The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from March 17th, 2008
Florida Democrats: There Will Be No Revote
Party pulls plug on plan floated last week for a new by-mail primary. "No plan could come anywhere close to being viable...." Read letter here. Will now attempt to get delegation seated based on renegade January contest -- a "high stakes gambit" according to the Sun-Sentinel. Read Obama, Clinton camp responses here. Permalink
Wide-Ranging and Newsmaking
In "NewsHour" interview with Gwen Ifill, Obama: -- previews his Tuesday race speech -- talks about gender versus race -- pushes back on Clinton on Iraq -- and fights back on her "big state" argument Read full transcript here. Permalink
New National Numbers
Nomination numbers from CNN/Opinion Research Corp poll: Obama 52, Clinton 45. Dates conducted March 14-16. Error margin: 4.5 points. Read more here. Head-to-head match ups from USA Today/Gallup poll: Clinton beats McCain 51 to 46. Obama beats McCain 49 to 47. Dates conducted March 14-16. Error margin: 4 points. Read more here. Permalink
Iraq Talk Produces Triangular Firing Squad
Obama, Clinton, McCain trade gibes on policy and records. Obama delivers tough response in Monaca, Pennsylvania to Clinton attacks over Iraq, questions her vote for the war. Read more here. Also releases anti-Clinton Web video. Comes after strongly-worded policy address from Clinton in Washington as the war's 5-year anniversary approaches. She hits McCain saying he will "gladly accept the torch" from Bush, and kicks Obama on the experience question. Watch video here. For McCain's strong response to Clinton and more, click here. Permalink
Candidates Weigh In on Economic Woes
Obama statement: "History will not judge President Bush kindly for his failure to act in a way that could’ve prevented or alleviated this economic crisis." Read it here. Read more on Obama's view of the economy from Monday presser transcript here. Clinton tells reporters: Bush, congressional leaders should skip the Easter recess to deal with economy that's "in the soup." Also releases economic statement. McCain senior policy advisor: "Senator McCain has complete confidence in Chairman Bernanke and the actions of the Federal Reserve." Full statement here. Permalink
Clinton Cheered in NY Assembly Chamber
Gets two standing ovations (and one jeer) when she's introduced in Albany Tuesday as incoming Governor David Paterson was sworn into office. Tells the Daily News "I wouldn't be anywhere else." Permalink
Clinton Sets Sights on Puerto Rico
Campaign puts out her agenda -- focusing on state's U.S. status, health care, economy, jobs -- for the territory, set to vote in June. Read it here. Permalink
Limbaugh Keeps Rev. Wright Issue Afloat
Conservative talk show host kicks off noon broadcast hinting that the argument over comments from Obama's former pastor are not over yet. Spends majority of early broadcast slamming candidate, playing audio clips mocking him, quoting Wright. Listen to clips of the broadcast here. Wall Street Journal says the fallout from the controversy "could largely be determined by Sen. Obama's response." Permalink
Clinton Team Ratchets Up Pressure Over Michigan Vote
Senior aide Harold Ickes says Obama would be "putting his own political interests ahead of the people of Michigan" if he does not agree to a new primary. Read statement. Obama camp swiftly responds. And: Michigan Democratic leaders are reportedly ready to back amendment to election law allowing June 3 primary. Read full amendment. Plus: Michigan and Florida voting not on the agenda of DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee's March 24 conference call. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
Economic turmoil led the three programs. ABC: News of the Florida Democratic party’s decision against holding a new primary vote. Then a package on the continued fallout from the Rev. Wright’s preaching, Obama’s coming speech on race, and the “chasm” between white and black America. CBS: Brief mention of the Florida Democratic party decision. NBC: First to Florida’s announcement that a revote will not happen. Said state party members couldn’t unite behind a proposal, mail-in vote could harm state’s reputation if it was a “fiasco.” Noted Obama’s Tuesday speech on race. Covered day’s bombings in Iraq, McCain speaking on threat of al-Qaeda, Cheney saying war was “worth it” and “successful." Permalink
Delegates Needed for Democratic Nomination Drops by One
DNC says magic number decreases to 2,024 because of several changes among superdelegates -- notably the loss of outgoing New York Gov. Spitzer. Read memo from the DNC explaining the changes here. Permalink
Elton John to Perform at Big Apple Fundraiser for Clinton
Event at Radio City Music Hall set for April 9. Will be Sir Elton's first New York solo performance since 2000. Permalink
B. Clinton Addresses South Carolina Comments, Democratic Disputes
Says on "Good Morning America" that the press "made up a race story" out of his comments in South Carolina, calling it "a bizarre spin." Predicts more strife between the Clinton and Obama campaigns, but says the contest overall has been "fairly mild." Click above for more. Plus: Makes similar remarks about South Carolina on CNN's "American Morning," saying, "No one in our campaign played any race card." Permalink
Fool's Errands, Delusions, and Common Errors
HALPERIN'S TAKE: What presidential candidates get wrong. Permalink
Return to Sender
Florida Democrats' by-mail re-vote faces Monday deadline. Is there a Plan B? Permalink
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