Archive - March 18, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Pennsylvania Superdelegate Rep. Murtha Goes for Clinton

Gets her second post-Ohio/Texas public superdelegate commitment of the day. Western Pennsylvania representative says Clinton "will forge a consensus on health care, education, the economy, and the war in Iraq.'' Earlier: West Virginia superdelegate Pat Maroney, a DNC committee chairman, also chose the New York Senator. Permalink

Bill Clinton's Bold Prediction

The former president wrapped up his three-city campaign blitz in Indiana by saying that if his wife wins the state's Democratic primary, she'll win the presidency. "Nobody believes she can win in Indiana because it borders Illinois. If you show them they're wrong, she'll be the nominee and she'll be the president." Permalink

Obama On the Air in Pennsylvania

Two radio ads start running Tuesday in the Keystone state. One is very youth-oriented, talking about student loans and explaining voter registration rules. Listen to it here. The other calls out independents and Republicans "who want real change," encouraging them to register as Democrats. Listen to it here. Permalink

Gingrich: Obama's Speech "Fundamentally Dishonest"

Former House Speaker rips Obama's speech on race and his relationship with the Rev. Wright on the Fox News Channel. Watch clip above. Plus: Elisabeth Hasselbeck also takes Obama to task for his ties with Wright on Tuesday's "The View." Earlier: Obama delivers historic remarks on race in address that was wide-ranging, personal, and (at times) passionate. Click above to watch excerpt, or watch complete speech here. And/but ambiguity with this: "Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes." When/how does that thread get pulled? Read key excerpts from the 45-minute address, and read the full text. Permalink

Rezko Trial Star Witness Testifies

Prosecutors hope Tuesday's testimony of "bribery, treachery, rampant drug abuse" by one-time political insider Stuart Levine will damage the Chicago developer and former Obama confidante's credibility moving forward. Get latest trial news here. Permalink

Bush: "In the Long Term, We Are Going to Be Just Fine"

President in Jacksonville, Florida speech acknowledges short-term troubles in U.S. economy, and/but says trade is key. Plus: Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate by three-fourths of a percentage point, bringing rate down to lowest point since late 2004. Permalink

McCain Camp Accuses Dems of Exaggerating Fact Flub

McCain spokesman Rogers says: "Democrats have launched political attacks today because they know the American people have deep concerns about their candidates’ judgment and readiness to lead as commander in chief." Full statement here. Comes after statement in Jordan Tuesday where he repeatedly misidentifies which broad category of Iraqi extremists are allegedly receiving support from Iran. Bailed out by Joe Lieberman's whispering. Watch video here. Plus: DNC statement points out second use of flubbed fact. Permalink

Obama Looks To North Carolina

--Obama launches state voter drive Tuesday. --The Illinois Senator makes his first visit to Charlotte since April Wednesday. --Meanwhile, a spokesman maintains that security concerns did not derail recent plans to appear in Greensboro. Permalink

Clinton "Glad" About Obama Speech

Obama's opponent welcomes Tuesday's speech on race, says race and gender have been "complicated" issues in the campaign. But adds challenge: "It's whether the president delivers on the speeches." Permalink

Conservative Reaction Mixed on Obama Speech

Conservative writer Charles Murray calls it "plain flat out brilliant." But Rush Limbaugh is not impressed, calling the speech "flowery" but maintaining it doesn't resolve questions about Wright. Get details (including audio) here. Permalink

Obama's Axelrod: Clinton Camp "Would Do Anything to Win"

Top adviser tells Politico: "...And that means anything. … There is a frenetic energy around them to commandeer this election in any way they can." Complains about downplaying of elected delegates, putting focus on popular vote. "And if that does not work out, they will probably challenge us to a game of cribbage to choose the nominee." Clinton spokesman Singer responds: "The reality is that the Obama campaign has made character attacks on Sen. Clinton the centerpiece of its strategy, despite claiming they don’t have a 'strategy to tear people down." Read full statement. Permalink