Archive - June 2, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Sen. Byrd Hospitalized

The West Virginia Senator was admitted Monday evening because of a high temperature. At 90 years old, he is the longest-serving senator in U.S. history. Permalink

B. Clinton Calls Vanity Fair Writer “Sleazy” and a “Scumbag”

The former president goes off on Todd Purdum while on the campaign trail in South Dakota in response to his Vanity Fair story featuring unnamed former advisers criticizing Clinton and the company he keeps. “There's just five or six blatant lies in there. But he's a real slimy guy.” Clinton was undeterred when reminded Purdum is married to his former press spokesperson Dee Dee Myers: "That's all right-- he's still a scumbag. Let me tell ya--he's one of the guys -- he's one of the guys that brought out all those lies about Whitewater to Kenneth Starr. He's just a dishonest guy-- can't help it." Update: Aides express regret about his language in a statement: Says he was “understandably upset about an outrageously unfair article,” but his language “was inappropriate and he wishes he had not used it.” Permalink

NBC: Clinton Seeking a Private Meeting With Obama

Andrea Mitchell says on MSNBC: "Clinton advisers are telling me that she wants to sit down very quickly with Barack Obama, and she wants to do this in a private way." "She doesn't want to concede or embrace him until she's had a chance to sit down with him and explore what's on his mind, and her mind." Suggests the meeting could happen on Wednesday, either in Washington or New York. Permalink

"The Coming Days"

Clinton's campaign tweaks her stump speech language to dampen speculation that she'll drop out Tuesday night. Showing signs of fatigue before a crowd in Sioux Falls, she reiterated her claim to the popular vote: “The campaign is to nominate the stronger candidate against Sen. McCain because that’s the only way we’re going to win in November. And right now I have a lead in the popular vote." Plus: Campaign adviser Ickes held conference call Monday afternoon with 35-40 loyal congressional supers to "take their temperature on her future in the presidential contest." Says Clinton won't give serious thought to next steps until after Tuesday's contests. Permalink

Fiorina: "I Think Women in Positions of Power Are Treated Differently"

The McCain aide and former CEO says Clinton has faced sexism in the campaign. “I have a lot of sympathy for what she's gone through. A lot of women recognize she's been treated differently, whether they're Democrats or Republicans." Permalink

Rezko Jury Nears Verdict; Deadlocked on One Count

Chicago Sun-Times: Jurors indicate in a note to the judge that their decision on one count is holding them up. The judge essentially instructed them to keep trying, they returned to closed-door deliberations. Permalink

Michelle Obama: "The Real Work Begins After Tuesday"

The Democratic frontrunner's wife attempts to pump up crowd in Billings, Montana for the general election, says their work after Tuesday is "going to be fun." Permalink

Obama Camp Accuses McCain of Distorting Obama's Record in AIPAC Speech

California Rep. Adam Schiff and senior foreign policy advisor Denis McDonough downplay McCain's speech in media call, say address shows he will introduce very little policy changes from Bush. Schiff adds that when it comes to divestment, he's "embracing" something Obama has been advocating for some time. Obama will speak to the group Wednesday. Earlier: While discussing security in Israel, the Middle East, McCain criticizes Obama for voting against labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, says he's also wrong on Iraq. Get details here. Permalink

Kennedy Out of Surgery, Doctor Says Procedure "Successful"

Duke Medical Center doctor says the 3 1/2-hour surgery to treat his cancerous brain tumor "accomplished our goals." Kennedy spokeswoman says following the surgery he spoke with his wife Vicki and said: "I feel like a million bucks. I think I'll do that again tomorrow." He expects to be in the hospital recovering for about a week. Next step in his treatment will be to start chemotherapy. Morning statement from Kennedy says he looks forward to returning to the Senate and helping Obama get elected to the presidency. Read it here. Permalink

Cheney: Partisanship Much Stronger During Watergate

The Vice President tells the National Press Club: "In terms of trying to match up the degree of partisan dialog and disputes we have now with that period in time, this doesn't look nearly as tough.'' Also says he doesn't plan to read McClellan's memoir "any time soon." Permalink

Bill Clinton Gets All Nostalgic

Campaigning in Milbank, South Dakota, the former president says, "This may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind." Adds: "I thought I was out of politics, til Hillary decided to run. But it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for President." Permalink

RECONCILIATION, DAY 2

At Troy, Michigan rally, Land of Lincolner praises Clinton’s record of public service and then says to cheers: “She and I will be working together in November.” Read full remarks here. Permalink

Obama: McCain Talks About Iraq Instead of the Economy

The Illinois Senator accuses his Republican rival in Troy, Michigan speech of ignoring the economy on the stump. "And now it seems like all Senator McCain is talking about on the campaign trail is Iraq - instead of offering real solutions to the problems you face every day....That's not his interest. That's not his priority. But it will be mine." Read full remarks here. McCain camp responds: "In Michigan, a state he’s largely ignored, Barack Obama appears desperate to divert attention from his weak judgment on foreign policy." Full statement here. Permalink

Where They Are Monday

Clinton: Rapid City, Yankton, Sioux Falls, SD Obama: Troy, MI McCain: Washington, DC; Nashville, TN Michelle Obama: Billings, Kalispell, MT Bill Clinton: Watertown, Milbank, Sisseton, Webster, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, SD Permalink

Ahmadinejad: Israel "Is About to Die"

Iran's President says Monday the Jewish state "will soon be erased from the geographical scene." Adds: "The time for the fall of the satanic power of the United States has come." Permalink