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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 Political Researcher



A McCain endorsement, new SC ads

Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:04 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: , , ,

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
On the day of the Michigan primary, Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) endorsed McCain.

"John McCain alone has the experience, character and integrity we need in our next president," Davis said in a statement released by the campaign. "As president, John McCain will lead the fight for fiscal responsibility, a strong defense and the highest ethical standards to restore Americans' trust in their leadership. I am proud to support him for president."

McCain, Edwards South Carolina ads
McCain and Edwards went up with new ads today in South Carolina. McCain looks directly into the camera and tells voters, “I've served our country all my adult life. I've never lived a day in good times or bad I wasn't grateful for the privilege. Now I ask to serve as your president. As thousands of South Carolinians risk their lives to defend us, our purpose can't be ours alone. America is our cause, her greatness our hope, her strength our protection, her goodness the hope of mankind. That's why I run for president, and ask for your support.”

Edwards has a series of short 10-second spots, reminding voters this is not a two-person race. In each of the four spots, photos of Clinton and Obama are side by side with a question on the screen, which is also read by an announcer. The answer is always Edwards.

“Which Democrat opposed NAFTA and other trade deals that send American jobs overseas?  John Edwards is the only one;” “Which Democrat has never taken a dime of campaign money from Washington lobbyists? John Edwards is the only one;” “Who’s the only Democrat who would ban Washington lobbyists from the White House staff?  John Edwards is the only one;” “Who’s the only Democrat that beats all the Republicans in the recent CNN poll? John Edwards is the only one.

Here's "Deal:"

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Comments

I'm guessing each of the WIVES that John McCain has CHEATED on aren't endorsing him...

Including his current "wife", who looks more like the 71-year-old's DAUGHTER!
Edwards truely is the only one.
McCain's "sexual infidelities" aside - I just worry about his age - and his cantakerous nature.

Romney takes unfair shots - but keeps being positive with a bright message.


I'm still not convinced that Mr. Huckabee is smart enough to handle the job as president.
McCain HAS served all his life - but he's not accomplished much except nasty fighting with the people that don't agree with him.

McCain's old, tired message isn't in the best interests of the nation's future.
McCain can't even be trusted by his own wife.
John McCain won't change anything - because he hasn't for the past 30 years.

I would like to vote for Huckabee - but my intuition tells me I'd be doing it for the wrong reason.

Mitt Romney, like it or not, is the nation's best choice - and I think God will hold us accountable for doing what's in the nation's best interests.
The current issue of NEWSWEEK has nailed McCain on his LIES regarding Mitt Romney:

These are direct quotes from NEWSWEEK:


McCain is sending out a postcard mailing in South Carolina that is misleading on more than one point.

It says that "Romney provided taxpayer-funded abortions," a distortion. Romney's Massachusetts health-care plan faced a court order requiring abortions to be covered.

It says Romney "refused to endorse Bush Tax Cut Plan," but fails to note that McCain himself voted against it.

It says, "Hillary tried to spend $1 million for a Woodstock museum" until "John McCain said NO." In fact, McCain wasn't present for the most important votes on the project.

Analysis
A copy of the mailer was provided to us by the Mitt Romney campaign at our request, after news accounts about it surfaced over the weekend.

It shows a smiling John McCain promising to "fight for lower taxes" and to "veto every single pork-barrel bill that crosses my desk." Fair enough. Those pledges sound very similar to promises Romney himself has been making. But the mailer goes on to draw a picture of Romney's record as governor of Massachusetts that is so distorted as to discredit McCain's claim to be the candidate of "straight talk."

McCain rubs me wrong... especially in the past few weeks.  I can't imagine how mean-spirited and nasty he would become with a little POWER!

I appreciate his war service - but then again, I appreciate the service of ALL of our veterans, not just those out USING it to get elected.

--McCain's ad seems very well done.  I like the message.


--It is my contention that voters are stupid ... not individual voters or Americans necessarily, just voters en bloq.  So many examples have I seen this week.  NAFTA/Free trade is hedging as one of them.  It is an issue where a sound bite wins over, well, the truth.  Liberal politicians like Fmr. Sen. Edwards (and I, personally, do find many of his stances too liberal) only perpetuate the problem by offering only half of the conversation.

"The answer is always Edwards."
--Really, because I really thought Kucinich's name would pop up.
Without question, America's #1 threat is not education, health care, joblessness, gas prices, etc.  It is the war on terror.  Who among our presidential hopefuls understands this threat and knows best how to deal with it than John McCain?  Some may not like him or may think he's too old, but he's the only one who has the experience, the integrity, the proven perseverance and the guts to keep our land safe.
If he wins, he will be a STRONG candidate

McCain-Huckabee would be a winning ticket for the Republicans against Hillary

Luckily, we'll nominate Obama
An Obama-Edwards or Obama-Biden ticket would beat McCain
Expecially Obama-Biden

Democrats, WE CAN WIN THIS THING !!
Obama '08
Robert Seymour- well said.

Patricia- what about the other issues facing our country?  Logically the WAR is the biggest THREAT, but what about all the other problems?  Our country needs someone with the ability to multi-task and delegate responsibilities.   We need someone who can stay calm, cool and collected- not someone who's temper has had to be cooled by his campaign staffers.

