Archive - June 2, 2009 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Former prosecutor Christopher J. Christie easily wins the state's GOP gubernatorial nomination Tuesday. He'll now try to unseat Gov. Corzine, who has been dropping in the polls, in November. Permalink

NO CUBA CONSENSUS

SecState Clinton says leaders at the OAS meeting Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on moves to allow Cuba to rejoin. Tell reporters: "Our challenge is to do nothing or to create a context that would give rise to consensus." Leaves Honduras and heads to Egypt to meet up with Obama Thursday. Permalink

Obama Sees Chance to Reach Out to Muslims

The president tells NBC's Brian Williams he hopes his Cairo speech can help open "constructive" dialogue with the Islamic world. Click above to watch. EXCERPTS: Read more here. Part of NBC's "Inside the White House" documentary airing in primetime Tuesday and Wednesday. Plus: Obama also participates in spoof segment for "The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien." Permalink

This Kiss!

Former First Lady attends the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act bill signing at the White House. Obama remarks here. Essential viewing: Click above to watch Obama smooch Reagan. Plus: Reagan has a private lunch with Michelle Obama scheduled for Wednesday. Permalink

Obama on Health Care: "We Can't Afford to Put This Off"

Says between now and August is "the make-or-break period" to get health care reform done while meeting with slew of Senators Tuesday. List of attendees here, remarks here and pool report here. Plus: Baucus hopes to convince Obama to tax some employer-provided health benefits to control costs. Permalink

Poll: No GOP Frontrunner for 2012

CNN/Opinion Research survey finds Huckabee, Palin and Romney nearly tied in support from Republican voters for a 2012 presidential bid. MORE STATS: Favorability ratings for top GOPers here. Permalink

Zawahiri to Obama: "You Are Not Welcome in Egypt"

Al-Qaeda #2 releases an audio message condemning the president’s Thursday speech to the Muslim world. Says “bloody messages” the U.S. military sends in Iraq, Afghanistan “will not be concealed by public relations campaigns or by farcical visits or elegant words." Permalink

Pawlenty to Be Non-Incumbent in 2012

Minnesota Gov. says he won't seek a third term in Tuesday afternoon presser, will work hard to get another Republican elected to his post. Sidesteps questions on 2012 run: "I'm not ruling anything in or out -- I just don't have any plans." Permalink

Obama: Americans “Love All French Things”

President heaps praise on President Sarkozy, French food and Paris in an interview with I-Tele and Canal Plus in advance of his visit to France this weekend. Also says U.S. will “give every assistance to find out what happened” in Monday's Air France crash. Permalink

Sessions: Sotomayor "a Delight"

Top Judiciary Committee GOPer has kind words for the judge after meeting on the Hill. Click above to watch. More quotes here. Plus: Leahy says she reassured him about her 2001 remarks. Read what he told reporters. And: Reid calls her "the whole package," wants confirmation "as quickly as we can." Read what he told reporters. PHOTOS: See gallery here. SCHEDULE: List of meetings here. Permalink