Archive - January 2, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Final Zogby IA Poll

GOP: Huckabee 31, Romney 25, Thompson 11, McCain 10, Paul 10 Dems: Obama 31, Edwards 27, Clinton 24 Error margin: 3.3 points. Read more here. Permalink

Bloomberg Again Coy on Presidential Run

Tells "Today," "I'm not going to be a candidate." But then switches (corrects?) to present tense, and says twice: "I am not a candidate." Permalink

Brian Williams, George Stephanopoulos, Dan Balz, Tim Russert, John Harwood, Judy Woodruff, Tammy Haddad, and more get the band back together to watch McCain event in Iowa Wednesday night. The candidate keeps the crowd and journos in stitches with lines such as one referencing two of his Senate supporters who were on hand -- the majorly handsome John Thune (S.D.) and the more earthly Lindsey Graham (S.C.): "If I looked like [Thune], I'd be President of the United States today. Not Lindsey Graham." Permalink

"Show Up, Be Counted, Be Proud"

Des Moines Register's editorial doesn't pull any punches: the readers have an "awesome responsibility." "The party caucus is not a primary. It is not an election. It is a party function. It is as old as the republic, as American as the town-hall meeting, as close to the Earth as the proverbial grass roots." Permalink

Top Political Handicapper Calls Iowa for Huckabee

Bill Clinton says fellow Hoper and former Arkansas governor will win Thursday night. Permalink

Giuliani Ad Cites Bin Laden, 9/11, Bhutto Killing

Hard-hitting round-up of global terror warns of "madmen," "a people perverted" and "a nuclear power in chaos." Watch ad above. Read script here. Permalink

Obama Pleads to Kenyans For Peace

Tapes Voice of America broadcast urging an end to violence in Kenya, his father's native country. "The way forward is not through violence; it is through democracy and the rule of law." Read full message here. Permalink

She's a Hopemonger, Too

New Clinton Iowa radio ad has voter voice saying she is the candidate of "hope." Plus: Borrowing another Obama line, Clinton says she's "fired up" and "ready to go." Permalink

The Fangs Are Bared

Romney hits McCain on how much time he's spent in the Hawkeye state, saying "Welcome to Iowa, Senator." The two also continue their battle on national security.... ...As Huckabee swats Romney over his wealth and pedigreed background. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

All three anchors led shows from Des Moines. ABC: Kate Snow with Clinton, David Wright with Obama, David Muir joined Edwards on his all-night bus trip, Jake Tapper on Huckabee's recent stumbles, including not knowing about Tonight Show picket line. John Berman with Romney, included swipe at Huckabee caring more about "the caucus in LA than the caucus in Iowa." Ron Claiborne with McCain in NH, with McCain saying he's running for a four-year term, not an eight-year term. Stephanopoulos predicted a turnout of up to 160k Democrats, 80-90k Republicans. Charlie Gibson looked at caucus's impact on Winterset, IA, population 4,900. Candidates shared guiltiest pleasures-- three of eight said chocolate. CBS: Nancy Cordes led show with Huckabee's "gaffe" crossing Tonight Show picket line, angering some strikers. Bill Whitaker with Romney, Kelly Cobiella with McCain, Dean Reynolds with Obama, JIm Axelrod said Clinton has 5,000 volunteer drivers ready for Thursday. Chip Reid on Edwards' bus marathon; one crowd waited hours for a 3-minute visit. CBS' Campaign Notebook quoted "Republican sources" saying Thompson may drop out and endorse McCain after Thursday if he doesn't place in top two. Candidates spent $65 million in Iowa this year, three times 2004's total. Bob Schieffer said Iowa has a good record of predicting eventual nominees. Jeff Greenfield offered caucus primer, expected up to four candidates to drop out after Thursday. NBC: Broadcast led with three back-to-back reports, starting with David Gregory on the GOP (Huckabee said he wants to "change ... Permalink