ABOUT FIRST READ

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



Obama: Clinton MLK comments 'ludicrous'

Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2008 11:33 AM by Domenico Montanaro



From NBC/NJ’s Aswini Anburajan
Obama called the "notion" that his campaign is responsible for the backlash Hillary Clinton has faced about her comments on Martin Luther King Jr.'s role in the in the civil rights movement "ludicrous" in a conference call today to announce the endorsement of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.

"Well this is fascinating to me," Obama began of Clinton's remarks on Meet the Press, in which she accused the Obama campaign of stirring the pot among African-American leaders about her remarks that it "took a president" to pass civil rights legislation.

Obama characterized Clinton's remarks as "tired Washington politicians and the games they play."

"She made an unfortunate remark about Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson,” he said. “I haven't remarked on it. And she offended some folks who thought she diminished the role about King and the civil rights movement. The notion that this is our doing is ludicrous.”

Obama went on to criticize Clinton's interview, saying that she spent an hour focused on attacking him rather than "telling people about her positive vision for America."

During the interview, Clinton accused of Obama of waffling on his opposition to the war after arriving in the Senate. He said that he had "absolutely" and "unambiguously" opposed the war "at a time when she didn't read the intelligence reports."

Clinton also criticized the ethics bill that Obama helped pass through the senate, pointing to the provision that allows lobbyists to buy politicians meals if they are eating standing up rather than sitting down.

In response to Clinton's comments on ethics reform, Obama said, "She belittled the most sweeping ethic reform since Watergate," and accused Clinton of standing on the "sidelines" instead of trying to help get it passed.

"She started this campaign saying she wanted to make history but lately she's been rewriting it," he added.

McCaskill, who was also on the call, and had spoken about why she was supporting Obama, jumped to the Obama’s defense.

"Belittling this legislation is not appropriate," McCaskill said. She went on to tell an apocryphal tale of how as a freshman senator, Obama had held a conference call with her and others entering the senate and asked them for their help on the legislation. Describing the opposition to the bill as a "lot of wink wink nod nod" from older senators, McCaskill said that the legislation had problems but did much to curb improprieties, especially on the use of corporate jets.

On why she was endorsing Obama, McCaskill cribbed a line from his stump speech, calling his run part of the "fierce urgency of now." She said her 18-year-old daughter had convinced her that she shouldn't sit on the bleachers any longer and should make an endorsement.

Saying that she felt that Obama was right for this historical moment and the challenges the country faced at this time, she had decided to support him despite her strong connection to Emily's List and many female politicians and backers who were supporting Senator Clinton. She acknowledged that she had delayed her endorsement mostly for that reason, and had finally decided to endorse after many long conversations with people at Emily's List and across the country.

McCaskill’s endorsement of Obama is worthy of raised eyebrows, since she benefited from the strong support of Emily's List and other organizations that help women run for office in her 2006 race to unseat former Sen. Jim Talent in Missouri.

As a Feb. 5th state, Missouri will play a role in the nominating contests, and McCaskill's endorsement and voters' familiarity with Obama since the two states share a border and media markets, may help him there. Obama said he would try to get to Missouri before the 5th.

The call ended in a motherly way, with McCaskill saying, "Barack I want you to get some rest."

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Comments

Clinton with their fairy tale hit and run tactics, made unfortunate remark about Martin Luther King and Lyndon Johnson knowing fully it would enrage the black community.

But we have news for the Clintons triangulation.
If it is not appropriate for blacks, its not appropriate period. If its offensive to white, black, latino, Asian, America, its offensive period. Thats the America that we believe we are, the US of A. Change we can believe in. GO BO
no one should expect the clinton's to take responsibility for their own doing. bill said he didn't have sex with monica remember? this is typical of the clinton's. to try and blame obama and his campaign for something she said is ugly and the type of politics they will practice. washington will not get a thing done with the clinton's in office. it angers us that she would just lie on someone else like this.
Hillary Clinton gave a terrible Meet The Press Interview... http://www.enewsreference.wordpress.com
Obama-Napolitano is the strongest ticket the Dems can offer the country right now.

African American Male-White American Female (without the above example of the Clintonian baggage)

"Obama told reporters that he's been an admirer of Napolitano's for some time, and specifically that "Her hallmark is common sense, she does what makes sense, what works, she doesn't govern based on ideology but on practicality and delivering for her constituents."

