First thoughts: Hillary Meets the Press

Posted: Friday, January 11, 2008 9:20 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Hillary Meets the Press: Clinton’s retool, it seems, is now complete after New Hampshire: She has become Hillary The Accessible. Yesterday, there she was canvassing with voters. Then she held a press avail. And more evidence of the more accessible Clinton? She's appearing on Meet the Press with Tim Russert this coming Sunday for the full hour -- the first time EVER she has agreed to sit down with Russert for the entire show. The program this Sunday will originate from Columbia, SC. Critics and cynics, of course, are probably thinking this: Why did it take so long? And why didn’t she do it before Iowa, a state that demands accessibility? But New Hampshire delivered her a second chance, and she's trying to seize it.

*** Fred’s not dead, baby… Fred’s not dead -- but he does have his own chopper: In last night’s GOP debate from South Carolina, Thompson was funny, biting, and energetic. It was easily his smoothest performance, but it wasn't necessarily presidential -- it was Jack Cafferty-esque or Paul Harvey-like. In short, he sounded like a smart (and cranky) pundit. By the way, Thompson did McCain a big favor by softening up Huckabee. Speaking of Huck, he was more on the defensive last night than any debate we can remember. It seemed like he was taking incoming from numerous candidates, particularly Thompson. He handled himself pretty well, but the message to conservatives was clear: He may be a social conservative, but he's no small-government economic conservative. (Then again, perhaps in this kind of economic climate, small-government conservatism isn’t a winner…) Still, give Huckabee credit: He answered the criticisms with his usual wit and probably did well on the likeability front.

VIDEO: NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on Fred Thompson's performance in last night's GOP debate.

*** Mitt targets McCain: Romney did well early on, though there seemed to be an air of desperation in his answers. He quickly targeted McCain, the man standing in the way of victory in Michigan. Romney gave one of the best change rationales we’ve ever heard him give. Why did it take Romney nearly a year to become this guy? Meanwhile, McCain was fine -- a typical sober performance. But he needs a bit more energy; there wasn't the same fire as we saw in previous debates. Giuliani did better than he did at the last two debates. He was more involved, but it is interesting to watch the candidates and moderators ignore Rudy somewhat. And then there was Ron Paul. Why didn't Fox stick to its guns and keep him out? He was a distraction for a good portion of the debate and took away from the candidates who have a real shot at the nomination. Then again, we know what it's like to have our comment boards and email boxes flooded with upset Paul supporters.

*** The GOP swings and misses on the economy: It also needs to be mentioned that the first 20 minutes of the debate was not good for the entire Republican Party. All of the candidates struggled on the economy -- an issue that is becoming more and more important as we head into November. Their answers may have been fine for a primary audience, but don't expect swing voters or indie voters to like what these guys said. They tried to sound in touch, but their collective hesitance for government involvement explains why voters tend to want Democrats in economic down times -- that's when folks look to government. The middle class doesn't like government involved when the economy is good.

*** Gloria Molina and Jim Clyburn: Get to know the name Gloria Molina. She is a Los Angeles County supervisor, and she had endorsed Bill Richardson. Now that Richardson is out of the race, First Read called her office yesterday to see if she had made up her mind if she would be backing Clinton or Obama, and her office replied that she’s still mulling her options. How Molina goes could be a key sign of how other Richardson backers -- and the Latino vote in California in general -- could break. And also don’t miss today’s New York Times piece, which notes that Jim Clyburn -- the biggest Dem get in South Carolina -- is angry with some of the things the Clintons said in New Hampshire, particularly when they referenced MLK Jr. Is Clyburn leaning Obama’s way? It wouldn't be a big issue for the Clintons to lose Clyburn's support to Obama. But if he endorses him and then also lectures the Clintons on their treatment of Obama, that would sting.

*** On the trail: Clinton is in California, where she gives a speech on the economy; Edwards is in South Carolina; Giuliani heads back to Florida; Huckabee and Hunter, and Kucinich are in Michigan; McCain campaigns in South Carolina; Obama, in Nevada, rallies with the Culinary Workers and later holds a town hall there; and Romney stumps in Michigan.

