First thoughts: All eyes on Wisconsin

Posted: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:15 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** All eyes on Wisconsin: Does Obama hold on to his momentum? Did the Clinton campaign’s attacks on Obama (over skipping debates, waffling on matching funds for the general election, and those Deval Patrick lines) end up working? We could very well find out the answers to those questions in today’s Wisconsin primary. If either Clinton wins or Obama wins significantly, the contest could wind up being a real turning point. For instance, a key part of Clinton’s coalition so far has been with older and blue-collar Democrats. If she wins, that means she again clobbered him in those groups. But if Obama wins a significant victory, he does it by chipping into these older and blue-collar Dems. And if he does that, watch out Ohio… Up for grabs in Wisconsin’s open primary are 74 pledged delegates. On the GOP side, 37 winner-take-all delegates are at stake (broken down by congressional district and statewide vote). Polls close at 9:00 pm ET.

*** The other contests: Elsewhere today, 20 delegates in the Democratic race are up for grabs in Hawaii -- where Obama grew up, where Chelsea Clinton has campaigned, and where we wish were right now. Hawaii’s presidential preference poll begins at midnight ET and ends at 12:30 am ET. And today’s primary in Washington State allocates the remaining half of the state’s GOP pledged delegates (19); the other half were won at its February 9 caucuses. The Washington State primary is a beauty contest on the Democratic side; the true Dem contest there was on February 9. Polls there open at 10:00 am ET and close at 11:00 pm ET, although most voting is done by mail.

VIDEO: Presidential hopeful Barack Obama talks in an exclusive interview with TODAY's Matt Lauer about his campaign style and whether he can win in Hawaii and Wisconsin.

*** Words-Gate: Well, it looks like controversy over the lines that Obama borrowed from Deval Patrick is over. But it produced a day and a half’s worth of news clips, TV spots, and blog posts. This is what the Clinton campaign hopes this story begins to do: chip away at Obama's authenticity. A typical politician steals lines from other pols; that's the message the Clinton camp hopes this episode sends to voters in Ohio and Texas. It may be too late for Wisconsin voters. But after reading the RNC’s gleeful emails over the controversy, the episode brings up another point: The longer the Dem race goes on -- and the more oppo hits and attack conference calls the Clinton and Obama campaigns trade -- does the winner come out looking weaker and more vulnerable heading into the general election, especially with John McCain now sitting on the sidelines?

*** The NAFTA battle: As we look ahead to the March 4 contest in Ohio, NAFTA becomes a bigger and bigger issue. Here is what Obama said yesterday, per NBC/NJ’s Aswini Anburajan: "By the way, one thing I do have to say about Senator Clinton -- she says, well, speeches don’t put food on the table. Well, you know what? NAFTA didn’t put food on the table in Youngstown either." Just asking: If Ohio was in a vacuum and there was an entire month to campaign in just that one state, would the pro-NAFTA candidate -- or more accurately, the candidate whose spouse passed NAFTA -- even have a chance?

*** Delegate update: The official NBC News hard count for the Democrats is Obama 1,116, Clinton 985. There are 44 pledged delegates still unallocated, including 19 from MD, 10 each from CO and GA and one each from IL, NM, NY, TN and DC. We estimate those a 24-20 split for Obama. The superdelegate total is Clinton 257, Obama 184 for a grand total of Obama 1,324, Clinton 1,262.

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on the battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for a John Edwards endorsement and Democratic superdelegates.

*** On the trail: Clinton holds a rally tonight in Youngstown, OH; Huckabee holds a media avail at 10:00 pm ET in Little Rock, AR; McCain campaigns this morning in Wisconsin and then head to Columbus, OH for his Election Night party; and Obama, in Texas, stumps in San Antonio and holds an evening rally in Houston.

Countdown to the MSNBC debate in Ohio: 7
Countdown to Ohio and Texas: 14 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 259 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 336 days

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Comments

It disturbs me to see Hillary engaging in the same campaign tactics that Bush/Rove perfected. If she is willing to use half-truths and distortions, then I don't trust her any more. I feel sad about that because I always liked and admired the Clinton's.

