Morning Show Summary
Obama adviser David Axelrod on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" defended giving photo of Clinton and Wright to NY Times because of "hypocrisy" of the Clinton campaign -- without explicitly acknowledging the campaign's role. Also discussed passport matter, Michigan/Florida, and Iraq.
On NBC's "Today," Andrea Mitchell called passport file "a treasure trove of information" and breach "could be a criminal offense." Scarborough said passport story isn't a big deal except that it helps Obama "get the bad news off the papers" going into weekend. Said Obama camp circulating Clinton-Wright photo was an "amateur" mistake. Focused on Obama's comment about his grandmother, saying referring to white resentment could "enrage" working-class whites.
On ABC's "Good Morning America," Stephanopoulos said if motivations were not political, passport story will go away. Called Richardson endorsement "a really big deal" because he is "one of the most sought delegates out there." Said Obama will "owe him big." Said next big endorsements would be from Gore, Carter, Pelosi or Reid. Noted it's been a "bad week" for McCain, B. Clinton-Wright photo "a little more damage control" by the Obama camp.
CBS's "The Early Show" talked about importance of Hispanic vote and Richardson's relationship with the Clintons. Said endorsement, the photo of Bill Clinton with Rev. Wright and the passport flap are all a "blessing" for the Obama campaign after a "bad week."
On "Morning Joe" Mitchell was more concerned than others on passport story. Called it "potentially serious" and a "huge management failure." Said breaches occurred at key moments in campaign and State Department "should not be leaping to any conclusions that this was just casual."
