First thoughts

Posted: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:17 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carly Zakin
*** Doctor Rudy: A day after unveiling his health-care advisers (including Mark McClellan) and then blasting Clinton, Edwards, Obama, and even Michael Moore for their calls for universal coverage, Giuliani gives a speech on his health-care principles this morning from Rochester, NH. And expect more volleys at Moore and these Democrats. While this might be a questionable general election strategy (a March 2007 NBC/WSJ poll found that 52% are willing to pay higher taxes so everyone in the country can have health insurance), it could benefit him in the primaries. One, this conservative view on fiscal policy could help mask his moderate social views. And two, it allows him to go to the right of Romney on an issue and record that Romney seems to be running away from. In fact, look for Rudy to essentially bait Romney into a debate on health care -- it would be exactly the type of ideological spat the Giuliani folks would love to have.

*** You Know You’re A Front-Runner When…: Speaking of Romney, the news that he might participate in the CNN/YouTube debate after all -- if the date is moved -- just shows us that the former governor is dictating the terms of the, umm, debate. If that isn’t a sign that Romney is a front-runner (emphasis on a, not the), we don’t know what else is.

*** Bill Steps In: It's remarkable that more hasn't been made of Bill Clinton's truce-like comments regarding the Hillary-Obama spat on when/if to talk to rogue world leaders. Bill Clinton doesn't do things accidentally when it comes to campaign politics. Does this mean that the Democratic Party's foremost strategist decided this feud was hurting his wife -- and helping give Obama a lift? Imagine if Bill Clinton would have piled on and criticized Obama? Would Obama have had the guts to attack back? Then again, are the Clintons mindful of their current success with African-American voters and worried that if they hit him too hard too early, they'll drive away a key constituency? So ... many … tea … leaves … to … read … so … little … time … when … it … comes … to … Bill … Clinton

*** The Once And Future First Daughter: The New York Times profiles Chelsea Clinton, without her cooperation. Regardless of your view on the Clintons, there's no denying that the two high-profile politicians turned out a very poised and well-thought-of daughter. In this day and age of political children getting in minor trouble, Chelsea Clinton has been a model citizen. Yet a few things in the article struck us. One, she works for a hedge fund (which really isn’t the most PC of professions nowadays, especially for Democrats). Two, the Clinton campaign says that the 27-year-old Chelsea is off limits, even though she has attended campaign events. And, three, there is this: “Ms. Clinton and [boyfriend] Mr. Mezvinsky seem serious about a future together, according to friends, some of whom wonder about a White House wedding in the event of a victory by Mrs. Clinton.”

*** Northern Exposure: There are some things that just sound politically deadly, and an FBI raid is one of them. Today’s papers are full of stories about the FBI raiding the Alaska home of Sen. Ted Stevens, who is up for re-election next year. Alaska seems to be hungry for reformers: The state last year overwhelmingly elected a new governor, who does not come from the state's insider political establishment. Also, we noted last week that the state's entire congressional delegation has come under ethics fire, a sign that Alaska’s days of sending lawmakers who are focused on pork might be over.

*** Who Says There Aren’t Second Chances: Biden is out with a new book, Promises to Keep, and his campaign views it as a second official announcement of sorts. (Biden’s official announcement, remember, was overshadowed by his “clean” and “articulate” comments regarding Obama.) "I'm kind of looking at the publication of the book as the announcement cycle that we never had," Biden communications director Larry Rasky told Gannett several days ago. And how -- he was on TODAY this morning and does Letterman tonight; tomorrow, he’s on Hardball, CBS’s Early Show, and NPR; on Thursday, he does CNN and FOX; and so on. What’s more, his campaign tells us that while he’s on his book tour, his sister Valerie, wife Jill, and sons Beau and Hunter will all be hitting the trail in Iowa. But to date, free media hasn't done much for Biden. According to The Hotline, no Democratic candidate has been on the air more than he has, and it hasn't done much for his standing in the polls so far.

