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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



Bill and Ted's excellent adventures

Posted: Friday, February 01, 2008 3:40 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
He did it again.

Bill Clinton mentioned Ted Kennedy last night in Phoenix, Ariz., in reference to the "train wreck" of No Child Left Behind, as reported by NBC/NJ last night.

Today, at a rally in Clinton home state of Arkansas, he just repeated the same sentiment, perhaps a bit more strongly. He said that the education bill came about because "the president made a deal with Senator Kennedy."

Of course, it wouldn't be Bill without a spoonful of sugar. He added, "Neither one of them meant to mess it up."

Then a long riff on why it failed.

Event in progress...

*** UPDATE *** It is worth noting that Hillary Clinton voted for No Child Left Behind.

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Bill and Hillary are known liars, manipulators, and self-serving biggots......  How dare they accuse others of being in the same claass of deceivers as they are.....


Billy, Normal, Il (Sent Friday, February 01, 2008 4:14 PM)


Wednesday Billy...be there...
I would like to know who is accountable for NO CHILD LEFT BEHINFD? Is it the politicians, the school districts, the teachers,parents students? THis was a program aimed at helping to improve our nations overall academic records, the only ones losing if it's failing are the kids. No one should be patting themselves on the back or pointing fingers over this if it has failed but instead get involved to help truely make it work. Our kids are worth it and our futures are in thier hands!
So-now we know why it is more important than ever   to elect someone with decency, fresh and new who has not been affected by the DC political garbage -
Has Hillary done anything right in her "35 years of experience"???  Failed health care reform in the 90s (but that was the the Republicans' fault), voted for Iraq (but failure there is the Republican's fault), voted for No Child Left Behind (but its failure is the Republicans' fault).  I see a theme here.   Enough excuses.  The time for change has come!  Vote OBAMA!
Obviously, after being told not to attack Obama, Bill has his sights set on Obama supporters.

All the hand-wringing you guys are doing over who helped whom do what is irrelevant. The Republican-led Congress totally screwed up the funding of No Child Left Behind--as in they didn't fund it much at all--and left it to the states to try to find the money for all the TESTING they do on the kids now. That's all that lame program has amounted to. I've talked to many a frustrated kid about those tests, not to mention the equally miffed teachers. They must "teach to the test", not teach the kids things they might actually want and need to learn;otherwise, if a certain percentage of the kids don't pass the test, the school and state lose federal money. Whoever is responsible for this "mess," let it die a quiet death in the next administration, please. Go back to teaching kids what they need to know, not what a practically illiterate President has deemed they should learn.

"Reading is the basics for all learning." --George W. Bush, announcing his "Reading First" initiative in Reston, Va., March 28, 2000
Simply put, Ted Kennedy is a pain in the ass!!
Obama = when you can't run on experience you run on 'Change', you don't give a whole lot of specifics you just run on 'Change'

This is another stereotypical case of a less experienced man seeking a promotion over a more qualified, more deserving woman.

The sniping is part of the run, however, Hillary using Bill to do the dirty work (which he is so good at)to keep from dirtying her hands is cowardice and just part of the Clinton spin-cycle that we have seen many, many times. Most "smart" Americans base their vote on the candidate, what they have done, what they promise to do and who is more credible of bringing these promises to life to match our own personal views and hope for the future, the endorsements are minute, so Bill quoting Teddy's shortcomings is falling on deaf ears.
Since Paul Wellstone was against it I knew there was something wrong... Too bad Billary lacked the judgement to see that too.
It is amazing how everyone protects Obama.  If the Clintons attack his record, the Media and OLDER Dems protect him like a little baby. If Hillary has a bad hair day they jump all over her...atleast she dosent back down and hide.   Let him fight his  battles and stop hiding behind the likes of Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.  I thought being President was a tough job!!!
Yes, it's true, the "No Millionaire Left Behind" bill is a collaboration of Ted Kennedy and Bush (it's still a work in progress).
I am getting so tired of hearing about who said what, who did what.....this is like two kids on the playground fighting over who's dad is bigger and stronger.  Start telling America what you will do for the future of our country instead of telling us what the other person did/said/voted on/sold/bought/ate, etc. in the past.

McCain and Romney are just as bad....

