Archive - April 17, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Watch Campaign Manager Rick Davis give a guided tour of the desk in his Arlington, Virginia headquarters--click above. Among the things Davis tells The Page: “I don't have to use my glasses when I use the AARP calculator...since I turned 50 I’m qualified to have an AARP calculator so that’s totally extraordinary.” “I do a lot of three-hole punching...I'm an active three-hole puncher. My world revolves around punching holes in things.” Get an even closer look at Davis’ desk featured in this week’s TIME here. Don’t miss the cameo by Fox News’ Bill Hemmer in the video version above. Permalink

Obama: Clinton Used Debate to "Twist the Knife"

At a town hall meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina, Obama says Clinton "looked in her element" at Wednesday night's debate as he brushed off her attacks on recent controversies. “She was taking every opportunity to get a dig in there. That’s all right. That’s her right. That’s her right to kind of twist the knife a little bit.” Brushes his shoulder off to emphasize her criticism didn't faze him. Watch video above. Clinton camp responds: “Both candidates were asked tough questions. The difference was that Hillary gave straightforward answers to the ones she was asked while Senator Obama dodged the ones he got." Full response here. Plus: B. Clinton says on the stump in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania that he didn't see his wife "whining" earlier in the campaign when she got tough questions. "They've been beatin' up on her for 15 months. I didn't hear her whining when he said she was untruthful in Iowa or called her the Senator from Punjab." Permalink

Clinton to Supporters: Say "She's Really Nice"

When asked by a supporter at her event in Haverford, Pennsylvania, what to say when canvassing for her in the state, she says: "Just knock on the door and say 'You know, she's really nice,'" Clinton said to loud applause. "Or "you can say ... 'She's not as bad as you think.'" Clinton struck a soft tone at event, accompanied by her mother and daughter for one of the first times since Iowa. Permalink

"I Can't Hear You"

Shrieks and cheers (and admittedly pretty loud background music) engulf Obama as he works the ropeline at a Philadelphia campaign event. Watch video above to see the candidate pull a Reagan two feet away from The Page in demurring to answer questions. Bonus: Listen closely to young ladies in the background yell “I’m pushing, I’m pushing” to try to get some face time with the Land of Lincolner. Permalink

Dueling Pennsylvania Fliers Target Trade Deals

Obama campaign mailers accuse Clinton supporting NAFTA and permanent China trade when "Pennsylvania lost thousands of jobs." Clinton spokesman Singer says flier recycles "claims that even he acknowledges have been discredited." Full statement here. Clinton flier says she has a "consistent record of protecting American workers," and adds that "Pennsylvania families can't afford Barack Obama." Believed to have just hit mailboxes. Permalink

PM Brown: Whoever is Next President, British-US Relations Will Remain "Steadfast"

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says at White House presser he was "delighted" to meet with three presidential candidates, and will continue his discussion with them over the next few months. Refuses to weigh in on his preference, saying it is up to the U.S. to decide. Brown discussed Afghanistan, China with Clinton, Africa with Obama, plan for a League of Democracies and his World Bank proposal with McCain. Also says at joint presser that he and Bush discussed Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, the European Union, United Nations, global economy, and environmental issues. More on Brown's trip here. Permalink

GOP Critics Wary of McCain's Unorthodox Strategy for General

Politico cites "private grumbling" among Republican operatives that McCain's decentralized plan relying on the RNC and regional managers is "unrealistic." One GOP operative with ties to the Bush administration: “But I just don’t know if this is realistic — why experiment in such a large-scale way?” Permalink

Obama: North Carolina Win Could "Wrap Up This Nomination"

Tells overflow crowd at Raleigh town hall that he thinks their May 6 primary is “critically important” to him defeating Clinton. Then removed his jacket and shook hands down entire ropeline, engaged in a debate with a Huckabee supporter over the fair tax. Read pool report here. Permalink

Clinton Team Denies Superdelegate “Switch”

Campaign says it had not considered D.C. Councilman Thomas to be a Clinton superdelegate. Clinton campaign "As soon as he was named a superdelegate, he said he was unpledged." Thomas backed the New Yorker before becoming a superdelegate. He announced Thursday he now supports Obama. Plus: Oklahoma superdelegate announces for Obama. Permalink

Philadelphia Debate the Most-Watched Yet

More than 10 million people watched Wednesday's Democratic showdown on ABC. Viewership peaked at 11.8 million, beating NBC and CBS programming. It was the first debate to air in network prime time on a weekday. Mark Halperin's overall grades: Obama B+, Clinton B. Read full report cards here. For each candidate's grades on substance, style and more-- along with excerpts from debate report cards-- click here. Permalink

The Obama Campaign Without Irony Intended

For the full cognitive-dissonance-causing talking points, click here. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Charlie Gibson acknowledged ABC is taking blows for debate questions. Report quoted critical viewers and blistering Web comments, as well as a few positive ones. Recapped reactions from Obama and both Clintons, noted Obama "didn't miss a beat" Thursday, winning two more superdels. CBS: Report said Obama went from "defensive to defiant" after debate, recapped reactions and noted ABC Web site has received some 16,000 comments. Greenfield said Clinton was solid on policy during debate, but wondered if pro-Obama "sympathy backlash" is coming. Also mentioned Clinton's alleged "screw 'em" comment from 1995. NBC: Led with Texas polygamist compound court hearing, other news of the day before turning to "bruising" debate between Dems. Noted Clinton was "compassionate" on trail Thursday with Mom and daughter, but at debate she "did everything she could to put Obama on his heels." Showed Obama mocking her at rally, brushing shoulder off. Also highlighted his criticism of debate format, questions. Mentioned three candidates meeting with British PM Brown. Permalink

Obama Topper: Clinton "Relentlessly Negative"

Campaign manager Plouffe digs the New Yorker in afternoon conference call. "The discourse in their campaign tends to sink to new lows." Responds to questions about William Ayres by noting Bill Clinton pardoned two other Weather Underground numbers. Read more from call here. Permalink

Obama-Backing SEIU Joins Ad Fray in Pennsylvania

Group launches TV ads in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia Thursday highlighting rising cost of gas, touting Obama's credentials. "Too many politicians are in the pocket of big oil," says one man; "Barack Obama is different." Watch ad above. Also has members stake out Philadelphia-area gas stations to hand out leaflets on Obama's energy plan. Plus: Clinton-backing American Leadership Project adds an additional $200,000 to their Pennsylvania ad buy touting Clinton's health care plan. Permalink

Clinton Camp: Obama "Had a Very Bad Night"

Spokesman/strategist Howard Wolfson uses Thursday media conference call to criticize Obama’s debate performance. Claims he didn’t sufficiently answer questions on former Weather Underground member William Ayers, his questionnaire answer supporting a handgun ban. Plus: Campaign emphatically denies Clinton made the "screw 'em" comments being reported. Wolfson on call: "But the recollection of other people in the room is different and we do not – we have said clearly that these are not comments that she made." Permalink