First thoughts: Hillary's lifesaver

Posted: Monday, December 17, 2007 9:29 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Hillary’s lifesaver and Obama’s challenge:

The Des Moines Register’s endorsement of Clinton was the surprise of the weekend, and it certainly lifted Team Clinton’s spirits. According to NBC/NJ’s Athena Jones, Hillary’s campaign aides were in an especially good mood the day after the endorsement -- absolutely dripping with sugar. And Clinton herself was beaming early on in her appearance on TODAY this morning (she mentioned the endorsement numerous times). “I think we have tremendous momentum,” she said. “I feel very good about where my campaign is.” But in many respects, the paper’s nod was also a lifesaver for the campaign in Iowa, where it had received little good news until Saturday night. Then again, it pulled the Clintons back into the state. If Obama -- and not Clinton -- had received the endorsement, it arguably might have led them to abandon the state. To borrow a poker term, the Democratic front-runners (Clinton, Edwards, Obama) now are all-in in the Hawkeye State. As for Obama, he does need to answer where the Des Moines Register editorial says he comes up short: experience. He's made the change case obviously, or the Clinton camp wouldn't be retooling so much. But he needs to close the experience gap, just a little...

*** Endorsement smorgasbord: Clinton, who also got the nod from former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey (who once called Bill Clinton an “unusually good liar”), wasn’t the only candidate picking up endorsements. Obama got the Boston Globe’s nod and today receives one from Iowa Rep. David Loebsack (D), which is Obama’s biggest get so far in the Hawkeye State. Edwards today picks up an endorsement from the wife of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D). And McCain -- who also appeared on TODAY this morning -- got the nods from both the Register and the Boston Globe, and today got one from Joe Lieberman (I). Just asking, though: Does the support of liberal editorial boards and one of the most pro-choice lawmakers in the US Congress really help McCain with GOP voters? Probably not, but the MSM buzz is helpful and maybe that will stop the bleeding of New Hampshire independents from McCain to Obama.

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on what presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., can hope to gain from recent endorsements from Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and New England newspapers.

*** Mr. Bill: So has Bill Clinton been helpful at all to his wife’s campaign? Read today’s New York Times piece about his role on the campaign, and some hard-core Hillary supporters may not be able to answer that question in the affirmative. And after you read it all the way through, ask yourself: Can Mark Penn survive Hillary losing both Iowa and New Hampshire? Also, the article reports that the latest Hillary message -- in what has been a slew of new messages over the past month -- comes from Bill.

*** Wither Rudy? What has happened to the Giuliani juggernaut? Two months ago, he seemed well on his way to using his national poll strength to will his way to the nomination. But the campaign seems to realize they have problems. Now the Giuliani campaign seems to be gunning for Florida (which holds its primary on January 29) and the February 5th states. The campaign has cut its New Hampshire TV ad buy in half and attempted to re-launch the campaign with a speech on Saturday. But we have to ask: Why on a Saturday to you give that speech? And why wasn't the speech a teleprompter speech? Why was he reading from prepared text? Giuliani seems to be a candidate in search of attention right now. He's spending just three days campaigning this week, using the other two to fundraiser.

*** Meet Mitt Romney: If Giuliani’s appearance on Meet the Press last week exposed how the personal (Judi) and personnel (Kerik) could haunt him in a general election, Romney’s appearance yesterday on the show highlighted that it will be nearly impossible for Republicans and the RNC to label Clinton, Obama, or Edwards a flip-flopper in the general, if Romney becomes the nominee. But the headline out of the Meet interview for Romney? The fact that a news cycle didn't even pass without his campaign having to clean up an error (Romney telling Russert that the NRA endorsed him, which it didn’t). By the way, with Romney's and Rudy’s struggles, combined with the slew of bad press for Huckabee, one has to realize there's not a single GOP front-runner right now. It's truly a five-way scrum with Ron Paul as the potential spoiler.

Video: Presidential hopeful, former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass, appears on Meet the Press for an in-depth interview.

