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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 25th, 2008
WHAT IF
HALPERIN'S TAKE: Things John McCain can do to try to beat Barack Obama that Hillary Clinton cannot. Permalink
Three Sets of National Numbers
From AP/Ipsos poll: Dems: Obama 46, Clinton 43. GOP: McCain 53, Huckabee 27. Dates conducted: Feb. 22-24. Error margin: 4.6 points. Read more here. From CBS/NYT poll: Dems: Obama 54, Clinton 38. Dates conducted Feb. 20-24. Error margin: 5 points. Read more here. From USA Today/Gallup poll: Dems: Obama 51, Clinton 39. GOP: McCain 61, Huckabee 23. Dates taken: Feb. 21-24. Error margin: 2 points. Read more here. Permalink
GAME ON
Clinton and Obama meet in their final face off before the key March 4 primaries. The 90-minute duel at Cleveland State University AIRING NOW on MSNBC and Ohio broadcast TV. Click here to watch. Debate opened with political process questions to Clinton on her shifting tone and Matt Drudge (not kidding). 16-minute duel on health care ended in a draw. Clinton yet again mentioned "Saturday Night Live" sketch on the media favoring Obama. Check back following the debate for Mark Halperin's candidate grades and report cards. Permalink
Clinton Unveils Latino Campaign Theme Song
With introduction by Tejano musician Johnny Canales. Listen to it here. Permalink
Furious Wolfson Calls Out the Media
Obviously angry communications director on conference call with reporters says: "I think it is true that every time the Obama campaign in this campaign has attacked Senator Clinton in the worst kind of personal ways, attacked her veracity, attacked her credibility, said that she would say or do anything to get elected, the press has largely applauded him." Says she focuses on contrasting the issues, while he goes after her personally "every day." Listen to audio here. Permalink
Patrick: Plagiarism Charge Shows Clinton Has "Little... to Say"
Massachusetts governor again scoffs at Clinton's speech-swiping accusation against Obama: "I guess if you have little else to say, then you turn the trivial into the meaningful." Says he favors the Illinois Senator because "we don't want just a chief policy wonk" as President. Permalink
Texas Poll Results
From CNN/Opinion Research: Obama 50, Clinton 46 Poll conducted: Feb 22-24 Error margin: 3.5 points For more on the poll, including comparison with last week, click here. Permalink
Former Cleveland Mayor Flips to Obama
Michael White writes in essay to the Plain Dealer: "After watching the primary election process by the day and sometimes by the hour, I decided that I cannot cast my vote for Senator Clinton.... On March 4th, I'm voting for Barack Obama..." Permalink
Clinton Fights Back on NAFTA in Ohio
Responding to relentless Obama push on the issue, New Yorker's campaign puts out mail piece and robocall seeking the upper hand. From the mailer: "Hillary Clinton: a consistent record of protecting American workers....American workers can't afford Barack Obama." See the full piece here. From the robocall: "NAFTA has hurt Ohio families and I have a plan to fix it. My opponent does not." Read the full script here. Campaign holds afternoon conference call with more, says Obama supported NAFTA in 2004 too. Plus: The Columbus Dispatch rounds up a flurry of Democratic activity in Ohio Permalink
Cincinnati Mayor Backs Obama
Superdelegate Mark Mallory makes his endorsement at an Obama rally in the Queen City. Permalink
McCain Says He Could Lose Over War Issue
Tells Ohioans that to win the White House he has to convince war-weary country that U.S. policy in Iraq is succeeding. Says on the stump that if he can’t “I’ll lose,” but later backpedals saying: “Let me not put it that stark.... But I don't think there's any doubt that how they judge Iraq will have a direct relation to their judgment of me.” Permalink
Weather Guy Previews the Democratic Debate (Weather) in Cleveland
Jeff Ranieri -- high-energy meteorologist -- does you-are-there report from outside the debate venue. Watch it above. Permalink
Foreign Policy Face-Off
Clinton delivers foreign policy address in D.C. flanked by retired military, defense officials. Read more here and here. Read full speech here. Plus: Obama campaign foreign policy advisers preempt rival's speech Monday by holding media conference call going after her on Iraq, Iran, Pakistan. Susan Rice: "...On three of the key issues that have arisen over the last several years, Sen. Clinton has exhibited the wrong judgment." Listen to audio here. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Led program with Clinton’s assault on Obama’s foreign policy experience, framing it as latest in string of attempts to slow his momentum. Unflattering sequence laid out four different tones she’s used in four days. Showed photo of Obama in African dress and brief Clinton response. Second report, a preview of Monday Nightline piece, painted mixed picture of Obama’s record in the Illinois Senate. Brief mention of McCain comment about possibly losing over Iraq surge. CBS: After one other story, political segment led with new CBS/NY Times poll. Then McCain’s comment about losing over the surge, noting he later tried to take it back. Mention that Clinton has hit hard against Obama ever since her final debate comment was interpreted as a farewell. Showed photo of Obama in Africa, along with Clintons in similar garb. Clip of Tina Fey’s pro-Clinton riff on “Saturday Night Live.” NBC: Led with USA Today poll showing Clinton slip nationally, covered Clinton’s three days of “furious attacks” against rival, said Obama “taking it all in stride.” Andrea Mitchell said tone change is to reassure donors she’s not bowing out. Tim Russert weighed in on Democratic “sniping,” said Clinton needs a “single coherent message over the next week.” Issues series looked at each candidate’s stance on economic policies. Permalink
TV Interview Potpourri
Ralph Nader hits network TV throughout the day, unloads on Obama on Fox News: "He’s self-censoring his best instincts," defends his consumer-advocate positions to a skeptical Tucker Carlson on MSNBC. Permalink
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