Countdown to Michigan: 4 days
Countdown to Nevada and SC GOP primary: 8 days
Countdown to SC Dem primary: 15 days
Countdown to Florida: 18 days
Countdown to Tsunami Tuesday: 25 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 298 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 375 days

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Comments

Hill made another big mistake with her mouth. By saying no women is illegal she again endorsed open borders and that is not going to fly with Americans. Male or female if you are not legal you are illegal and need to go home. Whining to a presidential candidate will not help that. How many of those she spoke to in Nevada were actual registared voters?

This slip of her tongue will again get her in trouble.

Alan in Phx (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 9:58 AM)

Regarding the story above on Gloria Molina, I found it interesting that First Read contacted her to find out if she was going to support Obama or Clinton now that Richardson is out of the race. Why not ask about Edwards, too? Is it because it's such a foregone conclusion that Edwards can't win, or is it just another example of the media's narrow focus on the Democratic party's two celebrity candidates? In my opinion, the media's preoccupation with Clinton and Obama at the expense of every other Democratic candidate is exactly the reason why those two candidates are now at the top of the heap.

L.H., Mahwah, NJ (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 9:58 AM)

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:01 AM)

Now that she seems to have learned her lesson about talking about the issues, maybe we will find out a little bit more about her stands on the issues.....

I see the man she was named after six years after he became famous has died.....

(Then again, perhaps in this kind of economic climate, small-government conservatism isn’t a winner…)

And again, when Congress is spending money like nobody's business, it is kind of hard to be talking about smaller government. The Liberals idea that Government should be your mommy will ensure that government will get bigger....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:11 AM)

Rick,ky (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:13 AM)

To say that Ron Paul should have been excluded from the debates just demonstrates how today's mainstream media "journalists" have forgotten what reporting is all about. People should have the opportunity to see all of the candidates in a presidential forum. Ron Paul does have a shot at the nomination because he is still in the race, period. For Fox to exclude Paul from any debate is virtually an "in kind" contribution to the other candidates and may violate the equal time provisions of section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act. People should be able to make an informed decision.

buck (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:13 AM)

Oh come on! "Clinton the Accessible" is such baloney. She's been strictly screening everything going in and out of her campaign for virtually a year now. And she actually expects people to buy that bull?

Notice how it's -accessible- and not Clinton the Transparent? She'll still lie and distort the truth, and refuse to release any records about her "experience"...

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:14 AM)

for all practical purposes in 4 weeks, America will choose the next President. Isn't it time you checked out hillaryclinton.com. No cost no obligation.

Jane Stevens, Ocala, Florida (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:17 AM)

people talk about hillary crying, about how she's changed her campaign strategy, about how the media is mean to her, that the other candidates are picking on her, what she looks like, how she laughs, on and on.

what should be talked about is how her plans and strategies on nearly every issue from her healthcare plan to telecommunications have been written hand in hand with the lobbyists that have ruined our once great nation, not one of her plans has been written for the american people, I can not for the life of me understand why anyone other than the wealthy elite could ever consider voting for her, she offers no change, just more of the same.

What’s the difference between hillary’s real plans for the country and rudy guiliani’s, fred thompson’s, john mccains, mitt romney’s?

nothing, because they all serve the same corporate master

MK,MO (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:20 AM)

Go Hillary! We wont follow the bought Culinary endorsement for Obama.

Jose, Nevada (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:20 AM)

How unfortunate for the Republicans that just as things in Iraq settle down slightly (for however long that lasts) the economy teeters on the brink of full-blown recession.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:27 AM)

"I hate her. I hate her. All that she stands for."

-- Matthews to an MSNBC colleague, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer magazine

Clinton should boycott NBC and MSNBC

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:30 AM)

Where is Obama? He stopped taking questions from people in New Hamphire. He cut press availability as well. Will Obama step up?

Or will the media give him a pass if he decides not to answer question?

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:32 AM)

Mormons are a Cult!
Please Google this and see for yourself what they belive in.

Mormons belive that when Christ died on the cross that it was not enough. And that you had to have Blood Atonement, I belive this comes from the Pitt of Hell!

Brigham Young Blood Atonement Sermon:
Journal of Discourses
Vol. 4, p. 215-221

and suppose that he is overtaken in a gross fault, that he has committed a sin that he knows will deprive him of that exaltation which he desires, and that he cannot attain to it without the shedding of his blood, and also knows that by having his blood shed he will atone for that sin, and be saved and exalted with the Gods, is there a man or woman in this house but what would say, "shed my blood that I may be saved and exalted with the Gods?"

