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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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Get real, you yanks are not ready for a woman or a black man to run your country,USA teenagers in the world stage and acting like one everyday GROW UP AMERICA ITS TIME TO BE AN ADULT.
The World Loves the Clintons but still hates America Because of the Bushes , HILL will be president no way out of that.
Nice touch the phone call. They love each other, yes even if one screwed around of course all you other yanks don’t fool around, you invented Divorce come on.
Obviously, the point behind the the phone call thing was for the audience to here Bill tell Hillary he loves her so they like her more. It's just another stunt to make her look like a human.
Cathy Upstate NY says: 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!




Well. Here we have another Hillary supporter ready to work on the campaign. Tact. Persuasiveness. Wit. Humor. You certainly have all the qualities to work on the Hillary campaign Cathy. Day 1! Ready!
If you're looking for the problem with our politics, don't look at Hillary Clinton.

Look right to the people who speak against her with such hateful, vicious fervor.  They are the best example of how what's wrong with our politics.
Sorry For my double post, I didn't know if the first one was going to be posted or not.

Now that we know that Clinton is fake, we need to also turn our attention to Obama. This man is as fake as an eight dollar bill. First of all, he along with Edwards and Hillary is a product of previlage. He went to an ivy-league college, he never had to deal with the struggles that most black people have had. I can assure you that not many of us have lived the racial state of Hawaii..yeah right! But you listen to this man and his phoney preacher voice talk about how he practically stood beside MLK fighting the good fight and understanding the struggle. First of all, we have to remember that Obama was about three years old when they walked across that bridge in Selma. As a matter of fact, he lived in indoesia until he was six years old.

Let's face it the only struggle this man knows are the ones he has read in books, at the law library no doubt.
I switch channels when I hear the Hilliary shrill.  Hurts the ears (literally).  She is not talking to people, she is yelling her "canned" dialogues.  Also,  Hillary SO, SO often reminds us that she has thirty-some-odd years experience.  Guess what?  So do a lot of people her age.  Guess what?  She has not been president before, so where's the presidential experience?  Or any executive experience?  Unfortunately, I think America will not elect a woman for president, at least not Hilliary.  I am a woman who will not vote for a woman just because the candidate is a woman.  I have to trust, like, and feel confident in a candidate.  And Hillary just is not that person.        
First of all stop this constant badgering and heckling of Hillary and Bill. She is doing what she sincerly beleives in. Give her credit for standing her ground and staying strong. I admire her for her strength and courage that it takes to stand up against especially men, and of all the constant redicule from fellow americans. Sure Obama is ahead he says change, change,change. But the way i see it is like this. For example.......If you or I want change weather it be a job for our country like the presidency or for a different career that any one of us might want. If you want change, then you also need experience. No matter what job you might want to do . No one can do the job unless they have experience.

So in other words. Obama is saying he'll give everyone change, BUT HE DONT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE IT TAKES TO DEAL WITH CONGRESS.

I feel that everyone wants so desperatly wanting change that they are not thinking of the basic things that go along with change. THEREFOR EXPERIENCE!!!

Wake up America !!!! We dont want another 4 to 8 years with someone that dont have experience much less the know how as how to get results.

With all the abuse that Hillary has taken and still is taking just shows me how stupid and blind people are at this desperate time in our life.

I myself desperatly want change, but i also want someone like Hillary who has had experience and has been in the White House to know the ropes and can deleiver to all of us what we so want.

Look at it this way like the old saying goes
" You cant send a boy to do a mans job."
and eventho Hillary isnt a man she can do a mans job.

We just need to support her and beleive in her.

We have all lived with stupidity for the last eight years lets not be so fast as to do it again. Just because someone talks change and cant produce.

