Archive - June 24, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Obama Gets $5 Mil from Celeb Wallets

The glitzy Los Angeles fundraiser included entertainment hotshots Will.i.am (rolling in Nikes emblazoned with the candidate's image), Dennis Quaid, Don Cheadle and two performances by Seal. Obama talks up Clinton, says he knows he caused "some heartburn and some frustration" during the nomination fight. Read the first pool report here, and the second pool report here. Variety has more on the guest list. Plus: McCain holds Tuesday night fundraiser as well in Newport Beach. Read pool report here. Permalink

Obama Asks Donors to Help Clinton

He made a plea to top contributors Tuesday to assist in retiring her $10 million outstanding debt to vendors. TIME: Obama asked donors on a conference call, said it was important now that the Democrats are all "one big family." The Caucus: The debt could be paid off "bit by bit, at chunks of $2,300 or less." AP: "It remained to be seen whether Obama would make a similar appeal to his Internet donors, a vast network of small-dollar contributors." Permalink

Michelle Obama to Headline First DNC Fundraiser

The presumptive Democratic nominee's wife will give the keynote address at the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Gala Thursday night at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. She'll be joined at the event by Howard Dean, New York First Lady Michelle Paterson, President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors David Cicilline. Permalink

Obama Keeps His Distance From Sen. Smith

In response to a new TV ad by Oregon GOP Sen. Gordon Smith aligning himself with Obama, the Illinois Senator's campaign releases a statement insisting he supports Smith's Democratic opponent. "...Oregonians should know that Barack Obama supports Jeff Merkley for Senate. Merkley will help Obama bring about the fundamental change we need in Washington." Read the statement here. Watch the ad here. Permalink

McCain Holds Florida Tele-Town Hall

The Arizona Senator speaks with registered independents and Democrats from Broward and Palm Beach Counties via phone as the press listens in. On Iraq: Criticizes Obama for not visiting the country in nearly 900 days, not recognizing the success of the surge. "He was wrong and I was right...we are winning in Iraq." On offshore drilling: Says if states decide they want it, he thinks they should. Recognizes that Florida may be interested, California doesn't seem to be. "The fact is that everything has got to be proposed. He's introduced by Sen. Lieberman, who lavishes praise on his "dear, dear friend." Earlier: Obama's Sunshine State surrogates preempt the event, hold media call where they say McCain will “never” win South Florida. Get all your details here. Permalink

CLINTON SPEAKS

The New York Senator talks to reporters off-camera during her first day back on the Hill. Says the Veep option is Obama's decision, her role is to be the best Senator she can be, tees up Friday's event. Read excerpts here. More: Read more about Clinton's first day back, including how she was greeted by her peers. Plus: McCain says during Riverside, California presser that Clinton will have "enhanced influence" in the Senate. Permalink

Obama on the Clintons: "I Am Going to Need Them"

The presumed nominee lavishes praise on both Clintons and says he expects to work closely with both of them. Tells CNN Hillary Clinton is "larger than life" and her campaign "only enhanced her stature." Predicts she will be "one of my key partners" if he wins the White House. Of Bill Clinton, says "he is one of the most intelligent, charismatic political leaders that we have seen in a generation and he has got a lot of wisdom to impart. Watch video above. Plus: An Obama spokesman says Bill Clinton will play a "big role" in the campaign to come. Permalink

New National Poll Shows 12-Point Obama Lead

LA Times/Bloomberg poll: Head-to-head: Obama 49, McCain 37 Four-man ballot with Ralph Nader and Bob Barr: Obama 48, McCain 33 Read more here. Poll conducted June 19-23, error margin +/- 3 Permalink

McCain to Travel to Colombia, Mexico

The Swamp: The presumptive GOP nominee will travel south of the border during the July 4th congressional recess with buddies Lindsey Graham, Lieberman. The trio will meet with both country's presidents, Cabinet members, foreign ministers, law enforcement officials. Permalink

VEEPSTAKES POTPOURRI

--Richardson signs off a Democratic Party fundraising letter with the line: "Maybe I'll even decide to run for Governor again in 2014--if something else doesn't pop up in the meantime!" --The Hill: For about two years former Homeland Security Secretary Ridge failed to register a nearly half-million-dollar lobbying contract he had with the Albanian government. Permalink

Evening News Roundup

A light night for political news. ABC: Led with falling home prices. Six minutes in, report on Dobson's attack on Obama for his "confused theology." In afternoon response, Obama said "either he didn't read the speech or he's just trying to score political points." Also mentioned Clinton's return to Capitol Hill. CBS: Led with California fires. NBC: Led with surge in number of diabetics, later mentioned Everglades deal. Permalink

Obama Attacks McCain's Car Battery "Bounty"

During an energy discussion in Las Vegas, Nevada, the presumptive Democratic nominee bashes McCain's energy incentive proposal unveiled Monday, calling it a "gimmick." "When John F. Kennedy decided that we were going to put a man on the moon, he didn’t put a bounty out for some rocket scientist to win..." Read full remarks here. Watch video above. Plus: Obama also met with technology workers and experts at Springs Preserve, an environmental landmark in the city. Read pool report here. Response: Sen. Richard Burr and McCain senior policy advisor Doug Holtz-Eakin hold afternoon media call on Obama's remarks, call Obama "Dr. No of energy policy." Campaign also responds in statement here. Permalink

Unity Preps For Big Rally

The small New Hampshire town prepares for a whirlwind of attention during Friday's Obama-Clinton rally. The first reaction of Unity Elementary School's principal: "C'mon, you're pulling my leg." One resident: "I'm a Republican, but it doesn't mean I can't change my mind in the voting booth." Permalink

Crist Announces "Monumental" Everglades Deal

The Florida governor announces a plan to spend $1.7 billion to buy 300 square miles from U.S. Sugar, which would eventually go out of business. The land would help restore water flow from Lake Okeechobee to the Everglades. Environmentalists praise the plan, which Crist calls "as monumental as the creation of the nation’s first national park." TIME's Grunwald weighs in on the stakes. Permalink

McCain Energy Panelist Attacks Candidate

After saying he was a "bit bemused" he ended up on the panel, the chair of the Santa Barbara Land Trust slammed McCain's proposal to build more nuclear plants during afternoon energy briefing event. "I don’t understand how it’s not compromising our environmental standards..." Comes after McCain delivers opening remarks elaborating on his energy conservation plan at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Get details here. Permalink