Archive - February 9, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

OBAMA VICTORY LAP AT SATURDAY NIGHT VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY DINNER

Saturday's winner all fired-up-and-ready-to-go at Old Dominion Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. Nearly-explicit contrasts with Clinton on health care, Iraq, meeting with foreign leaders, electability versus McCain. Read his prepared speech text here. Watch video here. Earlier: Clinton gave a rousing -- but more casual -- speech of her own with anti-McCain/anti-Bush focus, and only brief implicit contrast on health care. Watch video here. Permalink

SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT FOR OBAMA

***LAND OF LINCOLNER SWEEPS WASHINGTON STATE, NEBRASKA, LOUISIANA, VIRGIN ISLANDS*** WINS WILL EXTEND HIS ELECTED DELEGATE LEAD. Obama campaign manager Plouffe estimates Obama will take the night's 161 delegates by 103-58 over Clinton. Read his full analysis. CLINTON LIKELY TO MAINTAIN HER OVERALL DELEGATE ADVANTAGE, INCLUDING SUPERDELEGATES. . . . IN RACE THAT REMAINS AS TIGHT AS A TICK. Read it now: Obama deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand pens memo laying out Obama's Saturday night and record so far in the battle for delegates and momentum against Clinton. Permalink

OBAMA WINS NEBRASKA

With 99% reporting: Obama 68%, Clinton 32% Obama dominated in Omaha and the state's Second Congressional District with three-quarters of votes cast. Permalink

OBAMA, HUCKABEE WIN LOUISIANA

But because Huckabee received under 50% of the vote, he didn't walk away with the state's 20 delegates. Instead, they will be awarded at a state convention next weekend. CNN Exit Poll Results: Black voters: Obama 82%, Clinton 18% White voters: Clinton 70%, Obama 26% Attended College: Obama 57%, Clinton 41% Click above for more. More exit poll data here from the AP. Permalink

OBAMA WINS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

Three delegates at stake in the islands' Democratic caucuses. Permalink

HUCKABEE WINS KANSAS

Places far ahead of McCain in Sunflower State caucuses. 36 delegates at stake. 100% reporting: Huckabee 60%, McCain 24%, Paul 11% Permalink

Clinton to MSNBC: Suspending Shuster Not Enough

In a letter to the head of NBC News, she suggests NBC needs to do more in wake of David Shuster's "pimping out" remark about Chelsea Clinton -- and based on other aspects of the network's coverage. Read letter here (PDF). "No temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient." On the stump, calls the remarks "incredibly offensive." Read more on the controversy here.Fate of NBC-sponsored debate Feb. 26 still unclear -- although promoted on MSNBC Saturday morning. Permalink

Clinton Fundraising Update

Campaign claims to have raised more than $10 million via the Internet from more than 100,000 donors since California polls closed on Super Tuesday. Obama spokesman: “We’ve raised well more than the Clinton campaign this month." Read full statement. Permalink

McCain is Newsweek Coverboy, Again

This week's cover story: “There Will Be Blood: Why The Right Hates McCain" , 6:00 PM

Romney Wins CPAC Straw Poll

The former Massachusetts governor is the top choice among conservatives at the DC confab, narrowly beating McCain. Three-quarters of votes were cast before he announced he's leaving the race. Of those cast afterward, McCain won 37 to 32. Huckabee took third place with 12 percent. See full results. (PowerPoint) Permalink

Democrat-on-Republican Action

-- Clinton tells crowd in Orono, Maine that McCain's "legendary background" will make him a tough general election opponent but says "You’ll never have to worry about me being knocked out of the ring." --Obama tells Bangor roundtable that McCain has "rushed to embrace the worst aspects of the Bush legacy" by supporting Bush's stance on tax cuts. Permalink