*** On The Trail: Elsewhere, Brownback heads to a firing range in Ames, IA, fires off a couple of rounds there, and then discusses gun control; Edwards fundraises in Virginia; McCain raises money in Cincinnati; Richardson is in his home state of New Mexico; Romney travels to Richmond and Virginia Beach; Tancredo makes four stops in Iowa, while Tommy Thompson makes five stops there; and Fred Thompson raises money in California.

Countdown to the Ames Straw Poll: 11 days
Countdown to MA-05 Special Election: 34 days
Countdown to LA GOV election: 81 days
Countdown to Election Day 2007: 98 days
Countdown to LA GOV run-off (if necessary): 109 days
Countdown to Iowa: 166 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 188 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 462 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 539 days

Video: Fred Thompson committee expected to report $3 million in June fundraising

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Comments

Here is something you may want to send a note out to the President and your senators about. The Iraqi Parlement adjournes [ on vacation] for August, while U.S. troops continue to defend Bagdad. This is "b.s.", if our troops have to continue to defend "their" country, does it make any sence that their Parlement take over a month vacation in the middle of the war?

John Q. (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:30 AM)

GoNzO-GaTe...it just will not go away.

Z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:30 AM)

Solid debate performances have caused voters to take a hard look at Biden. He probably has the clearest plans for Day One in office off any '08 candidate.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matthew (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:31 AM)

First: Chuck Todd, I thought your appearance on Meet The Press was great. You were quite thoughtful with your impressions of the presidential race.

George W. was able to win because of his father's connections. Same thing is going on with Hillary. She will always have Bill Clinton to come to her rescue. It's unfair. Every other candidate has to run on their own merits, which is the way it should be.

Maureen (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:33 AM)

Excuse me...teas leaves aren't necessary. I believe I mentioned last tuesday when she said it and you reported it that Bill was screaming....NO, NO, No. He is a smart man and knew:

It would not play well in the African American community..example, Black woman who called into the Washington Journal angry yesterday. She says at one point she was torn between the two, but it was evident she no longer was. Right or wrong (perception matters) it was considered extremely disrespectful. Everyone is always talking about how people have to be aware of perceptions of sexism in dealing with Hillary. What if he had said that about her FIRST. People would have been saying he was sexist. No one in the MSM yelled what plenty are starting to say in the African American community. Would she have said that on the radio about Edwards, Biden, Richardson ect. maybe...probably not. Edwards and his wife have taken jabs at her several times and she has never "disrespected them " in responses.

No tea leaves required. Long term impact, can Bill ( as only he could) smooth the "quiet rage" building as the word spreads? If anyone could it would be him. My (educated) guess is his cell phone has been working overtime.

Lyn, MD (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:39 AM)

Seems to be a lot of firing ranges in Iowa. If the VP visits Iowa, spectators be careful.

Flat-earther, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:44 AM)

I R A Q I P A R L I A M E N T , T A K E S " 1 M O N T H " V A C A T I O N , W H I L E U. S. T R O O P S D I E P R O T E C T I N G C O U N T R Y .

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:49 AM)

Barack O'Reagan can't even convince 77% of American Democratic primary voters to cast a vote for him.

What, other than a delusional ego, makes him think that will have any greater success with the leaders and citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, Syria, and Iran?

O'Reagan's fathomless narcissism knows no bounds, it seems.

Knows. No. Bounds.

joeCHI, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 9:56 AM)

***Remember the "pen" is mighter than the sword.***

Z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:01 AM)

Welcome to the pandering Rudy Show inorder to kowtow to the neocons during the primaries....mask your true intent.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:05 AM)

Guess it is time for Bill to jump in, since his wife cannot handle the building pressure on her campaign. Why does everyone think that Bill Clinton will be the 600 pound gorilla that will slap Obama back into his corner if need be? If Obama cannot handle Bill Clinton, he has no business even being in the race. In fact, ANYbody who is afraid of Bill Clinton needs to get a life. Joe Biden on FOX????? hmmmm, I guess the world comes full circle sooner or later. I can see people getting health insurance only if they can hold a job. Anybody who sits on their butt all day, watches springer and drinks beer should not have any health insurance whatsoever. I guess the more pork they cut out of Alaska, the more they can waste on other liberal ideas.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:39 AM)

JoeCHI: Hillary has the highest negative ratings for any candidate. I guess people still remember Whitewater and the Clinton 'climate of corruption' during Bill's 8 years.
After 8 years of Bush's lies, ethical lapses and corruption, do we need 4 years of Hillary's lies and corruption ?
Hillary has more name recogintion because people still remember the Clinton scandals.
Do we need 4 more years of rule breaking and scandals ??

