Archive - April 21, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Jokes About Debate on "The Daily Show"

Stewart tells Obama that the real concern voters have are: "The Rev. Wright controversy, the flag pin controversy. . . Will you pull a bait-and-switch, sir, and enslave the white race. Is that your plan?" Obama laughs it off, responds: "That is not our plan, Jon, but I think your paranoia might make you suitable as a debate moderator." Watch the first part of the interview here and click here for the second part. Read transcript of interview here. Plus: Clinton interviews air on MSNBC’s “Countdown” (transcript here) and CNN’s “Larry King Live" (transcript here). And: Clinton, Obama and McCain air taped segments on WWE’s “Raw” Monday night. Watch the segment here. Permalink

Obama Responds to Clinton in New Pennsylvania Ad

30-second ad counters Clinton's spot invoking the terror card, asks the question, "Who has what it takes to really bring change?" Indirectly cites claims of Clinton's ties to special interests, Iraq War vote, says: "And who in times of challenge will unite us - not use fear and calculation to divide us." Watch it above. Read script here. Plus: Read Obama camp's response earlier in the day here. Comes after Clinton 30-second Pennsylvania ad uses imagery of Osama bin Laden, Pearl Harbor attack, Hurricane Katrina. Ad doesn't reference Obama directly, but closes with, "Who do you think has what it takes?" Watch it here and read script here. Permalink

Pennsylvania Robocalls on Guns Coming From Both Sides

--Clinton calls accuse Obama of lying about his position, says it's an issue McCain will use against him in November. Listen to it here. --Obama calls push back against Clinton's suggestion that he's not devoted to the Second Amendment, question her record. Listen to it here. Permalink

Bill Clinton Fires Up Pittsburgh Crowd

Tells wife’s supporters he was a “reasonably good” politician, and knows a few things about politics: "When somebody tells you it's not personal, they're fixing to stick it to you,” and "When somebody tells you you can't win, it's because they know you can.” For more of his “invariable” laws of politics, click above. Permalink

North Carolina Democratic Party: No Debate

State party releases a statement saying April 27 debate -- supposed to be moderated by CBS' Katie Couric -- has been axed "due to time constraints and logistical issues associated with such a large, national event." Adds that both candidates have committed to attending their Jefferson-Jackson Dinner May 2 in Raleigh. Clinton camp response: "...we are willing to move forward with another time and location for the debate so that he has no excuse for not participating." Full statement here. Obama camp response: "It’s unfortunate that the Clinton campaign decided to play politics with this -- especially considering that Senator Obama agreed to a North Carolina debate long before Senator Clinton did." Full statement here. Permalink

Oh the Expectations They'll Set!

Obama campaign memo uses a kitchen-sink approach to make the case that Obama shouldn't be expected to win Pennsylvania and what matters is total elected delegates. Clinton campaign memo strikes back, says after all the money Obama has spent and campaigning he has done in Pennsylvania there's no reason he shouldn't win. And if he doesn't, voters should question that. Permalink

Obama Resists Questions from Press

Reporters struggle to speak with candidate, who has not taken questions from the traveling press for 10 days. TIME's Jay Newton-Small: "The questions, some of them -- like Hamas -- rather important, are starting to build up." Earlier: Shoos a reporter trying to ask about Carter and Hamas by pleading, "Why can't I just eat my waffle?" Watch video. Read pool report. And: Tells KDKA radio, "I’m predicting it’s going to be close and that we are going to do a lot better than people expect." Permalink

McCain Serenaded by Singing Quilters in Alabama

Arizonan stops by quilt shop in Gee's Bend, Alabama, where craftspeople offer a rendition of "Old Ship of Zion." One woman says she doesn't plan to vote for McCain, but "he showed himself that he wanted to help us, and that made me feel good.’’ Earlier: McCain praises civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama at the start of his weeklong tour of economically depressed places. Rep. John Lewis responds warmly. Permalink

New National Numbers

From USA Today/Gallup: Obama 50, Clinton 40 Conducted April 18-20. Error margin: 3 points. Read more. Permalink

LUCKY SEVEN

HALPERIN’S TAKE: The seven people who will most shape what Hillary Clinton says about the Pennsylvania primary results. Permalink

Bob Kerrey Defends McCain on Temper Attacks

The former Nebraska Senator responds to anecdote in Sunday Washington Post article that he had to break up an argument between McCain and Iowa Sen. Grassley in '92 closed-door meeting. "First, I did nothing to intervene; the two Senators worked it out on their own. Second, the subject of the debate - the status of Americans held as prisoner in Vietnam - was one that always provoked violent, ugly debates." Permalink

Obama on Pennsylvania: "Who Knows?"

The Illinois Senator holds an impromptu press availability at Pamela's P&G Diner in Pittsburgh, tells reporters they think they've closed the gap despite still considering themselves the underdogs. "A lot is going to depend on turnout. It’s a beautiful day and we think we have the best organization on the ground, so who knows?" Avail was his first in 10 days -- “They’ve been just itching to get at me,” Obama joked. Also touches on B. Clinton's "race card" comments, Carter's meetings with Hamas, his comments on McCain being a better president than Bush. Read transcript here and listen to audio here. Full pool report here. Permalink

Obama Nabs Ohio Superdelegate

DNC member Enid Goubeaux jumps on the Land of Lincolner bandwagon. “I am endorsing Sen. Obama because his message, ‘yes we can’ has inspired so many voters, especially younger voters, to take part in shaping our country's future." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

CBS and NBC led with lengthy previews of Tuesday's Pennsylvania showdown. ABC: After reports on gas and food prices, word of the "increasingly bitter tone" in Pennsylvania campaigning with clips of negative ads and robocalls. In preview of GMA interviews, Clinton said U.S. could "totally obliterate" Iran if it launched a nuclear strike against Israel, while Obama said his campaign attacks are necessary. Mention of canceled North Carolina debate, then package on views of white women in Philly suburbs. Stephanopoulos said Clinton must win Tuesday to stay alive, probably by double digits. Brief mention of McCain's day in the south. CBS: Political block took half the broadcast. Recaps of the day's campaigning, a look at Pennsylvania voting demographics, and suggestion Clinton's Scranton ties may not be as deep as she hopes. Look at college students found strong, but not total, support for Obama. NBC: Led with Pennsylvania primary preview, recapping Clinton and Obama's events Monday. Noted narrowed Clinton lead in polls, latest negative ads, cash totals. Clinton supporter Philly Mayor Nutter said she will stay in race regardless of Tuesday results. Previewed "Today" interviews with both candidates: Clinton defended her attacks, Obama said he was dragged into it by Clinton. Russert said Clinton's margin of victory will also effect fundraising, and she needs money for the next big battleground -- Indiana. Permalink

Clinton in Scranton: I'm One of You

Recalls her childhood in the area, appeals to small-town values while campaigning in her ancestral home on primary eve. "We cared about our families, we cared about our faith." Makes implicit reference to Obama: "I don't want you to take a leap of faith" on next president, mocks his signature line: "Some people say 'Yes we can,' but that doesn't mean you will. I believe we will." Also: Expresses similar sentiments in Philadelphia Daily News op-ed. Read it here. Permalink