To echo Chuck's point on Hollywood

Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:17 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Here's a statement the Republican National Committee just issued: “The Hollywood elites loved the Obama and Clinton show tonight, but average Americans who will most feel the pain of the Democrats’ misguided policies will not."

More: "Even while Clinton and Obama both admitted to supporting tax increases on hard-working Americans, they failed to fully account for how they would pay for all their proposals. Both spoke to retreating from the War on Terror, but failed to admit their records of defunding the troops and weakening our national defense. Today, Obama was crowned the “most liberal senator,” and his out-of-the-mainstream proposals left no question that he deserved the title. Clinton’s failure to explain her changing positions will do nothing to restore trust with the American people. After watching these two Democrats pander to Hollywood’s liberals, I have never been more confident that a Republican will win in November.”

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Comments

The RNC is right.

Deb Dade, MN (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:23 PM)

The Republicans are out of touch with most Americans. Hillary Clinton was eloquent, commanding and put forth truly attainable solutions tonight. She has my vote on Feb. 5.

Mar y , Decatur, GA (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:25 PM)

" ...they failed to fully account for how they would pay for all their proposals."

Hello Pot, Meet Kettle!
--I mean, does the GOP really want to take the DFL to task on wasteful spending (unless they nominate McCain)?

--NSMsnbc (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:28 PM)

Tonight the American people saw two candidates that are genuine in wanting to improve the American condition... Quite a contrast to last night's debate in the Republican corner, between an angry POW, (who will always be a 'Prisoner of War', ANY war), and the rich guy who is trying to 'buy' the presidency... The choice is becoming clearer by the minute...

Lyn, Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:28 PM)

From the page

Antonio Villaraigosa, a national co-chairman of the Clinton campaign, accepted at least $1,500 from the indicted businessman.

Marbw (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:29 PM)

Um, which party put an actor in the White House? I can't seem to remember....

MB, Scranton PA (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:32 PM)

Hillary is starting to feel it all slip away.

Misty Rains CA (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:36 PM)

The Republicans have been parading celebrities like Chuck Norris, Stallone and Jon Voight before us???

sour grapes????

Freeman Female, Dallas, TX (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:37 PM)

The RNC is whistling in the dark.
The GOP's current front runner has promised us jobs that are never coming back, 100 years in Iraq, and he will pay for it by cutting taxes to corporations and the rich and by cutting spending on programs for Americans. All this so that he can send their children to stand between the opponents of a civil war that was precipitated by the policies of the current incompetent Republican President.
The GOP is doomed.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:40 PM)

Sorry gopers, It will not work this time. Especially after the deficits and economic woes that we are in right now. Look to your president for the deterioration of my country's standing. LIBRUL/LIBRUL/LIBRUL label will not be enough to gloss over anything. If Iraq was such a good idea, why did this admn have to lie and deceive this nation.

Watch this video Dems. See how this guy(talking) beat one of Bush's buddies(got trounced in the '07 election) that criticized Barack Obama on War on Terror and Iraq:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e7bhsziwJ4

Marbw (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:42 PM)

Should not Shrillary and Osama change their names to that of "The Chamberlain Twins".....

Defend the French way, Bottomsup, Dijon, FR (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:42 PM)

Who cares what the Republicans think.....When there have been large number of voter turn outs it has been for the Democrats not the Republicans....They have held this country hostage long enough....We all know it's time for change......

MLC (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:48 PM)

Should not Shrillary and Osama change their names to that of "The Chamberlain Twins".....

Defend the French way, Bottomsup, Dijon, FR (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:48 PM)

You mean they forgot what Edwards told them to say, which is to pay for healthcare with Bush's tax cuts
for the rich, (those earning $200,000. or more). They are lost without Edwards, and so will the people of this country be lost. It's really a shame you pundits and media have chosen our candidates, the people in this country didn't even realize that there were more than two candidates in the race for nominee.

Now we are stuck, we two elistist candidates in the
Democratic party, who only care about their own ambitions, and will lie their way into the White House. If one of them gets in, all will be crying in their soup and wish the decider was back, the horrors.

With McCain, which could be the republican, a nightmare waiting to happen, unless the war in Iraq came to end by January 2009. Then McCain could stop playing soldier. Who needs this mean spirited creep.
Let's start over again, it's not too late, 8 months. Then we wouldn't die of bordom while watching stupid debates until Novemeber, 2008.

