The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from February 26th, 2008
McCain Responds to New "Hussein" Comments
The de facto nominee disapproves of a Tennessee Republican Party press release warning of "Barack Hussein Obama's" “anti-Israel leanings." "This will be a respectful debate," McCain says in San Antonio. Click above to watch. Press release included photo of Obama in African dress. Read more here. Comes one day after McCain apologizes for derisive remarks of a supporter who also stressed Obama's middle name. Permalink
South Dakota Rep. Sandlin Backs Obama
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, a superdelegate, calls Obama "the right candidate for rural America." The Illinois Senator won two other superdelegates Tuesday, both Washington, D.C. "Shadow Senators." Permalink
McAuliffe Could See Clinton and Obama Sharing Ticket
Clinton's national chairman says it "sure is" possible she and Obama could end up as running mates in November. Declines to say who would take the top spot and who would run as VP. Permalink
Clinton Lays out Pre-Texas/Ohio Schedule
Campaign strategy memo says she'll spend two days pushing economic message, one each on child poverty, veterans, getting out the vote, capping it off on Monday with another broadcast town hall in Texas. Read it here. Permalink
LA Times/Bloomberg National Poll
Dems: Obama 48, Clinton 42 In head-to-head contests, McCain leads Clinton by 46% to 40% and Obama by 44% to 42%. Poll conducted Feb 21-25, Margin of error: 3 points Read more. Permalink
Clinton: "I Got a Little Hot" at Obama
Addresses her angry weekend remarks toward her opponent over campaign mailings. "I really mind it when Sen. Obama's campaign sends you literature in the mail that is false," she says at Ohio town hall, the day's only event before the Cleveland debate. Also accuses insurance companies of "unconstitutional" discrimination against the sick. And/But: Clinton aide says debate tone "will be civil." Permalink
Obama Camp Sees “Respectful” Duel With McCain
Campaign welcomes McCain’s apology for a supporter’s derisive comments at Ohio rally. Says it shows that, in a general election fight, “the candidates will attempt to keep it respectful and focused on issues.” Read Obama statement here. Earlier: McCain apologizes after talk show host repeatedly slams Obama and highlights his middle name, Hussein. Permalink
Rep. John Lewis Said to Back Obama Shortly
Friend and fellow civil rights icon says Lewis, a superdelegate, told him he would announce a switch from Clinton to Obama soon, perhaps as early as Tuesday. The Rev. Joseph Lowery says Lewis told him of his plans Saturday at an Atlanta funeral. Permalink
Leon Panetta: Clinton Campaign Made “Serious Mistakes”
Former Bill Clinton chief of staff says the campaign did not plan efficiently, compares Mark Penn to Karl Rove. "For the money they brought in, [they] should have done a much better job." Permalink
McCain Says He'd "Certainly Consider" Debate
Says at Columbus, Ohio event that he wasn't aware Huckabee had asked for one. Huckabee, at Cleveland presser, questioned McCain's viability saying that the race remains open while questions surround McCain's spending, called for debate. Points to allegations that McCain is not adhering to campaign finance laws, saying rival may have to “go completely dark between virtually now and the nomination convention." Permalink
Smoot-Obama-Hawley-Clinton
Free and fair trade is on the agenda. DEVELOPING... Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Dodd’s endorsement of Obama led the politics segment several stories in. Next, Stephanopoulos previewed Cleveland debate, said Clinton has a difficult task while Obama must not look “aloof and arrogant.” GOP report spent considerable time on “caustic” radio host introducing McCain, played all three “Hussein” references about Obama. Also played Limbaugh mocking McCain’s apology, suggested incident exposed weak support for McCain from conservatives. CBS: Politics led with Dodd endorsement, followed by positive coverage of Obama “taking the high road” on the stump, contrasted with Clinton’s “shame” remark from Saturday. Report laid out Clinton’s steep odds to the nomination. Jeff Greenfield looked at importance of trade and job losses to Ohio voters, with interview with Sen. Sherrod Brown. NBC: Opened from inside debate hall, said Clinton Tuesday signaled campaign has gone too negative. In interview with Dodd after Obama endorsement he warned Clinton against attack politics, said voters are "sick of it." Then, dug into NAFTA stances, concluded both have been inconsistent. Next, covered McCain "damage control" after radio host's anti-Obama rant. Russert weighed in, said Clintons are trying to balance protecting legacy, going as far as they can in nomination fight, noted B.Clinton has raised expectations in Ohio. Week-long issues series looked at candidates on health care. Permalink
Cleveland Marriott Concierge Lounge
With some of America's leading political reporters in residence, the Obamas are everywhere they want to be. Permalink
What Hillary Clinton and John McCain Can't Match
Click here to see a day in the media life of Obama. Permalink
UFCW Pro-Obama Ad Hits Ohio Airwaves
Obama-supporting United Food and Commercial Workers Union launches 30-second spot "Can We," focusing on the issues -- including jobs, Iraq, health care. Watch it above. "Can we really elect a President we can believe in? Yes we can." Plus: NYTimes details Obama-backing union spending in Ohio, Texas. Permalink
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