Archive - May 1, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Senator downs a cold one chatting up locals at an Indiana VFW Hall Thursday. Tells the crowd: “I’m not going to give a speech or anything, I just want to stop by … and maybe get a beer as well.” Read full pool report here. Permalink

SEIU Puts Down $500,000 on Pro-Obama Indiana Ad

Obama-backing union's spokesman confirms they're putting half a million behind a spot in the May 6 state. Comes after pro-Clinton group puts another $200,000 into running an Indiana ad attacking the Illinois Senator on the economy. Brings the total spent on the ad to $1.1 million. Plus: Group of Obama’s Jewish supporters are raising funds for positive ad in the New York Times. Permalink

Iran Complains to UN About Clinton Comment

Protest letter cites Clinton's comment last week about being able to "totally obliterate" Iran if it attacked Israel with nuclear weapons. Iran's deputy UN ambassador: "I wish to reiterate my government's position that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no intention to attack any other nation." Read letter here. Permalink

Obama and Clinton's Final North Carolina Push

The candidates are buckling down for a final weekend push before North Carolina's primary Tuesday. Michelle Obama and Chelsea Clinton are also campaigning in the state. As well as their own events, both will speak in Raleigh at the N.C. Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner. Permalink

Obama Appears on "Letterman"

The Illinois Senator reads off the host's famed Top 10 list once again on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman." Watch the candidate read "Top 10 Surprising Facts about Barack Obama" here. #7: Throughout high school, I was consistently voted "Barackiest." Read the full list here. Obama last did the Top 10 honors Jan. 24. Permalink

HOLY SUNDAY FACE-OFF, BATMAN

ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" snags Clinton for Sunday morning voter town hall from Indiana, with additional questions asked by voters in North Carolina. Will happen simultaneous to Obama's full hour on "Meet the Press." Permalink

New National Numbers

From CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll: Obama 46, Clinton 45. Change from mid-March poll: Obama -6, Clinton no change. Dates conducted: April 28-30. Error margin: 4.5 points. Read more here. Plus: New Pew Research Center poll has similar results. Permalink

Clinton Stops in Kentucky, Tells Aides to Bet on the Filly

The New York Senator drops by her campaign headquarters in Louisville, says she's sorry she'll miss the Derby, but notes Chelsea Clinton would be on hand. Also met with the editorial board of the Louisville Courier-Journal, which also has readership in southeastern Indiana. Kentucky votes May 20. Permalink

McCain Backs Off Bridge Collapse Comments

Attempts to clarify remarks after being criticized for citing wasteful spending as the cause of the Minneapolis bring collapse last year. Tells the press in Cleveland: "No, I said it would have received a higher priority, which it deserved." Comes after McCain's national co-chairman Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty steps back from candidate's original remarks. Permalink

Pelosi Opposes Gas Tax Plan

"There is no reason to believe any moratorium on the gas tax will be passed on to consumers," the House speakers says of Clinton and McCain's proposal. Pelosi also believes it could promote gas consumption. Comments come amid mounting skepticism to the plan from New York's mayor, New York's governor, the NY Times and others. But one elderly Indiana woman likes the idea-- watch her put Obama on the spot. Permalink

Clinton on Protracted Nomination Fight Hurting Party: "Just Idle Talk"

The New York Senator also tells ABC's "Nightline" that her support is "broader and deeper" than Obama's, thinks supers should choose based on that. Further suggests she won't drop out if she loses Indiana next week: "I think that this is such a close election, why would any of us think that it shouldn't go to the end?" And keeps up a hard line when talking about Iran, repeats "massive retaliation" sentiment. Permalink

McCain Handles Vulgar Voter Question About Alleged Vulgarity

At Iowa town meeting, a strange moment. Permalink

Thursday's Super Battle

Net gain: Obama 5, Clinton 4* Clinton nabs four New York supers -- Attorney General Cuomo, Comptroller DiNapoli, former Manhattan Borough President Fields and Assemblywoman Arroyo -- after state elects its add-ons. She is also expected to get Connecticut AFL-CIO President John Olsen. Obama gets endorsement of Texas DNC member John Patrick, who cites candidate's record on trade, fighting for working class. Also expected to pick up three prominent Illinois supers -- Mayor Daley, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger -- as the state finishes filling out its delegate slate. And adds former DNC leader Joe Andrew. *Superdel Andrew leaves Clinton camp for Obama, subtracting one from her day's total. Permalink

The Page in TIME

Obama thinks generally... targeting college students....and John Edwards choice -- all in this week's issue. Click here to get a sneak peak of all the news that's fit to Page. Permalink

Candidates Remember "Mission Accomplished"

On the fifth anniversary of President Bush's aircraft carrier photo op: McCain says that Bush shouldn't be held responsible for the banner, but he should be blamed for bungling the early months of the Iraq war. Obama: "I am the only candidate in this race who opposed the war in Iraq when Washington was falling in line with George Bush..." Read statement. Clinton: "The planning and strategy was flawed. Our troops deserved and deserve better." Read statement. Permalink