Archive - May 16, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

MCCAIN CHALLENGES OBAMA ON NATIONAL SECURITY CREDENTIALS

While speaking to the NRA in Louisville, Kentucky, the presumptive GOP nominee responds to Obama calling him "naive" and "irresponsible" on Iran, says "he should know better." "I have some news for Senator Obama: Talking, not even with soaring rhetoric, in unconditional meetings with the man who calls Israel a ‘stinking corpse’ and arms terrorist who kill Americans will not convince Iran to give up its nuclear program." "...the American people have every reason to doubt whether he has the strength, judgment and determination to keep us safe." Read his remarks here. Watch video above. Obama camp responds: "No amount of utterly predictable fear-mongering and tough talk can change the fact that John McCain is running to continue the most disastrous foreign policy in recent American history.” Full statement here. Permalink

BAM!! BOP!!!! BASH!!

In South Dakota, Obama punches back against Bush and McCain following Bush's "appeasement" remark, denies he would negotiate with terrorists. "They’re trying to fool you. They’re trying to scare you. And they’re not telling you the truth." Click above for a clip. Hits McCain hard on foreign policy-- links him to George Bush and calls his Iran policy "naive and irresponsible." McCain team responds to Obama's "hysterical diatribe." Read it here. Plus: White House adviser Ed Gillespie tells reporters Bush was not referencing Obama on Thursday. Read gaggle transcript. Permalink

New McCain TV Ad Targets Democratic Rivals

Unannounced Iowa spot highlights his positions on government spending, the gas tax holiday, health care. "While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama argue and fight with each other, John McCain leads." Tagline: "John McCain. Leadership, not politics." Watch video above. Permalink

OBAMA DEFIANT IN PRESS CONFERENCE OVER “APPEASEMENT”

In extended South Dakota session with reporters, follows up on earlier speech taking after Bush and McCain. Keeps up drumbeat of criticism of Bush and McCain on Iraq, Iran, Bin Laden, Afghanistan. "The speech yesterday wasn't about an actual policy argument. It was about politics. It was about scaring the American people." Click above to watch, and read transcript here. Defends his stance toward speaking with rival leaders, citing Kennedy-Khrushchev, Nixon-Mao meetings as precedent. ROAD-BLOCKED COVERAGE ON CABLE. Permalink

McCain Team: "Jamie Rubin Lied"

Campaign issues forceful response to WashPost op-ed by former State Department official/Clinton backer Jamie Rubin. Newspaper piece quotes McCain saying of Hamas in 2006, "sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them." But the Arizonan's campaign says Rubin distorted McCain's quote-- read more here. Earlier response from McCain camp: "John McCain’s position is clear and has always been clear...." Read full statement. Permalink

“Tom and Barack Are Friends”

Descending on the campaign plane into South Dakota, former Sen. Daschle and Obama talk ag issues and more. Read the pool report about what they did on arrival, including cute cameos galore — and this Obama quote after seeing a chubby baby: "I had babies just like this--round--and now they're tall and lean." Read it here. Permalink

McCain Camp Releases New Conflict of Interest Policy

Memo to all campaign staff says no person working for the campaign may be a registered lobbyist or a foreign agent. Requires employees to fill out a questionnaire about their professional backgrounds. Read internal memo here. Comes after the campaign fires several staffers due to roles that conflicted with the candidate's positions/policies. Permalink

Clinton Takes on the Death-Declaring Pundits

New Clinton Oregon TV ad discounts the pundits counting her out, says in Oregon they focus on "what's right and what's wrong." Lists her position on issues including No Child Left Behind, energy, health care. "She's been right when it matters. She'll be there when it counts." Watch it above. Read script here. Plus: Clinton also releases two Kentucky TV ads, focusing on the middle class. Watch "Partner" here and read script here. Watch "Right Track" here and read script here. Permalink

Pelosi: Bush "Ineffective" In Pressuring Saudi Arabia on Oil

Speaker of the House releases a statement criticizing the President's inability to get the Saudi Arabia leadership to increase oil production. Says Bush has "yet again, has failed to effectively use diplomacy to exact short-term relief for American consumers." Bush spent Friday in the country making his second personal appeal this year to King Abdullah. The Saudi monarchy rejected idea, said there's no reason to increase production without customer demand. Permalink

Edwards Seems to Flatly Rule Out Running With Obama

On NBC's "Today," says "No. Won't happen." Adds: "It's not something I'm interested in." Click above to watch. Deflects question about serving as Attorney General under Obama. Plus: Edwards also tackles the question while answering speaking to reporters after an event in New York Thursday night. More: Who is this man and why does John Edwards not consider him a role model? Permalink

Obama to Put Focus on His Faith

WSJ: The Illinois Senator plans to roll out new nationwide faith effort to emphasize to voters he "is a Christian who reflects the values of the electorate." Permalink

McCain Camp Blasts "Shameful" USA Today Story

Newspaper reports McCain helped direct millions in federal funds to an Arizona land deal that benefited donors. Campaign responds: "This project was requested by the Air Force and supported by virtually everyone in Arizona." Read full response. Permalink

Where They Are Friday

Obama: Watertown, Sioux Falls, SD Clinton: Junction City, Portland, OR McCain: West Virginia, Louisville, KY Bill Clinton: Owensboro, Madisonville, Paducah, Murray, Hopkinsville, KY Permalink

AP: Florida, Michigan Delegates Can't Save Clinton

AP interviews with members on the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee set to vote May 31 show they found little interest in seating all the delegates according to the result of their disputed primaries. Permalink

Morning Show Summary

John Edwards on NBC's "Today" said Bush's "appeasement" comment was "beneath the president." Said he decided to back Obama within 24 hours of his announcement. Acknowledged his health care plan "is not perfect," but said it's time to start uniting behind a candidate. Joe Biden on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" repeated that Bush's "appeasement" comment was "outrageous." Said he got an earful from his mother for his choice of words on Thursday. Also on CNN's "American Morning. Bill Richardson on "Joe" said Bush "showed bad form" in Jerusalem. Permalink