I’ve been wondering why so many people want to cling so tightly to this notion that Barack is all talk and no specifics, even though there is clearly little difference between the two candidates on policy proposals.  It’s campaign spin, obviously, but it really seems to resonate with the uninformed for some reason.  It occurs to me that maybe people are just listening to snippets of their stump speeches, and they hear Hillary deliver her laundry list of proposals while Barack talks more in broad themes and soaring rhetoric.  

That’s just style, people; let’s not mistake style on the stump for a lack of substance.  I suppose it’s just a question of taste, but when I listen to a stump speech I want to be inspired.  I want to hear in broad terms where the candidate intends to lead us.  If I want policy specifics I read books or policy papers.  The most that Hillary or Barack can say at this point anyway is what they want to do if elected.  What they are actually able to do in office depends entirely on their ability to rally public support and play well with others.

We aren’t choosing a dictator or CEO here.  You can’t simply get elected and implement your wondrous plan.  You have to convince a sizeable majority of legislators that it’s in their interest to work with you.  How many Republican legislators are going to think that it’s in their political interest to help Hillary Clinton score a major political triumph like a government mandated health care system?  I can say with confidence that the number will be pretty close to zero.   Their jobs depend on voters whose knees jerk in unison at the mere mention of Bill or Hillary Clinton.  Government mandates aren’t wildly popular with this crowd either.  What good is a plan that stays on paper?  

Barack doesn’t start out with thirty five years worth of bad blood and a bunker mentality.  He respects those he disagrees with and they know it.  We need to decide here what it is we really want.  Are we only interested in chalking one up for our side or are we serious about getting things done for the American people?  With little to distinguish between them on policy proposals; the important question is not which candidate has more experience or the better plan.  The real question is which candidate can best rally public support and enlist the cooperation of traditional political enemies to address the challenges faced by the American people?  I think the answer to that question is pretty obvious.  

To all of you Obama Loving and Hillary Hating Democrats.  

How can you democrats be so dismissive of all the years the Clintons have fought for us. You are a bunch of sick liberal left wing freaks and I hate to be called a Democrat or be associated with you.  

At the end of the day, no one, (Hillary or Obama), will have the magic number of delegates and that will mean 1972 all over again.  The bottom Line is that the Republicans will win.  You need to stop infighting and start embracing what both candidates have done for the democratic party.    This is just typical of Democrats.  EAT YOUR OWN.  I am getting out of this party.  I hate this bickering.  

Former Democrat, California

Will Hillary Clinton at some point in the near future just drop out of this race? It doesn't appear her campaign is ever going to get on track.

The Clintons took too much for granted going into this election. It may be too little too late at this point. No one is talking about Hillary Clinton in a positive light.

It's all Barack Obama, everywhere. This country wants him front and center and the Clintons pushed back to the sidelines. It's obvious everywhere I turn.

One word of caution about reading TOO much into those Quinnipiac polls!

They were taken FEBRUARY 6 - 12!!!

Obama's momentous SURGE didn't start until the night of the 9th!!  So FOUR days of this polling - more than half - was BEFORE his latest WINNING STREAK!

Do the math.

I note that the Clinton campaign is claiming they will be within 30 pledged delegates after the March 4th primaries.  That means she must gain a net of over 100 that day out of the 370 available between 4 states (not just Texas and Ohio).  My math suggests this is tantamount to 65% of the delegates on that day.  

Elsewhere on First Read today,  polls suggest a double digit lead for Clinton in Texas and Ohio but nowhere near the 30% margin she needs in Texas, and Ohio, and Vermont, and Rhode Island that day.

In other words, the suggestion she will close to within 30 pledged delegates on that day is implausible and pure spin.

No it's not a ploy to make more money. I read about this story of Huck planning to speak at the Caymans about 1 or 2 months ago.

He has hired agents who arrange speaking events for him.

Can you make the accusation that these senators who are running for office are running so that they get a higher profile in congress? Also can you accuse them of essentially stealing the taxpayers money because they are not doing their job?

