Archive - April 1, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama $30 Million Man for March

TIME's Duffy and Weisskopf scoop: Obama raises more than a million per day despite month of troubles. Source: Clinton closer to around $20 million. Permalink

Told stock Chairman Mao, Mo Udall, bear DNA, drunken sailor, blood relatives/paid staffers jokes as part of low-key appearance on late-night laughter. Watch video above. Played down Democrats' deadlock troubles. Bashed Bear Stearns and Countrywide. Addressed "100 years" comment and nicked Rumsfeld. Appeared in 3 long segments after Letterman opened the show with a string of his trademark McCain jokes: “He looks like the guy who can’t stop talking about how well his tomatoes are doing." Permalink

McCain Economic Strategy Under Fire

Wash Post: McCain top economic advisors Phil Gramm, Carly Fiorina are just the kind of "aggressive capitalists" that could take the blame on for the current slump. Plus: In separate appearances in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Clinton and Obama both took McCain to task on money matters. Permalink

Obama's Indiana Return

Obama will be in Muncie on Friday, on the 40th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was in Muncie in 1968 when he learned that King was dead. Obama's campaign said the timing of Obama's Muncie visit is a coincidence, though confirmed he likely will refer to the anniversary in his remarks. Permalink

Business Donors Bypass McCain

The WSJ reports that McCain faces a problem as he tries to close a fund-raising deficit against Clinton and Obama. "Both have been cleaning his clock among business interests that give mainly to Republicans." Permalink

Dean Determined

New York Times examines DNC chairman's (potential) role in ending the Obama-Clinton impasse. Permalink

Clinton and Obama Invited to Debate

The Indiana Debate Commission has asked them to meet in a nationally televised debate in Indiana sometime between Pennsylvania's primary on April 22 and Indiana's on May 6. Spokesmen for both campaigns said the invitation is under consideration but made no commitment. Permalink

Obama Woos Clinton Supporter: "I'll Give You a Kiss"

Candidate does his best to lure a Dunmore, Pennsylvania pharmacist. "What do I need to do? Do you want me on my knees?" Woman later says she wants them both to be president-- but Clinton first. Read pool report. Permalink

Reid Backs July 1 Superdelegates Deadline

Senate Majority Leader signs on to plan proposed by DNC Chair Dean. "Sen. Reid agrees that superdelegates who have already made up their minds declare their support by July 1," a spokesman tells CNN. Permalink

McCain Aide Black Resigns Lobbying Post

Charles Black steps down as chairman of BKSH & Associates to join the campaign full-time. Permalink

Ickes: Rev. Wright is Key Topic in Discussions with Uncommitted Superdelegates

Top Clinton adviser tells Talking Points Memo that Obama's former pastor comes up in talks with supers about his general election electability. "Nobody thinks that Barack Obama harbors those thoughts. But that's not the issue. The issue is what Republicans [will do with them]...I think they're going to give him a very tough time." Permalink

Clinton Camp Memo Maintains They're Ready to Continue the Fight

Memo from Campaign Manager Maggie Williams underscores recent Clinton statements that the upcoming contests are just as important as the earlier ones in the race. Read it here. Earlier: Maintains she'll push on while speaking to the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO in Tuesday morning speech, saying: "No one knows better than our unions what it means to fight for the underdog." "Let me tell you something, when it comes to finishing the fight, Rocky and I have a lot in common. I never quit. I never give up. And neither do the American people." Read excerpts here. Plus: AFSCME President Gerald McEntee defends Clinton on NAFTA as he introduces her at event. Permalink

Elizabeth Edwards Blogs Back at McCain Adviser Over Health Plan Comments

Responds to senior policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin's comments that she didn't understand "the comprehensive nature" of McCain's proposal when she criticized it this weekend. "The problem, Douglas, is that, despite fuzzy language and feel-good lines in the Senator’s proposal, I do understand exactly how devastating it will be to people who have the health conditions with which the Senator and I are confronted (melanoma for him, breast cancer for me) but do not have the financial resources we have." Edwards said in the LA Times Sunday that both she and McCain have survived cancer but "neither one of us would be covered by his health policy." Plus: E. Edwards booked on NBC News' "Today" Wednesday to keep at it. Permalink

AFT Hits Pennsylvania Airwaves for Clinton

American Federation of Teachers is up with $325,000 radio ad buy touting Clinton as the best candidate to beat McCain. Read more. "When she gets knocked down, she gets up... We need a fighter in the Oval Office." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: After several stories, package on McCain's return to his high school, an attempt to convey a "kinder, gentler" McCain. CBS: Package on Clinton trying to start her comeback against Obama in Pennsylvania. Included Clinton's "Rocky" references, also mentioned Ickes raising the Rev. Wright issue with superdelegates. NBC: Political block led with McCain's return to Episcopal High School. Also mentioned Obama winning Texas delegates, and steady growth in voter registration in Pennsylvania, North Carolina. Permalink