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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



More 'New Hillary' after Meet the Press

Posted: Sunday, January 13, 2008 11:44 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- If you're looking for a good picture to illustrate the "New Hillary" --  look at how Clinton acted after Meet the Press. She was greeted by supporters as she left the studio here where the show was taped, and she took a detour on the way to her car to reach through the iron gate to shake hands. After a few seconds, she gestured and said "I'll come around" and walked out onto the sidewalk to continue greeting people.

People on the street were surprised. "I can't believe that just happened!" commented one volunteer in a Hillary T-shirt said, looking at the hand Clinton was shaking.

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Mitt Romney Flip Flopping!
This guy will do anything for a vote....

Last week, Bay Windows, a Boston gay newspaper, reprinted excerpts from a letter Romney wrote to the Log Cabin Republicans in 1994, hoping to gain the group’s support in his campaign against the veteran Democratic lawmaker and Massachusetts institution.

“If we are to achieve the goals we share, we must make equality for gays and lesbians a mainstream concern,” Romney wrote. “My opponent cannot do this. I can and will.”

Romney lost that race by a wide margin, but came closer to defeating Kennedy than had any previous challenger in recent memory. Romney’s support for the gay community did not end with his loss, however, as his political aspirations dictated otherwise. At the Boston Gay Pride Parade in 2002, when he ran for governor, he and his running mate Kerry Healey distributed pink fliers stating, “Mitt and Kerry wish you a great Pride weekend.”
That's funny because all I saw on the Meet the Press interview was the old Hillary.  She can pretend she's change all she wants, but anyone who saw that interview and her constant stream of misleading attacks knows that nothing's changed.
Took her almost a year to realize that it's people who elect her?

Obama's been shaking heads since day 1.
It took her a year to realize that she needs people elect her?

Obama's been shaking hands since day 1...
She was probably still in shock from the interview! This will go down as one of the most revealing glimpses of Hillary, ever. And it was NOT a favorable glimpse! She was totally outdone by Russert. But the beauty of it was he did not come across as mean-spirited or overly aggressive. He was very polite in his questioning and in letting her go on and on and on in her answers. But he was a genius in pointing out the hypocrisy and errors and flaws in her campaign and in her record - and in giving HER plenty of time to back him up!

If anyone missed it, be sure to watch MSNBC tonight when they rerun it. It was a masterpiece.

Congratulations to the Obama campaign. Hillary did you a huge favor today!
Mitt Romney has a little problem that is Telling the Truth please watch this video and judge for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeP5A5cczqk&eurl=http://republicansagainstromney.blogspot.com/
Go Hillary! You will be the first female president of the US. We love you Hill!!
Why does Hillary need to re-invent herself at every turn? Why does she need to be "humanized"?

After watching her on Meet the Press this morning I find her simply unelectable. She can lie with incredible ease: from Obama's record, MLK statements, Bill's statements, the Marc Rich/Hugh Rodman pardons, her Iraq vote, her "experience"...
the lies keep coming.

It appeared Senator Clinton was wearing an ear piece of some sort in her right ear.  Was that a hearing aid or was someone helping her with answers, or both?
Hillary must find support wherever she can.

No one cares about this skank!!!
I just viewed Meet the Press with Tim Russert and Hillary Clinton.  It was very obvious that she has no other interest in this campaign other than trying to knock Barack Obama down - she won't succeed.  Tim ran clips of her in the Senate approving the war and she, in an attempt to explain to us stupid viewers what she really said, sounded very foolish as she would not assume the obvious responsibility of making a mistake.  She merely attempted to led the discussion to some sort of negative about Obama.  Both Clintons are deceivers and we need to give all of our attention and votes to Barack Obama because he has the integrity, honesty, sincere concern for our country and is ready to accept that responsibility on DAY ONE.
I cannot in good conscience vote for a chameleon.  I'm sorry but the teflon oligarch turned Sweet Sue act makes me feel nauseated.  She had my vote- she just lost it. And by the way, Hillary- I found my voice too and its telling me "vote Obama".
I don't trust Hillary Clinton or Bill Clinton after the recent racial comments they have made lately.  I saw Meet the Press and the main issue Hillary wanted to express was negativity toward Barack Obama.
I read the blogs and responses to all things Hillary and continue, naively I suppose, to be surprised at the mean spiritedness of the responders who support Obama. Maybe they support Obama because they hate Hillary?..Odd, really..Also odd that those that currently and historically oppose Hillary, cite her attempt in the early 90s to create universal health care. How, selfish of her, huh?..wanting for every family to have access to medical care. Rotten to the core, she is.........
You people need to ask "Why do I hate Hillary so much?" God you hate so easily - it is a shame. Good luck to those god fearing american christians..... (What a joke)
Sure, the clintons once again react to the polls and try to repackage themselves.  After more than 16 years on the national political stage all Americans have a reinforced perspective on Senator Clinton and will see through this attempt to rewrite her history and her personality.  
do you have video?? I want to see it.
Right after claiming that she was incompetent enough to believe that a vote called "Authorization Of Military Force Against Iraq" was not a vote for the Iraq war?
She has become a great actress. She knows now that her acting which she broke down in tears worked in N.H. so she started actong on every occassion.We should not be fooled by this.She will be real Hillary after the vote.There nothing on her which should be impressed.
MSNBC decided the minute Kucinich declared, that Clinton, who hadn't, would get the coverage. They've been in the business of supporting the business [read--wealth] -friendly candidates ever since. If they don't start covering all the candidates, they should have their license taken away.

