Clinton, Obama spar over experience

Posted: Monday, November 19, 2007 1:58 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Christina Jamison and NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
KNOXVILLE, IA -- In a thinly veiled swipe at her rival Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton stressed at crowded gymnasium here today the importance of having a strong leader who doesn't need "on the job training" to deal with foreign dependence on oil, rising heating and fuel costs, and falling consumer confidence.

"The next president will be a steward of our economy at a time when the bills from eight years of neglect and mismanagement are coming due." She also took another apparent shot at Obama, saying that "Change is just a word without the strength and experience to make it happen."

At a press conference in Fort Dodge, IA, Obama was asked about Clinton's questioning of his economic experience, and he replied: "If a voter asks me the question, then I'll address it. If Sen. Clinton or her campaign spin team asks me the question, then my response is to say that our economic plan and our approach on these issues, I think, has been superior to hers, and that is one of the reasons I'm running for president."

He added in response to a follow-up question: "My understanding is that she wasn't Treasury secretary in the Clinton Administration."

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Comments

"My understanding is that she wasn't Treasury secretary in the Clinton Administration."

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! That's a good one!

1st commandment- never attack Obama. He's a smackdown expert. 2nd commandement- Clinton should forget about using the 'experience' argument in these last days.

Diamond (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:27 PM)

Carrie

I felt the same way about that comment being posted but I didn't think it would do any good to object. Actually, there have been several times when I thought the line had been crossed, but I realize my standards may not be as liberal as those of other posters. The "use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others" section under "Please Read" gets a pretty loose interpretation sometimes.

Dot, Illinois (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:29 PM)

Let Hillary release the records of her White House 'experience'
What is she hiding ?
What is she covering up ?

If there was ANYTHING GOOD in those records...
They'd be out RIGHT NOW !!

Hillary claims experience but can't back it up
The only thing she is good at is campaigning and using the Clinton/Bush playbook of lies and deception !!

Why is Hillary's campaign digging up 'dirt' on Obama ?
Why are they working with Matt Drudge and Robert Novack ?
I trust Robert Novack more than I trust Hillary Clinton !!
Hillary's campaign is LYING about the Novack affair
Planted questions ? Packed audience ? Norman Hus ? Peter Paul ? Whitewater 'experience' ?....

Hillary Clinton, 15 years of dishonesty, scandals and divisiveness

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:29 PM)

I guess her experience is planting negative rumors to Salon writers/Drudge/Novakula et. al. about Barack Obama and J Edwards. I want this type of politics purged from my Dem party.
The only experienced president is a current or former one. I want a president with the correct judgment. I want a president that will be trusted here and around the world. I want one that talks straight with the American people. Someone with ethics. One that opens up the gov't to the people(Barack Obama's speech and Q&A session with Google). I want a president that does not use divisive slogans such as 'turn up the heat on Republicans'. As a Dem, I want a president that appeals to the swing voters(Repubs and Independents). I want one that tries to govern blue and red state(United States of America). I want a president that expands my party. Finally, I want a president that knows and understands that people making over $97,000 is NOT the vast middle class.
We have had ENOUGH Bushes/Clintons on the presidential ticket since 1980.

Obama08 for the fierce urgency of now.

Marbw (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:32 PM)

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:00 PM)

And the amazing part, Carrie, is that sometimes it takes them an hour to post things like this. I think we should start a petition for an exclusive, members-only blog, where you have to write a page essay on why you should be accepted as a member. I'll be the first to sign it.

1. CitizenJ
2.
3.
4.
5.

CitizenJ (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:32 PM)

I can not believe some of these immature messages I am reading... Smoking and Fat... Come on people... There are so MANY IMPORTANT issues we are facing in America And the only thing you people can come up with are these ridulous insults. Let talk about substance....My healthcare is going up $30... But my paycheck is not... They have removed vision from my healthcare and have added it as an extra cost.... Gas prices have risen, which has cost the prices of groceries to rise also.... My daughter has asked me “why is everyone struggling?”

These are the important issues. Not someones weight or who is a smoker and who is not…

HEALTHCARE COST
GAS
FOOD /HOUSE HOLD NECESSITY
COLLEGE Intuition
The WAR

We need to exercise better judgment just so we don’t end-up with another George W. Bush.

PBrown (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:33 PM)

WHERE ARE THE MODERATORS?
'And 8 plus years of giving sloppy second blow jobs is sexperience for POTUS? Other than fellating her philandering husband during the 90's what other experience has she gleaned from being married to a president? It is unbelievable that so many Democrats have yet to see just how much this lady is hated... hated even by those in her own party.
Jimmy Chicago Il. (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 2:48 PM)

a disgusting post from an obama supporter..

