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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Hill, Bill have their cellphone moment

Posted: Monday, January 07, 2008 12:50 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
HENNIKER, NH -- The Clintons had a reverse Rudy-Judi moment this morning. 

During a meeting with some local undecided voters, a cellphone starting ringing. "Is that mine?" Bill Clinton said, realizing it was. "It's probably her." He answered, but found no one there. "Only Hillary has my number, it couldn't be anyone else."

Sure enough, the phone rang again. "I'm at your meeting here," he explained, causing the crowd gathered at a local restaurant to roar. Clinton appeared to be listening intently, then said: "I'll tell them that. Okay, I love you."

Earlier, Clinton told the crowed that this election promises a choice for them. "Hillary doesn't think she's entitled to the presidency," he said. "She just wants you to make a choice, a knowing choice."

He said if the question is who would be the best president, it's an "easy" choice. "If the question is, who is most likely to be the person you've never seen before, you have an easy choice," he added. "Countries can say, 'We think that we should wipe the slate clean and start again.' But if you do that, then make sure you got the work straight, and make sure you know that what you're being told is factual and accurate."

Clinton then told a story he often does on the trail, about a New York firefighter who caddied for him once on a golf course, and said how much Hillary had done for him and his brethren on 9/11.

"I tell you that story because that's the person I've known for 36 years," Clinton said. "I can't make her younger, taller, or change her gender. I can't do anything other than to tell you who she is."

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What if the caller was Ms Lewisky? and why was he playing self rightousness? Only God knows who the caller was, we may never find out.
I'm still not real clear about this. Who exactly is running for President, Hillary or Bill?
OH PLEEEASSSE  this is tacky even for  bill and hillary. Bill clinton telling hillary he loves her over an imaginary telephone conversation. Like she doesnt know the campaign schedule and where everyone is at every given moment. She would just call her husband during a speech and he has his phone on. This is very weak and shame on them both.... Also shame on the voters gathered to see bill clinton who cheered that rubbish. Its amazing the tactics these folks will resort to and the nonsense that gets reported. Its the main reason we the voters get confused as to whom to choose, all the nonsense that gets muddled in and reported as news. The stands on civil issues, domestic issues, international issues, and fiscal issues should be the only thing reported. Bill clinton just as i didnt care who was under your desk or not sending her dress to the dry cleaners, I dont care that you love your wife. As president of the USA, take care of our issues and keep your personal life private. You both asked us to do this once before, dont be a two face and now expect us to care.  MAJOR FAUX PAS....
come on i can tell you a lot of stories about people who have done more than Hillary Clinton and they are unknowns...Get real  Tell me whats she done for the american people.....35 yrs must be something in ther that i benefited from so someone tell me....Change is what we need........
So...based on the former president's direct quote...not even his own daughter is allowed to have his cell number.  is this a lie or is Mrs. Clinton that controlling?  
You just know that Bill's ringtone for Hillary is "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead".
McCain is a WAR PRESIDENT.

Hillary's idea of leaving Iraq to IRAN with nuclear waeapons and controlling the world oil is just as dangerous.

McCain pounding the war drum all the time is scary.

Thats great Hillary and Bill are having a little phone fun and they will have lots of time for that soon.  Obamas talking to crowds and Hillary is talking to Bill.

We all know that Bill and Hillary lead separate private lives, that their marriage is a business partnership not a romantic relationship. So what was this little cell-phone performance supposed to prove? That the Clintons are as happily married as the Obamas? Not convincing. But when Barack called Michelle the love of his life, it was instantly believable. The poor Clintons can't even compete on this basic image-generating level. How long do you think it's going to take Hillary to dump Bill after this is all over? I'm sure Vegas will start giving odds on that soon. If Hillary had held true to her feminist principles ("I'm not some Tammy Wynette just standing by my man") and kicked Bill to the curb in 1998, she'd probably be doing better today.
BILL WAS ON DRUGS AGAIN AS HE WAS ALL TIME AS GOVERNOR IN ARKANSAS(see clintons scandals.com).  HIS BROTHER VERIFIED IT TO DRUG DEALERS. I WONDERED WHY HE WAS LOOKING SO GOOFY ON TV, HIS MOUTH ALMOST DROOLING, AND NO MONICA.  CANT TELL IF IT WAS HIS CELL LMAO GIMME A BREAK  WAS HE CARRYING CIGARS?
{{"I tell you that story because that's the person I've known for 36 years," Clinton said. "I can't make her younger, taller, or change her gender. I can't do anything other than to tell you who she is."}}