Please Read More click link below:

http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/sermons_talks_interviews/jofdvol4p215_221brighambloodatonement.htm

Robert Jorgenson, UTAH (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:34 AM)

I think it's very sad that Kucinich is asking for a recount in NH because he heard rumors. It's sad that Obama and Edward's supporters have been brainwashed into thinking that Clinton's presidency was a joke and that 23 million new jobs and a balanced budget with surplusses, meant nothing to America. They would have you believe thay are just like Bush. So now if Hillary wins a state, are we going to have a recount everytime. It's very sad that these supporters are now using the same Republican talking points to smear the Clintons. I just wonder if Edwards had surprised people and won, would Kucinich still be calling for a recount? I am a Hillary supporter and I a say go ahead and recount, but casting doubt on fellow democrats because your guy didn't win the primary, in a state up until the day of the Iowa Caucus, was Hillary's to lose, is just sad. Recount the votes and if Hillary still wins, I expect Kucinich and everyone else who wants to bash Hillary and claim NH people are racist, or that somehow they cheated Obama, to issue an apology to Hillary. I will still vote for whoever wins the democratic nomination, but this is a sad day for our party.

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:49 AM)

I am glad that I can Hillary for a full hour on Meet the Press. She is my choice but I like to hear her more. She needs to respond to anti-Hillary mass media.

Nancy Sabet (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:51 AM)

Conservatives against Mitt Romney:

http://conservativesagainstromney.com

Romney Swimming in an “Ocean” of Contradiction

Mitt attacks pornography despite his role with Marriott, which sold in-room smut

ALEXANDRIA, VA – In a move rich with irony, Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign released a new television advertisement decrying “the culture that surrounds our kids today,” despite the fact that Romney served on the board of Marriott International, which generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue through in-room pornography services at its hotels.

In stark contrast with Romney’s role at Marriott, which brought him over $100,000 per year, Senator Sam Brownback lead the fight against indecency and asked the hotel chain to stop offering pornography in its rooms.

In a 2004 letter to J.W. Marriott, Jr., the chairman and CEO of Marriott International, Brownback wrote: “I am concerned, however, by a recent CBS report which cites the fact that in-room pornography generates approximately half of total hotel pay-per-view revenue in the United States, approximately $250 million annually. …

Businesspeople and families should not be exposed to a pornography-friendly environment when they seek rest and relaxation at hotels while traveling away from home, nor should they be victims of suggestive advertising for porn while browsing a pay-per-view menu. I write to ask that you consider ending Marriott’s complicity in this assault on individuals, families, and society. … The children and families of America thank you.”Pro-family leader Phil Burress, founder of Citizens for Community Values, commented on Romney’s role:“

Mitt Romney apparently turned a blind-eye to the obscene, hard-core pornography offered in Marriott hotels. Instead, Romney and Marriott International chose to earn millions of dollars with such a morally objectionable business practice. For those who want a proven, consistent, pro-family leader in the White House, Mitt Romney is an unacceptable choice.”

Stop Flip Flopping Mitt! (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:52 AM)

Poster's, get ready for an Avalanche of how Tim Russert beat up on poor little Hillary.Will it be the same line, " he did'nt treat men that way", or women should be treated differently than men?

As long as she doesn't get any questions about drivers licenses for illegal aliens and have to give 5 different answers......

I surprised she picked Tim Russert....
I figured Bill would have taken out a hit on him after the last time he asked her questions....

Now I am waiting for her to go on Hannity and Combs or the O'reiley factor....That will be the toughest test of her campaign....But I doubt she is qualified to take that test right now....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:55 AM)

"Clinton the Accessible"

Are the Clintons still denying access to Hillary's e-mails in Bill's library?

sg, michigan (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:56 AM)

Its one thing for political commentators to laugh at Ron Paul the man, but its another to laugh at the message people want discussed adn Ron Paul is raising-- what is the cost of being world policemen? What is the true deficit? Are we just printing money? These are issues we need responsible journalists to look into and make the public aware of. Is the Press a check on government excesses or a willing accomplice?