Lee NYC (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:53 PM)

Where the hell is Jon Voight when we need him?

Mark Thieme (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:54 PM)

Should not Shrillary and Osama change their names to that of "The Chamberlain Twins".....
Defend the French way, Bottomsup, Dijon, FR (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:48 PM)

__________________________

Great comment...We you get that from your red-neck library....

HillaryClintonSupporter (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:58 PM)

The only people who will discredit tonight's debate are those diehard conservatives who still are convinced that Bush has done a good job as our president. If you missed the debates you missed what ultimately might turn out to be our next president and vice president.

Alfredo L.,Rio Rancho,New Mexico (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:03 PM)

I'm a committed Democrat, but I have to say that the decision to hold the one debate between S. Carolina and Super Tuesday in a Hollywood setting is STUPID for the party thinking ahead to the general election.
Nothing shows a committment to the average American more than having most important debate of the year in front of the Hollywood elite. C'mon, are you kidding?

Jim (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:08 PM)

Defend the French way, Bottomsup, Dijon, FR (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:48 PM)
Should not Shrillary and Osama change their names to that of "The Chamberlain Twins".....

So your saying that Bushes muddled little field trip to Iraq is in some way Churchillian? Ha!
Just so you know, the W does NOT stand for Winston.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:12 PM)

It's such a joke that the republicans think they can win, were attention flows. Look Obama will be perfect in eight years but for now it's Hillary, she clearly won it's unfortunate that the media will not give it to her because she does deserve it, Obama is to wet behind the ears, he shys away from conflict, he stutters, and he just isn't ready we have to put someone in that is ready...

Le longmont co (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:24 PM)

Of course the Republican National Committee would make such statements.

Obama was very clear on where funding would come from with consideration for the time allowed to answer.

However, Clinton parroted Obama on that answer as she did in response to many questions because they sounded better than her true campaign answers.. and she skirted around answering direct questions.

But they are wrong on 'no accounts for their proposals' in respect to Obama. They are well aware length of time given for each candidate to speak in a forum such as that does not allow complete detailed answers on any issue. If that were the case, debates would last days not just hours.

Republicans cannot win the Presidency.. not when McCain plans on 10 more years in Iraq, or with Mitt Romney making some of the goofiest remarks I've ever heard.

Lo in OR (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:35 PM)

Republican National Committee is trashing Hillary in favor of Obama??

Hmmm one wonders why Republicans want Obama to win the nomination??

Thinking Democrat, USA (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:41 PM)

Like Senator Obama said.
I am ready, willing and able to debate the borrow & spend policies of the republican party with anyone.
Indeed.
On this issue McCain's flip flopping reminds me of the Clinton's flip flopping on the war in Iraq.
The text book campaign answers fail to inspire confidence that either McCain or the Clinton's are ready from day 1 to look to the national security interests of the United States of America.
Either militarily or economically.

P. Walker, Memphis, TN (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:49 PM)

WOW, all these comments about change....I remember this talk, oh, thats right the same rhetoric we heard when Democrats gain control of the House and Senate.

shawn wolcott ny (Sent Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:53 PM)

There's no doubt that these two candidates scare the be-jesus out of the GOP. And the republican fabricated "trust"/"experience" attacks are simply not going to work. Not even McCain/Huckabee can save you now.

So, say hello to a Democratic Unitary Executive suckers...you have only yourselves to blame.

Charlie, Chesapeake, Virginia (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 12:13 AM)

The good natured sparring helped him. He neutralized her on healthcare and simply cleaned up on the war in Iraq. But most crucial: he seemed like a president. He was already battling McCain. She was still pivoting off Bush. In his body language, he carefully upstaged her, without looking as if he were trying. By the end of the debate, he was pulling her chair back for her.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/01/obama-won.html

Marbw (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 12:20 AM)

(TN)Diners who always get it right pick Obama, McCain
------
MURFREESBORO — Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have passed a crucial mile marker on the way to the White House — they've won City Cafe's straw poll on the presidential primary.

For two decades, diners at the popular gathering place just off the public square downtown have predicted with remarkable accuracy the winner of elections national and local. Owner Scott Perkins attributes that to the variety of people who eat there...

