The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from June 10th, 2008
McCain (Not) Playing It “Safe”
Poorer candidate (the Republican) starts national cable TV ad buy Wednesday. Source: More than $1 million in time bought on Fox News Channel, CNN, Lifetime, TLC, and Discovery through July 3. First spot to run: “Safe,” which is already airing on broadcast TV in key markets (and is going on New Hampshire’s WMUR as well). Watch it (again) above. Obama currently not airing TV ads anywhere. Permalink
Clinton Camp Urges Donors to Back Obama
WashPost: Campaign's finance director Mantz held a series of conference calls with major donors Tuesday "to urge them to throw their financial weight behind" Obama. Source familiar with the calls: "Honestly, reaction has been mixed. There are a lot of hurt feelings out there. And a lot of folks that want to make sure Hillary is respected through the remaining process." Obama campaign manager Plouffe is expected to huddle with a number of Clinton donors later this week in New York City. Plus: Clinton also reaches out to delegates in private conversations, conference calls, asking them to vote for Obama at the convention. Permalink
Cindy McCain: No Role in McCain Administration
The GOP candidate's wife tells NY1: "I do not ever envision myself as being involved in the McCain Administration." Permalink
McCain Courts Cuban-Americans in Radio Ad
New minute-long spot airing in Florida features a former Cuban political prisoner bolstering McCain's Cuba relations creds. "While some support a dialogue with Raul Castro, John McCain believes we should support the courageous men and women who continue to stand up for freedom in Cuba." Listen to the ad here and read script here. Permalink
SHERMANESQUE
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland says on NPR's "All Things Considered" that he would "absolutely not" be Obama's running mate if he is asked to join the ticket. "If drafted I will not run, nominated I will not accept and if elected I will not serve. So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be.” Read full transcript here. Adds that he still plans to help Obama win in November. Plus: Boston Globe: Obama and his wife will campaign with Strickland in the Columbus area Friday, meeting with seniors as part of his economic tour. Permalink
Obama Shoots the Breeze With NPR
The presumptive Democratic nominee assures he can win the swing states he lost to Clinton, says gas prices may never see the $2-mark again and changes his NBA Finals pick to the Celtics on "All Things Considered." Also takes the opportunity to -- once again -- knock McCain on the economy. Read transcript here. Permalink
Obama Vetting Some Vets
North Dakota Sen. Conrad says Obama's vetting team is considering former military leaders, in addition to current and former elected officials. Some names "are out of the box, but I think would be very well received by the American people, including former top military leaders." Conrad met Monday with members of Obama's VP search team. NBC's First Read has a list of names being floated on The Hill after Monday's meeting -- including Ret. Gen. James Jones, some former presidential candidates and more. Read full list here. Permalink
Happy Birthday, Governor Jindal
Louisiana's leader spends part of his 37th birthday on Fox News, promoting McCain's economic plan and the Bayou State's turnaround. Seeks to bat away VP questions, but declines to give a "Shermanesque" response like Strickland, saying it would be "presumptuous" to reject a job he hasn't been offered. Permalink
Oklahoma Dem: Obama Too Liberal to Endorse
Rep. Dan Boren says he will not endorse Obama, calling him too liberal for his conservative district. "I've got to reflect my district. No one means more to me than the people who elected me." But the son of former Sen. David Boren says he'll vote for Obama at the convention and in November. Permalink
Obama Responds to Trade Deficit Spike
The Illinois Senator says in a statement: "This is not an accident. This is yet another sign of the failed economic policies of the Bush administration that John McCain seeks to extend." Full statement here. Commerce Department: The trade deficit jumped to the highest level in 13 months in April with America's bill for foreign crude oil reaching an all-time high. The gap between what the nation imports and what it sells abroad rose by 7.8 % to $60.9 billion. Permalink
Evening News Roundup
Politics was crowded out of the shows by intense weather, tomato scare, gas prices and other news. Networks mentioned defeat of Senate energy bill, and ABC and CBS offered brief recaps of Obama and McCain’s economic volleys about 10 minutes in. ABC also mentioned word that Obama is open to a former military military leader as VP. Permalink
Democratic Party Leaders Rally Around Obama
House, Senate, governor and national party leaders hold first joint media avail on the general election Tuesday. Pelosi announces Congress will be putting together a stimulus package in following what Obama has proposed, will try to get it passed before November. She also has kind words for Clinton, says either would have made a great president. Dean says "we have work to do still" in uniting the part after Clinton's exit. Both spend time bashing McCain policies on Iraq, the economy, aligning him with Bush. Read more on the presser here. Permalink
Obama Meets With Religious Leaders
The presumptive Democratic nominee holds an afternoon meeting with about 30 religious leaders near his Chicago headquarters. Brody File: Influential mega-pastor TD Jakes and prominent conservative Catholic constitutional lawyer Doug Kmiec attended. More details here. Obama spokeswoman Psaki: "This is one of several meetings he will have over the coming months with religious leaders." Plus: A new PAC aims to recruit Christian supporters for Obama. Permalink
Obama Cancels Iowa Trip
The Illinois Senator will no longer travel to Cedar Rapids Wednesday because of flooding. Campaign statement: "After speaking with Governor Culver’s staff, the Obama campaign wanted to ensure that no resources were diverted from Iowans devastated by the floods." Permalink
No Reporters Allowed at McCain NYC Fundraisers
The campaign says the Arizonan won't deliver remarks at events Tuesday evening, their new policy allowing a pool reporter only includes events where McCain is speaking. At least one of the receptions has tickets going for $28,500 per person, according to the invitation. Permalink
Sign up for the daily email from The Page and get the very latest political news delivered directly to your inbox.
The Political Schedule
The Page on the Go
Read THE PAGE on your Mobile Device
Bookmark thepage.time.com on your mobile device for an easy to read version of Mark Halperin's The Page.
