The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from May 8th, 2008
Obama: U.S. Commitment to Israel "Unshakeable"
Obama pledged his support for the security, prosperity of Israel at an event in Washington, D.C. Thursday night for the 60th anniversary of its independence. "So let us honor the independence of this great nation...and let us renew the friendship between our nations, and the solemn promise to seek lasting peace and security for the people of Israel." Read pool report here. Permalink
Clinton Renews Call for Obama Debate
During her Thursday night event in Oregon, Clinton calls for another debate with Obama. "If you think you've made up your mind to support my opponent, wait awhile. Keep thinking. Keep waiting for that debate." Speaking of waiting, Clinton apologizes to the crowd for her late arrival: "But that's the story of my life: Fly against the wind, and eventually you'll get there." Permalink
Sharpton: "This Show Is Over, Senator Clinton"
Constituent tells New York Senator via NY1 interview, "The worst thing in the world is when an entertainer doesn't know when the show is over." "Secret" Obama backer exercises his strongest muscle. Read full interview here. Permalink
OH MY!!!
Essential reading: McCain adviser Mark Salter lays into Obama in spicy/salty/piquant memo. Raises too many issues (press bias, maturity, judgment, Hamas, hypocrisy, more, more, more) to fit on The Page. You gotta read the whole thing yourself-- click here. Obama spokesman Burton fires back against the "bizarre rant": "It’s not the kind of campaign John McCain has promised the American people...." Read statement. Permalink
Wolfson Plays “Hardball” of His Own
Clinton’s strategist spars with MSNBC’s Matthews over using Puerto Rico’s voting totals in Clinton’s popular vote math -- and taunts Matthews throughout. Funniest line is Matthews', as he closes with: “You’re like one of these Japanese soldiers that’s still fighting in 1953.” Watch the must-see video above. Permalink
Brazile, Begala Play Nice on CNN
After their widely-talked-about primary night spat Tuesday, the two seemingly make up on CNN's "The Situation Room" Thursday. Begala says he's taking her out to dinner, while Brazile says they're "fine" and gives him a friendly handshake. Watch video of the exchange above. Permalink
Another Super Thursday for Obama
Obama nabs two -- Rep. Rick Larsen from Washington state and Rep. Brad Miller from North Carolina. Permalink
Florida House Dems Lobby Dean on Delegates
In a letter to Dean, the nine Representatives call on him to ensure the state's delegates are seated in Denver: "Florida voters are tired of Republicans and are demanding a new direction in our country. All of this will be lost, however, if we do not find a solution to this ongoing controversy that fully seats all of Florida's 211 delegates." Also: Clinton sends open letter to Obama making her Florida/Michigan argument. "Whoever emerges as the Democratic nominee will be hamstrung in the general election if a fair and quick resolution is not reached that ensures that the voices of these voters are heard." Plus: Clinton team rejects Michigan plan to seat delegates. Spokesman Isaac Baker: "This proposal does not honor the 600,000 votes that were cast in Michigan's January primary. Those votes must be counted." Permalink
Obama: May 20 Could Put Us Over the Top
The Illinois Senator tells NBC's Brian Williams that the Kentucky and Oregon contests could be the deciders in the nomination fight. "That will be an important day. If at that point we have the majority of pledged delegates, which is possible, then I think we can make a pretty strong claim that we've got the most runs and it's the ninth inning and we've won." Watch video above. Read more excerpts here. But the Clinton campaign believes that Obama has given up on competing in Kentucky. Obama also sits down with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Accuses McCain of a "smear" over Hamas and says the Republican is "losing his bearing." Watch video clips here. Obama appears on CNN's "Situation Room" beginning at 4 pm ET and on NBC's "Nightly News" at various times. Permalink
McCain Launches Mother's Day TV Ad
Cute spot airing Sunday on select channels -- including ABC Family, A&E, Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, Oxygen, TLC -- features his mom telling the story of McCain's birth. Roberta McCain: "I'm told that on the table there were 27 bottles of Scotch all presents to Johnnie...well you might as well enjoy it." Watch it above. Permalink
Obama Takes the Hill
The Illinois Senator walks tall in Washington after meeting with undeclared superdelegates near DNC headquarters. Click above to watch him stroll toward the Capitol. He later speaks about the choice facing delegates-- watch his comments. Plus: MSNBC reports Obama held a second meeting with supers at the DNC headquarters in D.C. And: TPM reports spokesmen of five of the superdelegates Obama met with Thursday confirm they’ll remain uncommitted for the foreseeable future. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
ABC: Led with cyclone disaster. Next, report on Clinton "racing" through the next primary states, clip of Bill Clinton saying "she can still win." Included clip of Clinton's "white Americans" interview with USA Today. Report on "what looked like a victory lap" in DC by Obama, excerpt from NBC interview. Stephanopoulos said Mass. Gov. Patrick and Melissa Etheridge will announce 50-state registration drive on Saturday, and said Obama campaign now discourages surrogates from debating with the Clinton team. CBS: Led with cyclone, including clip of McCain interview with Couric calling on China to intervene. More of interview with McCain and his mother to air Friday. Report said Clinton is not seeking a spot on an Obama ticket, played USA Today clip. Joe Trippi said if campaign now focuses on race, superdelegates will quickly "shut it down" and back Obama. NBC: Led with lengthy segment on Williams' interview with Obama. Focused on him saying he's not the nominee yet but will be if Clinton drops out or he finishes with the lead. Reacted to TIME's cover joking that he didn't want to jinx himself. Said his eating, drinking and dressing habits have nothing to do with his leadership skills. Added Clinton is qualified to be president and/or Veep. Then, package noted Clinton's trek across three states, said her central argument is Obama can't win in November. Permalink
Clinton: "West Virginia is a Test"
The New York Senator hangs on to the results of next week's contest, suggests the race in the state will speak to either candidate's electability. Says in Charleston: "Because for too long we have let places like West Virginia slip out of the Democratic column and you know it is a fact that no Democratic president has ever won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia." Also dismisses pundits counting her out saying "this is a bit like deja vu all over again" citing her New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania wins. New York Observer: Clinton has begun to ask her influential backers to be in Washington on May 14 for a meeting at her home. Permalink
Clinton Boasts of White Voter Support
Candidate explicitly touts support among "white Americans" in interview with USA Today. Highlights news story showing "how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me." Adds: "There's a pattern emerging here." Read more of her comments. Listen to her comments here. Plus: Read the Associated Press story Clinton cited breaking down the vote by race. Permalink
Obama Snags Another Cali Super
California DNC Member Ed Espinoza gets behind the Land of Lincolner. Read more. Espinoza may be more widely known as-- Mr. Super. Permalink
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