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Headlines from April 25th, 2008
Caroline Kennedy's Convention Remarks
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg Democratic National Convention Monday, August 25, 2008 Remarks as Prepared for Delivery I am here tonight to pay tribute to two men who have changed my life and the life of this country: Barack Obama and Edward M. Kennedy. Their stories are very different, but they share a commitment to the timeless American ideals of justice and fairness, service and sacrifice, faith and family. Leaders like them come along rarely. But once or twice in a lifetime, they come along just when we need them the most. This is one of those moments. As our nation faces a fundamental choice between moving forward or falling further behind, Senator Obama offers the change we need. Everywhere I go in this country, people tell me that Barack Obama is making them feel hopeful the way they did when my father was president. It’s partly the words he uses—words that remind us that we are all in this together and that we each have something to contribute to this country that has given us so much. But it’s the life he has led that is the true source of this inspiration—a life spent fighting for ordinary people in neighborhoods and courts, in the state senate and the United States Senate. I have never had someone inspire me the way people tell me my father inspired them, but I do now, Barack Obama. And I know someone else who’s been inspired all over again by Senator Obama. In our family, he’s known as Uncle Teddy. More than any ... , 9:19 PM
Clyburn Addresses B. Clinton Comments on "Countdown"
The South Carolina representative and neutral superdelegate tells MSNBC's Keith Olbermann he has been saying B. Clinton has to "chill out" since January, when Hillary Clinton was expected by him and most everyone else to be the party's nominee. Comes after some suggested his comments printed in Friday's New York Times saying "black people are incensed" by Bill Clinton's remarks mean he's leaning toward Obama. Watch video above. Read transcript here. Permalink
Dean: Dems Need A Nominee By End of June to Win -- and Electability Is Key
Says in interview with the Financial Times that he, Pelosi and Reid agree to an end of June deadline for getting all supers to declare their support, says it'll take at least two months for supporters of the losing candidate to get over their "grieving" and unite. Also says that the party's supers have every right to overturn popular vote and pick based on electability if that's what they want since there's nothing in the rules that prevents it. "I think the race is going to come down to the perception in the last six or eight races of who the best opponent for McCain will be. I do not think in the long run it will come down to the popular vote or anything else." Permalink
McCain Roars Back on Ayers-Obama Ties
Spokesman Brian Rogers calls Ayers an "unrepentant terrorist," insists Obama's friendship with the former radical "is an issue of judgment, and it will absolutely be an issue in this election." Read latest salvo. Earlier Friday, McCain called on Obama to apologize for his link with Ayers. Obama campaign responded by suggesting McCain had undermined his vow to run a "respectful" campaign. Read statement. And: McCain's spokesman also slices Obama over Hamas leader's support. "The reason for Hamas’ praise of Senator Obama’s foreign policy is his commitment to meet unconditionally with Iran...." Read more. Permalink
DNC Sets Date to Hear Michigan, Florida Appeals
The Rules and Bylaws Committee will meet May 31 to consider proposed ways to seat the state's stripped delegates. Politico: "The challenges -- from Michigan DNC member Joel Feguson and Florida DNC member Jon Ausman -- ask that the DNC seat all of the rogue states' superdelegates and at least half of their pledged delegates." Permalink
Obama on Jell-o, Shoes, and Haircuts
Candidate tries to persuade reporters he's not elitist or "out of touch" Friday. Says in Indiana he grew up with grandparents who served "a lot of pot roast and potatoes and Jell-o molds.” Also says he's not much for shopping or hair cuts, to the point of mockery by his mother-in-law. Click above to watch. Permalink
Obama Speaks With Indianapolis Star Ed Board
On how he can win in Indiana when he lost Pennsylvania: Says he thinks he'll catch on with Hoosiers because they have a "Midwestern sensibility that I connect with very well because it's familiar of what I'm used to in Illinois." Also discusses his policy differences from Clinton (he says there aren't many), liberal ranking from the National Journal, trade with China, appeal to the middle class, stance on Iraq (including defending his characterizations of McCain's "100 years" remark). Permalink
Obama, Democratic Party Make Fundraising Deal
First on The Page: the Land of Lincolner and DNC plan to file a joint fundraising agreement soon that will allow donors to give simultaneously to his campaign and the national party. Read more about it here. Obama Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand confirms on media conference call: "It is something that we are moving forward with. As we understand it, the DNC has initiated these conversations with the Clinton campaign as well." Permalink
Clinton Responds to Obama on Oil Prices
"My late father used to say ‘watch what they do, not what they say'.... When it came time to stand up against the oil companies and stand against Dick Cheney’s energy bill, my opponent voted for it and I voted against it." Read more of her comments from Bloomington, Indiana. Earlier: Clinton and McCain both release statements attacking the Senator after he accuses them of not standing up to oil companies. Read Clinton's here and McCain's here. Friday morning: Obama says at Indianapolis presser that when it comes to oil prices, "even with all that experience they talk about, nothing has happened." Permalink
Obama Campaign to Launch Nationwide Voter Drive
Fifty-state push called "Vote for Change" to kick off May 10. Read more here. "It won't just be a one-day deal. This will be a sustained, six-month campaign," Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand says in afternoon conference call. Permalink
Obama Reacts to Wright's PBS Interview
Repeats at Indianapolis presser that he was offended by some of Wright's remarks, but says his former pastor "is obviously free to express his opinion on these issues." "I understand that he might not agree with me on my assessment of his comments. That's to be expected." Watch video here. Permalink
McCain Teams Up With Huckabee
The two travel Arkansas together Friday morning, laugh it up in the back of The Straight Talk Express. Wall Street Journal: "The two men–joined by their wives–were like two schoolboys as they traveled to the first of two fund-raisers." Permalink
"HillRaiser" Defects to Obama
Former Chile ambassador Gabriel Guerra-Mondragon -- a B. Clinton appointee who became one of her top fundraisers by raising six-figures for her campaign -- has joined Obama's finance committee. He said: "We're just bleeding each other out... I want this fight to be over, the quicker the better." Permalink
Cindy McCain: Gender Shouldn't Be A Factor for Voters
The wife of the presumptive GOP nominee tells National Journal that when women candidates are on the ballot in Arizona she votes for the person — not their gender. “I don't think that should be a part of what people do. Nevertheless, I know it is with some and that's certainly their right and their honor to do so.” Permalink
Clinton Keeps Up Pressure for North Carolina, Indiana Debates
On the stump in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Clinton renews criticism of Obama for not agreeing to debates in the two upcoming states. “The issues in Pennsylvania are not the same as the issues in North Carolina." On canceled North Carolina debate: "So again I offer that I’ll go anywhere at any time." Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan responds: "While Senator Clinton is focused on debating debates - except, of course, for the one in North Carolina that Senator Obama accepted and she didn't or the previous 20-plus debates they've already had - Senator Obama is focused on finding real solutions for our families like making energy more affordable and securing our energy independence." Plus: Another Obama spokesman says the Illinois Senator has not closed the door on an Indiana debate, but it's not his No. 1 priority. HALPERIN'S TAKE: The North Carolina primary. Permalink
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