*** Ron Paul’s Tea Party: Speaking of Paul… Pegged to the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, the Paul campaign yesterday raked in more than $6 million, surpassing the $4 million-plus it raised in an earlier fundraiser tied to Guy Fawkes Day. And it has now raised $18.2 million for the 4th quarter. We have one word to say about Paul’s haul: Wow. Much has been made about the lack of the excitement over the GOP field. But there is clearly excitement -- at least online -- about one of the Republican candidates. The problem for the GOP is Paul won’t likely be its nominee. And many of these Paul backers aren’t really Republicans…

*** On the Trail: Clinton campaigns in Iowa, where (among other things) she attends an AFSCME rally with union president Gerry McEntee; Dodd also is in Iowa; so is Edwards, who concludes his bus tour and picks up an endorsement from the wife of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D); Giuliani gives a speech in Durham, NH; Huckabee holds a media avail in Beverly Hills, CA before attending a fundraiser there; Kucinich is in New Hampshire; McCain also spends his day in the Granite State, where he already picked up Lieberman’s endorsement; Obama stumps in Iowa, hitting Spencer, Storm Lake, Cherokee, Le Mars, and Sioux City; Richardson makes four stops in Iowa; Romney holds a closed-press fundraiser in Boston before campaigning in New Hampshire; and Thompson is in Iowa. Also, Bill Clinton is in South Carolina, where he attends a dinner honoring former Clinton Administration Education Secretary Dick Riley.

Countdown to Iowa: 17 days
Countdown to New Hampshire: 22 days
Countdown to Michigan: 29 days
Countdown to Nevada and SC GOP primary: 33 days
Countdown to SC Dem primary: 40 days
Countdown to Florida: 43 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 50 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 323 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 400 days

Click here to sign up for First Read emails.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Paul backers that aren't "really Republicans" represent what the Republican party SHOULD be and ONCE WAS, before being completely infiltrated & corrupted by big-goverment, war-mongering neo-cons.

Doesn't really matter though, because they've all registered as Republicans in their respective states in order to vote in this primary. At in least states where that is required, here in SC we don't even have that hurdle to jump.

Timmons, Charleston, SC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:41 AM)

Although many of Paul's supporters aren't "really Republicans"... a LOT of them have been switching and registering as Republican so they can vote for him in the primaries. Ask yourself... how plausible do you think it is that someone would donate cash to a candidate, and then not vote for him? These people are flying under the radar, and because of that, nobody has a true idea of their impact. We will soon, though.

Kelley, Greenville, SC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:42 AM)

The people of Iowa aren't stupid and they have been REPULSED by the Clinton's negative campaign. The fact that the DMR gave this endorsement to Clinton after her campaign's horrid behavior over the past 6 weeks, only serves to dilute the meaningfulness of that endorsement and it weakens the credibility of that newspaper.

Besides, Hillary didn't earn the endorsement. Her husband badgered them into giving it to her.

Ava (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:44 AM)

Daily First Read Truth-Pak-

Trust no one...
The following sites devote as much time and space to Denis Kucinich and Joe Biden as they do to the big three. Whether you are a dem or republican, liberal, moderate or conservative, your candidate is represented equally at these sites. Forget about Big Media and the MSM, create your own narrative.

We don't need anyone to spoon-feed information to us about the candidates or the election, it's right there for everyone if you know where to go. Campaign money, donors expenses, go here

http://www.opensecrets.org/ Opensecrets.org is "Your guide to money in U.S elections."

Just about every poll from every pollster, averaged out, with a link to the source
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Is THE source for political junkies, with links to every major political site on the right, left and center.

What the candidates actually have said about the issues.
http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm This is a Great site! Every candidate on every issue!

How the candidates have voted and their LIberal/Conservative ratings
http://nationaljournal.com/voteratings/sen/lib.htm?o1=lib_composite&o2=asc#vr Has the voting records for all members of congress, and their Liberal/Conservative ratings.

http://votesmart.org/index.htm Here's what they say at the site;
Thousands of candidates and elected officials. Who works for you? Who is seeking your vote? Project Vote Smart, a citizen's organization, has developed a Voter's Self-Defense System to provide you with the necessary tools to self-govern effectively: abundant, accurate, unbiased and relevant information. As a national library of factual information, Project Vote Smart covers your candidates and elected officials in five basic categories: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances and interest group ratings.

http://www.govtrack.us/ Do you take transparency seriously? Consider how important to you an open and transparent government is to a healthy society. More work needs to be done to make Congress open. Make a statement to your elected officials by joining now 200 others in signing a pledge for transparency.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:48 AM)

And Clinton herself was beaming early on in her appearance on TODAY this morning

What gets me it was the exact same people behind her on the Today show and Good Morning America. What was really funny was nobody behind her was really paying attention to her. Almost like she was standing in front of a video screen with a hidden camera on these folks.

