ABOUT FIRST READ

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 Political Researcher



Obama slams HRC on Novak, NAFTA

Posted: Sunday, November 18, 2007 1:32 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: , ,

 

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
MARION, IA –- In a press conference this morning, Obama criticized the Clinton campaign's slow response to a claim yesterday by syndicated columnist Bob Novak that the Democratic front-runner is sitting on “scandalous” information about the Illinois senator. 

Asked about his uncharacteristically strong preemptive response to the report, Obama said that his campaign won’t tolerate “slime politics,” and said that it took “three iterations” of the story (referring to the press release war that ensued between the two camps yesterday) for the Clinton camp to deny the story outright. He added sarcastically that it “would have been nice” if her campaign had been more forthright in its denial.

Obama said that his quick response to the rumor was intended to “nip it at the bud” before it circulated further, invoking the damaging innuendos that derailed the campaign of John McCain in 2000, as well as the “Swiftboat” attacks against John Kerry in 2004. 

Obama dodged reporters’ questions as to whether he knows of any other signs that “scandalous” information is being circulated.

Obama also slammed Clinton for flip-flopping on NAFTA, which she called “a mistake” in last week’s debate in Las Vegas. “She was a cheerleader for NAFTA for more than a decade,” he said, adding that “the only thing that has changed is that its an election year.”

*** UPDATE *** "It must be the silly season, because this is getting ridiculous," Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said on the Novak story. "Senator Obama knows that our campaign responded instantly with a clear denial.  Senator Obama is manufacturing an issue to distract voters from a disastrous debate performance that revealed, among other things, that his health care plan doesn’t cover every American."

On NAFTA, Singer said, "Senator Obama must have been talking about himself because as recently as 2004, he was saying the United States should pursue trade deals like NAFTA.  The fact is that Senator Clinton has been voicing serious concerns about trade agreements for years and as a Senator from New York, she didn’t just talk, she acted.  She voted against CAFTA and Fast Track, introduced legislation to analyze the economic impact of trade agreements every five years and has been a vocal critic of the Bush administration’s failure to enforce our trade agreements."

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The actions of Hillary Clinton and company are reprehensible.

She will take third in Iowa and it will be a downhill slide from there.  The American public is tired of the politics of the 90's, and it is time for the Clinton's to step out of the way so that we can move this country forward.

Barack Obama is our hope for the future, and he is right, these antics will do nothing other than confirm how strong our support for him is.
This shows Obamas judgmental capability. He jumped on Clinton without even first verifying Novaks Opinion. He missed on a great opportunity to prove one of the highlights of his foreign policy- talking to enemies and adversaries of rouge states- directly. As Clinton happens to be his adversary now in the political fight to get nomination he should have directly called Clinton and get the answer directly from her.  For the party sake, and to keep the republican scams out of the party, she would have obliged to answer Obama (if he had directly questioned her) directly and at once. If she had not have answered, Obama would have scored a point. Or perhaps she would have shared her experience with the Republican Trash Democrats Machine and advised him not get trapped by Novak. This would have also established that Obama is genuinely means that he can talk any adversaries directly to get expected results. Instead he showed poor judgment which proves his inexperience in handling very sensitive issues. It looks his direct talk with enemies is just rhetoric and with no substance and he would be a sucker to enemies of USA. Republican Novak scored a point -big time. And Obama-Clinton ticket is dead.
Good for you, Obama!

Slime ball Clinton tactics are back!

You know, when I think of Bill and Hillary Clinton, I think of Monica Lewinsky walking around the white house with Bill’s ejaculate on the front of her dress, and Hillary launching legal attacks on women who alleged that her husband had sexually assaulted them (apparently, they weren’t all willing participants like Monica).

These are sleazy people who dishonored the institution of the Commander In Chief during their time in the white house and they should not be allowed back in.

