Archive - May 23, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Clinton Expresses Regret for Assassination Reference

Says in an on-camera remark that she had no intention to cause offense when she invoked Bobby Kennedy's June 1968 murder while discussing why she isn't exiting the race. Adds her purpose was to point to historical instances of candidates staying in the race until late in the primaries. Read her full comments clarifying remark here. Watch video above. Read what Clinton said to the Argus Leader ed board setting off the storm here and watch entire Clinton interview here. Obama spokesman Bill Burton's response:“Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign." FLASHBACK: TIME's Karen Tumulty points out this isn't the first time she has used the reference. Permalink

Cindy McCain Releases '06 Tax Returns

Records show $6 million in total income, taxes of $1.7 million. Comes weeks after she said she would not release them, pointed to her filing separately from her husband. See the complete documents here. Permalink

Democrats Win the Week

In this week's new TIME, The Page's inaugural Scorecard. Foreign policy fights, party unity, 43, and SNL -- all up for grabs. Check it out here. Permalink

Hagee: Parting With McCain Best for Both

At Friday news conference the controversial Texas pastor (whose endorsement McCain rejected Thursday) says the split is "best for both of us and the country." Went on to say his work has been "mischaracterized and attacked" by the media, says he in no way condones the Holocaust or "that monster Adolf Hitler." Permalink

Doctor: "Senator McCain Enjoys Excellent Health"

Dr. John Eckstein from the Mayo Clinic starts off McCain camp media call on his medical records by saying "emphatically" that his patient is currently healthy and displays incredible energy. "I and my colleagues can find no medical reason or problem that would preclude Senator McCain from fulfilling all duties of the President of the United States." Adds that there has been no spread of the melanoma nearly eight years since his surgery. Listen to the full media conference call here. View summary of the Arizonan’s records here. Plus: Reporters spend three hours pouring over 400 pages of medical records in Arizona. Get all the details here. More: Obama camp says it will release a statement from his primary care physician early next week. Permalink

Michelle Obama's Role

TIME's Jay Newton Small and Nancy Gibbs look at Mrs. Obama's message vs. her husband's, particularly her talk about "the country's lack of fairness, the corrosive cynicism of its citizens." She says in an interview: "The challenges that we are really facing have very little to do with health care and all the practical things that people like to think about. At our core, it is how we see one another. That's how it all starts for me." Read full story in this week's TIME here. Permalink

Friday's Super Battle

Today's net gain: Obama 3, Clinton -1* OBAMA GETS: --Oregon super Jenny Greenleaf. --California Reps. Dennis Cardoza (a former Clinton supporter) and Jim Costa. *Cardoza switch takes one super away from Clinton. Permalink

Obama Hammers McCain on Cuba, Unveils Latin America Policy

The Illinois Senator speaks to the Cuban American National Foundation luncheon in Miami, says that McCain's proposals for Cuba are a lot of empty rhetoric. "Every four years, they come down to Miami, they talk tough, they go back to Washington, and nothing changes in Cuba. That’s what John McCain did the other day. He joined the parade of politicians who make the same empty promises year after year, decade after decade." Read more excerpts here. He also lays out his own agenda. Read details here. McCain camp preempts the speech with statement: "Barack Obama has a lot to say about democracy and Cuba, but his record of weak leadership tells a different story." Full response here. Permalink

Obama Hurts Limbaugh's Feelings

The conservative radio talk show host opens Friday's broadcast responding to Obama's statements at a Florida fundraiser suggesting increased Hispanic hate crimes could be due to Limbaugh "ginning things up." "I thought this guy was the unity candidate? Calling me a Xenophobe? Responsible for hate crimes? My feelings are hurt here.” Read Limbaugh's full quote here. Permalink

Obama: Crist Can't Save McCain

Asked during a Friday morning interview with the Palm Beach Post if picking the Florida Governor as Veep could help McCain distance himself from Bush, he says: "I think people are going to be making their decisions based on what John McCain says and not what Gov. Crist says." Also discusses seating Florida's delegation, how he'll fare in the larger states in the fall. Read his key quotes here. Permalink

CNN: Clinton, Obama Supporters Discussing Exit Strategies

Sources tell the network that several close friends and supporters of Clinton are pushing for a "graceful exit strategy" that would allow the two camps to come together, Clinton to save face. Cites three scenerios being floated -- him offering her the Veep slot, how to merge if he offers Veep slot to someone else, getting them to sit down face-to-face and work out an agreement. Officials from both campaigns deny the talks. Permalink