The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from May 8th, 2008
Entertainment Weekly Digs Into Upcoming Bush Movie
Magazine on newsstands Monday looks at Oliver Stone's "dark, comic, and already controversial" movie W detailing the life of Bush 43. Movie set to premiere late this year. Permalink
ICONIC
Obama steps up. TIME'S Joe Klein writes why Obama's refusal to play by the old political rules is about to pay off. Plus: TIME's Tumulty looks at the five big mistakes that Clinton made. Permalink
Candidates Reflect on Israel's Birthday
On the 60th anniversary of the nation's creation, presidential hopefuls speak out: Obama: "Still, there is no greater gift America can give to Israel...than to redouble our commitment to help Israel achieve its goal of true security through lasting peace with its neighbors." Read more here. Clinton: "Yet today, even as we celebrate all that Israel has achieved, we know that the Jewish state is still not safe." Full statement here. McCain: "As Israelis celebrate 60 years of independence, let no one doubt that, while the challenges will continue, Israel will survive and it will flourish." Full statement here. Permalink
Hillary Who?
Obama turns his attention to John McCain. LA Times: "Confident that he has built a near-impregnable lead, his campaign aides said Wednesday that Obama would begin shifting his focus toward the general election." Politico: Obama intends to start gearing his travel schedule toward general election states. Which might be a good idea, because the Republicans have already started to focus on him. Plus: Former Edwards manager and ex-Michigan Rep. David Bonior endorses Obama Thursday. Permalink
WSJ: Obama Likely to Unleash Attack Ads on McCain "Soon"
Paper previews the start of a general election fight. "With vastly more money, Sen. Obama will be able to flood the airwaves as voters are forming impressions.” Update: Journal softens its reporting with updated version here. Permalink
WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?
Supporters of the New York Senator continue to question their candidate's chances. --Clinton supporter Michigan Rep. Dale Kildee: "I urge her to take the day off and think very seriously about doing what's best for the country and best for the party." --Clinton backer Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings: "It's improbable to suggest she'd be at the top of the ticket." WSJ: "Some Clinton advisers were resigned to their candidate's likely loss. They have turned in favor of her bowing out for party unity, according to several who asked not to be named." Permalink
Paper Gets a Look at Prosecutors' Evidence Against H. Clinton in Whitewater
Washington Times gets ahold of files containing grand jury evidence and prosecutors’ deliberations during the Whitewater trial. After review, claims there’s evidence that despite Clinton’s denials at the time, she represented Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan Association and its projects "in a series of real estate and financial transactions.” Clinton camp’s Jay Carson: "This is a baseless accusation which was looked into over a decade ago in an investigation that took $71.5 million and eight years to determine there was no case.” Permalink
Rove Sees "Difficult Year" for Republicans
Top GOP strategist says the war, the economy and a desire for change have "helped tilt the balance to the Democrats." Also calls Democrats "beatable," says Clinton would perform better than Obama against McCain. Permalink
Where They Are Thursday
Clinton: Charleston, WV; Sioux Falls, SD; Central Point, OR Obama: Chicago, IL; Washington, DC (no public events) McCain: Columbia, SC; Lakewood, NJ Bill Clinton: Philippi, Sutton, Fayetteville, Fairlea, Bluefield, WV Permalink
The Oregon Trail
Clinton and Obama swirl through the state over the next three days as it moves into the spotlight. Clinton is attending a town hall meeting in Central Point and will make an appearance in Portland Friday morning. Obama has said he will visit Oregon Friday and Saturday. Permalink
McCain's Gunning For Kentucky
The Senator will address the National Rifle Association's annual convention at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on May 16. Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Karl Rove are also scheduled to appear. They'll speak for about 10 min each discussing issues related to the Second Amendment. Permalink
Carter to Michigan/Florida: Drop Dead
The former president tells Jay Leno Wednesday night that the two states' delegations should not be seated at August's convention because they “disqualified themselves.” “It would be a catastrophe for the party." Plus: Michigan's Democratic leaders ask the Rules and Bylaws Committee to back a compromise plan to give Clinton 69 delegates, Obama 59. And: The LA Times looks at Clinton's Michigan-Florida strategy "of last resort." Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
