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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



Dems forsake strategies of old

Posted: Sunday, November 11, 2007 10:03 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:



From NBC’s Abby Livingston
OBSERVATIONS OF THE IOWA JEFFERSON-JACKSON DINNER
Oh what a difference four years can make. “You know in a little over a year from now, we will no longer have George Bush and Dick Cheney to kick around,” Edwards said. “And is that a great day for America? And I watch the Republican candidates. Giuliani, Romney, McCain, and…what I see is George Bush on steroids.”

Rather than following the Democratic campaign strategies of yesteryear and mimicking Republicans on national security, the 2008 crop of Democratic candidates burnished their donkey credentials. …And it is not just the homages to FDR and JFK that are hip again. The candidates poured gasoline on the already fiery crowd with words like “Peace Corps,” “Dr. King” and “Truman.” …Each candidate spent a good part of their speeches piling onto the current administration and the leading Republican contenders.

“Now here is the good news: George Bush will not be on the ballot,” Obama said. “The name of my cousin, Dick Cheney, will not be on the ballot. We've been trying to hide that for a long time. Everybody has a black sheep in the family. The era of Scooter Libby justice and ‘Brownie’ incompetence and Karl Rove politics will be finally be over.”

Biden joined in as well. “The Republicans, two weeks ago, had their ‘values conference,’ he said. “I can hardly wait to debate Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani or any of these guys on values. Tell me what is a higher value? Insuring every child in America or giving another 85-billion dollar tax cut to the wealthiest among us?”

The Republicans’ favorite punching bag, Clinton, sported in the Republican bashing, saying that the Republicans “deserve all the heat we can give them.”

…The Democrats also had something lacking in the last several election cycles: swagger. Emcee Speaker Pelosi insisted on introducing every single candidate as “the next President of the United States.”

About the only similarity with Republicans, was Michelle Obama taking a cue from Condoleezza Rice with her black stiletto boots.

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The verdict is out. Clinton is sliping in granite state. The clinton camp try to cause a little controversy in Nashua over the weekend by double crossing Gov. Patrick while canvansing for Obama. Guess what happen? The gov handled it with Class act. It was all over the news this weekend.

I wonder what Clinton supporter has to say to that.
Elliott,
How exactly would Senator Clinton affect any change as President if she has alienated half of the country and their representatives? Which, in my opinion, is exactly what she is doing with a speech like Saturday’s. The approach and behavior of some Republicans has been repugnant, but so has the behavior of some Democrats, and I don’t believe either represents the majority of their respective parties. As for the country being divided, certainly we disagree about some things, but given that G.W. Bush’s approval rating is at ~30%, clearly there are also some things about which we agree. Suggesting that any change, progress or difference can be made by continuing to fight the same fights and play the same games shows a lack of understanding of the crisis point at which we find ourselves. A continuation of the manipulative politics that have become the status quo could push us past the tipping point. Fortunately, Iowa voters are paying attention and are very engaged. The reality on the ground here is that we realize just how high the stakes are in this next election, and we recognize this is neither the time to throw more fuel on the fire nor play the same old games.

Joy, I agree that a Democratic win in 2008 is important, but I don’t believe that Senator Clinton is at all well-position to do that. If the Republicans are silly enough to nominate someone like Giuliani or Romney, she might have a chance, but either would be an ugly and unpredictable battle. If the Republicans get smart and nominate Huckabee, Senator Clinton would lose.

P.S. Mark, Columbus, Ohio, Obama did not bus in any folks from IL or anywhere outside of Iowa.

Please clarify - how did the Clintons "blow it" during Bill's presidency?


Carrie
-----------------------------------------------------

She screwed up Health Care initiatives and brought the scandal of whitewater to the white house.
The verdict is out. Clinton is slipping in granite state. The Clinton camp try to cause a little controversy in Nashua over the weekend by double crossing Gov. Patrick while canvassing for Obama. Guess what happen? The gov handled it with Class act. It was all over the news this weekend.

I wonder what Clinton supporter has to say to that.
Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:37 AM)
......................................................
As a Clinton supporter and someone who voted for Deval Patrick, I confirm he is a CLASS ACT!
NH has become a blue state, a Dem will be the candidate of choice.
Everyone is slipping in the Granite State, ICE!
OH and you are welcome Bee I have spellcheck and fixed you up!
Carrie,

Nafta, Don't ask don't tell, DOMA, Bin Laden (not taking him seriously, Terrorism (thinking it should be soley a judicial matter, Healthcare Reform, slashing the military and closing alot of bases, Decreasing the Veterans Affairs budget, crack vs cocaine sentencing, Saddam and WMD).  Those are a few off the top of my head.
Blue Donkey: '...I think Wesley Clark would be the perfect Hillary Clinton running mate. Anyone agree?...'

