Archive - May 19, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

The Clintons Rally Louisville Ahead of Primary

The two greet 500 to 600 supporters at the Kentucky Expo Center Monday night after joint stop in Lexington. B. Clinton says if enough Kentuckians vote for his wife she could take the lead in the popular vote, while H. Clinton tells the state that she's been focusing on it because they often pick the president. CHECK OUT PHOTO GALLERY OF THEIR JOINT KENTUCKY STOPS HERE. Meanwhile: Michelle Obama tells 250 volunteers at the campaign's Lexington office Monday night that her husband's time is near. Permalink

Image Is Everything

HALPERIN’S TAKE: Who would win a McCain-Obama general election — and why? Permalink

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, MY ONLY SUNSHINE

Obama and Clinton both plan to campaign in Florida on Wednesday, with McCain visiting Tuesday. Miami Herald: "McCain and Obama's increasingly heated battle over foreign policy in Latin America and the Middle East could make it challenging for Clinton to get a word in." Permalink

Oh, The Expectations They'll Set!

--Obama camp memo lays out the nomination math ahead of the contests in Kentucky, Oregon. Read it here. Permalink

AP: NY Rep. Fossella Won't Run Again

Two people close to the Rep. say he will make the announcement Tuesday. Development comes after a series of damaging revelations about a child from an extramarital affair. Permalink

Front-Porch Campaigner

Former President William Jefferson Clinton talks the owls down from the trees for his wife in Danville, Kentucky. See more pictures of the master at work-- click here. Permalink

NBC Responds to White House Criticism

Peacock network defends editing of its Bush interview after White House Counselor Ed Gillespie sends an extraordinary complaint letter. "Our reporting accurately reflects the interview," NBC statement says, adding that the full interview is available online. "NBC News, as part of a free press in a free society, makes its own editorial decisions." To read Gillespie's letter to NBC News topper Steve Capus click here. Permalink

Monday's Super Battle

Alaska supers Cindy Spanyers and Blake Johnson pick Obama. Read more here. Today's tally: Obama 5, Clinton 0. Other Obama nods announced Monday: --Kansas Democratic Chair Larry Gates endorses Obama. --West Virginia Sen. Byrd. --Washington State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz. Plus: U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett -- the world's richest man -- says of Obama: "He is my choice." More: California selects its final delegates for the national convention Sunday and adds five additional supers, giving three to Clinton, two to Obama. Permalink

McCain's Black Defends, Downplays Lobbying Ties

Top aide says average voter has little interest in the issue of lobbyists on the McCain campaign, downplayed new campaign employee policy. "McCain believes there should be a standard because of his efforts at reform.” Dismissed questions on his former lobbying job saying he quit months ago, adding he has no income. “I am a full-time volunteer.” More: Also touches on his wife's lobbying, campaign manager Davis' lobbying and the loss of Loeffler. Read more key quotes here. Permalink

Report: Clinton's Solis Doyle Mulls Obama Job

Politico: Former Clinton campaign manager and Obama strategist Axelrod have informally discussed her working for Obama in the general. The longtime Clinton confidante is a Chicago native who has known Axelrod even longer than she’s known the Clintons. And/but: Solis Doyle says: "I’m with Hillary, and have been for 17 years." Permalink

Evening News Roundup

CBS was the only network to lead with Campaign '08. ABC: Led with climbing gas prices. Next, recapped the day's political events, saying Obama is acting as if the nomination is his. Included Obama putting his wife off-limits on "GMA." Second package looked at McCain's challenge as he backs an unpopular war and tries to shake off Bush's legacy. Included SNL clip. Next, brief update on Sen. Kennedy's health. CBS: Led with McCain-Obama "war of words" over Iran. Included Obama's comments about his wife on GMA. Political block also included resignations of ex-lobbyists from McCain campaign, SNL clip. Skeptical package looked at Clinton's continued claim to be the popular vote winner, concluding "the superdelegates aren't buying it." NBC: Led with new pictures from China earthquake. Then, covered McCain's lobbyist policy, his challenging Obama to match it. Noted Obama stepping up his criticism despite lobbyists on his campaign, Charlie Black speaking to reporters. Obama-Clinton package on Obama's record-breaking crowd, his "almost declaring victory" and Clinton's rebuke. Mentioned Obama's "laying the ground rules" on attacking wife in campaign, Obama-McCain back and forth on Iran. Said Obama is in Iowa Tuesday "to finish what he started" by getting majority of elected delegates. Mentioned White House letter to NBC, gave Kennedy health update. Permalink

Obama, McCain Spar Over Iran, Foreign Policy

The Illinois Senator slaps back: He speaks out against McCain's characterization of his Iran policy at a town hall meeting in Billings, Montana, blames "Bush-McCain" policies in Iraq for growing threat of Iran. Also calls Iran the "single biggest beneficiary" of the Iraq war. Watch video above. Full remarks here. Comes after McCain starts off speech to National Restaurant Association in Chicago by hammering Obama for calling Iran's threat to the U.S. "tiny" compared to USSR. Read opening remarks here. Plus: In prepared remarks he criticizes both Democratic rivals on economy, invokes Obama adviser Goolsbee speaking with the Canadian government when discussing his plans for NAFTA. Read remarks here. Extra: Missed Obama's Portland rally Sunday? Get a complete photo gallery of the record-breaking attended event here. Permalink

Clinton Begins the Week Fighting

Speaking in Maysville, Kentucky, the former first lady again insists the race is "nowhere near over." “More people have voted for me than anybody who’s every run for president before... I’m going to make my case and I’m going to make it until I’m the nominee." Plus: Campaign also releases memo: "Mission Accomplished? Not so fast." Read it here. Permalink

Bush on Economy: "We're Working Through Tough Times"

President makes comments in the Oval Office after receiving briefing from Treasury Secretary Paulson. Encourages Congress to continue work on reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Says laws should not bail out lenders or speculators, but "the government ought to be helping creditworthy people stay in their homes." Read his full comments. Permalink

Bush Calls Mrs. Kennedy

The president missed the Senator, who was undergoing tests, but spoke with Kennedy's wife. "Take care of my friend," he tells her. Meanwhile, Sunday was spent with sports, friends and family. Read more here. Permalink