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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



Obama camp responds to Clinton speech

Posted: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 8:34 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
"We agree with Senator Clinton that there is a choice in this campaign," says Obama spokesman Bill Burton in a statement. "It's a choice between a candidate who's taken more money from Washington lobbyists than any Democrat or Republican running for President and a candidate who hasn't taken a dime of their money in this election. It's a choice between a candidate who's called NAFTA a victory and supported permanent trade with China and a candidate who will end tax breaks for companies who ship our jobs overseas and give them to companies who create good jobs in America. It's a choice between a candidate who voted for the war in Iraq and one who opposed it from the very beginning. It's a choice between going into this election with Republicans and Independents already united against us, or going against John McCain with a campaign that has already united Americans of all parties around a common purpose."

"The choice in this election is between more of the same divisive, say-or-do-anything-to-win politics of the past and real change that we can believe in. That's the change that Barack Obama offers, and that's why more and more voters across America are choosing him as our next President."

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Shut 'em down!!!!

BARACK '08!!!!!
Snap!
It's also a difference between a candidate who voted for the war and one who voted against it.  

It's also a difference between a candidate thinks we are safer since 9/11 and one who thinks the war in Iraq and the resulting shortages in domestic security funding has left us less safe.
I agree. The Clinton team has definitely proven the claim that they say and do anything to win.

Really, the Clintons have no shame. Even worse, they insult our intelligence with their frivolous, dishonest attacks.
The only choice for the survival of the democratic party is for obama to quit the race.

His wife said that his race for the nomination is the only time she has been proud of this country?I will choose not to listen to GARBAGE STATEMENTS like that.

Give me a break. If she does not like it here she can leave.

Vote for a real American - Hilliary 08
Bill Clinton supports Obama back in 1992:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbHiw2jlwa4
I agree. The Clinton team has definitely proven the claim that they say and do anything to win.

Really, the Clintons have no shame. Even worse, they insult our intelligence with their frivolous, dishonest attacks.
CNN) – A day after Sen. Barack Obama admitted to borrowing language from a speech by ally Deval Patrick, a second instance of Obama lifting language from a past speech by the Massachusetts governor has been identified.

“But you see, I am not asking anyone to take a chance on me. I am asking you to take a chance on your own aspirations,” Obama is quoted as saying in a November 6, 2007 USA Today article.

A little more than a month later, ABC News reported that he used the same line at a Portsmouth, New Hampshire campaign event, crediting Deval Patrick as the author: "But you know in the end, don’t vote your fears,” Obama was quoted as saying. “I’m stealing this line from my buddy (Massachusetts Gov.) Deval Patrick who stole a whole bunch of lines from me when he ran for the governorship, but it’s the right one, don’t vote your fears, vote your aspirations. Vote what you believe."

Patrick had used the line when he spoke at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention in 2006, when he told the crowd: “Because I want you to understand, I am not asking anybody to take a chance on me. I’m asking you to take a chance on your own aspirations.”

A Boston Globe article in the spring of 2007 titled “Patrick, Obama campaigns share language of 'hope'” noted many similarities between their stump speeches, and said that the two men shared a “symbiotic friendship.”

Obama “is running on his powerful oratory and his promises,” Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday as he pointed out the similar turns of phrase. “Therefore, it is appropriate when the oratory comes form someone else to point that out and for questions to be raised about it.”

The Obama campaign did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the second instance of similar language identified Tuesday. In a statement to reporters, Bill Burton accused Clinton’s campaign of attempting to “fan the flames” around the allegations.

This is dishonest doublespeak by the Obama campaign.  The first problem they have is twofold.  When it comes to lobbyists, Obama is lying because he has taken money from them.  And Senator Clinton has a solid anti-corporate voting record.

And when it comes to NAFTA, his positions have been too close to hers for his criticism to make any sense.  That isn't to say that the media won't pretend it makes sense.  But he has no claim of superiority with his record on trade agreements.
Obama Can Bring Everyone Together.


Obama and his supporter claim that he is going to bring everyone together, Democrats, Republicans and Independents.  

