The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 18th, 2008
***MCCAIN WINS WISCONSIN***
Presumed GOP nominee picks up another win. Says post-win at Columbus, Ohio election night rally: "Thank you, Wisconsin, for bringing us to the point when even a superstitious naval aviator can claim with confidence and humility that I will be our party's nominee for President." Goes after Obama as “inexperienced” in foreign affairs in speech, slams his "eloquent but empty call for change." Click above to watch, and read full speech here. With 30% of precincts reporting: McCain 55%, Huckabee 37%. Permalink
Sen. and Mrs. Leahy Speak for Obama in Vermont Ad
Minute-long radio spot to begin on Wednesday. Includes subtle jab at Leahy's New York colleague for her Iraq vote. Listen here, and read script here. Permalink
Texas Numbers
CNN/Opinion Research Corp. Poll: Dems: Clinton 50, Obama 48. GOP: McCain 55, Huckabee 32, Paul 11. Dates conducted: Feb. 15-17. Error margin: 4.5 points. Read more about this poll here. Permalink
Ben and Jerry Endorse Obama in Vermont
Ice cream moguls help unveil "ObamaMobiles" that will be driven around the state as the "true vehicles for change." See one and read more here. Permalink
M. Obama Defends Husband on Stump in Wisconsin
Assures Madison voters that criticisms will keep rolling off Obama's back, saying the claim he doesn't have enough experience is a "distortion" meant to hinder change. Watch clip above. Plus: The Michelle Obama comments about America that Matt Drudge wants you to see here. Permalink
Texas Rep. Chet Edwards Endorses Obama
Superdelegate gives him a boost in critical March 4 state. "As the father of two young sons, I care deeply about the future of our nation...I believe Senator Obama can bring about real change in Washington." Permalink
Bush 41 Backs McCain
"Few men walking among us have sacrificed so much in the cause of freedom," the former president says in Houston. "No one is better to lead our nation in these trying times than Senator John McCain." Watch video clip above. Permalink
Obama Admits Speech Error
At Ohio presser says he should have credited Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick for key lines from weekend speech, but says "I really don't think this is too big of a deal." "He had suggested that we use these lines...I thought they were good lines. I'm sure I should have [given him credit], didn't this time." Earlier: The Clinton camp held a media call attacking Obama for "lifting rhetoric," (Read quotes, listen to audio here); Obama camp fired back, pointed out Clinton has borrowed Obama's language. Click here for more of the back-and-forth on this. Read prepared remarks from presser here. Permalink
The New Yorker Climbs on the Straight Talk Express
A relaxed McCain jokes with his base about waterboarding, compares interrogations from Russert to the North Vietnamese in classic-of-the-genre campaign bus bull sessions. Permalink
Dean Skirts Florida/Michigan Stand-Off in Letter to Julian Bond
Reply from DNC topper to civil rights leader's request for delegate resolution calls for unity -- but offers no solution. Read it here. Plus: Is Dean too passive or just right? Dean's response to The Page here. Permalink
HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY!!
To see our favorites, click here. Permalink
Obama Talks to Ed Schultz
Tells progressive radio host thoughts on accepting federal funding in the general election, Clinton's conference call attacks, Michigan and Florida delegates and more. Read about it here. Permalink
Wisconsin Votes
--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Feeling among many in the region that this election truly mattered." --State plagued by bitter cold weather with temps in single digits or below zero, a wind chill advisory and some snow flurries through Wednesday. Latest forecast here. --State election officials expect about 35% of eligible voters to head to the polls, which would rank the state near the top for turnout. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
If the goal of the Clinton campaign was to get people focused on Obama's words, it succeeded on the evening newscasts. However, there was no mention of Obama's broken pledge on general election funding -- another point the campaign pushed Monday. ABC: Bush 41 endorsement of McCain led the program. McCain said to be closer with 41 than with George W. Bush; how close to appear with the unpopular 43 is cast as a tricky question. Then on to “plagiarism” charge against Obama—showed videos of Obama's "just words" remarks, followed by Gov. Patrick's speech two years earlier (watch it here). Also showed Clinton borrowing Obama's “fired up” line. More video showed Clinton likening immigration enforcement to tracking movies from Blockbuster-- then showed Edwards making the same point five months earlier. CBS: Wisconsin Democratic race was the second story. Polls show the race will be tight, and Clinton is staying longer than expected to campaign. Then to “war of words”—showing tape of Obama followed by Patrick. Also showed tape of Clinton copying Obama’s “fired up” line (watch it here). Brief mention of Bush 41's endorsement of McCain. NBC: Led with Clinton-Obama's "war over words," showing section of Obama's speech, then similar portion of a Deval Patrick speech (watch it here). Said it was Clinton's "where's the beef" moment, but also highlighted Obama brushing it off, Clinton doing same thing with husband's line at Coretta Scott King's funeral. Then, ... Permalink
Edwards Considers His Options
HALPERIN'S TAKE 2 (updated): Why John Edwards' endorsement matters (and what the best reported tea leaves say about whom he will pick). Permalink
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