Joe Miltimore (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:58 AM)

Wow. The Clinton camp must be really nervous today. The supporters (with their spelling errors in tow) are out in force on the blog.

It's time to rise above the politics of old, the negative campaign ads, the hyper spin over words. It's time to choose the candidate that will be least likely to engage in unneccesary military conflict, and begin to repair the wounds caused by the past seven years.

It's your turn Wisconsin. Let's put Barack Obama over the top. And then we'll win Texas.

SB (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:58 AM)

Clinton = NAFTA

don (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:59 AM)

The Iraqi war is President Bush’s war from the beginning. Based on the information available to her at the time, Senator Clinton decided on a reasoned judgment (her own words) and voted to authorize the president to use military force as the last resort against Iraq after exhausting all diplomacy means and after allowing UN inspectors to do their jobs in Iraq. The whole country was misled by Mr. Bush and his administration anyway with dubious intelligence. Senator Obama did not vote on this issue because he was not in the Senate then and later claimed that he was not sure how he would have voted on it. However, he now likes to say that he was right about the war without adding that he was right about it as an Illinois legislator, not as a US senator who had to vote on the issue. The war has not been going well for the US because of poor post-invasion planning by Donald Rumsfeld and his staff anyway. As far as voting record on the war goes as a US senator, Senator Obama voted like Senator Clinton on continuing to fund the war. Senator Obama is a veteran politician with all the complicated political trappings. Please listen to him carefully and watch out after you are swept over your feet by his charisma and sweet talk!

Phong Nguyen (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:59 AM)

Back at the beginning of the month, I had no preference between Clinton and Obama, and so voted in the GOP primary instead. However, the more I see, hear and read about Clinton the less I like her and the more I like Obama. I'm definitely getting the impression she will do anything to get the nomination. And I don't think our party can survive that.

Siegfried, Central Illinois (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:59 AM)

Folks, 3 Senators are running for the Presidency. Wonder how they're doing in the Senate, who is actually doing the work while busy campaigning. McCain is out 54% of the time, Obama 48% of the time, Hilary 28%. So who is truly doing the work?

She could have made a run for the Presidency during her first term as a Senator. Pretty much like what freshman Obama is doing now. But she choose to continue to serve the people of New York. Run for re election and won her seat.

People please take a closer look who truly has the best interest of the country at heart rather than selfish ambition. No one has truly scrutinized Obama. While the media had thrown just about everything they could at Hilary. Who is truly strong and capable?

voice of reason (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:00 AM)

I have to hand it to Hillary’s loyal backers. Whether or not she wins the nomination, you folks win the prize for intestinal fortitude. If my candidate had to spin me that hard to hold on to my support I would have been sick and dizzy a long time ago. I find it a little discouraging that we have so much difficulty engaging in political discussion because we can’t seem to distinguish between a reasoned argument and unsupported assertion or appeals to emotion.

I appreciate Mike Huckabee’s suggestion that we need to encourage creative thinking by integrating the teaching of music and art into our school system. Yes, Republicans can entertain good ideas too. I would like to add to his suggestion another component that I think is even more vital to the health of a functioning democracy.

With the advent of No Child Left Behind, more and more of our teacher’s efforts go into preparing students to pass a set of standardized tests. We’re trying to teach our children WHAT to think, but failing to teach them HOW to think. Democracies depend on the ability of ordinary citizens to sort through arguments and make reasoned judgments or we risk falling prey to the demagogues and charlatans.

There is a systematic way to approach this process known as critical thinking, whose origins can be traced all the way back to Socrates. It allows us to recognize the strategies used in advertising to sell us products we really don’t need, or the ways that politicians sell us wars that should never be fought and leaders we should not follow. While many universities have integrated critical thinking components into their curriculum, we could start hammering home these concepts at an early age. We could do our country no greater service than to raise a generation of critical thinkers with the ability to bring reason and logic to political discourse.

jaycee, Ventura, California (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:02 AM)

Flummoxed with ineffective attacks on Barack, Hill have now resorted to plagiarism attack in a last ditch effort to salvage her failing campaign. Unfortunately for her, she is also on record to be the first person who tried to hijack Barack's theme and slogans as her own and Barack's camp never charged her for plagiarism. This latest attack then will just be negated by her own actions. That's the trouble with the Clintons, they want to have their cake and eat it too, that means too greedy beyond any reason. They think so highly of themselves that they are so superior to everybody and above the law.

wilson, ny (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:02 AM)

Plagerism (Fraud) is a HUGE deal. Especially when you tout yourself as a canidate of CHANGE. This is unacceptable from a Harvard grad and law professor. Obama, your ignorance and arrogance are showing. Talk about disinginious. Does anyone REALLY know who Barrack Obama is?