Example she deployed Arizona National Guard troops to the Mexican border saying the time is right for a greater state role fighting crime caused by illegal immigration.  

What will be the Repubilican response to that?



I listened to Hillary Clinton's interview with Tim Russert today and decided that she is quite unfit to be president. I came away thinking that in a head-to-head contest with McCain, she will loose and will so energize the republican base that the democrats will not only lose the White House but the Congress.

This is  troubling to me because I do not believe this country can survive another 4/8 years of sticking its head in the sand of middle east wars while ignoring  the looming challenges our indebtedness to Chinese capital, failing to invest in the education of our children, and  and inability to stem the tide of outsourcing of good jobs.

I took particular exception to the following points in the interview.

1. Sen Clinton argues  that she is the best equipped of the candidates to get things done in Washington. I understand why she makes this claim, but simply cannot see why it should be believed.
First, the senator  is such a polarizing person that none of her priorities will likely be implemented by the congress without dramatic changes. What I mean here is that even if she wins, many republicans who despise Sen Clinton and what she stands for will treat opposition to her agenda as a badge of Honor. Second, based on the divisive manner in which she has run this campaign, she will not be able to tap into the outstanding field of  centrist, technocrats that Obama or Edwards can use to help refine, balance, and implement a progressive agenda.

2.  Sen Clinton sells her candidacy on the program and in the campaign by stating that she is ready to be president from day 1. However, in the same breath she tells us that  she did not read the NIE on Iraq because of the thorough briefing she received.
In my view, sending troops to war is about the most serious decision a US president must make. To claim that you are ready from day one and that you are a workhorse, yet refuse to take the time to educate yourself about the weaknesses of the arguments and consequences is in my view unforgivable.

3. As a student of history, I believe that a  requirement of a good leader is willingness  to take responsibility for one's actions whether they are successful or not. Hillary Clinton's claim that she was somehow not responsible for the backlash against her and Bill for the irresponsible race-bating statements made in NH is unbecoming for someone who is requesting to be given the reins of this great country.

4. A good leader should tell the truth. I read the famous 2004 transcript of Obama's interview regarding how he would have voted for the war. I cannot see how Mrs. Clinton and Bill Clinton (a former president) can in good conscience continue this line of attack. I find their willingness (almost glee) to tell untruths and to engage in open dishonesty a serious problem.

Mrs Clinton on several occasions tells Tim that this  campaign is not about gender. Yet at every turn she and her husband seem to feel that voters need be reminded that she is a woman.

I am also  frankly very worried (for the party) about what she will say when the republicants ask: what 35 years are you talking about Hillary? ..Does this include the time of overbilled hours at the  Rose Law Firm, your manifest incompetence in managing healthcare reform, you poor judgment in selecting an attorney general (not once but twice), cronism in the Travel office firings, the  Law firm billing records that mysteriously  disappeared and then just as mysteriously reappeared during a criminal investigation, Monicagate, your inability to stand up to the Bush administration against rushing into the Iraq  war.....

Fellow dems, let's pray a silent prayer each day that by some miracle we do not find ourselves after this fall's election in the now familar predicament of having lost the white house, re-energizing the republican base (losing the congress), two new justices on the supreme court that do not share our values.

Unfortunately Senator Obama is milking this 'race card' issue...he has had his representatives on TV pushing and misrepresenting the meaning of the words of Hillary and Bill Clinton...he has town halls where people say derogatory things about Hillary Clinton and he does nothing to stop it...he and his campaign encourage the division...and now he tells us that he is the 'jackpot' we all need...I do not understand how Senator Obama can call himself a uniter when he is creating such division within the Democratic Party...he likens himself to JFK, RFK and MLK...he is more like a salesman in the oratory style of television evangelist Creflo Dollar

He needs to gain more experience in the Senate and he needs more vetting by the MSM BEFORE the general election not AFTER
I wonder how long the media is going to continue to give Hillary a free pass on this. Since losing Iowa she and her husband have consistently employed dirty tactics to attack Sen. Obama while his camp has taken the high road and generally refused to respond in kind. He has repeatedly stated that all the candidates are patriots while Hillary’s has invoked the failed terrorist attack in France to imply that the nation may be more vulnerable to terrorist attack if Obama is elected. These are Rovian tactics.