You mentioned a lot of important issues.  If we can't take care of our own, than what is the point in fighting for our country?  If our country goes even more to pot, what are we creating for the soldiers to come home to?  What are we leaving for our children?

Speaking of the war/terror, what about securing our borders?  McCain has one of the worst immigration records/plans.  I'm not blaming the Mexicans for the terror (that would be stupid), but that weak border is where many terrorists find a way to enter this country.  If we don't improve that, than we are inviting the war to come here to.  Sorry, but I'm not interested in a battle on our home turf.

Try to see the bigger picture.  We need a candidate who can handle all the major issues, not just his personal favorite.  John McCain is a one issue man who almost seems to delight in and get energized by war.  Scary.
Patricia Hughes -- Clayton, North Car: '...It is the war on terror.  Who among our presidential hopefuls understands this threat and knows best how to deal with it than John McCain?  keep our land safe....'

SORRY, NO SALE !!
The 'War on Terror' is a con job
Stop invading foreign countries
Stop overthrowing their governments
Stop stealing their oil

The ONLY candidate telling the truth about this is RON PAUL

END THE AMERICAN EMPIRE !!
McCain's adultery is unsettling, but unlike Guiliani's, it is long past and partly attributable to his spending over five years being tortured in Vietnam.  Cut him some slack.  There are no perfect candidates.  Ron Paul has been a little too tolerant of conspiracy theories and overstates his case that U.S. nation building creates as many problems as it solves and costs too much.  Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, while good people, are not qualified to lead us in wartime and will have a harder time winning in November.  John McCain is the best we have in either party.  I wish it were different, but I imagine better candidates would be ridiculed or ignored by the mainstream media.
Dear Friends:
Imagine a blissful morning oh so blessed!
With snowmen and snowwomen  like older characters of the American scene, like sculptures across the USA
of American voters and citizens waving flags and saying vote.     Make it happen like voting dinner or get together parties or parades.  It is exciting and it only happens ever four years.  The impact historical!!
Red, white and blue flags and signs or what every you imagine.  Scuptures showing how they would get to the poles in sand, metal or snow or ice.  Why Phoenix has brought ice and snow to the western town of Pinnacle Peak Rawhide and they have snow in the mountains of Arizona.   Cactii decorated and flags in the yard.

Make it happen and teach the children how important getting out the registrar and voting.  Men and woman, your part is historical!!!  Military you too.

Why maybe supporters and business participation in every state what could you do?  Prizes anyone. Design, make it, sledding and playing while voting!
Put the photos out on your text mail, send to your newspapers and media.  It might be fun!!!  Vote!!!
America!!!!  Vote!!!!  pass the word to friends and relatives I voted did you!!!  don't forget!!!! 2008


Buy American Made!!!!  Red White and Blue we are here for you!!!  Autos  what sales are out there!!! Bring it home made in America!!!

How about cocoa or hot tea and some red white and blue bread or white chocolate like from the Good Earth Bread.    Coffee!!!    
I hope the American voters will not go for John McCains same old tired and boring campaign talk. He has been in DC for 30 years and accomplished little other than becoming a career politician that loves getting in front of the camera.
It is time for new ideas and a new vision such as that of Mike Huckabee. Go Huck!
Good ad for Edwards.....

Except Obama wasn't in the Senate at the time of NAFTA
NAFTA was passed in 1996 just after Clinton was elected.
It was the BIGGEST con job Clinton ever pulled
It destroyed our manufacturing base and our unions

All you Nader-haters, Please note that Ralph Nader and Ross Perot OPPOSED NAFTA and Al Gore SUPPORTED NAFTA
.... serves him right !!
If he wins, he will be a STRONG candidate

McCain-Huckabee would be a winning ticket for the Republicans against Hillary

Luckily, we'll nominate Obama
An Obama-Edwards or Obama-Biden ticket would beat McCain
Expecially Obama-Biden

Democrats, WE CAN WIN THIS THING !!
Obama '08
Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:39 PM)

Yes, provided San Francisco's most recent addition to the health crisis doesn't kill more of us.  Please close the bathhouses.
Two words: Keating Five

McCain is not presidential material.
Suggestion....Don't vote for any Republican until he completely breaks away from Dubya. The group we must select a candidate from are too much like Dubya, would continue the billion dollar a week war until we (whoever "we" are) declare WE WIN! O.K. one of you Dubya clones, say it :"We Win! Now lets bring our troops home!" McCain, don't interject the F word in your statement.
To McCain's ad -- people can serve the people poorly but still serve the people and country.  You should have spelled it out a little more as to what kind of service you did.  Chris Dodd served in the military and the Peace Corps; is that more service that you did?  This is not to discount the time that you served as a POW.  

To Edwards ad --  How long ago are those polls stating that you could beat any of the Republican contenders?  How many other of the Democratic candidates say what you have said about dealing with lobbyists and trade deals like NAFTA?
Due directly to McCain's experience, integrity and character is exactly why we didn't elect him last time where he has provided us many more reasons since then in confirming we were right!

Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For ( The Easy Way )
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/entry/candidate_research_know_who_youre_voting_for/
People take cheap shots and spread lies about John McCain because if they looked at they truth they'd have to drop this anti-McCain diatribe being foisted by Hannity, Limbaugh, and the Mass. er Michigan panderer (based solely on their disagreement with him over immigration) and face the fact that he is the only Republican conservative who can win in November and has always been pro-life.
Pedersen


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