Huckabee is looking better and better by the day.
Bill did nothing for education during his 2 terms..  Bush at least tried.
Does anyone see the irony when people compare Ted to Bill as if ones as bad the other? I can't disagree with that debate. However, I think it's important to note that one of those men actually has a chance to be in the Whitehouse while the other does not.
Does anyone see the irony when people compare Ted to Bill as if ones as bad the other? I can't disagree with that debate. However, I think it's important to note that one of those men actually has a chance to be in the Whitehouse while the other does not.
All this comment are always from someone who doesn't know the meaning of politics and awareness . I know , religion is not to be discuss nor mention in here but I will say this . I wish sincerely that Mr. Obama doest not do what my idol Muhammad Ali did when he became a Champion . Turn MUSLIM brother in ISLAM .....
Isn't it interesting who we have promoting education policy and reform in this country? Ted and Bill? No Child left behind? Neigher one of these idiots have any credibility with me. Both of them should be on the registered sex offender list.
EXCUSE ME ALL

1) What were the educational accomplishments posted by the Clinton Administration that allows him to attack another president?  If I recall educational performance flat lined during the 1990's

2) If indeed "NCLB" was "underfunded" as the talking point goes - how is it that the Bush Administration put at least $12 BILLION more in federal education spending each year than what the last Clinton budget had proposed.   Why is it that we never hear that "Clinton 'UNDERFUNDED' education"?


3) Many of you all need to figure out which one it is - NCLB is a ROUGE piece of legislation and thus who cares about the funding OR NCLB is a good piece of legislation and only needs more funding.  As I listen to the "permanent opposition" and their view point on NCLB you all seem to vacillate one way and then another depending on who you are talking to.
Based on the information Sen Kennedy and Sen Clinton had at the time of the vote, NCLB was a good thing. But as with many programs, a lack of adequate funding kills it before the ink applied at the White House has dried.  I still believe that Sen Clinton is the better candidate, the best person between the two candidates to serve as our president. Refusing to take a stand on issues while a state senator thereby not establishing a public record on various issues, admitting to not being a good grassroots organizer, a smooth talker, yes, but all talk and no walk is just more of the same.  Inspiration without perspiration is just fluff.  Sen Clinton has worked hard and has a record on so many issues that are effecting all of us today.  She has crossed the aisle to find common ground on healthcare, her work with Newt Gingrich as an example. The Iraq War vote is a non-starter for me because Sen Obama was not in the U S Senate.  He has the gift of ignorance of the (mis)information that was presented to the senate at the time of the vote. He has the beauty of 20-20 hindsight and without any accountability, he didn't have to take that very public vote so there is no real way of knowing what he would have done.  Looking at all who did cast that vote that the President abused, I may not agree with what they did, but I didn't know what they did at the time.  Now that we're there, we need to come home in a manner that doesn't collapse the country, the region and protects our troops, our allies and our citizens who are working there and need to come home as well.  At the same time we need to work on education, fully funding a basic education across the country for all kids from pre-school to 2 yrs beyond high school, whether that's in a voc-tech or community college, apprenticeship/trades program, first 2 yrs of a baccalaurate program if that's what the student wants to do, but we need to make it available.  Healthcare is a priority.  Without an answer our economy will continue to spiral downward.  We need to make sure that everyone has access to timely, appropriate, effective care. Jobs, jobs and more jobs.  No one should have to work more than 40 hours a week, a full time job, to have a modest home, food on the table, a car with gas in the tank, heat, water and lights on in the house, clothing, and access to the time needed to care for one's self and family when they are ill.  There are so many issues that we need to talk about.  Let's talk about the issues.  The press is creating a monster of a feud and making the news instead of reporting the news. Both of these candidates are great people.  I just happen to believe that Sen Clinton will make a better President in January of 2009.
Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy do not want another princess or another Dynasty in the country too bad they just plays Judas and look Low keys ,the country will not look at them as we used to ;how traitors can they be ,Chelsea Clinton will be the only princess to be the Daughter of two Parents Presidents
this shows that bill will hurt the democratic party for gain. he doesn't care if he divides the party to win.

he doesn't need to divide the party to do it. hillary knows it. thus her appraoch at the debate which i thought they tied(nobody won).

his wife voted for this bill. hillary doesn't need bill to blurt out these statements. eventually the focus is going to turn to how hillary voted on this bill.

in addition to that, hillary will need the support of the dem party and it doesn't do hillary any good for bill to cut at the power structure of the party.

