First thoughts: Rudy, get your gun

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2007 9:17 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro

*** Rudy, get your gun: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Giuliani’s speech today to the NRA -- and more importantly, how that speech is received -- is a big moment for the campaign. His record on guns is potentially more problematic with conservatives than his past statements on abortion or gay rights. Will the audience buy his argument that gun control should be left up to the states (which, by the way, is similar to what Howard Dean said on the issue in ’04)? Rudy isn’t the sole Republican presidential candidate who will be there. McCain, Thompson, Giuliani, Huckabee, and Gingrich (in that order) are addressing the NRA conference in DC today. Plus, Romney (“varmits"!), Richardson (a Democrat!), and Hunter will speak to the confab by videotape. In particular, Thompson has an opportunity to shine at the event, especially after getting dissed by James Dobson. Can he seize it?

*** Quick thoughts on last night’s forum: Did Clinton really refer to the "first Clinton Administration"? We rewound the TiVo and sure enough, she did. Talk about growing confidence... Meanwhile, the budding Biden vs. Richardson rivalry (is it some weird Secretary of State primary?) could be fun. Biden's clearly now aiming for the most gettable candidate for him in Iowa. Edwards once again showed his hesitancy in being overly aggressive to an Iowa audience. When given the chance to hit Clinton over lobbyist influence for her health care plan, he didn't take the bait (and instead praised her plan). But he tried more subtle digs. Chris Dodd was downright fiery. He was not quite as tough on Clinton at the forum as he was in an AP interview earlier in the afternoon, but he did attempt to create contrast with her and all of his rivals. The best part of this forum: With only five people on stage, one could tell the candidates LOVED it. Don't be surprised if Kucinich and Gravel stop getting invited to more forums debates once the calendar turns to October.

*** Questions for Obama: The Democratic front-runner who didn’t show at yesterday’s AARP, Barack Obama, holds a “senior” town hall meeting in Ames, IA -- that, per the campaign, brings together senior citizens and high school seniors. But if Obama is talking to seniors in Iowa today, the question becomes: Why he didn’t talk to them at last night’s forum? It might have saved him from being dubbed the forum’s “big loser” by chief Iowa pundit David Yepsen. The other question hovering over Obama’s campaign is why he chose not to vote on yesterday’s Senate GOP resolution denouncing MoveOn. Clinton voted no on it, but Obama didn’t vote at all. Obama issued a statement saying that by not casting a vote, “I registered my protest against this empty politics.” But that statement came two and a half hours after First Read asked for a response. It was a strong statement, but why not say it in a more public way (i.e. verbalize it)?

*** Playing the outsider card: Speaking of Obama, he’s up with a new TV ad in Iowa on health care, which seems pegged to his senior town hall in the state. “Washington’s talked about health-care reform and reformed nothing. I’ve got a plan to cut costs and cover everyone. But unless we stop the bickering and the lobbyists, we’ll be in the same place 20 years from now,” he says in it. “I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message because to fix health care, we have to fix Washington.” Doesn’t that last line sound very familiar to the new ad Romney is running? "If we're going to change Washington, Republicans have to put our own house in order,” the former Massachusetts governor says. “It's time for a change. And change begins with us.” Change is all the rage, and candidates in both parties realize the most authentic change agent is eventually going to get rewarded.

*** Iowa is just around the corner: For what seems like an eternity, we’ve been talking about how early this presidential race has started. Well, if you haven’t noticed -- whether you’re a candidate, voter, or journalist covering the contest -- it’s not so early anymore. The Iowa caucuses are just slightly more than three months away. Those caucuses, of course, signal only the beginning to a campaign season that will end about 14 months from today.

*** On the trail: Elsewhere today, Biden and Dodd campaign in Iowa; Edwards also is in the state, where he delivers a policy address on education; Giuliani has already spoken to the Northern Virginia Technology Council; Kucinich talks to a union in Dayton, OH; and Romney is in Illinois. Also, the Biennial Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference begins today, and it will hear from the GOP candidates today and over the weekend.

Countdown to LA GOV election: 29 days
Countdown to Election Day 2007: 46 days
Countdown to LA GOV run-off (if necessary): 57 days
Countdown to Iowa: 115 days
Countdown to SC GOP primary: 120 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 137 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 410 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 487 days

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Comments

I thought Hillary was all about moving forward....