We saw it again today on Meet The Press. Rather than simply respond directly to or apologize for the alarming pattern of subtle racially motivated attacks hurled at Sen. Obama (speculating an implied a drug dealing past may be exploited by the Republicans, Andrew Cuomo's Shuckin'& Jivin' remark, Pres. Clinton referring to Sen. Obama as a 'kid', Clinton folks stating that voting for Obama would be akin to supporting a 'hip Black friend', condescendingly referring to Sen. Obama as a good speaker), she instead decided to insist that the Obama campaign is responsible for all of this. Whatever happened to personal accountability? Just apologize for the gaffs and move forward. No matter who you prefer in this race I think we can all agree that Americans are tired of leaders who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. Hillary's recent posturing and stubbornness to admit wrongdoing is eerily similar to that of George W. Bush. No wonder, Karl Rove seems to be endorsing her candidacy.
Anyone interested in this controversy please read Hillary's full comments on MLK/Johnson and the full quote of Bill talking about the fairy tale. They're both available here: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2008/01/placing-clintons-race-comments-in-full.html

The full quotes do not clear up the comments entirely and there is still plenty of room to denounce Clinton's characterization of MLK, but the account that the NYT and most media groups are offering is a truncated version that makes her look more condescending. The full version includes a big swipe at John Kennedy -- and there is a lot of room for interpretation as to what Clinton exactly meant. It seems much more fair to debate this on those grounds.  
For Hillary Clinton to suggest that Obama was peddling the story is not only ludicrous but dishonest. Wait a second; what does Hillary Clinton take us for? I guess she thinks we are stupid as an observer. Even a 6th grade student knows how insensitive her comment was regarding MLK.

Shame on Hillary Clinton for suggesting otherwise! Shame on Bill Clinton for taking us for a fool! Shame on all the black representatives that endorse Hillary Clinton! Hillary Clinton ain’t seen nothing yet regarding AA vote. She might as well kiss those votes good bye.
'present vote' = status quo
People everywhere are finally speaking up about Hillary's actions!
I am an Obama supporter. Sen. Barack Obama is our next besthope to get our country on the right track. Now is not the time to attack; however, this is also not the time to get rest. Hillary is out on the move, and I have not heard from the great Senator in a few news cycles.

Don't stop yet, keep on the move!
It is important to recognize that a great thing is happening in America. It is bigger than gender or race, or the two combined. The entire world is waiting for America to, once again, provide credible, honest, and consistent leadership. All candidates in this election are business-as-usual opportunists. All, except Senator Obama.
Go for it, America. Do the right thing and change the world for the better.
Obama tells me change is new, I agree (not knowing every election Presidential politicians talk about change and nothing changes).

Obama tells me to hope so i start hoping.

Obama tells me to change, so I change my parents since they are past and status quo.

My friends (fellow Obama supporters) tell me to repeat Hillary hate posts 100 times a day, so I do it. It's a change from my other work.

Obama tells me to convince my other immature youth friends to cheer for change, I do it.

Obama tells me to ignore experience, so I ignore my parents experience of knowing the world as again, they are past and status quo.

I ignore every old person who was served nationally as they are status quo. Your national service doesnt count in the new world of hatred filled starry eyed fairy tale following youths like me.
Obama is such a baby, Hillary is bringing up some very valid arguments as to why Obama's backround and voting records should be scrutinized and he can't take it.

"Waaa Hillary is picking on me waaa!"

Pretty soon he'll have to start answering some tough questions about his dealings with Tony Rezko:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/13/44725/8414/292/436003

And then there's the Alice Palmer thing:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/13/44725/8414/292/436003

And here are the true PROVEN facts about his real stance on the Iraq war:

http://facts.hillaryhub.com/

When are you people going to WAKE UP and realize that Obama is as pure as the driven snow as you make him out to be.
"When change is on his way, the forces of status quo will resist."

The Clinton are really destroying their reputation, HRC is doing so anyway. She attacks, attacks, attacks and again attacks. All she knows is playing politics to win, not asking why she should win.

HRC is the past and people are really getting tired of this kind of politics.

Clinton is so at it.
She criticizes everything that other people do. She made a comment about MLK and cannot defend her position or her comment but accuse other people for it. This is nothing new anyway.
She voted for the war and took responsibility for it but rather accused George Bush.

This is what happens when somebody uses the power of her husband as hers, she has no roots and will resort to those empty attacks in order to be politically viable. At the end, how is she going to govern?