Turn the page, JoeCHI.
Obama-Edwards '08 for clean, honorable politics !!

Sierra, San Francisco (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:44 AM)

U S C O N G R E S S , T A K E S " 1 M O N T H " V A C A T I O N , W H I L E U. S. T R O O P S D I E P R O T E C T I N G P R E S I D E N T B U S H' S E G O .

Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:45 AM)

John Q - I would love to notify my Senators and Representatives, but unfortunately, they are also taking the month of August off for vacation, unlike our soldiers. Ironic isn't it? You would think in time of war, they would cancel vacation.

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 10:59 AM)

Go Rudy. Good to hear candidates laying out specifics on real issues. Better than vague generalities of 'coverage for everyone'. Better than mudslinging. Better than a slapfight between Bill's other half and our posterboy for the American-African community.

UB, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:05 AM)

DaveTN - where are you? Aren't you outraged at the dirty politians in Alaska? oh, that's right, you don't get upset when repugnants get caught, do you?
Bridge to nowhere - typical repugnant pork. Sounds like Stevens could own a pig farm. Stay tuned, this will just get better and better if the press actually reports on it.
Better be careful though, Jerry CC might want to give Alaska to Canada or Russia if they don't meet Texas standards. But - wait Alaska does - all that pandering to the oil industry must account for something. Alaska you just might be saved from Jerry's rath after all.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:06 AM)

Jerry - Corpus Christi, Does your comment mean you actually approve of pork spending in Alaska? I still want them to go after anyone in Congress, Democrat or Republican, who breaks the law. Or the Executive Branch for that matter. As far as someone drinking beer and watching Springer, it's his children he may have that I worry about being covered with insurance. Or should we just throw them out with the dirty dishwater also?

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:10 AM)

Everyone is on "frigin vacation" while our troops are dying on the streets of Bagdad. Wake up..this is B.S. !!!

Y (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:10 AM)

Rudy's health care plan...tax deductions? Health insurance is already tax deductable...great plan Rudy...took you a long time to come up with that?

On the Hillary/Obama spat...Strange how the talking heads were jumping on the Hillary bandwagon claiming how well she had smacked down Obama. Guess they didn't take into account that Obama just might be a little smarter than they gave him credit for. Face guys, Obama smacked down Hillary.

Al, KS (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:12 AM)

What is the number they are throwing around about the uninsured? 12 million? 15 million?
My understanding is that about 1/4 of those are people who have elected NOT to have program care. In other words just pay for what they use. And another 1/3 is the illegal immigrants. Who should not count in our effort to get healthcare for Americans. And another portion are people between jobs, that will provide insurance.
Sorry but I can not remember where I saw those stats. Anyone see the same or simular?

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:14 AM)

Why am I going to worry about somebody else's children for? I have my own to worry about. I would suggest to the bum he get himself (or herself) fixed if they don't plan on taking care of their children. That way they can carry on without bringing their own poor dumb slobs into this world. I see enough of that around town here. My point is; they decide they don't want the pork, fine, they don't have to have it. In fact, nobody need the pork. You libs are so hot and bothered about how much the war is costing, yet you go out and get money for useless things that do nobody any good. My side is just as guilty. So why not propose no more pork barrel spending? The money saved goes back into the debt. Kind of hard to explain that to the politicians, but then again this group we have here are not the brightest light bulbs in the socket right now.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:22 AM)

PULL OUR TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ NOW !!!

