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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Spin Cycle

Posted: Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:41 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
DAVENPORT, IA -- Back in the spin room, Sen. Chris Dodd continued his harsh words for Hillary Clinton's "scars" line about the lessons she learned from the health care policy collapse of 1993. "[If] we're talking about leadership that can get a job done, and what you point to is a point in time when policy failed, and leadership failed, it's a little difficult for me to accept that's the kind of experience you want to highlight."  He went on to say that Clinton isn't the only one who suffered scars from the nineties implosion.  "It's also the scars that millions of Americans have paid because fifteen years ago we didn't get the job done because of mismanagement."

And, speaking for Joe Biden, state senator Joe Seng (D-Davenport) said there's a method to the senator's jokes about the rumors that he's running for Secretary of State.  "I think he had a reason for that, and I think he's exploited it," he said of Biden's laughing mention of the media speculation about the job he's "really" angling for. "He's the only candidate who's been suggested as Secretary of State, and for good reason."

That's it from Davenport.  Goodnight!

 

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Comments

At least Biden has it right when it comes to the Hillarycare plan.  If by some act of god Hillary wins and her health plan drives the country into a disaster, she will be a one term president.  Above all the crooked things she has done, she has more to lose as a president then her husband did.
I heard dodd really did a number on Hillary.  good.
no one else, not the candidates nor the media will confront her or tell the truth about the fact that hillary is not qualified nor suited to be president.
If Joe biden continues to be Hillary's attack dog he will probably be Secretary of State.  He was my choice for President.  Now I don't even use capital letters for his name.  That is how low he has sunk in my opinion.
To KO, and all who really care about our country,
   STOP calling Mr. Bush by the title of President. It is demeaning to that office, and most assuredly to our democratic principles. Do not use Bush and the word President in the same sentence. STOP calling him President. Do I make myself clear? THANKS
Biden should stop wasting everone's time if that's the case and drop out.  Any more incidents like where he insulted the Sago mine widow on a nationally televised debate, and he'll be going the  Richardson route: HURTING his chances of an administration post by staying in the race as opposed to helping.

These two walking gaffe machines are FAR more mistake prone than Kucinich and Gravel if you think about it, despite the rap the latter two men get in the press.
William he is only the shrub, a really good Texan gave him that name. She was able to see what a brainless thug he is. Most of Texas is pretty much clear on that fact now. He is worse than hitler.
Shrub the worst person in the world!!!!!
H P in Boston:

And ted kennedy is just as good as OJ Simpson....

They both got away with murder
Will Bush and Cheney get away with mass murder? So far, the question hasn't even come up, they're so far above the law.
Robert Stelling wrote: "If Joe biden continues to be Hillary's attack dog he will probably be Secretary of State. ..."

Please enlighten me, when has Sen. Biden been Hillary's attack dog? Have you watched the debates and forums? Or have you relied on the media's portrayal of the events? I suspect the later, which would be a mistake. At the AFL-CIO forum Sen. Biden criticized Sen's Dodd and Clinton for not knowing that it was already existing law to get Bin Laden (where ever he is) if we have actionable intelligence. This was a slam on Dodd and Clinton's earlier slam on Obama. However Keith Olberman was the only one in the media, who understood who were the subjects of his criticism. The MSM claimed Biden joined Dodd and Clinton in attacking Clinton, nothing could be further from the truth.

Last night Biden criticized Hillary directly (there was no implication, or need to read between the lines).

If Sen. Biden is Hillary's lap dog, our definitions of lap dog greatly differ. I wouldn't liken to him to one of Michael Vick's former dogs (or any of the other candidates either), but he has criticized her as much if not more than any other candidates, and his criticism were legitimate.

Shadow, Hamden, CT  your post is verfication of all the pundits picking Biden as the winner, he's got you scared does he?

He didn't insult the Sago mine widow, he told her she had his condolences, briefly said he understood what she was going through, which he did his wife and infant daughter were killed and his two sons were seriously injured in a car accident in December 1972. So I think he does know the pain of losing a spouse. And he said what he would do to make the mines safer. If you watched the actual debate, you would know that!
I may be crazy here but I think the Democratic candidates have all demonstrated, to some degree, that they have decent relationships with each other.  I'm not saying they are the best of friends, but I don't necessarily think they are bitter enemies either...at least not yet.  Maybe I am naive and it's all a show, but I like the fact that they can criticize each other's policies, and then chuckle over a shared joke 5 minutes later.  

I also don't see one candidate acting as an attack dog or lap dog or whatever the term may be for another candidate.  Whether it is true or not, Hillary is regarded as the front runner; it thus falls on the other candidates to try to bring her down, not vice versa.  While they are attacking Hillary, they also must be mindful that they need to compete with the other candidates as well, and they therefore go on the offensive with each other.  Hillary usual benefits from this, because she can portray herself (again, rightly or wrongly) as being above the fray.  Being the perceived front runner does have its privileges.  

Now, all of that being said, I loved Biden last night.  The more I see of him, the more I want to see of him.  The reverse is true with Richardson, and the fly wasn't helping his case much.


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