From The Hotline Latest Edition for Thursday, April 17,2008

OBAMA

Supers Are Still Sweet On Barack

Thu. Apr. 17, 2008


Barack Obama has picked up four more superdelegates.

DC Council member "and newly elected superdelegate" Harry Thomas Jr., "initially a supporter of" Hillary Clinton, announced he will cast his superdelegate vote for Obama. Thomas "received more than 100 phone calls and e-mails from constituents who feared" he would vote for Clinton "despite the city's overwhelming support of Obama in the Potomac Primary." Thomas: "After meeting with the candidates and listening to my constituents, I have to honor the 83 percent who support Barack Obama" (Stewart, "DC Wire," WashingtonPost.com, 4/17).

Reps. David Price (D-NC) and Mel Watt (D-NC), who had supported John Edwards, endorsed Obama 4/16, and "both predicted" Obama's "bitterness" remarks would not hurt him in NC.

Price said Obama was "simply stating the obvious." Watt said "that he's heard considerable backlash against" Clinton. Watt: "What I'm hearing is a lot of disappointment at the negativity, and the jumping on this and taking the words out and trying to parse them, that the Clinton campaign has done" (Dann, NBC/National Journal, 4/16).

And OK superdelegate Reggie Whitten also endorsed Obama, saying, "I am certain Senator Obama will continue to build a broad coalition of Democrats, Independents, and yes, even Republicans. He unites us in the belief that without change in Washington, we as a nation cannot begin to address the challenges and opportunities of our future" (release, 4/17).

Meanwhile, in non-superdelegate endorsements, ex-Sen. Donald Riegle (D-MI) endorsed Obama 4/16 (AP, 4/16). And 25 of SD's 35 Dem state legislators endorsed Obama 4/16, including the state House and Senate leaders (release, 4/16).

You May Ask Yourself, Well, How Did I Get Here?

The Philadelphia Daily News endorsed Obama, writing, "Contrary to Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign slogan, we believe Barack Obama is more likely to be 'ready on Day One' to lead us in a new direction. .. We are frankly troubled by" Clinton's "assumption that her husband's administration and accomplishments were her own."

Based on Obama's "experience in running a quarter-billion-dollar enterprise with thousands upon thousands of volunteers, we could expect an Obama administration to be well-managed and cost-effective, with the president choosing forward-thinking advisers committed to his program, demanding that they work as a team and pay attention to details. He would be steady and calm, given neither to irrational exuberance or outbursts of anger. He would make mistakes, that's for sure, but he could be expected to recognize them, adjust, and move forward. He would adjust his views to reality rather than trying to adjust reality to his views." Obama is a "once-in-a-lifetime candidate" whose admin "would lower the tone of the rhetoric that separates us" (4/17).

Fuel To The Fire

The pro-Obama SEIU "is joining the ad fray" in PA, airing ads starting 4/17 in Pittsburgh and Philly "that highlight the rising cost of gas and tout" Obama's ability to solve the problem. The ad "opens with a montage of people listing the exorbitant price" of a full tank of gas, "then pivots to drub the oil companies for the profits they are reaping." One man says, "Too many politicians are in the pocket of big oil." Another: "Barack Obama is different. He doesn't take money from PACs or lobbyists" (Cillizza, "The Fix," WashingtonPost.com, 4/17).

Featuring The Bob Casey Caboose?

Obama returns to PA 4/18 for a five-day "On Track for Change" tour, on which "he will visit communities across the state by rail, road, and air." Obama kicks off the tour 4/18 with town halls in Erie and Williamsport and a rally in Philly. He'll spend 4/19 "making stops across" southeastern PA "by train" (release, 4/16).

Meanwhile, Obama heads back to NC today, where his "bitter" remarks "could resonate" (Christensen, Raleigh News & Observer, 4/17).