Mark D, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:01 AM)

Dear First Read, I would like to thank all of you for trying to remain unbiased in your reporting of Hillary. I can't say the same for the people who post here, but we Hillary fans appreciate that you have not stooped to the vicious level of most of the media. I also want to say that Dan Abrams is my new hero after watching his piece about how the media hate Hillary and treat her unfairly. He was right on the money and I commend him for his defense of her, even though 2 out of 3 of his panel of experts were Hillary haters. The republican stooge he had on even demanded to know why Hillary wasn't being questioned about Whitewater! She was found to have no wrongdoing after a lengthy investigation.If that isn't evidence of how people will stop at nothing to discredit her, I don't know what is.Dan Abrams even told him how ridiculous that was. Also, I cannot believe that Kucinich is now asking for a recount in New Hampshire on Obama's behalf and is going to pay for the recounting himself! Talk about sour grapes! I guess this is so that Obama gets to keep his "hands clean" while still resorting to desperate measures. Kucinich needs to climb into his UFO and go back where he came from! Hillary For President!

Cathy, Upstate NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:02 AM)

[How unfortunate for the Republicans that just as things in Iraq settle down slightly (for however long that lasts) the economy teeters on the brink of full-blown recession.]

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they bet on the terrorists and not on the US.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they are on the wrong side of the immigration problem.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they want to increase the governments control on our daily lives when most people want anything but that.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they want to raise taxes during an economic slow down.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they wanted to use embryonic stem cells, and now a new, better and ethical way to use adult stems cells has been developed.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they say vote for us and we'll end the war, reduce gas prices, clean up Washington, and when people do vote for them, we find out it was all lies.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that in a year when it is almost a gimme that they should win back the WH and increase they majorities in both the Senate and the House, that they won't.

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they bicker amongst themselves while the Republicans solve the problems of the country.

Dee L., Toledo OH (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:04 AM)

Hillary is the worst thing that could be forced upon the United States of America. She is just a modern day Jezebel !

t. l. trude (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:06 AM)

How unfortunate for the Republicans that just as things in Iraq settle down slightly (for however long that lasts) the economy teeters on the brink of full-blown recession.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:27 AM)

How unfortunate for the people of this country that now the democrats will try to pass a stimulus package that will be full of pork and other things that will not stimulate the economy....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:07 AM)

It will be interesting to see if Tim Russert gives Hillary the same hardboiled treatment he gives other candidates, or whether he will go easy on her. I'm hoping he makes her sweat. Specifically, he should ask her to refute the e-mails going around the country right now that are spreading false information about Obama. Of course the Clinton campaign is too smart to have any direct or indirect ties to such a blatant smear campaign, but I'm sure her people are happy to see it happening. Russert should push Hillary to say, openly and clearly, that she strongly condemns those who falsely claim that Obama is/was a Muslim, that he took his oath of office while holding a Koran, and all the rest of the rubbish out there.

Charlie K., Bronx, NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:09 AM)

Dickie Flats, lots of people hate Clinton...if she is the Dem nominee the Republicans will win again, especially if McCain is their choice. She will not get a mandate. Why not move in a totally new direction while we have a chance with Obama?

Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton...doesen't anyone else have a problem with that? Hell, maybe Jeb will run next so we can have Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton-Bush....

Joe (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:11 AM)

Hopefully this gets posted this time:

Race is a red herring in this election. I think that the Clinton's have had the black vote in their back pocket for so long, they feel they can say or do anything with no reprecussions. Things like:

- Accuse Senator Obama of being a drug dealer

- Accuse Senator Obama of being a Muslim and /or
terrorist

- Attack Senator Obama's church congregation because
it is predominantly black

- Accuse Senator Obama of saying he was the next
Martin Luther King (which he didn't), and then
minimizing MLK's role in the civil rights movement

- Repeatedly asking if America is "ready" for a
black president (attempting to play up fears that
he is unelectable)

- Playing the "vulnerable white woman" card after
months of touting her "strengh and experience"

Black voters are just like everyone else - we base our votes on the issues and our instincts. It is nice to have a candidate that looks like us in the race, but the deciding factor might ultimately be which candidate SINCERELY represents ALL Americans, INCLUDING Black Americans - and which candidate says one thing in Iowa and New Hampshire, and something different in South Carolina and Tennessee.

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:18 AM)

And after you've checked out HRC, come on over to http://www.barackobama.com

Voting for Clinton is gamble: Will HE or won't HE? Is there another blue dress in your future? Is your money going straight into Terry McAuliffe pockets? Who's pardoned now? Will Hillary cry that Al Queda is "piling on" when the going gets tough?

