The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from April 1st, 2008
Clinton: I Challenge Obama to a "Bowl-Off"
Kicks off press avail in Philadelphia in a somber tone by calling for.... A bowling match in Pennsylvania to decide the race. "Winner take all. I’ll even spot him two frames.” She continues, to guffaws from the press: “It’s time for his campaign to get out of the gutter. For all the pins to be counted… And when this game is over the American people will know they’ll have a president who’s ready to bowl on day one." Reminds the press after her statement: APRIL FOOLS. Comes after Obama's weak showing at the bowling alley Friday in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Listen to audio of entire press availability here. Permalink
McCain: "I Will Get Angry"
In interview with CNN, he says he won't stand for corruption or waste of American tax dollars. Points to record of bipartisanship to prove his temper won't get in the way of getting things done. Watch clip above. Read transcript here. Full interview to air on "The Situation Room" at 4 pm ET Permalink
McCain Comments on Zimbabwe's Election
"We cannot turn our back on the brave men and women who have struggled peacefully for their freedom," the candidate says in a statement. Read full response to Saturday's election. Evidence mounts that longtime president Mugabe may have been defeated. Permalink
Clinton Backer: "I'd Say Barack Obama is Going to Be the Next President"
Though Congressman/superdelegate Emanuel Cleaver supports Clinton, he says of Obama: "I will be stunned if he's not the next president of the United States." Likens race to uphill football game: "Even though I don't expect the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Indianapolis Colts, I cheer for the Kansas City Chiefs." Permalink
McCain-Obama Iraq Battle Takes Center Stage
Arizonan skewers the Democrat on his basic knowledge and understanding of security. "He does not understand… the fundamental elements of national security and warfare," McCain says aboard his campaign plane. "He has no experience or background in any of it.” Click above to watch. Response to Obama again invoking McCain's "100 year" comment about Iraq. Permalink
TV Interview Potpourri
--Clinton backer Evan Bayh discusses campaign bills on MSNBC, says what's important is that she has the resources to compete. Also follows campaign line on Obama surrogates calling for her to back out. Says it disenfranchises voters in his state. --Howard Dean reiterates his positions to MSNBC, says he wants supers to announce their support by July 1 so they can lock up a nominee, doesn't think the Michigan, Florida battle should go to the convention. --Obama backer Claire McCaskill says on MSNBC that McCain is 100% supportive of the course in Iraq, aligns him with Bush on economy as well. Says it's Clinton's decision on whether to drop out or not. Permalink
Drudge Touts Wednesday Gray Lady Agenda Setter
“NYT WEDS: PRESSURE MOUNTS ON DEM LEADER DEAN; INSIDERS QUESTION ABILITY TO NAVIGATE PRIMARY FINISH... DEVELOPING...” DEVELOPING...INDEED Permalink
McCain Calls for Teacher Merit Pay, More School Vouchers
Candidate also says he supports retaining the No Child Left Behind education law. Comments come in speech at his alma mater high school in Alexandria, Virginia. Read full remarks here. Permalink
Morning Show Summary
McCain appeared live on ABC's "Good Morning America." Laughed at Clinton's Monday joke about him not answering a 3 am phone call. Watch clip above. Obama taped interview aired on NBC's "Today." Said Clinton "certainly earned the right to stay in this race as long as she wants." Watch clip above. In taped interview on "GMA," Pelosi said she thinks the election has to run its course, remained very positive about a potential Clinton win. Watch clip above. Read The Page's full coverage of the morning shows here. Permalink
Where They Are Tuesday
Obama: Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, PA Clinton: Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre, Erie, PA McCain: Alexandria, VA Bill Clinton: Havre, Great Falls, Helena, Butte, MT Permalink
Democrat-on-Democrat Action
--Clinton camp hits Obama camp and its surrogates for calling for an end to the nomination fight. Read more here. Permalink
Thousands Honor Rev. Wright in Chicago
Parishioners pack his church to thank Wright for 30 years of service ahead of his formal May retirement. Wright listens but does not speak. Meanwhile: ABC News finds church is "scrubbing" sections on their website, including notes on the "Black Value System" in the "About Us" section and a link to Trumpet Magazine that once gave an award to Louis Farrakhan. And: Washington Times discovers the church was founded on '60s book that advocates "the destruction of the white enemy." Plus: PAGE EXCLUSIVE: New York Times explains, defends 2007 story and reporter who wrote it, following open letter sent by Rev. Wright. Permalink
NOT AN APRIL FOOL'S DAY JOKE
With talk fading of an unusual Obama-Clinton joint fund to pay for negative television ads against McCain right now (imagine the earned media press coverage THAT would draw...) -- read the script of the spot that won’t see the light of day with real money behind it (or huge publicity) anytime soon here. Update: See a Page reader's clever (and musical) version of the "ad" here. Permalink
Dean: Superdelegates Can Do What They Want
DNC chair insists superdels are not obligated to follow the popular vote or other delegates. "They should use whatever yardstick they want. That's what the rules provide for." NY Times: Many Democrats want Dean to do more to resolve nomination fight. Plus: Florida congressional Dems plan to "press" Dean Wednesday "to publicly promise to seat the state's delegates." Permalink
Politico: Clinton May Have Trouble Taking Michigan, Florida to the Convention
Their analysis finds she wouldn’t have enough pledged votes on the 169-member Credentials Committee to get a majority decision. “Her only hope...rests on her ability to persuade an as-yet-undetermined number of the 25 members appointed to the committee by party Chairman Howard Dean to cast votes for her position.” Permalink
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