Archive - March 19, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

New National Numbers

From CBS News poll: Obama 46, Clinton 43 Dates conducted March 15-18. Error margin: 3 points. Read more, including head-to-head matchups, here. Permalink

McCain Downplays Mideast Gaffe

Says in interview with NBC's "Nightly News" that after several trips to the region, believing he lacks knowledge of the differences between Sunni and Shi'ia is a "bit ludicrous." Watch clip above. Earlier: Obama spokesman fires off sarcastic response to McCain campaign over Iraq: "We wish the McCain campaign well as they try to figure out the difference between Iran and al Qaeda... Followed top McCain aide Salter lashing Obama's "fantasy" Iraq plan, suggests he needs to learn "national security 101." Before that: Obama speech criticizes McCain and Clinton for voting to authorize the war. Also mocks the Arizonan for misstatement. Watch clip, and read full text. Read more on the Iraq War anniversary. Permalink

Obama Tells CNN Wright Controversy Has "Shaken Him Up"

Tells Anderson Cooper his former pastor's comments "have gotten me back into remembering that the odds of me getting elected have always been lower than some of the other conventional candidates." Read more here. Clinton campaign takes issue with some of his statements on Michigan, Florida. Read more here. Full interview aired on "Anderson Cooper 360 " on CNN. Watch the video here. Plus: Obama also schedules an appearance with the ladies on "The View" for March 28. Permalink

Clinton Compliments Petraeus on Iraq Anniversary

Gives a relatively rare shout-out to the military’s top man in Baghdad while in Charleston, West Virginia. Calls him “an extraordinary leader and a wonderful advocate for our military.” Also holds discussion with veterans, releases video of former military leaders touting her experience. Watch it here. Permalink

McCain Voices Support for Israel

Touring the Middle East, he endorses tough response to Palestinian rocket fire. Also praises Palestinian President Abbas. Permalink

Florida Legislature Still Looking at Options

State Democratic senators suggest using Jan. 29 results to seat half of the delegates, seat the other half based on national results of all other states combined, ask Obama and Clinton camps to consider. Read proposed plan here. Plan already has opposition, including one state Clinton supporter. Permalink

Team Clinton: Momentum's Ours

Clinton pollster Mark Penn cites dozens of polls, says voters are starting to feel "buyer's remorse" on wide-ranging media call. Penn and team of spokesmen field questions on Iraq, Michigan and Florida, White House documents, Obama's race speech and more. Listen to full audio of call here. Permalink

B. Clinton Stumps in Pennsylvania

Tells crowd his wife's the only one "who can stack up against Sen. McCain on the national security issues." Also tackles calls from a heckler in the crowd saying he "gutted" the military. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

CBS: Led with 5-year anniversary of Iraq War, included McCain's continued support for the effort and opposition to a fast withdrawal. Package looked at Clinton's trip to Michigan to encourage new primary, charge that not seating Michigan and Florida delegates is "un-American." Mention of new poll figures. First look through Clinton's White House schedules is called "inconclusive" in terms of supporting or undermining her foreign police experience. ABC: Stephanopoulos recapped the day's political news, including the growing unlikelihood of revotes in Florida and Michigan, discussed possible fallout from Obama's race speech. Investigative piece on Clinton's first lady schedules was skeptical those experiences would translate to the presidency. Also pointed to documents involving Clinton's support for NAFTA and her schedule during the Lewinsky scandal. Package on five-year anniversary of war in Iraq highlighted speeches of both Democratic candidates on the issue. NBC: Led with weather worries, then turned to Iraq anniversary. Chronicled candidates weighing in, said Clinton, Obama highlighted differences on troop pullout plans. Then, covered Clinton's "Michigan detour" where she made "her strongest push yet," despite stalemate in legislature. Touched on Clinton document release, Clinton's Murtha endorsement. Followed with McCain's Mideast visit, McCain interview on Sunni-Shi'ia gaffe and Iraq stance, Obama's seizing on error. Permalink

Sharpton Keeping Obama Support Quiet

Says he backs the Illinois Senator, but believes it wiser not to formally endorse him. "I said, 'I'm gonna do whatever I gotta do to help you. Hillary Clinton has never done nothing for us.'" Permalink

GOP Sees Obama Speech, Wright As Potential Ammo

Newsday: GOP leaders say Obama handed them a "major weapon" by refusing to disown Wright. Plus: Politico: "In their view, the inflammatory sermons by Obama’s pastor offer the party a pathway to victory if Obama emerges as the Democratic nominee." But: LA Times looks at more of Wright's sermons, finds he's "also uplifting." Permalink

Obama Talks to "Nightline" Post-Speech

Obama discusses race speech, how his background played into it on ABC's "Nightline" Tuesday night. Watch clip above. Permalink

Clinton Headed to Indiana

The Senator will focus on jobs as her presidential campaign takes her to two struggling Indiana sites-- Terre Haute and Anderson -- that once were industrial powerhouses. Permalink

Morning Show Summary

All the shows touched on Obama's race speech Tuesday. Read more here. Permalink

Records Show Clinton Work Supporting NAFTA

White House schedules released Wednesday show the first lady speaking at a 1993 pro-NAFTA conference. She now criticizes the trade deal. ABC News has details on the meeting. WashPost: Records show a retreat after 1994 collapse of her health-care plan to a "a more traditional first lady's calendar of school visits, hospital tours, photo ops" Files also reveal more about her schedule surrounding the Lewinsky scandal. Clinton statement calls on Obama to follow suit and "release his schedules and other records from his time as an Illinois State Senator." Read it here. Permalink