The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from January 23rd, 2008
Obama Counters Clinton With South Carolina Radio Ad of His Own
Criticizes rival on issues in new spot, saying: "Hillary Clinton. She’ll say anything, and change nothing." Read the script here. Earlier: Clinton radio spot pounds the Illinois senator for calling the GOP “the party of ideas” in the past. Click here to listen, and read script here. And: Obama camp responds to her ad here, Clinton camp defends the ad here. Permalink
Romney Wrestles With Rivals' Wrath
On day of final Florida GOP debate, NY Times takes a look at the Republican candidates' obvious scorn for the former Massachusetts governor. Quotes McCain saying "Never get into a wrestling match with a pig" earlier ths month, Huckabee adviser Rollins' "whose teeth I want to knock out" comment. But: The Atlantic's Ambinder points to old McCain speech heaping praise on Romney. Watch it here. Romney spokesman Kevin Madden: “I think it’s largely driven by the fact that everybody’s taught to tackle the guy on the field with the ball.” Plus: WSJ: Senior aide says Romney "plans to spend as much as" $40M on his WH bid. Permalink
Florida Poll Shows Romney, McCain Out Front
St. Petersburg Times' cruel headline: "Bye Bye Rudy" Poll from St. Petersburg Times/Bay News 9/Miami Herald: McCain 25, Romney 23, Giuliani 15, Huckabee 15. Conducted Jan. 20-22. Error Margin: 5.1 points. Read more here. Will it have an impact on Thursday's Republican debate in Florida? Washington Post: "The economy and taxes have emerged as the central focus of the Republican race in Florida." Plus: Though Dems aren't campaigning in Florida due to DNC pledge, numbers show Clinton leading with 42, Obama 23, Edwards 12. Permalink
Obama Campaign Announces Feb. 5 Media Blitz
New, extended ad buys in nine states: Alabama, Georgia, Delaware (starting today); Arizona, California, Connecticut, Tennessee, New Mexico (over past two weeks); also airing in Utah. Uses renditions of three spots -- that aired previously in his campaign -- across states: watch "President" here, watch "Need" here, watch "Chances" here. Plus: New Kansas mailer pushes ubiquitous "change" message. Permalink
Michelle Obama Stands Up for Her Husband
Harkening back to his Senate run, offers sweeping defense in South Carolina on his "present" votes, experience, and race. "They said he was too black. They said he wasn't black enough. They said there was no way that white folks from downstate would vote for a guy named Barack Obama... We've heard it all before." And swats his Democratic rivals for their Iraq War votes: "Being mean and tough meant more than the truth." Permalink
Red-Faced B. Clinton Berates Media
On the stump in South Carolina, gets frustrated with reporters for once again bringing up his disputes with Obama, the race factor. “You just want one more story -- shame on you! Shame on you, you just want one more story! Print the facts. Nobody ever prints any facts.” Says Obama "put out a hit job on me." Watch video above. Permalink
New California GOP Numbers
from Field Poll: McCain 22, Romney 28, Giuliani 11, Huckabee 11. Conducted Jan 14-20. Error margin: 5.2 points. See full results. (PDF) Permalink
Obama Camp Formally Protests Clinton Tactics in Nevada
Cites 1,600 complaints of early door closings, obstruction and improper handling of voter materials in a letter to the Nevada Democratic Party. Asks state party chair to conduct inquiry. Read letter here. (PDF) Clinton campaign response: Obama team is "clearly frustrated by its loss in Nevada and is grasping at straws." Read more. Permalink
Duncan Hunter Endorses Huckabee
Former presidential candidate says it's because of his stance on national defense, immigration, China. Permalink
Rendell Backing Clinton
Pennsylvania governor announces endorsement Wednesday. Offers to help her in Delaware and South Jersey as well as Penn. Permalink
Democrat-on-Democrat Action
--Edwards slams Clinton for leaving South Carolina campaign trail:"If she’s not going to spend time here the week before the South Carolina primary, what do you think the chances are she’s coming back after the primary?" Full remarks here. -- Clinton campaign challenges Obama's Wednesday comments about ties with indicted developer Rezko. -- Obama campaign goes negative in daily talking points, focusing on Clinton's character, bankruptcy bill, and NAFTA. Read them in full here. Permalink
Republican-on-Republican Action
--Romney makes another pass at McCain on taxes and economic knowledge with arch research memo. Read it here. McCain campaign response to memo: "Mitt Romney has earned a reputation for changing his positions, but he can’t change the facts about his record." Read more here. --Giuliani launches a web ad slamming rivals for not supporting the national catastrophe fund. Watch it here. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
The latest economic turmoil again led all three broadcasts. ABC: Package on Republicans running low on money as they move to more expensive media markets. Giuliani and McCain dashed to NY for fundraisers, Huckabee grounded his press plane. Romney's fortune called a huge advantage. Brief mentions of Schwarzkopf endorsing McCain, B. Clinton "lecturing" reporters. CBS: Campaign Notebook included Republicans' economic plans, Thompson thanking supporters without making endorsement. Couric mentioned Bill Clinton's outburst against the media, said he "tends to grab headlines as though he were the candidate himself." In Primary Questions, candidates discussed worst elements of campaigning. NBC: Led with two economic packages — what businesses are doing to prepare for a recession, what Congress is doing to stop one. Turned to campaign cash next, and how the first five contests have left most of the candidates broke (outliers are Romney with personal fortune, McCain with new fundraising after victories). Tom Brokaw investigated racial significance in SC primary. Permalink
The Original Fired Up and Ready To Go
Obama and the woman who started it all-- Edith Childs of Greenwood, South Carolina-- shout out the director's cut version of the candidate's signature closing chant. Watch it for the history -- enjoy it for the sheer fun -- above. Permalink
B. Clinton Takes The Page's Super Tuesday Pop Quiz
How many states vote February 5? How many delegates does it take to win the nomination? How much money does Sen. Clinton have in the bank? Watch his answers above. Plus: Clinton on his orange tie and his own political skills. With a cameo from long-time Clinton aide Carol Willis. Permalink
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