Archive - May 7, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Clinton Loans Campaign More Than $6 Million in Past Month

The candidate loaned about $6.4 million to the campaign-- and communications director Wolfson says she may give more. Wolfson says on media conference call that the money was taken from her share of their joint assets, used to remain competitive with Obama on TV. Also tells MSNBC: "She is invested in this race, she is committed to this race, she will do what she can to ensure we have the resources that we need going forward." Loan comes on top of the $5 million she pumped into the campaign in late January. Permalink

Obama Supporters: "We Can See the Finish Line"

On media call, surrogates Sens. Kerry, Klobuchar, McCaskill and Govs. Napolitano, Patrick play up the Illinois Senator's victory Tuesday, make the case that it's the beginning of the end. Arizona Gov. Napolitano: "It's now time for the superdelegates to begin bringing this process to a close." Supporters stopped short of demanding Clinton leave the race, despite being asked several times. Permalink

Plouffe to Superdelegates: Look at the Math

Obama topper sends memo to superdels following Tuesday's vote, argues Clinton would now need 68 percent of remaining delegates to win. "With the Clinton path to the nomination getting even narrower, we expect new and wildly creative scenarios to emerge in the coming days. While those scenarios may be entertaining, the are not legitimate...." Read full memo here. Plus: Fundraising e-mail asks donors to help "close out this primary"-- read it here. Permalink

Michigan Party Leaders Meet Wednesday About Seating Delegates

Group plans to consider a compromise proposal by four prominent state Dems -- Sen. Levin, Rep. Cheeks Kilpatrick, UAW President Gettelfinger, DNC member Dingell -- which would split delegates in Clinton's favor 69-59. Neither candidate has endorsed the plan. Permalink

GOP Leaders Warn Party Lacks Message, Money

Politico: Former Speaker Gingrich writes in Human Events that the party's message isn't good enough to prevent a November disaster. While NRCC chair Tom Cole says it doesn't look like the group will have enough cash to "save them" in the general. Permalink

Obama Does Thursday Evening TV

The Illinois Senator is set to join Wolf Blitzer on CNN's "The Situation Room" at 4 pm ET. And also does an interview with NBC's Brian Williams to air on "Nightly News." Network says excerpts of their interview may also air earlier in the day on MSNBC. Read release here. Permalink

Morning Show Summary

Morning shows are dominated by talk of whether it's the end of the road for Clinton -- with most pundits saying that it is. Read The Page's full coverage here. Permalink

THEY BEGIN TO DECIDE

The media turns up the heat on Clinton. Russert on MSNBC: "We now know who the Democratic nominee is going to be, and no one is going to dispute it." NY Times' Nagourney: "If anything, Mrs. Clinton’s options for overtaking Senator Barack Obama may have dwindled further." Plus: WashPost quoting "senior Clinton official": "Absent some sort of miracle on May 31st, it's going to be tough for us. We lost this thing in February. We're doing everything we can now . . . but it's just an uphill battle." Permalink

All Roads Lead To Oregon

The Oregonian: The state is the last major primary left, and both Democrats are already fighting to win it. They've both "poured staff and money into the state, opening offices in such cities as Pendleton and McMinnville, which are normally far off the beaten path for Democratic presidential campaigns." Clinton to visit state Thursday, Obama aides say he'll be in the state before May 20. Permalink

CLINTON WINS INDIANA

Squeezes out a victory in tight race. With 99% of the precincts reporting: Clinton 51%, Obama 49%. Latest results here. Claimed win in Indianapolis speech: "Tonight we've come from behind, we've broken the tie, and thanks to you it's full speed on to the White House!" Click above to watch. Calls for Florida and Michigan to be counted, mentions her Web site for donations. Also uses win in latest email fundraising pitch here and memo here. Permalink

Where They Are Wednesday

Clinton: Shepherdstown, WV; Washington, DC Obama: Chicago, IL (no public events) McCain: Rochester, MI; New York, NY Permalink

Clinton Adds Wednesday West Virginia Event

After inching by with an Indiana win, the New York Senator moves on to the Mountain State, which votes next Tuesday. She'll hold a "Solutions for the American Economy" event in Shepherdstown at 12 pm ET. Associated Press: Chelsea Clinton is also scheduled to be in the state Wednesday. Plus: H. Clinton also plans to meet with supers and attends a fundraiser in D.C. Wednesday. Permalink