Headlines from April 13th, 2008

Clinton Releases New North Carolina Ad

Sixty-second spot consists entirely of a 91-year-old supporter explaining why she backs the New Yorker. Click above to watch. Permalink

Democrats Plan Lawsuit Over McCain Financing

DNC officials want federal judge to order investigation into McCain's decision to quit public financing. Claim FEC is too weak to act on its own, with four of six seats vacant. Permalink

Rev. Wright Preaches in Virginia

Controversial pastor delivers first sermon since Obama firestorm. Does not mention Obama or the presidential race. Permalink

Obama Picks Up Minnesota Superdelegate

DNC member cites electability for choosing the Chicagoan. Minnesota supers now 9-3 in favor of Obama, with one undecided. Welcome good news for Obama camp amid "bitter" flap. Permalink

After remaining silent all day Sunday, Obama lashes out against Clinton in Steelton, Pennsylvania. "She knows better. Shame on her. Shame on her." Insists he does relate to small-town Americans, and mocks Clinton's sudden vocal support for gun rights. Click above for extended excerpt. "Hillary Clinton is out there like she's on the duck blind every Sunday. She's packing a six-shooter. Come on, she knows better. That's some politics being played by Hillary Clinton." Clinton spokesman Singer responds: "The shame is his." Read full response. Meanwhile, Penn Gov. Ed Rendell tells pro-Clinton rally on Sunday that Obama's remarks last week show "a pretty significant lack of understanding of the people in Pennsylvania." Philadelphia Inquirer: Other voters and politicians remain split. Says Pennsylvania State Rep. Keith McCall, a Clinton supporter: "Rural Pennsylvanians, just like suburban and urban Pennsylvanians, are smart enough to see beyond sound-bite politics, and we are all going to judge who is going to be the best president based on the issues. I don't believe it will have that heavy of an impact." Permalink

Obama, Clinton Take Questions on Faith

Both candidates appear separately at "Compassion Forum" on CNN, airing live from Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Two candidates share brisk, perfunctory on-stage handshake between sessions. Clinton: Asked immediately about "bitter" controversy, and calls the comments "elitist, out of touch, and frankly patronizing." Draws laughs when asked why God allows good people to suffer: "I don't know... I can't wait to ask him." Obama: Also asked first about "bitter" comments. Acknowledges phrasing was "clumsy," but suggests he meant "clinging" in a positive sense. Dismisses idea he condescends on religion, noting he's worked with churches since leaving college. Asked about the Rev. Wright: "The most recent loop that's been playing-- Rev. Wright's greatest hits, so to speak-- are I think both a distortion of who he is and what the church has been about, but also express some comments that I think are deeply offensive and contrary to what I believe." Permalink

Obama Camp Does "Bitter" Robo-Calls in Pennslvania

Calls feature mayor of York, Pennsylvania saying "He's got it right, we are frustrated." Obama's Web site also posts letter defending him signed by 21 officials "from small towns and rural areas throughout Pennsylvania." ABC's Tapper says neither the calls nor letter address his most controversial assertion about guns and religion. Permalink

The Right Test for Obama

While waiting for Rush and Sean, read Bill Kristol. On the other hand: Columnist John Baer in the Philadelphia Daily News says, "So, despite carping from Hillary Clinton and annoying yapping from her surrogates...I take no offense." Permalink

Bill Clinton Takes On the "Cling"

Former president brings up Obama's much-criticized comment about small-town Americans right after taking the stage in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Says man backstage told him, "The people you're about to see are not bitter. They're proud." Permalink

Bill Clinton Goes Back to School

The former President takes his "Solutions for America" tour to Perry Meridian Middle School. He plans "to share with Hoosiers Hillary's plans to jump-start the economy, create jobs and rebuild the middle class." Permalink

Hillary Clinton Pummels Obama Again on "Bitter" Comment

Speaking in Scranton, Clinton again unloads on Obama and calls for an explanation. Plays "elitist" and "out of touch" card. Click above for a clip. "I think his comments were elitist and divisive.... You don't have to psychoanalyze or patronize people to conclude that we have problems." Declines to tell a reporter when she last fired a gun. Permalink

Clinton, Obama Camps Attack Feud With Scathing Rhetoric

Tough Obama memo attacks Clinton from the right on gun issues, as well as trade pacts and lobbyists. "Senator Clinton is out of touch with the needs, values and priorities of working Americans.” Read it here. Clinton campaign responds point-by-point with its own memo, which again refers to Obama's "cling" comment. Read it here. Permalink

Casey Stands By His Man

Top Obama supporter in Pennsylvania tells CNN that accusations of elitism are "ridiculous." Click above for video. Acknowledges a "poor choice of words," but says, "I don't think (voters) are going to judge him by one statement. I think they're going to judge him by his record, by his commitment to change...." Says Obama's comments at San Francisco fundraiser were meant to express voters' frustration at the economy and at Washington. Still predicts an Obama win on April 22. An Obama adviser tells The Page Sunday: "We believe he will be helpful by continuing to vouch for the Obama he knows. Having his support means a lot to us - especially in areas and demographics where we haven't done as well." --Obama expected to address flap at Pennsylvania events Sunday. --Does this video mean Obama might face a Macaca Moment? --Keystone Staters share mixed views on the issue-- some agree, but one calls comments "a slap in the face." --WashPost: Obama frustrated at his word choices, but stunned by the uproar. Earlier developments in the controversy here. Permalink