Hillary Clinton doesn’t care about other women. She has known who/what she was married to for a long time and she didn’t have to stay with her cheating husband. That’s not a sign of strength. Hillary has an Ivy League education and earned more than her husband (then the Governor) when they were back in Arkansas. Bill’s been cheating on her for a long time. She could have left him and had a great, lucrative career anytime she wanted. Hillary and Chelsea would not have been in any danger of financial hardship.

My fellow women, Hillary Clinton’s story is NOT your story. You may be staying with that cheating husband for financial reasons, but Hillary was never going to be poor (she was partner in a top law firm long before her husband went to Washington). She stayed for the prestige of telling people she was married to the Governor (even though she made more than him), or for the prestige of telling people she was married to the president – so don’t feel sorry for her.

This is the same woman who mocked stay at home moms, saying that she’s not “staying at home backing cookies”, now all of a sudden she’s trying to bond with us by telling us “she’s at home in the kitchen.” If you think for one instant that Hillary Clinton won’t use the gender card to play upon the fears and insecurities of her fellow women (the average American woman, not her rich Manhattan friends), then you’re sadly mistaken. She has not qualms using us to meet her career goals.

These are sleazy people who dishonored the institution of the Commander In Chief during their time in the white house and they should not be allowed back in.

America – elect a non-Clinton president this time!
How can you run a story like this without getting tthe Clinton campaign's response first?
The American People can not tolerate another candidacy based on "lies". Hillary has not, and has shown that she will not come clean and be absolutely forthright with her positions on issues....or lack there of. John Edwards and, to some extent, Obama are entirely justified in calling her on her staggering inconsistencies and without being "booed" by her supporters as they were in the Vegas debate. That showed a complete lack of courtesy and "class"!!!  
Right On, Jackie.

Hillary Clinton does not represent working women, stay at home women, or ANY women of character at all!!!

She is only in this for her own SELFISH power trip!!!!
Great job Obama. This has been the perfect response. He showed toughness and integrity in forcebly stopping it outright, but not "attacking" hillary in the same manner, just calling her on it. Toughness and Integrity. Isn't that what our presidency is suppose to be about? And shouldn't you as a part of the media (once the most unbiased and honest media system in the world) be fighting for the same?
Let's face it, alot of people dispise her. She knows this and if she cared about the country more than herself, she would not be running.
The Clinton Campagin should have come out faster than the story could hit air and denied any plausibility in this smear tactic.   Since they did not, it  leaves open the door that  it might be true.  They might be trying to slow down the momentum in the Obama campaign, which is sad on their part.

Since she is leading in all of the polls, why are they worried?  The Democratic polls gives it to them and the Mainstream Media is coronating her, why worry?   So why not dispel any rumors or innuendoes about anything negative coming from the Clinton Campaign regarding the other candidates?

HMMM!!   The Clinton Campaign is not  showing that it can  stand the "Daylight" Test?
undecided...talk about niave.  Hillary Clinton has slimed people..backdoor...her entire political career.  Remember what she did to the women she thought Bill was having an affair with.  Why would she come clean with the man she feels stands in the way of her ultimate dream.
Good Job Obama
I think it is a shame for African American leaders to tack themselves to Hillary Clinton's coattail.I can't believe that any person of color would not support Obama. He is a person who has all the qualities of a President. Hillary Clinton only has an ego and a coon
game. Bill Clinton put his office in Harlem to prey on the African Americans, to pretend to be part of their plight. The very idea of African Americans saying that Obama is not black enough. My God,what color is Hillary Clinton. Why do they think a WHITE women can do what a Black man can not. This typically SLAVE mentality.The Clinton's most definitely have a RECORD,
LIES, SECRETS , and LUST for Women, and SCANDALS.I say the Clintons because he will stand by his woman.

