Archive - December 28, 2007 - The Page by Mark Halperin

New TV Ad "Consider" Responds to Romney Attack Spot in New Hampshire First negative ad against Romney by any candidate, first negative ad by McCain, first negative ad by any candidate besides Romney. Quotes Concord Monitor editorial on rival: "If a candidate is a phony. we'll know it." Watch the ad above. Read the script here. Crashed ad delivered to TV stations Friday night. Romney in Iowa called the McCain ad “nasty” and “mean-spirited." Romney campaign responds: "Senator McCain has a troubling history of neglecting substantive issues and getting personal in his attacks against those who happen to disagree with him. It's the McCain way." Read full statement here. Click here to watch Romney's original ad. Permalink

Mysterious Benefactor Backs Pro-Edwards Labor-Run 527

97-year-old Bunny Mellon associated with half a million dollar contribution. A Wash Post yarn well worth reading. Questions continue to be raised. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Romney delivered optimistic stump speeches in IA while launching negative TV ads, John Berman reported. Piece included McCain's own negative ad, warning from Scott Reed that Romney must fight "two-front war" to keep up. Jake Tapper covered the implicit punches being thrown by Democratic candidates. Stephanopoulos mentioned IA's snowstorm. Dodd sat down with Charlie Gibson to finish the "Who Is?" series, read more here. CBS: Campaign Notebook included Romney's negative ads and the latest poll figures. Chip Reid traveled with Edwards in IA, spoke with enthusiastic supporters who have heard stump speech up to 6 times. Seth Doane looked at undecided voters-- part of the state's political landscape, according to David Yepsen. Friday's snow was mentioned. NBC: Lee Cowan package highlighted Huckabee's backpedaling on comments linking Pakistan and immigration, suggested it could hurt his foreign policy credentials, covers the top Dems' battle over "change." Permalink

Dodd Goes Semi-Nuclear: Diminishes First Lady Experience

In interview with The Page in the Iowa snow, says, "To somehow suggest having been the First Lady is the kind of experience that qualifies you to be president, I've never heard that argument before..." Also questions Obama's experience: "Giving soaring speeches is very good... but..." Watch it above. Read full remarks here. Permalink

Obama Unveils Two IA Ads

First ad trumpets his health care plan. Watch video above, and read script here. Second, 60-second ad invites Americans "to believe again," makes populist pitch against lobbyists, corporate tax breaks. Watch video above, and read script here. Read analysis of both ads. Permalink

Huckabee Raising the Dough

Says in media conference call: "We're doing events now where we'll raise two or three hundred thousand dollars where, you know, a few months ago we would have raised 15 or $25,000." Permalink

Edwards Suggests Obama is "in Never-Never Land"

In super-wide-ranging interview with ABC News, expresses preference for Obama over Clinton but criticizes Illinois Senator on a range of fronts. Obama campaign responds. Permalink

Giuliani's New Hampshire Strategy

Being heavily outspent on TV ads by Romney and McCain in the Granite State, an adviser to Hizzoner tells The Page: “We will continue to monitor the foodfight in New Hampshire between desperate candidates with do-or-die one-state strategies. . . .Voters will tire of one candidate who opposed the Bush tax cuts attacking another candidate for voting against them.” Read the adviser’s full statement here. Giuliani continues to shift TV money from New Hampshire to Florida, where he is spending $500,000 from 12/28 through 1/1. Read a rival campaign’s analysis of Giuliani’s current New Hampshire ad spending here. Permalink

Romney Ad Hits Huckabee -- Again

Latest salvo airing in Iowa echoes familiar attacks on spending, immigration, clemency-- plus Rice's foreign policy put-down. Watch ad above. Second negative ad of the day from Romney. Plus: Huckabee concerned about Romney attacks but has no plans to strike back in paid media -- doesn't know for sure if he is doing the right thing. "We'll find out next Thursday." Update: NY Times says the ad "contains some misleading information." Brody Files: "Fair or not, perceived or otherwise, Romney has developed the reputation as someone who will change positions or just say anything to get elected President." Permalink

New IA Poll From Lee Enterprises

GOP: Huckabee 34, Romney 27, Thompson 11 Dems: Edwards 29, Obama 29, Clinton 28 Error margin: 4.5 points Read more on the poll here, including comparisons with earlier results. Permalink

Clinton Iowa TV Ad Has Her Running Against Bush

Contrasts on issues with '43 on economy: "When we choose a president next year, let’s choose one that would have started fixing our economy this year." Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

Thompson Pressures Huckabee on Pakistan Comment

Huckabee said "apologies" when he says he meant condolences, but Tennessean tries to make hay. Plus: Huckabee clarifies remarks on Pakistan, immigration, stumbles into another 2-day foreign policy story. Permalink

Obama, Clinton Compete for IA TV Time on Caucus Eve

Obama campaign made request Friday morning for two- to five-minute block of TV time during evening newscasts statewide, asking if he could do it live via satellite, ABC learns. Clinton announced Thursday she'll give her two-minute "closing argument" during evening newscasts Jan. 2. Permalink

Romney Launches IA Radio Ad

Judge Robert Bork makes his case why Iowans should caucus for Romney. Listen to it here. Permalink

McCain's Secret, Unaired Anti-Romney Attack Ad

Slate breaks: On-the-shelf spot (made with help of former McCain admen now working for Romney) slashes Romney with quick-cut flip-flopping. Click above to watch Slate's video report, and read more here. Permalink