Either that or there are a lot of unemployed actors and actresses in Iowa...

I have never seen anybody do so many staged media spots like Hillary Clinton does...

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:49 AM)

hillary clinton will be the president of the united states. thank god . obama what a name sounds like a terriost name . i think he is a muslim terriost

gregopelika alabama (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:53 AM)

Six editors on a newspaper pick Clinton, and now everything is all right with Campaign Hillary? That just shows how far down the list Hillary is sitting and why any scrap of good news is celebrated like it was the moon landing.

The people of Iowa are not that stupid to follow around a few guys sitting around a newsroom.

Larry Thurman, Norman OK (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:54 AM)

If being a "real Republican" means supporting GW Bush, endless war, record deficits and loss of liberty...well you're right we're not "real Republicans". We're "real Americans" something that Ron Paul is bringing about from the ranks of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians and the formerly apathetic. Do you really think this election is about who is a "Real Republican" or a "Real Democrat"? Get a clue.

As far as the nomination...who's record did Ron Paul just break for Republican fundraising? His own set on 11/05. When pundits say "he can't win" they are the same people who said "he has no money" a few months ago!! President Paul - get used to it!

Google Ron Paul for President 2008 - Decide for yourself don't believe what your television tells you!!!

Robert Constantine (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:54 AM)

Ron Paul's quarterly goal was 12 million. No problem - he pulled in half that in one day! Where you at Huckabee?

Terry (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:54 AM)

As a long time Republican, there is only one GOPer who excites me: Ron Paul.

If he’s not the nominee, I’ll probably vote Republican next year, but I won’t lift one finger for any other candidate… not even a lawn sign. I’m sick and tired of the truthiness, war and big government politicians… and that’s basically every D & R running (with some exceptions).

Tim, CT (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:55 AM)

I'm NOT an internet junky. I have a family, I'm a Christian, I've voted Republican all my life and I support Ron Paul. Plus, what about the hundreds and many many times, thousands of people who show up to support him in person? Sound like more than just internet stuff? Oh yeah, what about the signs all over the country, the bumper stickers the tshirts, and the Blimp? All occur outside of cyber-space.

Andy (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:55 AM)

If Hillary is counting on Cigar Bill the pervert to save her, what will she answer when asked about the theft of whitehouse furniture while the pervert was pardoning drug dealers, criminals, and terrosits who contributed to Bill s Librabry, Hillarys senate race, and thousands to Hillarys brother, which of course she new nothing about. This is about as sleazy as it gets.

David Anders Pharr, Tx. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:01 AM)

I agree that Obama really needs to finish making the experience case. He needs to point out the following:

1. He has more years in elected office than anyone else out of the top three Republican AND Democratic contenders for President; he has served in elected office for eleven years, which s more more than not only his main Democratic rivals, but also more than Romney, Giuliani, Huckabee, or Thompson.

2. He is the only candidate running with experience at all three levels of government; he has served in elected office at federal and state level in addition to years of grassroots experience at the local level.

3. All in all, his time in elected office, in organizing the grassroots, and in law directly relevant to the Constitution adds up to nearly twenty-five years of experience. Objectively speaking, that compares quite well to Edwards' six years in elected office and Hillary's eight years, plus stints as first lady (as well their years of law work that, although more profitable, did not deal with the Constitution, and thus cannot be considered directly relevant to the Presidency in the same manner).

