Archive - April 23, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Picks Up Nebraska Superdelegate

Nebraska Democratic Party Associate Chair Audra Ostergard picks the Land of Lincolner. "There are compelling arguments for supporting both candidates, but my decision came down to what’s best for our country and for Nebraska." Plus: Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry also announces his support Wednesday, despite saying he wouldn't endorse until convention. NY Times: “A series of endorsements are scheduled to be announced in the coming days, including superdelegates who intend to pledge their support for Mr. Obama.” Permalink

Obama Disputes Clinton's Election Math

Tells reporters that including vote counts from the disputed Michigan and Florida contests-- as Clinton's team is doing-- is "an abstract measure." Click above to watch. "There have been a number of different formulations that the Clinton campaign has been trying to arrive at to suggest that somehow they're not behind. If you want to count them for some abstract measure, you're free to do so." Read transcript here. Clinton spokesman Singer responds: "Senator Obama might be content to dismiss the nearly 2.5 million people who voted in Florida and Michigan as abstractions, but Senator Clinton thinks they are people whose votes count and voices should be heard." Plus: Clinton later reiterated claim that she now leads the popular vote. More: Obama camp releases its latest delegate projections, says Clinton will earn 10 additional delegates from Pennsylvania. Permalink

Clinton Camp: We're "On Track" For $10 Million Post-Pennsylvania Haul

Campaign Chair McAuliffe says the money has been pouring in since Tuesday's win -- with 60,000 donors contributing online by noon Wednesday. Campaign's best-ever day of fundraising. "Thanks to them, we will have the resources needed to compete and win as we move ahead to the next contests." Permalink

Clinton's Big Name Supporters: Supers Better Take Notice

Several of Clinton's top supporters from her big state wins -- Govs. Corzine (NJ), Granholm (MI), Paterson (NY), Rendell (PA), Strickland (OH) and Sens. Bayh (IN), Nelson (FL) -- warn the superdelegates to take another look at Clinton's strength. Uses Pennsylvania win to say that she's the one who can win battleground states against McCain in November. Rendell: "It's clear that Senator Clinton is the best standard bearer for us in the fall -- no ifs, ands or buts about it -- and superdelegates need to take a deep breath and think about that." Listen to him here. Strickland: "This is, for me, a no-brainer. If we're going to plan to win in November we need to choose the candidate that has the greatest strength in the states necessary to get us the electoral votes she needs." Permalink

Bill Clinton Reacts to Axelrod Comments on Voters

Former president says in North Carolina: "Today her opponent's campaign strategist said, 'Well we don't really need these working class people to win, half the time they vote for Republicans anyways.' And I will tell you something, America needs you to win and therefore Hillary wants your support...." Apparent response to earlier remark to NPR from David Axelrod: "The white working class has gone to the Republican nominee for many elections, going back even to the Clinton years." Meanwhile: Obama tells CNN radio he needs to do better with older voters. Permalink

McCain Hammers Obama Over "Bitter" Comments

Senator was asked about the Democrat's remarks in a Kentucky town hall meeting, and doesn't hesitate to pounce. Click above to watch. "I think those are elitist remarks, to say the least." Plus: McCain adviser Mark McKinnon weighs in on the extended Democratic race while rolling through Kentucky. "I think the way things are going we could say that McCain won this election between March and June." Permalink

Clinton Snags Tennessee Superdelegate

Rep. John Tanner, a prominent Blue Dog Democrat, backs the New York Senator. Says in statement: "Now, more than ever, our nation needs a leader like Sen. Clinton who can work with others to return to fiscal sanity.” More here. Permalink

Obama: WashPost "Needs to Take That Source Out of Their Rolodex"

Candidate disputes blind quote from alleged strategist saying the campaign plans to ramp up personal attacks on Clinton in interview with CNN radio's Roland Martin. Transcript here. Campaign manager David Plouffe responds similarly when asked on morning Obama media call. Plouffe: "We're not going to do that." But: Supporter Sen. McCaskill tells MSNBC she hopes superdelegates do focus on Clinton scandals from the '90s. Strategist tells WashPost that "aides are likely to turn to the controversies of Bill Clinton's White House years — Hillary Clinton's trading cattle futures, Whitewater and possibly impeachment." Plus: Clinton camp memo points to news stories characterizing Obama as going negative after past losses. Read it here. Permalink

Debate About Debates

Clinton-supporting Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh calls Obama out on media call for not agreeing to a debate. "Hoosiers are going to be disappointed if that doesn't happen." Earlier: Obama, when asked about making a commitment to a proposed CNN/PBS debate in Indiana, repeated his line that he thinks voters know where they stand after 21 debates. Plus: B. Clinton brings canceled debate up on the stump in North Carolina, Clinton camp launches Obama "debate watch" initiative. Permalink

McCain Personally Denounces Anti-Obama Ad

Senator responds Wednesday to a North Carolina GOP ad that uses footage of the Rev. Wright to criticize two Tar Heel Democrats for endorsing Obama. Watch it above. Tells TIME's Michael Scherer: "We asked them not to run it... There is no place for that kind of campaigning." Also sends letter to state GOP chairwoman deploring "offensive" commercial. Update: North Carolina GOP says it will go ahead with the ad. Republican chairwoman Linda Daves tells News and Observer: "This is not about the RNC... It is about North Carolina, our values and two Democrat candidates who are out of sync with the values of North Carolina." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

Networks led with results, impact of Pennsylvania primary. ABC: Said Obama and Clinton made "almost opposite arguments" Wednesday, with Obama stressing delegates and Clinton stressing electability. Noted Clinton's claim to have won the most votes overall, but said virtually no one else includes Michigan and Florida totals. Mary Beth Cahill and Tad Devine lent analysis. CBS: Looked ahead to races in Indiana and North Carolina. Played clip of anti-Obama ad from North Carolina GOP, said it could offer "a little taste" of negative campaigning to come. Noted McCain's request to stop the ad, but said past requests have not worked. Second package looked at Clinton's fundraising, said her inclusion of Michigan, Florida vote totals is "somewhat dubious." Greenfield broke down Pennsylvania numbers, stressing that late-deciders are a problem for Obama. NBC: Led with exact size of Clinton's Pennsylvania win: 9.4 points. Said she “got what she needed” to move on to North Carolina, Indiana, noted her money surge, debt. Said she won with white women, Catholics, seniors and people without college degrees, looked at exit polls on negativity, harsh Clinton NY Times editorial. Highlighted Obama saying he'll close the deal by “winning.” Moved on to North Carolina GOP TV ad invoking Wright, McCain’s repudiation. Russert weighed in, said if Obama wins next two contests he could lock up nomination because supers would coalesce behind him. Permalink

Candidates Push Dueling Indiana Mailers

Obama camp sends a new negative mailer in the Hoosier State, hitting her on trade. Clinton camp responds to the mailer here. While the Clinton camp has their own mailer in the state, targeting Obama on health care. Plus: Obama suggests at press availability that he may fare well in Indiana, due to its proximity with his home state of Illinois. Parts of Indiana share the Chicago media market. Watch video here. Permalink