We Still Have A Jewish Problem

"Seeking to assuage fears that he is anti-Israel," Obama "pleaded his case in front of the local Jewish community" 4/16 at a Philly synagogue (Anburajan, NBC/National Journal, 4/16). Obama said he has a "kinship" with the Jewish community "that predates my political career and will extend beyond this particular election. Know that I will be there for you, just as I believe that you will be there for me" (Parsons, "The Swamp," Chicago Tribune, 4/16).

"Over and over again," Obama "said that he strongly supports Israel and its positions." He also "re-read part of his race speech" where "he said that he denounced" Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments on Israel. Obama said he "did not become aware of them until I started running for president," at which point "I had conversations with him, in which I shared with him my deep concerns" (NBC/National Journal, 4/16). Obama: "I want to be clear that not only do I absolutely reject the anti-American statements of my former pastor, I reject the anti-Israel statements as well" (Eichel, Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/17).

Obama also "denounced" Jimmy Carter's visit with Hamas, "saying that there should be no discussions with a terrorist organization" (NBC/National Journal, 4/16). Obama: "We must not negotiate with a terrorist group intent on Israel's destruction" (Fouhy, AP, 4/16).

Obama "spent the bulk of the 50-minute session answering questions" on Israel and Middle East policy. "In his closing comments," Obama "offered the thought that some of his problems among Jewish voters stemmed from 'scurrilous'" emails, from his middle name and from the historical tensions between African Americans and Jews (Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/17).

Asked if he would become another Michael Dukakis or George McGovern, Obama said they're "both excellent men, but I'm a pretty darn good politician. I can give a pretty good speech and I can connect and inspire the American people in ways that have become apparent" (NBC/National Journal, 4/16).

Meanwhile, CBN's Brody reports, the "main political adviser" to the leader of Hamas said in an interview "the other day," "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election. He has a vision to change America" (CBN.com, 4/17).

And Wright "is expected to speak in Dallas" 4/27 to "celebrate the 25th pastoral anniversary" of Friendship-West Baptist Church's Rev. Frederick Haynes III (Dallas Morning News, 4/16).

WH '08, Also Known As The Best Book Tour Ever

Obama and wife Michelle released their '07 tax return 4/16, reporting a household income of $4.2M -- a "substantial jump" from the roughly $1M in income reported in '06, "due to a sharp increase in the sales of his books." The Obamas reported $3.9M net profit from books, "a sum that dwarfed their combined salaries" of $260,735.

The Obamas paid nearly $1.4M in federal taxes, and contributed $240,370 to "various charities" (Zeleny, New York Times, 4/17). $50K went to the United Negro College Fund; $35K to CARE and $26,270 to Trinity United Church of Christ (Henderson, Newsday, 4/17).

The release of his '07 returns comes as Obama "tries to contain" the controversy over whether he's an "out-of-touch elitist." But the Obamas' income for '07 "is still well below" the $20.4M reported by the Clintons (Timiraos/Farnam, Wall Street Journal, 4/17).

MSNBC's Carlson, on the $4.2M figure: "Why did it take him so long to pay off his college loans?" ("Morning Joe," 4/17).

No Silver Foot In His Mouth, Either

On a three-city swing through IN 4/16, M. Obama "dismissed notions that her husband is elitist." M. Obama told a crowd of about 1K in Indianapolis, "There was no silver spoon in his mouth. His mother was an 18-year-old white woman raising a black kid in the 1960s" (Ruthhart, Indianapolis Star, 4/17).

M. Obama said of her husband's camp, "He reached out to regular folks. His view of fundraising was $23 is just as important as $2,300. ... The grass-roots support for Barack looks like every segment of society" (AP, 4/17).

Earlier 4/16, M. Obama told a crowd in Evansville, "Folks are struggling like never before. We shouldn't be surprised that people are cynical. There is a level of cynicism that comes when you feel like no matter how hard you work, no matter how much you do, you never catch up and you certainly can't get ahead" (Indianapolis Star, 4/17).