Really

Simply saying that you are going to do something isn’t enough.  First you have to actually posses the ability to do whatever it is that you claim you’re going to do.  

To say that Obama is capable of bringing everyone in this country together in a way that no one else has been able to, to say that he is capable of reaching across party lines in a way that no other politician has been able to, is just a bit of a stretch.  

How can Obama bring everyone in this country together when he is incapable of bringing the ENTIRE Democratic Party together (and 50% doesn't count)?

For everyone who claims that Obama would beat McCain in the general election is assuming two things.  First, that Obama is going to get the Democratic nomination.  Second, that all of Hillary Clinton's supporters are going to support Obama.

Now lets just say for laughs, that Obama ended up getting the Democratic nomination.  

There is a reason that the people who are supporting Hillary Clinton are supporting Clinton.  

I know that Obama supporters are so in love with Obama that they can’t even fathom that Clinton’s supporters wouldn’t fall in love with Obama if they just got to know him, or that they wouldn’t also rally around Obama if he were to get the nomination.

Contrary to popular belief or whatever the media is saying or whatever kind of polling information is being reported, the people who are supporting Hillary Clinton are supporting Clinton because (you might want to hold your ears) THEY DON’T LIKE BARACK OBAMA!


I’m here to tell ALL of the Obama supporters that while some of the Clinton supporters, a very small % would possibly, possibly, vote for Obama if Clinton did not get the nomination, the great majority of Clinton supporters would NEVER vote for Obama.


Now again just for laughs, lets say that Obama gets the Democratic nomination.

In order to beat McCain (like Obama and his supporters think he can easily do), Obama is going to have to be able to get a LARGE percentage, not a small percentage of Clinton supporters to vote for him in the general election.  

All of the political experts are saying that Obama will need at least 60 to 70% of Clinton Supporters to vote for Obama (and I agree) in order for Obama to be able to beat John McCain.

Again the political experts are saying (and again I agree) that if Obama is only capable of picking up 25, maybe 30% of Clinton’s supporters (I think it will be less), Obama CAN’T beat McCain.  It is mathematically impossible.

Obama’s supporters are so busy being caught up in the moment, they’re so self absorbed, they are so in love with Obama and in love with themselves and for all of their intelligence, they have not given any thought to the fact that Obama MUST get Hillary Clinton’s supporters on his side in order to beat John McCain in November.

The problem is, Obama’s supporters are being naïve as usual in assuming that everyone who has supported Hillary Clinton is just going to rush on over to support Obama.

Here’s the thing, it’s not going to happen.  Obama’s supporters had better wake up and smell the reality.


So chew on that for a while!

Obama spokesman should say it's about a choice between good liar and bad liar. Obama is a good liar--who's good at lying so everyone thinks he's honest and he's running an honest campaign. Hillary is stupid and everytime she said anything untrue, she's in trouble. But when Obama did the same or worse, he got applause
If not Hillary is not the nominee then vote for McCain.  Barack is a novice spouting borrowed rhetoric.

I will vote words with content over just words. Who would have ever heard of Mother Theresa if she just said, "love/peace" or Gandhi if he had just said, "justice" or who would have remembered MLK if he had just said, "I have a dream" without his marches/putting his very life on the line.  

Whoever the next president is it will be a change but the transformation of America will take disciplined, sustained effort - every day hard work!

Hillary the HOPE of 08    :)
Obama is a fraud.  When he preaches to his white wealthy college educated worshipers, he tries to sound like a fancy talking white man.

When he preaches to his black worshipers, he tries to sound like a brother.

All of his preacher speeches are simply excerpts from famous speeches from famous people in history.  Can’t he come up with anything on his own, or did they not teach him how to think for himself at Harvard?

I find it really laughable that all of the Obama worshipers are talking about how badly Obama would beat John McCain if the general election were to end up being between McCain and Obama.

For anyone who thinks that the lack of Republican voter turnout thus far is a sign that
Republicans this year are going to sit this one out because they are so unhappy with the Republican Party or John McCain or both, and as a result, Obama would give McCain a good ass whipping, should really get out of the house more often.