Stand up for REAL CHANGE, Stand up for HOPE. Stand up for BARACK OBAMA and WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!

Jade7243 (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:18 AM)

Chuck, What is wrong with you lately? I used to like watching your comments, but lately you are so one sided on the issues.

I wouldn't want the media in my home if they treated me the way they are treating the Clintons. The negative spin you and others put on every move and word they make is wrong. Put yourself in their shoes just ONCE!!

Linda~n~Wisconsin (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:21 AM)

This is a very bold and risky move by Sen. Clinton. Maybe the pressure that Sen. Obama put on her in NH has truly helped her to "find her voice." I wonder if she would have still pulled an about-face with her new accessibility campaign if she hadn't had her aura of inevitability shattered. Now I'm preparing for her supporters to begin complaining about that "Meanie Timmie Russert and his spiked bat." I do believe that he let Mr. 911 off easy without many good follow up questions. I thought that his questioning of Sen. Obama was fair but I'm sure HRC supporters will say that it was soft. It's just that Sen. Obama doesn't have the same baggage as some of these other candidates and Russert himself has even said that Barack was one of his most honest guests. Sen. Clinton had better be careful of what she says on the record because any mistruths will be brought up immediately in the Nevada debate.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:23 AM)

Again, I just can't believe how Democrats are just lining up to bash the Clintons. The man had a 75% approval rating at the end of his presidency. Hillary won her re-election in the Senate with 70% of the vote. There were some of you on this post who claimed the woman who asked Hillary the question that made her emotional, was a plant. Except the woman voted for Obama. Funny, how none of you stepped up to apoplogize for that. You just moved on to some other form of bashing. This is a sad day for Democrats. Please, go ahead and recount the NH votes. I expect apologies to Hillary from Kucinich when it turns out the count was right. But I'm sure Obama supporters will say the people who recounted the votes were for Hillary. It's a sad day for Democrats. That's all I can say.

What's even sadder is you had Chris Matthews trying to say that Democrats in NH were racist and that's why they voted for Hillary. God forbid, the 25%-35% of undecideds, could not have voted for Hillary, because the media said they shouldn't. Shame on Kucinich, shilling for Obama. Shame! If Obama had any class, he would step up and say, there doesn't need to be a recount and I believe my fellow democrats. Sad, sad, day

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:26 AM)

No woman is illegal? That one is so easy to shoot at, I won't even bother. Should Clinton win the nomination, though, we'd see it again in ads and fliers.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:30 AM)

If your looking for detailed answers on Sunday, forget it. What you'll get is the voice that she found in New Hampshire when she cried us a river looking for votes. What a Joke!!!!!!!!!!

Kristian O (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:31 AM)

"How unfortunate for the Democrats that in a year when it is almost a gimme that they should win back the WH and increase they majorities in both the Senate and the House, that they won't."

That's illuminating. And why would it be a gimme for Democrats to win? Oh, because, the American people are displeased with the way Republicans have led the country these last seven years?

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:32 AM)

I'm looking forward to watching Hillary on Meet the Press. These last few days, she has looked better and better to me. I was leaning toward Obama, but now I realize that he never has given us a clear plan as to what his "changes" entail. I'm a little nervous voting for him because I don't know much about him. With Hillary, at least I know what I'm getting....and at least the good outweighs the bad. With Obama, we just don't know what we're getting, and "hoping" that the good outweighs the bad just isn't good enough for me. Also, I agree wholeheartedly that Obama must do more than give inspirational speeches to prove that he is the best candidate for change.

Susie - Dayton OH (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:38 AM)

The news today is that Hillary Clinton will be on Meet the Press for a Full One Hour..Wow..who gets an hour, but Hillary Clinton? Of she is going to come on and try to sway voters..mostly woman voters to feel sorry for her.

Let’s not forget who Hillary Clinton is she is the democratic candidate who said during a debate that when it comes to the Republican party and there attacks on her… well She’s our Girl..She was tough on that debate..so confident… so why the tears in New Hamphire? Well they were tears of a losing candidate. They were tears of someone who just wasn’t getting her way…a person who feels that she is the only winner in her mind..the only one who could won the democratic nominee...

Hillary Clinton has been using the gender card earlier on in the debates. With this I’m Your Girl commits during the debate…Not once did Obama commit on that…Even up to this time Obama has viewed himself as a man..not a just a black man, but a man running for President of the United States..