I wouldn't count Hillary Clinton out of this race. The pundits (MSNBC among the worst) tried to do it early on in NH and it didn't happen then to their great dismay. Based on demographic data (not polls), she still has a much better chance to beat McCain in November than Obama does. Many of the states Obama has won in the primaries are staunchly Republican and will go for McCain in the Fall along with the electoral votes from those States. Many big states won by Clinton have large populations of older voters, women voters, and blue collar voters - Hillary's base. The fact that McCain is considered more of a centrist candidate will appeal to some of these demographic groups in the fall if Clinton is not the democratic nominee. Even some of the supposed "democratic base" such as voters over 65, may very well prefer a more experienced choice -someone they can relate to - over a younger, unknown candidate like Obama who has been anointed in the media as a liberal and pushed as the candidate of the young voter. This issue seems to have been overlooked in the fervor surrounding the democratic primary contest - at least among the more liberal leaning media outlets. If McCain gets those votes (and he will get many more than the media and the Obama supporters have been willing to admit) he could very well carry large (Clinton) States that would tip the balance in his favor. As for Independent voters, if Obama gets the nomination, it's a toss up as to whether he or McCain will get those votes. The Democratic party and the people of American cannot afford to let the media determine the outcome of another race for President. It seems that there are a great many naive people out there who think this election will be a slam dunk for democrats. It won't be - so those who have yet to vote in the primaries need to listen, think, and vote with these issues in mind. We can't afford another Republican president, even one like McCain, who is not considered a true conservative by many in his own party.

Why didn't Hillary have offices open in Texas or Ohio? Hillary didn't think those were "significant" states.

I don't believe those Quinnipiac polls being reported above.  There is no way at this point that Senator Obama has that low a number.  The term Clinton fatigue has developed a new meaning.  We are tired of her campaign, and prefer she drop out.  It's over.  You lose.  The DEM party, and more importantly the nation, needs to move on.  Now I know how Senator McCain feels about Huckabee staying around.

Forget all the other garbage the candidates spew. I just want to know who will pledge to pardon Roger Clemmons? What a disgraceful reality tv show our government has turned into. So there you go, regardless of their view on war, healthcare, immigration, anything, I DONT CARE. If you want to buy my vote the candidate must only pledge to:

PARDON ROGER CLEMMONS, IF HE IS FOUND GUILTY OF ANY WRONG DOING IN THIS CURRENT INVESTIGATION.

That's all. Period. You got my vote.

Signed
A disgusted voter.

You have got to be kidding me, people, to suggest (and I dare say, you more than suggested!) that Gov. Huckabee's perseverence through the campaign process is a function of his current career rather than a commitment to his supporters and the belief that his platform is as worthy of consideration as the other candidates. Just out of curiosity, have other public figures continued to receive proceeds from public positions while on the trail?

Hey guys - a little background info would be helpful when you put these polls on MSNBC. Just saw and heard the headline - "Clinton Comeback!" Huh?? She has been leading in Ohio and PA for weeks!! What you did not point out was that these polls were started before Obama's string of victories began. On TV, in teeny-tiny print at the bottom, it said they were taken Feb. 6th thru 12th. Well, his momentum of winning contest after contest didn't start until Saturday, the 9th. And he has been on a huge winning streak ever since. So let's wait for some post-Feb. 12 polls to see if Obama might close the gap some. To have your anchor breathlessly saying "Clinton has made a huge comeback!" is a tad more than misleading - it is just false! She has always led in these states! The story will be to see if she maintains this lead AFTER the Obama winning streak!

Polls will change over the next 2 weeks, after Obama has campaigned in Ohio.   These are pre-campaign polls.

No Love ? R U Kidding Me ?

I just turned off my T.V. because all three networks are obsessing over the "comanding lead" she has in "brand new Ohio and Pennsylvania" polls while ignoring the fact that Barack Obama has the same "commanding lead" in "brand new Wisconsin and North Carolina" polls.

