The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 23rd, 2008
Obama Slaps McCain on Lobbyist Ties
Says in Columbus, Ohio: "He takes their money and has put them in charge of his campaign." Aide later said Obama was referring to McCain strategist Charlie Black, pointing to published report that the registered lobbyist does a lot of work by phone from McCain camp bus. Permalink
Obama: Press Would Treat Me Differently If I Lost As Much As Clinton
Tells reporters in Columbus he believes expectations are higher for him. "I'm the insurgent-- she's the champ... If you're the title holder, then you don't lose it on points. You got to be knocked out." Permalink
NY Times: Confidence Diminished in Some Clinton Quarters
Insiders say pessimism has set in with a few people around the former front-runner. Some staff members have dialed back their work hours and are even “polishing off bottles of wine" after hours with BlackBerrys turned off. Some fundraisers also distancing themselves. Carville: “A lot of her friends are just feeling, ‘How could this be happening to her?’" Other aides continue to work long hours and retain hard focus on Texas and Ohio success. Permalink
"Shame On You, Barack Obama"
Clinton angrily denounces Obama for distributing a mailing claiming she saw NAFTA as a "boon" to the economy. See flier. "Meet me in Ohio. Let’s have a debate about your tactics and your behavior in this campaign,” she challenges at Cincinnati press conference. Clinton campaign makes its case against two Obama mailings here. Response from Obama spokesman Burton: “Everything in those mailers is completely accurate...." Read full campaign release. Counter-response here and here from Clinton spokesman Singer. Permalink
NY Times Public Editor Faults McCain Story
Clark Hoyt says the Gray Lady should not have published a story suggesting an affair with a lobbyist without more evidence. Editors have said the romantic angle was not the point of the story, but Hoyt calls it "the scarlet elephant in the room." "If a newspaper is going to suggest an improper sexual affair, whether editors think that is the central point or not, it owes readers more proof than The Times was able to provide." Acknowledges it could have been a strong story without raising adultery. Permalink
Sunday NY Times: Age Likely a Factor in McCain's VP Pick
Paper of Record joins in parlor game of floating possible running mates for the septuagenarian candidate. Which potential VPOTUS's (ranging in age from 47 to 52) get ink in Sunday's paper? Click here to see. Permalink
Upbeat Clinton Team Denies Gloomy Reports
On media conference call, spokesman Wolfson and supporters bat away suggestions the campaign fears a loss to Obama. Ohio Gov. Strickland: "There’s no discouragement here on the ground in Ohio... I am very confident, and with every passing day I feel more encouraged...." Wolfson: "'Momentum' is a media storyline. That is not an issue on which voters vote." Wolfson again knocks Obama on the experience issue, quoted old AP story and suggested Obama had changed his position on NAFTA as part of a pattern. Speculation fueled by must-read WashPost story featuring stark pessimism from unnamed adviser. Read key section. Wolfson's reaction: “This storyline is nonsense. We are going to be successful on March 4 and Hillary Clinton will be the nominee of our party.” Permalink
Pro-Clinton Group Hit With FEC Complaint
Cleveland Obama supporter files complaint about the American Leadership Project, which has pledged to run pro-Clinton ads in Texas and Ohio. Accuses the California-based group of creating "sham issue ads." Permalink
Clinton's Debate Close Featured in New Ad
Spot airing in Ohio and Texas features her tribute to wounded veterans from Thursday's debate. Click above to watch. One of four new spots airing in the key March 4 states. To see the others, click here. Permalink
NY Times and Washington Post Poke/Prod at McCain
Saturday stories suggest (1) some inconsistencies in accounts; (2) the papers aren't done practicing journalism on this one. WashPost on disputed meeting here. NY Times on letter-writing here. Permalink
Obama Gets Healthy
As his health care plan gets scrutiny, Obama does medical event in Ohio. Read his Columbus remarks here. Permalink
Why Reporters Love Bill Richardson
New Mexico governor gives NY Times reporter verbatim accounts of Clinton/Obama courtship of his endorsement. Permalink
Mom & Pop Stores Feel Clinton Cash Crunch
Small businesses wait months for campaign to pay bills. New Year's Eve Iowa hotel tab finally settled. Permalink
Texas Gov. to Huckabee: "It's Time for the Mercy Rule"
Rick Perry, a McCain backer, likens Huckabee to a football team getting trounced. "You just go ahead and salute the other side and say well done, and walk away, before anybody gets hurt...." Also swipes at Arkansas' economy. Permalink
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