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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



You, Bill and a bowl of chips?

Posted: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 12:43 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
In a fund-raising and promotional stunt, the Clinton campaign offers up a spot on the couch next to the former president to watch a debate. Three people will be picked through an online contest. The deadline is Sunday night.

“There are two things in this world that I love more than anything else -- my family and politics,” Clinton writes in an e-mail peppered with "Contribute" links. “So you can imagine just how fired up I get when Hillary is on the stage debating the issues that matter to our country. So here's an idea: why don't you and I share that excitement together during an upcoming debate. ...

"We'll sit down in front of a big TV with a big bowl of chips, watch the debate, and talk about the race."

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I just hope the chips are fat free and baked.
Interesting analysis:

My friend, David Brooks, does his best to reinforce the Hillary-Is-Inevitable consensus in Washington right now. He may regret this, though:


On "This Week With George Stephanopoulos," Clinton could have vowed to vacate Iraq. Instead, she delivered hawkish mini-speeches that few Republicans would object to. She listed a series of threats and interests in the region and made it clear that she’d be willing to keep U.S. troops there to handle them.
Then we hear this from a right-wing reporter with access to Bush:

[Josh] Bolten said Bush wants enough continuity in his Iraq policy that "even a Democratic president would be in a position to sustain a legitimate presence there."
"Especially if it's a Democrat," the chief of staff told The Examiner in his West Wing office. "He wants to create the conditions where a Democrat not only will have the leeway, but the obligation to see it out."
If Clinton is that comfortable with a permanent occupation of Iraq at this point in the election cycle, how comfortable do you think she's going to be next year? You think a politician so obsessed with gaining and wielding power is happy to relinquish any in the Middle East?

Patrick Ruffini draws the obvious conclusion:

Hillary is morphing into a George W. Bush Democrat. While that will draw heat from an increasingly desperate Obama, she will pay the price in the general election, not because she’s totally wrong, but because Democrat-inclined voters will smell something fishy about their gal acting like the one they’ve so long fantasized of kicking to the curb. And if she wins, the BushClintonBushClinton consensus will be back.


http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/09/queen-hillary-i.html
What kind of chips can Hsu buy with $800,000 in contributions?
Is he looking for his next conquest? It will be because of him that 'she' fails. Cozy on the couch watching a debate?? My a--.
I hope there is a chaperone for this couch event so bill will keep his hands to himself
Watch !!

What are the chances they'll pick hot chicks with big boobs ??

Slick Willie, indeed !!

Will the lights be on or off ?
While Hillary's away, Slick Willie will play
I could that for Doritos.
Hey Monica?
You heading (no pun intended) over to the couch to watch the debate?
Chips?  I thought she was "looking out for you" Bill, and so it should be raw carrots.  Oh, that Soprano's skit was not real.  I guess you can cheat when she's not looking.  Make yourselves comfortable on the couch ladies;-)  
Watch they select some woman and Bill will get in trouble again.
It's the 3 people that give the least that have to sit next to Bill.  You can bet they'll all be interns too.
Is there any phrase that Obama uses "Fired Up" latest one that Clinton doesn't copy. First it was "Change", then, "turn the page", now fired up.  I realize all these words are used in every day language, but I have yet to see her "coin" an original mantra.  Well, you have "Ready to lead" but DUH!
Bud Light and fat free and baked chips for me. No popcorn. Popcorn is unhealthy I think I heard.
I've already made my contribution. Hangin' with Mr. C and talking politics would be the memory of a lifetime.


Van
Think hard before you let your daughter sit on the couch next to Bill...
LYN MD  David Brooks is your friend???  Well any one in the Bush camp is not to be listened to.  Go hawk you blather some where else.  I heard what Senator Clinton said, she will cross the bridge when she gets to it.  No one know what Iraq will be like in a year.  Try some other crap out there to see what will stick. This diarrhea ran down your leg.
We have been discussing for the past few years of the hubris of the Bush administration.  Now they can talk about the hubris of the Clinton campaign.
LYN MD  David Brooks is your friend???  Well any one in the Bush camp is not to be listened to.  Go hawk your blather some where else.  I heard what Senator Clinton said, she will cross the bridge when she gets to it.  No one know what Iraq will be like in a year.  Try some other crap out there to see what will stick. This diarrhea ran down your leg.
I'd sit with both of them any day and talk and laugh at Bush and republicans. Bill and Hill would be awesome to chat with.
Okay I made my donation.  I gave for a chance for lunch with Bill and Senator Clinton, missed that one.
Now I have a chance to be alone on a couch with a very intelligent man who also loves women. I AM SO READY! OH and he is gorgeous!
Oh yea! Talking with two highly intelligent, democrats, both with a wonderful sense of humor. Any time any day over any repub candidate I can think of at the moment.
I'm in only if Bill does not ask me for money...YET.
I will contribute but jeeze, Mr. President, wait until after Christmas.  By then, I will be ready to commit to a candidate.
I see they ask for a donation.  Is this more of a 'buy a seat next to Bill Clinton?'