4. Obama will have had four years in Senate Foreign Relations by the end of 2008, on top of an International Relations major in college, and years unsecluded in a third world country as a child, a priceless experience no US President has had in their past; all that put together compares quite well to the fact that four of our five last Presidents had *zero* foreign policy experience when elected.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:04 AM)

The Des Moines Register endorsement really doesn't mean too much at all. They only mimicked the current political situation, which offers no chance for Hillary to offer her change argument. Actually, if anything, it HURTS her because she just recently starting trying to act like she can "change" anything (even though she has LOST all major legislation she's tried, and votes with Republi-crat Lieberman, the McCain endorser, on foreign policy). The Des Moines Register endorsement made it very clear that while Clinton has experience, Obama has change. They did not say one negative thing about Obama. So, in all reality, the endorsement does VERY little to change the situation on the ground in Iowa- people are looking for change.

Looks like the Ron Paul auto-blog-bots are out in full force today.

Ron, TX (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:05 AM)

The negative comments on this post and others are predominately from people living in red states where Hillary never had a chance. Therefore, your shrill, nasty, histrionic, and somewhat manic hatred filled comments, particularly from the Jerry from Corpus Cristi TX, are meaningless and will not change people's minds. So keep it up, guess you dont' have real jobs.

Patrick, Huntington Station, NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:05 AM)

Considering the very serious scandals the other GOP frontrunners have in their past, I do not see how any of them are electable except Paul. How about you have one of these blog entries on the major scandals plaguing each of the supposed front runners? I'll give you a quick reminder: Romney has the flip-flopping & shady business deals. Besides the adultery (sometimes paid for by NY taxpayers) Rudy has the lack of support from many of the emergency responders from 9/11, the ONLY thing that has propelled him this far. Fred Thompson admitted supplying Nixon with key evidence ahead of time in his impeachment hearings. Huckabee would have AIDS patients treated like it was mideaval times and they had leperacy. McCain lives in a dream world where Americans can walk around many parts of Baghdad without protection.

Ben, Chicago IL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:05 AM)

If you do nothing else "today", go to Hillary's web site, and check it out.(even if you hate her) hillaryclinton.com

T.M. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:06 AM)

No Thank You Mama - I'm for Obama.

Barack Obama for a better America.

It's time to Rise and Shine again.

PulSmasara (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:06 AM)

The DMR has received over 900 comments on their Hillary endorsement editorial, with a large marjority of those being against them and her. Although there is nothing scientific about those comments, it does show just how polarizing and divisive Hillary is.

If she gets nominated, you can expect the diviseness to continue, and that will be just between fellow Democrats. She will destroy us.

Obama/Edwards or Edwards/Obama '08

Jesse, Burnsville, MN (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:06 AM)

Out of one side of her mouth, she says she is a "change agent". Out of the other she tells us that "lobbyists are people too." (Can anyone name something that has changed for the better based on Senator Clinton's involvement?)

Out of one side of her mouth she tells us that negative campaigning is bad for the Democratic Party. Out of the other side she calls her oppponent a drug dealer.

Out of one side of her mouth she tells us that she has "strength and experience". Out of the other side of her mouth she runs on her husband's strengths and experiences.

Out of one side of her mouth she says she is against war. Out of the other side of her mouth she says she supports "agressive diplomacy".

From healthcare (mudsling and mandates indeed), to character (brother-in-laws and elementary teachers), to email attacks (Muslim smear), the Clinton campaign has demonstrated time and again that the true slogan of her campaign is "By Any Means Necessary".

I respect Senator Clinton woman to woman, human to human. It is good to know that major polical party has a woman as the frontrunner for their nomination. But even so, if the campaign she is running is any indication of her management style, then I for one am not looking forward to being one of her loyal subjects.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:10 AM)

"at least online...." Where do you think all of these Ron Paul supporters live? On somebody's hard drive?

Christopher Thurow Sr (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:11 AM)

I love how anytime Guiliani or Hillary go to the bathroom or eat a damn donut every news station in America is all over that.
Yet when the "Least Likley to Win" Canidate pulls off making $6.4 million dollars IN A DAY FROM PERSONAL DONATIONS ONLY (which actually beats Hillary's unverified 6.2 million dollar in a day fundraiser, AND Kerry's $5.7 million in a day, PLUS PAULS OWN ONLINE $4.2 MILLION IN ONE DAY!) There's only a teeny tiny blurb about it.

Pathetic. You people DO realize that this is America right? You grew up here, and decided to be reporters. Stop being biased. It's one of the principal rules when you become a REPORTER. YOU REPORT NEWS! REPORT THE TRUTH UNBIASED!