Naturally Hillary Clinton will deny any knowledge of any rumor that her camp may have on Obama.That's her trade mark. DENY< DENY< DENY.
Barack Obama did a great job of jumping on the issue and squashing it. The Clinton campaign says that this show his inexperience ? It shows that he is aware that, with the advent of the web, this thing could have been accepted as gospel. It shows that Barack Obama has a grasp of the way the world works TODAY, not yesterday. The same old tricks of the old dogs will not work today. The good old boy network is trying everything to help Hillary win, they want to run against her and the checkered past.They know they cannot fault or beat Barack Obama,  The CNN debate was a perfect example of the media propping her up, a loaded audience and powder puffed
questions for Hillary and tough questions for Barack without affording him time to answer. Hillary was plainly FOR drivers licences for undocumented workers a few weeks ago and now she won the debate because she says "NO" ?. She pulled a Romney flip flop on us and the media were so impressed that she answered clearer than Obama ? We have an estimated 12 million undocumented workers here. We need to start documenting them. We get their names,addresses,phone numbers,fingerprints,photo, and employment. We need to check their record and verify they have not been in trouble. Those who have not caused problems, that have been solid citizens, that have paid taxes on their wages ( yes many do) should be pardoned by the US and allowed drivers licences to get on with their lives. We see them everyday at construction sites, working hard, at restaurants working hard, at hotels and resorts working hard. They need to get to work and have insurance until they are granted their citizenship.The northern and southern borders have been porous forever. It was just reported that The northern and southern borders 20,000 undocumented immigrants come through OFFICIAL CHECKPOINTS in very short periods of time. Where are all the bombers and suicide attacks ? We have imported products from China for decades and all of the sudden everything is poison ? We have been producing frozen meats and vegetables for decades and now everything is poisonous for us to eat and being recalled almost weekly ? Do not fall for the politics of fear. Back a candidate that will not play games with the future of our country for power and personal gain. Back a candidate that can find consensus with all political parties and end this ridiculous partisanship that has paralyzed our country and left our troops in harms way. Back a candidate that gives honest , well thought out answers to tough questions. Barack Obama hasn`t shined in the debates, he is a professor, he wants people to understand the logic of his answers and sometimes a simple soundbite, yes, or no answer won`t do. Don`t fall for the tricks of the Neo Cons.
http://www.armchairsubversive.org/nmares.html
Watch and learn !
People Get Ready there's a train coming..
   
   You don't need any baggage just get onboard...

Obama 08


If Hillary were to be elected we could just kiss our democracy goodbye, because it would mean it had been sold to the highest bidders and special interests and stolen from the people. I would far prefer ANY republican candidate, no matter how much I disagree with them then to lose our democracy. I will never under ANY circumstances EVER vote for Hillary Clinton.
Obama's statement is on his website and is directed to anyone who would be involved in the matter, not any one campaign.  So let's be clear about that.

And let's be clear that like many unanswered questions, to this day no one has an answer how Craig Livingstone found himself inside the White House and handed over hundreds of raw FBI files on people.

Maybe a so called journalist will try to find out some answers from the now imprisoned Anthony Pellicano, locked up for illegal activities of spying and intimidating people.  Before he was caught for these activities in Hollywood, he performed the same duties for the Clinton mob.

If Robert Novak can again find information why can't any other journalist do it?  MSNBC?  Mika?  

Surely you can find Anthony Pellicano.  He's not going anywhere.
I am so happy that Sen. Obama was quick to respond to Sen. Clinton's lies.  I truly admire Sen. Obama.

Nobody in their right mind believes Robert Novak just decided, out of the blue, to print that story.  That idea doesn't pass the common sense test.  Novak was provided that false information by Hillary Clinton's campaign.

What I love is Obama confronted her directly. He didnt' hide behind his staff like she does.

Hillary was trying to hide behind her flunkies and he forced her out.  

Obama forced Hillary to tell the truth.  That's not an easy job.  He snatched the lies right off her tongue and she was left looking dishonest.