Tofun,Disney (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:34 PM)

Hillary is the one who would require "on the job training" as chief executive. She is an intelligent, articulate woman and a good politician, but she has zero executive leadership experience. She has never been a governor, cabinet secretary, CEO of a company or lead a non-profit. She has not even been a city mayor or run a dog catchers office. Watching your husband lead is not the same as leading yourself. When in her entire career could Hillary ever claim that "the buck stops here"?

Tim, Colorado Springs (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:37 PM)

Ruth Bethinger, New York, New York-

You are so right, which is why Hillary won't release the documents, she wants to pretend she was involved in everything positive that happened in the Clinton WH without having to actually prove it!

Biden is so far above all the candidates in experience, credibility, and accomplishments it isn't even close. Richardson has experience as UN Ambassador, Secretary of Energy (although not the best tenure),and I haven't checked his actual accomplishments as Governor, but assume they're impressive, but he was a real do nothing Congressman for 15 years.

George, Philly (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:39 PM)

Snippy...snipy...snippy, Professor "Holier Than Thou" Obama. So you think Hillary wasn't Treasury Sec. Obama, you can't be so "Holy" if you sling mud.

What happened to your politics of hope and sweetness and pie in the sky? Clearly, you just don't have the experience to be president, NOW. A few years from now I would have voted for you but NEVER will I vote for you now.

What were you thinking? You're too weak and green...not mature enough yet. If you hadn't have been so greedy Obama, you probably could have had it all when you were more experienced in a few years

Arkansas AR (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:41 PM)

Carrie, Eastern Iowa

I agree. I'm not thrilled with her campaign tactics, etc., but the post you responded to is disgusting, immature, and totally inappropriate.

Sara, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:41 PM)

Ron from Tx,
Who do you think you are with that gotcha stuff...quoting Bill Clinton...are you a little Timmie Turd Russert wannabe?
Oh, help.

Sam (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:45 PM)

Actually both billary and osama scare the heck out of me with their lack of leadership experience...we saw shrub get his on the job training and 9/11 and Iraq is what happened...

Rick, WS, BC (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:46 PM)

I TRUST THE DEVIL NOVACK,he loves this country.

kenn (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:50 PM)

What a joke. If experience truly matters, then Senator Biden is your man. After him, it's Dodd and Richardson. Beyond that, the rest really don't have it.

Kato in Des Moines (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:51 PM)

The only way one has experience in something is by doing it themselves. To my knowledge, H.C. has never been President. Being a spouse of one DOES NOT COUNT! That being said, nobody running in this race, for either party, has experience being President. And since when can't we "attack" another Dem? That's why people say we have no backbone... because we have this image of having tea parties and playing nice. Get over it! The stakes are too high to let someone just run away with a nomination without anyone having any concerns or misgivings!

J B (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:52 PM)

American Voter & Dave, Tn........I agree.

And I still don't understand how 8 years of being First Lady counts as "experience to be president of the U.S.A.
Has no "EXPERIENCE" managing any kind of business.
Has no "EXPERIENCE" managing any cities.
Has no "EXPERIENCE" managing any communities.

We can not let her manage this country either.

OBAMA '08

BIGOLDTEXAN (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:54 PM)

" I am happy to compare my experiences with hers when it comes to the economy," Obama said. "My understanding was that she wasn't Treasury Secretary in the Clinton Administration."
Neither were you, Obama, so get off your high horse. At least she ate dinner /w the treasury secy and could benefit from listening to his views up close and personal.
And your experience in this area is?.....

jst asking (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:55 PM)

If being a woman who spent time with a president in the oval qualifies you to be president, shouldn't Monica Lewdinsky be running?

PabloZed (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:57 PM)

Posting vicious comments about blow jobs is way over the top, Moderator. Shame on you..First Read. You sound like Crackpot Chris Matthews on Hardball at MSNBC...on the other hand I forgot...this is NBC/MSNBC with guys like Matthews and TIm Russert...why should I be shocked...that's daily stuff for you guys. But still lets clean up your act even if you are an Obama supporter...for now until you can get Rudy elected.