You have got to be kidding. BC said this!? The Clinton family is in complete meltdown! You wonder what Chelsea would say if they ever would let her speak.
This is how "strong", "vetted", and "ready to lead" she is;
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/Clinton_fights_tears_Its_not_easy.html#comments
Six (yes, that's right, SIX) New Hampshire polls were released this morning alone, and some of them actually could have some hope for Hillary. Full roundup of all the polls here: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/01/rounding-up-new-hampshire-polls-6.html
I Just Threw Up !

it's kind of crazy to think that the Clinton Campaign is cash strapped after 100 million dollars??? Their discussing an exit strategy according to Drudge... http://www.enewsreference.wordpress.com
HRC, No CPR will restart this dead Horse!

American people spoke and it's all over.

Take out the dog and throw out the trash  ""turn out the lights!
HE TOLD JENNIFER FLOWERS, HIS LOVER FOR 12 YEARS, THAT SHE WAS A LESBIAN ACCORDING TO JENNIFER IN HER BOOK. HIS WORDS WERE SHE HAS HAD MORE WOMEN THAN HE HAS.  IS THIS WHAT THE PERVERT WAS TRYING TO SAY WHO SHE WAS. THIS IS OK BUT WHY DOES SHE HIDE IT?
"Fired Up Ready to Bore"

This sums up Hillary's state of campaign. Check this link
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/01/07/VI2008010700846.html
I really wish that someone would stand up and ask Hillary to be specific about what she has really done to be "making change" or "fighting for change for 35 years".  I am certain that she had little impact on decision making or change for many of those 35 years - How about the time she worked at the Rosr law firm?
Phony. it didnt work for Rudy, it wouldnt work for you. Sorry.
A lot has been said, by the so-called 'Christian' Right-Wingers, about Bill's infidelities. None of them, it seems, have given any thought of his possible conversion to fidelity. That is something they eagerly assume about any of their own, who have strayed, and that number we know, is fairly massive. What this simple phone call tells to me, is that he has seen the error of his ways, and has come around to that fidelity. Whether those Judges on the Right give him the benefit of the doubt, is neither here nor there. They are busy enough forgiving their own. What time they spend on Bill, is already a given, that it must and will be back-biting and slanderous. Just an Independent Observation.
"Hillary doesn't think she's entitled to the presidency," he said.

Guess what? If she didn't think that, then he wouldn't have to deny it.
BC:  "Only Hillary has my number, it couldn't be anyone else."


Except for all the girls at the cathouse, this is true.
Yes you can tell a different story.  How about your impeachment hearing regarding Monica Lewinskee?  Can you not tell how brave she was to "Stand by her Man"  Wouldn"t you do the same when the Whitewater hearings involve her and she too is impeached???
Why are NY firefighters caddying for Clinton?
Go home Bill. Thankfully, your time has passed.
Hillary admits very tough race in NH

In an fundraising email sent to supporters today, Senator Clinton concedes she "is in a very tough race."  This is of course contrary to the worldview that for the last year she has been considered by the pundits the anointed Democratic nominee. This now by her campaign's own admission can be farther from the truth.

There are two geniune change agents leading in this race. The first and second place showing by Senator Obama and John Edwards in Iowa seems to demonstrate that Clinton is being perceived as a candidate of the old politics.  Let's hope NH voters reaffirm this perception tomorrow.