The only difference is Rove Camp Clinton is only relying on two demographics. That's right. While Obama is getting "We The People" , Ms. Hilliani is counting on "We The Old White Ladies and Latinos" You all just wait and see how crushed and embarrased they will be when they lose Ohio and Pennsylvania after they lose Wisconsin. It's more embarrassing when you are expected to win. Trust me . I know ( cough* New Hampshire* ahem)

In any event , I think the crybaby tactics by the The Hilliani Clinton Campaign via "Hillary is (not) 44" website, has caused the Media to go overboard in their sucking up and they now look like they are mocking her rather than giving her good coverage so, ha ha ha !

What do I care anyway ? Her base doesn't watch MSNBC , FOX and CNN. Her base watches The View , Passions (AKA The Monkey Nurse Show ) and All My Air Head Children so they wont even see the glowing Press coverage. Some advice to Hilliani supporters. Have some coffee. I hear it makes you smart. LOL

Go Obama 2008!

Those polls are very misleading. On MSNBC it said on the screen when they were taken - but you did not mention that on air or in this post! Look when they were taken - last Wednesday through Tuesday! When did Hillary start losing every contest? On Saturday! So for Wed, Thurs, Fri, and most of Sat., the polling does not reflect her later string of losses to Obama! Come on! This is a flawed poll! It doesn't give an accurate picture as to the latest storyline - which is that Obama is leading in the pledged delegate count and has won every contest since Super Tuesday!

This country sux if this is what he have to choose between - a war monger who couldn't lead his people out of Vietnam, a muslim in disguise with no experience, or a woman.

The surest sign the apocalypse is upon us has to be this election cycle.  What a skeevy bunch of candidates.  Yeesh.  Think I'll go stick a cattle prod in my eye.

Has anyone noticed Obama is the only major candidate that hasn't had any campaign problems? Both McCain and Clinton have had big financial & staff problems. None of them really has any executive experience. But in watching their campaigns, I'd say Obama is the better manager of the three. He planned better hands down. With all of the "experience" of McCain & Clinton they have managed their resources poorly. Imagin if Clinton had the personal (lack of) wealth of Obama (net worth $1.3M, house worth $1.1M), she'd be out of the race after Feb 5. A $5M loan to herself??!! If Clinton manages the national budget like that, we'll all have to "make a loan" to the government to get by. Maybe if McCain can figure out this economy thing-a-ma-jig, he would do better.

Jaycee, here are the specifics of plan that has so many holes in it.  This is from the BO website.  

This is why I think there shoulbe a debate (or even a speech to answer these points)

Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress.  

Is this a goverment program?  If so will this not encorage businesses to drop health insurance as now the goverment is offering a subsidized program?

Employer Contribution: Employers that do not offer or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of the national plan. Small employers that meet
certain revenue thresholds will be exempt.  

No details?

Mandatory Coverage of Children: Obama will require that all children have health care coverage. Obama will expand the number of options for young adults to get coverage, including allowing young people up to age 25 to continue coverage through their parents'
plans.  

How will this mandate be enforced?


Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.  

At what income levels would this subsidy be available?  Would it be regional due to the higher cost of living in certain areas?  Would this subsidy cover employer based insurance?

Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions.  

Would this mandate to insurance companaies not raise costs?  If so, how does this encourage an increase in competition that is also mentioned in your plan?

Simplified paperwork and reined in health costs.  

Has anybody in your campaign done a study of the effort required by consumers, providors and payors that support such a goal?  From my personal experience payers are all for electronic systems as it would reduce their costs but providors have no incentive to install such systems as the ROI cannot justify it for thousands of individual medical offices.  Do you plan to offer incentives or subsudies to providors?  

Tackle disparities in health care. Obama will tackle the root causes of health disparities by addressing differences in access to health coverage and promoting prevention and public health, both of which play a major role in addressing disparities. He will also challenge the medical system to eliminate inequities in health care through quality measurement and reporting, implementation of effective interventions such as patient navigation programs, and diversification of the health workforce.  
Require full transparency about quality and costs. Obama will require hospitals and providers to collect and publicly report measures of health care costs and quality, including data on preventable medical errors, nurse staffing ratios, hospital-acquired
infections, and disparities in care. Health plans will also be required to disclose the percentage of premiums that go to patient care as opposed to administrative costs.  

