Archive - April 11, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Clinton Starts Organizing in Montana

Dispatches husband's aide Matt McKenna to his home state to evaluate Clinton's opportunities. Montana voters head to polls June 3. Permalink

Bill Clinton on "Bitter": "I Agree With What Hillary Said"

Former president weighs in, briefly, on Obama flap. Permalink

McCain to Obama: "Keep Your Word to the American People"

GOP Senator hits his freshman colleague for again hinting he may drop out of public financing. "The fact is he’s saying one thing and he’s doing another. I mean, that’s indisputable... Please keep your word to the American people on the commitment you made in writing." Earlier: Obama calls public finance system "creaky," says it "presents candidates then with some pretty tough decisions...." Permalink

Begala: Penn Should Go, And I'm Not the "Lone Ranger Here"

Clinton ally tells CNN he's glad top strategist Penn has been demoted, blames him for making Clinton seem stiffer on the trail than she really is. "I want to let Hillary be Hillary." Watch clip above. Earlier: Begala rails on Penn, comparing him to Donald Rumsfeld. Also blasts Penn’s strategy for putting Clinton behind Obama, says Penn running his own PR firm was "a huge conflict of interest. The campaign ended up looking like Exxon Mobil instead of what it really is." Permalink

Obama Expresses "Deep Regret" Over "Bitter" Remarks

Responds to criticism over San Francisco statements in interview with North Carolina's Winston-Salem Journal: "If I worded things in a way that made people offended, I deeply regret that. The underlying truth of what I said remains, which is simply that people who have seen their way of life upended because of economic distress are frustrated and rightfully so." Full excerpt here. And: Strategist David Axelrod reiterated candidate's regret in media call, also turned the criticism on Clinton, McCain, accusing them of not recognizing economic frustration in working class. He says: "Both Senator McCain and Senator Clinton seem to deny that...it makes you wonder whether they're taking lines from the Washington playbook or if they are actually out there talking to people." Campaign also lashes back in written statement citing Bosnia, lobbyist ties, and other Clinton vulnerabilities that have nothing to do with what Obama said. Read full statement here. Earlier: In Muncie, Indiana Saturday, Obama admits he "didn’t say it as well as I should have," maintains there is bitterness because people don't feel they are being listened to. Read full remarks here and watch video above. Plus: Politico lists 12 reasons why "bitter" is bad for Obama. More: Video, pictures of fundraiser where Obama made the original statements emerge. Take a look here. Permalink

B. Clinton Says His Wife Told Him to Back Off on Bosnia

In Indiana Friday reacts to criticism for bringing up his wife's "sniper fire" flap Thursday, says H. Clinton told him to stop discussing the issue on the stump: "Hillary called me and said 'You don't remember this. You weren't there, let me handle it.' I said, 'Yes ma'am.'" Though he still maintains wife flew into area with "some risk" and her factual error shouldn't obscure that. Read more here. Permalink

Bushes, Cheneys Release Tax Returns

First couple: Earned $719,274, paid $221,635 in federal taxes. Details here. Second couple: Earned $2.5 million, paid $602,651 in federal taxes. Details here. Permalink

Sunday NYT Profiles McCain's Charlie Black

Looks at how long-time political operative and "steady hand" for the GOP brought McCain's campaign back to life. Also highlights his strong lobbyist ties, says they make "him an embodiment of the city’s permanent establishment." Permalink

Obama: I Would Have Fired Mark Penn

Calls demoted Clinton strategist's involvement with Colombia "surprising." "I'm not surprised that Sen. Clinton found herself in an uncomfortable position as a consequence. I know that if staff of mine were putting me in that kind of position, I would get rid of them." Watch video here. Clinton camp responds by citing economics adviser Goolsbee and his supposed dealings with Canada. "It's good to know he has a higher standard for our campaign than his own." Full statement here. Update: Obama-backing Change to Win launches online campaign to force Clinton to completely sever ties with Penn. Permalink

Obama, McCain Camp Spar Over Executive Pay, Housing

In remarks in Indiana Friday morning, Obama proposes plan to address executive pay, targets McCain for allegedly not doing anything about the issue so far. Also says the presumptive GOP nominee's housing plan doesn't do "enough." Read full remarks here. McCain camp hits back, saying in statement: " Apparently Senator Obama thinks cheap political attacks and typical Washington shenanigans substitute for real leadership." Full statement here. Permalink

Morning Show Summary

Obama strategist Axelrod on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" responded to Bill Clinton's derision of Obama ad about oil donations. Declined to comment on Scarborough's suggestion that his comment about stealing cars may have racial implications. Click above to watch. Read The Page's full coverage of the Friday morning shows here. Permalink