Hillaryland thought they would get some mileage out of their manufactured lies.  What they learned is that if Hillary has something to say, she had better say it herself and it better be true.  Obama is not going to let her hide behind Hillaryland.  

If Hillary wants to play dirty politics, she's going to have to do it in her own name because she will be confronted directly on whatever comes out of Hillaryland.

It's a new day and a new kind of politics.  Hillary is stuck in the 1990s, but she'll soon realize those tactics won't work with Obama in the race.
A woman like Hillary Clinton who has her character and intergrity already flowing down the drainage pipes will do everything to tarnish the character of a good decent man like Barack Obama.

I wish all women could see the gabbage that Clinton has. I wish all Americans can just say no to this new form of monarchy; Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton

Vote Obama or Edward
I am so happy that Sen. Obama was quick to respond to Sen. Clinton's lies.  I truly admire Sen. Obama.

Nobody in their right mind believes Robert Novak just decided, out of the blue, to print that story.  That idea doesn't pass the common sense test.  Novak was provided that false information by Hillary Clinton's campaign.

What I love is Obama confronted her directly. He didnt' hide behind his staff like she does.

Hillary was trying to hide behind her flunkies and he forced her out.  

Obama forced Hillary to tell the truth.  That's not an easy job.  He snatched the lies right off her tongue and she was left looking dishonest.

Hillaryland thought they would get some mileage out of their manufactured lies.  What they learned is that if Hillary has something to say, she had better say it herself and it better be true.  Obama is not going to let her hide behind Hillaryland.  

If Hillary wants to play dirty politics, she's going to have to do it in her own name because she will be confronted directly on whatever comes out of Hillaryland.

It's a new day and a new kind of politics.  Hillary is stuck in the 1990s, but she'll soon realize those tactics won't work with Obama in the race.
Just because the Republicans are masters of character assasination does not mean some of the stories they have againts the Clinton's is not true. Remember there is no smoke without fire
Hillary is consistent, just like George W. Bush has always been consistent, and they are comparable in a lot more ways.  As just demonstrated once again, they don't let honesty and forthrightness get in their way.
If Hillary's campaign did not do what Novak claims, they would have been enraged at HIM -- not Obama.  It's basic common sense. Someone lies about you, you go to them about it.  There was absolutely no outrage at Novak in her campaign's so-called denial, only the usual Rove-like tactic of turning it against her opponent.  It's been their m.o. all along.  

A respectable candidate would have seen the report and called Novak immediately.  They would have found out if someone in their camp WAS doing it, and cleaned them out of the organization.  If it was not true, they would have vehemently insisted he remove the story and issue an immediate apology and retraction.

Hillary's campaign did not do that.  They did absolutely nothing until Obama spoke out, and everyone knows they know about everything that is said, written and televised about them.  Everyone knows how that campaign operates.  A whispering campaign behind her opponent's back is exactly what they do.  Salon.com did an article exposing how they regularly send information potentially damaging to her opponents to blogs and news outlets, while in public talk about how they are above going 'negative'.  Salon.com also said not once, had Obama or Edwards done the same thing.

The American people are sick and tired of this kind of political sliming perfected by Karl Rove and emulated by the likes of Mark Penn.  We're tired of smoke and mirrors and image-selling.  The last 7 years have left this country and the world with serious problems. The last thing we need is a repeat of Karl Rove-style politics leading to a presidential disaster.  
Take 'em on, Obama!

RE:  CNN – The Clinton News Network  &  Hillary is NOT MAN Enough…

Judging from last week’s democratic Las Vegas debate, it looks like CNN has been bought. It was pathetic to watch.

Wolf Blitzer is a TERRIBLE moderator. First, he refuses to challenge Hillary Clinton when gives her 5th position on drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, then CNN also refuses to let her opponents challenge her by stacking the audience with Hillary sympathizers who boo her opponents when they criticize one of her positions. THEN, they stack the post-debate roundtable with pundits that are Hillary sympathizers so, of course, they all declare her the winner.