Even Bill Clinton will be ashamed to get back in that white house even if she wins... something i dont believe.
Clinton rewrites history


Obama, during his endorsement from Claire McCaskill, accused Hillary of distorting her words and his and of trying to change her story on Iraq.

Here's the whole thing:

What we saw this morning is why the American people are tired of Washington politicians and the games they play. But Sen. Clinton made an unfortunate remark, an ill advised remark, about King and Lyndon Johnson. I didn’t make the statement. I haven’t remarked on it, and she I think offended some folks who felt that somehow diminished King’s role in bringing about the Civil Rights Act. She is free to explain that, but the notion that somehow this is our doing is ludicrous.

I have to point out that instead of telling the American people about her positive vision for America, Sen. Clinton spent an hour talking about me and my record in a way that was flat-out wrong. She suggested that I didn’t clearly and unambiguously oppose the war in Iraq when it is absolutely clear and anyone who has followed this knows that I did. I stood up against the war when she was voting for it, at a time when she didn’t read the intelligence reports or give diplomacy a chance. She belittled the most sweeping ethics reform since Watergate despite the fact that she stood on the sidelines during that negotiations on that bill.

I have to say that she started this campaign saying that she wanted to make history and lately she has been spending a lot of time rewriting it. I know that in Washington it is acceptable to say or do anything it takes to get elected, but I really don’t think that is the kind of politics that is good for our party, and I don’t think it is good for our country, and I think that the American people will reject it in this election.

What I want to do is spend talking about how we are going to make sure that people who are losing their jobs get work. How are we going to make sure that our young people are going to afford college? How are we going to make sure that the subprime lending crisis does not lead to an all-out recession? How are we going to create the kind of foreign policy that allows us to bring our troops home and makes us safer and goes after a genuine terrorist threat? Those are the issues that we are going to spend time talking about in this campaign and if Sen. Clinton wants to be distracted by the sorts of political point scoring that was evident today then that is going to be her prerogative.

Experience
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKudh1apPtc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlrSG1xb5k


Barack Obama 2002 Iraq interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzmXy226po

Barack Obama (HRC gave GWB blank check)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ-rdZ2TcII&NR=1

Hillary Clinton on Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyC7loMop58&feature=related

John Edwards in 2002 on Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4x_KnWEDjs

Bill Clinton 2003 (in 2007 He says something different)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWm8riukyeM

KNOW THE FACTS
http://factcheck.barackobama.com/
As far as the MLK comments, they were just a first-rate blunder in my opinion. I personally took her remarks "out of context" as soon as I heard them. I'm sure that for many other people who saw her remarks, including those who have publicly taken issue with them, it didn't take a concerted underhanded effort by the Obama campaign for them to "misinterpret" her remarks either.

I don't believe Clinton's a racist, but that she was just being hot-headed and desperate at the time she made those comments. Her blaming of the Obama campaign for any and all airing of disappointment about the remarks seems paranoid at best and cynical at worst: Is she just looking for any opportunity to force Obama to play race victim? And what kind of a dynamic is it where quasi-racist comments by a white candidate can be played off a black candidate negatively, but without the white candidate seeming to suffer in the esteem of the black electorate? In the words of TTOMO, "it's like double reverse racism times nine!"
It's the old Washington tricks from the Clintons. It's never their fault. They always have to blame someone else.Black people would be insane to vote for Hillary after she, her husband, and her henchmen have tried to denigrate black leaders all across the board.The craziest thing in all of this is that they are holding slaveholders(founding fathers) as their pillars while belittling black leaders.They absolutely have no moral authority.How dare they?
I was working abroad for much of the Bill Clinton years and did not follow the Clintons too much.  I believed at the time Bill merely dissembled about his sex life, a personal matter, but was generally honest.  Now I realize I wrong.  Now I see clearly that both Clintons are dishonest to the core, driven by a soulless ambition.  

