Archive - March 28, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Clinton's Retort: "I Like Long Movies"

Speaking in Indiana, the New Yorker wryly responds to an earlier quip from Obama about the nomination fight, that it's "a good movie that lasted about a half an hour too long." Plus: Obama touts his “own terrible towel” in Steelers country as he exits the speech venue with two former Steeler stars. Check out the pool report (along with a classic photo) here. Permalink

Chelsea Clinton Says Mom Would Be a Better President Than Dad

Laughed when asked to choose between her parents at an Allentown, Pennsylvania event, but eventually picked mom. She spoke for more than an hour at a local hospital, taking questions mostly about health care. Permalink

Obama Up With New Pennsylvania TV Ad

30-second spot with Obama standing outside a gas station focuses on energy independence, oil companies. Says: "I don't take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists and I won't let them block change anymore." Watch it above. Clinton camp response to the ad: "It’s unfortunate that Senator Obama is using false advertising to explain why he can be trusted to do something about energy prices." Full statement here. Plus: Obama also goes up on Indiana, North Carolina TV. Read more here. Permalink

Clinton Stays Defiant

Again makes clear she has no plans to quit the race. “I thought we of all people knew how important it was to give everyone a chance to have their voices heard and their votes counted...." Permalink

B. Clinton Says Clinton-Obama Battle Dividing Democrats is "a Bunch of Bull"

Dismisses talk that a prolonged contest for the nomination is hurting the party in the general election at a stop in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Permalink

Clinton As Cassandra

TIME's Mark Halperin and James Carney on Clinton's belief that McCain would beat Obama -- and why she is "still in it to win it," rejecting calls for her to quit. Read the story from the just-published issue of TIME here. Permalink

Condoleezza Rice Weighs in on Obama Race Speech

Says in interview with the Washington Times editorial board that it was "important" for Obama to give the speech "for a whole host of reasons." Refused to comment any further on the campaign. Permalink

Bill Clinton to Democrats: "Just Relax"

Former president says Democrats calling for his wife to drop out should calm down. "People should just relax and let the process go on." Permalink

McKinnon=Axelrod

McCain adviser (who HEARTS Obama and at left above) sounds like he would fit right in in Chicago with his Clinton Fatigue monologue to the National Journal: "I think that fundamentally she represents an extension of the Clinton legacy, which this country is just tired of. They are tired of the Clinton-style politics, and we've seen it manifest itself over the course of this campaign." Also says he thinks the extended Democratic infighting is helping McCain. Permalink

Obama Campaign Accuses Clinton of Scorching the Earth

Scathing kitchen-sink memo accuses Clinton of kitchen-sink negative effort. Essential reading here. Clinton campaign spokesman Singer responds: "The Obama campaign is engaging in a full blown character assassination effort that both undermines its central premise and suggests that the staffers in Chicago are feeling nervous." HALPERIN’S TAKE: If Obama has the nomination wrapped up, why is his campaign going after Clinton so hard? Permalink

Clinton Michigan Co-Chair Blames DNC's Rigid Rules for Delegate Debacle

Former Gov. James Blanchard tells the Detroit Free Press that the party is “flirting with McCain victory” for not resolving seating the state’s delegates at the convention. Blanchard: “They’re treating the rules like the U.S. Constitution or the 10 Commandments. They’ve lost their way...I do think the presidential election process is broken. It’s broken, we have a heck of a mess.” Permalink

Casey on Obama: "This is a Campaign for America"

Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator and superdelegate announces his endorsement of the Illinois Senator at a Pittsburgh rally. Watch video above. Casey has big following among -- and symbolic resonance with -- the state's working-class voters. Will join part of Obama's six-day Pennsylvania bus tour. Had originally said he would remain neutral until after his state's April 22 primary. Obama campaign's Friday surrogate talking points: "Working families in Pennsylvania have few stronger advocates than Senator Casey." To read the talking points (which also hit McCain and talk about Obama's economic agenda), click here. Permalink

Gore: Race Will "Resolve Itself," "Sees No Urgency" to Endorse

Without much elaboration, former Veep tells the AP in a quick interview after a speech at Middle Tennessee State University: "I think it's going to resolve itself. But we'll see." Permalink

What Did He Hear and When Did He Hear It?

On "The View" Obama defends pastor but not his inflammatory remarks. Tells co-hosts, "I never heard him say some of the things that have people upset." Click above for a clip. Also hints that he would have left the church if Wright had stayed on as pastor. WashPost: Obama aides haven't said which of Wright's sermons candidate attended or if there's a difference between "objectionable" comments Obama did not hear and "controversial" ones he did. Plus: Reports that Wright had anti-Israel writings reprinted in the church newsletter get some national news pickup. Permalink

Dean: Democrat Bickering Harms Party

The DNC chairman warns that Clinton-Obama sniping may "demoralize the base of the Democratic party." In wide-ranging interview, says he hopes nominee is chosen soon after voting ends in June, also wants superdelegates to make their choices before the convention. Plus: Dean says on CNN's "American Morning" that he believes Michigan and Florida's delegates will be seated as soon as they reach an agreement with the candidates. On ABC's "Good Morning America," says it would be "nice" if superdels announced their support by July 1, if not earlier. Permalink