it is hillary's campaign. he needs to advocate for her, but not draw media attention away from hillary. hillary is more than capable of handling her business without bill saying things that will possibly lessen her part allegiances. this wasn't to smart of bill. he needs to criticize ted on things that have no way of boomeranging back to hillary.

remember bill said bush on one end and teddy on the other and all those in between. just a very dumb statement. he has lumped the dem senate voting structure in that statement. some of those people he is talking about are superdelegates. think about it.
I can relate to Hillary, simply because I have a working mind like she does. Sometimes I am convinced that something is right, only to find out later that things didn't turn out like I had hopes that they would. I learn something new everyday and sometimes that changes my perspective on issues.  Wow, we have something in common.  The bottom line is that people are going to jump on anything that she does, one way or the other.
Hillary Clinton is not Bill Clinton! In Hillary you have a person of courage, highly educated and with plenty of expertise to give her country and citenzens alike. Ted Kennedy and his family went with Obama simply because it can not stomach the success that President Clinton had in his year as a president. I hope voters remember that we need the best candidate to unseat the Repblicans out of the White House. Senator Obama with all due respect, does not have yet what takes to be a candidate capable of beating the Republicans. We need the best chance to prevent the Republicans to continue in power damaging this beautiful nation. We need Hillary as the president.
OBAMA SAYS HE GAVE BACK ALL THE CAMPAIGN MONEY HE RECEIVED FROM REZKO. WHEN IS HE GOING TO GIVE BACK THE HOUSE?
If Ted Kennedy is so passionate in this Presidential election, wouldn't it be prudent if he, himself, runs for President?.  Is he hiding from his past and pushing Barrack Obama to fulfill his dreams?  On the other hand, Oprah Winfrey is also very passionate with Barrack Obama and she claims she is supporting Barrack because he is brilliant.  She insinuates that the Clinton's are charging that Obama's supporters have small brains, or are they?.  Well, she said that out of her own mouth, not from the camp of the Clinton's.  Well, here in United States, nobody can dispute that there are so many underprivileged children in United States and most of them are blacks; why would Oprah start a school and help the underprivileged children in South Africa when her country needs her help most?  I admire Andre Agassi because he did the same but he started it in his own neighborhood in Nevada and many underprivileged children, mostly blacks, are now reaping the fruit of his toil.  Common sense is very important in today's world and this is what counts most in this election.  And this is the reason why I am wholeheartedly supporting Hillary Clinton for the following reasons:  One, she has been tested time and time again that she is there for the underprivileged and the disadvantaged; second, she has the experience; third, she is brilliant yet compassionate; and fourth which is very important, discrimation against any group of minorities will be protected and no reverse discrimation will ever occur.  I am taking this effort hoping my voice will make a difference.  There are some voters who just do not want to vote for Hillary Clinton because she is a woman; others, because she is a Clinton and want a different politician to sit in office; others go with the candidate who offer false hopes, full with rhetoric. Who wouldn't want to ride with the waves when this can make you "high".  But what would happen when the tide is over and there is no more waves?  Are we going back to the same situation where we are now with the George Bush style of governance, a trial and error method, whatever works out we can try, etc.  There is just too much at stake in this election and this is the reason why I am supporting Hillary Clinton and I stand on her principle.  I am calling all the Latinos and the Asian descent to rally for the cause that Hillary Clinton is fighting for.  A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for a better and brighter future.
Like it or not this country is hemoraging jobs,money, our standing in the world and just about everything else that our dry drunk president has made a mess of. When you are hemoraging and are in the emergency room, you want the best avaiable doctor available to save your life and NOT a ROOKIE. Dr. Hillary Clinton, please (our country wants to live!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Hey Miss Oklahoma Bill Clinton is not a complete joke.  I happen to like Bill and Hillary Clinton.  Just because Oklahoma is a Republican state leave him alone.  You only hope to be as smart as they are.