The poll began Jan. 16, the same day as early voting, and results were released Wednesday. Diners were required to vote either Democratic or Republican.

---
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801310415

Marbw (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 12:44 AM)

Thank you, Mr. Rove.

iowan (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 12:48 AM)

A very important point I keep hearing is change...

Let's all be intelligent enough to understand a couple of things:

1Washington is not broken! The process, maybe?
2It will take someone who understand how the system works to actually get anything done...(this is a different environment than the one Reagan took over)

Summary:

Although many of you think John McCain is an old man, crusty, blah, blah, blah..

He still commands the respect of most in Congress on both sides of the aisle, and he's not afraid to piss people off to stand up for his principles(and people, yes even Senators and Congressmen/women, respect that).

Last thought: This war stinks, and Bush' communication of it was almost as bad...Even a conservative like me agrees on that. Let's not forget though, that John McCain has been right on the war every step of the way AND he continues to sound the trumpet of treating enemies of war w/ respect by eliminating some of our interrogation tactics. He's not that grumpy after all, and I believe he can bring back respect globally.

JT (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 1:07 AM)

When one knows they are going to lose, their last alternative is to go negative. The Republicans know they can't win. The Americans are smart enough to figure that out. We know with the Bush Administration we get our military men and women killed each week, gas costs have tripled, our debt has soared unimaginable. Obviously they are going to attack Hillary, they know she can beat them and they are running scared. Go Hillary.

DG (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 1:14 AM)

The rnc is desperate. They have a flip flopping phony multi millionaire trying to buy the white house, who had no clue as to how most Americans live-and then they have old gasbag mccain, who pretty much doesn't know anything. I would rather my tax dollars go toward building a "bridge to nowhere", or a Woodstock museum, than toward building mosques in Iraq. The old fool should run for president of Iraq-he could be their "liberator" that the ignorant cowboy talked about!

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 1:18 AM)

The Republicans are, plain and simple, lying croks who will say ANYTHING to paint a picture of Democrats as uncaring of the average Americans.
Democrats fought hard to get so many domestic welfare and other legislations passed in the face of a stubbornly pro-business GOP that just screwed Iraq by stubbornly and arrogantly supporting Bush as if they were a royal family loyal to their Bush the sheik.
I have full and deep respect for rank-and-file Republicans outside of Washington, even though as a Democrat, I disagree with their crazy conservative way of life in this age of freedom. We don't need to be conservative and impede human progress by insisting on the past and not the future.

Bull the Dog (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 1:29 AM)

Did anyone take a look at the audience in the RNC debate:
lots and lots of old white people
Did anyone take a look at the audience in the DNC debate lots and lots of old white people celebrities
Did anyone take a look at the moderators and question panel aka "journalists" : white people- no latinos, no blacks.
The average man, average woman are not to be part of the debates. I could really care less what the RNC thinks of the DNC debates or vice versa- both were a sham to the voter/average citizen.

cj (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 3:04 AM)

Hillary won the debate!! How about that Chucky boy!!! She had the best punch line tonight, "It took a Clinton to clean-up after the first Bush, and it will take another Clinton to clean-up after the second Bush.

Jacqueline Onukwugha Sacramento, Ca (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 4:21 AM)

Don't hold your breath on Hil-Billy and Osama being running mates. It will never happen.

Connie, MD (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 7:25 AM)

Bush and the republican party have squandered the trust of the American people and more than a trillion dollars in an unjust and unnecessary war, sending our economy into a tailspin. They are failures through and through, and they may as well sit out the presidential election. That's what happens when you follow zealots blindly, rather than thinking for yourself...

Jim B. (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 7:44 AM)

Here's my problem with the RNC and reps in general anymore...they chatter and patter about how tough they are and how anyone who disagrees with their position on the war are terrorist lovers...BUT

You then find out it is their supporters profiting from the war and death, it is their supporters who are the chickenhawks and wont serve or send their kids to serve in their war, we find that the louder they claim to be for the troops the less likely it is they were ever a "troop",...my personal opinion is that anyone for this war of choice who wont serve is a coward and beneath our contempt...nough said about reps

Rick, Ws, NC (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 8:32 AM)

Government have to use solar pannels for Public Sector, that will create jobs and pay for itself in the long run, then free energy. Govermnent needs to automate the Medical Inusurance authorixation and billing syatem, that will reduce health care cost and your premium (thats a permanent tax cut for everybody) and the system will create jobs and pay for itslf in the long run, Thats my solution for energy and health care.
Republicans idea to cut jobs to cut cost will put us on the unemploymnt line and ruin the economy like it is today.

