Archive - June 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

McCain Attends Glitzy Pennsylvania Fundraiser

The presumptive GOP nominee speaks to a crowd of donors in a heavily-air conditioned tent on the lawn of a Bryn Mawr estate Monday evening, raising about $15 mil for his campaign. Speaks as he marvels at the mansion with six garages, an elaborate pool with fountains and extensive, manicured grounds behind him. “This is one of the differences between me and Senator Obama. Senator Obama wants every American to have a home. I want every American to have a home like that.” Read pool report here. Permalink

Timing Is Everything

NY Times’ Nagourney looks at Obama and McCain's options for announcing their running mate choices. Permalink

THEY TALK

Barack Obama calls Bill Clinton from Kansas City, Missouri for Monday phone chat. The chat lasted about 20 minutes. TIME's Tumulty: "For all the intrigue that had surrounded this moment, the actual conversation centered on politics, not any lingering hard feelings, sources in both camps say." OBAMA SPOKESMAN: They had a "terrific conversation," and Obama "looks forward to seeing him on the campaign trail and receiving his counsel in the months to come." Full statement here. CLINTON SPOKESMAN: They had a "very good conversation," where he "renewed his offer to do whatever he can to ensure Senator Obama is our next President." Full statement here. Top Clinton confidante Terry McAuliffe tells CNN there was "no need to bury the hatchet," and "everybody is together. This is a historic time." Earlier: Top Obama strategist Axelrod tells MSNBC that the rumors about B. Clinton's perceived hesitance is "much ado about nothing." See his full comments here. Permalink

Obama Camp Reacts to Reports of Al-Qaeda Growth in Pakistan

Former CIA officer Bruce Reidel and senior foreign policy advisor Susan Rice hold an afternoon media call following Monday's report in the NY Times. Reidel: The reason al-Qaeda appears to be bolstering up its troops in Pakistan is because of a "diversion of American resources" to Iraq shortly after 9/11. Rice: The report "just confirms Obama has had all the right judgments about fighting terrorism and McCain has made the wrong ones." Adds "it was a mistake for the United States to align itself wholly and irrevocably to the Musharraf regime." Listen to full audio of call here. And TIME's Aryn Baker weighs in from Pakistan. Permalink

"Have No Doubt, I Am the Underdog"

The presumptive GOP nominee tells voters in an afternoon Pickersville, Pennsylvania town hall that the state will pick the winner in November -- and he will be behind until right before the polls close. Starts off with his typical stump speech touching on housing, pork barrel spending, dependence on foreign oil. Permalink

Obama Releases Second General Election TV Ad

The 30-second spot going up on the air Monday details Obama's entry into politics, says he'll "never forget the dignity that comes from work." The ad targets the same 18 states as his first general election spot, including traditionally Red Alaska, North Carolina, Georgia. President Bush won 14 of them in '04. Watch it above. Read script here. Permalink

"PLAY BALL!"

The President kicks off the White House tee ball game on the South Lawn Monday with some remarks. Read what he said here. Permalink

Obama Wowed by Truman's Car

Visiting the former President's home in Independence, Missouri, Obama marvels at Truman's 1972 Chrysler Newport. “I wonder what kind of mileage this gets,” the Senator wonders. “I don’t know if it fits the new fuel efficiency plan,” replies bodyman Reggie Love. Read pool report here. Permalink

McCains Stay Stylish on Pennsylvania Factory Tours

The couple don safety goggles twice in one day as they tour two of Pennsylvania's factories. At Turbine Airfoil Designs, Inc.: Cindy McCain finds out the machinery works and John McCain successfully avoids any problems with the red-hot bell used for coating parts. Pool report here. At Worth & Company, Inc.: One of the employees cut the words “McCain” out on a metal sheet, surrounded by a handful of stars. Pool report here. Permalink

Pawlenty: McCain Has Work to Do With Evangelicals

The Republican Minnesota Governor and often-mentioned Veepstakes candidate tells the Brody File he would encourage the McCain camp to reach out to religious leaders who feel they've been left out so far. Further praises him as "a person of faith" but adds he is "less comfortable being overt about that than perhaps some others." Watch video here. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Led with falling stock market, followed by "fireworks" on the campaign trail. Recapped Obama's patriotism speech, as well as false rumors about his patriotism and his religious faith. Noted he was worn a flag lapel pin regularly since May 12. Second package looked at McCain's response to Clark's "especially provocative" comments about McCain on Sunday. Mentioned one of McCain's new "truth squad" is a member of the anti-Kerry Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. CBS: Led with "losing battle" in war on terror and al-Qaeda's presence in Pakistan. Covered "campaign fireworks" over Clark comments and detailed Obama's speech on patriotism as his "latest attempt to rebut insinuations that he is less than loyal to his country." Talked briefly about phone call between Bill Clinton and Obama, suggesting the "elusive" former president has felt "lingering bitterness" since the end of the nomination battle. NBC: Led with California wildfires, flooding. Eight minutes in, turned to politics. Covered McCain's war record becoming an issue, recapping Clark's remarks and both campaigns' responses. Chuck Todd weighed in, said Obama camp wanted patriotism speech to give voters a better idea of his commitment to the country but instead looked like it was a response to Clark criticism. Mentioned Obama, B. Clinton talk, said they expect to see him on the trail soon. Permalink

Obama Rebukes Gen. Wesley Clark's Comment

Obama implicitly criticizes Gen. Clark's comment Sunday disparaging McCain's accomplishments in Vietnam while speaking on patriotism in Independence, Missouri. Watch video above. Read his full remarks here or watch video here. Plus: Written statement from Obama camp says "of course he rejects" Clark's comment. Read it here. McCain camp replies. Read more here. Axelrod says on MSNBC: "The way it came out could be interpreted in a negative way, and we have been very steadfast in our assertion that we honor Sen. McCain's service." Permalink

McCain Meets the Press in the Keystone State

In Harrisburg Monday afternoon, he says in wide-ranging press availability: On Gen. Clark comments: "If that's the kind of campaign that Senator Obama and his surrogates and supporters want to engage, I understand that, but it doesn't lower a gallon of gas by one penny." Watch video here. On Obama's patriotism: "I think Senator Obama is a great American success story.... I think our differences are how we intend to move forward in conducting the affairs of this country." Permalink

Battleground Blitz

--Politico story finds that Colorado and New Mexico are "up for grabs." --WashPost story takes detailed look at how rumors about Obama circulate in Findlay, Ohio. --Tennessee Gov. Bredesen says his state is “tough” but “competitive” for Obama. Permalink

Campaign to Combat Attacks on McCain's Military Record

The McCain camp launches a "truth squad" Monday morning in the wake of Gen. Clark repeating his stark criticisms of McCain's war record Sunday. Campaign holds media call with Virginia Sen. Warner and retired generals -- including Col. Bud Day, who was a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth in 2004 -- to discuss the new squad. Read key quotes here or l isten to the full call here. Others weigh in: Rush Limbaugh: "How long will it be before Barack Obama says, 'This isn't the Wesley Clark I have known... for five or six years.'" Bob Dole: "Clark's absurd remarks signal further erosion in our nation's political discourse. He should have stayed in bed Sunday morning." Permalink