Archive - March 6, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Launches Negative Radio Ad in Mississippi

Ad features former Gov. Mabus criticizing Clinton's comment about the lack of female political leaders in Iowa and the Magnolia State. “Now I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of people putting us down...." Ad also highlights Obama's "Christian faith," an apparent response to false Muslim rumors. Clinton campaign's Singer responds: "Senator Obama's attacks on Senator Clinton won't mask the fact that voters are expressing serious doubts about whether he's ready to be commander in chief and serve as a steward of the economy." Permalink

Clinton Raises the Stakes on Ready-to-Be-President Charge Against Obama

Clinton speaking in Washington on the commander-in-chief threshold question: "I believe that I've done that. Certainly, Senator McCain has done that and you'll have to ask Senator Obama with respect to his candidacy." At event with military supporters, releases plan for Afghanistan's "forgotten front line." Read it here. Plus: Obama camp keeps attacks coming, mocks Clinton's claims of her national security experience. Permalink

Politico: 8 House Democrats Got Letters Before Times Square Bombing

Several members of Congress were mailed letters and photo of the NYC hub's recruiting station in Manhattan before Thursday morning bombing, according to House insiders. Letters didn't contain any specific threats; Capitol Police and FBI are investigating. Plus: Read McCain's statement here, and Clinton's full statement here. Permalink

Obama's Name Raised by Rezko Defense

Lead attorney names the Illinois Senator and five others in his opening statement trying to establish Rezko's innocent political motivations. Obama is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Lat est trial news here. Permalink

Obama Raises $55 Mil in February; Total Donors Top 1 Million

Tops Clinton's $35 million, which she reported last week, for another record-breaking fundraising month. Total donors now stand at 1,069,000, with 385,000 first-time donors last month. Meanwhile: Clinton campaign says they've raised $4 million online since March 4 wins. Read more here. Permalink

Donkey-on-Elephant and Donkey-on-Donkey Action

Obama campaign continues its McCain-Clinton joint slap pattern with statement on Cuba, responding to McCain (and prior Clinton campaign remarks). Obama spokesman Burton: “John McCain and Hillary Clinton both have the experience of supporting a Bush Cuba policy that has failed...." Read full statement. McCain criticized Obama earlier Thursday for his willingness to meet rival leaders such as Castro without preconditions. "That approach... would only serve to legitimize a person... (with) decades of record of cruelty and oppression of the people of Cuba." Permalink

Elephant-on-Donkey Action

McCain camp highlights Obama foreign policy adviser's comments that neither Democratic candidate is ready for the 3 am call, saying that's because McCain is the one who is. Read full statement here. Clinton campaign earlier emailed video of original remark to reporters. Permalink

Florida Sen. Nelson: DNC Facing "Train Wreck" Over Delegates

Offers stark warning not to "stiff arm" his state over delegate standoff. Sends Chairman Dean letter warning of "biggest train wreck you've ever seen" after his phone calls went unreturned. On morning television, Dean remains adamant than DNC rules must be followed. "You cannot violate the rules of a process, and then expect to get forgiven for it." Watch video here. On CNN, Florida Gov. Crist again calls it "unconscionable" not to seat delegates from Florida and Michigan, says DNC should pay for any revote. Michigan Gov. Granholm agrees, says Thursday she wants another vote but "one thing I do not want to see is any taxpayer-funded redo." Permalink

Clinton Camp: Attacks Suggest Obama "Unable to Make the Positive Case"

Senior adviser Ann Lewis scolds Obama on media conference call for stepping up attacks against Clinton instead of talking about "positive ideas" on the issues. Listen to audio here. Howard Wolfson says he doesn't believe "imitating Ken Starr" is a way to run a nomination campaign. Plus: Campaign memo echoes theme of the call.In response, Obama spokesman Burton calls Clinton arguments "absurd." Read release here. Clinton later declines to comment on the invocation of Starr, whose investigation led to her husband's impeachment. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Political block led with hefty Democratic fundraising, then to Clinton’s “frontal assault” on Obama’s commander-in-chief credentials. Mention of Florida, Michigan delegate dilemma and late word Clinton will oppose a Florida revote and a Michigan caucus. In satellite interview with Charlie Gibson, Obama raised tax return issue and again defended his preparation for the presidency. CBS: In second block, fundraising reports and package on stalemate over voting do-overs in Michigan and Florida. NBC: Led with economics (noting it was a factor in the presidential race), and foreign crises before moving to politics. Then, covered Clinton's Afghanistan event, Obama "raising the ante" with record-breaking February fundraising. Pointed out Clinton leaving door open for Florida, Michigan re-dos, Sen. Nelson insisting DNC pay, Gov. Granholm saying Michigan won't pay. Called Clinton camp's comparison of Obama to Ken Starr "fighting words to most Democrats." Noted McCain focusing on fundraising "while the Democrats spend theirs to fight each other." Permalink

Clinton, Obama Go Up on Wyoming Radio

Hers: Positive spot features a mother talking about her sick child, touts Clinton's health care program. Listen to it here. His: Offers populist message, promising to put Washington "back on the side of the people again." Listen to it here. Permalink

TIME Flies -- and You Are There

Karen Tumulty and David Von Drehle: "Clinton Gets a Tailwind" Rick Stengel: "Interview with Clinton: One Day at a Time" Joe Klein: "The Race Goes On" Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs: "Obama's Game Plan" Plus: Read Q&A with Obama here. Permalink

Prepping for Pennsylvania

--State braces for thousands of campaign workers, volunteers to head their way. Philadelphia Inquirer says to expect "a zoo." --Suburban election boards swamped with questions about registering to vote in the state after Texas, Ohio left Democratic nomination up for grabs. Permalink

Moving On to Mississippi

Clinton heads to the Magnolia State Wednesday, while Obama camp says he'll be there before Tuesday's contest. Permalink

McCain to Take 10-Day Europe, Middle East Trip

Politico: McCain to travel this month as part of congressional delegation, will deliver a major speech just after Easter detailing his observations. Permalink