I don’t care what Hillary Clinton has to say on Meet the Press. Bill and she have deceived the African American community by the notion that they are behind us..Yet, Bill Clinton can say that the ideal of HOPE..The very same ideal that Martin Lurther King spoke and sung about. The ideal that Changed America. The ideal that Obama is talking so great a is “a fairy tale”.. It’s not real..

Just a fairy tale dream for us American to believe..

The Clinton will do anything to win..Hillary will come on Meet the Press and try to play the victim..She is not.. She is a politician that knows how to play the political game.

Well I’m register democrate in SOUTH CAROLINA. Although, I’m a military family member and a veteran I have requested the paperwork so I may vote in the Primaries and Vote on Election day..

I will vote for Obama. Because that vote is a vote for peace..

Just remember we want a democratic candidate that will bring America and the world abroad together. Hillary will be fighting with Republican day in and day out.. Her experience which I’m not convinced is a reason for her to be President will in the end result in nothing getting down in the House and Congress.

Betty, Fort Benning, GA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:40 AM)

Doesn't there seem to be a double standard here? If the other candidates were scrutinized the way Clinton has been, I think voters would be much more focused on issues rather than all of this minutia. Isn't it nice that Dems are still letting the Repubs talking points of the ninties influence them instead of taking the time to truly educate themselves about the candidates. I'm glad the voters of New Hampshire put the mainstream media and all of the pundits in their place.

IowaDem, Ankeny, IA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:49 AM)

5-to-1 Russert rolls over for her ...

Rick Lapin, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:49 AM)

What has Hillary done in return for the 27 years of living off of the taxpayer's? can any Hillary supporter answer this?
Rick,ky (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:13 AM)

Why not do the research yourself on Hillary's accomplishments and activities during her years as First Lady of Arkansas and of the United States?

Here is a hint of what you would find in a 10-second Google search:
"Hillary served as Arkansas's First Lady for 12 years, balancing family, law, and public service. She chaired the Arkansas Educational Standards Committee, co-founded the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and served on the boards of the Arkansas Children's Hospital, Legal Services, and the Children's Defense Fund."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/hc42.html

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:55 AM)

Dee - how unfortunate you are a brain washed repugnant!
How unfortunate for this nation that the repugnants only belive in "Corporate Welfare", help for corporations and the mega wealth and want to leave the rest of us out in the cold.
How unfortunate for school children, their parents, and teachers in this nation that repugnants passed a bill without funding it.
How unfortuante for the sick in this nation that the health insurance companies, the oil industry, and pharmacutical industries own the repugnant party.
How unfortuante for our military that the repugnants are happy to send them to war but think it is "pork" to spend money helping them when they return sick and mamed.
How unfortunate for those of us who work for a living that any repugnant anywhere ever gets elected to anything!

How very fortunate the American voters may not be so easily dupped into accepting the cheating victory of repugnants again.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:56 AM)

"I hate her. I hate her. All that she stands for."

-- Matthews to an MSNBC colleague, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer magazine

Can you please explain this statement not only to the people of the United States, but of the free world why this type of
Hate mongering is still allowed to be broadcast on your station by such people, as Chris Matthews, and Tim Russert.
I wrote to you recently,about this very type of reporting being done MSNBC.
What I read this morning,only solidifies my belief about the bias political reporting by this station.
1. A lovefest for Obama .
2. A disdain for Clinton.
Why?
Can you possibly please report the facts and the news, and keep personal views and opinions to yourself.
People really don't care what Matthews or Russert personal think. They want facts.
Hats off to Abrams for at least being a fair and equal journalist, #1
Maybe Fox has it right about MSNBC.
George Smart

George S St Regis,NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:57 AM)

If the NH pollsters asked people for whom they voted, the results might agree more with their earlier polls than with the election results! If so, what would that tell you?

If Obama continues to win caucuses and Clinton continues to win elections, what would that tell you?

Might both answers be the same?

Richard Gilbert, San Diego, CA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 11:58 AM)

A request for Tim Russert:

Can you please press Senator Clinton on what SHE accomplished during her White House years and during her time in the Senate?

As an Independent voter in California, I'll be voting in a few weeks. As I've watched the debates and coverage, I keep hearing about Senator Clinton's "35 years of creating change" and all her "experience" and yet I've had a tough time figuring out what SHE has accomplished.