Blue Donkey, how about:

Clinton/Romney '08 - she flips, he flops
Clinton/Cheney '08 - get crime off the streets
                    put it in the White House
Clinton.Gingrich '08 - sleepovers in the Lincoln bedroơm
Clinton/Giuiliani - ALL WAR, ALL THE TIME

I think you get the idea, bi-partisan Hillary
I hope she runs as a Republican  
Bee

Those numbers were in Obama's favor.
- I just went to the source cited by Van and posted the results I'm sure he 'overlooked'

I'm all about Obama in '08

H P Boston,

For once you're been honest. Perhaps, we will both find a common ground if Obama win the nomination.


H P Boston,

For once you're been honest. Perhaps, we will both find a common ground if Obama win the nomination.



Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 2:25 PM)
HAAAHAAHAAAAHHAAAHAHAHA
Bee you are as batty as can beeeeeeeeeeee, we have no ground!  You are delusional and cracked.  You are drinking from the fountain of koolaid. Your disguise makes you to dishonest to converse with, grow up!

The following is the definition of EXPERIENCE:

Joe Biden's Senate career from Sourcewatch:

Biden is a long-time member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which he chaired from 1987 until 1995 and served as ranking minority member from 1981 until 1987 and again from 1995 until 1997. In this capacity, he has become one of the most respected Senate voices on drug policy, crime prevention, and civil liberties. While chairman, Biden presided over two of the more contentious U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings ever, Robert Bork in 1987 and Clarence Thomas in 1991.
Biden has been instrumental in crafting significant federal crime laws over the last decade, including the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, also known as the Biden Crime Law. He also authored the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 2000, which contains a broad array of groundbreaking measures to combat domestic violence and provides billions of dollars in federal funds to address gender-based crimes; part of this legislation later was struck down as unconstitutional. He also introduced the controversial RAVE Act in April 2003.
As chairman of the International Narcotics Control Caucus, Biden wrote the laws that created the nation's "Drug Czar," who oversees and coordinates national drug control policy. In this role, Biden continues to work to stop the spread of "date rape" drugs, such as Rohypnol, and drugs such as Ecstasy and Ketamine. In 2004 he worked to pass a bill outlawing steroids like androstenedione, the drug used by many baseball players.
Staunchly supportive of education, Biden's legislation has promoted college aid and loan programs and has allowed families to deduct on their annual income-tax returns up to $10,000 per year in higher-education expenses. His enacted Kids 2000 legislation which established a public/private partnership to help provide computer centers, teachers, Internet access, and technical training to young people across the nation, particularly to low-income and at-risk youth.
Biden's expertise in foreign policy, national security, and arms control issues has won him considerable bipartisan respect. In 1997, he became the ranking minority member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and chaired the committee from June 2001 through 2003. His efforts to combat hostilities in the Balkans in the 1990s brought national attention and influenced presidential policy: traveling repeatedly to the region, he made one meeting famous by calling Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic a "war criminal." He consistently argued for lifting the arms embargo, training Bosnian Muslims, investigating war crimes and administering NATO air strikes. Biden's subsequent "lift and strike" resolution was instrumental in convincing President Bill Clinton to use military force in the face of systematic human rights violations.
H P Boston,

Another Clinton's venom. Should i expect anything better from Clinton's machine....Any thing else knuckle head?
I know that bashing Republicans is fun and popular, but to actually win in a national election the Dems will need some cross over votes. Bush is a good target now, but what if the surge continues to be sucessful, what if God forbid we are able to bring home a large number of soldiers. It seems a little odd that the Dems are so vested in our militaries defeat. The words from the nominees mouth will play over and over during the general election. Still aprox 1/2 of the country is conservative. Republican and Democrat alike. The south matters, that is where the states need to change colors, Is the fact that Bush has low numbers enough to win?? Dont neglect the moderate vote. Most good people get tired of hateful rhetoric, how about some positive words now and then.....
H P Boston,

Another Clinton's venom. Should i expect anything better from Clinton's machine....Any thing else knuckle head?
Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 4:04 PM
******************************************************
Now bee it is my own venom machine, I lease it from the vile/slime store. It is called rent a Buzzing Bee Spittle Store, the slogan they use is U GET WET U GET MORE AT THE BUZZING BEE SPITTLE STORE!
Buzz back to your cave, sleep tight dream of Hillary packing for the WH. Bill will be so glad to help his wife ( who can spell) back to the permanent home of the democrats. We will have the gift of two intelligent people guiding our country.


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