Y (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:23 AM)

RH Oregon - The 1/4 who elect NOT to have program care, usually do so, because they simply can't afford to pay the large amounts necessary. The other 1/3 illegal immigrants, usually have children born in the U.S. which according to law, are U.S. citizens, but have no health insurance. The last portion you mentioned are Americans who lost their jobs (probably because of outsourcing . . ) but you said they will still provide insurance. Are you kidding? Have you looked into the cost of COBRA insurance especially when you have no salary? It's a joke! I also resent paying for people who are lazy and don't work, but we still need to do something about the system we currently have where drug companies and hmo's are making obscene profits while American citizens can't afford to go to the doctor.

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:29 AM)

Rh---seen, read and heard those stats. Why make someone get insurance if they don't want it?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:30 AM)

Jerry, I agree with you, heaven help me! No more pork barrel spending. In fact, let's get rid of lobbyists! What a novel idea, huh? And I do worry about sick children, no matter what kind of parents they have. Also, those same sick children go to the same schools as my children. And I am shocked to hear a Republican want to force people to be "fixed". I thought Republicans stood for (or at least USED to) stand for less government? Who would you like to make the decision as to which people should be "Fixed"? Especially in light of the decisions our current government is making? We don't even "fix" rapists, but you want to have "bums" fixed? It's a little irrational, no? So even if you were being sarcastic, what solution would you give for all those little children? Or would you be content watching a little 2 year old dying from some curable disease like we see on television all the time for third world countries? How would you feel if your children develop some disease passed on by some child who has no insurance? Whether you like it or not, it is everyone's problem Jerry.

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:41 AM)

the medias daily obsessive story on the Clinton's is about Chelsea. They won't mention the remarks by Bill because it shows they and Hillary were wrong and would not show her in a fabulous light. and because it would mean Obama is right and would make him look good.
and the media cannot have Obama looking and casting their Hillary in a bad light.
They probably will not discuss the new state pollings that have come out showing Clinton lost alot of ground and Obama is tied or ahead of her.
this will be kept very hushed.

diane (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 11:43 AM)

I caught a bit of the interview James Holsinger, nominated for Surgeon General, on Cspan. They asked him a question of what he would like to change or something to that affect. He said, although he knew it would not be politically accepted he thought 'that specific drugs should not be marketed to the public'. What an idea. No more Boniva, or Viagra commercials. The drug companies could put those hundreds of millions of dollars from advertising into making the drugs actually affordable. But I understand his nomination is now in a holding pattern, wonder why...

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:04 PM)

I don't give a dog about third world countries, let alone their kids. My suggestion is that we have a department of fixation. To be serious for a moment though, you libs seem to be so hot and heavy about the others in your life. Me, I only worry about my family. If people cannot properly take care of their children, they should be taken away from them and given to a family that will give a damn about them. To give you a quick story, I was standing in line one Christmas eve afternoon and this guy ahead of me had a bunch of Christmas gifts he bought for his kids at the grocery store (tells you what kind of Christmas they were having when you buy toys at the grocery store). Also, in his basket, was 3 cases of beer and a case of wine as well as some food items. Don't you think he could have given his kids a better Christmas by putting the booze back and getting them something worth a damn? How do I know the toys in the basket were for his kids? Easy, he told the lady ahead of him. She was shaking her head in disgust as well. And to make matters worse, he paid for his food with food stamps and everything else in cash. If you are not man enough to care for your kids, you should be man enough to make them. And people wonder why I have problems with liberals that want the world for free?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:21 PM)

"Would she have said that on the radio about Edwards, Biden, Richardson ect. maybe...probably not." Probably not? Hell no is the answer! She has 98 other white peers in the Senate, and she would have never called them naive and irresponsible. Senator Obama is her peer, not some lowly senate aide. He's also a consitutional scholar, President of the Harvard Law Review, father and husband--the antithesis of naive and irresponsible. Disagree on the issues, but to effectively call an accomplished man stupid is way out of bounds.

"Edwards and his wife have taken jabs at her several times and she has never "disrespected them " in responses." I've made the exact same point. Both John and Elizabeth Edwards have questioned Hillary Clinton's integrity and the very purpose and sincerety of her campaign, but she has NEVER responded, and the maedia has made very little mention of it. But the moment Senator Obama fights back and calls her position Bush-Cheney light in response to her personal attack, he's castigated as stepping out of bounds. I didn't know there was a separate boundary for Senator Obama. It's just way of labeling him the aggressive Black man against the white woman. The media has been shameless!