They have completely distorted Obama's record.
To insinuate that the only people responsible for "real" change are the elitists elected to public office is incredibly vapid.
Rather than questioning her racism, it would be much more proper to question her elitism, which seems firmly ingrained.
And for all of the hoopla surrounding the Florida voting debacle, it seems odd that the New Hampshire primary, which could have derailed the Clinton machine, has garnered little to no attention.
Instead, it's assumed that the polls were all wrong because white people in New Hampshire are closet racists - and voted "white" once the curtain was pulled.
And all of this plays quite nicely into the Clintons continuing to push the race card, based on the presumption that a black man can't be elected?
Just another example of elitism - "I'm not a bigot - but everyone else is - so don't vote for Obama because he can't win."
The problem is - Clinton can't win. Particularly now that she's had to pull every trick in the book to resurrect her Democratic run.
She's put all of her cards on the table, she can't replay them - she can't run as Mrs. Bill Clinton, as she has for the Democratic nomination - no one will allow for that.
So it's all over. But the Clintons, as usual, won't go down without a fight.
By the way, any word on that New Hampshire recount -  or are we waiting until after Super Tuesday to uncover that fraud?
Good job, MSM.
Hillary Clinton is the one who said (with a straight face) "it took a President to get it done."  

While there is a valid point to be made about LBJ's contributions to civil rights, HRC's comment is utterly and completely riddled with contempt for Dr. King's leadership.  I fail to see how it can be viewed in any other way.

Of course, LBJ played a role in the legislative activity, but what was the impetus for the aforementioned legislative activity?  It was the movement, led by and personified by MLK Jr.

Hillary Rodham Clinton might be celebrating Dr. Lyndon Baines Johnson Jr. Day later this month, but most people understand that the movement led to the legislation, not the other way around.
Barack Obama must have seen a different Meet The Press than I did this morning. Rather than spend the hour attacking him I saw her answering the questions being put to her by Tim Russert.
Obama called the "notion" that his campaign is responsible for the backlash Hillary Clinton has faced about her comments on Martin Luther King Jr.'s role in the in the civil rights movement "ludicrous"

Domenico

Your headline for this post is misleading.  Senator Obama didn't called Senator Clinton's remark "ludicrous," as as evidenced by the statement you wrote that I copied above.  
Did anybody heard Hilary on MEET THE PRESS today? Unbielievable. She said Bill did not consult with her before pardoning her brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wake up America.
I call it CLINTON SWIFTBOATING.Floating a controversial idea then back off. Thhey try not to stick with it but the damage is done because the media seizes up it and it has subliminal effect on the voter.houssou
Hillary Clinton is right. I'm tired of all the people that are calling the Clinton's racists! Without white people like the Clinton's, the blacks would be a lot worse off then they are now. The Clinton's couldn't get much done their first two terms for the blacks because of the racist Republicans. But you watch, when Bill and Hillary are given two more terms, they will pass more civil rights legislation then anyone ever has to help the blacks. Blacks should be indebted to the Clinton's for all they have done, and will do for them.
Hillary  Clinton is a liar, and that was obvious today during her interview.
Hillary = Lies
Hillary = Lies
Hillary = Lies.

Let's put a stop to nonsense in the White House!
Obama for President!!
Does everyone have amnesia...as per Hillary. She's the one who brought up MLK?? Not Obama.
He's not playing a race card, she's trying to work the gender and race card at the same time.
She is a liar!
Hillary = Liar.

As an African-American physician, I am supporting Obama.
Enough with this Clinton non-sense, now she realizes that the resolution for war was for...war??? Not inspectors. Get Real Hillary.
Americans can see through this BS.

Go Obama! A Real Person, for Real Change.
As for those Nasty Emails. MSNBC and the AP have shown them both to be false.
If there's anything you need to know about American politics, it's not to believe a damn thing you hear on the news.
Research for yourself.
Another lie from the Clinton spin machine.

Go Obama.
How can Barack's campaign be responsible for what Clinton said?

Typical of Hillary to twist the truth.  Would she stop if she were elected?  God help us.

I couldn't stand another president whose pandering and photo ops are the main priority.

Obama speaks the truth and that is what hurts Hillary.
He doesn't play the race card - but Hillary puts on a "sista" act when addressing black people.

She accuses him of voting to fund the Iraq war, when she herself voted the same.  She picks at every little thing Obama does and it never sticks. When it comes to a big thing - like voting for the war (she belieived Bush and didn't read the NIE), or health care she really screws it up.

Whenever she slings mud it lands back on her.  Hillary, when you point the finger at someone - three fingers point back at you!  The mud belongs on your face.

Why has she never come out against the ridiculous slander of Obama's heritage and lie about him taking the oath on the Koran? Where is the courage and integrity to do so?

Why has it taken her all these years to "find her voice"? What is her voice? What does that mean? Is it that she is now one of us?  Is it that she is now and agent of change?  She may let us know as soon as her "people" tell her what to say.  Probably depends on who she is talking to then I guess.