Bill Kay (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 8:36 AM)

The RNC is going to get a big surprise if they think conservatives and those who want change will vote for the liar, liberal McAmnesty!

McCain is done. He can't be trusted. Read the blogs, listen to the talk in your neighborhoods and on the streets! We will not vote for a liar and those good old boys who support him don't mean a thing..other than they want more of the same!

If McCain is the nominee, I as a long time conservative WILL vote for a democrat.....McAmnesty is not a conservative. RNC, you better open your eyes and ears!!!

Voters: you want more of the same plus a man who is a LIAR! Not most of America! We want an outsider who will clean house, close borders, decrease taxes and bring business and jobs.
RNC....what is wrong with you???

The only Republican who is a true conservative and outsider is Romney.

Susan, MASS (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 8:37 AM)

The RNC has dusted off the playbook and has given us their strategy, same old fear mongering, this economy is theirs to hug, lazy thinkers use old plays because they have nothing to offer.
Why is it another republican congressman from VA is leaving, that makes 24 Republicans vs 5 democrats leaving, we will have a majority in both houses that will be helpful to our nominee, then we will get the real facts on war profiteering and the secret deals from the Bush corporation. Open government will again help our democracy, hiding in the shadows and signing staements thet ignore laws are going to be buried with the elephant of lies. GOOOO DEMS, the repubs hate McCain and will stay home.

John Alexander (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 8:44 AM)

We Republicans seem to be whistling past the grave yard. I give us credit for continuing to wear a mask of confidence. But this is Gettysburg and Republicans are fighting bravely, but under Lee. We will, without hesitation, march courageously into skirmish after skirmish during this campaign season, but I believe we must eventually fail do defeat our increasingly formidable foe.

The nomination of either of the two front-running Democrats will make history in the most positive of ways. And the Republican hopefuls? All typical white males.

Mr. Bush has presumably done his dead-level best. The voting public from both sides of the political spectrum--and history, of course--will decide whether this President has crippled our party. Sadly, he can never be the great leader he aspires to be.

Our allies and others around the globe will determine what it will take to return us to a more positive and respected position in the world community.

Mr. Bush leaves office under a cloud that may darken all his remaining days. I feel sorry for the man and angry with the politician. He will never admit to the role he played in bringing his party low. All the sometimes overblown rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh and his faithful cannot put Humpty Dumpty together again. But, the Republican party will live to fight again--and fight it will!

Mike Chance, Rogers, AR (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 8:50 AM)

If honesty, integrity, not flip-flopping, not pandering, not accepting millions of $$ from special interest groups, etc., mean anything about leadership .... Hillary cannot even be considered. If she is nominated, the GOP wins due to her divisiveness.

C.Myles (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 8:54 AM)

Reality Check! Republicans got us into a war costing us billions and adding to our trillion dollar deficit with NO end in sight. The REAL hard working Americans make far less than the six figure Americans who benefit from the Republican tax break. Finally, in regards to trust, it was a Republican that failed the American people by misleading us to a war that has cost us THOUSANDS of American LIVES with NO end in sight.

Republicans have no chance come November. They are left to pander to the blind evangelicals again who will put religious ideology before the prosperity of a nation. I wonder if those same blind evangelicals got all that the republicans promised them. That’s correct, you did not.

Eddie, NJ (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 9:04 AM)

The RNC is out of touch, out of credibility, out of ideas, out of favor (follow the money), and soon will be out of control not only of Congress (2006), but also the Presidency.

Both Clinton and Obama were articulate, agreeable, respectful, and conversational about where they want to take the country. It was the kind of conversation voters claim they yearn for. It is now up to the voters to choose.

Gary, Franklin, WI (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 9:29 AM)

LOL. Yes, the republicans have done so well the last 7 years addressing the issues americans care about. LOL. Yeah boys, go with that as your campaign theme. You guys are in serious trouble.

Amazed, Atlanta (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 9:45 AM)

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