They are now in the process of eliminating Edwards.
I find it funny that Hillary has to "change" the way that she deals with people all for the presidency.  That makes we wonder what is real about her and what is not.  I would rather support someone who I know is being themselves than someone who has to change the way they are to the core for votes.

Hillary will never get my vote.
For all you Obama lovers, I have only one question:

How much courage does it take to vote "PRESENT" 130 times rather than vote yes or no on an issue? That is the record of Barak Obama when in the Illinois state senate.  Is that what you Hillary haters call LEADERSHIP? GIVE ME A BREAK !

Oh please. The "New Hillary" willing to do anything to win the nomination. If she were doing this from the start it would be one thing, but why can't more Americans see that she is only reacting and protracting for political reasons? How is it possible that a 60 year old woman all of a sudden "finds" herself coincidently in the middle of a presidential campaign?
It's quite clear that Hillary is going to attempt to win the nomination by attacking Obama and not taking responsibility for her poor judgement in voting for the war.

I have been a big fan of the Clintons until now. We need a candidate who can beat the Republican in November. Hillary is not that candidate.
perhaps as the press begins to treat Senator Hillary Clinton more fairly - everyone will get more access...however when you have the MSM annoiting one candidate and not doing any in depth investigation of Senator Obama's past dealings, ie, Rezko, and on the other hand, the press still dwelling on issues in Senator Clinton's past from over sixteen years ago...it becomes apparent that the MSM has not been fair but instead infatuated with an unvetted Obama...if the press and journalists will start doing their jobs instead of giving us their opinions then the public and the voters will benefit
I hope he later washed that hand extra hard...
I love Senator Clinton as a person, but she is politics-as-usual. No principles. No honesty. She does what she thinks will attract votes. Can you see her at the G-8 crying to win a point for America? Or crying to have insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan pull back and surrender? And at a meeting with the leaders of the American military, she'll shed a well-placed tear or two to win a point? Some Commander-in-Chief! Did British prime minister Margaret Thacher cry to win in the Falklands?

There is serious talk now that her win in New Hampshire was fabricated through the manipulation of the notorious Diebold tabulators. She should request a recount to put the suspicion to rest.

America deserves better.
WRONG!

I have attended several events featuring Hilliary Clinton and two others where she was not the featured speaker.  In ALL OF THE EVENTS, she was warm and cordial.  Her responses were personable, attentive, and presented logical responses to questions or comments presented to her.

Hilliary Clinton is not the cold personna you've created for her.  Reality check for members of the press!

At least when you meet her, you are made aware of and do appreciate her genuine responses; they are most unlike the phony responses coming from Obama!
You could tell from the expression on Hillary's face at the end of the interview that she knew she had done terribly.

Maybe she felt she needed to shore up  some support by shaking some hands!
Here is an awful thought!!!!  A Clinton/Clinton ticket.....We will all need to move out of the country...
Tim, How could you let her dominate the conversation?
    Please don't be so gracious the next time.
35 years of "experience"? More like it took 35 years to find what "voice" would sucker people into believing her.

Hillary "found her voice" a few days ago. Barack found his voice decades ago working in the communities of Chicago. He found his voice many years ago as an advocate for civility and bipartisan cooperation in the Illinois senate. Today he is saying the same things he's said all through his political life.
It's the real Hillary. Intelligent, personal, warm and workhorse.

