First thoughts: The race is on

Posted: Monday, November 12, 2007 9:23 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** The race is on: So who's ahead in Iowa? And who’s behind? Judging by the tough anti-Hillary language in Obama's J-J speech Saturday night, one could easily conclude it's Obama who's pressing. Then again, it's the Clinton campaign that’s having to fend off charges of town hall question planting, and it's Clinton -- not Obama -- who attempted to change slogans that night. Campaigns that are comfortably ahead don't alter their slogans, particularly ones that need an explanation before they make sense. One thing seems for sure: The national media went to Iowa in droves this past weekend searching for a race and think they've found one. By the way, Obama's well-received J-J speech, combined with his passable Meet the Press appearance, was bad news for Edwards, who needs Obama to falter to break the national media's Clinton vs. Obama storyline.

VIDEO: Dems' Iowa weekend

*** Obama 'Meets The Press': For the most part, Obama seemed to handle as well as he could the various contradictions that NBC's Russert presented. The question, of course, is which answers did he give that the Clinton campaign -- or another one -- believes it can use against him. His answers on the war? What about lobbyists? He didn't really have a straight answer as to why he accepts money from state lobbyists and not federal lobbyists. Then there was the acknowledgement during the back-and-forth over the war when Obama admitted that politics of the moment (the 2004 Dem convention) prevented him from totally speaking his mind on Iraq. Isnt' that EXACTLY what he accuses Clinton of? Obama tried to make light of that moment in July 2004, but something tells us we'll see that soundbite again.

*** Dems remain in the spotlight… : Expect the Democrats to once again dominate the week's campaign storylines. With a debate on tap for Thursday -- which couldn't be coming at a better time for Clinton (and to a lesser extent Edwards) -- the Democratic race will continue to dominate the national stage. Who will be on the attack in this debate? Obama? Probably. He seems to be borrowing from Kerry's playbook of being tough at live events but soft in paid spots. What about Edwards? Is it time for him to direct some of his ire at Obama, or will he continue to ignore the guy sitting ahead of him and instead potentially help Obama by attacking Clinton? And what should the front-runner do? Will she be more prepared to fend off attacks? Will she have a zinger or two stored away for Obama? Can't you picture the post-debate headlines if she successfully puts Obama in his place?

*** … but don’t forget about the Republicans: So what's going on with John McCain? Is he feeling the heat of watching his presidential political career potentially coming to an end? An indie political group is running seemingly positive ads about him (he's denouncing, of course). Also, his tough attack on Giuliani for his Kerik ties surprised many. Then there's McCain's mother, who may be the perfect attack dog since no one can tell a 95-year-old woman what to do -- even her son. Her Romney rant obviously wasn't planted, but... Speaking of Romney and the Mormon issue, should the candidate have admitted that he's allowing his political aides have the final say about giving "the speech?" Or is Romney simply setting up a moment for after Thanksgiving when he looks brave by defying his own staff in order to give "the speech," which, actually, presents very little downside since it seems the whispers have inflicted a share of damage (see Mrs. McCain).

*** All they want for Christmas… : Despite polls showing that the public is no happier with a Democratic-controlled Congress than it was when the GOP was charge, Republican retirements continue to occur. Can the GOP get through the rest of this year without any more of them? The party is edging much closer to 20 (or more) open House seats, and there is still one GOP incumbent senator who some are nervous hasn't shut the retirement door. We think we know what the NRCC's Tom Cole and the NRSC's John Ensign want for Christmas. No more surprise retirements!

*** On the trail: Biden, Clinton, Kucinich, and Richardson address a United Auto Workers conference in Dubuque, IA. Elsewhere, Edwards, in Plymouth, NH, gives a major policy address on overhauling the way the Department of Veterans Affairs treats post-traumatic stress disorder, and then holds a town hall at Dartmouth College; Giuliani campaigns in Missouri; Hunter is in Nevada; McCain stumps in South Carolina, where he attends a couple Veterans Day events; Obama and Romney visit New Hampshire; and Tancredo and Thompson are both in Iowa.