M. Obama closed the day speaking to a crowd of 900 at Anderson Univ. (Kerman, Anderson Herald-Bulletin, 4/16).

Asked in an interview if she's "in a difficult spot" being "in favor of women's issues," M. Obama said, "I don't see it like that. ... There is no sort of doubt or hesitation or feeling that a vote for Barack would be a vote against the issues of women. We need a candidate who's going to represent all the people, who's going to have the kind of passion, who's going to bring a different voice to the table" (Kerman, Anderson Herald-Bulletin, 4/16).

Might Want To Check On That Next Time

Obama supporter/Teamsters pres. James Hoffa has gotten a "decent reception" as he's campaigned for Obama in PA, but "at each stop, there were Teamsters who said they preferred Obama to Clinton, but weren't going to vote" because they were registered as GOPers or indies and missed the 3/24 deadline to switch. Hoffa himself "reacted with surprise" to the news that PA's was a closed primary "when informed of that by reporters during the tour" (MacGillis, "The Trail," WashingtonPost.com, 4/16).

In Your Letter, Ooh, In Your Letter

Obama "is downplaying concerns" raised by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) "about the pace of the confirmation of judges." Specter had written to all the WH '08ers on the issue. In a letter released 4/16, Obama "said both sides were working to confirm" nominees, and deferred to Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid and Judiciary Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Though "only Obama has so far responded to Specter's letters," Specter "criticized him for deferring to Leahy and Reid" (Raju, The Hill, 4/16).

No Direction Home

In the press today:

• The Hill's Stoddard writes in responding to the controversy, there are "certain things Obama, understandably, will not say. Someone who is white or black, elite or common, rich or poor, immigrant or native, perhaps could say them, but it is harder to say them when you are all of those things." Obama is "metaphorically homeless." He "doesn't lie, but the truth he tells won't always come the way we expect it, in black or white" (4/16).

• Corpus Christi Caller-Times editorializes, Obama "put intellectual distance between himself and white, rural America," essentially saying "I observe your pain" instead of "I feel your pain" (4/17).

• Ex-Rep/ex-VP candidate Jack Kemp (R) writes to Obama in the Wall Street Journal, "I believe your economic views are short-sighted. ... Unwittingly, your plans would prohibit most black Americans, indeed most Americans, from ever getting rich or even richer. Your economic ideas, sincere as they are, would weaken the economy, weaken the dollar, and weaken our chances of reducing poverty and unemployment" (4/17).

• Christian Science Monitor's Sabar writes Obama's "early idealism" on bipartisanship "became more pragmatic and calculating. While his message of unity has changed little -- if anything, he has refined and enlarged it -- his voting record in recent years has been decidedly partisan" (4/17).

And This Time, We Wouldn't Just Be There To See Bruce

TV talk turned to the Bruce Springsteen endorsement:

NBC's Russert: "Young Luke Russert. ... When he heard the words 'bitter' and the whole idea of clinging to faith and to guns, he said, you know, that's a Springsteen song. ... And it's kind of interesting when you think of those words and those kind of lyrics and the kind of people that Springsteen has written about, you understand how the timing may have been in an interesting way. Those comments may have motivated Springsteen to get into the race" ("Morning Joe," MSNBC, 4/17).

MSNBC's Matthews: "When it comes to politics, Bruce obviously puts his time and energy where his heart is. In how many cities did Bruce Springsteen perform with the MoveOn.org during the Kerry campaign back in 2004? Thirty three cities Bruce Springsteen campaigned in, 33 cities performing for John Kerry. He will probably do as many for Barack Obama. Unfortunately for Hillary, she may have to replace the song she likes to use in her rallies, 'The Rising'" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/16).

MSNBC's Scarborough: "You know, Wisconsin was close. We always say these endorsements don't mean anything, but when you're Bruce Springsteen and you are have a concert for John Kerry in Wisconsin ... and you draw 20,000, 30,000 people, who knows, it may carry a close state" ("Morning Joe," 4/17).

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