What part of the word DEBATE doesn’t Hillary Clinton understand? (1)You state your position on the issues. (2)If your opponents don’t agree with your positions, they tell you and they state their own views. (3)There is a back and forth with both sides arguing the merits of their own points and if you flip-flop positions, you are challenged on that. That’s a debate.

CNN is in cahoots with Hillary Clinton to ensure that she doesn’t have to give straight answers to voter questions and doesn’t have to walk the gauntlet on the way to the nomination -  like any other MALE candidate would have to.

After her pathetic performance in the last debate we saw all her male handlers (including her husband) rush out to deliver TWO WEEKS worth of excuses for why she didn’t do well – it was the moderators, they were playing “gotcha”, it was the other democrats who were “piling on”, they were trying to “swift boat her”, “the boys are giving her a hard time”. Now Wolf Blitzer is also stepping in to insulate her from criticism.

Yeah, Hillary Clinton is really one tough woman. Right. She can play tough as long as she is not challenged, and she hides behind the pants legs of the men around her. In all the prior debates the moderators have refused to question her flip-flopping and evasiveness, to the point of practically letting her run the debate (she routinely refused to answer debate questions on the basis that they were “hypothetical”).

The one time she is challenged by Brian Williams and Tim Russert (they did a GREAT job), everyone circles the wagon to ensure that that NEVER happens again. Aside from Williams and Russert, the other moderators have been PATHETIC. They are all doing voters a disservice by stifling a real issues debate in order to make Hillary look better and tougher than she really is.

For a woman who doesn’t want to be seen as playing the gender card, she sure is running a stereotypically “passive-aggressive” campaign. The minute that she is challenged and she fumbles, she sends out Geraldine Ferraro to tell the press that it’s “gender discrimination”. Hillary also lets her male surrogates make the attacks against her male opponents, so she can claim to run a “positive campaign,” as if she has no idea what her attack dog Wolfson (or one of the others) is saying/doing that week.

She claims to be running on the experience of her white house years, but not only can we not examine that experience (sealed records), her husband is taking responsibility for her failure on healthcare (this was her flag ship policy initiative), Hillary apparently was out sick the day that the debacle we know as NAFTA passed., and it’s somehow gone unnoticed that EVERYONE thinks No Child Left Behind should be scrapped (another Hillary flag ship initiative). Are we to give her points for “successfully failing”, for knowing better than anyone else how not to NOT pass universal healthcare? If she won’t take at least partial responsibility for any of these initiatives, then what’s her experience – giving dinner parties to dignitaries? If so, then shouldn’t Laura Bush be running for president? And don’t forget Hillary’s unremarkable stint as a New York senator (a state she never lived in and knew nothing about – pure nepotism).

Sure, the economy was great during the Clinton years but let’s NOT give credit where credit is NOT due. This is not a socialist country, so the president doesn’t control the economy, so the success of the economy in those years cannot be attributed to Bill and Hillary Clinton!

These people are putting up a smokescreen and trying to shove Hillary Clinton up our butts.

Hillary likes to play the gender card, so maybe it’s time her male opponents start playing the MAN card.

I’m a woman too, so I don’t have a problem with having a female president – I have a problem with Hillary Clinton.

If Hillary Clinton is going to play the gender card in response to being challenged on her evasiveness and flip-flopping, she’s not strong enough to lead this country. END OF STORY.

A few pithy comebacks at a debate don’t prove she’s tough. Passive-aggressive attacks on her opponents don’t prove she’s tough.

If she doesn’t have the knowledge and judgment to form coherent, stable positions on the issues that affect this nation, we don’t want her in charge of the budget or our military. END OF STORY.
I liked the way that Tim Russert conducted the Democratic debate in Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago. A staunch difference from the way that CNN conducted its debate earlier this week. CNN didn't seem to have much control over either the way the debate was conducted or the boos and heckles from the audience against Obama and Edwards. When candidates come on these debate forums, they should all be respected by both the network, who is putting on the debate, and also by the audience members. And, the audience members should be told that they cannot boo any candidate at any time. It was very disrepectful of this audience (who were obviouly full of Hillary Clinton plants), to disrespect Barack Obama and John Edwards in this way!

