Archive - June 12, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

McCain Goes it Alone at Federal Hall

The presumptive GOP nominee takes the stage in New York City to answer questions from attendees. Broadcast live on Fox News. He starts off by explaining he invited Obama to the event for the first of 10 unmoderated town halls he proposed, stressed the importance of such meetings. "I hope that Senator Obama will agree. I will block out a day every week from now until the conventions. I strongly urge him to do this because I think...we need to communicate with the American people and give them a plan of action for the future of this country." Hits his usual talking points on the issues -- including energy, economy, foreign policy, bipartisanship, taxes, health care. The Obama camp has said they agree to additional unscheduled debates, say they are working out details with the McCain campaign. Plus: Obama camp responds to McCain's comments on the gas tax with some oppo research (read it here) and counters remarks on Obama's tax plan with a fact sheet (read it here). Permalink

McCain Keeps Pressure on Obama Over Gas Prices

The presumptive GOP nominee again goes after his rival for telling CNBC he would have preferred a "gradual" increase in gas prices at a Nashua, New Hampshire town hall. “Let me say that Senator Obama said yesterday, well he didn’t seem to mind the cost increase, it was just a little too quick. Well, a lot of Americans mind.” Watch video here. Read more from the McCain camp here. Earlier: The McCain camp held a media call on the issue. Read more here. Permalink

Rezko: Feds Pressured Me to Incriminate Obama

Politico obtains a copy of a letter from the Chicago developer and former Obama confidante to the judge in his corruption trial. He writes: "They are pressuring me to tell them the 'wrong' things that I supposedly know about Governor Blagojevich and Senator Obama. I have never been party to any wrongdoing that involved the Governor or the Senator. I will never fabricate lies about anyone else for selfish purposes." Letter was written before he was convicted on most counts earlier this month. Permalink

Poll: Voters Favor Obama on Economy, McCain on Foreign Policy

From CNN/Opinion Research: Who would better handle the economy as President? Obama: 50%; McCain: 44% Who would better handle foreign policy as President? McCain: 54%, Obama: 43% Poll conducted June 4-5; Error margin: 3 points. Read more here. Permalink

McCain: Don't Forget Obama's Other Veep Vetter

The Arizonan reminds reporters at a Boston presser that former Clinton Deputy AG Eric Holder recommended a last-minute pardon for financier Marc Rich, who was charged with tax evasion. Watch video. “Mr. Holder recommended a pardon for Mr. Rich, and all of those things should be taken into consideration by the media and the American people." Comes a day after former Obama vetter Jim Johnson quit over his business ties with Countrywide. Read more on McCain's Boston presser here. Obama camp responds by pointing out their Veep vetter's lobbyist ties. Full statement here. Permalink

NRSC Chair Hopes to Lose Only Three Seats in November

Sen. Ensign tells a Christian Science Monitor lunch that if the GOP can hold its losses to three Senate seats it would be a “terrific night” for the Republican Party. “The chances of us getting back into the majority, obviously . . . it would be fairly miraculous." Adds that of the 10 most competitive Senate races, nine are seats currently held by Republicans. Plus: Audit finds NRCC lost $725,000 to former treasurer scheme. Permalink

In Major Shakeup, DNC Shifting to Chicago

Large parts of the party committee are being relocated from Washington to Chicago to be better integrated with Obama's campaign. DNC spokeswoman: "...Political, field and constituency operations are moving to Chicago to work in the Obama headquarters. The goal is to consolidate these efforts into one operation and effectively drive one national strategy." Politico: "The move reflects Obama's desire to maintain an unusually streamlined campaign, as well as his swift and complete takeover of a Democratic Party that isn't always known for its unity." Permalink

Citing Age, Italy's PM Backs McCain

During an appearance with President Bush, Silvio Berlusconi says if the Arizonan wins, "I would no longer be the oldest person at the upcoming G-8 because McCain is a month older than me." Permalink

Tim Russert, 1950-2008

THE POLITICAL WORLD REACTS TO THE SUDDEN DEATH OF NBC NEWS' WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF. Tom Brokaw will anchor a special edition of "Meet the Press" Sunday dedicated to the journalism icon. Flags in Buffalo, NY have been ordered to half-staff. McCain statement: "I was proud to call him a friend, and in the coming days, we will pay tribute to a life whose contributions to us all will long endure." Watch video. Obama statement: "...One of the finest men I knew. Somebody who cared about America, cared about the issues, cared about family. I am grief-stricken with the loss...." Watch video. Clintons' statement: His love for journalism "rightfully earned him the respect and admiration from those of us...who had the privilege to go toe-to-toe with him." President and Laura Bush statement: "Those of us who knew and worked with Tim, his many friends, and the millions of Americans who loyally followed his career on the air will all miss him." Brokaw broke into NBC programming Friday to report Russert's death. Click above to watch the special report. Read statement from NBC here. Read TIME.com's complete coverage here. Permalink

Obama to Co-Sponsor Foreign Lobbying Bill

Sen. Schumer says on a conference call that the Illinois Senator will back his legislation requiring Americans to register for lobbying American officials abroad on behalf of foreign government. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

Newscasts dominated by Boy Scouts tragedy, severe weather and the Supreme Court decision on Gitmo. ABC: After first commercial break, brief mention of Obama's new fact-checking Web site, and complaint from McCain camp that Obama has not responded to his proposal to hold town hall meetings. No '08 reports on NBC, CBS. Permalink

Ron Paul Officially Exits

ABC News: The Texas congressman will ends his bid Thursday at a rally outside the state's GOP convention. Read the campaign release on the event here. He plans to launch a new advocacy group to push a slate of libertarian-minded Republican candidates for public office in local districts nationwide. Permalink

Candidates React to Gitmo Ruling

Obama in statement: "The Court’s decision is a rejection of the Bush Administration’s attempt to create a legal black hole at Guantanamo - yet another failed policy supported by John McCain." Read it here. McCain says in Boston: "It obviously concerns me." Repeats call for Guantanamo to be closed. Comes after the Supreme Court rules detainees can challenge their confinement in U.S. courts. Permalink

Huckabee Signs With Fox

The former Arkansas governor has finalized a one-year deal with the network, where he'll sound off on a variety of programs. Permalink

LOGGERHEADS!!!!!

Obama wants 3 debates and 2 town halls. McCain wants more. Now what??? Newest Obama statement from campaign manager Plouffe says five total joint events would be the most of any presidential campaign in the modern era, it's "disappointing" McCain camp won't accept. Read it here. Comes after McCain camp manager Davis writes a letter to Plouffe saying McCain will be ready to debate Thursday in Minnesota, urging them to accept one a week til the convention. Read it here. Plus: McCain camp also accepts invitation for July town halls at Reagan and LBJ presidential libraries. Permalink