Do your jobs. Stop acting like everything American Citizens are doing is a joke. It's not YOUR job to pick the president for the entire country, It's EVERYONE's JOB!

Lisa Fenwick, Gulf Shores, AL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:12 AM)

I am amazed by the lack of Ron Paul coverage in the MSM. Here the guy sets an all-time fundraising record, and there is no mention other than buried in First Read. The establishment is scared, no question about it. There's too much money at stake if he wins (military-industrial complex).

Jason, Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:15 AM)

As we near the 'Great Iowa Wrestle-Off', I am truly warmed by the cheery discourse on this blog. Remember, the dress of choice for our January Election Day is either a Hawkeye, Cyclone, or Panther Singlet. You can be sure that the Majority of those who choose the correct Singlet, will have their wishes come true, with the winner of their choice. So be sure and dress accordingly, and clear all the furniture out of the living room.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:16 AM)

I want to know more about the motivations behind the DMR endorsement of Hillary. It really makes no sense. This is a progressive editorial board and Hillary represents a campaign that is anything but progressive. There's something that suggests a motivation by gender because this claim about her vast experience is just not backed up by fact. The demonstrations of her experience have, to this date, been failures, i.e. health care and her votes sustaining Bush's war effort in the Middle East, so one certainly cannot point to the benefits of experience in her case. In addition she is the least electable of the Democratic candidates and the one who, if she were to become the president, would meet the most head wind in attempting to push through a Democratic agenda. As I say, although everyone is entitled to their opinion, this endorsement would seem to go against the grain. I'm sure that Iowan voters will have the good sense to see this endorsement for what it is worth.
Obama '08

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:17 AM)

Ron Paul Republicans might just be the new face of the Republican Party.

George W. Bush promised in 2000 to be fiscally responsible and to not get us caught up in nation building. As President he has doubled the national debt and gotten us entangled in nation building efforts no one besides our troops are committed to winning. If we as a nation are not willing to sacrifice and instead expect only our troops to sacrifice, we do not belong in any wars.

Conservatives value small government and freedom, including free markets and free enterprise. George Bush, Giuliani, etc. would sacrifice American Values to gain a little security. A 5 mph speed limit would save lives too, but true Americans don't want that either.

Those who are sacrificing our freedoms for negligible gains in security are aiding and abetting the terrorists. The media knows the Democrats are likely to win next year and they are afraid of adverse legislation if they give a real alternative his fair share of coverage.

Rachel Farer, Newark, DE (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:17 AM)

All you Hillary hater's are going to cry in your beer when she wins the nomination for president. Americans would be crazy to vote a muslim in the white house for president and I mean Obama. I am glad that finally came out in the open. Of course, this generation doesn't care because many of them are on booze and drugs like he was at one time so it would be meaningless to them. Even if Obama wins Iowa and New Hampshire, big deal, he will not win the majority of the bigger states which I believe Hillary is going to win. If I was Hillary I would have skipped Iowa like Bill Clinton did. He lost in New Hampshire but won the presidency without those tiny states. So they are meanlingless to begin with. They don't even count. She wasted her valuable time campaigning there. She should have been campaigning in California, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma and skip the small one's because they are a drop in the bucket. John McCain is too old to be running for president and Ron Paul is going nowhere even with his donations. It will be Hillary and Giuliani at the end.

Mariann Pepitone (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:21 AM)

Just a reminder if you do, nothing else today, go to.. hillaryclinton.com (even if you hate her)

T.M. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:22 AM)

It's quite interesting to see the Clinton campaign spin the DMR endorsement as a validation of her campaign. But the MSM fails to mention that the DMR has endorsed candidates- for the past 20 years- who have not won the nomination. Why doesn't the MSM report on the Boston Globe's endorsement of Obama with the same zeal?

Real Democrat, CA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:25 AM)

I can see that there is a lot of Hillary hatred here. The fact is no matter what she does, you guys will continue to criticize her. Some of you should just listen to your arguments. They are so pathetic. You complained that she was too cold and calculating.Then when she tried to be warmer, people complained that she was pretending. Can she ever do anything to appease you people?
To be honest, the press has been harder on her than they have been on Obama. They have allowed Obama to get away with some things that they would criticize Hillary for.
I think people just need to be objective in their selection. Have an open mind towards all the candidates and consider their positions objectively. That will be the best and most honest way to select a candidate.