Miss Tulsa
What I see is that most poster here did not have to support a family in the reagan years and then Bill years. All I know is that I had a better life with Bill. Unemployment here was 24% with the reagan and bush. Bill pulled it down to 2.3%. I am a man but I think it will take a good strong woman to fixs this mess. The republicans will do anything to keep her from winning because thay know that she would have more of a chance to win against McCain than Obama. They are spending alot of money on this and you know they own most of the news stations.
All Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Obama did was remind baby boomers of Ted going home to sleep after leaving a woman to drown in a car-and she died a terrible death. The coverup afterwards left no doubt in the minds of those who remember that Ted was never, ever the Heir of Camelot and it was never his to pass on. And Caroline seems more interested in writing the same book over and over again and adding to the family fortune rather than carrying on her family's legacy of service. The truth is Camelot died when a plane crashed into the Atlantic in 1999. And if that is all Obama has, then he has nothing.
OK, listen up people. You can comment whatever you want.  Pick the Dems apart, spreading the nonsense around.  But the basic fact is going to be no Dems is going to win this election. As much as the general population wanted a change, the change will not happen if you don’t look or make the strategic moves right.  At wartime, republican will more than likely to win if given the condition to do so.  But the fact that the GOP's is in such deep “tihs”, with lies, war, recession, and the list goes on.  This might be the turning point for the Dems, but the turning point can as well be turned or easily played into an advantage (readonUwillCmyO) Because the historic tragedy for the GOP of winning election has been spreading fear to the American people and will pick the Dems apart, if they don’t play the card right, like these types of negative media and have the Dems fight over each other and will eventually make blunder endorsements.  
The spreading fear card alone will blind the swing vote’s judgment not to mention moderate Christian (moderate conservative) because everyone knows these votes likely to win election! Change in Obama, very appealing, new vision, and new hope, maybe in every American dreams, but in political war it is not, repeat it is not reality.  It is not going to stand a chance with the conservative (conservatism is still reign in America). Why? First, Barack “Hussein” Obama, the name alone is not American or African American perhaps is Muslim that is the first fear.  Second, he is not born in mainland, and the Muslim upbringing, at time of war with radical Muslim doesn’t help his case either.  Third, the ultimate political questions, is America ready for an African American or woman president? Is America ready for an African American, with the middle “Hussein”, Muslim upbringing, not born in continent USA, and whose father is from Africa or a Clinton(s)?  Play the card right and change might still be a glimpse possibility.
U.N.    
No Child Left Behind was made up by a bunch of people sitting behind a desk with an idea of how a perfect classroom would be.  How many of them of actually taught in public school and realize that not all children are ever going to be on grade level no matter how hard you push them!  They are individuals with individual needs, not clones! If Clinton voted against it, at least she has a brain!
MSNBC hates Hillary Clinton! They are no better than FOX NEWS. That Chris Matthews coward would not have a show if it were not for the Clinton's. Tim Russurt is a fake news man as well, he's a spin reporter and he to hates hillary.
Maybe Ted and Obama are really really close if you know what I mean? Anyways wemen are there own worst enemies they vote really in a stupid way with there emoceans. So why should they even become President?

Hey Bill Is bill what are going to do?

Lets face it that the brother is going to run this country and it is about time.
What about Sen. Obama's Kenyan connection? He has family in Kenya (his father's brother and relatives) Has anyone here given his family ties any attention and discussion in the event that Senator Obama is elected President of the USA? Or should we just prepare ourselves with the possible influx of Kenyan refugees seeking political asylum and guest workers visa? We read in the newspapers that Sen. Obama, in the midst of his busy campaign, is calling and talking to these Kenyan political leaders and also talking to Condoleeza Rice about the deadly political violence now going on in Kenya. What next? We dread to think of US troops being deployed to Kenya!!!!
Let us not forget that most of you fools out there voted for the idiot BUSH, hence why things are so f*cked up to begin with.
On another token, who in their RIGHT minds would vote for this fool Obama...the one that refuses to pledge our flag OR place his hand on the bible because he's MUSLIM. Is this what you fools TRULY want?! Oh, well look at the majority that's voting for him to begin with. That explains alot, hence why we have *No child left behind* to begin with. Even a monkey has more brains.
This is ridiculous, do any of you people listen to yourselves? You sound like a group of high school kids with your name calling and complaining. And you are probably all wrong.
I bet you like George W. Bush, also.
Hey and Obama voted to renew the Patriot Act and then voted to fund a war he claims he would not vote for????
But then at that time he didnt exactly have a vote, nor the media on his back which then called everyone who didnt agree unpatriotic!!! Since he rarely votes when a vote is controversial why would you believe in the Senate had he been there he would NOT have caved in and voted for the war???
Well I do not get it. When is your culture going to get it? (I am a Native American) The President doesn't run your country. Your congress does. SO when you change the poeple you voted for in congress and get rid of the good old boy act and the old foggey that there thinking is still back in the 50's then you will see change. Change the congress change the country
People please stop acting like adolescents. The bickering doesn't help. The only thing that matters is the future of the country. Although this is a race, it's NOT a game. This stuff isn't funny it's actually something you need to get real serious about. Everyone can see Barack draws support from all across the country. How can this be. People want to improve on America we are tired of living in the 20th century. We want to believe we are at least atempting to head towards utopia. The message has been CHANGE. Clearly even at this point a change for the greater good has begun in the way this campaign is unfolding. I have a curious question though. What would happen if Barak didn't win in November?
Will we continue to live in a shadow outside and away from peace and freedom. Will the boomers be the last generation to fulfill the American dream.
> PERHAPS IT WOULD BE BEST, IF YOU FIRST CHECKED OUT..
> hillaryclinton.com , for more detailed information