Two different points in the plan that will require collection and processing by providors to meet goverment reporting requirements.  Will these new requirements not add to costs?  How many nurses, nursing assistants etc. will be tied up with reporting requirements rather performing patient care?  Speak to any nurse and find out how much of their time is already taken up due state reporting requirements.  

These are just a few of the points from his healthcare program.  In my opinion it doesn't add up.  

Also, regarding the comment by BO that people who become ill and are only required to pay back premiums makes no sense. (This can be found on the CNN debate transcript)

1) How far back must they pay their premiums? (a month, a year, since the system starts?)
2) If they cannot pay are they refused treatment?
3) Why buy insurance at all?  It would make more sense to the individual to put the premiums in a savings account, and if you get ill there's no penalty.  If you don't get ill as BO puts it "you have gamed the system".

Point 3 is also the crucial one when talking about lowering costs.  How can you lower the costs of a premium based system when fewer people are paying?  The point about everybody being mandated into the system immediately increases the number of premiums and the cost of premiums to all go down.

BTW I personally believe that a single payer system with no insurance companies is the way to go.

I think Dick Cheney has proven that years of experience, a battling bunker mentality that knows how to overcome spewing criticism, and a detailed agenda for this country doesn't mean squat.  The Clinton/Bush dynasty has worn out its welcome.  It's time for a change, even if the candidate doesn't want to lay out a detailed plan so the Repubs will have six months to spin it and tear it apart.  

Quinnipiac Poll - February 6 to February 12

When was it clear that Obama had captured the lead in pledged delegates? On the night of the 12th! So this poll does not show how people are reacting to his latest momentum. Just saw on MSNBC the headline Clinton Makes Comeback - comeback?? When was she ever down in Ohio or Pennsylvania polls? Very misleading, to say the least.

You people have been duped. Of course we can always count on the media to side with the wrong candidate just like now. And the American people have just gotten dumber. If you believe in fairy tales then please come back to reality. Obama is being funded by the companies that want to charge you 30% interest, he is being funded by a company that is working with GE so its hard to believe in MSNBC or NBC or even CNBC. I have heard Joe in the morning state very clear he my talk great about Obama but, he will not vote for him.  But of course he works for GE so they have to talk big about him.  

If you are interested in how some real dems. feel about him why don't you check out the Black Agenda, and check out what former Ambassador Joe Wilson has said. And check out his comments about McCain, Wellstone and many others in the senate. And Why did he vote for Condi Rice?
lets be honest his sh t smells really bad, we aren't supoose to check his record because he's black and it will offend someone, well fact someone is already offended by the total stupidity of this country.

Please do your research its easy, this is not a man who is going to help the poor and the middle class not when he's in bed with the banks, and nuclear power companies.

I Hope the rest of the states wise up and see him for what he is, but I know that won't happen.

And his supporters should quite their snivling, whining, and complaining and grow up.

I just don't believe Obama is the answer to our country's problems. He is not ready to lead this country, and is he ready to battle against his Muslim
friends? Hillary is the obvious choice for an outstanding presidential candadate that knows and can endure the presidency and help this country out of the rat hole Bush has gotten us into.

I was a Huckabee supporter until yesterday.  Enjoy your time in the Caymans.

I need the cash ... Guess what Mike, we all need the cash.  I know my family needs to eat next week, the week after, the month after, and so on and so forth.

I call Douchebaggery!

Why upheave the party just to get the nomination. More examples of her proposed presidency..and to me it seems scary. I won't vote for her, the Clinton's have and always will be damaging to the party. Look at what loyalty to Bush got the GOP.

Why is MSNBC leading off with the top story of the Quinnpac polls?  
She has been leading by a large margin in these states all season.  It is known that Obama heads into them behind, just like in other states.  But, after the campaigns come to the states the polls tighten.
But, MSNBC makes it sound like this is a big deal.  It is nothing new or unusual.  Wait until the time is closer to the primary and then, talk about those polls.