Now that McCain is going to be the Republican nominee for President, the Republican voters are going to stay home moving forward more than they have in the past month and a half.  Why would you go out and vote in a primary or caucus that is used to determine whom your nominee will be, when you already know?  Not only does that not make sense, but it’s also a waste of time.

There is a reason why so few Republicans have voted so far.  It all has to do with their Trojan horse plan of attack that will take place in November.

Some of you Obama worshipers (especially the younger ones) are really naive.  You should have paid more attention in your American history or political science classes.

The Republicans have a method and a strategy and all of you are going to see it in action in November.  Start stocking up on your Kleenex now, because you're going to be in disbelief when Obama gets his ass kicked Republican Style!

Enjoy riding the wave while it last Obama worshipers.

Remember, The higher they rise, they harder they fall!

Don’t tell anyone but I’ve heard through the grapevine of a McCain/Clinton ticket should she not get the Democratic nomination.  Talk about Obama getting tag teamed.  I’d pay extra to see that match up.  I’m already stocking up on party supplies.
Well said. Clinton is really desperate!
Well said!  Obama '08!!!!!
How a democrat could continue to support HRC after Bill Burton's comments about choices......is frankly beyond all comprehension.

Call it a cult, call him a copy cat, call it all talk.

Geez- sign me up now!!!

Vote Obama please.
The first paragraph pretty much says it all.

The second paragraph is the kind of noise that we don't want to hear from someone who aspires to be better than other poiticians. Slogans are OK, we just don't want to hear them when the conversation turns thoughtful.
Now, compared with Clinton's speech, here's something that makes sense, especially with reguard to how republicans are handled.
GENIUS LAWYER "NEW" MATH MEANS THE CLINTON MACHINE JUST KEEPS ON ROLLING
First order of business before my main comment:
-I agree withh ALL posters who say that Karl Rove is laughing his @** off at the prospect of throwing McCain a shrillary snack pack for general election consupmption and the dems are too stupid to see that harsh reality because they are too busy trying to pretend they are not rascists
POST IN THE MAIN:
It should have been clear after super tuesday, and certainly by most during the South Carolinian machevellian lawyer genius strategy- the clinton’s are bad news and only getting older each primary.
The dems once again show themselves as having fealty for the clinton’s rather than fidelity to the constitution or even reality.
Queen shrillary was pre-ordained and handed everything before the election cycle began…SHE HAS LOST, LOST, LOST…she has NOT consolidated her frontrunner status and in fact has squandered everything. Instead of consolidation and outreach…her crew are now counting superdelegates and big state victories as if vanquishing Obama and winning the dem nomination IS victory.
As always the clinton machine will destroy friends and play soft with the enemy. I believe the Honorable Senator from Illinois will endure…all this talk about his being soft because he is not petty and mean spirited, that he has no substance because he calls upon ALL of us to act upon the better angels of our being rather than upon the demons of divisiveness we are tempted to follow each day…all of it IS a crock.
The dems are daily helping the repubs re-gain what was surely lost at the beginning of the cycle: any chance in hell of holding the executive mansion. Each day the clinton’s continue in their genius lawyer divide and conquer strategy more independants move away from giving the dems a look with open minds and ears…once you burn them it is way harder to appeal to them in the general election. Karl Rove is laughing his @** off since he is ‘pimping’ the clinton’s just as that dude got burned for stating the truth that the clinton’s ARE pimping their daughter for political gain.
you don’t have a hope in hell but you always have a hope in heaven and if the dems want to pull their collective heads out of their collective @**es and finally put their support behind Obama then the repubs will again not have any hope at holding the executive mansion.
Look what the Honorable Senator from the GREAT state of ILLINOIS has done without the support of the heirarchy. Imagine what the dems would look like if they supported his candidacy instead of MacClinton and heil Hillary Lady MacClinton’s.
Question: If Heil Hilary can’t even hold down the lead amongst dems with all that juice how will she fare in the general election after burning all of Barack Obama’s supporters through superdelegate genius lawyer ‘new’ math?!!?
Yah man, it should be over, but it won’t be.
That’s why the clinton’s are poison…everyone under the bus for them, and damn evryone who disagrees.
Absolutely!!!  Finally, someone who calls Hillary Clinton out on NAFTA and outsourcing...everyone needs to know that Hillary makes money off of americans losing their jobs.  So far she has benefitted financially and politically from outsourcing at the expense of the American people...if you don't believe me, start investigating her ties with Tata Consultations and their fiancial records. This is why she support outsourcing and she's a hypocrite to say on one hand she is upset about the level of poverty and unemployment, yet on the other hand is making money from it.  Why do you think she has proudly called herself the "Senator of Punjab." Those are her words.
In his healthcare plan, Senator Obama proposes to dramatically lower health insurance costs in order to make it affordable, and to PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT to those who may have financial issues.

