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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from May 4th, 2008
Clinton and Obama: I Am the Underdog
Both candidates claim the title on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday's showdowns in Indiana and North Carolina. Clinton, in Bend, Indiana: "We came from so far behind in Indiana. We're still the underdog. But we are moving forward." Obama on "Meet the Press": "I'm the underdog. I came into this thing with everybody anticipating that we would be blown away." Plus: Clinton shortens her stump speech from 40 to 16 minutes, much of it criticizing Obama. Permalink
Obama, Clinton Make Closing Hoosier Cases
Obama and Clinton make back-to-back speeches Sunday night at the Hoosier State's Democratic Party dinner. "Obama appeared to draw more people to their feet more often." Read Obama's prepared speech. DNC Chair Dean also attends the event at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Permalink
Obama Drops By the Neighborhood
A stretch of Bank Street in Elkhart, Indiana is set atwitter when Obama drops by Sunday for some door-knocking. "Yes! He's right here by Simpson Street! For real!" Read pool report. Later picks up a basketball for a game of PIG. "I'm a pressure player." Read TIME's Karen Tumulty on Obama's new style here. Permalink
Obama Ads Skewer Clinton's "Bogus Gas Tax Gimmick"
TV spots in North Carolina and Indiana unload on Clinton's proposal to suspend the federal gas tax this summer. Click above to watch the Indiana version, read script here. For North Carolina version-- click here. *Clinton campaign: Ad distorts NY Times quote.* Read release. Permalink
Dueling Sunday Conference Calls
Afternoon media calls from the Clinton and Obama teams: On Clinton call: Spokesmen Wolfson and Singer pile on Obama for opposing the gas tax suspension, as well as Clinton's proposals to address the housing crisis. Wolfson: Obama "just doesn’t seem to understand that middle class families are hurting... He would rather side with the oil companies over the interests of middle class families." Singer: New attack ad shows "the Obama campaign is running scared right now." Read transcript of the call, and listen to it here. On Obama call: Supporter Sen. McCaskill calls gas tax plan "insulting" and "pandering in its purest form." "Real people... smell that this is a gimmick." Permalink
Clinton Mailing Targets Obama On Guns in Indiana
"What does Barack Obama really believe?" asks flier hitting Hoosier State mailboxes. Cites Obama's infamous "cling to guns" comment from last month's San Francisco fundraiser. Permalink
Bill Clinton: Pray for My Wife
"I didn't come here to ask you to vote for my wife," he tells a North Carolina pentecostal church Sunday. "I came here to ask you to pray for her." Later Sunday, makes joke after two people faint in warm weather. "At my age, I didn't think I could make anybody faint anymore." Permalink
Obama Picks Up Guam Superdelegate
Party vice chair Jaime Paulino goes to Obama, following his victory in Guam's primary Saturday. Read release. Permalink
ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS
Sunday show showdown as Obama takes on Russert on "Meet the Press" and Clinton faces Stephanopoulos and voters on "This Week." For a summary of their appearances, click here. Clinton was asked about Obama's criticism of her "obliterate" comment about Iran. To watch Obama's critique, and Clinton's response, click here. Permalink
TOM HANKS: "I WANT BARACK OBAMA TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY"
Actor/activist who had given money to both the Illinois Senator and Clinton records compelling video in favor of the Man from Hawaii. Click above to watch. Check his MySpace page here. Permalink
Louisiana Democrat Wins House Seat in GOP Stronghold
Louisiana's sixth district had been represented by a Republican for more than three decades, and went for Bush in 2000 and 2004. Democrat Don Cazayoux won a special House race Saturday. Read NY Times' take here. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Van Hollen: "For the second time this cycle, Republicans were reminded that ‘all politics is local.’" Read his release. Speaker Pelosi: Voters showed they "demand a new direction for our country." Read her statement. The National Republican Congressional Committee downplays result: "By nature, special elections tend to be competitive and their results are not always a harbinger for the November elections..." Read release here. Permalink
Obama's Patriotism Still a Concern for Some
WashPost front: Lapel pin, national anthem, Rev. Wright still lead some to consider Obama "out of the mainstream." Permalink
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