Archive - May 5, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Makes Last-Minute Appeal to Indiana's Working Class Voters

Spends the last half hour of primary eve talking to workers during their 11:30 pm shift change at a plant in Indianapolis. Obama happily posed for pictures, signed people's shirts, but declined to sign a dollar bill, saying the Secret Service would arrest him. Read pool report here. Permalink

Stevie Wonder Kicks Off Obama Rally

He performs at an outdoor rally at the American Legion Mall in Indianapolis, kicking off a short set with “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” An estimated 21,000 people turned up, with Wonder citing Bruce Springsteen as another artist who has been inspired by Obama. Permalink

THE TOP TEN REASONS CLINTON LOVES AMERICA

Clinton gets her turn on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" on the eve of two crucial primaries. #10. We have more Dakotas than every other country combined. Read the full list here. Permalink

New National Numbers

From Ipsos poll: Clinton 47, Obama 40 Change from last week: Clinton +4, Obama -6. Dates conducted: April 30-May 4. Error margin: 3.1 points. Read more here. Permalink

Clinton Vows to Take On OPEC

"They can no longer be a cartel," she says in Merrillville, Indiana. "That’s not a market. That’s a monopoly." Says she will use WTO, international law to go after the oil group. Permalink

Can't Stump on an Empty Stomach

Obama stays busy sampling, buying and sharing food Monday at eateries in Indiana and North Carolina. Breakfast: Eats eggs, hash browns, biscuits (some made by a local supporter in the shape of an “O”) with union workers in southern Indiana. Pool report here. Lunch: Treats press corps to pound cake in Durham, North Carolina coffee shop-- and enjoys some himself. Pool report here. Dinner: Orders a dozen wings -- plain with no hot sauce or bleu cheese -- to go. While waiting, he chats with a couple dozen early-bird diners in Greensboro, North Carolina homestyle restaurant. Pool report here. Permalink

"I'm Drawn to the Ears"

Michelle Obama reveals her "celebrity crush" to "Entertainment Tonight"-- Will Smith. "I think it's the ears. I'm drawn to the ears." Click above to watch. Clinton also sits with "ET" for election-eve talk about Miley Cyrus, Barbara Walters' new book, and her favorite music. Watch video here. Permalink

Monday's Super Battle

Monday's tally: Obama 3, Clinton 1/2 --Clinton snags Democrats Abroad superdelegate Theresa Morelli, of Milan, Italy. Counts as half a superdelegate vote. Read more. --Obama nabs two Maryland Democratic Party leaders -- chairman Michael Cryor and vice chairman Lauren Dugas Glover. --He also wins backing of DNC at-large super Kayln Free from Oklahoma. Permalink

LAST-MINUTE NEGATIVE AD WARS

Obama responds to Clinton's spot with a 30-second Indiana ad quoting anti-Clinton NYT editorial after Pennsylvania win. “Her hometown newspaper says she's taking the low road - her attacks do nothing but harm." Watch it above. Read script here. Clinton spokesman Singer responds: "Considering that Senator Obama is now airing his fourth negative ad in six days, it’s clear that his closing message is focused on attacking Senator Clinton to cover up for the fact that he has no plan to reduce gas prices this summer." Clinton 30-second spot airing in both May 6 states criticizes Obama on the gas tax, uses first-person accounts of people struggling to pay at the pump. "What has happened to Barack Obama? ...He is attacking Hillary’s plan to give you a break on gas prices because he doesn’t have one." Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

Limbaugh on His Clinton "Crush"

In an interview with Fox News, the fabled conservative talk radio host responds to Clinton's quip on Sunday that he has a crush on her. He turns it around on her husband: “...Now I understand why Bill Clinton hit on my date about a year ago at the Kobe Club in New York...." Read the full quote here. Permalink

Indiana, North Carolina Turnout Brisk, Minor Problems Reported

Indianapolis Star: Election officials are urging voters to "go now" instead of waiting until it gets closer to poll closing times, expects turnout to surpass that of 2004 general election, but maybe not of '06. Charlotte Observer: Long lines have been reported in some polling places, they also expect a late afternoon rush. Political observers say a 1.5 million voters may come out to vote. Permalink

Last-Minute SEIU Mailer Hits Clinton on Iraq

Pro-Obama union sends fliers to Indiana voters criticizing the New Yorker's war vote. "It's a question of who voted to send them to Iraq in the first place." Permalink

Obama, McCain Camp Spar Over Electability

The Illinois Senator urges voters on the stump in Durham, North Carolina not to "buy into this electability argument" that he can't beat the GOP in the fall. “Go with who you think best represents your vision of where America needs to go and if you do that I’m absolutely confident that that person will win.” McCain camp responds citing Obama's policy proposals: "Those are Obama’s pledged positions, and they aren’t popular in North Carolina, Indiana or most anywhere else in America.” More here. Permalink

Clinton Courts Voters at North Carolina Train Station

Trains whiz by (loudly at times) as the New York Senator -- joined by Gov. Easley -- woos the High Point crowd. Easley: “This is the perfect place for Hillary Clinton to meet you, at a train station, because this lady is strong as train smoke." Permalink

Candidates React to Myanmar Cyclone

Officials fear more than 10,000 have died since the Friday disaster. McCain: "America should respond as befits a great and generous country...." Full statement here. Clinton: "We must now mount an international effort to help the victims of this terrible event." Full statement here. Permalink