Oh, and his wife, for the first time in her adult life is only now proud of America. Tell that to the families of our fallen heros. Disgraceful!

Go ahead you young guns and highly educated....follow the pied piper. Just remember your vote will pull the rest of us over the proverbial cliff.

SadStateOfAffairs (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:18 AM)

This article brilliantly explains what's at stake in this election. Everyone interested in the future of the Democratic party and America should read it:
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/15746427.html

LouNYC (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:18 AM)

I LOVE it!
When the Clinton campaign was asked if Hillary had used others speeches or words they admitted she had, but when she does it it doesn't matter as much because no one expects her to be able to speak well. If that isn't Clintrovian I don't know what is. Give me a break. If she pulls this out it will be funny....I can see the headlines now......Hillary Clinton leader of the now destroyed Democratic Party

Stacy, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:19 AM)

Simply put, a vote for Clinton now is a vote for McCain in November. The GOP is lining up all of Clinton's follies and foibles. The sound bites aren't even cold yet.

Hillary is the answer? It depends on the definition of the word 'is' ....

Rob in Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:19 AM)

And now Obama's men are intimidating African-American voters into voting for him instead of Hilary. Making them guilty that as African-Americans they are not supporting a fellow African-American for President. So yes, Obama is openly using race and being racist in his strong-arm tactics.

London (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:20 AM)

Wisconsinite says: GO OBAMA!! Former Hillary supporter fed up with Clinton tactics; this, after having worked diligently for Bill in 1992 and 1996. No more - it's on to better politicians. GO OBAMA!

mm - Brookfield, Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:20 AM)

I wonder how people would respond to somebody like Abraham Lincoln today. He had very little experience but still performed quite well. On the other hand you have Herbert Hoover - a tested highly qualified man, ready for the job on day on. He didn't do so well.

No matter what candidates say, their prior experiences aren't really that predictive of how they'll do as president. The best we can do as voters is listen closely to what the candidates seem to care about and how they run their campaigns and their lives.

Glenn Sills (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:21 AM)

Embrace your inner Obama....vote for hope, change and a new world of politics today.

Chuck Neff, Little Rock, AR (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:21 AM)

The Obama campaign had restored my faith in the American people. I'm now starting to lose that faith yet again. How can you fall for this same old negative campaigning over and over again and expect our politicians to behave differently? The Obama campaign is about bringing people together, and all we can do is tear him down and beat him up. For how dare we actually have some hope left in our fellow man. How dare we try to escape the chains of our cynicism and bitterness. Better to stick with the "safe" choice. Yeah, right. I wouldn't vote for Hillary now, if she came to my house and knocked on the door and personally asked for my vote.

Miriam Gill, Lawrenceville, GA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:21 AM)

I am voting for Hillary because she has experience, is hard working and very intelligent. Our country is in dire need of a "Leader" not an "apprentice"....! Words won't correct the mistakes of the Bush Administration. Remember the Pied Piper...Obama may take a lot of people off the cliff but I won't be one of them, my vote goes to Hillary.

ME, Wi. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:21 AM)

Wisconsin does not require voters to identify a party affiliation, so any voter can choose to vote in any party's primary. Under the assumption that almost any person that normally votes Republican hates Hillary Clinton, any win by Hillary today must include enough Democrats and Independents to overcome any inclination by Republicans to vote for Obama in the Democratic Presidential Preference Primary.

It should be noted that today is really Wisconsin's primary election for non-partisan offices (i.e., county supervisors, State Supreme Court Justices, etc.). The general election for those offices is in April. The Democratic and Republican Presidential Preference Primaries (historically held in April) are add-ons to this year's primary election to move it earlier in the Presidential selection process.