I guess she wants to relive the 90's, which included:
whitewater
travelgate
Monica Lewinsky
chinese money

Is she going to ask Al Gore to be her VP as well?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:35 AM)

The upcoming election is going to be a joke.. Hillary first of all has as much chance as being president as by lawn guy, and Obama (Osama) or whatever needs to go to the middle east and run for a position over there. I'm a Republican, but I would think the Democrats would use this election to take advatange of what they think is a drop in Republican support but they put frontrunners up like Hillary and Obama.. Give me a break!!!!

John Dow, Seattle , Washington (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:42 AM)

Game over, Hillary buried the other candidates, adn the reason Obama was there, is he has already accepted the fact he will be #2 on Hillarys ticket The others should just drop out now and all come out in support of Hillary. and just shut up otherwise

Hillary 4 Prez, all others are leftovers (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:49 AM)

President Bush then President Clinton then President Bush now please dont let another Clinton become President I dont like the way this pattern looks...

Michael Ullrich Hammondsport NY (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:56 AM)

Get an editor (as in human, not a computer program). This piece is so badly-written that I can't even finish reading it. It's like a test: find the 25 grammar errors in these six paragraphs.

Jeff, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:57 AM)

Good article on the race in Iowa;

INDIANOLA, Iowa — Democrats enter the fall campaign with one question hanging over their party: Can anyone catch Hillary Clinton?

The New York senator has combined the party’s most popular brand name with a muscular, disciplined campaign to take a commanding position almost everywhere. She's opened double-digit leads over her nearest rivals in national polls, as well as in early voting states such as New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and California. If she runs the tables there, the nomination almost certainly will be hers.

If . . . .

Yet in Iowa, the state that will kick off the voting in precinct caucuses one night in January, she's still in a three-person race with former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

And history suggests that anything can happen there in the final weeks as more voters tune in. At this stage four years ago, Howard Dean led in the Iowa polls, only to collapse as voting neared, and John Kerry trailed in a distant third place, only to go on to win Iowa and the nomination.

“This thing is just starting,” said Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware. “It’s like the gun just went off.”

While Biden and his rivals clash over who has the better plan to get out of Iraq or who'd do more on health care, Iowa voters tend to see the top candidates as similar on the hot-button issues.

Rather than making their voting decisions on issues, then, voters are signaling in interviews that they’re more interested in whether a candidate could win the general election and how he or she would govern — an approach that could decide whom they support and whom they reject in coming weeks.

Most Iowa Democrats interviewed at random in recent days like or admire Clinton. Many think her experience in Washington as a first lady and senator would give her an edge in pushing the Democratic agenda through Congress and into law.

“She has the experience and knows what it takes to get things done. She is the best chance we have to get universal health care,” said Cindy Forbes of Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines.

Reminded that Clinton failed to enact health care as first lady, Forbes said that was a plus, not a minus, because it gave her valuable experience in the Washington power game."

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/19844.html

George (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:58 AM)

I wonder when was the last time the Clinton campaign issued a statement, and firstread complained about it not being given in person. I'd love to see a link or quote. Thanks.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:01 AM)

I wish Bill Clinton didn't sell our nuclear technology to the Chinese. Now, they may become our biggest enemy.

JOEBOB (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:05 AM)

"Hillary first of all has as much chance as being president as by lawn guy, and Obama (Osama) or whatever needs to go to the middle east and run for a position over there. I'm a Republican,"

John Dow - I'm sure when everyone got to that part, their jaws dropped in surprise.

You could have also said "I don't believe in evolution" or "My parents are cousins" at that point, but all in all, I think you went with the right line.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:08 AM)

"Obama (Osama) or whatever needs to go to the middle east and run for a position over there."...wow that's really clever, think of it all by yourself? You must be really lonely there in Seattle amongst an otherwise very intelligent crowd.

PJ (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:11 AM)

Hillary and Obama may be a tough ticket to beat but if we don't beat them it will be the end of the USA as we know it! Just stop for a moment and look at their own comments and their big supporters! God help us

Joe R. Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:18 AM)

The major Democratic candidates all seem to perpetuate the pharmaceutical/insurance industry strangle hold on health care. Kucinich seems to be the only candidate proposing real change and solutions.

