Archive - May 2, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama: Don't Judge Me from Wright's Comments

Says at North Carolina J-J dinner Friday night that the campaign shouldn't be focused on his former pastor. “As we’ve done well in this election, as we’ve been successful, increasingly my opponents have spent their time talking, not about the issues, but about me." NY Times: "...the cavernous room exploded with energy when Mr. Obama walked onto the stage after Mrs. Clinton, who received a rousing, yet far more tepid, reception." Permalink

Clinton Goes Up With Last-Minute Negative Indiana Spot on Gas Tax

New TV ad counters Obama's released Friday morning, hits her rival for claiming the suspension plan wouldn't save Americans much money. Says Clinton's plan would "save families $8 billion," adding "Barack Obama says that's just pennies." Watch it above. Earlier: Obama launches negative Indiana ad questioning Clinton’s plan, touting his own ideas. Watch it here and read script here. Permalink

Obama-Backing Hamilton: Wright is "Legitimate Issue"

Former Indiana Rep. and vice chairman of the Sept. 11 commission talks to National Journal about the role of Obama's former pastor in the campaign: "...His pastor, obviously, has said a lot of things that are offensive to most Americans, so you can legitimately raise the question of judgment about personal relationships." Adds though, that he doesn't equate it with "first tier" issues, thinks it has been magnified by people who benefit from raising it. Permalink

Clinton Nabs Texas Superdelegate

Lone Star State DNC member Jaime A. Gonzalez Jr. announces his support for the New York Senator. Permalink

Clinton Goes On TV in Oregon

Spot focuses on energy, jobs, health care, Iraq. "It's going to take a fighter to meet these challenges. If you give me the chance, together we'll turn our country around." Watch it above. Permalink

Obama: Michelle and I Aren't "Pointy-Head Types"

Senator says he doesn't recognize the portrait that has been painted of him and his wife lately. "I do think one of the ironies of the past two or three weeks is this idea that Michelle and I are elitist, intellectual pointy-head types." Speaking in Indianapolis, also acknowledges having "a rough couple of weeks.” Permalink

Clinton Introducing Gax Tax Legislation

Move intended to follow up on her support for a summertime tax break. Bill, co-sponsored by NJ Sen. Menendez, would hike taxes on oil companies. Comes amid continued back-and-forthing on gas tax between the three candidates. Read more here. Permalink

Top McCain Adviser: Candidate Heading His Own Veep Search

Adviser Charlie Black says at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast that the staff has been largely uninvolved in helping McCain narrow down his choices. He says: "He's the chairman of the selection committee.... He is thinking about names. He's not talking to any of us about that." Permalink

McCain Brings Up "100 Years" Ads, Says They're A "Direct Falsification"

The presumptive GOP nominee voluntarily lashes out against ads being run against him saying he proposes to stay in Iraq for "100 years" at a town hall in Denver, Colorado. "My friends, it's a direct falsification, and I'm sorry that political campaigns have to deteriorate in this fashion." Also seeks to clarify: "After we win the war in Iraq, and we are succeeding...then I'm talking about a security arrangement that may or may not be the same kind of thing we had with Korea after the Korean war was over." Permalink

McCain Wraps Up Week-Long Health Care Push With New TV Ad

New 30-second spot airing in Ohio focuses on McCain's "bold solutions" for country's health care problems. Starts off with McCain headshot and label "President McCain." Watch it above. Read script here. Politico: "A spokesman wouldn't share details of the buy except for saying it is 'significant' and in 'select markets.'" Permalink

Clinton: Tuesday a Campaign "Game-Changer"

Revs up a North Carolina audience for next week's primaries: "This is going to make a huge difference in what happens going forward. The entire country – probably even a lot of the world - is looking to see what North Carolina decides.” Makes comment at John Deere sales center in Kinston; one of five stops Friday in the Tar Heel State. Permalink

Bayh Continues to Hit Electability Theme

The Clinton-supporting Indiana Senator lays out her argument for supers on MSNBC. Says she has to win Indiana, come close in North Carolina and win some remaining states, in addition to showing herself as strongest candidate, win aggregated popular vote. Plus: Also renews questions about how Obama would fare in the general election in interview with National Journal. Read transcript here. Permalink

Candidates React to April Jobs Report

New figures show the economy lost 20,000 jobs last month. McCain: "The wrong course for our country would be to follow Senators Obama and Clinton and their siren songs of higher taxes (and) bigger government...." Clinton: "Only in George Bush’s economy could the standard for analyzing the jobs report become 'it could have been worse.'" Permalink

Where They Are Friday

Clinton: Kinston, Hendersonville, Greensboro, Raleigh, NC Obama: Indianapolis, Munster, IN; Charlotte, Raleigh, NC McCain: Denver, CO Bill Clinton: Greenfield, Beech Grove, Avon, Lebanon, IN Michelle Obama: Durham, Asheville, NC Permalink