Turnout will be higher than normal for a February primary because of the presidential preference primary, and it will be interesting to us in Wisconsin to see whether it effects non-partisan primary contests.

Gary, Franklin, WI (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:21 AM)

Embrace your inner Obama....vote for hope, change and a new world of politics today.

Chuck Neff, Little Rock, AR (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:22 AM)

Lewinskys boyfriends wife for president!

Bo Caspers, Oslo (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:22 AM)

"... If 80 precincts in NY City (including Harlem) didn't register a single vote for Obama, then nobody must have voted for him (pass the sniff test J. Merle from Westchester?). ..."
Scott (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:23 AM)

WOW, I'm FAMOUS!
Thank you scott.
But, you've given me far too much credit for being much more powerful than I really am. I'm just an interested blogger, aliken to yourself.
How about that land deal, eh Scott? Does THAT pass the sniff test...a large piece of property and a spacious home for The Obama's, at $300,000.00 LESS than it's market value...hmmmmmmm
How about the media BURYING the story of a man who claims to have had sex and done cocaine with Barrack Obama. Does THAT pass the sniff test, especially since the guy offered to take a POLYGRAPH?! If this story was about Bill Clinton the media would be all over it....why should Obama get a pass like this?
And while we're doing sniff tests, let's talk about the disenfranchised voters in Mich and Fla...two states Hillary just happened to win. (I don't want to hear any GARBAGE about Obama not being on the ballot in Mich either. He ran ad's up there encouraging people to vote "uncommitted.")
Didn't we as Democrats complain about disenfranchised voters in Fla in 2000? Now, the DNC decides we're going to do it to our own people?
Tell me what kind of smell test that passes, scott?
I'm sorry scott.
But it appears your logic doesn't pass the sniff test.
Then again, what should we expect from Obama supporters who can repeat their guy's mantra ("hope, change, yes we can.")
But, who can't even tell you what their candidates' platform is, WHO he is, or what he stands for.

HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT 2008!
Action, Not "Philosophy"

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:22 AM)

Come on Hillary, Plagerism? All this experience you talk about this is the best you can come up with.... People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Did you not see Pat Buchanan's sister on MSNBC last night clearly point out 2 of her brother's slogans that Hillary uses every speech. Give me a break people!

Monica Hicks, Hoffman Estates, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:23 AM)

Are all of you people off your rocker, no one knows what is to happen once a person get in to office. If all of you voter were so smarte we wouldn't have had Bush in office for eight year. If we want anything new and have a chance to do better as American then we can't go with that same good old boy ways. Mrs Clinton would be just that, because of her husband and so would McCain. We as a people didn't understand that vote dosen't mean a thing because if it did again we wouldn't have had Bush in the frist time. So let us as a people take back our courtry and make it the great place to live. We can start with our familys and namely our kids. That should be our mean point to start.

Law, Atlanta,GA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:23 AM)

Plagiarism (please note the spelling)refers to the unattributed use of another's language or research in a work of scholarship. Senator Obama's repetition or borrowing of another's phrases from a public speech was clearly not an attempt to fool anyone.

We all repeat phrases, manners of expression and ideas that we've learned elsewhere. When we use them to support ideas in which we genuinely believe, there's no deception. When Senator Clinton says that she'll be "ready on Day One," she's repeating a shorthand expression of an idea that certainly didn't originate with her.

The fact that the Clinton team would attempt to make an issue of Obama's "words matter" speech is a sign of desperation; when the Clintons get desperate we should all worry!

Rob Mann, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:23 AM)

For some, the problem with Obama's...oh, I'm sorry, Duval Patrick's...speech is that it is just that somebody else's speech. The quotes are part of our history so no big deal. But, the fact that he "borrowed" a large segment of Patrick's segment and stated it almost word for word is a problem. For those who have questioned his authenticity, this probably cemented their concerns.

not fooled (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:23 AM)

It's absolutely Hilarious that All Hillary & her supporter's have is to Grasp at word's & expect Educated voter's to feel some kinda sympathy for her.Who need's the Comedy Channel with this bunch?