Al Heinrich, Roswell, Georgia (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:18 AM)

As a longtime NRA member, I will tell you that Rudy does NOT just have a gun problem. According to the Village Voice (20070807 - Giuliani's Five Big Lies about 9-11) and a new book (Grand Illusion: The Untold Story of Rudy Giuliani and 9/11), he has many much more significant issues to address than guns, abortion, and terror. Issues revolving around 9/11 and his conduct both before and after that date. He is not telling the whole story, let alone the truth. Once this starts to get out, he will be in real trouble.

Charles Swanson, Seven Lakes, NC (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:19 AM)

Hey Chuck, I saw you on Hardball last night. What, did you lose a bet? You had to share time with that shrill rightwing kook from AM radio. What gives. I thought you have more pull with the network.

The to ad insult to injury Chris let her talk over you and gave her way more face time. She got in 10 words to your 1.

MSNBC should no to these fringe AM radio whack jobs.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:21 AM)

Bill gave us NAFTA, Hillary supports giving citizenship to illegal aliens. With citizenship comes universal healthcare, social security, medicaid,medicare, etc. guess who's going to end up paying for this? Hillary is supported by big business, big money and doesn't care about the middle class once the ballots are cast. A vote for Hillary will be a vote to bring Mexico into the United States.

Michael, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:22 AM)

But that statement came two and a half hours after First Read asked for a response. It was a strong statement, but why not say it in a more public way (i.e. verbalize

Gosh...he didn't jump simply because YOU asked. How dare he.

Grow up...you take your time putting up anything positive about him, many times after you have been proded by this site to do so ( after they have read it somewhere else), but he is suppose to jump when you call

Tom, SC (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:33 AM)

james curtis, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:34 AM)

Title Democrats Panic in the HeartLand

So which red-state Democrats will be sweating the most if Hillary is the nominee?

Margins of victory are usually thinner in House races, and big anti-Hillary turnout in Republican-leaning districts could really hurt Democrats. There are about 70 Democratic seats won by Bush in 2004, compared to four remaining Republican seats in districts won by Kerry.

One Democratic strategist, who works for a candidate preparing to challenge an incumbent Republican in a deep red district in the Midwest, has put together a list of 37 vulnerable rural or red-district House Democrats. Republicans would need to win 16 to retake control of the house.

"I'd say outside of Arkansas, any marginal Southern races are gone [for Democrats] if Hillary's the nominee," says the strategist. For example, last year Georgia Democrats John Barrow and Jim Marshall faced tough reelection bids, and won by the skin of their teeth in a year marked by a Democratic tsunami.

"[Marshall] is in a district where Bush carried 60 percent; if Hillary's the nominee, he's toast," the strategist says. "For Barrow's district, it was a little closer (Bush carried 50.4 percent). But it's a race Democrats will have to spend money on to keep. I mean, it's Georgia, man."

Other southern targets include Alabama's fifth district, and Tim Mahoney in Florida's 16th District (Mark Foley's seat). "That's going to be a tough one in any race, and with Hillary, I'm pretty sure we'll lose," the strategist laments.

This strategist sees three seats in Texas alone that could flip, if anti-Hillary passion stirs up the GOP base in districts that voted for Bush in 2004:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/20/opinion/main3281809.shtml

Grace, NY (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:38 AM)

"Hillary and Obama may be a tough ticket to beat but if we don't beat them it will be the end of the USA as we know it!"....and what's that?? an imperialist/fascist regime bent on world domination. Wake up.

PJ (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:38 AM)

"With citizenship comes universal healthcare, social security, medicaid,medicare, etc." yea, we can't afford this crap, we got dirty stinkin arab muslim terrorists to KILL.

PJ (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:41 AM)

GEORGE BUSH HAS BETRAYED US. HE SUCKS.