It's time for transformational change, as I have discussed here during the last two days.  Our country cannot withstand another four years of a corporatist president.  The Hsu incident illustrates that Mrs. Clinton does not care where she gets her money.  She says she has fought the pharmaceutical, health, oil companies and other special interests.  If should fought them why are they contributing to her camapign?

The Clinton's have placed politics and pramatism over philosophy and ethics for too long.  It's time Americans repudiate the divide and conquer mentality of the pass and unite behind a true change agent either Senator Obama or candidate Edwards.

The status quo must change.  We need a president who will foster economic justice and who truly understands the plight of hardworking middle class families. We have been shafted for too long.

The Clinton fundraising letter follows:

You and I have two things in common.

First, we both know Hillary will be a great, great president. There's no limit to what she can achieve, because she has the best combination of heart and mind of anyone I've ever met.

Second, we can both make a difference for Hillary right now in this extremely close race.

The voters in Dixville Notch will go to the polls at midnight tonight, kicking off the New Hampshire primaries. The last polls close at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Today, I'm out on the trail, telling every New Hampshire voter I meet why they should support Hillary.

You can help Hillary right now by making a contribution to her campaign. Only our online supporters can put money in the bank quickly enough to make a real difference in New Hampshire by tomorrow, et cetera...


Posted on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 01:27PM by joe
I think he is really losing it. This was cheesy, but in a another speech he said that Hillary was a stronger person than even the likes of Nelson Mandela. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/01/bill-hillarys-t.html
I think he was trying to cheer her up. Watch this video of her trying not TO CRY while answering questions. I didn't belive it until I saw it. As the term goes "NOT VERY PRESIDENTIAL".

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4097366
Why are NY firefighters caddying for Clinton?
Elmo Tickle

Cause they hate Rudy?
All any of you Obama people know how to do is to spew your viscious hatred. If all of you are any indication of what the "politics of hope" will be, you can stick it! Everything Obama does supposedly makes him a saint, yet you criticize the SAME behavior in anyone else...you're a bunch of hypocrites!!! Obama's wife is a loudmouth who bosses him around...somehow I'm not feelin' the love from them! It's still way to early to call this race. How about asking your Saint for some details??? Maybe he should start answering questions instead of just preaching the same boring nonsense...two words:hope,change,hope,change,hope,change,etc., etc.,etc.Hillary '08: at least she can answer direct questions without a speechwriter!!!!
jamaal pasadena, ca -  So...based on the former president's direct quote...not even his own daughter is allowed to have his cell number.  is this a lie or is Mrs. Clinton that controlling?  


Chelsea doesn't need the phone number, she never speaks. Chelsea is playing the part of Harpo Marx for the campaign. Maybe they should give her a horn to blow.

I won't get fooled again by these phonies. Thank goodness I have Bama to vote for this time>
Obama writes his own speeches. That's why people can feel him.
CAthy im not an obama supporter and in fact i agree with you on the fact that his wife doesnt seem likable. She is however, not running he is  lets rememeber. I am trying to remain a hillary supporter, but these tactics such as i love you's on cell phones insults my intelligence, as well as yours, and is  hypocritical on the Clintons part. I was furious with the GOP for intruding on their private lives and problems with infidelty, and now they turn around and are inviting us in. we are not stupid and we supported them. They should give us some credit.
i'm an INDEPENDENT.  i have been impressed with all the Democrats running for the presidency...i also like Romney and Huckaby's program's as governors to help the "less fortunate among us" (fiscal compassion not being a Republican trait!)....However...Bill is right about Hillary.  Her track record has been about "service to others"...especially the "less fortunate"... usually minorities, women, and children.
Bill and Hillary were like Barak when they started in politics...idealistic and ready to charge up the mountain...Then they learned the hard way that our "Dreams" take more than our "talking" about them...remember Hillary's experience trying to get healthcare "change" during Bill's first term!!...Now she is more knowledgeable and pragmatic...She may not "glitter" as much as Obama...but she is GOLD.  Elect a NOVICE during this pivotal time in our nation's history at our PERIL.
Remember Bill C. raised the taxes on the retires collecting SS, paying taxes again, tax on tax.
What will Hillary do?  The Clintons are history.
Obama voted for the Patriot Act and the Cheney Energy Bill that gave billions of tax breaks to the oil comnpanies.  What do the Obama people think of that?  I didn't know about that until this weekend.  Maybe if the press had did their job instead of worrying about Bill's phone calls, we could really see what the issues are between the candidates.  Nothing against Obama, I would love to see any Democrat become President, but the media clearly is not doing it's job and giving him a free ride.  But they will probably hammer him after he gets the nomination which will give McCain the presidency.  
Transcript of Hillary's call: "Bill, you'd better not EVER tell the public you can't make me younger, taller, and male again, what are you trying to do to me... don't you dare think of saying that AGAIN... DON'T YOU HANG UP THIS PHONE!"
Joe Garcia,
No one is going to give money to a woman who along with her husband claim to be millionaires and how lucky they are to be wealthy. Let her use her own money to run for president, just as she should use her own money to foster the fairy tale called: economic justice. Give me a break.... You need a job.
Joe Garcia,
No one is going to give money to a woman who along with her husband claim to be millionaires and how lucky they are to be wealthy. Let her use her own money to run for president, just as she should use her own money to foster the fairy tale called: economic justice. Give me a break.... You need a job.
"Only Hillary has my number, it couldn't be anyone else."

