The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 21st, 2008
Mission Accomplished
By him: No fundamental change in the race, thanks to a clear plan well executed. By her: If there is buyer's remorse to be tapped in the Democratic electorate, her performance might have tapped into it. Mark Halperin's Grades: Obama B+ Clinton B Read the full scorecards. Read Obama's grades on substance, style, offense, and defense here. Read Clinton's grades on substance, style, offense, and defense here. Permalink
NYT's Keller: McCain Piece Was Not a "Gotcha Story"
Paper's executive editor tells NPR's "All Things Considered" that controversial front page piece was not about "a quid or a quo." "According to some people who knew him best, he can be surprisingly careless about his reputation, and that's what I think this, his relationship with this particular lobbyist illustrates..." Read interview excerpts here. Permalink
ABC News/WashPost Polls Show Texas and Ohio Races Tight As Matthew McConaughey's Abs
Texas: Clinton 48, Obama 47. Ohio: Clinton 50, Obama 43. "A quarter in Texas, and a third in Ohio, could change their minds or are undecided." Read more here. Permalink
Clinton Nabs Texas Superdelegate
Former Texas Democratic Party chair Bob Slagle announces his support Thursday, says he's been working to help her campaign. Permalink
Clinton Releases Three New Ads
Second ad tackles middle-class anxiety, with Clinton promising to "level the playing field" against special interests. Click above to watch. Third ad features former Ohio Senator and NASA legend John Glenn. Click here to watch. Air dates and locations not announced. Permalink
Dean: McCain Missing An "Ethical Compass"
DNC chair goes after presumed GOP nominee to National Journal following Thursday NYT dust up: “He doesn't seem to have an instinct about what is the right thing to do.... He talks a good game, but he's just like all those Republicans in Washington.” Read full key paragraph here. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Politics was second, leading with death of officer in Clinton's motorcade. Open mic caught Clinton saying she was heading to the hospital to see his family but didn't want to publicize it. Debate wrap-up included speculation Clinton's conciliatory final remarks showed she's bracing for a loss. Included new Clinton Texas ad. Looking at Republicans, Stephanopoulos said McCain camp is "bullish" they weathered NY Times story, noted strong fundraising and fact no regular citizens asked about the story. Also mentioned FEC letter and his potential fundraising trouble. CBS: After several other stories, news of the fallen officer in Clinton's motorcade. Jeff Greenfield had debate wrap-up and thoughts from Joe Trippi that Clinton avoided digging into Obama because she knows she may lose, wants to preserve him for the general election. Package looked at role of lobbyists in McCain's campaign. NBC: Led with report painting dire picture of Clinton's chances in the race. Recapped her "almost wistful" moment at the end of Thursday's debate, covered death of motorcade officer and Clinton campaign spending. Piece on Obama included scrutiny of his military anecdote from the debate, report of allegedly lax security at Texas rally. Later, report on Chelsea Clinton's public role in her mother's campaign and her guardedness from the press. Permalink
Obama Lawyer Warns 527 Donors
Bob Bauer says the pro-Clinton American Leadership Project hasn’t filed needed paperwork, and contributors could face penalties. “There’s going to be a reckoning here,” he says on media conference call. Read transcript of his opening remarks here. Group produced Ohio ad backing the former first lady. ALP spokesman Roger Salazar fires back, calling warning "a barefaced attempt to quell free speech with... unsupported legal bullying." Permalink
Obama Talks Texas Football Prior to Debate
Spends an hour touring the players' lounge, locker room and stadium at the University of Austin, where Thursday's debate is being held. Rubs the team's horns on the wall for good luck, saying "It's not game day. It's debate day." Also avoided commenting on McCain controversy after team's coach chided AP reporter for asking the question. Permalink
New Fox National Numbers: Clinton, Obama Tied
Dems: Obama 44, Clinton 44. Error margin: 5 points. GOP: McCain 51, Huckabee 34. Error margin: 6 points. Dates conducted: Feb. 19-20. Read more here, including head-to-head matchups. Permalink
McCain Adviser Blasts NY Times
McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt slams the Times story on MSNBC's "Tucker." "It's something you would expect to see in Star magazine or the National Inquirer." Click above to watch. McCain says in Toledo: "I'm very disappointed in the New York Times piece. It's not true." Watch McCain here, and watch Cindy McCain here. NYT Executive Editor Bill Keller: "In all the uproar no one has challenged what we have actually reported." Full statement here. While The New Republic posts their story digging into the NYT editorial fight over publishing the McCain bombshell. Lobbyist's firm contends relationship with McCain has been "professional" and "appropriate." Read statement here. HALPERIN’S TAKE: What insiders are discussing about the McCain story. Read more on this story here. Permalink
Three More Superdelegates for Obama
Despite a much-publicized breakfast with Chelsea Clinton, college-going Wisconsin superdelegate backs Land of Lincolner. Obama also wins support from Massachusetts superdelegate Margaret Xifaras. And Wisconsin Rep. Steve Kagen also announces support. Permalink
Conservatives Rally to McCain
Limbaugh on Thursday's show suggests NYT went after McCain now because he's courting conservative base instead of being the media-loved maverick. Listen to clip here. Read more here. Huckabee: "I only know him to be a man of integrity..." Sean Hannity: "What I see here is nothing but innuendo, rumor." More conservative reaction to attention-grabbing story on McCain from Ingraham and others here. Plus: McCain sends out a fundraising letter Thursday afternoon citing the Times' story while asking for donations. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
All three programs began with fallout from the N.Y. Times story on McCain. ABC: Weaknesses in the NYT story led the program—no evidence, unnamed sources, etc., setting consistently skeptical tone. Report said McCain was “serene” and his wife “stood by her man” in response. Said aide Weaver claimed he asked lobbyist to stop bragging about her access, not to stop a relationship. Second package said story raised questions about the NYT, showed Limbaugh’s criticisms, mentioned New Republic story and quoted skeptical media critics. Stephanopoulos reviewed new Democratic poll numbers. Back-of-the-envelope calculations: 30% facts of the story and reaction, 60% scrutiny of the Times, 10% right wing rallying to McCain. CBS: Led with McCain’s reaction to story, detailed the facts. Journalism expert Tom Rosenstiel appeared skeptical. Report mentioned Keating Five scandal (with video) and McCain’s “good government” work. Clip of Limbaugh blasting Times, claim that campaign believes they weathered the storm. Moving to Democrats, mention of Obama winning overseas ballots, report previewing Texas debate. Jeff Greenfield said Clinton faces serious problems, Bob Schieffer said the Times story may have helped McCain among conservatives. Back-of-the-envelope calculations: 40% facts of the story and reaction, 30% scrutiny of the Times, 30% right wing rallying to McCain. NBC: Led with "the shot heard round the political world" -- the McCain NYT controversy. Said he's "fighting for his own reputation," mostly recapped facts. Then, turned to Dems (noting they were "all but drowned out" by McCain story). Highlighted Clinton pushing ... Permalink
Obama Picks Up Two More Superdelegates
Sonny Nardi, president of an Ohio Teamsters union, and former Pennsylvania labor leader Leon Lynch. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