Z (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:43 AM)

I guess my democrat here is safe, as long as he knows his place.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:44 AM)

For those of you who love Van's daily Rasmussen tracking poll

Friday, September 21, 2007
Advertisment
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that New York Senator Hillary Clinton’s numbers have slipped a bit but she still retains a double digit lead in the race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Clinton now attracts 36% of the vote from Likely Democratic Primary Voters. That’s her lowest level of support since mid-July and comes on the heels of announcing her new health care proposal. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 77% of liberal voters nationwide say that major changes are needed in health care but only 39% say Clinton’s proposal reflects major change.

Illinois Senator Barack Obama, who proposed an $85 billion middle-class tax cut, moved to within eleven points of the frontrunner with 25% support. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards attracts 13% while New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is a distant fourth at 5%. (see recent daily numbers).

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/daily_presidential_tracking_poll__1

lyn, MD (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:45 AM)

Today it was annonced that Royal Dutch shell and Saudi Arabia will be building a huge refinery here in the U.S.
President Bush is hinting of lowering environmental standards and building refineries on old military bases.
Oil refineries here are currently running at about 80-85% capacity.
We fight them there so we can have oil here.
Got a ticket to ride?
Hop a bus.

Candyman (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:47 AM)

I have been unable to become excited by any candidate from any party. I have not heard any candidate from any party address any issue concretely. Therefore, I must assume that either the American people do not desire concrete solutions to the issues discussed, that the candidates do not have any concrete solutions to the issues, or some combination of both. Either way, we as a nation will continue to move in the direction we have chosen.

Dennis Bolay, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:50 AM)

Mitt Romney for President!

BryanT, Colorado (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:55 AM)

There were already 2 Clinton Administrations, DOH DOH'S! Bill Clinton was elected TWICE. The first 4 years was the first Clinton Admin, the second four years after the re-election was the second. We have had at least 1 president with terms separated by a few years and then they are elected again. After each election comes a new "term" or administration of a 4 year period, followed by a new election.
As for the whining about whitewater, GET OVER IT. 8 years and millions spent by the big spender deficit republicans....no conviction and no criminal charges. The worst they could get was a man lying about a little quick sex with a willing adult. Meanwhile, the married Republican senator from Louisiana repeatedly meets with girls from whorehouses in Washington and Louisiana. Another married Republican rubs legs and has sex under bathroom stall walls. You Republicans make Bill Clinton look like a SAINT. Hippocrites...all of you holier than thou types. Do I want another 8 years of Clinton: hmmm....yes. He masterfully achieved military and negotiated resolutions in Kosovo, quietly dealt with the little fat man in Noth Korea without scaring us all, though we secretly came close to war there, actually believed in Diplomacy, walked softly and carried the big stick like FDR. I pray for eight years of new Clinton economy, national health care, a balanced budget with surpluses and a President like Bill(his wife who is as smart and definitely more conservative than big spender dubya). W has an IQ of 98, Bill's is 184(look it up). Bush is so bad that Daddy broke down and cried in public because the Bush name is MUD, like Marie Antionette's. This has been the worst 8 years since the great depression or the covil war and we have a President who is long on talk and short on ation. Why did we go into Iraq with a victorious Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, our supposed friend. Why have we not bombed the caves in Pakinstan out of existence and planted a bit of radioactive material in those mountain strongholds to finish off Al-Qaeda. Why is the war still lost after a period lomger than it took to fight WW! and WW2 combined? We are greedy for oil, rather than becoming energy independent like Brazil. America will fail because our leaders have NO PLAN to make us energy independent. BUSH is a gaybasher, Iraqi babykiller, greedy oil man, cares nothing for the poor, cokehead, drunk driver who could have killed someone in his college accident. Cheney got big money to leave Halliburton and their payoff came when he joined the Bush team and got them a big war to make billions. Abu Ghraib showed the world who we really are. Bush is a divider, not a uniter. The people spoke last November, they commanded...end this war in a timely fashion. We are no longer a democracy, were are a Republican Taliban Theocracy led by an idiot who thinks God speaks to him personally and tells him to start the Armageddon created by religious fundamentalists. Republicans lost the war and will not end it. If you want change, put only Democrats in all offices and tell them: your have until the next election to GIT R DONE!

james curtis, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:56 AM)

The stupidity of some in this crowd always astounds me(jerry,John Dow,JOEBOB). When will people like yourselves ever wake up? The Republicans whose boots you lick, are the same people that will stomp your ass the first chance they get. People such as you continue to think you are somehow better off than the rest of us because you support FOOLS. Wrong. They veiw you with the same disdain that they veiw me. I'm just smart enough to see that. I'm not so sure about you guys.