She is a realist and a pragmatic lady. A woman of substance.

But alas, many Americans are fooled by hatred and rumors and fairy tales.
I think it's great. I am a strong supporter and I hope I get a chance to shake her hand and show my support when she comes to Georgia. By the way, it's too bad that Tim Russert focused so much of his questioning on Obama during this morning's interview. He didn't ask so many questions about Hillary Clinton of Obama during his interview a few weeks ago.  NBC, you can still do better in balancing your media coverage.Let's focus more on issues about how to fix the problem's facing this country in Tuesday's debate - please.
Hillary appeared to have an earpiece in her right ear while on Meet the Press.  While we can all speculate as to what that might be about, does anyone have any reliable insight?
This is a 180 for Hillary who is usually not so warm with the crowds. It won't last though. Even she has some acting talent.
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.(politico)
Hillary made the election a gender issue when she called the male candidates "the boys club" accusing them of piling on simply because they questioned her flipflopping in a debate.  It did not stop there.  And if it is not a gender issue, why did she run a likeability tour in Iowa with her mom, daughter, and female friends?  She also made it a race issue when talking about Martin Luther King and LBJ.  Her husband has made racial slurs, her friends and advisors have made deragatory racial slurs as well.  Hillary is very ugly on the inside and all the metaphorsis she come up with on the outside does not hide this.  SDhe is an expert at playing the "cover-up" game.  Well, I don't think it going to work for her this time.  Hillary is ancient politics trying to compete in a new world, a new century, and a new future.  She is mean-spirited under-handed, deceitful old hag (please, no offense to all the lovely 60+ women out there, I am 63) who is set on becoming President because "I am in it to win."  and nothing else.  Move over Hillary, this is NOT your time!
How does shaking hands show "The New Hillary"?

I'm glad to see she is holding up on her promise to be more accessible to citizens and the media.  I think this will work for her. She is intelligent, hardworking and nuanced on the issues - which matters!
How many Hillarys do we have to endure? I like the new Hillary less than the last few. There is only one Barack - smart, personable, visionary, excellent judgment. Enough poll-tested-I'll-be-whomever-you-want-me-to-be candidates. Wise up, America, Obama is the real deal.
Hillary made the election a gender issue when she called the male candidates "the boys club" accusing them of piling on simply because they questioned her flipflopping in a debate.  It did not stop there.  And if it is not a gender issue, why did she run a likeability tour in Iowa with her mom, daughter, and female friends?  She also made it a race issue when talking about Martin Luther King and LBJ.  Her husband has made racial slurs, her friends and advisors have made deragatory racial slurs as well.  Hillary is very ugly on the inside and all the metaphorsis she comes up with on the outside does not hide this.  She is an expert at playing the "cover-up" game.  Well, I don't think it is going to work for her this time.  Hillary is ancient politics trying to compete in a new world, a new century, and a new future.  She is a mean-spirited under-handed, and deceitful old hag (please, no offense to all the lovely 60+ women out there, I am 63) who is set on becoming President because "I am in it to win."  and nothing else.  Moveover Hillary, this is NOT your time!
It seems incredible to suggest that race and gender are playing a role in this year's election that in any way and extent resembles the Douglass/Stanton debate. There is very little chance that the Bradley effect played a significant role. Obama's "you're likable enough" or Edwards's criticism of Hillary's jacket were both inappropriate. But Clinton has no history of racist comments just as Obama and Edwards have no history of sexism; neither of these storylines fit a preexisting narrative in any way, and both are being blown-up out of proportion by the candidates and by the media.
I think Hillary kicked Russert's butt.  She more than held her own against his aggressive inflamatory questioning.  She never let him off the mat. Very impressive.
So Hilary Wal-Mart has made a conscious effort to act as if she is human, and everyone acts like she is a great person for it?  If she was such a wonderful person, having emotion and liking people would come naturally.
your attempt today to try and turn the race card against Hilary was truely eye opening for the lack of fairness it demonstrated all the while you  used the gender card. any comments hilary makes against obama are racist now , but comments about her tears are ok. no bias-right
Hey Chris.
Gotta a question for you, that I bet you don't have the backbone to answer.
Considering and observing your personal trashing of Hillary Clinton all the time..
Question?.
If Mrs Clinton happened to be be a Black Woman, running for President, would you be trashing her on live on the air like you are Mrs Clinton.
Who shakes hands through a gate anyway?


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