Leye, Richmond, Va (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:25 AM)

Chuck Todd - Just saw you on MSNBC dismissing Contessa Brewer's accurate statement that the Des Moines Register has a really terrible record - and by inference - little influence - in helping to determine who the ultimate winner will be on the Democratic side in the Iowa caucuses. How can you claim that they are so influential when they did not pick Kerry, who shot up from a distant third to win in 2004? They chose Bill Bradley in 2000 and Gore clobbered him. They chose Paul Simon in 1988 and Dick Gephardt won. What gives? Edwards came in second in 2004 - but if the endorsement was that crucial, why was it Kerry who rose so dramatically? I have always thought you were a "straight shooter" - but you have disappointed me greatly today. The Register's track record is terrible - and you should acknowledge that. The Boston Globe is much more historically relevant and accurate in their endorsements. You should clarify that in your future appearances, or you will lose all credibility with your viewers.

Mary Anne, Potomac, MD (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:26 AM)

Paul has raised over 18 MILLION this quarter and will surely hit twenty mil by Jan. 1st. Is there any other republican who'll even come close?
What a shattered party; Huckabee is surging, but he has NO organization and NO money. Mitt has money AND a strong organization, but his early primary strategy has been ruined by Huck's rise, and he polls 4th in the nationals and doesn't even register in some states. Rudy's souffle has fallen to where he even trails in FLORIDA, which was supposed to be his big win. McCain (Who I think would be the toughest republican to beat) has racked up the endorsements, and has returned to his, "straight talk:", persona, has a shaky constituency in the republican party and empty pockets. Fred? Fred's still running, er, jogging...walking, settin'? I dunno, he's still around anyway. Paul has more money than supporters, according to every non-internet poll, and no interest in a 3rd party run. Bloomberg and Arnold (Reminding me of Arnold and Danny DeVito in "Twins") are pictured together and rumored to be contemplating something, maybe Twins 2-the election?
It's like a claiming race where all the horses are partly lame and no one knows if anyone will want to buy the winner. No wonder republicans spend so much time commenting on the dems, it's a lot less confusing, and a lot less painful...:)

Go Ron Paul! Wherever you're going...

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:27 AM)

The people I have ever voted for have had a R next to their name and I'm a Ron Paul supporter but I guess I'm not a real Republican and I only live on the internet. What is unconservative about limited government?

Jeff Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:27 AM)

Pat, Huntington NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:32 AM)

Fact check me on this one, please. Re: the Obama experience issue in the general election, he served what, six years in the state Senate plus will be finishing his fourth year in the US Senate by the time the General comes around. The sainted Republican icon Ronald Reagan had a grand total of four years are governor as his elected official experience unless you include his Hollywood union time right? I'd say Obama wins that comparison. Ohter experience? Education: Eureka College vs. Columbia & Harvard Law. Work: Hollywood actor vs. community organizer & civil rights attorney--a little more of the people and real worldly if you ask me.

Steve Mac, Cherry Hill, NJ (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:34 AM)

Over 200 republicans in West Virginia have registered to be delegates for Ron Paul in our state's convention, we have the highest # of declared delegates running, and 3rd in guaranteed delegates. It's more than just the internet, it's more than just NH.

Close to 60,000 donors yesterday, and over 20,000 new donors. Going around 150,000 donors this quarter alone.

Over 75,000 activists on meetup.

And now we have a blimp.

Let the Revolution begin!

Larry W Elkview, WV (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:35 AM)

Mitchell:
I agree that there is something motivating the DMR nod to Hillary Clinton, but I think it goes further than a gender issue. The DMR is owned by Gannett Corporation, and there is a former member of the Clinton administration on the Board of Directors.

Its another indication of the force of old school politics behind the Clinton campaign. For the DMR to endorse Hillary due to "experience", when they could have chosen Biden, Dodd or Richardson with that argument, indicates that there is something more going on beneath the surface.