I guess Chelsea isn't part of the team anymore?

Clinton then told a story he often does on the trail, about a New York firefighter who caddied for him once on a golf course,

I hope he tipped better then his wife......

Maybe a better ringtone would be The Beatles "HELP"

IS THIS HOW PEOPLE VOTE?  THEY VOTE ON WHETHER THEY "LIKE" SOMEONE OR NOT?  YOU DO "KNOW" THE CLINTON'S AS MUCH AS I "KNOW" THEM.  THE ONE YOU DON'T "KNOW" IS OBAMA.
Hillary and "her" Bill Clinton's 35 years experience is status quo America rejects.
YOU GOT IT RIGHT AISIA, SHE GOT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS WHEN BILL PARDONED THE DRUG DEALERS AND CRIMINALS AND TERROSISTS, THE MOST DESPICABLE PARDON IN US HISTORY STRICTLY MONEY
All any of you Obama people know how to do is to spew your viscious hatred. If all of you are any indication of what the "politics of hope" will be, you can stick it! Everything Obama does supposedly makes him a saint, yet you criticize the SAME behavior in anyone else...you're a bunch of hypocrites!!! Obama's wife is a loudmouth who bosses him around...somehow I'm not feelin' the love from them! It's still way to early to call this race. How about asking your Saint for some details??? Maybe he should start answering questions instead of just preaching the same boring nonsense...two words:hope,change,hope,change,hope,change,etc., etc.,etc.Hillary '08: at least she can answer direct questions without a speechwriter!!!!
Cathy, Upstate NY (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 1:53 PM)

Well I guess some Hillary people came out to play today. However, Cathy, even with a speechwriter Hillary can't answer any questions.  McCain 08
stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 2:06 PM)

Clearly you are not doing your job and looking up stuff before you post. Regarding the PATRIOT ACT:

Fact Check: Obama's Consistent Position on the Patriot Act
January 05, 2008
Rhetoric: "Sen. Obama Promised to Support Repealing PATRIOT Act, Then Voted to Extend It"

Reality: Obama Has Consistently Said He Would Support A Patriot Act That Would Strengthen Civil Liberties Without Sacrificing The Tools That Law Enforcement Needs To Keep Us Safe

