Headlines from December 16th, 2007

MORE THAN FRIENDS?

Could Bloomberg and Schwarzenegger be a constitutionally acceptable, bi-coastal ticket? Permalink

Extraordinary New York Times story with reportorial eavesdropping on a Clinton campaign strategy call, a Bob Shrum cameo, FPOTUS anger at the media, and adviser blind quotes galore, such as: “He is brilliant in sizing up the political challenge and giving advice; he is a little rusty at execution, and his impatience and anxiety seems even worse when it comes to Hillary than when he was running himself." "A competitive zeal that has not been this electrified since his bid for the presidency in 1992." Permalink

McCain and Lieberman Take It on the Road

Senate duo hit New Hampshire after doing morning TV . Will potential McCainiacs feel the Joementum? Plus: McCain positively giddy in Des Moines Register interview over endorsement streak. Permalink

Huckabee Changes Everything

Essential reading: The NY Times on how the Man from Hope has shaken up the political calculations of his four rivals. Permalink

Giuliani Money Talks....and Walks

Nashua Telegraph reveals his Boston ad spending is declining, while level at NH's WMUR stays even. A senior Giuliani aide tells The Page: "With the increased spending and negativity of Gov. Romney's campaign, the rise of Gov. Huckabee and the staying power of McCain, the fluidity looks like it will keep this race wide open past the first few states." Read the full newsmaking statement. More: Giuliani aide: "Florida is an important state for us, and we're going to win Florida." Permalink

Paul Krugman and Frank Rich Need to Talk

NY Times columnist Krugman lashes out at Obama on health care and change. . . . again. Permalink

Cosmic No More

Bob Kerrey formally endorses Clinton in Council Bluffs, IA by uncharacteristically reading fully on-message remarks. NY Times: "Mrs. Clinton seems far more charged up, and her delivery is far crisper, than during her campaign events in New Hampshire on Saturday." Permalink

Romney Falsely Claims NRA Endorsement

Flat-out wrong on Meet the Press when he claimed he got nod in '02 Mass. gov race. Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

On This Week, Edwards dodged a question about a possible endorsement from Iowa Gov. Culver or Iowa's First Lady. Meet the Press: Romney mostly survived tough questioning on faith, Massachusetts record, flip flop charges. Falsely claimed he received a past NRA endorsement he didn't win. Late Edition: Huckabee rebuffed Romney's demand for Bush apology; Edwards called destruction of CIA tapes "an abomination;" Biden said McCain went "over the top" in criticizing patriotism of Reid, Pelosi. Face the Nation: Edwards hit rivals for willingness to negotiate with corporate interests; Thompson said pundits understate his standing in IA. Read The Page's full wrap-up of the Sunday shows. Permalink

Huckabee Accused of Dead Dog Cover-Up

Fmr head of Ark. state police says he was fired by Huckabee in part for not protecting his son after ‘98 dog hanging at Boy Scout camp. Denials from Huckabee. Permalink

Candidate Profiling

LA Times with a mixed-to-negative portrait of Romney's Bain days. WashPost polishes off candidate packages with: Giuliani: His father taught him to prize loyalty early in life-- seen later in his devotion to Kerik, Placa. Biden: "The foreign policy pro" Dodd: "The Washington insider" Kucinich: "The liberal" Richardson: "The governor" Paul: "The libertarian surprise" Tancredo: "The immigration hard-liner" Permalink

Big Endorsements for Clinton, Obama; McCain Wins Twofer

Clinton snags coveted Des Moines Register endorsement while Obama grabs the Boston Globe. McCain wins both. For more on Sunday's endorsements-- highly influential in the two early states-- click here. Permalink

Clinton, Obama Ads Tout Fourth-Estate Praise

Clinton's IA ad trumpets Des Moines Register endorsement, as expected. Watch ad above. Read script here. Clinton campaign also running a companion radio ad in IA beginning Monday. Obama's IA spot also quotes from IA's largest daily and other sources. Emphasizes "change" and "candor," with a populist twist. Watch ad above. Read script here. Plus: On the stump, Obama makes rare direct challenge to Edwards on special interest records. Permalink

FIRST LADY OF IOWA FOR EDWARDS

Mari Culver comes out for thesonofamillworker -- will rally with him midday Monday in Des Moines. Says her husband the governor will not endorse anyone and "her stance does not imply that he supports Edwards." "If the governor wanted to show a preference for a candidate he would do so. My endorsement is as Mari Culver, Iowan." Her last minute TV ad helped get Chet Culver elected in 2006: "This big lug is my husband." HALPERIN'S TAKE: A Millworker's Dozen reasons why John Edwards is strong in Iowa. Permalink