Here's some Insight for You Clinton fanatics, Get A candidate that actually cares about America & Not just for POWER.Her entire life has been about Power & living off of TAXPAYER'S (ANYONE ELSE WOULD BE CHARACTERIZED AS A WELFARE QUEEN).It's time for all of Hillary Supporter's ( and her also)to face the fact, that Democrat's ( and American's)have found a candidate we can relate to.

Hawaii & Wisconsin voter's, Get out & Vote today( whoever you vote for).

Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick,ky (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:23 AM)

Obama is a fake, and his wife michelle said yesterday that for the first time in her life she is proud of America, that is a slap in the face to all patriotic AMERICANS that have fought and died for this country! This guy and his wife does not respect the American Flag, vote Hillary!

Don (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:24 AM)

'Pat Huntington NY: '...If Hillary doesn't get the nomination, we are doomed to a 3rd Bush term by way of McCain,...'

If Hillary were to win (IN A HORROR STORY) we are doomed to a third Bush term by way of Billary and her war monger advisors...

TURN THE PAGE

THROW THE BUMS OUT !

DON'T BRING THE BUMS BACK

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:24 AM)

As a Wisconsinite, I think Wisconsin will go Obama on the Democratic side and McCain in a landslide on the Republican side.

Colin, Milwaukee WI (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:25 AM)

I have no respect for the Bill or Hillary now. When people are under pressure, you see the real deal. They are sore losers to me and I think it is disgusting. Obama was not suppose to be here and she doesn't know how to deal with his surge in the polls. Let the people speak for once to make a change in this nation of ills and forgottens. I'll tell you one thing, if Obama comes out on top but Hillary wins because of the Super Delegates, I will not vote in the November elections. Don't get me wrong, I am a voting woman and believe in this great opportunity that Dr. Martin Luther King died for, but enough is enough.

D. O'neal (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:25 AM)

Any folks thinking that HC has a chance to win the general election is totally delusional. Independants won't vote for someone so obviously desperate for power and attention. Obama provides the only chance for Dems to take the White House. We need to be in the Center people...not the left, not the right.

Frank, Frederick MD (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:26 AM)

Not only is the Clinton campaign getting desperate, but it seems like, both in this blog and on the news coverage, that many conservatives are defending Hillary every day. Why? Is it because Hillary has the ability to bring the Republicans to the table and work with them? Ha! No of course not, that was a rhetorical question. So why ARE Republican mouthpieces suddenly defending Hillary? Because Hillary will bring out the coservative vote for whoever is the Republican nomination, and McCain can certainly pull a large moderate slice against her. The same is simply not true about Obama, and like Hillary, the Republicans don't know how exactly to run against Obama. He doesn't have enough dirt, corruption and baggage to attack in the same mud-slinging ways that both the Clintons and the Republican attack machines are used to fighting.

It is time to move on. If you are still falling for the lines that Obama doesn't have the details and plans to be President, you need to do more research on your own instead of relying on the media and the Clinton's to provide the truth to you. Two years ago he was accused of being too focused on policies and procedures and not enough on changing the way politics works to actually get something done. Words Matter when backed by Political Will (Obama said that, not me. Don't accuse me of plagerizing now . . .). While Obama doesn't spend nearly as much time on his policies, he has a very clear vision of the direction in which this country needs to move. What he realizes, that old style polticians like Clinton do not, is that all the best intentions and ideas get crushed under hopeless beauracracy in Washington, and until you change the way things work in the government, our country will continue to stagnate economically and globally.

Chris, Scottsdale, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:27 AM)

All the Clintons seem to run on is attacking the words of Obama. Why do they have to win so nasty? I will never ever vote for Clinton based on the dirty way she has run her campaign.

E. James, Aurora IL. 60504 (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

The fact that so many Republicans are voting for Obama, that Republican pundits on TV and radio are constantly singing Obama's praises and that they're constantly telling us how Hillary would be so much easier to beat than Obama should tell Democrats all you need to know.

When was the last time that the Republicans willingly and truthfully advertised their weakness to the Democrats?

Why would they be telling Democrats "If Obama is nominated, you have a better change of winning against us"

I am surprised and actually ashamed that Democrats are so gullible that they're actually following the bait line set out by the Republicans.