What do think Jimmy Titus, next Wednesday you can sell the servers for this web site?


Gee H Bess, its next Wednesday.  Hmmmmmm, no servers up for sale.  Go ahead back and worship with your Muslim buddy Barack.
Can anyone tell me what Obama stands for on anything?  All I hear is Blah, Blah, Blah, change. Blah, blah, new.  Blah, blah, blah I'm great and above politics.(every time he says that I cringe because all he does is put down other candidates he just does it in a backhanded sneaky away and always attaches the I'm above politics to it.  His speeches (at least what I see on the news) just sound like a big pep rally change,change,change,change --- but WHAT is he really going to do?  Does he know? Does anyone know???  
How quickly people forget?  I was better off eight years ago than I am now.  Bill and Hillary got it done, that is all that I know and I took it to the bank then and I am still hopeful again.  Moreover, the whole world was happier then and I am hoping it will be very soon.
What frightens me is that Obama has no experience in domestic or foregein matters; Kennedy is looking for some former glory day for the Kennedy's and no one other than Hillary knows what this country is facing economically. Leave Hillary along because she doesn't get in there, America is approaching the dust bowl days of the depression.
The no child left behind is a joke.  Never should have happened.  IT DOES NOT WORK.  Reading some of these comments is stupid.  Get off the Monica issue.  He's not the first president and won't be the last.  Read your history.  All I know is when clinton was president the world was a better place. Life was better for me and my family.
Have we forgotten that Ted Kennedy is a drunken alcoholic who got away with murder? What has he been doing in senate all these years other than sucking our tax dollars? Yes, Obama is brilliant for choosing such a looser as his mentor. Doomed the day that the future of this country is determined by the votes of bunch of brain-dead individuals who have nothing better to do at 3 p.m. every afternoon but to watch Operah's show, or those who are easily swayed by bunch of actors or rap artists who do not care about ordinary people.  They will make their millions regardless of who the president is.

CHANGE is more than just a word.  I would like to know what Obama has done so far or will be doing to bring change. Granted, he is a good preacher but do we want a preacher to run the country and the world? If he is as brilliant as Oprah claims him to be, he would get on the ticket with Hillary and will learn from her and Bill and in eight years, yes he will get my vote to run for president.  He simply is not ready yet!
And Oprah can claim she is not endorsing Obama because he is black till the cows come home, but we all know what the truth is.  Show me his brilliance and tell me what has he done to make a difference in this world so far.  CHANGE is more than Just a Word!
i have always admired the kennedy family and god no,s they have had a lot of bad things happen two them but some of the kennedy,s should be careful with what the say about any one else, remember the incident with the car going into the water with ted kennedy and a women who died in the car.
Come on peeps...Do you REALLY want more GOP war and gutting of our personal freedoms?  I like both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.  I would prefer Hillary for the expierence,  But either way...I will NOT vote for any GOP candidate!!!  We need change in this country and only a Democrat will give us that.  In November America will vote Democratic.
Danny from SA Cal you are wrong Bill was a good President. What I'm so upset at some of the (media). Its like they write what they want people to hear, and do not give all people who are running for President a chance.
I think Bill did a great job as President and I think Ted Kennedy needs to go to old folks home. Don't get me wrong I loved his brothers. But just like with President Bush. The media has been putting him down from day one. Media needs to start over we need more honest writers.
Then all Americans need to think hard about who they should seen to Washington. This is a bad world and our kids should always come first.
We talk about health care. Could we start with children 0- threw school..Is there a way to start with them for free health care. If we can make that work the correct way. Add to it more and more..its time to try something.
Betty W.


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