MSNBC = GOOD!

CNN - AWFUL!
I'd like someone to tell me a time when Hillary Clinton has "slimed" someone -- except when the Rightwing Slime Machine has accused her of it, as a means of sliming her.

I love Obama, but this made him look like a fool.  

Bob Novak has a known reputation -- he slimed a CIA operative!  
Yet the rabid Clinton Haters still lap up his slime like candy. Gag.
Good for you Obama!! We are soooo ready. Steady on steady on.
This is classic Clinton and we all know it.  She looks really bad here.
Wow, the Clinton campaign once again overplays their hand. Big surprise, they have done it time and time again in this campaign. It's a sign of their immense NYC/Beltway arrogance. Planting questions and thinking they won't get caught. Appropriating the story of an Iowa waitress for their own gain, without getting her approval. Sneaking supporters into a debate and coaching them to boo any attacks on her. Sending Bill out to insinuate that Hillary is the victim of sexist attacks from the other candidates. Trying to detract from their own scandals by seeding doubts about Obama. All of these slimy tactics have come back to smack the Clinton campaign in the face. Guess they're not as smart as they seem to think they are. Citizens of Iowa, it's up to you to say enough is enough! I know you will do it.
Obama will not stand for underhanded attacks, period.  And for those pundits who claim he's too nice to win-  here's evidence of his toughness.  Whomever planted those rumors likely thought Obama would stay silent and hope no-one noticed until the rumors had circulated and amplified in our goofy media system.  Why don't some of our crack journalists try to discover the source behind the rumors?  Would take some INVESTIGATING. Maybe some of you could google that word to find out what it means!
Everybody's up in arms about a story by Robert Novak?  Are you kidding me? This is the same man who leaked Valerie Plame's name as a CIA operative.  Gimme a break.  

Obama is showing poor judgment by reacting so quickly to 'nothing.'  Where is his political savvy?  He's allowing himself to show how little he's ready for the general election let alone ready to lead this country.

This has already backfired on Slick Willy and his wife. The Clintons forget that they are a "walking closet" full of skeletons.
Obama just needs to tell the truth about the Clintons and you will think is swift Boating them. This is one fight these habitual lairs called the Clintons will lose.
If Curtis Mayfild were alive he would be opening up for Obama. Soul power is alive and well. If only Sly could see the light.

GO OBAMA ....(hillary smells defeat.)
Hillary from CACKLEGATE to PLANTGATE and beyond.

I know the saying goes "time heals everything" and many people have forgotten Hillary's cackles from few weeks ago and they are talking about more scandals. But I like to revisit the cackles because they go to the core of Hillary's character. There is very little original,authentic or spontaneous Hillary;everything even the cackle is prepared as a tool for dealing in certain situations. Because these days the curious thing is the absence of the cackles. Mark Penn probably have realized they didn't go vey well at the time so they chose not to cackle anymore. The other explanation has to be the cackle "chip" that was planted in her brain that was automatically signaling her to cackle has died and they don't have any replacement cackle "chip". I am sure her supporters probably favor the first theory: the cackle has become unpopular therefore abandoned. They are not going to insist those cackles were spontaneous "belly laughs" because I am not sure belly laughs appear in summer and suddenly disappear in the fall. To me whether belly laugh or other genuine reactions are difficult to control and they reappear all the time even if your handlers tell you to watch. A good example of Hillary's opposite side of the spectrum is Joe Biden who has many unrehearsed spontaneous episodes and he is consistent.
When cackles became unpopular Camp Hillary moved to the GENDER CARD only to dump it 2 days later after it was not receieved very well and after a certain cable talk show host suggested what she ought to say instead. This is what Chris Matthews suggested that Hillary should say:

"Taking the heat is what leadership is all about. As Harry Truman said, 'If you don’t like the heat, stay out of the kitchen.' Taking heat is all part of the process of proving yourself for the world’s most important democratic office.

