Archive - April 27, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

New Ad Takes Aim at "Liberal" Obama in Mississippi

Republican running in special House election tars his opponent in TV ad for accepting Obama's endorsement. Click above to watch. "When Obama's pastor cursed America, blaming us for 9/11, Childers said nothing... When Obama ridiculed rural folks for clinging to guns and religion, Childers said nothing... He took Obama's endorsement over our conservative values. Conservatives just can't trust Travis Childers." Permalink

McCain Says Obama Opened the Door to Wright As an Issue

In Florida media avail, the Arizona Senator suggests Obama's "Fox News Sunday" comments are a bit of a game changer. Tough response from the Obama campaign: "John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign." Full response. McCain also hits Obama for not backing his plan to suspend gas taxes this summer. More excerpts here. Plus: Responding to Sunday NY Times story, candidate also defends low-cost use of his wife's corporate jet, calling it "perfectly legal and appropriate." Permalink

DNC Releases Second Anti-McCain Ad

Democratic party's second national TV spot jumps on his "100 years" comment about Iraq. Click above to watch. "If all he offers is more of the same, is John McCain the right choice for America’s future?” Top McCain aide, RNC chair both jump on the ad and DNC Chair Dean. Mark Salter: Dean's "dishonesty, evident in his persistently clumsy attempts to distort John McCain’s positions, seems to have become a compulsive disorder." Full statement. Mike Duncan: "Howard Dean and the Democratic National Committee will say and do anything to defeat John McCain, even violating federal election law." Full statement here. Permalink

Obama Repeats Opposition to Indiana Debate

Dropping by the Country Kitchen in Indianapolis after church, the Senator elaborates on why he's turning down Clinton's debate offer. "We've got nine days to try to campaign and meet as many voters as possible. So rather than being in a studio, I want to make sure that we're reaching out to folks where they live...." Adds that he would consider more debates after May 6. Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

Obama stops the "Obama Watch" on Fox News Channel, sitting down with Chris Wallace for 40-minute interview. Read more about the Sunday shows here. Permalink

McCain Camp Responds to NY Times Deficit Story

McCain policy adviser Holtz-Eakin calls front-page deficit story "fatally flawed." Read his response. Story looks at all three candidate's policy proposals, concludes "each could significantly swell the budget deficit and increase the national debt by trillions of dollars." Permalink

Obama Nabs Arizona Superdelegate

Newly elected state Democratic Party first vice chairwoman Charlene Fernandez endorses the Land of Lincolner. “I believe Senator Obama has the best ability to win the White House in November and lead this country forward.” Permalink

Hoosier State Potpourri

--Clinton steps up ground game in Indiana, after losing to well-organized Obama efforts earlier in the campaign. Permalink

Sunday Surrogate Action

For Obama: Rep. Al Green and Kweisi Mfume in North Carolina, Tim Roemer in Indiana. For Clinton: Chelsea Clinton, Rev. Marcia Dyson, Heather Tom in North Carolina. Joe Wilson in Oregon. Permalink

Obama Helped Secure Grants for Illinois Donor

State Sen. Obama helped secure thousands in state money for a Chicago entrepreneur who had paid him as a legal adviser. Robert Blackwell also became an Obama donor. Ethics disclosure forms did not make the link clear. Campaign says suggestion of an ethical breach is "nuts." Permalink

Clinton, Obama Shops a "Study in Contrasts"

Politico contrasts tumult of Clinton campaign with low-drama calm of Obama's. Reasons include Chicago HQ's distance from Washington, lack of pre-existing rivalries. Chief strategist Axelrod: “There are going to be no a**holes on this campaign.” Permalink

Bush Tweaks Candidates at White House Correspondents' Dinner

The quipper-in-chief pokes fun at all three contenders, noting none made it to the splashy event. "Clinton couldn't get in because of sniper fire and Sen. Obama's at church." Ribs McCain as well. Read pool report, and watch the dinner here. Permalink

Marathon Campaign Tries Clinton, Obama Staffers

WashPost looks at personal impact of the campaign that doesn't quit-- apartments unlived in, spouses unseen, etc. Notes Clinton campaign has sent 1,572 news releases-- three times as many as Obama. Permalink

Elizabeth Edwards Points Finger at News Media

NY Times op-ed by the former candidate's wife criticizes the press for leaving voters with "Cliffs Notes" of candidates and issues. "Did you, for example, ever know a single fact about Joe Biden’s health care plan? ... But let me guess, you know Barack Obama’s bowling score." Permalink