Archive - May 15, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Camp Details Florida Kickoff Plans

Candidate will conduct three-day swing through the Sunshine State starting with a rally in Tampa the day after the Oregon primary next week. He'll also make a stop in Orlando Wednesday before traveling to South Florida Thursday and Friday. Permalink

THE FUTURE IS NOW

What would a McCain-Obama general election match-up look like? Wonder no more (and bring scissors). Click here. Permalink

What Matters Most

HALPERIN’S TAKE: Three Wednesday events bigger than John Edwards’ endorsement of Barack Obama. Plus: Listen to Halperin's podcast on Edwards' endorsement here. Permalink

Clinton Blasts Bush and McCain in "Appeasement" Feud

"President Bush’s comparison of any Democrat to Nazi appeasers is offensive and outrageous,” the Senator says. Adds that McCain's statement "didn’t come with any new strategy...." Earlier: Obama campaign hits McCain's defense of Bush: "It is the height of hypocrisy for John McCain to deliver a lofty speech about civility and bipartisanship in the morning and then embrace George Bush’s disgraceful political attack in the afternoon." Read full response. On his campaign bus, McCain appears to back Bush's attention-getting remarks in Jerusalem. Watch his intense response. Meanwhile, Democrats lash out en masse against the president. McCain's campaign denies any coordination with the White House. Permalink

Obama Reacts With Nuance to California Gay Marriage Ruling

Artful campaign statement touches all bases: "Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law...." Read full statement. Obama does not support gay marriage. Thursday's Supreme Court ruling says the state's ban on same-sex marriage violates California's constitution. Beliefnet: The decision presents McCain with a moment of truth vis-a-vis the Christian Right. Read more here. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC and NBC led with the Saudi "snub" of Bush over oil, followed by "appeasement" debate. CBS led with politics. Virtually no mentions of Clinton. ABC: After look at oil diplomacy, report on foreign policy debate, called a "blunt, plain-spoken preview" of the coming campaign. Featured candidates' comments, including McCain's Sky News interview. In segment favorable to Obama, showed footage of Nixon in China, Reagan meeting with Gorbachev. Said White House currently speaks with North Korea and Iran, and that Bush, McCain and Obama agree on Hamas. CBS: Led with Obama "firing back." Said he's "looking like the Democratic nominee" and "it's beginning to feel like October." Recapped day's events, played lengthy clips of Obama's "pugnacious" speech. Also included various Republicans at NRA conference, including Huckabee's joke about Obama ducking a gunman. NBC: Led with Bush's meeting with the Saudis over oil production, the monarchy refusing to comply. Turned to continued debate over Bush's "appeasement" remarks noting Obama's "double-barrel" assault on McCain, Bush. Pointed to McCain clip from years past saying we'd eventually have to deal with Hamas, aired short interview with McCain reiterating he wouldn't sit down with terrorists. Mentioned Huckabee's "off-the-cuff" joke about Obama. Permalink

Barack Obama, Meet Karl Rove

At NRA convention, Bush political topper questions Obama's "change" message, references his "cling" comments. "Let me tell you what's distracting -- it is distracting to say change when you have no experience of making real change. .... It is distracting to say that an American flag on a lapel is a substitute for patriotism ... then this week start showing up with an American flag on your lapel...." Earlier: Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell rips into Obama as well, uses Obama's "cling" remarks for some of his harshest criticism. Read full text of remarks here. Permalink

Obama Team Slams "Shameful" Attack on Candidate's Wife

"This is a shameful attempt to attack a woman who has repeatedly said she wouldn't be here without the opportunities and blessings of this nation," says Obama spokesman Sevugan. Read full response. Responding to tart Tennessee GOP video/press release attacking Michelle Obama for saying she had not been proud of America as an adult before the campaign. Four-minute video features Tennesseans explaining why they are proud of the U.S. Watch it here. Press release "welcomes" the couple to the Volunteer State, says "the Tennessee Republican Party has always been proud of America." Read it here. Party caused controversy in late February when it issued a press release with a photo of Barack Obama in traditional Somali dress, called him "Barack Hussein Obama," and alleged he consulted with anti-Semitic advisers. Permalink

Thursday's Super Battle

California super and Oversight and Government Reform Committee chair Rep. Henry Waxman endorses Obama. Today's tally: Obama 4, Clinton 0 OBAMA GETS: --D.C. super and Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen. --California Reps. Berman and Waxman. --Washington State Rep. McDermott, who cites his stance on Iraq as a deciding factor. Permalink

Obama Snags Jet Cover

Mag declares "He's The One." Permalink

Candidates Spar Over Farm Bill

McCain: Calls the bill "flawed" saying, "It’s a bloated piece of legislation that will do more harm than good for most farmers and consumers." Full statement here. Obama: “By opposing the bill, President Bush and John McCain are saying no to America’s farmers and ranchers, no to energy independence, no to the environment, and no to millions of hungry people.” Full statement here. Clinton: "Americans will have a real choice this fall – between a candidate who supports rural America and family farms and John McCain, who has threatened to veto this critical legislative priority." Full statement here. Comes after Congress sent the President a veto-proof version of the bill Thursday, which would boost farm subsidies and money for food stamps to help deal with rising food prices. Permalink

Pro-Clinton Group Going on the Air in Oregon

TPM: The American Leadership Project is buying $300,000-$500,000 worth of TV time in the Beaver State for a new ad touting her record on the economy. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

NBC led with dispute sparked by Bush's Jerusalem speech; ABC and CBS led with California's gay marriage ruling. ABC: In lead report, Stephanopoulos said marriage ruling unlikely to be "game changer" as it has in the past. Next package recapped dispute over Bush's "appeasement" remark, including McCain and Clinton comments. Concluded it's a debate both parties are eager to have. CBS: After marriage package, word of the "two-pronged Republican attack" against Obama. Also mentioned McCain's speech and Democratic criticism. Jeff Greenfield called Bush's comments a clear "frontal attack" on Obama. Also predicted gay marriage issue will not hurt California Democrats in November. NBC: Led with Bush's swipe at Obama at the Knesset, calling it "today's political shot heard round the world." Recapped the back-and-forth -- including McCain "echoing" the remarks and noting Clinton as one of the "top Democrats" defending Obama. Said it "may have been the first preview of the Republican line of attack" in general election. Moved on to McCain's speech, focusing on his saying Iraq war would be won by 2013 in attempt to clarify “100 years” remarks, him trying to distance himself from Bush and party seemingly in trouble. Mentioned California's same-sex marriage ruling. Permalink

United Steelworkers Endorse Obama

The former Edwards-backing union makes the switch to the Illinois Senator. Group says in statement: "Today, by virtue of a unanimous vote of our International Executive Board, we find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama." Read it here. Plus: CNN: Eight of Edwards' elected delegates are moving to Obama. Permalink

Independent Democratic Group Ditches Ad Effort

WashPost: Progressive Media USA says in a statement that it will dramatically scale back its media efforts for the fall in deference to the Obama camp. Org head: "Progressive Media will not be running an independent ad campaign this year." Permalink