The Admiral St. Augustine Fl. (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:57 AM)

No, PJ, that's what we already have! However, Hillary should be running on a socialist ticket, because that's straight where we're going if she gets in. Of course, I'm all for electing the un-republican, republican Ron Paul... so this post probably will be censored anyways.

Trent, Tx (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 10:59 AM)

Clinton is a LOSER!!! We don't need her agqin in any shape or form.

Go RUDY!!!!!

zena johnson (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:03 AM)

Don't have too much to say about your First Thoughts today...except that I'm curious to know where the "cookie" is about Bush losing it (again) at yesterday's press conference.
He yammered at one of your own (David Gregory), he completely lost his phoney Texas accent in the process, and there's NOTHING about it in First Read.(?)
You give Bush and the republicans a pass on everything.
I also note this morning, that MSNBC decided to run a NY Times article about how Giulliani's image was alledgedly forged in the aftermath of 911. What kind of CRAP is that?
The man tried to get the Mayor's election in the city of New York canceled after 911. Please tell me what would make terrorists more successful than to get an election canceled anywhere in The United States? That would be a "home run" for them.
I'll tell you something else too.
America would find out, what New York City already knows about this disgusting little man, if he were to be elected.
How about some coverage on the way he treated his own wife and children while he was Mayor? That speaks volumes about his "character."
To most of us who either live, or work in New York City, Giulliani's "image" will always be that of a small time hoodlum and gigolo.
He got elected with the support of the Fire and Police Unions, then stuck it to both in contract negotiations for the duration of his administration.
He polarized race relations in the City by allowing an out of control police department to engage in activities like the MURDER of Amdou Diallo, and the maming Abner Louima with a toliet plunger shoved into his rectum inside of a precinct house.
He absolutely refused to listen to the rank and file, as was well as the brass, of the NYFD when they told him that the repeater radio sytem they had didn't work. Dozens, maybe even a couple of hundred firefighters died on 911 because they didn't hear the order to withdraw from the buildings.
...and speaking of campaign financing scandals.....why isn't anyone reporting that Alan Fabian (who was recently arrested and charged with 23 counts including mail fraud, bankruptcy fraud, money laundering, perjury, and obstruction of justice) was a contributor to the Giulliani campaign.
You conveniently forget to report little tid bits of in information like that.
But, MSNBC spent numerous days making damn sure everyone knows who Norman Hsu is.
If that's the kind of coverage you plan on providing during next year's Presidential Election, then you might as well change your name to "Fox News, (doing business as) MSNBC."
Oh and one last thing. There's a book out on Giulliani entitled "Grand Illusion," which deals with the false image of him that was created by the media after 911.
It's a good read for those who dare to seek out the TRUTH about "Rappin' Rudy 'G' The Gigolo of The G.O.P."
Have a nice weekend everyone.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:06 AM)

Judy Woodruf set up Edwards to slam Clinton, and instead he threw a not-subtle dig at Clinton that got a big laugh. It was casual, pitch-perfect and true-- Clinton's plan is 6 months after Edwards' and "borrows" a lot of Edwards' original ideas.

Nice try, First Read, but you're papering over of good moments for other candidates not named Clinton won't withstand the scrutiny of actual voters.

Joe Justice (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:06 AM)

PJ, a not possible ticket. America will not vote for a woman or a black and especially not at the same time. Rudy/Newt in 2008

wayneTx (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:07 AM)

Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro;

