseye on Huckabee's back, cited Ark. ethics violations, gift acceptances, tax hikes. Univ. of Ark prof. noted an "overdeveloped sense of entitlement," though some Arkansans stood up for him. Mentioned Rollins hire. NBC-- Williams touted Sunday's "Meet the Press" with Mitt Romney. Permalink

OUT OF THE MIST...

Legendary Democratic Field General Michael Whouley a Conscript in Clinton's Army Secret weeks-long involvement now revealed. Considered among the best in the business.... Permalink

Solids Leads for Romney, Clinton in NH Poll

From Fox News/Opinion Dynamics: GOP: Romney 33, McCain 20, Giuliani 16, Huckabee 11. Dems: Clinton 34, Obama 25, Edwards 15. Error margin: 4 points Click here for more, including comparisons to last month's results. Permalink

Edwards Out With New Iowa TV Ad on Health Care

Spot uses personal approach, focusing on Virginia coal miner who could barely speak, couldn't afford medical care, to tout candidate's plan. Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

Two Sets of Iowa Numbers With Different Dem Snapshots

Dems Lee poll: Obama 33, Clinton 24, Edwards 24. Diageo/Hotline poll: Clinton 27, Obama 27, Edwards 22. GOP Lee: Huckabee 31, Romney 22. Diageo/Hotline: Huckabee 36, Romney 23. Click here for more. Permalink

Clinton: Nothing Wrong With Running TV Ads in Iowa Comparing Records

At Iowa press conference, suggests health care contrast with Obama is key, and laughs off Chattering Class conventional wisdom that her campaign is in trouble. Watch video above. On fabled Iowa Press show airing Friday says "I've been tested. I've been vetted. There are no surprises." "Whoever we nominate is going to be subjected to the full force of the Republican attack machine." Denies at press conference she was referring to Obama. Permalink

Digging Into Gov. Huckabee's Gifts

Politico analysis finds he accepted 90 gifts from 21 Arkansans he appointed to state posts during his term, they've given $161,000 since he set eyes on the White House. Permalink

Millworker's Son Gets Some Help

Labor Group "Working for Working Americans" Hits Iowa Airwaves with Pro-Edwards TV Ad on Jobs Funded by members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, ad runs in Iowa media markets, possibly others in future. Read release here. Watch it above. Read script here. Spokesman for the group says additional ads down the line are still being considered. Permalink