Alan that's not going to happen. With Hillary you are forced to pay for the Insurance companies' plans. With Obama it's mandatory. She will have to make the same decisions you just laid out b/c no matter what Dem is nominated they will face the same problems. The notion it's different for Obama or Clinton is rediculous. So then it comes down to who is the better leader and coalition builder.

I feel that the argument that Obama isn't specific enough with his plans to change America is a bunch of crock!  That is a talking point that his opposition is trying to make stick.  If you want to know exactly what he will do go directly to his website and you will know if you really want to know!  I know exactly what his policies will be because I investigated because I really wanted to know.

Not to be discouraged folks about Ohio and PA. The double digit poll leads reported for Hillary in Ohio and Pennsylvania does not hurt Obama but rather helps him. Have you guys not been watching the strategy in both camps. Go into a State primary saying you are the underdog rather then the front runner. It does two things. First, it makes your own campaign staff work harder to get out the vote in those States (well ,perhaps not Hillarys) and secondly, it incites those who do support you to come out in bigger numbers when they see you need them because you are behind in the State polls. The ground swell for Obama in both Ohio and PA is just beginning.    

Wow, MSNBC. How can you mention the above Quinnipiac polls above and NOT tell us WHEN they were taken? I had to go to Google to find out! And guess what? Some of the polling data is over a week old! In politics that is an ETERNITY!

This poll was conducted Wednesday, February 6 through Tuesday, February 12. Gosh, let's do the math. Barack Obama's non-stop VICTORIES started Saturday evening - so... for Wednesday through Saturday the polling does not take these clobberings of Mrs. Clinton into account! And his capture of the Delegate Lead did not occur until Tuesday evening! After the polling results! Hmmm... should we really take this poll very seriously??

'...Clinton campaign essentially had no plan after February 5. “The Texas and Ohio presidential primaries, on March 4, have become must-win contests for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, her advisers say. So why is she just opening campaign field offices across those states? The primary in Pennsylvania, on April 22, is also a crucial battleground. So why is her campaign telling its most prominent supporter there, Gov. Edward G. Rendell, that there is not enough money now for his proposed piece of direct mail to voters?”...'

Does this sound a candidate that will 'be ready from day one'  ??

PUHLEESE !!

Ditzy, disorganized Hillary can't run her own campaign....... How can she RUN AMERICA ?
HOW CAN SHE PASS HEALTH CARE ?

Hiring cronies and incompetents sounds like the Bush modus operandi

Ready from day one ?

RIGHT !!

When is any network going to stop talking about Hillary and start digging into Obama's past and record? Are they afraid of Sharpton. Is he exempt from fairness because he is black? This isnt just a job, this is President of the US!!?? Doesnt anyone get this? He is not ready and not experienced. GET REAL

Those polls in TX and OH are old.  She is without a doubt the favorite there and it is an uphill battle to eat into her vote there but to pretend it is news is rather weak.

Clinton will do whatever she needs to do to get the nomination.  She is smart, has a powerful political machine and anyone who counts her out does so at their peril.  
I am just amazed that Barrack Obama has stuck to his refusal to engage in slash and burn politics even when he was way behind in the polls.  She is not going to return the favor.  The next few weeks will be interesting and no matter who is the nominee it is an exciting time in politics.

When is any network going to stop talking about Hillary and start digging into Obama's past and record? Are they afraid of Sharpton. Is he exempt from fairness because he is black? This isnt just a job, this is President of the US!!?? Doesnt anyone get this? He is not ready and not experienced. GET REAL

...and by the way I'm with "Former Democrat, California"...if this is the way you little snot nosed ObaMANIACS treat the Clintons after all the crap they put up with from 'Repukes' over the years....then perhaps the rest of us in the Democratic Party neeed to teach you all a lesson by electing John McCain.
I don't want a simpy-whimpy little punk like Obama in charge of the most powerful military on earth.
Time to cross the aisle and vote for a real man, a true hero.
Vet's against Obama!
DEMOCRATS FOR McCAIN, 2008!

CJ, please be specific as to what is not going to happen?  If more people are in the system it should (I won't say will) lower premiums.  A non-mandatory system is just open to abuse I describe.

HEY, FORMER DEMOCRAT, CALIFORNIA, DON'T GIVE UP NOW.

