The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from January 21st, 2008
BOP!!! BOOM!!!! BAM!!!
The most personal and confrontational debate to date: WashPost: "Clinton and Obama clash in unusually personal terms...." AP: "A highly personal, finger-wagging debate...." Reuters: "A rancorous crossfire...." NY Times: "They questioned each other’s integrity and criticized each other’s voting records...." Permalink
***IT'S PERSONAL***
In CNN debate, Obama and Clinton let it all fly -- invocation by Him of her days as a corporate lawyer on the board of Wal-Mart, invocation by Her of Obama's ties to the indicted contributor Rezko. Obama also took on the Bill Clinton fight directly -- with an extended discussion of the Reagan flap. Lots of other battles on policy, votes, and quotes -- with Edwards often a bystander or, sometimes, siding with one or the other of his rivals. Watch video of some of the most personal attacks -- in a night filled with personal attacks -- above. Mark Halperin's Grades: Obama A- Clinton B+ Edwards B+ Read Halperin's candidate report cards here. Permalink
Republican-on-Republican Action
Judges the new front in Giuliani-McCain Florida war. Long-expected attack on McCain's record by rival meant by fierce counterattack. For more Monday Republican-on-Republican action, click here. Permalink
The Debate: Campaign Staffs Respond
From the Obama campaign: Trade a big issue in the debate. Read Obama campaign's research on Clinton and NAFTA. Obama's Illinois legislature present votes: the Obama campaign responds. Supports his claims about single-payer health insurance. Defends his "present" votes. Supports his claim on spending discipline. From the Clinton campaign: A challenge to Obama's claim about NAFTA. And his claim about single-payer health care. Disputes claim about spending discipline. An attack on his "present" votes in Illinois. Permalink
Obama: “There Is a Concrete Strategy by the Clintons" to Attack With Unfairness, Untruths
In interview with South Carolina's The State, candidate adds media (along with former First Couple) to current list of foils -- says press doesn't do enough to establish the truth. The Wall Street Journal notes Hillary Clinton's conundrum: how to maintain her come-from-behind status while racking up the victories. Essential reading: The new (smarter?) conventional wisdom -- the press and pundits might have Clinton Fatigue, but Democratic voters do not. Permalink
Romney Gets Down, Slightly
Delivers quick rendition of "Who Let the Dogs Out" with young people in Florida. Click above for video. Also admires a child's "bling bling." Permalink
Clinton to Limit South Carolina Campaigning Before Primary
She plans to spend the next two days outside of the Palmetto State, while her husband holds down the primary fort. H. Clinton expected to return to the state Thursday through the Saturday's election. Permalink
Atlanta Mayor Swipes at B. Clinton While Both Attend Georgia MLK Service
Obama-backing Shirley Franklin, speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the former president standing 20 feet in front of her, says: The country is on the "cusp of turning the impossible into reality. Yes this is reality, not fantasy or fairy tales." Plus: In South Carolina MLK celebration, H. Clinton's delayed flight puts early focus on Obama, whose joyous, smiling image as he marched with throngs of supporters will be replayed all day on local TV. Though she made it to the rally following the march to give her speech to the crowd, following Obama, Edwards. Permalink
Obama Buys Cable Time Nationwide for TV Ad
Minute-long spot re-tooled to include recent backer Sen. Claire McCaskill focuses on supporter testimonials, clips from past Obama speeches. Watch it above. Read script here. National buy in advance of Super Tuesday starts airing on MSNBC, CNN Monday. Permalink
Base Politics
Why John McCain has an advantage against other Republicans. Permalink
Obama, Clinton Camp Squabble Over Florida Ads
Clinton camp makes novel claim against Obama-- says a national cable ad airing in Florida violates a pledge to stay out of the Sunshine State. Read release here. Former Iowa Gov. Vilsack on afternoon media call: "It raises the issue of what other pledges and promises he's making to Democrats across the country that he doesn’t plan to keep." Response from Obama campaign: "...It would be impossible for us to run advertising nationally that excluded only Florida." Read more. Obama team holds its own media call. Florida Rep. Robert Wexler: "I find the issue at hand somewhat silly." Says Obama is already "campaigning" on news channels, and ads can already be seen on satellite. Campaign manager Plouffe stresses that no delegates are at stake anyhow. Permalink
Democrat-on-Democrat Action
--Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson responding more to Obama’s lashing out at Bill Clinton: “The Obama campaign was convinced he would win New Hampshire and he lost. They were convinced he was going to win Nevada and he lost again.” “Now they are frustrated and they are attacking Bill Clinton out of frustration.” Watch Obama's full "Good Morning America" interview here. --Obama campaign releases memo citing past praise from the Clintons for Reagan. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Show led with mounting tension between B. Clinton and Obama, as well as their supporters. Showed clip of Atlanta mayor rebuking Clinton at MLK service. Played back-to-back clips of Obama's comment on Republican ideas and B. Clinton's response. Report from Florida looked at the GOP race. MLK Day package said whether to support Obama is a complicated question for black voters. CBS: Show also led with politics, looking at Democratic race and the Obama-B. Clinton feud. GOP report from Florida showed new Spanish-language ads; Nancy Cordes said some Thompson supporters are switching to other campaigns. Campaign Notebook included Edwards' perseverance despite poor NV showing, video of B. Clinton appearing to fall asleep Sunday at Harlem church service. In MLK Day package, civil rights leaders said Obama's run shows progress while revealing differences between generations. NBC: Led off with the flailing international economy, anticipation of Tuesday's Wall Street opening. Third story in turned to politics, with Ron Allen on the GOP candidates in Florida (including Giuliani's high stakes, Damon endorsement; McCain's appeal to veteran communities; Romney's Spanish ad). Then Lee Cowan on Dems in SC, including their gracious speeches calling for unity in honor of MLK. Andrea Mitchell recapped B. Clinton-Obama spat in its entirety. Permalink
Thompson Supporters: It's Only a Matter of Time
Some backers suspect his withdraw after poor South Carolina showing is imminent. Permalink
Romney, Giuliani Hit Florida with Spanish Language TV Ads
Romney launches positive bio ad voiced by son Craig. Watch it above. Romney rolls out his own español to approve the ad. Giuliani touts his plan to cut taxes. Watch it above. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
MARK HALPERIN IS AWAY
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
