The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 7th, 2008
Obama Agrees to Two More Debates With Clinton
First showdown scheduled for Feb. 26 in Ohio, the other-- still unscheduled-- in Texas before March 4. Read details here. Earlier: Clinton campaign chief Solis Doyle writes to Obama counterpart Plouffe calling for more debates. Permalink
McCain's De Facto Nomination=Indies to Obama?
With Romney out, Obama has chance to gain big advantage with independent voters in remaining contests. Open primaries include Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, Indiana. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: After several other reports, package looked at Bush’s CPAC address, Rove’s maximum contribution to McCain. Also noted ongoing hostility toward McCain and a “reservoir of resentment” among many conservatives. Mentioned Democrats in Washington, State, including Clinton’s adaptation of Obama’s “yes we can” refrain, and the prospects for a long battle. CBS: First political report several stories into broadcast. Mentioned Huckabee’s endorsement by Dobson; investigative piece looked at his ties with TV evangelist Kenneth Copeland, who is under financial scrutiny. Campaign Notebook mentioned B. Clinton scaling back his rhetoric, Democrats campaigning in Washington State. “Fast Draw” segment explained superdelegates—using magic markers. NBC: Led with the South’s tornadoes, got to politics mid-broadcast. GOP package on McCain’s focus on the general election (with aides saying he “really needed the signal President Bush sent to conservatives” at CPAC). Dem package covered upcoming races, with the 185 delegates at stake through Tuesday are more than the amount of delegates in all of January. Permalink
Clinton Hits Post-Super Tuesday TV
New ads airing: Watch Bob Kerrey Nebraska ad above. Read script. Maine ad slams Bush on the economy. Read script. Washington state ad touts her health care credentials. Read script. Other ads going on Texas and Ohio TV next week, campaign says. Permalink
Huckabee Defiant
Entering a New York TV studio to tape The Tyra Banks Show, the Arkansan vows to go on. Rails against Washington and stresses working class support. Click above to watch his comments. Permalink
BACK ON THE CLOCK... AND IN THE MONEY
After Black Wednesday, Clinton raises more than $6.5 million on the web in 24 hours — campaign manager Solis Doyle and all staff being paid again. Campaign chair Terry McAuliffe announces figure on conference call -- touts tens of thousands of new donors. Listen to it here. Permalink
Iowa Gov. Culver Endorses Obama
Superdelegate Chet Culver backs the Land of Lincolner Thursday night in Omaha. Plus: Clinton wins Arkansas superdelegate/ Sen. Blanche Lincoln. --Obama snags D.C. city council member and former mayor Marion Barry. --McCain picks up former RNC head/Bush campaign manager Ken Mehlman. Permalink
Obama Turns Down Clinton Maine Town Meeting Offer
--Had been invited to discuss issues at a Maine town hall on Saturday. Read Clinton's invitation. --Obama hits Clinton for not disclosing tax returns and lacking grassroots support. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
Romney’s departure from the race led all three shows ABC: Report detailed Romney’s decision to drop out, McCain’s CPAC address and new status as de facto nominee. Said Romney has no plans to endorse McCain. Stephanopoulos said Clinton’s fundraising trouble is largely resolved, for now. CBS: After reports on Romney and McCain, Jeff Greenfield looked at McCain’s effort to court conservatives, noting Limbaugh’s continued skepticism. Said many conservatives are also unhappy with Huckabee. Campaign Notebook noted that Clinton and Obama have both raised $7.5 million since Super Tuesday, said Clinton was prepared to lend her campaign another $15 million. NBC: Lead segment recapped Romney’s run, McCain at CPAC, Huckabee’s vow to continue. Next, considered Reagan as the “modern day Republican gold standard,” asked if Romney’s invocation of the Gipper at CPAC could undermine McCain’s appeal. Then Russert weighed in, saying McCain’s challenge is to “excite” the party, while Romney’s (if he’s looking at ‘12) is to stay involved. Wrapped up with the Dem money race (including Obama questioning details of Clinton's $5 million loan, why Clintons were low on money and their 24-hour online fudraising surge). Permalink
McCain Stands Tall at CPAC
McCain reaches out to conservatives at annual CPAC conference in Washington. Click above for clips. "We have had a few disagreements, and none of us will pretend that we won’t continue to have a few. But even in disagreement, especially in disagreement, I will seek the counsel of my fellow conservatives." Jeered and then cheered when discussing illegal immigration. Read full text of his remarks here. Part of the Arizonan's two-prong strategy to bolster conservative cred: outreach and endorsements. Permalink
Romney Quits Race
Says time of war is not the right time to continue GOP fight: "I feel I have to stand aside." Read full remarks from CPAC conference here. Watch video above. Did not endorse McCain. AP: Decision effectively cedes nomination to McCain. Obama, kicking Romney as he heads out the door, criticizes him for saying Democrats are soft on terror. Watch it above. Plus: Watch Halperin explain some reasons for McCain's success in the GOP race here. HALPERIN’S TAKE: TEN THINGS MITT ROMNEY COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY. Permalink
Obama Raises More Than $7 Million Since Tuesday
Remarkable take shakes up the race. HALPERIN’S TAKE: Why did the Clintons loan their own money to her campaign all of a sudden? Permalink
Donkey-on-Elephant Action
--Clinton attacks McCain on the economy: Criticizes him for "not knowing much" about it at Virginia rally. Tells ABC News: "It's not been an issue of his concern in the past." Permalink
POLICY CORNER
--Obama lays out his program to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast while speaking at a Louisiana community event. Read details, remarks here. Permalink
Cheney Thinks Republicans Will Keep the White House
Predicts victory at CPAC, but steers clear of addressing McCain's frontrunner status, conservative activists' efforts to thwart his campaign. Read full text remarks here. Cheney spoke before Romney announced at the same event he's quitting the race. Permalink
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