Obama Said That the Senate Compromise on the PATRIOT Act Was "Far From Perfect" But Modestly Improved the Original Law By Strengthening Civil Liberties Without Sacrificing the Tools That Law Enforcement Needs to Keep Us Safe. "Let me be clear: this compromise is not as good as the Senate version of the bill, nor is it as good as the SAFE Act that I have cosponsored. I suspect the vast majority of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way. But, it's still better than what the House originally proposed. This compromise does modestly improve the PATRIOT Act by strengthening civil liberties protections without sacrificing the tools that law enforcement needs to keep us safe. In this compromise: we strengthened judicial review of both National Security Letters, the administrative subpoenas used by the FBI, and Section 215 orders, which can be used to obtain medical, financial and other personal records; we established hard time limits on sneak-and-peak searches and limits on roving wiretaps; we protected most libraries from being subject to National Security Letters; we preserved an individual's right to seek counsel and hire an attorney without fearing the FBI's wrath; and we allowed judicial review of the gag orders that accompany Section 215 searches. The compromise is far from perfect. I would have liked to see stronger judicial review of National Security Letters and shorter time limits on sneak and peak searches, among other things." [Speech on the Senate Floor, 2/16/06]

2006: Obama Voted For a PATRIOT Act Reauthorization Bill That Included Three Key Changes Designed to Prevent Abuse of Authority By Law Enforcement. The final conference report to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act, passed by Congress in March of 2006, included three key changes that were not in the original bill that President Bush supported in 2005. In a report on the changes made to the final conference report to reauthorize the PATRIOT Act, CQ wrote, "One allows recipients of a court-approved request for business records to challenge a gag order, although to overturn it they would have to wait one year and prove the government acted in "bad faith." The second change removes a requirement that recipients of national security letters, which do not require court approval, disclose the names of attorneys they consult or intend to consult. The third change clarifies language in the 2001 law to ensure that libraries operating in traditional roles and not as Internet service providers would not be subject to national security letters." [CQ Legislative Summary on HR 3199, 12/18/06]

Ø The Final PATRIOT Act Conference Report Included Key Changes Based On a Bill Obama Cosponsored Almost a Year Earlier. In 2005, Obama cosponsored a bill, the Security and Freedom and Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2005 (S. 737), which amended the PATRIOT Act to safeguard against privacy violations. The bill required added safeguards to the "roving wiretap" provisions of the PATRIOT Act, requiring that electronic surveillance warrants contain specific information about the identity of the target or the place being wiretapped, and requiring that surveillance of a place only be conducted when a suspect is present at that place. The bill also limited law enforcement's authority to delay notice of a search warrant to circumstances where issuing a warrant would endanger an individual's physical safety, result in an individual's flight from prosecution. The key changes made to the final conference report on the PATRIOT Act were based on provisions in the SAFE Act. [H.R. 3199, S. 737, 109th Congress]


Obama Joined A Filibuster To Block Bush's Version Of The Patriot Act

2005: Obama Voted to Block a Conference Report on President Bush's Preferred Version of the PATRIOT Act. In 2005, Obama voted to block a vote on final passage of the original version of the PATRIOT Act reauthorization bill, which was supported by President Bush and sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN). The bill made permanent 14 of the 16 provisions of the original Act, which was set to expire at the end of 2005. The two remaining provisions, which dealt with access to business records and "roving wiretaps," were both extended for four years. [Vote #358, H.R. 3199, Motion rejected 52-47: R 50-5; D 2-41 (ND 2-37, SD 0-4); 12/16/05]


When I read comments of Obama's supporters,I deduced that they are not analytical politically. There is a need, that you guys take some Political Science courses to be politically analytical.
More to this, how can support a person, and don't know his/her public records. Of Clinton, 85% of  Americans  know her public records that to Obama. I will vote for the devil i know and not the angel i don't know.

Clinton for president 2008!

The responses to your post are very revealing.  

I am a Pastor's wife and a student of Theology.  The angry sick rhetoric that comes out of Obama supporters bodes ill for his insirational message.  Influence that produces this type of dialogue is very destructive.
I am a Pastor's wife and a student of Theology.  The angry sick rhetoric that comes out of Obama supporters bodes ill for his insirational message.  Influence that produces this type of dialogue is very destructive.
LYNETTE YOU THINK JUST LIKE ME   MARRY ME PLEASE   OR EMAIL ME AT dvd_anders@yahoo.com


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