Archive - January 18, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Magic Johnson Shoots for Clinton in SC Radio Ad

"Winning comes from years of hard work and preparation," he says in 60-second spot. Appears to suggest that Obama is just "a rookie." Click here to listen. Read script here. Permalink

Classic of the Genre

Memo by Clinton's Mark Penn plays the expectations game every which way. Read it here. Permalink

McCain Team Calls for Extended Voting Hours in South Carolina

Top supporter says the campaign is searching for a judge to keep Horry County polls open an extra hour due to earlier problems with voting machines. EARLIER: State director says he's "disturbed" over widespread problems with electronic voting machines in Myrtle Beach, other Horry County locations. Read full statement. Official: Most machines now running properly. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The candidates ranked -- who had the most on the line Saturday? Permalink

Democrats: AP/Ipsos: Clinton 40, Obama 33, Edwards 13. Error margin: 4.5 points. CNN/Opinion Research Corp: Clinton 42, Obama 33, Edwards 17. Error margin: 4.5 points. Republicans: AP/Ipsos: McCain 22, Romney 16, Huckabee 16, Giuliani 14. Error margin: 5.2 points. CNN/Opinion Research Corp: McCain 29, Huckabee 20, Romney 19, Giuliani 14, Thompson 9. Error margin: 5 points. Read more on the AP poll here. Read more on the CNN poll here. Permalink

Sanchez Sisters Choose

Loretta Sanchez for Clinton; Linda Sanchez for Obama. California Congresswomen and superdelegates both. Plus: Another Congressman for Clinton-- Silvestre Reyes (D-TX). Permalink

Bloomberg Meets with Ballot Expert

NYC mayor met privately with campaign manager for Ross Perot's third-party presidential bid Clay Mulford Friday in Texas. Sign of the seriousness with which he's considering his own independent run. Permalink

Clinton Camp Slams Obama for Republican Comments

On the stump in Nevada, Clinton herself criticizes Obama for calling the GOP the "party of ideas," saying: "That’s not the way I remember the last 10 to 15 years." On a campaign conference call with congressional, state supporters, Rep. Barney Frank says he's "stupefied" by Obama's suggestions. Listen to him here. Clinton camp also criticizing Obama for suggesting Reagan was a greater force for change than B. Clinton. Obama camp's response here. Permalink

Democrat-on-Democrat Action

--Obama accuses Clinton of aping his economic stimulus plan. --Clinton camp manager Patti Solis Doyle calls on Obama to "condemn" the UNITE HERE ads publicly and immediately in afternoon conference call. "This isn't the kind of dirty campaign we need here in Nevada." --Obama camp holds afternoon conference call in response to Clinton's call. --Edwards speaks out against UNITE HERE radio ads at a rally in Las Vegas, calling on Obama to "speak up and denounce this kind of divisive politics." --TPM reports UNITE HERE is spending $14,000 on a new pro-Obama TV ad in Nevada. Its last radio ad was strongly anti-Clinton. --Obama "tough" in telling San Francisco Chronicle ed board that Nevada rules were designed by people like Clinton aide Harold Ickes: "President Clinton now suggests they didn't understand the rules that they designed." Earlier Democrat-on-Democrat action here. Permalink

Republican-on-Republican Action

--Thompson condemns Huckabee for calling the Constitution "a living, breathing document" and reaffirms his own commitment to appoint "strict constructionist judges." --Thompson defends Guantanamo Bay-- a possible dig at McCain-- and again criticizes Huckabee on immigration. --Huckabee calls McCain-Feingold bill "an absolute disaster," blames it for automated attack phone calls. --McCain launches Web ad featuring repeated Huckabee praise for him to counter South Carolina attacks by independent pro-Huckabee group. Watch it here. Permalink

New Fox GOP Poll in South Carolina

From Fox News/Opinion Dynamics: McCain 27, Huckabee 20, Romney 15, Thompson 11, Undecided 19 Error margin: 4 points. Poll conducted: Jan 16-17 Permalink

TV Potpourri

Huckabee on CNN's "Situation Room." Again defended his recent remarks on changing the Constitution to align with Christian principles. Predicted SC win. Huckabee on FOX's "Your World With Neil Cavuto." Said he supported Bush's economic stimulus plan, as well as permanent tax cuts and a larger military. Called 527s a "curse" and predicted a SC win. Tom DeLay on FOX's "Your World With Neil Cavuto." Attacked McCain on immigration, national security and his legislative record, saying, "I think McCain has done more to hurt the Republican party than any elected official I know of." Edwards on CNN's "Situation Room." Permalink

Huckabee SC Mailer Focuses on Jobs

Uses same issue Romney did in Michigan to try to put him on top in first-in-the-south primary. Permalink

McCain Shrugs Off Darts From Perot

The 1992 presidential candidate calls McCain an "opportunist" on the POW issue. McCain: "I don’t know what the comments were, but I’m sure they were laudatory...." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Led with the economy. First politics piece was third spot in show -- on "Huck's Army," the Arkansan's young conservative supporters. Then a piece on the Hispanic vote from Nevada -- suggesting strong support for Clinton. CBS: Economy led the show, followed by reports from South Carolina. First said McCain's more inclined to talk about the war than the economy; second looked at Huckabee's full-on campaign sprint. Nevada piece said Romney basically has the state to himself in the GOP. Campaign Notebook included UNITE HERE radio ad and Clinton v. Obama on his Reagan, Republican comments. NBC: Led show with news-of-day piece from South Carolina focused on McCain and Huckabee. Russert said if it is Huckabee-Clinton, Bloomberg would be drawn to a run. Then a piece on Edwards' quest to stay in the thick of things. Later in the show, feature piece on McCain and Huckabee daughters -- and soundbite of Michelle Obama mispronouncing Nevada. Permalink

Candidates Respond to Bush's Economic Stimulus Plan

His $145 billion economic plan calls for new tax incentives for businesses and "direct and rapid" tax breaks for individuals. Read his full comments. For reactions from Clinton, McCain, Obama, Romney and Edwards, click here. Permalink