Archive - April 8, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

"Nobody Has Ever Spent 2.2 Million in the State"

OBAMA’S WEEKLY PENNSYLVANIA TV BUY BREAKS ALL RECORDS Democratic media consultant Neil Oxman, who is neutral in the race: "Nobody has ever spent 2.2 million in this state: not Rendell, not Specter, not Casey, not Santorum, not Bush, not Kerry...That's unbelievable." Permalink

Obama Calls Entering Iraq a "Massive Strategic Blunder"

Says during Senate Iraq hearing that two major problems-- al-Qaeda in Iraq and increased influence of Iran in the region -- "are a direct result of that original decision." Asks Petraeus and Crocker: "What is the endgame?" More on Tuesday's hearings here. Plus: After Tuesday's testimony, Crocker tells Nightline the U.S. is ready for face-to-face talks with Iran. Permalink

Obama's Hoffa Backtracks on Goolsbee Comment

Teamsters president pulls back from his statement during media conference call where he said Obama economic adviser should address his meeting with Canadian officials, saying there's nothing to clarify. But: Maintains Penn's meeting with Colombian officials "really hurts (Clinton's) credibility" on trade. Obama camp also released a statement on Clinton and her campaign comparing Penn flap to Goolsbee, saying the idea is "laughable" but "typical." Read more here. Meanwhile: On Clinton call, spokesman/strategist Wolfson says Penn will remain part of the strategic and polling team, but declines to describe Penn's participation in campaign conference calls: "I appreciate the question, but I'm not going to answer it." Refers questions on Penn back to Sunday's brief campaign statement. Wolfson also calls on Obama to take down TV ad in which he denies taking money from oil companies. Factcheck.org has called it "misleading." Permalink

Clinton Blasts Delegate “Double Standard”

In NPR interview, objects to question about relying on superdelegates, noting that Obama must do the same. “Why is the question directed at me? I mean, neither of us has the number of delegates to win. It is a problem for both of us.” Click here for full transcript. Says to “short circuit” nomination process would be like canceling Monday’s NCAA championship with two minutes left. Permalink

McCain Tags Democratic Rivals in Fox Interview

On Obama: Criticizes his repeated attack of Iraq "100 years" comments, saying it's a "direct contradiction of Senator Obama’s stated purpose of conducting a respectful campaign." On Clinton: Says she doesn't understand the Iraq situation on the ground, discounts her and Obama's withdrawal plan. Read more on the war in Iraq, meeting with the Secret Service from interview excerpts here. Parts of interview will air on Fox's "Special Report with Brit Hume" at 6 pm ET. Permalink

New Obama Pennsylvania Ad Puts Focus on Family, Women

30-second spot features testimonials from his half-sister, Maya Soetoro Ng, grandmother Madelyn Dunham and wife Michelle. Watch it above. Read script here. New York Times: "The ad seeks to capture Mr. Obama’s ability to relate to other people on a personal level, hence the toned-down intimate portrait of a family man." One of four ads Obama launched over the past two days in the state. Permalink

"He Should Repudiate Senator Rockefeller. Immediately"

McCain calls for Obama to personally rebuke Sen. Rockefeller's comments critical of McCain's war service. Tells Fox News Channel: "If Senator Obama is going to maintain the type of campaign that he says that he is--a respectful campaign--and this is one of his closest and strongest supporters, than I think he should repudiate Senator Rockefeller. Immediately." Rockefeller calls McCain to apologize for his comments. Statement: “I made an inaccurate and wrong analogy and I have extended my sincere apology to him.... I regret my very poor choice of words." In newspaper interview, Rockefeller suggested McCain was indifferent to those hit by weapons he dropped as a Vietnam War fighter pilot. Obama campaign distances itself from supporter's comments: “Senator Obama has a deep respect for Senator McCain’s service to this country and doesn’t agree with what Senator Rockefeller said.” Permalink

Bill Clinton Apparent Supporter of Colombian Trade Deal

Politico reader uncovers article from 2005 visit to Colombia quoting the former president lending clear support to the free trade agreement. Spanish quote translates as: "I am in favor of the free trade agreement and it is my hope that we will find the right formula to reach the agreement" and receiving a two-minute standing ovation. Plus: Politico also points out there's an element of farce on both sides. And: Clinton spokesman Jay Carson doesn't think people should be so interested in B. Clinton's support for issue, points to H. Clinton quote from 2000 showing she disagreed with her husband. Permalink

Clinton Swarms Pennsylvania With Five TV Ads

Ads spread across targeted media markets include testimonials from state backers Gov. Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor Nutter and a biographical spot highlighting Clinton's family ties to the state. Watch Rendell ad above. Read script here. Watch Nutter ad here and read script here. Watch biographical spot here and read script here. Plus: Ad targeting Bush on economy ran previously in campaign here. Spanish-language ad here. Permalink

Greenspan Talks to CNBC

Network's Maria Bartiromo interviews former Fed Chair on "Closing Bell," where he weighs in on economic woes. "I'm talking about the non-financial sector of the economy. It still is in extraordinary good shape and we're seeing little in the way of borrowing requirements, but it is under pressure basically not because of the borrowing, but the revenues are beginning to become depressed by the pressure I should say." Full transcript here. Permalink

Gov. Rendell: Clinton Should Dump Penn Altogether

Clinton-backing Pennsylvania governor tells USA Today Penn "was just dead wrong" when he took on the job promoting Colombian trade deal. When asked if he would have cut Penn off completely, Rendell said "oh, I would." HALPERIN’S TAKE: Reasons Mark Penn could have been fired by Hillary Clinton before his amazingly ill-advised Colombia meeting. Permalink

Strain Seen in McCain's Ties with Arizona Blacks

Politico: "The widespread perception of activists in the state’s traditional civil rights organizations and the African-American press is that McCain has consistently treated them with indifference." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

All three broadcasts led with Iraq hearings on Capitol Hill ABC: News of Petraeus reporting “significant but fragile progress,” mention that presidential hopefuls seemed to be debating each other as much as asking questions. Quoted Obama calling war decision a “blunder,” McCain warning of “political and moral failure” of abandoning Iraq, Clinton expressing concerns. Stephanopoulos called hearings an “exercise in kicking the can down the road.” CBS: Led with “sober assessment” from a “rock-star general.” Unlike ABC, report said candidates left politics at the hearing-room door. Mention of Quinnipiac Pennsylvania poll. NBC: Led with Iraq hearings, noting Petraeus said there’s been “significant but uneven” progress that could “still turn on a dime." Package covered candidates’ questions to Petraeus and Crocker, pointing out McCain mixed up Shi’ia and Sunni again, Clinton said it would be "irresponsible" to continue same policy, Obama “tried to establish his foreign policy credentials” and promised to be out within 16 months. Said war critics never got a clear answer on how “success” in Iraq would be defined. Permalink

New Pennsylvania Numbers

From Quinnipiac University: Clinton 50, Obama 44 Dates conducted April 3-6. Error margin: 2.7 points. For more, including comparisons to a week ago, click here. Permalink

Clinton, Obama Court Union in D.C.

Clinton assures the AFL-CIO affiliated Communication Workers of America Tuesday that she'll oppose the Colombia trade deal, fix NAFTA. Also bashes McCain for his support for privatizing Social Security, economic record -- hit Obama for not having a universal health care plan. Obama followed her, focusing most of his economic criticism on Bush and McCain. Full remarks here. Permalink