On the other hand, Senator Clinton proposes to dramatically lower health insurance costs in order to make it affordable, and to PUNISH those who would fail to pay (see universal mandate).

Nevertheless, Senator Clinton insinuates that Senator Obama's plan discards some Americans!
Would the press explain more such issues, so that people can choose in conscience?
if you can, please talke about what is your plan, what you have done... I am really tired of jsut talking... from what Obama did in the past, I really done think he is ready as a president...  taking a big is really cheap...
Since the Obama campaign is lifting everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Albert Einstein I will lift from you Bill Burton...

"It's a choice between a candidate who's taken more money from Washington lobbyists than any Democrat or Republican running for President and a candidate who hasn't taken a dime of their money in this election."

Guess what Bill?  Some of us actually read and know that Obama is taking plenty of lobbyist and pac money.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/22/681/

So really Bill, the choice is between someone who has taken more lobbyist money than any other candidate and makes no bones about it, and someone who runs around the country preaching that they are the golden god of change while finding every loophole that allows him to take that money while making it look like he's not.

You and your candidate are full of crap.  Peddle it elsewhere Bill.
I know this comment will not be post...since it is my second try already... I hear someone said Obama can bring everyone toghter...my question is bring us together to do what???? Please don't just cheap talking...show what is your plan in details...everyone can say I can bring everyone together but for what purpose????
Look at all the Clinton opperatives out already. Gonna be a Loooooong night!

So chew on that for a while!


Fred, Utah (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 8:54 PM


Chew on this, imbecile, Blue collar worker's went for Barack.


Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!
Wow. You know, some of us so-called "Obama worshippers" are simply excited about being asked to participate in our democracy again. The fact is, the record primary voter turnout is due to Obama trying (and succeeding) to get people to care about democracy. You can't deny that and you can't write it off. Ten million (and counting) people have voted for him so far.
I must be a white good old boy because I would not vote for a person of color running for meter reader!!
Buddy, you obviously have no access to grapevines, unless you mean you literally heard it through a grapevine, like when you were drunk in a field somewhere, talking to fruit.
This story seems fair.  What is crazy is this is the biggest thing the Clinton campaign can find to try to attack Obama.  Does she write every speech she gives (or any).  Does she not share ideas with others?  If she doesn't, is she any better than Bush?  I think she is, but she ought to stick to real differences and stop being petty. Even if it is good politics (which I don't know if it is) it really isn't honest or helpful of the Clinton campaign.
NAFTA is old news its a hasbeen no matter which democrat wins.Nafta might have worked ,look at Canadas boom,if not for the welcome allye illegal aliens with the borders open more than a sieve of coarse illegals are going to flock to where at their cutthroat wages they can live large. Hillery will scuttle nafta and be good for america Hilary is what you see is what you get real beef.pro middleclass.
Obama however presents a threat much worse than NAFTA
The threat the Obama ,weak on defence,is the threat to the middle class in giving "BUSHES illegal alien drivers licences. That is the change he wants,as too many of his advisors look at the struggles of the middle class as "a history of white privilege"
The middle class is not priveleged. maybe the yuppies he seeks were privileged. Mr.Obama the middle class is under attack fron abroad as our jobs go oversees,is under attack from the preditory credit monster and our jobs are under attack from illegal aliens here at home and you want to complain about NAFTA ,why to decieve Americans you are not for the middle class. When Dr. King was marching you were in ASIA. WE WILL NOT LIE DOWN we will not let anybody give drivers licences to illegals. We will fight that at the DMV'S and state to state from majestic shore to purple mountian top that is a promis ,that is where the beef is!
Get On Board or get out of the way, America has problem's to solve.