Hillary is who the Republicans are rally afraid of because she is a centrist, strong on defense and can actually go toe to toe with McCain on foreign policy after 6 years in the Foreign Relations committee.

If Obama is the nominee, he will be schooled by the Republicans as inexperienced (which he is) and soft on defense, which at the end of the day when all independents (not just democratic leaning ones) are in the voting booth, is what they'll decide their vote on.

LouNYC, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

what was there 4 her 2 be proud about a vietnam illegal war an iraq illegal war, the iran-contra affairs, police brutality bush getting less votes and winning an elction, you ga rednecks just behave and stop the incest, if u so spatriotic go 2 iraq, u and all the people who say they support war war war.

megga (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

Where's the blog about Michelle Obama for the the "first time" in her adulthood being reallly proud of her country? Of course, it's being "explained" that's not what she REALLY meant. You have a campaign running on rhetoric; you better say what you mean. (Or, you could borrow somebody else's words and use them). Put Mrs. Obama's awful statement with BO refusing to wear his flag pin. Put that with BO not saluting the flag when everybody else at the event was doing so. Hmmmmmm........and this could possibly be our next President and First Lady. No thanks. If it comes to them, I'll vote Republican.

no thanks, Mr and Mrs Obama (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

Enough already!!! Stop with the mudslinging. Dems, we need to be united, it's this type of divisiveness that will get another republican elected in November. Although I am an Obama supporter, I'm not going to sit up here and bash Hillary. They both have strengths and weaknesses and need to work together to strengthen our nation. Truth be told, if McCain gets elected, I'll support him to, because he will be OUR president and we need to be UNITED.

A patriotic Black woman (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

Wisconsin

Obama 58%

Clinton 42%

-A 16% spread in a state that is white as snow. This would prove not only is Obama increasing his margins with the wink/wink "Starbuck Democrats", but now he's starting to experience push with "Blue-Collar/Lunch-Bucket Democrats. Market research clearly shows that there is a lag exposure effect with lower-income/lower-educated workers and politicxs applies to this equation.

Brian, Enfield, Connecticut (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

The Clinton's are reaching for anything because their campaign had been a joke. I am a Dem but guess what - THE REBULICAN CONGRESS HAD A LOT TO DO WITH BALANCING THE BUDGET IN THE 90'S. Also, HRC has used lines from Bill, JE, and Barack in her campaign and nobody cares because it is what politicians do. What Clinton supporters can't understand is that it is time to turn the page on the Bush/Clinton aristocracy. I voted for Obama and I am proud of it but I will be the first to tell you that there are only slight differences between their plans, and yes, they each have a plan for everything. The real question comes down to execution in 50%/50% country. HRC is not the best person to get the job done; unless you just want status quo.

Cal, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

Hey MSNBZZZZZZZZ asleep at the wheel again.Supreamely packed court has stripped somemore rights away from the people and you look at wasteoftimeconson report all that you are told to report IRAQ, KATRINA, WIRETAPPING AMERICANS, LAWLESSNESS, in the name of GOVERMENT and you talk of change nothing will be left to change by the time this administration is gone so will we GONE>

kenn (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

Take a quick look at experience.

Just exactly who has more years in elective office?

HRC's claims of experience are hollow. 35 years?? Of what? BHO has 20 years of experience. Is that enough?

The voters get to decide. But, they should know the facts first.

Harry, Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:29 AM)

If the only thing the Clinton campaign has to offer to the country is pointing out whenever Senator Obama mispeaks, that is a very sad campaign strategy indeed.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:30 AM)

Clinton is a small minded politician. She certainly harkens back to the old time politician who's only job is to carve up the opponent rather than present a case for themselves. Actually Hillary has no real reason for her candidacy other than being a woman. As a woman, I think that would be historic. But it's not enough, especially with the type of politics she brings to the table. Obama is right when he says that promising the world as Hillary does, even as she implies that her health care is free (when universal mandated health care only means every American will have to find the money to pay for it or be fined or have their wages garnished) cannot bring about the changes everyone wants. In fact, she tried before with her health care plan and so alienated fellow Democrats and all the Republicans that we made no movement in providing affordable health care in over 10 years. And people died during this time who didn't have health care. The point is that you have to work with others, not demonize them, in order to get things done. Hillary can't do that and hasn't done that in the Senate. In 6 years she has renamed post offices and federal buidings. Look at her accomplishments, not her memberships in clubs. For someone who says she's not about inspiration, who is a "doer", then describe something meaningful that she has done?

