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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from May 30th, 2008
Clinton: Undecided Supers Will Start Deciding After June 3
The New York Senator tells Montana-based reporters in a conference call that she hopes supers will realize she's the stronger candidate against McCain. "I think that after the final primaries people are going to start making up their minds. I think that's the natural progression that some would expect." Permalink
McClellan Responds to Scathing Critique from Dole
Asked about the former Senate Majority Leader's brutal response to his memoir, McClellan says: "I am speaking up. I have had time to reflect and go back, and what I'm saying is sincere." Also says, "I have a lot of respect for Sen. Dole." Earlier: In extraordinary, scalding e-mail, Dole calls his fellow Republican "a miserable creature" who didn't "have the guts to speak up." Plus: McClellan says he apologized Thursday to author Richard Clarke, who he criticized as press secretary when he released his own memoir. Permalink
Catholic League Attacks Obama's Ties to Pfleger
Group's President Bill Donohue says incident undermines Obama's message of wanting to bring people together. "Then why does he choose as his clerical friends people like Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleger? They are two peas in a pod, both equally divisive, separated only by the color of their skin." Plus: Cardinal from Chicago's Roman Catholic Archdiocese says he's secured a promise from Pfleger that he'll stop commenting on the presidential campaign. Comes after the activist pastor mocked Clinton while speaking as a guest at Obama's Trinity United. Read more here. FLASHBACK: Washington Post talked to Pflager after Wright's speech to the Press Club. See what he had to say about race here. Permalink
Kwame Kilpatrick: I Won't Campaign with Obama
The scandal-scarred Detroit Mayor says he has no plans to stump side-by-side Obama if he's the nominee. "He is running a very smart campaign and he is in campaign mode ... and is not interested in singing 'Kumbaya' and holding hands with Kwame Kilpatrick." Though he does advise Obama to concentrate on western parts of the state plus Macomb, Oakland counties in addition to Detroit. Permalink
McCain Camp Continues K Street Courtship
The Arizonan's campaign held second of three planned meetings between the campaign and members of D.C.'s lobbying community Thursday. One attendee says McCain's lobbyist policy was "the elephant in the room," another says it has rattled some but they want a GOP president so they're "moving on, saluting and falling in line." Permalink
McCain Pledges to be “Chief Negotiator” in Middle East
He vows to take a “hands-on approach” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in interview with The Atlantic. “I would be the chief negotiator. I have been there for thirty years. I know the leaders, I know them extremely well.” Also talks a hard line on Iran, reiterating comments about Obama’s willingness to meet with controversial leaders, defending Ehud Olmert sitting down with the Syrians. Permalink
Clinton Camp Keeps Focus on Michigan, Florida
In afternoon conference call, top advisers express confidence the Rules and Bylaws Committee will decide to seat Florida and Michigan's delegates Saturday. Top aide Ickes: "We'll cross streams when we come to them, but we fully expect that they will do the right thing and seat all the delegates will full votes." Campaign also announces that Florida Sen. Joynder and former Michigan Gov. Blanchard will present their case to the Rules and Bylaws Committee on Saturday. Plus: Clinton lawyer Utrecht makes the campaign's case in letter to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. Read it here. Permalink
Biden Says Obama Wants Him to "Play a More Prominent" Role in Campaign
In interview with the Washington Times, Biden stops short of endorsing Obama, predicts he’ll likely emerge as the nominee after Tuesday’s contests. "He has asked me to play a more prominent role – not in an administration, in the campaign – meaning would I be more available, would I travel with him occasionally, and I said once he gets the nomination, if he gets the nomination, then I'll do whatever he wants." Permalink
Dr. Altman Stymied by Obama
NY Times scribe/America's meta-official medical gatekeeper clearly finds degree of Land of Lincolner health disclosure wanting. Near-essential reading: The long list of Altman's complaints about Obama here. Permalink
VEEPSTAKES POTPOURRI
--Former Georgia Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn pens half a NYT op-ed with GOP Sen. Lugar on the U.S. relationship with Russia. --Boston Globe: "Mitt Romney's most valuable role as McCain's running mate could be as rainmaker." Permalink
DNC Considers Convention Cuts
Denver Post: Sources say those working with the Convention Committee are considering lowering the $55 million in private cash, donated services budgeted to bring the convention to town. Cuts would likely be made to the parties the host committee is obligated to throw for the delegations, news media and other hospitality functions outside the convention hall. Permalink
Morning Show Summary
Morning shows all gave prominent, negative coverage to Rev. Pfleger’s racially charged mockery of Clinton in Obama’s church. Read The Page's full coverage here. Permalink
Ickes Warns of DNC Defections at Saturday Meeting
Top Clinton strategist says some Clinton-backing members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee aren't planning on voting her way. If all of Clinton's supporters on the committee aren't in line, seating the two state's entire delegations with a full vote each would face almost certain defeat. Plus: Florida Rep. Wexler and former Michigan Rep. David Bonior will be Obama's representatives Saturday. Permalink
Where They Are Friday
Obama: Great Falls, MT Clinton: Old San Juan, Puerto Rico McCain: Milwaukee, WI Bill Clinton: Spearfish, Mitchell, Vermillion, SD. Permalink
McCain's Web Problem
LA Times: McCain is "taking a serious drubbing on YouTube," with scores of videos that aren't "good for a candidate who's built his reputation on constancy and authenticity." Videos point to his inconsistencies on the issues, gaffes, stumbling over debate questions, awkward moments, etc. Permalink
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