Dee of VA (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:27 PM)

The Chelsea story was interesting. The Acorn never falls far from the tree.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:32 PM)

Do Not Disturb..be back around September 4th.

Iraqi Parlement (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:33 PM)

Remove U.S. troops from Iraq, maybe back after September 4th.

John Doe (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:36 PM)

FINALLY- I agree with Jerry (actrually, I did one time before when the subject was immigration and our southern border)- He says "Anybody who is affraid of Bill Clinton needs to get a life". YES Jerry- does this mean you can finally stop bringing him up every three posts or so?

Another thought, directed at no one in particular: Wonder how much healthcare could be had for 12 BILLION a MONTH?

Buzz (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 12:42 PM)

On the topic of vacations, remember how Bush and other Administration principals including Cheney and Condi Rice were on vacation 2 years ago when Katrina hit--and we all found out how badly their priorities were misplaced as the mainstream media rightly focused on their lackluster response. Recall how soon after Katrina hit and the levees broke there was a "never again" moment as everybody witnessed the flooding of 80% of New Orleans and the scattering to the 4 winds of the great majority of her people. And how President Bush said he could not imagine an America without New Orleans and promised that he'd do what it takes and stay as long as it takes to see her brought back.

Fast forward to today. The "never again" moment was literally a moment--it has long since been forgotten. Bush's Jackson Square words have proven empty. Now, both Bush Administration and mainstream media (including First Read's) priorities are badly misplaced. Per a report in yesterday's Times-Picayune, the Army Corps of Engineers has backed away from using a worst-care Category 5 hurricane as the design standard for New Orleans'levees and other flood control, instead designing against a "Katrina-like" event, which would be a Category 3 storm. And even that won't be finished for a few years. Furthermore, about 2 weeks ago it was reported that one of the levees in the New Orleans area has been falling apart.

It's time the mainstream media including First Read stopped scrutinizing such things as the Clinton/Obama spat, Hillary Clinton's cleavage, and John Edwards' hair and started paying close attention to how the Administration has backed away from making New Orleans as secure as she should be. The fact that the Bushies have in effect written off a beautiful, historic American city needs to be treated as a major campaign issue.

Olivia (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:26 PM)

GONZO-GATE IT JUST WILL NOT GO AWAY. HI KARL !

Z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:32 PM)

They don't want it for free jerry, they're socialist. They want you and me to pay for it, since we will have jobs and not be on the welfare payroll.

Hillery & Fred Thompson walking down the street run into a man in need.
Fred reaches into his pocket gives him $20, and directions to his field office where he can start a job.
Hillery & Fred continue walking.
Run into another person in need.
Not to be outdone, Hillery reaches into Fred's pocket.
Gets $20, keeps $15 for admin fees, gives $5 to the needy person & directions to the welfare office.

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:32 PM)

HEY YOU IDIOT REPUBLICANS..GONZO GATE IT JUST WILL NOT GO AWAY. THANKS G.W. !

Z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:33 PM)

Bush-Cheney lite? Be real, Hillery is actually alot closer to Carl Marx lite. Heil Hillery.

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:35 PM)

GOT TO LOVE GONZO ! THANKS AGAIN G.W. !

Z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:35 PM)

Im tired of communists(republicans) who want me to pay for thier kids to go to school and raise my taxes(Springfield delaware co.Avg.increase this year 288.00)im tired of paying for cops to protect the rich communists who want to share in my hard earned money but keep me off thier golf courses.You people want alot from me and my tax hating friends .I say taxes be gone every coroeration for itself,you know the coroerate welfare im payin (airline buyout ,savings and loan buyout ,car industry buyout ,farm subsidy,why dont you all get out of my pocket,oh yea our soceity works better if we take care of each othe so i will keep on paying for welfare moms and handicapped vets and childern without healthcare whatever i can .I M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN WHO CAN I HELP NEXT that is what made AMERICA GREAT

ken"I am not an animal"O (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:56 PM)

did someone say gonzo-gate ?