WE MAY BE DISCOURAGED BUT DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT JUST YET. I REALLY DON'T THINK THE MEANESS IS COMING FROM THE DEM'S. I THINK THE GARBAGE IS COMING OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF THE EXTREME RIGHT. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE SAME OLD DIRTY TRICKS USED AT EVERY ELECTION.
THIS TIME THEY ARE OUT TO STEAL THE ELECTION BY STUFFING THE BALLOT BOX WITH VOTES FOR OBAMA.  
THIS WAS CONFIRMED LAST NIGHT BY DICK MORRIS, AN OLD TIME CLINTON HATER.  I THINK PRES. CLINTON FIRED HIM.  HE SAID THE REPUBLICANS KNOW McCAIN HAS IT TIED UP, SO THEY WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA TO GET HILLARY OUT OF THE RACE.

THE FIX IS IN!!!    HILLARY NEEDS EVERY VOTE THAT CAN BE SQUEEZED OUT. WHEN ITS TIME TO VOTE IN TEXAS AND OTHER STATES WHO HAVE NOT YET VOTED, GO VOTE FOR HILLARY AND TAKE SOMEONE WITH YOU. WE DON'T WANT A REPUBLICAN PICKING OUR WINNER FOR US, BECAUSE IT ASSURE A WIN FOR THE REBUBLICANS AGAIN THIS YEAR.

LET FLORIDIANS VOICE BE HEARD THIS YEAR.
THEIR CHOICE IS CLEAR.
HILLARY THE REAL DEAL.

You all say there isn't a difference in the policies of Obama and Clinton...there is a major one in my eyes. She has the experience to get things done (7 years vs 18 months)she has a track record showing the results of her hard work. To imply she is of the same mold as Bush/Cheney is just plain false (Obama supporters think if they repeat something over and over it makes it a fact, kinda like the Bush/Cheney system!) You can all count Hillary out, I would love you too because that is when she is at her best! The tried and tough candidate will still be standing at the end of the day to lead this country! Watch Alicia Keyes video "Superwoman" that's our girl! Hillary '08

"...The notion it's different for Obama or Clinton is rediculous. So then it comes down to who is the better leader and coalition builder. ..."
CJ (Sent Thursday, February 14, 2008 10:06 AM)

By "coalition builder" you really mean, "BULLSHIT ARTIST" don't you?

srf01008,14022008.  will not vote for Hilary,Clinton or Barak,Obama...The only democrat I would vote for is SenatorJohnMcCain.,with all that denial going for a former republican the democracy is all they have for facists and capitolists....JesseVenturi,with
wetsuit,camoflauge, and mauser...it is what the united states produces for our youth..not an american
but a prussian as well!
clie,IrinaSaint,mylo.,hannahHM01011dgz

jaycee, your comment is pure poetry

Hillary has the experience, if not the press-appointed halo. Why is it that so many men would rather elect an inexperienced male than a strong capable female? There is still a race issue in this country, but it is with the female race. If Hillary had been linked to the Chicago slum lord, Rezko, the press would have had a field day. Go to the polls, ladies, and show them what "CHANGE" really means! And maybe the press will print THAT!!!

I think the media is so biased. If obama has a lose - and clinton wins it's"Obama alsmost won" If obama wins  its"Hillary is out"  I think that the dem party has so messed up the vote. punishing states that had the nerve to choose their own voting days...What is that all about? Why in god's name should 3 small states lead off - and all the resultos from those small states be so important. I wish we voted all on the same day - let every vote count. As to the florica votes. The people in florida did vote - and only hillary had the grace to thank them even if it didn't count. Obama did place tv ads in stations near the fla border - so in reality - he did campaign there. The press have blessed him from the begining.
I can tell you that the rep. party will tear him apart. You will see the nuclear reactor thing come out, etc. I as a hillary supporter and long time democrat will not vote for obama - i will strongly support McCain - it's the experience thing.  I also hate people that talk in grand gesturing sound bites.  

