Archive - May 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Obama aide Anita Dunn, per ABC News: "Asked if Obama would wait to get a concession call from Clinton before claiming the nomination, Dunn said the onus was on Clinton now that the Democratic Party has firmed up the number of delegates needed to claim the party's nod." "'He's not going to wait by the phone like a high-school girl waiting for a date,' said Dunn. 'That's not Barack Obama.'" "'After Tuesday,' Dunn added, referring to the final contests of South Dakota and Montana, Clinton 'can decide how united she wants this party to be.'" Obama himself, in Saturday night South Dakota press availability: "I think that Senator Clinton and former President Clinton love this country. They love the Democratic Party. I think they deeply believe that Democrats need to win in November. And so I trust that they’re going to do the right thing." Permalink

Clinton Team: "We Reserve the Right to Challenge This Decision"

DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee votes to fully seat Florida and Michigan's delegations, with each delegate getting a half vote. Gives Clinton 24 additional delegates over Obama. Clinton campaign objects to the Michigan decision: "This decision violates the bedrock principles of our democracy and our party... We reserve the right to challenge this decision before the Credentials Committee and appeal for a fair allocation of Michigan’s delegates that actually reflect the votes as they were cast." A different response from Obama Campaign Manager Plouffe: "We’re extremely gratified that the commission agreed on a fair solution." Read his statement. Vote prompts loud protests of "Denver!" and "Count our votes!" from many raucous observers. Earlier vote to seat Florida's delegation with a full vote failed 12-15. DNC statement: "This decision was not made easily or lightly...." Read it here. Hundreds of demonstrators-- mainly pro-Clinton women-- gather outside hotel. Read more, and see photos of demonstrators. Earlier: Chairman Dean blasts media coverage of the race. Permalink

Sunday NY Times: Clinton Coming to Terms With Likely Defeat

Advisers tell the Paper of Record she has begun adjusting to the "near-certainty" of her loss to Obama. Still, questions remain about when she may drop out and endorse Obama. She recently called Tennessee's undecided governor and urged him "to keep an open mind until the convention.” Spokesman Wolfson: “I don’t think anybody is looking toward the convention to end this process.” Response: Wolfson tells The Page, "We continue to make a strong case to superdelegates that Senator Clinton has won the most votes in primary history and that we would be the strongest nominee against John McCain." Read full statement. Permalink

Clinton "Caravans" Through Puerto Rico

As music blares, the festively-dressed candidate campaigns on the back of a truck. Click above to watch. The "caravana" is a traditional method of campaigning on the commonwealth. Earlier: Clinton says "This is Puerto Rico's time." Permalink

Obama: "We Don't Need More Leaders Who Can't Admit They've Made a Mistake"

The Senator keeps up pressure on McCain with tough remarks over his comment that Iraqi troop levels are down to pre-surge levels. Read his remarks. "Senator McCain was wrong, and he was wrong on the most important question that any Commander-in-Chief faces." "We’ve seen this movie before – a leader who pursues the wrong course, who is unwilling to change course, who ignores the evidence." Response from McCain team: Spokesman Bounds says Obama "raises questions about whether his campaign is based on conceding defeat in Iraq, no matter what progress our troops make there.” Read full statement. Permalink

Gore, Dean Headline "Unity Dinner" Fundraiser

The former candidates attend high-dollar gathering at private residences Saturday evening in Manhattan. Permalink

Cheney: Quitting Iraq Would Be "Act of Betrayal"

The Vice President talks tough on national security to Virginia Republicans. Click above to watch. On Iraq: "The only way to lose this fight is to quit. That would be an act of betrayal and dishonor, and it's not going to happen on our watch." Permalink

Garin: Not So Fast

Even though voting ends Tuesday, Clinton's top strategist says "it's very unlikely the nomination will be secured." Permalink

McClellan Originally Pitched a Softer Book

Politico: The former Bush spokesman's original book proposal was easier on his boss, harder on the press and social conservatives. Original title did not mention "Washington’s culture of deception," did offer a full chapter on NBC's David Gregory. Permalink

Obama Rally Set for GOP Convention Site

The Land of Lincolner will host a rally on the final primary night Tuesday-- and possible declare victory-- at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center. Read campaign release. Crowd seen topping 20,000. Permalink

Obama: My Ears Wouldn't Fit on Mt. Rushmore

The Democrat makes fun of his appearance during a surprise nighttime trip to the South Dakota landmark. "There's only so much rock up there." Permalink

Obama: "Anyone Running for Commander-in-Chief Should Know Better"

Obama plans to keep up criticism of McCain for saying that troops in Iraq have “drawn down to pre-surge levels" in evening event, adding fuel to the fire that dominated Friday's political conversation. "Today, Senator McCain refused to correct his mistake. Just like George Bush, when he was presented with the truth, he just dug in and refused to admit his mistake. His campaign said it amounts to 'nitpicking.'" Read full remarks for Great Falls, Montana event here. McCain camp responds: "If Barack Obama wants facts, we're happy to have a debate based in fact: the fact is Barack Obama has refused to have a one on one meeting with General Petraeus..." Full statement here. Earlier: McCain maintained he did not misspeak, his campaign characterized the argument as being over "verb tenses." Read more here. Permalink

Big Sky Stumping

Observers, polling say Montana looks good for Obama. Permalink

Saturday's Super Battle

CLINTON GETS: --Former Louisiana Rep. Buddy Leach. Today's Tally: Clinton 1, Obama 0 Permalink

Obama Resigns from Trinity United Church

The Senator and his family have left their South Side Chicago church, spokesman Bill Burton confirms. Obama spent two decades at Trinity, home to the Rev. Wright and the site of a controversial sermon last week from Father Michael Pfleger. Obama speaks to reporters about his decision following his Aberdeen, South Dakota town hall -- read fascinating transcript here. Permalink