Archive - April 10, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Where They Are Thursday

Obama: Gary, Lafayette, IN Clinton: Hopewell Township, Pittsburgh, PA McCain: Brooklyn, NY Bill Clinton: Boonville, Jasper, Vincennes, IN Permalink

In this week's TIME cover story Amanda Ripley takes a look at the woman from Kansas who made the man. Obama: "When I think about my mother, I think that there was a certain combination of being very grounded in who she was, what she believed in. But also a certain recklessness. I think she was always searching for something. She wasn't comfortable seeing her life confined to a certain box." Plus: Clinton's up 6 points in Pennsylvania in a new TIME poll. Permalink

Obama: Don't Ask, Don't Tell "a Counterproductive Strategy"

Tells gay magazine The Advocate he believes the policy could be repealed during his administration, but will not make it a "litmus test" for Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also thinks tougher measure protecting gays in the workplace is likely, as well as securing benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees. Plus: Says the Rev. Wright has been "very good on gay and lesbian issues." Permalink

Powell Makes Obama's Day

On "Good Morning America," former SecState praises Obama's experience and management abilities, downplays Wright flap, and says he is still an undecided voter. Click above for a clip. Acknowledges the Senator lacks high-level government experience, but adds: "He didn't have a lot of experience in running a presidential campaign, did he." On Wright, says his comments were deplorable and offensive, but also notes the reverend made "enormous contributions to his community, and has turned a lot of lives around." Also says he admired Obama's speech on race. Diane Sawyer: "As for himself, he said he ruled himself out of political life long ago, and it still stands." Read more on the interview. Permalink

Pennsylvania Potpourri

--Philadelphia Inquirer: 6 state councilmembers, 3 state representatives and 2 state senators are expected to endorse Obama at 2 pm ET in City Hall. --WSJ: Clinton and Obama pursue women in Philadelphia's suburbs. Permalink

Dems Plan $40M Hit on McCain

Wealthy Democrats are preparing a four-month, $40 million media campaign centered on attacking on McCain. It was during a dinner Tuesday night at the Manhattan apartment of George Soros, at which David Brock and the consultant Paul Begala laid out the group's plans. According to Brock: "It's what McCain is allowed to say without being challenged by facts that will show him to have said something different in the past." Permalink