Countdown to Iowa: 52 days
Countdown to New Hampshire: 57 days
Countdown to Michigan: 64 days
Countdown to Nevada and SC GOP primary: 68 days
Countdown to SC Dem primary: 75 days
Countdown to Florida: 78 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 85 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 358 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 435 days

Click here to sign up for First Read emails.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Does Obama give the Clinton's the right answers?

Only if she finds the right plants to ask her the questions......

I wonder which of the people on the stage on the 15th is the Clinton plant?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:39 AM)

Then there was the acknowledgement during the back-and-forth over the war when Obama admitted that politics of the moment (the 2004 Dem convention) prevented him from totally speaking his mind on Iraq. Isnt' that EXACTLY what he accuses Clinton of?

Mark...give me a break, Kerry and Edwards voted for the war and were running for President. What was he suppose to do other than hedge. If he had come out forcefully against them...he would have been topic de jour or week. It would have been all about his dissing them espically since he was on the dias speaking at the convention. He didn't say he was for it or that he would in retrospect have voted for it. That would have been a flip.

Toni (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:43 AM)

Fellas, do you really think we're going to buy your interpretation of Senator Obama's MTP performance? Let's get real. Frankly, he took Russert's hits well and by the end your boy looked a little flustered that he wasn't making Obama nervous. I thought Obama's answer regarding the quote Russert read (cutting out a crucial part of that quote, by the way) was fantastic. Not only did he know when the quote was from, he gave an honest answer about why he said what he did. Russert asked him to call out the Democratic President and VP nominees on voting to authorize Iraq DURING THE CONVENTION. Had he given in at the time, it would have been totally innappropriate, and everyone knows it. The fact that he can acknowledge that is impressive and speaks volumes about not only his character but also his knowledge of the game.
Also, please let Mr. Russert know that all the "pledging" he's asking the candidates to do is stupid and the American people can see right through it.

squintz, philly, pa (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:46 AM)

I disagree with the notion that Edwards needs to attack Obama or vice versa, in order to create a two-way race with Clinton.

Yes, if both men weren't in the race, maybe the complexion would be different - but they're both in, and they're not going anywhere before Iowa. And furthermore, both men benefit from a third place Clinton finish in Iowa, so all in all, it's thoroughly counterproductive for either to attack the other.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:49 AM)

I just noticed you corrected an earlier posting about John Edwards' reception at the Mellencamp concert. I just wanted to say First Read is the BEST source of political news because you do self police for errors and inadvertant bias. I don't know any other news source that publically questions itself and makes corrections. I feel much more confident now turning to you for my main news source. It was worth navigating the new website to find you today. Keep up the good work!

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:53 AM)

By now you pundicts should know that your forcast are wrong 100% of the time. The race is just getting started and i don't hear Obama complaining about Tim Russert like Hillary does.

David Yepsen sum up my whole point regarding the 2008 race. IOWA is critical and David Axelrod is right to detect this earlier on. IOWA is where the new face in national scene make their point to the nation.

Here is my prediction

Democrats

Obama or Edward - (Either one of them will win)
Biden - 3rd
Clinton - 4th

Republican

Huckabee - 1st
Romney - 2nd
Mccain - 3rd

Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:57 AM)

Obama is sooo deceptive. Corporate lobbyists and PACs have funded his political career - from Illinois to the Senate. But he stopped accepted their bribes long enough to enter the prez race and base his campaign on "changing Washington" - ha!

John Edwards has never accepted a dime from Washington lobbyists that influence Congress to write legislation favoring corporations. Naturally the corporate media promotes the candidates in bed with corporate lobbyists.
Go Edwards!

Margaret, NYC (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:59 AM)

Obama can't win the nomination, it's doubtful Hillary could win the general - but John Edwards could.

