The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from April 16th, 2008
Final Days Keystone Trips
Democrats plan dueling Pennsylvania tours leading up to Tuesday's contest. Clinton kicks off six-day tour with daughter Chelsea in Haverford Thursday while Obama returns to the state Friday to launch five-day tour starting in Erie. Permalink
Cindy McCain's "View"
Wife of presumptive GOP nominee to join the ladies of ABC as a co-host Monday. Plus: ESPN execs cancel columnist's podcast with Obama, saying "fans don't expect political coverage on our outlets." Permalink
Obama 2007 Tax Returns Show He Made $4.2 Million
About $3.9 million of his earnings last year came from his book sales. Also paid $1.3 million in taxes, made $240,370 in charitable contributions. Campaign releases returns hours before Wednesday night's debate. Read the full returns here (pdf). Permalink
McCain: Democrats Should Repudiate Carter
The presumptive GOP nominee says the former president's planned meeting with Hamas leaders is "unacceptable" and "disgraceful." "These are thugs and murderers. Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton should directly repudiate and tell President Carter he should not meet with what is fundamentally a terrorist (group)." In sprawling interview with Fox News Channel, also says he would not raise taxes, talks up his economic plan. Response from Obama campaign: "Barack Obama disagreed with President Carter's meeting with Hamas and has said so repeatedly...." Read full statement. McCain also gives interview to CNN, discusses his age, Rep. Murtha's comments and Obama's "cling" remarks-- read transcript here. Permalink
Obama to Jewish Leaders: I Chose to "Privately Express Concern" to Rev. Wright
Seeks to assure Philadelphia Jewish representatives about his former pastor. "You make a decision about how are you going to handle it. Do you publicly denounce his comments? Do you privately express concern but recognize you are still part of a broader church community that is going to be transitioning? I chose the latter." Also criticizes Carter's plans to meet Hamas leaders. Read national pool report here and local pool report here. Permalink
TPM: Clinton Goes 100% Negative in Most Pennsylvania Markets
Campaign floods television airwaves with two ads slamming Obama -- one criticizing his "cling" remarks, other discounting his claims about taking money from oil companies. Political television buyer says as of Wednesday morning no positive spots were running in the Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown /Altoona, Wilkes-Barre /Scranton markets; she is 50% negative in Philadelphia, Harrisburg. Permalink
McCain Responds to Clinton's "McBush" Jab
Tells MSNBC that she and Obama both offer "the classic big government solutions." "I think the American people will eventually reject" their philosophy. Click above to watch. Clinton has used the "McBush" term to link McCain with the unpopular president. Permalink
Independent Group Launches Pro-Clinton Ad in Pennsylvania
American Leadership Project spot airing in several Keystone markets praises the Senator on health care. From script: "So you would either be one of the millions without coverage, or you’ll keep paying more to provide emergency healthcare for the millions of uninsured." Watch it above. Union-funded group expected to spend $250,000 at first, a relatively small amount. Permalink
Obama Picks Up One Indiana, Two North Carolina Supers
North Carolina Reps. David Price and Mel Watt --former Edwards supporters -- join Obama campaign manager David Plouffe on a media call to announce their support. Price: "He is in the strongest position to announce to the world and to execute a new day in American diplomacy." Read more here. Earlier: Indianapolis superdelegate André Carson was the first of five House Democrats from the state to pick sides. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: In Philadelphia, broadcast reported new polls with "more bad news" for Clinton. Stephanopoulos noted many new campaign issues have risen (Rev. Wright, Bosnia, etc.) in the 7 weeks since the last debate. Noted Obama camp's busy day, with endorsement from 3 superdels and Springsteen, remarks to Jewish community, etc. Mentioned Obama's tax returns. CBS: Bob Schieffer noted Clinton's discouraging poll numbers, said "there's no question" the Democratic feud is taking a toll on both candidates. NBC: Led with the economic "squeeze" for consumers, the Pope at the White House. Previewed the presidential debate, predicting Rev. Wright, "cling" comments will be issues for Obama, while Clinton will battle Bosnia flap. Says it's Clinton's "last chance to undermine Obama." Also highlighted Obama meeting with Jewish leaders, M. Obama using Chicago upbringing to appeal to working class on "Colbert." Mentioned Obama's tax returns. Permalink
Latest in the Pennsylvania Ad Wars
Obama campaign releases new 30-second spot responding to Clinton negative ad discounting his claim of not taking money from oil companies. Obama ad maintains he is fending off oil special interests but tweaks language to say "Obama's the only candidate who doesn't take a dime from oil company PACs or lobbyists. Watch it above. Read script here. The Clinton Pennsylvania ad pulls soundbite from an earlier Obama ad to deride his claim about oil company money. "No candidate does. It's been against the law for 100 years." Watch it above. Clinton campaign has never announced their (second) attack ad has been released. Permalink
Murtha: Presidency is "No Old Man's Job"
While introducing his candidate Clinton at the AFL-CIO's Building Trades National Legislative Conference, the Pennsylvania Rep. says McCain is too old to be commander in chief. Murtha, 75, tells union audience that rigors of the job are too much for men in their 70s. Plus: In speech, Clinton says McCain is "dead wrong on all the important issues facing America." McCain responds to Murtha with a laugh on MSNBC. "Campaign with me, and you'll see the reason why I'm the nominee of my party is because we out-campaigned everybody." Permalink
Democrat-on-Democrat Action
Wednesday back-and-forth over tax returns: --On media call, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe avoids question on pre-2000 tax returns, says Obama will release his full 2007 tax returns shortly, has released his earmarks (pointing out Clinton hasn't). --Clinton campaign's Phil Singer shoots back, says Obama camp is "apparently refusing" to release the 1997, 1998, 1999 returns from years in Illinois Senate. "It’s unfortunate that Sen. Obama isn’t living up to the standards he sets for everyone else." Permalink
Clinton Focuses on Economy, Bush in New Indiana TV Spot
Clinton highlights jobs lost at local manufacturing plant Magnequench after U.S. military started getting smart bomb parts from China in 30-second spot on economy. "George Bush could have stopped it, but he didn’t." Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink
Bush Sets 2025 Target for Curbing Greenhouse Gas Emission Growth
Also calls for stopping such emissions from electric power plants within 10 to 15 years in statement Wednesday afternoon. "There are a number of ways to achieve these reductions, but all responsible approaches depend on accelerating the development and deployment of new technologies." Read speech excerpts here. New York Times: "...A first for a White House that has been accused of dragging its feet in addressing the problem of climate change." Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
