Archive - January 13, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Democrats: ABC/WashPost Poll: Clinton 42, Obama 37, Edwards 11. Error margin: 5 points. CBS/NYT Poll: Clinton 42, Obama 27, Edwards 11. Error margin: 3 points. Republicans: ABC/WashPost Poll: McCain 28, Huckabee 20, Romney 19, Giuliani 15, Thompson 8. Error margin: 6 points. CBS/NYT Poll: McCain 33, Huckabee 18, Giuliani 10, Romney 8, Thompson 8. Error margin: 3 points. Plus: Read more on the ABC-WashPost poll here. Read more on the CBS-NYT poll for Dems here, for GOP here. Read memo by Clinton strategist Mark Penn here. Permalink

Obama Meets the Press Himself

Takes after Clinton at post-church Vegas press availability Sunday: On Clinton's charge that he is distorting her statement on Lyndon Johnson and Martin Luther King: "I am baffled by that statement by the senator." On Clinton campaign saying in a Sunday conference call that there is no difference in their record on war in Iraq because both voted for war funding: "Sen. Clinton started off trying to make history and now she's trying to rewrite it." Asked if Clinton is trying to "swiftboat" him: "I think they have decided to run a relentlessly negative campaign and I don't think anybody who's watching would deny that. I gather that she's determined that instead of trying to sell herself on why she would be the best president, she's trying to convince folks that I wouldn't be a good one." Read full comments here. Permalink

Obama Denounces "Lawyers...Trying to Change the Rules"

Tells fired-up-and-ready-to-go Culinary Workers just off the Strip Sunday that his victory will be sweeter because of last-minute legal efforts to change the Nevada caucus rules. Watch clip above. Earlier: Union says lawsuit could undermine caucus legitimacy. Permalink

McCain Slams Romney on National Security, Economy

No shortage of animus between rivals Sunday in tight Michigan race. Meanwhile: Also in Michigan Sunday, Romney stays positive on the economy. Permalink

Clinton-Obama Racial Tensions Flare Anew

Remarks about Obama from Clinton-supporter BET's Bob Johnson at SC rally Sunday cause uproar. Read his original statement here. Read Obama camp's release with SC leader demanding Clinton repudiate statements here. Read Clinton camp's statement saying this is much ado about nothing here. Permalink

Giuliani Opens Up About Faith

In Florida, Giuliani kicks off three-day bus tour by quoting the Bible and giving a sermon-like version of his stump speech at an evangelical mega-church. Permalink

Isn't This Exciting?!?!!??!!

HALPERIN'S TAKE: Each candidate's 3 best friends: between now and February 2. Permalink

Huckabee Defends....

...His foreign policy cred against Thompson gibes. Permalink

Candidates Take Campaigning to Church

Edwards defends Obama against Clinton's MLK comments at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, South Carolina. After tough "Meet the Press" interview, Clinton has nothing but praise for rival Obama at African American church in Columbia, South Carolina. Huckabee, speaking from the pulpit at a Spartanburg, South Carolina church delivered a sermon on how merely being good isn't enough to get into heaven. But, he says, the campaign is about issues, not religion. Permalink

McCaskill Defends Obama After Endorsing

Obama slams Clinton for "rewriting history" in media conference call Sunday, while Missouri Senator adds her own two cents on Clinton's "Meet the Press" interview. Read exchange here. Plus: St. Louis paper says senator made her endorsement choice after "intense lobbying effort by Obama's campaign." Permalink

POLICY CORNER

Obama campaign leaders, advisers unveiled $120 billion economic stimulus plan during Sunday afternoon conference call with reporters. Read details here. Permalink

Clinton-Obama Camps Spar Over "Meet The Press" Interview

A tough and aggressive Clinton played offense and defense on race, Iraq, and more. Perhaps a bit shrill and defensive for Clinton haters (and Clinton skeptics), but overall an on-message performance. Watch clip above. Read transcript here. Read back-and-forth between Obama-Clinton camps after interview here. Plus: Read The Page's full coverage of the Sunday shows here. Permalink

McClatchy-MSNBC: Romney 30, McCain 22, Huckabee 17 Read more here. Detroit Free Press-Local 4: Romney 27, McCain 22, Huckabee 16 Detroit News: McCain 27, Romney 26, Huckabee 19 Read more on the News poll here. Michiganders' top concern: the economy. Permalink