Obama is warm and genuine. He doesn't have to acknowlege that he found himself. He hasn't had to change his demeanor to appear more apealing. He doesn't have any lies to apologise for because he is honest. He takes responsibility for his actions and does not bicker and nit pick or sling mud at others. He is above that.  His integrity is who he is. He thinks for himself. He is wise.  He is a leader, not someone who doesn't follow the crowd, but unites them. We need him.  the world needs him.
As soon as Donna Brazille went off on CNN (Clinton News Network)I knew Obama had a problem. Why would Obama have a problem. Brazille worked in the Clinton campaign, and was the first to forgive Bill before he could get his explanation out of his mouth. I really hate to see this race take this turn, but I know who started it and I know who has not taken the bait. I just read how divided New Hampshire has been left do to dirty tricks that happen on election day and the day before. I was hoping we as a party were past this kind of campaigning, in  a year when all we had to do was stick together and show up. I use to be a big Clinton fan, but I can hardly stand to here their voices. They lie with such ease. I am starting to feel that my days as a Democrat are numbered. My son has switched to Independent and if Senator Clinton wins the nomination I will be doing the same. I'd take a couple of the republicans first.
Obama just released an economy plan, which is a total copycat of the Clinton plan released last week. This is shockingly embarrassing that has never seen in political history. Even his economic advisor admits it’s similar to Clinton plan. Is this how Obama bring about change? By changing numbers of an opponent’s plan?
If you can’t even come up with an original idea how can you be a change agent?
Of course, Clinton camp has been asked for meat all this time.
But it is unthinkable that Obama will produce meat stolen right from the Clinton’s refrigerator. This is real armature stuff.

Barry Obama is such a fake.  He is cheap tlak in an expensive suit.  He would sell out his soul to get elected.
Will some Hillary supporter PUH-LEASE TELL ME
what it is that Hillary is referring to when she blames Obama for the backlash against her?  

What did Obama do?
What does Obama have to do with it?

Hillary is the one who made the stupid comments.
I can't find any articles stating what Hillary thinks Obama said or did. Why is she trying to blame him?
Looks to me like Hillary is the one pulling the "race card".

On what grounds can Hillary even bring Obama into her mess???

TELL ME WHAT SHE THINKS OBAMA DID!
I do not see race as an issue in this campaign.      It's about who will make a stronger leader.  Someone who can own up to mistakes, missteps, and take responsibility.  I was hoping for some of that here.  What I got out of it was a full on attack on Obama, no apologies for past actions, and a bunch of defensive, "that's not fair", and "I'm the one who has experience".  But if I'm to base her campaign on experience then I'm to base some of it on BILL's record.  Bill was a good president, but that was the 90's.  I was reminded of a lot of blaming of others during his run as president.  For someone who really wanted to believe that Hillary had something to offer me besides the same stuff, I was put in my place.  I will have this person as my president.  If she wins the nomination I will look elsewhere (even republican---as awful as that seems).  I'm leaning towards Obama or even Edwards now.  This interview has turned me off to Clinton entirely.  And another thing, as a woman I'm fully ready to have a woman president.  Not this woman.  No thank you.
Update.....

While campaigning for Clinton in SC, Robert Johnson, head of BET) fanned the racial fire. The story can be read on the Huffington Post. His original remarks have been backtracked by the Clinton campaign, but they are there for all to read. These folks are crazy!
I do not see race as an issue in this campaign.      It's about who will make a stronger leader.  Someone who can own up to mistakes, missteps, and take responsibility.  I was hoping for some of that here.  What I got out of it was a full on attack on Obama, no apologies for past actions, and a bunch of defensive, "that's not fair", and "I'm the one who has experience".  But if I'm to base her campaign on experience then I'm to base some of it on BILL's record.  Bill was a good president, but that was the 90's.  I was reminded of a lot of blaming of others during his run as president.  For someone who really wanted to believe that Hillary had something to offer me besides the same stuff, I was put in my place.  I will NOT have this person as my president.  If she wins the nomination I will look elsewhere (even republican---as awful as that seems).  I'm leaning towards Obama or even Edwards now.  This interview has turned me off to Clinton entirely.  And another thing, as a woman I'm fully ready to have a woman president.  Not this woman.  No thank you.
The Clinton's have been advocating for the black community for as long as they've been in politics, instead of some flash in the pan who got Oprah to stump for him and is only JUST NOW noticing that they even exist. Can anyone say "Hypocrisy???"   Hillary for President!!
Cathy, Upstate NY (Sent Sunday, January 13, 2008 12:16 PM)
----------------------
What have they done for People of Color
Obama thinks that because he doesn't directly fan the flames that he is clean. Bill's "fairy tale" comments were clearly about Obama's record on Iraq; Hillary's "MLK/LBJ" comments were racist only to those who are looking for racism. Michelle Obama fired the first mudsling months ago with her, "if you can't run your own house, you can't run the White House" remark and what we're seeing today is a continuation of that. Obama lets others make his dirty remarks for him, does nothing to refute them, holds his head up and claims to be the "candidate of change" who can unite the country. He must think we're all stupid.
All my life I have never, ever heard that it was LBJ who was in fact responsible for the achievments of the Civil Rights movement and MLK was simply a symbolic sidenote.