Josie, Colombia, SC (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:02 AM)

Hillary goes Negative from the beginning of her speech saturday night! With Barack's slogan of Change We Can Beleive in, shortly after taking the stage she say's this""Change is just a word if you don't have the strength and experience to make it happen." Now to me, thats an attack! I'm sure all the hillary lover's will try & spin it some other way AGAIN, but it sure sounds as if she has a lot to be worried about. She sees her coranation blowing up right in front of her. There is a GOD!!! "DELUSIONAL THINKING BY COMMON SENSE AMERICAN'S IS OVER"

Rick,ky (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:05 AM)

Obama did well against Mr. Russert who always works this way, ask a question, wait for the answer then bring up past words of the person on the hot seat. We can all find moments when we would like to take back something that was said. After awhile it becomes comedic and then boring. Too bad, I used to like Russert but he has become formulaic. Lets see what the next debate brings up, it will be interesting to see who asks what questions and how they are handled, won't change too many minds but the repubs are still defining who they are and look like cars stuck in the mud spinning their wheels. You all gotta love that.
GO DEMS, we got an election to win!

John S. Alexander, Edinboro, PA (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:07 AM)

Margaret, NYC,

Get your facts right. Obama did not accept any money from Federal Lobbyst and PAC same goes for John Edward.

Lek (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:09 AM)

I have been surfing various web sites and blogs about Iowa and have note3d that no one is discussing Clinton's campaign planting people in udiances to ask canned questions. Now, we know of at least two cases where this happened in Iowa and there are reports of this from other states. Moreover, there appears to be a concerted effort on her campaigns behalf to plant posters on forums just like this one, defaming Clinton's Democratic opponents, especially Mr. Obama and Mr. Edwards. So, the question for others on this forum is "Haven't we had enough of these sorts of dirty tactics, which look strikelingly like what the Bush people have been doing for the past 7 years?". My question for MSNBC is "Why aren't you headlining all of this? Are you shilling for Clinton?"

Mike, Eugene, Oregon (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:10 AM)

John Edwards has never accepted a dime from Washington lobbyists that influence Congress to write legislation favoring corporations. Naturally the corporate media promotes the candidates in bed with corporate lobbyists.
Go Edwards!

False....

He did accept lobbyist money while running for Senate in NC...

But it goes to the point...Obama has championed transparency and honestly admitted to taking PACs and lobbyists on Meet the Press this past Sunday.
But by FAR Obama @ Edwards have taken less money from Lobbyist than any other Dem. Candidate except Dennis K.

VL North Carolina (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:15 AM)

A fascinating detailed new Florida poll was released today: It has Romney jumping up to second place in the Republican primary, and Thompson tumbling down. And the general election numbers are also fascinating, as things are very close. Link to the poll: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/11/sunday-roundup-florida-is-as-tight-as.html

Daniel, NY (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:20 AM)

Wellllll, the Washington self serving Paper Hangers are showing a little dribble down from their hidden agenda's,, Here comes the higher taxes!!! Changing their song and dance routine, finger pointing , conjecture, Now lets have some of that "SCANDAL PIE YOU CLOWNS ARE HIDEING"""""!!!!

FACT / AZ (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:25 AM)

Amy -- thank you for the kind words. And thanks for reading!

Mark Murray (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:32 AM)

Satan came to visit Hillary Clinton.
He had an offer for her:
'I will guarantee you the Democratic nomination.'
'I will guarantee a LANDSLIDE VICTORY on Nov. 2008'
'All I ask is that you sell out the American people and serve me and my corporate friends.'

Hillary Clinton may be many things, but she's NO FƠOL !
Hillary lơoked Beelzebub in the eye and asked him:

'What's the catch ?'

When's the last time you believed in a President ?
Who was the last President who seemed to be working in the public interest ?

Bush...... I'm a uniter, not a divider
Clinton... I did not have sex with that woman...
Bush I.... read my lips
Reagan.... I did not trade arms for hostages

For me, Jimmy Carter was the last honest person in the White House.
I also thought that Gera;d Ford was a decent man.

That's been about 27 years...
A generation of self-serving liars and con men.

Is it any wonder we're going down hill ?
Is it any wonder that we're losing our manufacturing base, our miđle class jobs and Social Security is on the ropes ?
Er'tr up to out eye balls in debt to China and Japan.
They're both funding the American lifestyle.

Are we changing the system by replacing a dishonest male President with a dishonest female President ?

We can do better
Better than electing a phoney self-serving con woman
Better than a woman who stayed with her adulterous husband out of political ambition.

