Archive - June 20, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Raises "Only" $22 Million in May

His worst $$$ month of 2008 leaves him with $43 million cash on hand (with $10 million of that for the general election). McCain was at near-parity for the month. Plus: RNC raised $24.4 million, NRCC still struggling. Permalink

Obama: The Choice Is Between "Hope" and "Fear"

The presumptive Democratic nominee discusses what his thinks the GOP's general election strategy will be. He says at a Jacksonville, Florida fundraiser: "We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?" Read pool report here. Permalink

National Numbers

From Newsweek poll: Obama 51, McCain 36 Dates conducted: June 18-19. Error margin: 4 points. Read more here. Permalink

McCain Camp: Obama Has a "Do-Nothing, Out of Touch" Energy Policy

Campaign spokesman offers a scathing response to Obama's criticism of McCain's offshore drilling proposal. "Just one day after breaking his word to the American people that he would accept public financing...He is now on the record opposing every single initiative that might help Americans with their current pain at the pump." Full statement here. Comes after Obama says he'll keep the moratorium on offshore drilling for oil, says McCain knows it won't save money on gas in the short term. Get details here. Permalink

Obama Defends Public Funding Opt Out

The Land of Lincolner doesn't back down to questions about his decision to reject federal financing during Jacksonville, Florida presser, reiterates the system is broken. "My commitment to fixing the system remains, but in this campaign, it's my belief that what we've built is something that frees ourselves from special interests and allows us to run an effective campaign as well." Says his decision "stands in contrast to Senator McCain's operations right now where he says he's in the system and yet a huge proportion of his money is raised from special interests, from lobbyists." HALPERIN’S TAKE: The truth about why Obama opted out — and what it means. Permalink

Obama Says He Supports FISA Bill

The presumptive Democratic nominee says in a statement that the bipartisan-reached terrorism surveillance bill is "not all that I would want," but it's an improvement and the issue is "too important to delay." Read his nuanced explanation here. McCain says he supports the bill as well. Read his statement here. Watch to see how liberal bloggers and the commentariat react. Comes after the House passes the bill Friday 293-129. Expected to pass the Senate next week. Permalink

E Pluribus Obama

The Democrat's campaign unveils a curious, presidential-looking seal on Friday. Latin phrase "Vero Possumus" roughly translates to "Yes we can." Permalink

Oppositional Definition

--The AP looks at McCain’s efforts to tie Obama to Carter, concluding “it’s not a perfect strategy.” Permalink

Michelle Obama, Working Mom

The presumptive Democratic nominee's wife drew from her own experiences in a speech to the National Partnership for Women and Families Friday. Stressed fairness in the workplace, her support for family friendly policies. Permalink

Hagel Says He'd Consider VP Offer From Obama

The Republican Senator says he would think about it if asked, but doesn't expect to be on any ticket this year. Permalink

Clintons Re-Emerge

Hillary Clinton will speak to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials next Thursday in Washington, D.C. While Bill Clinton speaks this Sunday at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Miami, Florida (Obama will speak Saturday). Permalink

Cindy McCain Criticizes Burma Again

Speaking in Thailand, the candidate’s wife says she was “disheartened” by Burma’s reluctance to accept aid following the cyclone. After touring food warehouse used to aid victims, says "There have been many, many people who died as a result of their lack of ability and their lack of interest in helping their own people." Permalink

No Politics for McCain on Canada Trip

During Ottawa news conference with Canadian press, Arizonan refuses to answer questions about Obama on NAFTA and trade relations. Denies this trip is political and says he has responded to such questions in the past on American soil -- and will again. Instead, issues print statement condemning what he considers an Obama flip-flop. Read it here. Refuses to commit to making his first foreign trip after being inaugurated to Canada, as some past presidents have done. Other topics: Guantanamo, Afghanistan, water, funding for nuclear reactors. Also says he plans more foreign travel. Permalink

Nader Makes Fundraising Pitch Off Obama Finance Switch

In an e-mail to supporters, the longshot campaign says quitting public finance makes Obama too close to the "military industrial complex status quo." Permalink

Oh, Canada

McCain addresses the Economic Club of Toronto in Ottawa, pushes his support for NAFTA. Read full remarks here. Doesn't mention Obama once by name. Obama camp engages in preemptive attack. Gathers Govs. Granholm, Strickland and Sen. Brown for media call to slam McCain's "Bush mindset" on trade. Granholm: "He's certainly demonstrated that he is completely out of touch with the reality of the situation on the ground in Michigan." Permalink