Three people, huh?  One to the right . . ., one to the left, . . .  but where does the third one go?
Think hard before you let your daughter sit on the couch next to Bill... that's good...sort of like think hard before you let your sons sit next to a republicans named Mark or Larry...
NIcholas, that is the funniest post I have read in a very long time.  please post more often.
Sign me up.  
HP Boston... Your post is like a ray of sunshine in a sea of vitriol. I am happy they won't have pretzels they make you so drunk you fall off the couch.
Unbelievable...let's see, my choice...sit and fight off Bill on a couch OR give to John Edwards campaign and get a chance to help rebuild a home in New Orleans with him.  I choose helping others.  My money goes to Edwards
Beware the popcorn surprise!
Unbelievable...let's see, my choice...sit and fight off Bill on a couch

Cherie Tiffany (Sent Tuesday, September 25, 2007 2:59 PM)

Don't flatter yourself....


Bill Clinton
Cherie you are such a drag...no spice in life makes one boring.  Who the hell was going to fight off Bill, that was not the off I WAS thinking!
People are once again showing how ridiculously tunnel-visioned they can be.  News flash - Bill Clinton interacts with women every single day.  He probably sits next to women every single day, too.  Get over it already.  
Well Rufus twisted like a pretzel or drunk. I am on that couch. Nothing is as enjoyable as an evening with an intelligent, handsome man.  
No HP he is not a friend ...it was the beginning of the article.

Sorry if it confused you.

Obiviously the lunch didn't bring in enough...hope you have an extra $800,000.00 maybe Van can split it with you.  I might just give her a $1 myself.  I have a couple of questions I'd like to ask Bill. LOL
Senator Obama knew what Iraq will be like now 5 years ago. That's why he opposed the war. By the way 23 other democratic senator knew and opposed the war. Leadership is not making decision after things happen but having the vision of thinking all sides of a story with knowledge, wisdom and imagination and then make a call that will be good for the country.
That's the difference between an average citizen like me and a leader. I can make a mistake in my life that will bring sufferings to my life and my family's. A leader makes a wrong call, a nation suffers for years to come. Mrs. Clinton has experience of making wrong judgements on Iraq or health care. This nation is suffering for both. What's the point of choosing a person with a track record of failure and wrong judgement to lead the most advanced democracy in the world. 30 million people can find someone better than Mrs. Clinton, a chronic history of wrong leadership and failure. Senator Obama seems to me a much better choice.


HP you need to improve your taste in men...gorgeous nah!!!

considering his taste in women....I hope you are not his type!!!  LOL
Oh Lyn get over yourself, so you're the judge on whos gorgeous or not? Old Bill would be great company, intelligent and witty. Just like I like them. What magic question would you ask our former president?
lyn, your a snoozer yourself. No sense of humor.
HP...You want to be "ALONE ON THE COUCH"...aside from the obivious response one could have...I really will let that go.

What do you plan to do with the other 3 people?  You need to get a grip lady ...I hope that you are a woman.  I'm not one of those who believe Hillary is a man in drag, so I assume he prefers woman...even if they are FAT.
LoL Lyn your taste in all things is not any thing I'd brag on if you were smart. Not.
Keep you buck you may need it for tissues when our new president, Senator Clinton wins by a landslide.
Oh and I was not confused, I believed you instantly.
Your taste in friends being what they are.
HOT DAM ! FREE FOOD !
LOOKIE HERE...hillaryclinton.com
Hey...where else can you get a one-on-one (or even three-on-one) opportunity to discuss national policy with a former President? Way cool...to me, it doesn't matter *which* politicians are involved. And I've got more respect for a President who (allegedly) screws an intern than one who (allegedly) screws the nation.

OTOH, I read the other day where Hillary was asked whether or not she was a lesbian. She said she wasn't. Bill, on the other hand...
I have always loved listening to Bill Clinton speak (even if it was about Monica), so I'd gladly sit next to him to talk to him! Consider yourself donated to Hillary!
Arshad:  reality check:  The people of the United States will not elect a black president named 'Barack Hussein Obama.'  Sad but true.  We have to get over the hurdle of electing a woman first.  (did I spell his name right?  seems so foreign to me....)  Get it??
to all those thinking of voting for Hillary...only a small sampling of the ugliness to come if she's the nominee.  if you don't think the last thing Karl Rove did before he left White House was put together a RNC ad with Bill saying "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinski"...you are living under a rock!  Go ahead and nominate her, many, many long-time dems like me will NEVER vote for her.  Vote Edwards...someone who can bring the country together.  Again chips on the couch or help someone rebuild a home.  You choose...I have.
Arshad, ???
   Who were the 23 Dems who opposed the war?  I heard it was a lot less than that.  Also, almost everyone was for the war, G.W. deceived everyone.  Given the info Congress was given, what choice did they have.  It was one decision out of many, get over it.

Lyn MD ???
   I seriously can not see how you can call Senator Clinton another G.W.  I don't see how any of the Dem Candidates can fit that category.  To me that is radiculous.
    Just out of curiosity, what is it that people don't like about Senator Clinton?  I don't understand what there reasoning is.  Everytime I ask someone that question, they can never give me a straight answer.  It baffles me.

You have to make a donation in order to enter the contest? That's a great way to keep a biased debate watching group!
As I have stated before, those of you mental midgets who continually harp on the Clinton marriage need to seek some professional help.  Obviously, you all suffer from the same delusional idealism that you are perfect and I am willing to bet the farm that isn't so.  However, if you buzzards insist on beating a dead horse, well here’s a heads up…the republicans have plenty of dead carcass out there for ya, why not go hover and feed around that for a while ~ There's loads of fodder (generously donated by the republicans) for all of you to feed upon...and more than enough to keep your beaks and bellies full for quite some time.  Bon appetite.  
I am picturing HP with a beret.


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