It's baffled me that the mainstream press has seemed to accept prima facie her claims about being the "most experienced" candidate in the race and has even perpetuated her claims. Every time we hear a report about her campaign, reporters spit back the fact that "she's the most experienced."

Thanks, looking forward to the show.

California Indy (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:01 PM)

Go Hillary go! You will be our next president. Its every rightwingers nightmare. Can't wait.

j fl (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:04 PM)

Dear, jerry/corpus christi texas you wrote: "Now I am waiting for her to go on Hannity and Combs or the O'reiley factor....That will be the toughest test of her campaign....But I doubt she is qualified to take that test right now...."

Do you actually watch Bill O'reiley? Because I do and as it turns out Mr. O'reiley has been very fair to senator Clinton. In fact, in the last week he has come to her defense saying that not only is the media piling on Mrs. Clinton, but that NBC has lost all of its credibility because the network is squarely behind Obama in the democratic primary. In fact, Mr. O'reiley even took Chris Matthews to task for being so overly disrespectful and biased against Senator Clinton. The writing is on the wall: There are a significant amount of voters that will vote for Clinton as a protest against the like of Matthews and NBC if they do not begin to show more objectivity. If you don't believe me, just look at NH.

Rob, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:06 PM)

ron paul, although laughed at is the only republican that actually has things in their proper perspective, notice that no one can claim he's wrong in his views, just that they don't match the other candidates, the other republican candidates should be the ones laughed at for endorsing policies that are proven failures, although I am an edwards fan, ron paul much like edwards is systematically being eliminated from contention by will of the 'powers that be' not by the people, the american public will not be offered the candidates of their choice, but will instead have them chosen by the powerful few.

my prediction is mccain, giuliani, thompson or romney on the repub side, hillary on the dem side, not because it's the will of the people, but because they are all owned by the same corporate entities.

there will be no fair and honest election, those days are long since past never to return

MK,MO (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:07 PM)

Dee - wake up, we are in more danger from terrorists because of Repubs and most of the Repub candidates and in favor of some form of amnesty for illegals already here. Whoever is the next President, regardless of party, will not be able to solve these problems overnight. Stop listening to idiots like Rush and Hannity and do some research on your own, you may be surprised.

Reality Check, please (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:07 PM)

Dee L., Toledo OH

How unfortunate for the Democrats that they want to increase the governments control on our daily lives when most people want anything but that.

Are you kidding? Nobody wants the government hovering over them and making decisions for them until there is some kind of disaster (i.e. Hurricane Katrina). Then everyone across the country complains "Where was the Federal Government when we needed help?"

I would also have to respond with: How unfortunate for the Republicans that the price of a barrel of oil has increased by 300% since GWB got his job. Dee, I'm sure you are better off now than you were 7 years ago because of our Republican leadership.

P.S. Jerry, sentences end with one period, not three.

Geoff, LA,CA (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:09 PM)

Can't wait til' Sunday to see the interview with Russert!
It's an excellent decision by Hillary to do this, and it couldn't come at a better time!
Momentum for The Democratic Presidential nomination is swinging back in favor. She could bring the curtain down on Obama's traveling side show with a solid presentation Sunday.
By the way, is anyone else besides myself curious to know if John Kerry will vote for Obama, before he votes against him? (...or, is it the other way around?)
"NO-BAMA" Can't
Yes, HILLARY Can!

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 10:01 AM)
---------------
NBC better order extra kleenex. Between her propensity to now cry at the drop of a hat and her perceived view that Russert doesn't like her, the weather service may need to issue flood warnings in SC.

Mike K, Denver (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:10 PM)

I don't get it. The country is going down the tubes. The middle class can not afford to heat their homes if they still have on. Can't afford to send their kids to college. Can't afford health care and medicine. Can bearly afford gas to go to work. The Banks and Oil Co. and Credit Card companies are raping us left and right. The republican want you to worry about Mexicans are we that stupid. Again, make American fear some stupid issue like gay marriage or immigration so they will be destracted while we screw them. The last 8 years Bush has destroyed this country and even when a few more Dems get into congress the Veto and the Republicans block anything meaningfull. And, they expect us to put them in office. What is wrong with Americans are they that stupid.

JR, NY (Sent Friday, January 11, 2008 12:14 PM)

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