I suggest you watch the debate/forum again on TiVo, Edwards was more aggressive than I've ever seen him. At one point I thought Richardson would deck him, instead he took it out on the fly that wouldn't leave him alone. Get off your foolish notion that Biden wants to be, or would accept the Sec. of State position under any of the Democratic candidates (except if by some miracle Dodd was elected). He's made it clear the only reason he would've agreed to be Sec of State with Kerry is because of their close relationship, he would have had Kerry's ear and access to the President. Dodd is the only other democratic candidate running that Biden has that type of relationship with. Richardson has refused to rule out running as VP, or accepting the Secretary of State position. Biden has said clearly he would not accept either position. Like him or not, the guy says what he means. Also, Biden wasn't only combative with Richardson, he was combative with Edwards (re: failed patients bill of rights, which Edwards correctly respond he got passed in the Senate, but Edwards implied Bush vetoed it, Bush's first veto was the stem cell research bill in 05 after Edwards was out of office. But Bush did pressure GOP congressman who previously supported the patient's bill of rights to kill the bill, and as a result it died in the House, so both right on that issue), Clinton (her failure to build consensus). Really Clinton was the only one who didn't challenge the other candidates. But given her national front runner status that is understandable. It was a great forum, and really more of a debate, than a forum! Obama made a mistake not going,

Also Biden is not campaigning in Iowa today as your story indicates. He had several events scheduled today, but had to fly back to DC after the forum, because debate is now scheduled on the Biden amendment (the Biden-Gelb Iraq plan). I assume Obama who was suppose to be in Ames today at a "Senior town hall meeting", and Dodd will also go back (or have gone back) to DC.

Molly, Iowa City (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:11 AM)

Joe Justice

I agree it was funny and accurate!

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:12 AM)

Any of the democratic nominees will be so much better than the group that is running the country now. It is so much fun to hear speeches that make sense and speakers that can carry on an intelligent conversation. After 8 years of "nuculer" speak, any democrat will be a big relief.

Mary, Illinois (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:14 AM)

Hahaha. If the best that the commenters here at FirstRead can do is say "Hillary will ruin this country" or "Obama will ruin this country" then you all have already lost. In case you haven't looked out the window lately, this country is already ruined, thanks to Bush. It took a Democrat to save us the last time, and it will take a Democrat this time as well. So, you'll have to complain a lot harder about Democrats before anyone will care. Just look at the alternatives on the Republican side, and have a good laugh. Bwahahaha.

The Admiral St. Augustine Fl. (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:16 AM)

As a senior citizen I have a real problem with the Clinton health care program. I currently have Medicare and I pay for a very good supplement. I can receive treatment from any doctor or medical facility I wish, and the bills are paid in full. I am afraid that under her plan I will be FORCED to give up my supplement and take what the government offers. What happens to the seniors of the US if we wind up with a system like Canada? Will we have long waiting lists for medical care? Will the seniors be told you are too old for care - and left to die?

Before you get excited about Hillary Care - remember it doesn't matter how old you are now, you may someday be one of those seniors that is TOO OLD!

John Lynn (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:16 AM)

I am very happy to see that a lot of Republicans are still ignoring the numbers (both national and head to head against Tootsie in individual states) and sticking with the talking points their masters on AM radio gave them a year ago.

Keep saying Hillary can't win. Ignore the political realities that face the Republican Party, ignore the numbers. Stick your head in the sand like you did in the face of the '06 midterms where an awful lot of Republicans were predicting the Democrats couldn't win right up until November.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:17 AM)

Hillary is history in the making
She truly cares about all the working class people.
Hillary will be the next president of the United States.

K Leong, San mateo, Ca (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:20 AM)

About Obama:

MSNBC: But that statement came two and a half hours after First Read asked for a response. It was a strong statement, but why not say it in a more public way (i.e. verbalize it)?

This suggest that MSNBC is trying to force Obama to jump when they say jump. Why does he need to move when your news agency says so? This is irresponsible and has the ring of bullying by the reporter.
Perhaps you should focus on how Obama responded instead of the time he issued the statement. Obama 08!

Erik (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:20 AM)

America, if you continue to vote Republican, you will get more of this.

http://www.correntewire.com/refresh_your_memory_the_gop_has_always_been_the_party_of_perverts

The Admiral St. Augustine Fl. (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:21 AM)

Trent & Wayne: I was quoting "Joe R's" statement about Hillary/Obama. In fact Trent, I agree with you, if the Republican party would nominate Ron Paul, he'd have my vote.