z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:02 PM)

Jerry, I agree with you. No one should be buying beer or cigarettes when they are on food stamps. However, I do give a darn about children, any children. And I guess you would call me a liberal, but I don't want the world for free. I just want to take care of the children. I guess you would think that's wrong. If that's liberal, well then, may God send more liberals. (I guess Jesus was a liberal!) Sorry to get into religion, but republicans are very quick to spout religion until it comes to living it. And I wasn't just talking about third world countries Jerry. I explained that all the uninsured children, who live in America affect every single one of us, whether you like it or not! And then you bring up a story about someone in line buying toys and beer! YOu stray from the point. There are many hard-working Americans out there who have lost there jobs who can't afford to pay the COBRA and have no insurance. Meanwhile insurance companies and drug companies are making astronomical profits. You don't think, we as the richest nation in the world, owe any responsiblity to taking care of American children? Especially in light of the fact, that we seem to have plenty of money to send over to Iraq to build the largest embassy in the world? Not to mention the money we spent to incarcerate the two border patrol agents who shot an illegal immigrant smuggling in drugs? How about the bridge to no where? Or the money found in Jefferson's refrigerator? Or how about all the money we lose as taxpayers by the new medicare bill signed last year where the republican led congress allowed the drug companies to literally write the bill that medicare is not allowed to negotiate drug prices? I'm sure we could find the money somewhere. OR maybe not, since this Iraq war is costing so much and we now owe China so much. I guess Jerry, the difference between us is I do worry about the children.

Olivia - My heart breaks for New Orleans. I have already contacted my representatives, but like everybody else, I don't think they really care . . .

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:11 PM)

Don't worry Ken 'universal health' may be coming. That will take care of those welfare folks & vets, and it won't cost you a thing.... Oh and bi-lingual enducation for your kids, so they can learn english.

RH Oregon (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:16 PM)

oooh. New independant mentioned Jackson.
He's a Democrat and he's black, is she allowed to do that?

JB, Florida (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:19 PM)

gonzo-gate

z (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:35 PM)

Yeah, JB, you see the difference between us is I don't like anyone doing anything illegal, no matter what party they are!!! I don't just think everything Democrats do is o.k. like many of the Republicans on here who consistently defend the Bush Administration. (Usually by bringing up something a previous democratic administration did) We like to keep open minds. Let me really blow your mind -I also don't agree with the Democrats and the way they want to handle illegal immigrants. But then again, George W. Bush feels the same was as the democrats!! I guess that's why I became an independent. I stand for all Americans and not for a Party!

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:38 PM)

ooooohhhh my some one is an english major dont have to worry about outsourcing your job,try and stick to the topic I m the guy that doesnt want to pay for your kids .I dont have any thank you .I belive you are the communist how the school loan work out for all you republicans ,how about your rich folks sticking up thier hands with social security get your facts straight stalin

ken"idont want to pay unless its for me "O (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:44 PM)

JoeChi,you are nothing but a bloggesphere hack for hillary. If you need something to do, go clean her shoes off, cause last week she stepped in Chit, & still reeks of it. Go OBAMA!!

rick,ky (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:52 PM)

RH, why don't you choose between paying $800-$1200/month for insurance and buying all the other things you need with your $1000/month low-paying job and tell us how you "chose" to be without insurance? As for COBRA coverage between employer coverages, don't make me laugh. I'm still fighting hundreds of dollars in bills because the COBRA administrator took my $800+/month and then told the doctors I wasn't a customer of theirs. Once you have insurance you're OK, right? Except maybe for the employee of mine who right now is in a panic because his grandson is sick and his daughter can't come up with the $500 copay to get him admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile we have trouble giving raises because our premium went up 29% this year. Tell us again how the health care system isn't broken.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 3:06 PM)

great diatribe there ken. repubs are the new communists? the democrats with their new-age socialism are our saviours? school loans, social security? look out rh, your in a debate now.

JB Florida (Sent Tuesday, July 31, 2007 3:10 PM)

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