I hate to say this but the Republicans are Right: The Clintons are truly the World's greatest revisionist and will say and do anything to get elected no matter how big the lie!

Hillary, just apologize and admit you are wrong already!  Your embaressing the party!
I must say, I am reading through all the comments and feel I must interject here. First, I saw HRC on Meet The Press this morning and I was rather impressed. She handled herself extremely well and stated the facts. In regard to Mr. Clinton’s remarks I truly do believe this is being blown way out of proportion. His words were entirely taken out of context and to be bickering over this issue is, in a word, repulsive. Now I am a person who goes strictly off of a persons experience and factual record. If the public really feels this strongly about Obama vs. Clinton…. EDUCATE yourselves on who actually has produced MORE reform for this country.  Clinton or Obama?   Hands down, Clinton comes out on top. Why? Because she has actually done the work.  It’s really sad that Americans today judge a person based on what the press or others say about them without actually educating themselves on the facts. Yet, these are the same folks who are the first to complain. It’s really sad. Judge a person by their record, and not what others have to say about them.  Educate yourselves.

Yes, Clintons do have experience and a history. That is, they clean up well after the Bush’s have made the messes. Example, Bill Clinton was left holding the bag with one of this nations largest deficits.  Within three years, he turned this into a SURPLUS… But nobody seems to talk about that, do they?  Educate yourselves on the facts folks… Hillary is the best choice, because she has experience!!
Educate yourselves and look it up. Her record for helping others in untouchable compared to Mr. Obama.
------Clinton motto(throwback of the 90's 'textbook' politics)

ANDERA - Admit nothing, deny everything, redirect accusations.
----------------------------------------
Step 1: Slander your opponent
Step 2: Wait and see if you're called on the slander
Step 3: If called on the slander, decide whether you've offended a group you need to win the election
Step 4: If the answer to step 3 is "yes, we need that group," deny Step 1 ever happened.
Step 5: Hope nobody realizes what you just did
Step 6: If someone does realize what you did, see step 1 (slander them)

If above doesn't work, cry so that some gullible women will fall for the deception.
Hey First Read. What's with the "Barack Obama News" link along side your other pages, such as "Meet the Press", "NBC Nightly News," etc.?  YOU WOULDN'T BE TRYING TO VISUALLY INFLUENCE ME...NOW WOULD YA? "There is a saying here in Tennessee and in Texas too. Fool me...Fool me once but you ain't going to fool me again." George W. Bush '04

Hillary Rocks! I can't wait to watch Meet the Press. Knowing you guys, you probably have smoked it.
This all started because she labeled his campaign as full of false hope, to which he answered what if so and so had stopped because someone said they were pursuing false hopes - he listed JFK and MLK amongst many others during his speeches. Hillary then said he was trying to compare himself to JFL and MLK and evidently has gone so far as to minimize MLKs contributions since LBJ actually put the act through. Now when the black community expresses concern at what appears to them as a swipe at one of their biggest heros, Hillary goes on national TV and blames Obama and his campaign. Does this seem smart and experienced? It does not to me, it seems downright Rovian.
Remember the "vast right-wing conspiracy" that made Clinton tell a lie under oath. Perhaps is was the "vast Obama conspiracy" that made Hillary make those remarks and then cause Hillary's supporter to criticize her. The last I checked, people criticizing her remarks are her own campaign people.
Hillary was really something this morning and not in a good way. Tim asked some tough questions, but then let her get away with lying through most of her answers. She took every opportunity to bash Obama. Here are just some of the corrections that need to be made to her outlandish accusations:

Obama's ethics legislation was about alot more than lunches. It stopped all the free travel and sponsored trips and curbed much of the questionable behavior between lobbiests and congressmen.