Barack Obama for President!!!!!!!!!
Are you serious???McCain and Hillary my ass. Hillary and Barack aren't that much differant in their views in case you havn't noticed. And if you're a democrat you vote democrat.I'm laughing my ass off at that Hillary/McCain ticket.They have no views that are at all the same.He is the best political speaker in the country.He has used 2 lines from other people so he not honest and can't think for himself.Go in person and watch him speak.
Robert,TN - have you bothered to read up on any of the issues?  If you actually did, you might learn that Obama truly is the best person for the nomination.  Or does voting for the best person for the job not interest you?
Again, I say... Hillary should get the nomination.  McCain would win in November... we start planning for 2012...

I am a woman and I love the democratic party so I would NEVER vote republican... however, if Hillary wins the nomination.  I'd just stay home and not vote... I say again though, I would NEVER vote republican.  I'd just hold my vote.
I don't think I could reward the Clintons for their negative campaigning and dirty tricks with my vote in the general election.  Whoever is so upset with what Michelle Obama said - she is not the candidate!  Bill Clinton's sins as a campaigner are 100 times worse.
Fred from Utah-

OK, so the Clintonites don't like Obama. That is only because he has upset their expectations. (In fact, most of them liked Obama before he was winning. Remember how we liked all of our candidates in December?)

That is the expectation that Hillary Clinton would win the battle for the nomination without having fired a shot. Unfortunately for Hillary, the American people and the democratic party don't like the idea of their will being discounted or subverted and the voters in Iowa and many other states chose to make this a real contest. The presumption that Hillary (or anyone else for that matter) somehow deserves or is entitled to the nomination is genuinely offensive to me.

But not nearly as offensive as the nepotism issue; I find it absurd that the deomcratic party might make the same mistake as the GOP and nominate someone from THE SAME IMMEDIATE FAMILY as a former president. The people have voted themselves into and oligarchy in 2008 and they have paid for it dearly.  I doubt they will make the same mistake twice. If they somehow do elect Hillary to the presidency, Jeb Bush is waiting in the wings to challenge her in 2012. Enough is enough.

Another unrelated issue, keeps coming up, and that is the argument that Hillary has been "vetted" and Obama not so much.  She has been scrutinized and come out smelling of crap at the end. No wonder she is in trouble.

Last item, the tried and true democrats will get over their aversion to whichever candidate after a month or two; all this talk about voting for McCain is absurd. His policy positions are wholly unpalatable to any democrat. Pro-war, pro-rich, pro-coporation, anti-women, anti-gay, anti-labor. He is not a centrist, he is a maverick.  And though he is a good strategic choice for the republicans, he would make a terrible president.

I am an Obama supporter and despite, how much I despise Hillary, I would pinch my nose in November and vote for her were that the choice.

I hope the supporters of the loser can swallow their pride and be gracious.


The only choice for the survival of the democratic party is for obama to quit the race.

His wife said that his race for the nomination is the only time she has been proud of this country?I will choose not to listen to GARBAGE STATEMENTS like that.

Give me a break. If she does not like it here she can leave.

Vote for a real American - Hilliary 08

Don, State College, PA (Sent Tuesday, February 19, 2008 8:46 PM)
-----------------------------------------
Yeah, Obama should drop out because of a harmless comment that his wife made, that just reiterates what a lot of americans feel.  Just like the Clinton camp to blow something way out of proportion.  You can love your country but not be proud of what it's been doing.  Try me, I know the feeling.
OBAMA '08 ITs TIME FOR CHANGE
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Hillary throws dirt and mud and the kitchen sink and Obama WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The people are smart enough to see through the smut.


WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks like Senator Obama just won Wisconsin. Thank God, he is what we need. From a Vet of the current conflicts we now find ourselves in, this is the man that a lot of US Servicemen are voting for. He not only wants to bring us home, but he reflects our values.
Obama 2008 !!! He will save more lives by not going in stupid wars to get more oil
No, I have not jumped in the Obama's wagon...I am not campaining here for him either. BUT you guys followers of the Clinton seem to have a very short memory. It wasn't too long ago that Mr. Clinton said to the whole country that "he never had sex with that woman". You may ask: what has this got to do with Hillary? A lot! The Clintons would do or say anything for their own gain. How about all those questionable deals they have been involved? They have shown that they don't have integrity nor charater, period. If you don't believe it, just take a look at what Mr. Clinton is doing & saying...it is pathetic, then again that's politics OR should I say politicians?
Regarding Obama's using somebody else's words, well, Don't they all do the same? There aren't original speakers now a days. Worse yet, there aren't leaders in the truest sense of the word.

"There is nothing new under the sun" Ecclesiastes 1:9
You know I have been blogging for a long time and I got to say of all the posts I have seen this election cycle LEO wins hands down...LOL is no joke when you read that post after drudging through the mud all day
If the democrats want the white house they best step away from the rac man...the garbage on that chunk don't even start till the republicans tell the world how happy happy happy they are he is the canidate. Vegas will not even be taking bets other than the point spread. I see 4 more years of republican foot up my arse.
I can't beleive people are voting for Obama because he's some kind of a rock star.  People need to read about their candidates in their local library.  Do not listen to the media because they're paid advertising for whichever candidate will pay them more.  Be an informed voter and read in the library a reliable source.  As for myself I am an independent.  I read about all the candidate's biography, and I was impressed with Hillary's record.  She devoted a lot of her life even when she was a young girl to help others.  That's the kind of person I want in office.  Also, people need to stop crucifying her for what her husband did in the past.  She didn't do them.  Why should she pay for them.  Anyway her husband was a good president.  The country was in a stable economy.  His immoral ways I don't care.  All the past presidents had hidden women somewere.  But who cares as long as the country is stable.  What they do behind close doors is their business.  On reading about Obama,  he is a great speaker with not enough experience.  People like Ted Kennedy and Kerry are president want to be.  The reason they're backing Obama is that they know he's inexperienced in politics and they will manipulate him to do their bidding.  Hillary has dealt with them and will not back down from them.
Go Hillary!!!
Man!!  What is crazy is this is the biggest thing the Clinton campaign can find to try to attack Obama.  Does she write every speech she gives. {To my opinion , not really!!}  Does she not share ideas with others? {Did you hear or heard every lecture she was saying, It's doesn't sound motivation to get my attention.} Even if it is good politics to be true. {Come on, I know that she doesn't know how to handle the Wars and it really isn't honest or helpful to lure America citizens to vote for  Clinton campaign. } Oh yeah, my last thought if Hilary wins , I'll betting you all that her husband is going to have affair in White House AGAIN !!! What do you think??
somoeone said Obama tunes his talk to his audience, in a negative way. Speaks like a fancy white man to whites and like a brother to blacks. Wow.. If he has such superpowers to be 2 or 3 or 4 in 1, I will take him. I have seen him at a rally where he spoke to 17000 diverse peoples. And I, an asian,  felt he was talking to me and my friend who is white, said he heard Obama speak to him. I guess thats amazing. Isnt it?
Come on y'all, can't we all just get along:) Obama obviously can't bring everybody together, but at least he recognizes the need to do so. I love how Clintonians are jumping on the bandwagon and criticizing Barack simply because he is an inspiring speaker. I believe the majority of the country will see through the political games and support Obama, just like the Democrats and Independents have in the primaries. I'm one more voter excited about an election for the first time in my life saying, "Yes We Can and OBAMA 08!!!"
Let's see what our choices are...
More blood exchanged for oil?  No good.
More of the old style politics and four more years of fighting?  No good.
The chance for new blood and a chance for change?

I'm ready to make that commitment to try and save OUR country.  There is only one choice to make if you want to help make a difference in this country.  

Either buck up and take a risk, or get out of the way of those of us trying to improve this savaged country and move it into the 21st century.


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