Edwards/Obama '08
TURN THE PAGE

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:37 AM)

No question that Obama's JJ speech was terrific. Why?
Because he spoke an ultimate, basic truth about campaigns today - that candidates ARE afraid to take positions that either might be unpopular or might be misconstrued. Voters must guess that they would do if elected and base that on the phony personas projected by their image makers. Obama HAS taken risky positions. He said on Meet the Press yesterday that he would not raise the retirement age "to save" Social Security, nor would he cut payments. What was reported in the press was that he would raise the tax cap. It was not reported that he would create a "good doughnut hole" for upper middle earners so that the brunt of the tax would fall on the really wealthy. Much too complicated, I suppose, for the voters - or perhaps the reporters - to grasp.

Nan Dunne, Arlington, Va. (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:42 AM)

I watched Meet the Press Sunday morning. Thanks to some revelations and sound bites from Tim Russert of Obama's past statements and positions I think they can call this episode, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." His recent hits on Hillary for double-talk and talking around issues were beginning to leave a mark until his performance and his history was revealed on MTP. And up until this point, I think he's been riding on the fact that most people don't know much about his past, and take it for granted that what he's saying now was always what he said in the past. This guy did nothing but double-talk, talk-around, back-track, waffle and I even noticed some flip-flopping during Tim's revelations. Hillary's responses to his hits from now on ought to start with, "Right back at ya, Obama - and point out his past and present inconsistencies.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:45 AM)

From Huffington Post:

'...Clinton Camp Admits To Planting Questions
November 09, 2007 9:06 PM

Eloise Harper Reports: The Clinton campaign has
admitted to planting questions in Iowa. They have
confirmed that a campaign staffer approached a student
to ask Sen. Clinton a question about global warming
during a campaign stop at a biodiesel plant in Newton,
Iowa, on Nov. 6.

The story was first reported by Patrick Caldwell, a
junior at Grinnell College and the features editor of
The Scarlet and Black college newspaper. He reported
that student Muriel Gallo-Chasanoff was approached by
the campaign to ask a question. She told the reporter
that "they wanted a question from a college student."
She also said that she "noted that staffers prompted
Clinton to call on her and another who had been
approached before the event, although Clinton used her
discretion to select questions and called on people
who had not been prepped beforehand. Some of the
questions asked were confusing and clearly
off-message."

Clinton Campaign spokesperson Mo Elleithee tells ABC
News that "on this occasion a member of our staff did
discuss a possible question about Sen. Clinton's
energy plan at a forum. However, Sen. Clinton did not
know which questioners she was calling on during the
event. This is not standard policy and will not be
repeated again."

The staffer still remains with the Clinton campaign
and they would not reveal his or her name. The
campaign did not comment on whether this is the only
time they have planted questions among audience
members.

Last month Clinton got into a tough exchange with
Iowan Randall Rolph at an event in New Hampton, Iowa.
She accused him of being a plant from another campaign
and the two engaged in a heated back and forth. The
exchange prompted extended media coverage...'

Notice that Hillary was accusing someone of being a 'plant'.
Hillary was accusing other campaigns of doing WHAT HER CAMPAIGN WAS DOING !!
In other words, the Clinton campaign was using plants LAST MONTH (a probably before that).
Sound like the Rove playbơk ?

I kept hearing rumors that the Clinto campaign was behind the Edwards $400 hair cut.
They kept bringing it up and pushing that story.
What other dirty tricks has 'Team Clinton' bên up to ?

I was accused by van of posting under an assumed name.
I denied it and asked if HE posted under assumed names

He didn't answer.
Accusing others of doing what you do
Team Clinton, the dishonesty starts at the top

Hillary Clinton, 15 years of dishonesty, scandal and divisiveness

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:45 AM)

Obama is sooo deceptive. Corporate lobbyists and PACs have funded his political career - from Illinois to the Senate. But he stopped accepted their bribes long enough to enter the prez race and base his campaign on "changing Washington" - ha! SO TRUE!!!