His position against the Iraq war has never wavered. He voted for funding just as many did who wanted to make sure the troops were supported. Not too hard to understand.

Not only has Obama not started, he hasn't even entered the race conversation. The Clintons stirred up this hornets nest all on their own. They have offended many with their insensitive remarks which are a calculated gamble to draw him out on this.

Hillary may not be endorsed by the Nevada Teacher's Union who is suing so the that Culinary Workers Union cannot caucus offsite, but she failed to mention that she has the support of the Teachers Union management and the timing of this lawsuit is beyond suspicious.

I'm sure the Clintons haven't even scratched the surface of the dirty tricks, manipulations and lies they are willing to employ to defeat Obama. I personally don't think the Republicans will be half as vicious as Hillary. If he can survive her, he can survive anything.
Regardless of what tipped the vote in her favor – and I think there were a number of factors – I can’t help but think the voters in New Hampshire made a big mistake when they gave Hillary that victory. Had she lost there, I think it would’ve been nearly impossible for her to stop Obama’s momentum. As it is, a huge battle lies ahead.
It is crucial that voters in Nevada, S. Carolina, and the Super Tuesday states do not repeat New Hampshire’s mistake. Obama is far more electable than Clinton, and a far more inspiring choice to move the country past the divisiveness of the Bush-Clinton years.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I think that the frothing-at-the-mouth hatred that Hillary inspires in so many Republicans borders on the insane (and it’s certainly idiotic), but Democrats ignore that antipathy at their own peril. If Democrats want to do the most powerful thing they can to turn out the *right-wing* base in November, the choice is simple: nominate Hillary Clinton.
Obama, on the other hand, is the one candidate that Americans across the political spectrum can get behind. How do we know? Because they did it in Iowa. He trounced Hillary among independents, brought out unprecedented numbers of young people, and even defeated her by a percentage point among women there. Even in New Hampshire, he beat her handily amongst independents and young voters. He is a *true* uniter, something that Bush and Mrs. Clinton, unfortunately, can never be.
Imagine a contest between Obama and McCain. Barack would destroy the old guy in a general election. Clinton? I’m not so sure. Certainly, after seven years of the Bush fiasco, any Dem nominee *should* be able to beat any Republican, but given the way Hillary infuriates and riles up Republicans, it would be a huge risk to give her that responsibility. And really, do voters – even those who appreciate Bill Clinton’s presidency – really want to hear all those same old attacks and innuendoes and slanders repeated for another four or eight years? It’s time to turn the page, finally, and only Obama can do that.
Lastly, we should adress this silly “experience” issue: JFK only served a single full term in the Senate before becoming one of our most beloved presidents, and Lincoln, probably the greatest president ever, had served only *one* term in the House before his election. And of course, Bush was a two-term governor when he was elected, and we know how that worked out…There are other, *better*, metrics than mere time-in-office, and Obama’s obvious intelligence and good judgement – remember, he was right about Iraq from the beginning – are ample evidence of the strong leadership he would bring to the White House.
Democrats have a choice, a choice between unity and division, between the future and the past. Do we want to risk another Republican president, or four more years of Bush-Clinton bickering? Or do we want to turn the page to a new chapter in American life? Get out and *vote* in your primaries, and vote for Barack Obama.
2 RJ,Phoenix, AZ and many others that possibly could be the same person: The only people who are using the same old dirty tricks the Clintons are. They feel jealous and they feel fear. They know their opportunity is almost over and they're desperately attacking Obama. They're The Masters of Lies and they think America is stupid, but they're wrong. If you don't believe it, just read the news and see what a cynical Mrs. Clinton can be. After attacking Barack Obama ----> http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7864.html then suddenly, she switches her way ----> http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/category/presidential-candidates/barack-obama/  ALL IN THE VERY SAME DAY, IF THIS WOMAN IS NOT A LIAR, A FAKE, A DISASTER, A CYNICAL, then someone explain all of this mess!

She's not a reliable person and nobody should risk the nation by voting her. Not enough with what you've read?? Then you have to google or youtube some videos I want you to see with rhe keywords PETER PAUL, STAN LEE AND THE CLINTONS.


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