The fact that I am the first woman has nothing to do with the heat on me in this week’s presidential debate. I was the target because, quite simply, I am running well in the national polls"

That sounds EXACTLY what she said few days ago on the debate (without giving credit to Chris Matthews). If that presentation had happened in a college class room she will flank for PLAGIARISM.

The latest tactic is either planting friendly questions on campaign stops or planting "scandolous" rumors to distract people from realizing she doesn't have original SENTENCES let alone original or authentic ideas of her own.

We have to wonder what the next tactic might be.
"Conduco" is a Latin word meaning "I lead". From "conduco" we get the English words "conduct" and "mis-conduct". We also know of two English words "lead" and "mis-lead". If you want someone to "lead" you, you choose someone who has good "conduct". In the alternative if you want someone to "mis-lead" you, you choose someone for whom "mis-conduct" is a byword. Hillary Clinton's campaign plants questions in members of her audience so she can answer the questions to "mis-lead" the audience that she is hot on the issues. This surely is a "mis-conduct". The voters ought to be aware that the powers of the Executive Office of the President itself have corrupting influences. In academic circles the "mis-conduct" of "plagiarism"  is punishable by withdrawal of grade or non-award. So too should the "mis-conduct" of "mis-leading" voters by planting questions be punishable by non-award of votes. Iowans decide. America decide if you want to give that corrupting-near-absolute power to someone who is deceiving you for your vote. Would you have a say when she is presedent, Hillary's supporters?
To Rock Rosen, If he contacted Hillary's campain first, he would have gotten ANOTHER huge bunch of lies and deciept.  Wake up!  She is all for Hillary and History, not for ANY people!
"Conduco" is a Latin word meaning "I lead". From "conduco" we get the English words "conduct" and "mis-conduct". We also know of two English words "lead" and "mis-lead". If you want someone to "lead" you, you choose someone who has good "conduct". In the alternative if you want someone to "mis-lead" you, you choose someone for whom "mis-conduct" is a byword. Hillary Clinton's campaign plants questions in members of her audience so she can answer the questions to "mis-lead" the audience that she is hot on the issues. This surely is a "mis-conduct". The voters ought to be aware that the powers of the Executive Office of the President itself have corrupting influences. In academic circles the "mis-conduct" of "plagiarism"  is punishable by withdrawal of grade or non-award. So too should the "mis-conduct" of "mis-leading" voters by planting questions be punishable by non-award of votes. Iowans decide. America decide if you want to give that corrupting-near-absolute power to someone who is deceiving you for your vote. Would you have a say when she is presedent, Hillary's supporters?
You have heard me speak of Obama's inside move of about 2 weeks ago.

This is the tip of the iceberg.

In all of this Obama has resisted the easy way.  He was offered a deal few would have refused.

It remains to be seen if he should have taken the deal and run.

It remains to be seen if the Clinton campaign gets hoisted by its own petard.

This is dirty politics at its most disgusting and it is a shame that it stains anyone in the democratic party.  But it does.  It will.


We can only hope that is good for but a couple of news cycles... but I wouldn't bet on it.



I heard Clinton responded within two hours of Obama camp's response.  They did proclaim it groundless.  

I wonder why MSNBC didn't report this?  Still sore over her criticism of your handling of the previous democratic debate eh?  Willing to leave out information to the people who read your news stories in order to sway them to dislike Clinton?  Truly, your self interest is repulsive.  I usually just read, don't respond.  But your prejudice is too obvious to leave unanswered.
 