Jaycee, do you really think IF the Democrats get elected that any Republican is going to be that helpful to the new President? I'm sorry, but if Obama is president, he will be facing REALITY where his rah-rah, fluffy speeches aren't going to fly with those well-versed in policy. Also, we do have to decide what we want. I guess we know now that with Obama we're going to be BROKE! We have an economy in serious trouble. Yet, in one day, I heard of just THREE new programs proposed by Obama that total over $100 BILLION. This are NEW spending with no revenue sources. And, $850 billion is included in his global peace bill that is being introduced in Congress today. $850 BILLION to go outside this country!  And, this from the man who says the money spent on the war could have been used for our infra-structure, our schools, etc. That was hooey!  He's just shifting dollars from the war to other foreign recipients. Surprise, surprise. Of course, nobody would push the man to tell his plans. And, don't tell me to go read his slickly-developed website which is nothing more than a marketing tool. I want to hear him say it. Did anybody notice when he was speaking to the auto workers that he is pretty boring and stutters and stammers when he doesn't have his scripted rah rah speech to rely on. I've never voted Republican, but I will if Obama is elected because we CANNOT afford to pile up more debt especially at a time when our citizens and country need so much. Obama preaches HOPE. Well, if he's elected, I HOPE we survive.

The most CROOKED, CORRUPT CO-PRESIDENCY in HISTORY

From Politico.com:

'...Clinton's past is not through haunting her

By: Roger Simon
Feb 14, 2008 05:57 AM EST


Mark Penn released a memo saying that Clinton’s having “withstood the full brunt” of the Republican attack machine is “one of the key arguments for Hillary’s candidacy.”

One of Hillary Clinton’s last lines of defense against the onslaught that is Barack Obama is the notion that she has been “vetted” and he has not.

All the bad stuff that can be thrown at her already has been, she argues, and that gives her an advantage over Obama.

As Clinton said this week in a televised Politico/WJLA interview: “One thing you know about me is that I have been vetted. I’ve been through this. I understand exactly what is coming at me, and there isn’t any new information. I mean, it’s just more of the same. It’s been recycled over and over again. I don’t think we can say that about my opponent.”

And, indeed, on Monday, Mark Penn, her chief strategist, released a memo saying that Clinton’s having “withstood the full brunt” of the Republican attack machine is “one of the key arguments for Hillary’s candidacy.”

I think that may be wishful thinking.

First, even if one assumes all the old accusations about Clinton have been put to rest — a dubious point — she keeps raising new questions about herself.

Take the matter of her tax returns. Obama has released his, and Clinton won’t release hers, she says, until after she is the Democratic nominee.

Why? She gives no reason. She says she files an ethics statement with the Senate, which is true, but so does Obama, and yet he also has released his tax returns. Clinton refuses to do so until after the Democratic convention.


Does this make sense to anybody? If she is going to do it eventually, why not do it now, while Democrats are still voting on her?

Keeping the returns secret just raises doubts and suspicions and kicks a hole in the case that she has been fully vetted...'


Trust me, I'm Hillary Clinton

If John McCain gets the nomination, we are going to hear that he was turned into a “Manchurian candidate” when he was a prisoner of war. If Obama wins the nomination, we are going to hear a lot more about Tony Rezko and the Exelon Corp. And if Clinton is the nominee, get ready for a reprise of Whitewater and her cattle future trading, to name just two.

In presidential politics, the past is not just prologue. It’s ammunition....'



The Clinton legacy:

Monica Lewinsky
Gennifer Flowers
Juanita Broaddrick
Kathleen Willey
Whitewater
Cattle futures
Rose Law firm, rperesenting corporate interests
Wal Mart board of directors
TravelGate
HairCutGate
the NAFTA sell out
the WTO sell out
the Millenium Communications bill
Vincent Foster
Maggie Williams' conver up of Vincent Foster death
the McDougals
Buddist Fund raising
Norman Hsu
Johnny Treu
Peter Paul
Marc Rich pardon
Carlos A. Vignali pardon
Roger Clinton pardon
Voting for the Iraq War
Voting for Kyl/Lieberman
Voting AGAINST the cluster bomb ban
'race-baiting'
the 'Politics of personal destruction'
'demonizing the opposition'
30 years of open, public adultery by Bill Clinton

That's a LOT of 'EXPERIENCE' Billary
That's a lot of 'vetting'

These Quinnipiac polls are outdated! For most of the days they were conducted, Obama had not begun this latest phenomenal surge! They were taken between the 6th and 12th. Plus, Hillary has ALWAYS led in these states! What's the big news here? I don't get it. Let's see what the polls say after the Obama amazing "Big MO" is factored in.