Ben (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:37 AM)

Mariann Pepitone wrote:

"All you Hillary hater's are going to cry in your beer when she wins the nomination for president. Americans would be crazy to vote a muslim in the white house for president and I mean Obama. "

Ah, you do the Clinton campaign proud by continuing to spread the "Obama is a muslim" lie throughout cyberspace - will you be the next to "resign" or are you up for a promotion? Hard to tell . . .

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:39 AM)

If they call themselves republicans, , give money to a republican, and vote republican, are they republicans?

Terry (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:40 AM)

I heard from somewhere. I think it was on one of the Sunday morning shows. The editoral board of the DMR is mostly women.

PS - I like Obama

Ann J Utica NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:40 AM)

The Democrats have a choice between hope and fear
A choice between the future and the past

Obama speaks to our hopes and aspirations

Hillary Clinton is a traveling scandal waiting for the next 'disclosure'...... Norman Hsu, Peter Paul, Chinese-American dishwashers and earmarks for campaign contributors....

Hillary says the 'fun' is beginning.....
and promptly has her campaign smear Obama...

All just a coincidence ?
Obama is a Muslim emails (see the 'gregopelika alabama' post above ?
Shaheen and then Mark Penn on Hardball (AFTER Hillary's apology) ?

Sorry, that's the Clinton's Republican tactics

The Democratic party is better than that....

Obama/Edwards '08
Honesty, Integrity, Reform

TURN THE PAGE

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:41 AM)

"..... for Obama, he does need to answer where the Des Moines Register editorial says he comes up short: experience. He's made the change case obviously, or the Clinton camp wouldn't be retooling so much. But he needs to close the experience gap, just a little..."Posted: Monday, December 17, 2007 9:29 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts, 2008
From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro

No, he needs to close that gap A LOT.
Obama-Rama-Ding-Dongs are trying to sell you on the idea that 9 years worth of STATE legislative experience is equal to, or worth more than Hillary's 7 years in The United States Senate during the most tulmultuous period in our country's history.
As Alex Trebeck from 'Jeapordy' would say; "noooooo, sorry."
The "he passed healthcare reform" LIE has been exposed too.
Illinois' "Healthcare Justice Act" of 2004 did little more then establish study groups, and task forces, at taxpayers' expense. The findings, and final reports from some of those groups weren't even due until just this past summer.
For me the two issues which strike the deepest chord are; a) who has the best leadership qualifications, and b) which candidate truly represents traditional Democratic morals, idealogy, and doctrine.
Obama availed himself to the 1990's mantra of the Republican party, "I hate the Clinton's, and you should too."
The "independents" (who contributed to the 2000 Presidential election mess and who steadfastly work each election cycle to ensure a G.O.P. victory), along with Conservative Hate Speak Radio Personalities are talking him up fervantly.
Therefore, it cannot be said that Obama represents traditional Democratic issues and agendas.
Some may call that "partisanship."
I say "partisanship" is fine because when people of like ideology band together, thaht's how majorities are formed.
Furthermore, I really don't want "independents" dictating to me who my party's nominee should be.
Finally, Hillary has proven her leadership capabilities time after time. Most recently she did so by working to get 911 victim status and benefits for workers at "ground zero" who suffer from serious lung ailments as a result of their cleanup efforts at The Former WTC site. She is an old-time Democrat who can galvanize support from within the centrist, liberal, and conservative wings of The Democratic Party, and that's exactly what we need. We don't need to placate to independents, we need to reach out to our own base.

If you believe in Democracy, Then VOTE DEMOCRATIC!
HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT 2008! ***Experience Counts***

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:42 AM)

Sen. Clinton's campaign is finally getting a clue by focusing more on Hillary the person, her background, and connecting it to the real current needs of the middle class and working poor. For example, I learned today she worked for years with the Children's Defense Fund, and literally visited many homes where children needed an advocate for education, etc. She does, indeed have the experience. By focusing on her background like this, it makes her more human. I say you go girl!
Pat, Huntington NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:32 AM)

Is that the kind of experience Clinton is claiming? Because Barack Obama was a community organizer in the slums of Chicago. I think that's a little more rough than doing child-based pro-bono once a month for a big corporate law firm she only got hired at because her husband hooked you up.