WAKE UP AMERICA


the 'angry sick rhetoric' that appears to be coming out of Obama supporters (questionable) is actually just a hint of what the Republican party would unleash if she got the nomination. Like her or not, Hillary is divisive. Period. The RNC would RALLY the whole party to beat her. Independants wont vote for her. The National polls that have her ahead will flip with every new state primary. Obama can TROUNCE anyone on the Republican ticket. Clinton cant do that. She evokes hate, not hope.
Dante, when Hillary gave a similar speech on why she was going to vote on the Iraq issues and that it wasn't a rush to war vote, did you give her the benefit of the doubt?  No, because she still voted for it.  Obama still voted for the Patriot Act.  It's that simple.  What happen to his convictions?Interesting, you had no response for the give the Oil companies billions energy bill vote.  Just skipped over that didn't you?  Wel 4.00 dollars a gallon gas and your candidate voted for the Energy Bill.  Hillary did not?  Who says Obama has better judgement?  I'm just saying, the media didn't do it's job.  They only focused on Hillary and now McCain will probably win the election.  
As for Edwards, he was asked a direct question at the debate on what he has done to change America. He brought up a bill that didn't even get through the House, so actually he accomplished nothing except co sponsor the Iraq war resolution bill.  Obama could not bring up anythig he has done either.  Hillary and Bill Richardson were the only candidates who could.  The reality is, no one is changing anything unless the Democrats get 60 Senators.  Anyone who thinks, Edwards or Obama will go in there and get everything they demand from the Republicans, are smoking crack.

The Republicans got all of you Obama and Edwrds people to vote for a weaker candidate, and now if Hillary doesn't get the nomination, McCain wins the election.  You all fell for the Hillary is polarizing to win argument from the republicans.  You fell for it.  And if Hillary doesn't get the nomination and when McCain wins, you better own it.  
The Clintons are soooo phony !!  What horrible people !!
Dr. Robert is an idiot !!
"Talk is cheap"...
Elect someone you KNOW has "walked the walk".
Hillary has EARNED our RESPECT.
You all shame yourselves when you denigrate ANY politician who has worked on your behaves their entire career...do we deserve her????
Please--a little courtesy would go a long way.  Obama does not walk on water and Hillary is not a demon.  As a life-long democrat, I am worried that we are about to shoot ourselves in the foot, again.  It seems to happen about every time it looks as if we can elect a president.  

The message of hope and change are very good.  However we have to do more than hope for the change.  Where is the debate about what they would do, how they would change things?  Where is the debate between 2 different plans?  Why is it ok for Obama's supporters to just trash Hillary Clinton but no one--and I mean no one--is questioning anything that Obama has done or not done?  Not even the new media has vetted this candidate--they were too busy getting ready for the Obama coronation.

If you are wondering about the Republicans, they are licking their chops.  I doubt that Hillary's people are out looking for dirt, but I would bet that the Republican attack machine is accumulating the dirt and ammo that they will sling at Obama if he is the nominee.  

So, let's all be careful and remember we all want the best for our country.  We may have different ideas about it but that should make us strong--not tear us apart.  Experience does count and so do ideas and plans--the total person.  

I guarantee you if Obama makes it to the end and is nominated, they are going to go after him with everything they have.  They will have no problem with that because that is how their attack machine works. (And if you think they won't find something, think again.  Everyone has skeletons they don't want revealed!)

So, the next time you want to be vitriolic and dredge up old stories about drugs, murders and bribes, remember that it could be your "guy" who is next!
Dante, still waiting for that answer on the Energy Bill and why Obama after all his speeches, still voted for the Patriot Act. I like to know why he helped the people who are now profiting from 100.00 a barrel for oil and voted for an Energy Bill that was written by Cheney and the Oil and Enron executives.  I want to know why he helped give our civil liberties away in voting for the Patriot Act?  I want to know why he voted "Present" on Abortion bills and never took a stand when he was in the Ill. Senate on that issue of Pro Choice and Abortion.  These are all questions every Democrat should be asking with the same scrutiny as they gave to Hillary.  That is all I'm saying. Again, I have noting against Edwards or Obama, I just think Obama and Edwards have done absolutely nothing to make change?  Hillary helped get children health insurance, she helped the Military Reserves get the money and help they deserved because of Hillary going to bat on their behalf. Just what exactly has your candidates accomplished with all their talk.  I'm just afraid it will be too late for Hillary by the time the media catches up with the other candidates.  That's a shame.  
Clinton is the best choice for the working people.
The best choice on either side. She will take our
country in the direction we need to go. Barack would be a bigger mistake than W.
THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT IS NOT RIGHT.
Ihave never understood the trash that comes out of
the mouths of the so called religous right.
Do you people have no shame at all. What in this world have the Clinton's ever done to any one of you to make you feel such hatred. I think you all should be thanking the Clinton's for giving us so much of their time, love and devotion. President Clinton
hung in there when a bunch of self righteous hypocrits tried to undo his election from day one.
Senator Clinton has worked very hard for Children, veterans, health care and probably played a larger roll in getting New York back on track after 9-11
than Guiliana did. I am amazed that some of you creeps still view George Bush as a Christian , when every move he makes is against any of the Christian values I believe in.
I have never seen a bunch of busy bodies so interested in someone elses marriage. I think the Clinton's seem to care a lot for each other.They have been marriad to each other for 35 years. and only to each other. Not multiple spouses.
come on BOY'S stop being scared of the little lady.
Stop looking for all the dirt and smell the roses. It would be doing yourselves and The country a good deed. Women can't be all bad, after all one did give birth to you.
Don't you all feel rather silly telling all that dumb stuff on the Clinton's?  
Most of the stuff said about them was started by The
televangelist, namely Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. Now that is really being goog christians, lol.
NOT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE I READ!!!
Thank you SHIRLEY
I can't wait for the Hill/Bill soap opera to be OVER!!!
Bill and Hillary Clinton could tell me that the sky is blue, and I will still look up to check.