Bee will sting you for that Margaret!
You were supposed to sling some Hillary hate, you know you can't post without it! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ:)

H P Boston (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:47 AM)

Edwards had an equally strong performance at the JJ Dinner as Obama did. Edwards went on passionately about what the Democratic Party should do, which is to be the voice for the voiceless. His voice broke a little when he said, and several bloggers noted that that moment endeared them to him.

I think Edwards and Obama should continue to mount the pressure on Clinton. But it's time the MSM start reporting things on Obama such as ducking important votes (AG, Kyl-Lieberman amdt) because of fundraising activities. Ducking important votes doesn't show leadership. It shows that fundraising is more important.

The biggest loser at the moment is Richardson for that handout with incorrect information about Edwards' plan to lead us out of the occupation of Iraq during Edwards speech. Maybe Richardson is running for VP, maybe for a cabinet post, but seems to me Wes Clark has a better chance for either.

Benny (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:48 AM)

Obama is sooo deceptive. Corporate lobbyists and PACs have funded his political career - from Illinois to the Senate. But he stopped accepted their bribes long enough to enter the prez race and base his campaign on "changing Washington" - ha! SO TRUE!!!

Bee will sting you for that Margaret!
You were supposed to sling some Hillary hate, you know you can't post without it! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ:)

H P Boston (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:48 AM)

Where are all the other topics to post on, you know like IRAQ AND IRAN, how about health care, surely there are more subjects to talk about, COME ON FIRST READ GET WITH IT!

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:52 AM)

Where are all the other topics to post on, you know like IRAQ AND IRAN, how about health care, surely there are more subjects to talk about, COME ON FIRST READ GET WITH IT!

Great positive progress is being made on all fronts for these items. No [bad] news to report.

Lenny Winslow, Cleveland Ohio (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:04 AM)

Obama has to raise money to compete with the Clinton-machine. He doesn't beat around the bush. He admits it. He DOESN'T however, refer to lobbyists as "ordinary people" ala Hillary Clinton. Between him and Clinton, HE supported and HELPED PASS the ethics reform legislation with Feingold that helped cut back lobbyist influence, the first major ethics reform in 25 years. HE stood in front of hedge fund owners and told them they need to pay their fair share of taxes. HE stood in front of automakers and told them they need to reduce emissions. HE stood in front of teachers unions and told them they need merit-based pay to increase the quality of education in this nation.

Make no mistakes- Obama tells it like he sees it. He talks the talk, and he also walks the walk.

Ron, TX (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:06 AM)

mikeeg,abdn,wa /'Where are all the other topics to post on, you know like IRAQ AND IRAN, how about health care, surely there are more subjects to talk about, COME ON FIRST READ GET WITH IT!'

I agree, some posting about our ever souring economy would be great also, if you are not fortunate enough to be in the 'investmate class' things are pretty miserable, and buy next summer look as though they could be intolerable.

hillary has already lost the nomination, dry your eyes and lets move on

MK,MO (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:07 AM)

FYI Bee, the nickname was "Slick Willy" not Slicky Bill,

I hear you carrie but you get the point
Bee (Sent Thursday, November 08, 2007 4:37 PM)
------------------------------------------------------***The point is whoever you are Bee, you are really reaching when you try to "bee" who you are not!
Watching you (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:40 AM)

The Buzz (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:09 AM)

This guy did nothing but double-talk, talk-around, back-track, waffle and I even noticed some flip-flopping during Tim's revelations. Hillary's responses to his hits from now on ought to start with, "Right back at ya, Obama - and point out his past and present inconsistencies.
Brian Cedar Hill Tx,

That is exactly what I heard from Obama, double talk and his usual stuttering and stammering and NO ANSWERS!

HILLARY 08 (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:15 AM)

A campaign town hall isn't exactly a FEMA presser. It is small change going after CLinton on this stuff.

Rudy's friend, biz partner , and polic chief is looking at 25 years in the slam and are focused on this grade school Edwards Obama Clinton dust up. We can see right were the media is going to play '08. "Hillary Clinton invented the internet." It is going to be '00 all over again.

DickieFlatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:16 AM)

HILLARY 08 (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:18 AM)

Love the obama SS plan...jack up taxes so congress can spend it...that won't save SS it will just create more worthless chits from the congress to us...

