Archive - April 7, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Clinton Picks Up Arkansas Superdelegate

Land commissioner's nod gives the New Yorker 11 of Arkansas' 12 superdelegates. Rare superdel pick-up for Clinton since Super Tuesday. Earlier: Montana Obama superdelegate retracts endorsement, saying state party rules block her from taking sides in a contested primary. Plus: Second Montana superdelegate plans to support Obama, but may reconsider if Clinton wins popular vote. And: Montana Governor Schweitzer plans to throw his superdelegate support to the winner of the state's June 3 primary. Permalink

First Clinton Indiana TV Ad Features Supporter Sen. Bayh

30-second spot with direct to-camera appeal by state's Senator says Clinton is ready to be commander-in-chief, fight for the troops. "I've known Hillary for twenty years. She's got a spine of steel." Watch clip above. Read script here. Permalink

Clinton's Hospital Tale Partly True

Aunt says a pregnant Ohio woman who later died did not seek care at a nearby hospital because of a $100 charge. Clinton has taken fire for repeating a slightly different version of the story, which was called false. Permalink

Garin: “It's Not Being Strong for the Sake of Being Strong”

One of Clinton’s new top strategists hints at a more compassionate message now that Penn is no longer top dog. "It's about a president who can be strong for the sake of making this a better country...” Permalink

Clinton, Obama to Take Part in "Compassion Forum" Sunday Night

CNN's Campbell Brown, Newsweek editor Jon Meacham will moderate 90-minute forum on "faith, values and other current issues" at Messiah College near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania this Sunday. Clinton, Obama sit down individually with the moderators on the stage. Issues to include poverty, global AIDS, climate change human rights. Permalink

Bill Clinton Makes History in Puerto Rico

Colorful Washington Post piece looks back at "the first U.S. presidential campaign rally in Puerto Rican history". Clinton walked into the courtyard via a drumroll from boys banging on steel garbage cans, security guards in Hawaiian shirts and women dancing to salsa music. Permalink

Jesse Ventura: U.S. Ballots Should Offer "None of the Above"

Former Minnesota governor and retired professional wrestler dismisses three major candidates on CNN, says "none of the above" could show participation, vote of "no confidence" in the government. Watch clip above. Adds he has until July to join the contested Senate race in Minnesota and is thinking about it. “I would sure cause a lot of hate and discontent in Washington if they sent me there...let’s remember I already beat Norm Coleman once.” Permalink

Time for Him to Go?

HALPERIN’S TAKE: Reasons Mark Penn could have been fired by Hillary Clinton before his amazingly ill-advised Colombia meeting. Permalink

Two Suburban Philadelphia Counties Flip Democratic

Democratic voters now exceed Republicans in Montgomery and Bucks counties-- longtime Republican strongholds. Permalink

Clinton Pennsylvania Radio Ad Indirectly Dismisses Obama's "Charisma"

Radio spot based on testimonial Web video from last month features two retired generals taking veiled shots at Obama. Former Brigadier Gen. Michael Dunn: "I admire charisma, I admire intellect. In a Commander in Chief I want more than that. I want proof. I want a track record." Watch video version of ad heard airing on local Philadelphia radio here. Read script here. Permalink

Clinton Hits Her Colombia Trade Pact Opposition Hard

In wake of Penn fallout, Clinton releases strong statement reaffirming her position against the agreement after Bush called on Congress Monday urging them to bring matter to a vote. "As I have said consistently for several months, I oppose signing any trade deal with Colombia while violence against trade unionists continues and the perpetrators are not brought to justice." Full statement here Comes after president says "urgent" agreement needs to be passed for "national security reasons." Signs a letter urging Congress to vote within 90 days. Permalink

Clinton Calls on Bush to Boycott Olympics Opening

Says in statement: "At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government." Full statement here. Cites crackdown in Tibet and lack of action to stop killing in Darfur. Comes amid widespread anti-China protests surrounding the Olympic torch. Portion of relay canceled in Paris after torch extinguished at least five times. Permalink

Report: McCain Raises $15 Mil In March

The Atlantic: Last month was his best fundraising month since early 2007, well above his $2 million-per-month pace late last year. $11 million came from increased high-dollar fundraising, $4 million raised through direct mail, Internet efforts. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: After lead story on Olympic protests, news of Clinton asking Bush to skip opening ceremony. Package on fallout from Penn demotion, possible impact on superdelegates. Teamsters head Hoffa called for Penn's "complete severance" from Clinton's campaign. Mention of McCain's speech on Iraq and "failure of leadership" charge against Democrats, and Tuesday's Petraeus/Crocker hearings in Washington. Report from Iraq and Afghanistan found many troops following race closely, and planning to vote. CBS: Brief mention that Clinton and Obama both oppose Colombian free trade deal that Bush promoted Monday. NBC: Led with polygamist compound raid, then Olympic torch protests noting Clinton's call on Bush to boycott opening ceremony. Covered McCain's "glass half full" Iraq speech where he called into question his rivals' judgment. Briefly noted Penn demotion after "embarrassing conflict of interest." Then, turned to Petraeus hearings, previewing his report, highlighting candidates jumping off the trail to question him. Permalink

McCain Challenges Obama, Clinton on Iraq

Speaking before the VFW in Kansas City, says abandoning Iraq would be "reckless" and represents a "failure of leadership." Invoking the 4,000 U.S. deaths in Iraq, calls on Clinton and Obama to "do the right thing." Click above for clip. "In such a grave matter, we must put the nation’s interests before our own ambitions." Read full text of his remarks here. Clinton responds in statement: "Senator McCain's Groundhog Day approach to Iraq means four more years of the Bush-Cheney-McCain policy of continuing to police a civil war..." Read full response. Obama responds in statement: "It's a failure of leadership to support an open-ended occupation of Iraq that has failed to press Iraq's leaders to reconcile, badly overstretched our military... and made the American people less safe." Read full response. Permalink