Never believe anything either of them has to say.
Bill Clinton made mistakes. He also had our country
going in the right direction, low income and middle
class were living better than in my 50 years of life.
Now poor has a new meaning to me. I believe Hillary
will help the economy and make not only us but the
world a safer place. She is my change.
I really believe OBAMA is simply on the "O" list...and nothing more than these idiots chossing to buy into Oprah's book club choice or the yearly "O" list...they are choosing Oprah not OBAMA...if she had never backed him especially the last appearance she made...he would never be where he is...it is quite insane to voite for anyone, that has no more experience than he does even in the short time he has been in the Senate...he is not experienced enough and has no plan.....just two words...HOPE and CHANGE...the same words OPRAH has said many times on her show...there are hidden messages in his speeches if anyone would read them...he voted for THE PATRIOT ACT....if you want to know where he stands...look that up...and anyone can stand there and say they were against the war in Iraq...if they weren't in a position to vote....try actually looking at his records and votes and what he has done in the past...nothing...and you actually want someone of so little experience except on the Oprah show to make descisions on immigration, he can't even answer a straight yes or no question...watch the debates...and stop looking for giveaways from Oprah...are you people crazy...
Are people really listening? I thought Edwards was going to burst out in tears Saturday N.H. debate. I don't see anyone making a big deal of that. I do not think the press is fair because she is a woman she cares
You remember the old saying IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT GIVE THE JOB TO A WOMAN
Do you remember George Bush and his speaches, well listen to Oboma same speach just a more elequant speach pattern
You people are so cruel !  Bill had our country on the right track and our of debt for the first time in ages and Hillary could do great things for our nation and international affairs as well but being sheepish and stupid is the problem with the majority  of americans due to a lack of common sence and education!  Wake up before it is too late. don't you see Oprah is funding Obahama and he has no real time under his belt! He is NO JFK or has the ability for CHANGE because he is in GOVERMENT and being bought out by OPRAH and the movie industry when we need jobs and SSI and healthcare and a REAL end to the war in a matter that we can save out troops on a pull out so it does not end like Viet Nam with Egg on our face!
UMM, For anyone whom would vote for a president that wont stand up for our pledge of alligence, because its against his "faith" isn' american.  To back anyone whom wont do such  simple thing as respect our flag, country, and those whom have died for the words we speak as we pledge to our flag/country is totally unamerican.
Obama only is mutterd in our homes today because of this media machine that backs him, for whatever their hidden agendas might be.  Oprah??? Oboma???    
Millions of weak minded people sit at home and will do anything oprah says, its pathetic to turn our polotics into such a commercial.  VOTE OBOMA OPRAH IS!!!!!! HEY ALSO, SOUTH BEACH DIET TIME!!!! OPRAH SAYS!!!!!! I ALSO SAW A DR ON OPRAH YESTERDAY SAYING TO PUT TAPE OVER YOUR CHILDRENS ANUS WHEN THEY SLEEP TO SEE IF THEY ARE INFECTED WITH A PARASITE, BETTER HURRY AND BY UP SOME SCOTCH TAPE STOCKS PPL....  PATHETIC.      The Clintons re entering the White house would be a favor to us all. God help us if they dont.
I am amazed how reckless most Americans are when it come to voting.  Why would any one with 1/2 a brain vote for Osama Obama?  Obama mama has no leadership skill, has accomplished nothing as a US Sentator, and is a brazen liar.  Hillary is the only choice for Democrats to take back the USA.


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