Report the FULL story and let the people decide.  Is that too much to ask?
Hillary is a legitimate citizen of the United States and has every right that that entitles anyone to.  She has conducted a upright, honest campaign based on good experience and education that are part of her qualifications.  The GOP candidates have bvveen scared of her since she was first mentioned for President. She is head and shoulders above all the GOP candidates except one.  That worries the GOP but the remarks in this blog are mostly from jealous women who can't stand for  another woman to  be in the front running.  Her personal married life is not the concern of other women, especially those who could not have handled it.  It sounds like a lot of people resent her ability and are also as incompetent as George W. Bush is and has been.
For all people who are complaining about Obama and Edwards being Booed, i remember when Hillary got booed if memory served me at least twice at two different debate, no one claimed any wrongdoing, but instead everyone especially here claimed it was well done, Short memory hein???? And also logic state that if someone said a third party has something about me, i will call that person first (especially if that person  is on a different team) to investigate before pointing fingers. Obama might be good, but before he is a politician and will do anything to win election. People tend to forget that.
People get ready there's a train coming....

 All you need is faith to hear the disel humming..

You don't need no ticket...
         You just get onboard....

Obama 08
Way to go, Obama!

As a young Democrat, I do not think I would be able to vote for Hillary Clinton.  The more I learn about her, the more I realize how much she is just like Bush.  If she get's the nomination, I would vote independent, or even Repbulican if Ron Paul is the nominee (he at least sticks to his values).

I am confident I wont have to make that decision, however, as I believe President Obama is our collective American destiny.

Obama '08!
I've changed my mind several times since the Clinton administration, so it's ok with me if Hillary changes hers too.  I think that's called "personal growth".  I wish Obama and the rest of the male Democrats would use their ammunition on the Republican adversaries instead of "one of their own".  It sure would be nice to elect a democrat this time around.
Isn't this amazing that all the people who were here complaining that MSNBC is doing a poor journaslitic work are the same today praising them for their last debate, i can't wait to see when they will flip flop again

"I heard Clinton responded within two hours of Obama camp's response.  They did proclaim it groundless."  

Pardon me if this sounds cynical, but so what?

Big whoop.

It is not that it is untrue as much as it is divisive and tacky.  Lowest common denominator politics.

Why is it happening?  Because even the Anti-Christ Karl Rove is predicting a Clinton loss in Iowa.  And he's rooting for her.

What a nightmare!

>>>>“She was a cheerleader for NAFTA for more than a decade,” he said, adding that “the only thing that has changed is that its an election year.”

Obama's hypocrisy is in full gear!  ALL the Dem senators voted with Repubs to fund the war until they entered the presidential race.
Why the sudden change, Obama?  The war didn't end.

None of them had the guts to vote against funding the war, but John Edwards did and gets our vote.


For one, I've had enough Clinton for a life time. And come 2008, I do not plan to vote for a "Bush with a Brain" no matter even if she calls herself Democrat. The thought of 4-8 years of the RW wacko's reiterations of Vince Foster, Travel-gate, Whitewater, etc. is just unthinkable.....
Reading all these I guess even the supporters of Obama are also not experienced with politics! All you all did was talk about how bad you think Sen. Clinton is - nothing about the strengths of Obama - what about his private meetings and records from his State senate office? Maybe that is where the dirt is - it seems as if he did say that there could be something out there - just mad that someone is going to tell?
Makes me think of Shakespeare!
Clinton says she is about change and the real force for change.  Looks to me like more of the same divisiveness and slimeball tactics The Clintons and their BFFs the Bushs are famous for.
Just like the triangulation, the air of entitlement and that arrogant sense she is owed the presidency, the questionable donors, the dirty, underhanded tactics, ect.  All hallmarks of the same old thing this country has had to suffer with for 20 years.
Obama is right to slam her right away and keep at it.  His response was on target and he proves he is the man of change, honor and decency.
A president Obama would do so much good for this country and be a breath of badly needed fresh air.


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