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:22 AM)

H P Boston,

Do i expect anything better from Hillary spin machine. Please tell me the reason why your candidate is slipping in granite state. She is nothing but a nucke head that is full of fluffs.

Where is her principle? I guess she see Democratic Party as Clinton's controll empire, eh.

Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:22 AM)

With the amount of disinformation on the lead up to the Iraq War, the first year of the Iraq War, the continuation of the Iraq War, anything about the Iraq War, not to mention the early disinformation lead up to the yet-to-be Iran War, by the Dysfunctional Bush II Administration, how can one expect the Democrats to answer for anything concerning it? Remember, they were out in the cold on everything concerning Government, till the last election. It's going to take some time to unravel the Georgian Knot that was created the last seven years. Not to mention the current final retreat by this Administration, which resembles Germany backing out of Italy in WWII. If Iran is actually attacked by them, it would be fair to call it, the "Battle of the Bulge II/Look Over There! It's Elvis!". (That's Elvis as in Clinton.)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:22 AM)

Bee-
So Silly so misguided, so confused and so biased that she couldn't even recognize someone trying to cherry-pick poll numbers in Obama's favor...

Has Shown Best Judgment
Clinton Obama Edwards Richardson Other Und. (N=)
24% 24% 15% 10% 8% 18% 390

- Clinton has all that experience- yet has shown no better judgment than the candidate with only '4%' experience

DEM Candidate Least Likely to Vote For
Clinton Edwards Obama Richardson Other Und. (N=)
22% 17% 15% 40% 1% 5% 397

-That's Clinton for ya, always shootin' for those high poll numbers

Also taken from
www.unh.edu/survey-center/news/pdf/bg_2007-nov11.pdf
kmnecole, st louis, mo (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 9:52 AM)

kmnecole, st louis, mo,

Why don't you come out of the shadow of Van? Another deception from Clinton's machine

Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 10:27 AM)

You are a simplex thinker in a complex world...

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:28 AM)

'...Mrs. Clinton, speaking to reporters in Iowa, said she was unaware that her aides had ever planted questions.”...'

If Hillary didn't know there were planted questions..
WHY DID SHE CALL ON THE PEOPLE HER AIDES POINTED OUT TO HER ?
Why did she think her aides were asking her to call on specific people ?
SHE'S LYING, AGAIN !!
Why did she accuse a questioner of being a 'plant' ?

'...More: Political analysts said that while planting questions is not the worst sin of a campaign operation, the practice could reinforce negative opinions about Mrs. Clinton. ‘The problem for Hillary Clinton is the whole spin that’s going to happen — that she and her campaign are manipulative and scheming and that she is essentially trying to bend the rules to maintain her lead in the polls,’ said Steffen W. Schmidt, a political science professor...'

Hillary CHEATING ?
Who'd a thunk it ?
'...her campaign are manipulative and scheming...'
The truth is out !

Hillary even chose a crơoked campaign manager, Mark Penn, a Karl Rove 'wannabe'.
The Clintons have ALWAYS bent the rules or broken the laws to get their way.

Is THAT what you want in the nominee ?
An unethical insider who won't tell where she stands ?
Is THAT what you want in a President ?
Someone who talks out of both sides of her mouth ?

I thought we already had that
Hillary Clinton, more of the same

Hillary Clinton, 15 years of dishonesty, scandal and divisiveness

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:35 AM)

HILLARY 08 / That is exactly what I heard from Obama, double talk and his usual stuttering and stammering and NO ANSWERS!

listen to Edwards once, it doesn't bother him to give a straight answer, hillary and obama should try it sometime. Drop the novelty candidates and vote for someone who can win the general election and has the best plans, that is what the dems need to do is it not?
Edwards 08

MK,MO (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:49 AM)

H P Boston,

Do i expect anything better from Hillary spin machine. Please tell me the reason why your candidate is slipping in granite state. She is nothing but a knuckle head that is full of fluffs.

Where is her principle? I guess she see Democratic Party as Clinton's controlled empire, eh.
Bee (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:22 AM)

------------------------------------------------------OH my god Bee you lost your groove! You gotta get back the lucid posts of early morn.
Please tell me why you are slipping back to your backward ways so soon.
Bee you are a fraud! LOL

H P Boston (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:50 AM)

VAn...I havn't heard you comment on your candidates performance saturday night.....

