The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from January 29th, 2008
"The Snub" Before "The Snub"
Sources: Senior Obama staffers rejected proposal for their candidate to sit with Clinton at State of the Union. Leading Democrats wanted rivals to sit together for the sake of party unity. Clinton was willing, but Obama chose to sit with newly-minted supporter Ted Kennedy. Obama strategist David Axelrod to The Page: "No such invitation ever came from Senator Clinton. Had [she] made such a proposal, we would have adjusted our plans." More on all this here. Permalink
THE "STOP ROMNEY" COALITION
Giuliani to endorse McCain Wednesday in California Now that the Sunshine has set, two old friends come to an understanding. McCain topper Rick Davis quietly negotiated the agreement. Giuliani, in Florida concession speech, talked about his effort in the past tense, but said nothing explicit about dropping out -- or The Deal. HALPERIN'S TAKE: 10 things Giuliani could have done differently. Plus: TIME's Michael Grunwald: "Giuliani Completes his Collapse" Permalink
Obama Gives Back $70,000+ of More Rezko-Linked Donations
Campaign announces Tues. evening after further review of contributions related to the Chicago developer, Obama backer. They've now given back nearly $150,000 in contributions received by his House, Senate and presidential campaigns that came from Rezko, his employees, his associates and his family. Permalink
McCain Wins Florida
Arizonan with the Big MO headed into Super Tuesday Says in victory speech: "My friends, in one week we will have as close to a national primary as we have ever had in this country. I intend to win it, and be the nominee of our party." Said with a big smile, received with cheers of "Mac is back." Click above to watch the moment. Totals with 99% of precincts reporting: McCain 36, Romney 31, Giuliani 15, Huckabee 14. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The cards McCain, Romney, Clinton, and Obama hold heading into Super Tuesday. Permalink
Clinton Takes Florida
With 99% of the precincts reporting: Clinton 50, Obama 33, Edwards 14. No delegates will be awarded. Clinton thanks supporters in Davie, Florida Tues. night. Read remarks here. Then does round of network interviews, telling Fox she looks forward to shaking Obama's hand in California: "I reached out my hand in friendship and unity and my hand is still reaching out." Clinton camp memo on results: "She will end up with more votes than John McCain..." Read it here. Earlier: Clinton, Obama camps engage in spin war over state's meaning. Listen to Clinton camp's argument here. Obama's argument summarized in campaign email: "Breaking... Obama and Clinton tie for delegates in Florida. 0 for Obama, 0 for Clinton." Permalink
GAME ON
Four remaining GOP contenders in 90-minute debate NOW at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Watch it live here. CNN’s Anderson Cooper moderates and Jim VandeHei of Politico and Janet Hook of the L.A. Times will help question the candidates. Check back at The Page following the debate for Mark Halperin's grades, candidate report cards. Permalink
Romney May Pass on Super Tuesday TV Ads
Despite deep pockets, campaign has not committed to costly TV buys. The Boston Globe asks whether he is willing to break the bank to stay competitive in the race. Meanwhile: McCain aides say there will be some Feb. 5 TV advertising, but it will be modest. Permalink
How McCain Won
Click above to watch Fox News' Megyn Kelly deliver the exit poll numbers. More exit poll analysis from: ABC News here, Washington Post here, AP here, CNN here. Permalink
Terminal Striptease
Gov. Schwarzenegger walks into debate spin room... and doesn't quite endorse McCain. (But it seems like he will soon.) He tells CNN any endorsement is unlikely before Tuesday. Permalink
FOUR GOP CANDIDATES TO FACE OFF AT REAGAN LIBRARY
Republican candidates debate -- minus Giuliani -- in Simi, California. Confab commences at 8pm ET for 90 minutes. CNN's Anderson Cooper moderates and Jim VandeHei of Politico and Janet Hook of the L.A. Times will help question the candidates. Will Romney bring his game face and his checkbook? Permalink
Schwarzenegger Closer to Backing McCain
Sources tell CNN negotiations are aimed at a possible endorsement on Thursday. Georgia's two senators supporting McCain as well. Permalink
Caroline Kennedy Hits TV Screens for Obama
Ad featuring JFK’s daughter launches in New York, California, Massachusetts and on national cable. Plays up Obama's links to the 35th president. Watch it above. Plus: North Dakota ad for Obama features Sen. Kent Conrad. Permalink
Spanish-Language Obama Ad Features Kennedy
Commercial begins with image of Obama and the popular Bay Stater. Starts airing Wednesday in California and Arizona. Click above to watch, and read English script here. Plus: California stations to get new commercial this week leveraging Kennedy popularity in Latino community. Clinton also releases another Spanish-language ad in California and elsewhere-- says she understands the problems afflicting Latinos. Click above to watch. Read the translated transcript here. Permalink
New Clinton Ad
"Lifetime" bio-issues spot is airing in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and New Mexico-- click above to watch. Plus: On Obama conference call, campaign manager Plouffe said by Wednesday they will be on either radio or TV in every Feb. 5 state except Illinois. Also teased New York City, Philadelphia broadcast television ads coming later in the day, said they are beefing up their Los Angeles market buy. Permalink
A Liberal Lion(ess) of Her Own
Defying the Nattering Nabobs of Negativism, Clinton scores the endorsement of symbolically and substantively potent superdelegate/California Representative Maxine Waters. Permalink
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