Archive - April 24, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Obama's communications director Robert Gibbs on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" joked about his "Stop the Drama, Vote Obama" t-shirt saying he picked it up on the streets of Philly, used Clinton big-state argument against her, challenging her to win North Carolina to prove her point. Read more here. On NBC's "Today" they discussed the delegate math and Clinton's claim that she's leading in the popular vote when Michigan, Florida are counted. Chuck Todd said a Clinton loss in North Carolina could eliminate any Pennsylvania gains. On ABC's "Good Morning America," they aired package on Obama's struggle with the white working class. Cited Pennsylvania exit polls saying implication is "race could trump party loyalty" in general if Obama is nominated. Noted Axelrod's NPR remarks on the white vote, said could be viewed as "elitist." Permalink

Where They Are Thursday

Clinton: Jacksonville, Fayetteville, Asheville, NC Obama: Chicago, IL (no public events) McCain: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, LA Permalink

Exhausted

Associated Press: How can they not be? They've been campaigning for more than a year, and their wall-to-wall schedules won't let up anytime soon. Permalink

Bill Ayers Keeps a Low Political Profile

Former Weather Underground activist and Obama acquaintance tells the LA Times he doesn't want to get dragged into the race -- even if he's been misunderstood -- but that doesn't mean he's being quiet. "I'm still outspoken," he said. "I'm still out speaking at college campuses. You can follow me if you want." Permalink

McCain Tours Katrina-Damaged New Orleans

The presumptive GOP nominee stops in the lower ninth ward Thursday on day four of his "Time for Action" tour. He'll be accompanied by Gov. Bobby Jindal at a town hall meeting in Xavier, a historically black college. Permalink

Rev. Wright to Speak in D.C.

Obama's former pastor expected to speak at the National Press Club Monday about "offering perspective on black churches." Permalink

The Fight for the Hoosier State

--NY Times: Indiana's political history doesn't look fondly on those pushing sweeping reform. "Change, it seems, may not carry quite the same political magic in this state as it has elsewhere." --Clinton aide didn't rule out running some version of their Pennsylvania ad playing the terror card in Indiana. --WSJ: Both candidates have advantages in the Hoosier State; Clinton with white working class voters, Obama with it bordering Illinois. --Indianapolis Star looks at Republican crossovers eager to vote in the Democratic race. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The Indiana primary. Permalink

McCain Scathes Bush Administration on Katrina

"Never again will a disaster of this nature be handled in the terrible and disgraceful way that it was handled," the Senator says in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. Click above for a clip. “There was unqualified people in charge, there was a total misreading of the dimensions of the disaster, there was a failure of communications.’’ Asked if failure stretched to President Bush, McCain says "Yes." Plus: McCain hits similar theme in evening speech in Baton Rouge. Read excerpts here. And: McCain distances himself from Rev. Hagee's comments linking Katrina to the city's plans to host a gay pride parade. Uses the word "nonsense" nine times. Permalink

Religion Brought Up on Straight Talk Express

McCain discussed the issue he rarely brings up with reporters Wednesday, talking about his home congregation, the North Phoenix Baptist Church. Though when topics shifted to if he'd be baptized in the U.S. (he was in Panama when he was born) he said it was "a private thing." Permalink