Ron, TX (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:43 AM)

Hillary Clinton as President? LOL. What's next? President McGovern and President Mondale? She's would be the most unelectable candidate the
One blogger from the DMR wrote:

"Democrats have put up since those two peaches. Some have wondered why the Register's circulation numbers have been dropping for years. This endorsement tells us why...this isn't the 90's anymore, whether its politics or selling newspapers."

Classic!!

Dante (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:45 AM)

I see there is still whining and crying by some because they didn't get their way with the coveted DMR endorsement. Sore loser comes to mind. Sour grapes too.
The DMR did a great piece on the selection process.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071215/NEWS/71215020/-1/NEWS04

Which should be required reading for everyone as a, "how to", to making your own decision.

Do any of you think you have been more thorough then they? Do you think you've been more objective, or strove for objectivity more than they?

It was to be expected that those who felt that the nod was their entitlement would be angry at and would now grasp at any rationale to shoot the messenger, but the reality is that the little newspaper did their due dilligence and the best choice in their considered opinion is Hillary.

I know that anyone who really looks at every aspect of
what the candidates have to offer, what chance they have of winning, how they'll govern, how prepared they are to face the tough choices of the coming years, what's in their HEART, would reach the same conclusion.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:45 AM)

Barack Obama said:

"Probably the strongest experience I have in foreign reltions is the fact that I spent four years living overseas as a child in southeast Asia."

Joe Biden said it all when he said that Barack Obama was right. That is probably his strongest foreign policy experience.

disgusted (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:46 AM)

I am cracking up at the scramble to smear the DMR for their endorsement by the supporters of the man who just yesterday decried this kind of politics...

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:47 AM)

The "DM Register" endorsement is worth about as much, and thanks to "Cactus Jack" Garner on the Vice-Presidency, as a "pitcher of warm spit". Seriously, the last nominee this "rag" picked was Mondale in 1984 and we all know what happend to him.

Both Clintons continue to "buffalo" the American people with a bunch of b.s. while the rest of the candidates talk about issues. Cinton's "experience" issue is a sham. 6+ years in elective office, the one job she gets in Bill's first term, health care, crashes and burns. Oh, by the way Bill had no, repeat no, international experience at all when he took over. Biden has decades, Obama's served on the Foreign Relations Committee as well. Dodd was in the Peace Corps and Edwards, well maybe I'd better not go into John's foreign experience or lack of same.

It's also not about experience, it's about judgement. Clinton brought us a mandated health plan once and is trying it again just like Romney's Massachusetts fiasco, where a couple of hundred thousand have opted out. How do you get the funds, Hillary? Garnish wages, put liens on property, deny care to those who don't shell out hard earned dollars to private insurance companies? Pray tell us!

Gave Bush a blank check on Iran and now Iraq. Tell us about that non-existant nuclear weapons program, Hillary. She just hasn't a clue. On top of that we get "loose cannon" campaign staffers sending false e-mails, her NH Chair, Bombastic Billy Shaheen, falsely claiming that Obama may have sold drugs, 3 staffers posts and access thrown off "Blue Hampshire",
a leading liberal Democratic site, Norman Hsu, Asian dishwashers who are not only not registered to vote, but have no known addresses. Add to all this her big Mississippi buddy, Dickie Scruggs, whose "Hillary" fund raiser got cancelled because he's facing a federal judge bribing charge. When is enough enough?

The Democrats have great candidates in Obama, Biden, Dodd and Edwards as well, if he'd stop the "class warfare" nonsense. Any of them would bring integrity, intelligence, honesty, straighforwardness and, above all, sound judgement back to the Oval Office. The question was asked about George Bush, "How Dumb Is Too Dumb?" I pose that same questions to those voters who want a repeat of the 90's and more "politics as usual". A vote for Clinton is a vote for gridlock, the status quo and another three ring circus. America and the world can't affort that. Clinton's best service to us, and she is very good at it, is junior Senator from New York state. Millions of us hope that the American voter sees the wisdom in keeping her just where she is.

Audacious Enough to Hope, Bennington County, VT (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:47 AM)

thank god for all you smart people i hope you have a horse in the barn to get to work and matra as some steam engines left over from the old days good thing he have coal mine we can reopen.

mark elgin il (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:47 AM)

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=520546