Archive - June 16, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The former vice president makes his debut in the presidential campaign as he introduces Obama at a Detroit rally. Offers his endorsement and hearty support. Calls the nomination fight a historic process and calls for a respectful general election campaign. But adds that the U.S. doesn't need four more years of George Bush's policies. Also commends Obama for opposing the war in Iraq. Watch the endorsement here. Obama tells the crowd that "I cannot bring about the change by myself". McCain camp responds: "At an event meant to show unity, Barack Obama couldn’t unify his lofty rhetoric with the inconvenient truth that he voted for the Bush-Cheney energy bill he condemns..." Full statement. Plus: Gore also appears with Obama at Detroit fundraiser before the rally. Read pool report here. And: TIME's Jay Newton-Small asks whether Georgia can be Obama's Ohio. Permalink

Clinton Camp Tries to Tamp Down Solis Doyle Flap

Clinton spokesman Elleithee tells The Page: "Patti will be an asset...As Senator Clinton has said, we’re all going to do our part to help elect Senator Obama as the next President of the United States.” Full statement here. The Clinton camp manager pushed out in a February shake up will join Obama's camp as the Veep candidate's chief of staff. Cable chatter cast pick as strike by Obama at Clinton because of allegedly strained ties between Solis Doyle and Clinton camp. Some Clinton insiders also angered by the move. "It's a slap in the face." Plus: Solis Doyle is one of a slew of new hires by the Obama campaign for the general election. Read the full list of new staffers announced Monday here. Permalink

Obama to Visit Iraq, Afghanistan Before Election

The presumptive Democratic nominee tells reporters in Flint, Michigan that he'll visit both countries before November. First firm declaration from Obama that he will visit the region before the election. Says more details will be announced shortly. McCain camp's Fiorina reacts on media call: "Hopefully he'll be moved by the facts on the ground. He'll have to acknowledge that the surge is working." Permalink

Obama to Tapper: I Have Built Consensus

Land of Lincolner tells ABC News’ Philly Guy that his record proves he can reach across the aisle to work with the GOP. "I think that there's a tradition of us working together to make sure that we are dealing with the threats that are out there and that we are building a consensus here in the United States. That's the kind of approach I intend to take when I'm president of the United States." Read the full transcript here. Portions of the interview aired on ABC's "World News" and "Good Morning America." Permalink

Democrat on Republican Action

Obama team circulates blog post accusing McCain of misspeaking on his own emissions policy. "He doesn't really understand cap-and-trade...." Permalink

TV Interview Potpourri

--Romney on Fox predicted short-term decline in gas prices, attacked Obama's health care plan, saying it would raise taxes. Said there's no bad blood between him and McCain from the nomination fight. --Fred Thompson on Fox discussed the Gitmo ruling allowing detainees to appeal their detentions. Like McCain, Thompson criticized the Court, calling the case one of "worst decisions" in history. Permalink

Obama Drops By Michigan GM Plant

The Illinois Senator gets caught in the rain as he stands outside the Flint factory to shake hands during a shift change. Town has been hurt hard by the decline of American automobile manufacturing. Read pool report here. Permalink

"Daisy Ad" Creator Dies

Tony Schwartz, 84, helped create the infamous LBJ spot from 1964 featuring a little girl and an atom bomb explosion. The ad ran only once. Permalink

Monday's Economic Battle: Competitiveness

McCain adviser Fiorina blasts Obama's economic competitiveness plan on media call, accuses his rheotric of contrasting with his record on NAFTA, free trade. "Many have called Barack Obama the most protectionist candidate that the Democratic Party has ever fielded and indeed his record supports that charge." McCain camp also preempts Michigan trip with a statement here while the RNC responds to his agenda here. Comes after the Illinois Senator lays out his agenda to keep the U.S. competitive in a global economy, slams McCain during a speech in Flint, Michigan. Read full remarks here. Permalink

McCain Takes Questions

The presumptive GOP nominee faces reporters at his Arlington, Virginia headquarters. Again calls for town hall meetings with Obama-- "the essence of democracy"-- and notes it has been nearly 900 days since he has traveled to Iraq. Brings up Obama's much-criticized "bitter" comments. "I know why them embrace their constitutional rights, and I know why they embrace their religion-- because they're fundamentally good and decent people...." Read more from Monday's press conference. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

ABC: Five minutes in, word of Solis Doyle joining Obama. Then interview with Obama from Michigan, featuring skepticism toward McCain's efforts to woo women and his tightrope position on gay marriage, saying he opposes it but is not bothered by California's new marriages. Brief report on Bush returning home after meeting with PM Brown. Later, a medical report on heart attacks prompted by Russert's death. CBS: Also featured medical report prompted by Russert's death, and mention of Bush meeting with Brown. No '08 news. NBC: Led with kind words about Russert, then onto a damage report after midwest floods. Five minutes in covered the Gore endorsement, pointing out Michigan location — also the state where Edwards endorsed Obama — shows how important the state is to him. Mentioned Solis Doyle hiring. Commemorated the wonderful life of Tim Russert. Permalink

Obama Speaks With Iraq's Foreign Minister

The Senator tells Hoshyar Zebari by telephone he is encouraged by reductions in violence, but wants to see troop reductions as well. Says in an Obama administration "we won't act precipitously, but that we will move to end U.S. combat forces in Iraq in a manner that's as careful as we were careless getting in." Plus: WSJ: Foreign policy veterans now guiding Obama on Mideast policy. Permalink

California Same-Sex Couples Prepare to Tie the Knot

Thousands of gay and lesbian couples are expected to wed in the Golden State in the coming days. The Supreme Court's decision goes into effect at 5 pm local time. San Francisco Chronicle: "Gay-rights leaders hope the landmark California Supreme Court decision will set off a chain reaction that will influence other states to legalize gay marriage." Permalink

Vilsack, Castellanos to Teach at Harvard

Former Iowa Governor and GOP media strategist/former Romney staffer to lead weekly not-for-credit study groups in the fall as Harvard fellows. Read release here. Permalink

PM Brown to Get Tougher With Iran, Afghanistan

In talks with President Bush, Brown says Britain will freeze more Iranian assets and boost troop strength in Afghanistan. During presser with Bush afterward, Brown says “Britain is playing and will continue to play its part in Iraq.” Permalink