Sam Missouri (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:00 PM)

please note the CEO TOP TIER COMBINED DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE THAT BIDEN HAS. please note non of the top tier has a iraq proposal that's passed in senate except biden. please note none of top tier saw pakistan coming and focused solely on iran, except biden. the top tier all opposed war funding without a extraction date in spite of the fact that bill contained funding for ied resistant vehicles, not biden he took the political heat and poll be damned and refused to hold the troops hostage for poll points. biden clearly has the experience for foreign affairs savy the top three lack. obamaites please spare me the "he was agnaist the war" since he's been quoted as uncertain if he'd been in the senate and seen intel reports. that part about toning down for convention is even worse as i didn't see biden tone down on his vote for funding. i want to see a poll that shows how biden stacks up against gop and positive vrs. negative oppinion of candidate i'll bet he's better off than hill &bo & ed.

karlos (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:07 PM)

Guiliani would "wallop" Clinton in the general election in Florida, mainly due to her high negative ratings. Obama is considered more favorable.

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071119/CAPITOLNEWS/71119017

David, Tallahassee FL (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:11 PM)

I can only hope the Dems do give her the go a head, {pun} then maybe the Clintons will fade away and keep their mouths shut for a while. Especially Bill. The woman in SC had the right notion. In my wildest dreams I cannot imagine what our country would be like under her "experienced" guidence. The time has come America when we have to stop letting money buy the Oval Office.

Martha Cedar Rapids Ia (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:12 PM)

I posted this elsewhere on First Read, but think it fits here on why Hillary is bad for the country and the world and lacks the leadership to lead either.
-------------------------------------------------
Simon;

I am a well-read, intelligent, college-eduated Democrat who can't begin to fathom what this country will look like after 4 years of a Hillary Clinton-lead administration. I seriously fear it as much, if not more so than I do the current state that George W. Bush has left the country.

I fear it because she has no vision for what to do about healthcare (she was the one who caused it to fail in 1993).

I don't trust her leadership on the economy. We, as Americans, are making less than our parents and, in some cases our grandparents made, while at the same time working more and more just to keep our heads above water. Our homes are depreciating in value at record rates. I have yet to hear her speak on how she will begin to attack this. Other candidates have. Why hasn't she?

I fear how she will deal with international issues. She has already stated, unequivocally, she will not meet with our enemies without pre-set conditions on the table. This is not the way to do business in an age where America MUST regain its leadership internationally. It behooves the next President to enter ANY negotiation with an open mind. SHe is unwilling to do this. It's a dangerous strategy that will, in the end, keep us mired in the same exact mess we are in now.

I could go on, but here's a very good beginning as to why I will NOT support a Hillary Clinton administration. She is dangerous for the country.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:12 PM)

Barry Obama is a fake. A fraud. He is a Chicago Pol who has been carefully scripted and packaged by David Axlerod and sent out to destroy the Democrats chance of winning the White House in '08.

Anyone who thinks Obama can win in '08 is just plain nuts. Look at the polling in NJ, PA, and Ohio. Obama is toast. But he doesn't care. This a vanity campaign for him. He is a fake.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:13 PM)

What experience is H.R. Clinton running on. I haven't seen any records of what she accomplished as First Lady. I don't think that a lack of experience in the sense that Obama 'lacks experience' affected other great Presidents: George Washington, Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, or JFK. Obama will do just fine, being a leader and having ideals is more important than experience. The whole experience line is a bunch of B.S. when the Clinton camp wants you to believe the only experience to make a successful President is having a husband that was. I'd like to know who spent more time in the Oval Office with Bill, Hillary or interns. (That was below the belt, and the Repubs can't wait).

--NSMSNBC (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:16 PM)

Hillary isn't fat! She's curvey and pretty too! Obama is too skinny to be president. And ugly.
pat huntington ny (

Yes that's what they call it in the "BIG WOMEN's" department, curves...seems like Hillary has a "sista in kind" , Bill would probably like you too...hoping to get a "desk' job Pat. LOL

Mary (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:19 PM)

'he has tremendous experience as a community organizer'

3 years?

criminy, don't lie for the guy

Tofun,Disney (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:21 PM)

I think I know who Bee is...Bee as in Bee-rack Obama...right Bee?

Hill as in... (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:28 PM)

BO was nailed:

"A Republican-leaning journalist runs a blind item designed to set Democrats against one another," said Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson. "Experienced Democrats see this for what it is. Others get distracted and thrown off their games."
Tofun,Disney (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 2:48 PM)

----------------------------------

Tofun...

And in the world of politics, had Obama NOT responded would have been spun by the same communications person in the following way:

"Mr. Obama has failed to respond to Mr. Novak's piece. What is Mr. Obama hiding? If he were as open as he claims to be, he would come forward with any and all issues in his past for the public to see and scrutinize."