PJ (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:22 AM)

Oh geesh!! Give it a rest already, people are voting for Hillary based on the "Clinton" name, nothing more, which is sad b/c Clinton may win the nomination but she will NOT win the election and if she do nothing will ever get done b/c too many Republicans don't get along with her.
Clinton doesn't really have a platform. She just says what is convenient or what fits the audience she is talking to even when she knows she can't deliver. FOXNEWS has a wonderful piece today about the Darksides of Hillary's healthcare plan (written by one of Bill Clinton's former advisors).
And everybody loves AL GORE, don't you think it is a REASON WHY Clinton's own former VP do not come out and support his wife!!! Be realistic!!!One thing for certain, Obama has the ability to woo both sides. The people that don't like him, simply don't know him. If you read about his views, logic and stance on issues you have to admire him. TO KNOW HIM IS TO LOVE HIM!!

Crystal (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:25 AM)

".....I thought Hillary was all about moving forward....
I guess she wants to relive the 90's, which included:
whitewater
travelgate
Monica Lewinsky
chinese money
Is she going to ask Al Gore to be her VP as well?
jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 9:35 AM)....."

And ah, the 2000's have been SO much better, right jerry?

* 911
* (non-existant) WMD's & Yellowcake in Iraq
* The ensuing Iraq War that Bush can't end
* Abu Graib
* The Outing of Valerie Plame
* Alberto Gonzales and The Justice Department Scandal
....and for comic relief
* Jeff Gannon/Guckert and the "gay prostitute porno-man gets daily access to The White House - gate."
* Dick Cheney's "get drunk and shoot yer pal in the face - gate"
* All of the republican prostitute, pedophile, and propositioning cops for gay sex - gates.

Oh yeah jerry, things are SOOOOOOO much better since "the commander guy" has occupied the White House.
The American Public only WISHES that a bj was the most important thing we had to worry about.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:27 AM)

"PJ, a not possible ticket. America will not vote for a woman or a black and especially not at the same time. Rudy/Newt in 2008" Wayne, Tx.

____________________________________

Actually Wayne, it's only parts of the south who won't vote for a woman or a black. Oh, and you.

The rest of the country is more progressive than you realize. As usual, Texas is just a tad behind the rest of the country. By about a century.

You guys aren't going to matter in next year's election.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:28 AM)

PJ, a not possible ticket. America will not vote for a woman or a black and especially not at the same time. Rudy/Newt in 2008

Wayne, perhaps you should come on and join us here in the 21st century. We have indoor plumbing and electricity.. and yes.. we elect women and "blacks" as you so aptly put it. PS-I'd love to see a Rudy/Newt ticket.. then what would all the holier than thou evangeilcals do? Vote for the adulter with 3 wives, or the adulter with only one? ROTFLMAO

Amazed, Atlanta GA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:35 AM)

Crystal (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:36 AM)

Hooray Hooray My candidate only trails by DOUBLE DIGITS!
Yay!!! That's almost like being ahead. lol

When it's a 20 point spread tomorrow will you be back to telling everyone that it's too early for polls, or that focus groups, or the size or enthusiasm of crowds is what REALLY matters. The most amusing part is that she really thinks that her cherry-picking, equivocating, grasping at straws approach to the campaign is reasonable. It is almost as amusing as her blind, can do no wrong hero worship of her chosen candidate.

Say hello to ALL of the polls, seeing as you brought them up;

In the general head-to-heads, it's CLINTON by 18+%
RCP averages
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/democratic_presidential_nomination-191.html

CBS NEWS 09/14 - 09/16 CLINTON by TWENTY-ONE PERCENT!
GALLUP 09/14 - 09/16 CLINTON by TWENTY-TWO PERCENT!

In Iowa;
It's Clinton! By 2.6% That's almost as good as, "only", being behind by DOUBLE-DIGITS(!) in most polls.

In New Hampshire, It's CLINTON By more than TWENTY points.

In South Carolina It's CLINTON by DOUBLE-DIGITS.

You know you have very little left to hold on to when you have to quote a DAILY poll that shows your guy behind by DOUBLE-DIGITS as some kind of victory.

Let's use those polls that people love me to post, so we can see exactly how senator Clinton is the choice of every state and in the national head-to-heads, and how your guy is losing horribly.

Let's see if you post the polls TOMORROW.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:39 AM)

James Curtis.. RIGHT ON Brother!

Amazed, Atlanta GA (Sent Friday, September 21, 2007 11:40 AM)

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