Archive - January 25, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Bill Clinton: Wife Says McCain Matchup Would "Put the Voters to Sleep"

Former president says Hillary Clinton respects McCain, calls a potential fight "the most civilized election in American history.” But turns his fire on other Republicans, accusing them of decades of "reverse plastic surgery": "She can’t help the fact that they beat up on her for 15 years, and when they didn’t have me to kick around anymore, they turned all their fire on her." Plus: Offers something of an olive leaf to Obama, speaking of his "brilliant, articulate, compelling vision." Permalink

South Carolina Results

Results with 99% of precincts reporting: Obama 55%, Clinton 27%, Edwards 18%. How it all began in South Carolina — get on your feet and watch it above. Edwards' concession speech: "Now the three of us move on to Feb. 5, where millions of Americans will cast their votes." Permalink

HOW HE DID IT

Exit poll results from the AP. Watch MSNBC announce exit poll results above. Permalink

South Carolina Polls Closed

Check the South Carolina Democratic Party's site for results as they roll in. Permalink

Republican-on-Republican Action

Romney, McCain engaged in heated back-and-forth: --Romney suggests McCain's going negative because he didn't do as well in Thursday's debate: "I have to admit that I guess Sen. McCain didn’t think as positively about that event last night as I did and so he’s had to come back and flail a bit trying to attack my record." --McCain hits Romney on the stump, saying “America is looking for leaders, not managers." --In a web ad, McCain attacks Romney's state health care plan for being "big government" and "not very good." Watch it here. Response from Romney campaign: "Governor Romney remains the only candidate with a record of reform and delivering results...." Read more. Permalink

Kerry: B. Clinton Attacks "An Abuse of the Truth"

"Being an ex-President does not give you license to abuse the truth," the Obama backer tells National Journal. "Things have been said about Barack Obama’s positions that are just plain untrue." HALPERIN'S TAKE: "The ways the Clinton political and communications operation has outfoxed Obama since New Hampshire." Permalink

Obama Topper Plouffe Slams Clinton Over Florida Gambit

Land of Lincolner campaign manager says: "Whether it is Barack Obama’s record, her position on Social Security, or even the meaning of the Florida Primary, it seems like Hillary Clinton will do or say anything to win an election." Read full statement. Statement a reaction to Clinton's offer to seat full Florida delegation in Denver, despite DNC punishment-- though she will avoid campaigning in the Sunshine State. Read full statement. Clinton aide Howard Wolfson explains on MSNBC. Watch clip above. Read response from Florida's Democratic party. Plus: Huffington Post reports Clinton to get backing from Florida Sen. Nelson. Permalink

Florida Sen. Martinez Backs McCain

Announces his support for Senate colleague Friday afternoon in Miami, saying: "I would not endorse someone I didn't have total confidence in..."I have total confidence he is Castro's worst nightmare." Cuban-born senator enjoys strong popularity among Sunshine State's Cuban-Americans. Plus: Huckabee tweaks immigration plan to permit Cubans while visiting Miami's Little Havana Friday. And: Romney releases new Spanish-language ad in Florida focused on the economy. Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

Democrat-on-Republican Action

--Asked if she feels sorry for fellow New Yorker Rudy Giuliani, Clinton has nothing but kind words: “He’s worked very hard in this campaign...Anybody who puts themselves into this arena deserves our respect.” Permalink

Thompson Spokesman Leads Norris Boycott

With candidate gone, former aide Darrel Ng helps launch BoycottChuckNorris.com to advocate shunning Norris-endorsed products, those who advertise on "Walker, Texas Ranger." Read release here. Manifestation of long-running frustration by Team Thompson with Huckabee's rise? Permalink

Clinton Endorser Simmons in Friday NY Post

Fashionista Kimora Lee Simmons picks Clinton on same day tabloid picks on her Gotham City parking perk. Activist-diva has huge following among young women. Permalink

HALPERIN'S TAKE: The Candidates' Main Advantages

Clinton: 1. New York, California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, and Texas 2. A sustained national polling lead 3. Closed primaries in which only Democrats vote 4. Perceived experience 5. White, Hispanic, and low-income voters Obama: 1. “Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton” will never sound like change 2. The media is (passionately) on his side 3. Maryland, Virginia, Wisconsin, and caucus states 4. Internet money 5. A loyal, ardent, focused staff McCain: 1. The national security card 2. The media is (cozily) on his side 3. Experience 4. Open primaries 5. Gov. Charlie Crist Romney: 1. His (still vast) bank account 2. Virulently anti-McCain Republicans who will champion him by default in a one-on-one race 3. The rising salience of the economic issue and his crisp CEO argument 4. Talk radio 5. Vigor and acute drive Permalink

Arizona Poll Results

From the Behavior Research Center: GOP: McCain 39, Romney 26, Huckabee 9, Giuliani 6 Dems: Clinton 38, Obama 32, Edwards 16 Error margin: 7 points. Poll conducted Jan 21-24. Read more. Permalink

McCain Takes Campaign to Munich

Takes a brief hiatus from post-Feb. 5 stump the weekend after Super Tuesday to attend the Munich Conference, a high-profile national-security confab he has attended for years. McCain aides say it will be a quick trip: "He's no Charlie Wilson." Permalink

McCain Florida Radio Ad Touts Schwarzkopf Endorsement

Spot plays up Gulf War commander backing, saying "A commander can recognize a commander in chief." Listen to it here. Plus: Also launches two others -- one with Florida's Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty testimonial (Listen to it here) and another highlighting McCain's economic, national security experience (Listen to it here). Permalink