Does she really think you "turn up the heat" on Gobal warming?

For that matter on the "plant' up roar. BTW this is the second time they have tried this, so obiviously her saying it won't happen again means nothing

lyn, MD (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:51 AM)

Hillary Clinton, 15 years of dishonesty, scandal and divisiveness

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:35 AM)

Sierra, 27 posts a day that say the same thing...

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:53 AM)

hill's slogan to turn up the heat is to the gop. last debate they turned up the heat on hill and she is trying to get out of the kitchen and throw the debate toward the gop so far she's dodged the question,planted questions to avoid further embarrassment, and used bill as a scapegoat on health care. nice track record for a candidate. if you want a track record and someone who won't play political dodgeball, call biden. i wish he would have dodged a couple as his answers were misconstrued and caused problems. that's what umscripted straight talk gets you occasionally. you don't review every word for hidden or misimplied meaning biden is by far the best candidate for 08' on the demo side and he's at 4%, go figure.

karlos (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:55 AM)

Hey first read how about some news on Veterans, I mean today we are celebrating Veterans Day or are you too busy with important stuff like what color is rudy wearing today. THANKS to all veterans even those I disagree with. USMC 67-71 nam69-70

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 11:57 AM)

Concidering the busy day and very long night were obama probably got very little sleep, I would think his MTP gig was laudible. He was hit with the usual Russert tough questions all hour and did no damage to himself. Besides, he was there face to face with Russert answering whatever he asked. Unlike another candidate who needed the safety of home turf, not being face to face. Needing total control and still she would not answer the questions.

diane (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:01 PM)

I watched the meet the press with Barack yesterday and I have to agree with Chuck Todd of MSNBC's analysis -

Obama 'Meets The Press': For the most part, Obama seemed to handle as well as he could the various contradictions that NBC's Russert presented. The question, of course, is which answers did he give that the Clinton campaign -- or another one -- believes it can use against him. His answers on the war? What about lobbyists? He didn't really have a straight answer as to why he accepts money from state lobbyists and not federal lobbyists. Then there was the acknowledgement during the back-and-forth over the war when Obama admitted that politics of the moment (the 2004 Dem convention) prevented him from totally speaking his mind on Iraq. Isnt' that EXACTLY what he accuses Clinton of? Obama tried to make light of that moment in July 2004, but something tells us we'll see that soundbite again.

I think this is something to bring up - Two times Obama said he curtailed his "true" beliefs because it wasn't popular - And I think Chuck Todd - Paints it right - Obama isn't advocating a new direction in politics he is just advocated politics of the moment - he says what sounds good at the time -

Point after point -

Social Security
Iraq War
Iran Resolution -

I think someone needs to start pointing this things out.

Michael, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:01 PM)

I will never vote for Hillary Clinton no matter what the polls say. I can not relate to her no matter how hard I try. I don't trust her and I'm very disappointed with her flip flopping on the war issue.

Rosa Roberts, Madison , WI (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:03 PM)

If we talked and focused more on Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. We would focus more on what Biden has to say.

Scott, PA (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:11 PM)

Van: One thing we do know in here.....

We know YOU are the plant for Hillary Clinton.....

What a lying little woman she is.....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:11 PM)

obama. what has he ever done as elected official.... ?

anyone?

NOT what he said, but what has he done?

so far as his record shows, he'd DONE nothing.

please list his major accomplishments.

Fox,Foxbourough, Ma (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:14 PM)

With a debate on tap for Thursday -- which couldn't be coming at a better time for Clinton
--------------------------------------

Is this a debate on specific issues or is it a general "anything goes" debate? You can see where I am going with this. Is anybody else wondering what would happen if the driver's licenses for immigrants question comes up again?

Dot, Illinois (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:15 PM)

First Read, I like your wallpaper at the top of the site. Has anyone commented on the evil-looking sinister donkey or the shady-looking con-man elephant?

Flat-earther, Georgia (Sent Monday, November 12, 2007 12:22 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=462164