Once OH, TX, and PA gets word of Hillary's support of NAFTA, her working on the board of director for anti-union Wal-Mart, her lack of transparency of her White House records, tax returns...they too will see the light.

And of course, when they'll realize she doesn't have a chance in hell to beat McCain, then those poll numbers will change.

We got 3 weeks still till those elections!

Sen. Obama will be the underdog until he goes home or goes to the White House, whichever comes first.  

One does not have to be either an Obamaphile or a Clintonphobe to opine that the Clintons fighting has been mainly about themselves. Quite frankly, this was obvious before Obama was ever heard about. Indeed, notwithstanding the unattractive window that the Clintons opened on themselves, when faced with the surprising threat to her expected coronation, the support level persists regardless of Obama's surges.

Clinton fatigue is an understatement. The media, the republicans and Clinton are trying to find dirt on Obama. The paper in NY accuses Obama for making up that he dabbled in drugs in his younger days because they couldnt find anyone to back up his drug use. What in the world is going on here? You attack someone because there is no dirt to be found on that someone. What an idiotic concept. I hope that Obama is who he says he is. I couldnt vote for Clinton because of Bill. My head said vote for McCain. But in the end, I voted for change.

If I were Senator Obama I wouldn't want to debate either.  He might be asked (though unlikely since the moderators all throw him slow pitches) why a major facet of his plan for combatting climate change is to build nuclear power plants.  It seems an odd choice considering that there is still no viable way to dispose of the waste.  He must know this since he got on the Richardson and Clinton bandwagon (reluctantly) to come out against Yucca Mountain (at least when he got to Nevada).  So why would someone like Barack Obama advocate nuclear energy?

Let me answer that one for you Barack:  because, according to the LA Times, in 2007 (after you declared you wouldn't take lobbyist and PAC money) you took $160,000 from the Excelon Corp., which just so happens to be the nation's largest operator of nuclear power plants.  You also took $1000 checks from John P. Novack (a representative of Excelon), and James Monk, the president of the Illinois Energy Association; a trade group that represents Commonwealth Edison, an Illinois based utility company which happens to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Excelon Corp.

Or maybe he doesn't want to talk about the California lobbyists for AT&T and United Airlines gave him $2300.  Or maybe he doesn't want to talk about how he took a combined $170,000 from Goldman Sachs and Citigroup who, at the time of their contribution, had numerous issues pending in Washington.  They also happened to spend $4.6 million on lobbying in 2006.

Or maybe he doesn't want to talk about the fact that at an Obama fundraiser in Tallahassee he took money from Florida statehouse lobbyists representing trial attorneys, the insurance industry, fast-food chains, and sugar cane growers.  Now you Obamaphiles will no doubt say that Obama only said he wouldn't take money from FEDERAL lobbyists.  Well, that only goes so far, as noted by the law firm Akerman Senterfitt.  Members of that firm gave Obama $7000.  On its website Akerman notes, as reported in the LA Times, that, "Akerman combines Tallahassee connections with, 'an involved federal political action committee' to provide its clients 'with an enviable level of access.'"

Obama is not as he appears.  His new motto is, "Change you CAN believe in."  But it's obvious that Obama is really change you SHOULDN'T believe in.  

Once again the American electorate is proving that it will believe whatever anyone says as long as they say it enough, and the media tells them it's okay to believe it.  I would think that Americans would be outraged at a candidate who makes promises, but doesn't keep them; who says he's bringing hope and change, but is really just telling new lies and playing the same old games.

Thank you Obamaphiles for proving Ken Kesey's adage true:  "In any given situation there are always going to be more dumb people than smart people."

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