Debra Austin, Tx. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

Again, typical lazy voters. If you actually look at what Michelle Obama said without just taking what the news took out of context you would know that she was speaking about how many people are voting and that this is truly a great election - not just about Obama. Also, if you did your research you would know that Bill's Jesse Jackson comment was actually within the context of the questioning. It just worked for the media to edit out the part that was important so it would sound racial.

For once, in my adult life (14 legal years), I am proud to be an American. We have two minority candidates! Voter turnout is unprecendented! This is the most proud I have EVER been to be an American.

RB, Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

The biggest dupe of this campaign has been that Obama can draw voters from "across the party line". Republicans are making a concerted effort to vote for Obama in open primaries because they're afraid of Hillary.

Why else would all the Republican pundits be so public in saying they're more afraid of Obama? Does anyone really think they would give away their weakness to the Democrats?

Jake (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

OBAMA SUPPORTERS CAN YOU TELLME WHY JFK A MAN WHO VOTED AGAINST CIVIL RIGHTS AGAINST THE MARCH IN 1963.WIRETAPPED MARTIN LUTHER KING isnt that old school politics why associate with the KENNEDYS at all.IS OBAMA FOR OR AGAINST GAY RIGHTS.

kenn (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN IT'S JUST WORDS. JUST SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS.

Beth Lee, Milwaukee, Wi. (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

can't we all just get along?

D, new york, ny (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

If we as Americans are supposed to be a part of a Republic, why is it that two VERY RICH families (hello - Hillary just recently "lent" 5 million of her own money to her campaign - most of us will never see this much money in our lifetime!!) have come into power and stayed there for 20 years - and are attempting to make it 24 or 28?

Are Americans truly dumb enough to simply hand over those reins of power once again to a member of this dominant family and let an entire generation never see the truth of American Democracy in action - and potentially always feel that the leaders are disconnected from them? God Knows I hope NOT.

The last 20 years (Bush Sr - 4, Clinton -8, Bush Jr - 8) have been dominated by 2 families in leadership positions. Do we really want to have it be 24 (or lord forbid 28?!?) ? That's an entire generation (MY GENERATION) raised primarily by only 2 families in power - much like the kings and queens of old. What will the history books say... "The Bush-Clinton Power Years" Or worse yet "The Bush-Clinton Kingdom?!?"

Yeah.. let's think about this. VOTE OBAMA - and prove that we do have other options out there. Let's not fall into the same hole or make it 24/28 years of only 2 very rich (and might I add disconnected) families leading this nation.

In my Opinion, Obama is the only one that is actually presenting a reasonable platform for America - with NO serious extremes. Yes, he is a politician, yes, he is rich. However, he's also educated, well spoken (Clinton has also plagerized from him though it didn't inspire a day and a half of coverage - make sure you have your facts straight), and able to heal many of this country's wounds that have been around since the Civil War. He is the American Dream. He IS the Best Choice.

Thus I say... It is TIME FOR A CHANGE in Leadership. AND we, the YOUTH have to help make it happen.

Our Parents may be Afraid, our Grandparents may just want to return to the conservative status quo. But we, the Youth know - this Nation Needs a different group of leaders. We NEED Leaders who REFLECT OUR BELIEFS (of total equality) , REFLECT OUR POPULATION (not only the whites - but all races and genders), and RESPECT "normal" AMERICANS (not just the rich or the lobbyists).

I see Barak Obama doing all of these things. But I can't do it alone.

And so, if for no other reason - than to say hey, let's end the 2 family power play - I ask you to think seriously, examine your heart, and then

ELECT Barak Obama in 2008!

"We Are the Change We Have Been Waiting For." ~Barak Obama Feb. 5, 2008

Rose Bloomfeldt, an American in Berlin, Germany (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

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