He did it the right way. Said one thing in a stern, direct, and non-negative manner and moved on from it. Hillary's campaign is throwing darts into the wind hoping one of them lands in Obama's back end.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:31 PM)

That is the passage which mentions experience, and now see it it refer to Obama or the republican?
seib (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 2:51 PM)

---------------------------

It's called 2 birds, one stone. She swiped both Obama and Bush at the same time. By painting it as only an assault on Bush, she can hit Obama without looking negative.

Calculating and deceptive. Just like everything else she does.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:34 PM)

Hillary isn't fat! She's curvey and pretty too!

------------

Hillary's a woman?!?

Edgar, Virginia (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:35 PM)

And 8 plus years of giving sloppy second blow jobs is sexperience for POTUS? Other than fellating her philandering husband during the 90's what other experience has she gleaned from being married to a president? It is unbelievable that so many Democrats have yet to see just how much this lady is hated... hated even by those in her own party.
Jimmy Chicago Il. (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 2:48 PM)

I am absolutely disgusted that this comment was posted. Are we in junior high now? Goodbye, decorum - hello, First Read. Way to go, moderators. Seriously.
Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 3:00 PM)

------------------------------

This is called "Politics" Carrie. Get used to it. Re-read the comment and point to me what part of it is false. It is true. If that's all she can lean on for experience--watching her hubby run things while gettinh blown by interns--we have us a problem if we're going to elect her President on that alone.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:43 PM)

Where is Van when you need him? Can someone...ANYONE...tell me what experience Sen. Clinton has that is sooo great? I CHANLLENGE anyone to clearly answer the questions below without using Bush or any Repub as a scapegoat and use facts, not what she wants to do. I want world peace btw.

Can the First Lady of Arkansas and the US:

1) Write, introduce or vote any legislation to make LAW?

2)Balance the US budget?

3)Command any part of the military or be present during military planning?

4)Negotiate with any foreign government? Hostile?

5)And a direct Hillary question: What legislation did Clinton WRITE and PUSH into law? Not vote for, but actually sponsor with success?

Please, please someone answer these. Remember no personal opinions. ;)

Mr Coffey (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 4:49 PM)

A blog without a moderator ceases to be useful.

CitizenJ (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:00 PM)

First Read. This simply makes the case against all 3 front runners: Especially Hillary and Edwards.

http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=110948

If Iraq is the most important issue facing Americans today, and it is, than the discussion should be on how Joe Biden has and is the only one that has a plan for Iraq.
Please please please follow up on this one First Read, lets try to shape these to a real discussion about actaul leadership.

Scott, PA (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:03 PM)

whichever Democratic candidate that is nominated to run for president will be ripped to shreds during the campaign.That is how Karl works---I cannot believe anyone could be so gullible to think otherwise.Hannity,Rush,and the rest of the smear freaks have already went after Clinton,Obama,Edwards,Kucinich,Richardson and Biden.Do not forget how the media clawed at Gore and Kerry-----Have we learned nothing since 2000?Make up your own minds and quit listening to the gasbags who love to hear themselves bloviate.As far as I am concerned all the dems have as much experience (and more)than Bush.

HMT (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:19 PM)

Obama is NEVER going to win! He is whining about slime politics - why in heavens name would he believe ANYTHING that comes out of the mouth (or pen) of Robert Novak...smells like a bad strategy to me. Hillary is going to win. All of the Obama fans need to ask the folks in Illinois about the experience and leadership of our Senator before you cast the vote. He is horrible - he doesn't show up...look at his 2 year voting record - missed a good majority of votes. If I behaved that way (calling in sick for my job), I would be fired. Sounds to me that the good people of Illinois should fire Barack! What a rock star - yuck!

AP, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:21 PM)

Not only does Obama not have the experience to be president but he sorely lacks the temperament as well. He is too high strung and comes off as insolent and smug. Am I the only who noticed his menacing glare at Clinton during the last debate? He was actually clenching his jaw and looked like he might lose his fake statesman like demeanor that he tries so hard to cultivate. Make no mistake about it, Obama is a fake and his hot temperament will be his down fall. Has anybody seen the video of Obama arguing with an Iowa voter over national security and becoming quite shrill? Obama's strength used to be that he packaged himself as a statesman rather than a politician. He has blown that cover to be sure.

Rob S., Phoenix, AZ (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:22 PM)

Why won't she release her records? Its obvious she has a lot to hide -- these records probably will show her true "experience". We of course know her biggest "experience" was a "big flop". Is this the experience she is referring to?

