Archive - February 27, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Pro-Clinton 527 Group Forms in Texas

Americans for Progress joins the Clinton cause with about a week left. Permalink

Clinton: "I Think I Inspire A Lot of People"

In wide-ranging "NewsHour" interview on PBS says: -- on housing: "It is funny to me that Senator Obama would be on the right of George Bush on this." -- on John Lewis: "He is a dear friend and I respect him so greatly and I understand the incredible pressure that he has been under. So he is my friend today just like he was yesterday." -- on winning Ohio and Texas: "I don't make predictions. I just get up every day and do the work and what I have found is that more and more people seem to be taking a hard look at both of us and concluding that they will support me..." Read full transcript here. Watch video above. Permalink

B. Clinton Says Words Do Matter

Recalls a time when he "was a reasonably good speaker" as a politician while at a University of Texas event in Austin. Permalink

ATTENTION: Time Warner Legal Department

Obama town meeting, Duncanville, Texas. Who made money off of the sale of that shirt? Developing... Plus: Read the pool report on Obama's address to an overflow crowd outside a Dallas-area high school town meeting, during which a "mild obscenity" was uttered. Permalink

Maine Superdelegate Backs Obama

State Democratic Party's Vice Chair Marianne Stevens lends her support. "I was in High School and a volunteer in a Democratic campaign office when I met Bobby Kennedy. He gave us all hope in very troubling times. Barack Obama gives me the same sense of hope for our future." Permalink

FLIPPED

Civil rights hero/superdelegate Congressman John Lewis (GA) makes the switch once and for all from Clinton to Obama. Lewis: "It's been a long, hard and difficult struggle to come to where I am now." Tells NBC's Andrea Mitchell that this decision was harder than his famed 1965 March on Selma. Click above to watch. Obama's statement: "John Lewis is an American hero and a giant of the Civil Rights Movement, and I am deeply honored to have his support." Politico says the pressure for Clinton's black supporters to do the same is mounting. Permalink

HOT AND SOUR

(Or, perhaps, sweet and sour.) Aboard the Obama campaign plane headed to Columbus Wednesday, top strategist David Axelrod displays confidence (but not arrogance) -- and braces for the scrutiny the frontrunner deserves. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

Politics led all three programs. ABC: Program led with McCain-Obama duel over Obama's debate comment about al-Qaeda in Iraq; was cast as likely preview of general election battle to come. Mention of new ads and a popular amateur mariachi video supporting Obama. Story on Clinton's economic summit in Ohio mentioned thinning crowd, panned across empty chairs. Clip of Clinton talking to reporters on airplane, mentioned her sidestepping question about her campaign after Tuesday. CBS: Show led with Lewis' defection to Obama. Combined with Sens. Dodd and Dorgan, reporter said apparently the party establishment is "trying to tell her something." Debate wrap-up focused on Obama's conciliatory words and body language, while "Clinton's frustration was evident." Again showed photo of Obama in African garb while discussing debate question on that subject. NBC: Led with debate saying Clinton needed it to be a "game changer," but instead is being outspent in Texas, Ohio, losing superdelegates. Aired interview with Rep. Lewis saying he "loves Clinton" and decision was harder than Selma march. Superdelegate count since Feb. 5: Obama +30, Clinton -5. Called Obama, McCain back-and-forth "preview of what might be the fall matchup." Week-long issues series looked at immigration stances. Permalink

McCain, Obama Go to War Over War in Iraq

Republican de facto nominee hammers the Democratic frontrunner for debate comment suggesting Al-Qaeda is not a major factor in Iraq. McCain in Tyler, Texas: "I have some news. Al-Qaeda is in Iraq. Al-Qaeda is called al-Qaeda in Iraq.... I will not surrender to al-Qaeda." Read full statement here. Obama said Tuesday he would consider returning U.S. troops to Iraq after a withdrawal if Al-Qaeda established a base of operations there. Counter-punch: Obama gives sharp, taunting response in Columbus, Ohio: "John McCain may like to say he wants to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, but so far all he’s done is follow George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq that has cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars and that I intend to bring to an end.... That’s the news, John McCain.” Watch video above. Read Obama campaign Iraq fact check here. Get Joe Klein's take on McCain's comments on Swampland. Permalink

Obama Launches Two Texas TV Ads

"Voices" goes after lobbyists in Washington. Watch it above. Spanish-language ad "Oportunidad" highlights plan to make college more affordable. Watch it above. Permalink

MSNBC Debate Most Watched Program in Network History

Network says Tuesday night's debate in Cleveland between Clinton and Obama drew 7.8 million viewers. Permalink

Democrat-on-Democrat Action

--Clinton camp memo slams Obama saying he doesn't act on his commitments. Read it here. Permalink

Sen. Dorgan Endorses Obama

North Dakota Senator jumps on the Land of Lincolner bandwagon. Says while announcing his support on media call: "We both believe in trade and plenty of it, we just believe the rules need to be fair." Permalink

B. Clinton: Obama "Running For President Since He Got in the Senate"

Slips in line on Obama ambition while concluding rally in Houston, Texas. Also: Former president champions his wife's support for space program, also goes after Obama on important local issue. Plus: Read NY Times on a "muzzled and leashed" B. Clinton here. Permalink