The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 29th, 2008
Clinton Going Daily
Comedic New York Senator to make "The Daily Show" appearance via satellite on Monday. Read the breathless press release here. Permalink
Obama, Clinton Go Hyper-Nuclear on National Security
He: Response ad to her new TV spot airing starting Saturday in Texas. She: Extended tough talk in Waco veterans speech. Obama campaign says in lightning-fast response ad: "When that call gets answered, shouldn’t the president be the one – the only one – who had judgment and courage to oppose the Iraq war from the start." Watch it above. Read script here. Clinton: "Sen. Obama says that if we talk about national security in this campaign, we're trying to scare people. Well, I don't think people in Texas scare all that easily." Says missed Obama votes on national security make him "missing in action." Watch video above. Read even more on Friday's back-and-forth here. Permalink
Obama Economic Aide Says Canada's Consul General Contacted Him
ABC News: Austan Goolsbee says she got in touch "at one point to say 'hello' because their office is around the corner," but refused to deny whether he downplayed Obama's anti-NAFTA rhetoric. Earlier: Clinton campaign stokes Canadian TV report about alleged Obama Canadian contact about NAFTA, says they have found the Obama campaign response "less than definitive" on media conference call. Read more -- including background -- on the NAFTA exchange here. Plus: McCain chastises both Obama and Clinton Friday for suggesting revisions to the trade agreement. Permalink
"Oh, the Expectations They'll Set"
Clinton campaign memo tries to raise stakes for Obama ahead of March 4 by highlighting his momentum and ad outspending. If he doesn't win all four states, then Democrats must be "having second thoughts." Read it here. Watch spokesman Wolfson talk up his candidate and raise potential "buyer's remorse" among Obama supporters. Click above. Plus: Campaign manager Plouffe says on media call that Obama is now up by 162 pledged delegates, seems unlikely Clinton can catch up. Plouffe also notes they are looking ahead, have started advertising on Mississippi TV, radio and organizing in Wyoming. Permalink
Obama: See Your Rezko -- and Raise Your Tax Returns and Library Records
Scathing Obama campaign memo attacks Clinton for not releasing her tax returns or White House files. "...part of a pattern of secrecy that has imbued her campaign and raises questions about the sort of change she would be willing and able to bring to Washington." Read the full memo here. Permalink
Senator Rockefeller Endorses Obama
The longtime Clinton ally and superdelegate cites Obama's judgment on national security issues. “The indisputable fact is Barack Obama was right about Iraq when many of us were wrong." The West Virginian chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee. His state's primary is May 13. Four other superdel's also jump on the Obama bandwagon, as well as Texas columnist/commentator Jim Hightower. Permalink
Wolfson: Where is the Rezko Outrage? Where Are the Rezko Questions?
On media conference call, Clinton's communications director asks why reporters have not dug more deeply into Obama's relationship with his former fundraiser and confidante. Says reporters expressed far more interest in Norman Hsu than in Rezko. Asks series of questions about Rezko and says, "I bet most of you don’t know the answers." “...I would have been getting those questions left and right and having to come up with answers that were satisfactory to a very serious and dogged press corps.” Listen to audio here. Permalink
Foxy Ohio, Texas Numbers
From Fox News poll: Ohio: Clinton: 46, Obama 38. Texas: Obama 48, Clinton 45. Dates conducted Feb. 26-28. Error margin: 4 points. Permalink
Republican-on-Democrat Action
McCain responds to voter question at town meeting at Dell Computer headquarters in Texas by once again hitting Obama explicitly on al-Qaeda debate remark -- uses new favorite past/future construct as well. Permalink
Danish on the Guest List, Not on the Menu
White House menu for visiting prime minister of Denmark includes "green chili cheese grits soufflé" and "pecan wood-smoked beef tenderloin with wild mushrooms," but no cheese-filled pastry. Permalink
Deja Vu All Over Again
Ready or not, here they come -- at him. HALPERIN’S TAKE (updated): Things McCain can do to try to beat Obama that Clinton cannot (some already on display). Permalink
FL Dem Party: We Don't Have Money For Another Primary or Caucus
Rejects notion floating around of voting to re-allocate delegates, saying: "...no funding exists for anything that could meet the principles of openness, fairness, and allowing maximum participation..." Plus: Puerto Rico Dems want to move their 6/7 primary up a few days so they don't have "the final word." Permalink
Obama, Clinton Camps Clash Over Texas Caucuses
Texas Democratic Party warns caucuses could be disrupted after Clinton aides threaten lawsuit over party's complicated delegate selection process. Reaction from Clinton spokesman Elleithee: "No legal action is being taken." Read full response. On conference call, Obama surrogate accuses Clinton camp of trying to conceal unflattering results. And: Chelsea Clinton headlines $200 "cocktails and conversation" fundraiser in Dallas. Permalink
Obama Co-Sponsors Law Ensuring McCain's Eligibility
Legislation written by Obama ally Claire McCaskill would qualify any citizen born to a U.S. military family abroad for the presidency, thus putting to rest the McCain "Canal Zone" question. Permalink
M. Obama to Youth: “Don't Go Into Corporate America”
Senator’s wife, a former corporate lawyer, says she urges people to pursue jobs like teacher or social worker instead. Laments in Ohio that “many of our bright stars are going into corporate law or hedge-fund management.” Plus: Rush Limbaugh talked about M. Obama's remarks on his Friday show. Permalink
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