Dick Cicago.Il (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:34 PM)

This is a fake controversy contrived by you to create controversy where there is none. Sen. Clinton's "change is just a word . . ." line has been a staple of her debate performances and stump speech for more than a month. Obama of course took the bait with his snide "she wasn't the Treasury Secretary" remark. Which of course serves only to highlight the question: as a civic organizer, a constitutional law professor, a state senator, and a U.S. senator for three years, what economic experience does Obama have? The answer, of course, is: Zip. Nada. Zero.

Dazed and Confused in DC (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:36 PM)

Dear First Read,

Not only can you not filter out unacceptable content, but you can't keep up with posting comments for over 3 hours. Let me respectfully, and emphatically say, you suck.

Sincerely,

CitizenJ

CitizenJ (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 5:54 PM)

To Firstimevoter: "I do feel not comfortable why he did not keep his record cince he plan to run for president." You can get all of Obama's voting records, etc. from the Illinois Senate as they are public record. It's his calendar that he didn't keep - which really wasn't necessary because, as mentioned before, everything else is public record.

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 6:05 PM)

"This is called "Politics" Carrie. Get used to it. Re-read the comment and point to me what part of it is false. It is true." Mike K, Denver

I respectfully disagree with your post. The post Carrie mentioned was disgusting.

Dot, Illinois (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 6:30 PM)

obama's 11 years in elected office trumps Hillary years of nepotism paving her way.
And even then, she still did not work for the treasury.
Way to go, Obama! good answer.
But, clinton's continuing attackes, through a right wing journalist or out front, is probably due to her fading in Iowa and the fact that she has no support for second.

diane (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 6:38 PM)

Speaking of experienced. almost 20 years after leaving the Arkansas Gov. mansion, Hillary's first lady of Arkansas papers are STILL not ready to be released and being kept from the public!
http://thepage.time.com/2007/11/19/no-clinton-arkansas-papers-either/

diane (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 6:50 PM)

Obama's experience is mostly academic (law professor), 2 years in a senate before he started running for politics, very skimpy on foreign exposure and real life experience. Like his articulate talk but lately, his straight personal negative talks is unfattering. Lacks savvy to follow what a notorious Republic journalist's unsourced lead and throw mud to a fellow democratic candidate is baffling. Come on, what;s the motivation behind Novak's leak in his column?? Think. His proven source last time re Valerie Flam was Cheney & Rove....clearly they are trying to drive a rife between 2 leading democratic candidates....to the benefit of the Republicans. Do you believe that Novak is doing this because he likes Obama??!

Claudia Cook, Canada (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 6:57 PM)

Would it be fair to say that George W. Bush would never have been president without the presidential precedent of his father? I think that it would be.

I think it's also fair to say that Hillary Clinton would possibly not even be the Senator from New York without the presidential precedent of Bill.

Let's also be honest and acknowledge that at this particular time, her gender is a distinct political asset for no other reason than it's novel in the sense that it's the most serious female presidential candidacy ever.

She has the Democrat machine behind her, a huge advantage, but in reality she doesn't have experience or qualifications that set her head and shoulders above either of the other two top democrat candidates.

For that matter, Hillary doesn't have near the experience of a Dodd, Biden, Richardson or even Kucinich. Connections are connections and while important, shouldn't be confused with experience. Based on experience alone she is a second tier candidate, as are Obama and Edwards.

It seems that a lot of time is spent arguing about who is the most experienced of your least experienced candidates, which really means that experience is not the issue. Hillary has political advantage, but experience is barely a component of it.

I think they should all just admit it and concentrate on the traits and strengths they believe will offset the experience deficit.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 6:58 PM)

This seems like a heavily negative Hillary crowd. I look forward to a time after Barack is president when the Hillary/Bush negativity makes way for the honest, positive, inspiring politics of Hope. Obama can change the world for the better and lead us in love and peace to solve the problems of the past, present and future.

Ron, IN (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 7:08 PM)

Joe Biden is the only democratic candidate who is capable of beating the republican nominee and I don’t care WHO that republican may be. He is also the only candidate who has remained focused, while the rest choose to belittle each other and continue to bicker about their differences when, in fact, there is no difference between them – none at all! Give me a candidate with integrity, wisdom, and experience, not to mention the maturity to stay above the fray – that candidate is Joe Biden – and the only candidate worthy of my vote. While the rest of the candidates compete in what has turned out to be a popularity contest, hosted by none other than the media and the bloggers themselves, and while they continue to embellish their “so-called” experience, accomplishments, and aspirations for the future of this country and the American people, the fact remains that Joe Biden is realistically the only viable candidate for the democratic nomination and ultimately the White House. Joe Biden 2008 – he’s definitely got my vote!

independent fl (Sent Monday, November 19, 2007 7:17 PM)

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