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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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After reading the comments of the various Hillary Clinton supporters, I have been struck with the inescapable notion that there is absolutely nothing about her candidacy that truly inspires and moves even her staunchest proponents.  

I get that Hillary is intelligent, well-educated, and very capable.  I get that she is a powerful woman that deserves our respect.  In fact I do believe that she can serve our nation powerfully for many years.  However I am ready for a new kind of leader.

I am ready for a leader that can inspire my nation towards unity and a common purpose, a leader who can transcend petty party politics and simple fear-mongering to bring us to our highest selves.  I am ready to put the politics of hate and suspicion behind us in favor of working for transformation.  

I am ready to find a way to engage the world in open dialogue, rather than calls to war.  I am ready for the world to see us as a beacon of hope again, rather than a paranoid empire in its death throes (dangerous even to its allies).  

I am ready to speak of prosperity and integration for all, rather than the building of walls and the expulsion of millions of honest, hard-working people.  I am ready for a conversation of hope and inspiration with everybody instead of the divisive rhetoric of ‘us versus them’ spewed by any vocal minority.

I am ready to judge a person by the content of their character and by their declarations rather than by the color of their skin, their gender, their ethnicity, their religion or even their lack there of.  

I am ready for Barack Obama to be the President of the United States of America.  And I hope that he will find powerful roles in his government for Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Ron Paul.  God Bless Everyone!
When it comes to talk, Obama is like the fuzzy, pink bunny, he just keeps on going and going and going.  Give us a break.  

Thank you Cindy and John McCain for putting Ms Obama
in her unproud of her country place.  Ms Obama be sure and remind your fellow African-Americans to wake up once again as you did earlier. Ms Obama you talk down to people.  
You people arguing back and forth for and against Clinton and Obama better step back a minute.  At the end of August we are going to have a nominee, and that nominee will be going against McCain.  If your candidate loses, and you are so filled with "hate" for the other person that you claim you will go out and vote for McCain, ask yourself -- are you in favor of:

Restricting a woman's right to choose?
An open ended war in Iraq?
Continued tax breaks for the wealth?
A reinvigorated right wing?
More of the same?
"Strict constructionist" judges?

For goodness sake let's not tear ourselves apart.  Let's at least agree that we can pull together after this and do what we need to do  --  TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!
One more for Barack!  Just wonderful! A apropos situation after Hillary's latest bombardment of devious misrepresentations, outright lies, incredible pettiness and utterly inane speeches. If the woman is totally incapable of conducting an honorable campaign (even in part) then how can we expect her to be an honorable president?    WE CAN NOT!
1. Michelle said she has not been this proud of her country for 25 year. On many ocassions she said she is and has been proud of her country. Translation: proud but not this proud. The question is what happened 25 years ago that made her as proud as she is now. Spouces really should let there the politicians(the pros) do their jobs and not push themselves so far. I wouldn't want my bosses spouces come to work and through there weight around.

2.  The two candidates are attacking each other. Eventually all of the candidates will be in a no holds barred grudge match and it is a shame that this is the way politics are won.

3.  They way the media is spinning things it is hard to get the full real story. MSNBC you are one of the real bad ones. I have to validate just about every thing that is written. At least you post the numbers. Pretty hard to screw that up.

I am an Obama suporter and I really hope he wins because I actually trust him and I believe he is genuine. I just hope that all sides can start pulling together and get some work done, lest the forget they are working for the people... not the other way around.

Hilary, don't throw in the hat just yet and both sides need to start thinking about working together because they are unsulting the voters who support them. We don't need the drama to cary out after the election and let's not have drama turn to tragedy.
A little over 7 years i saw a coward with the nerve to fly an american jet onto a flight deck full of american soldiers and sailors who watched a "Commander in Thief", and his "corporate carpetbagger businessmen" rape our country and used the american people for his agenda. He's in Africa now explaining to the Africans how they can do the same thing to their country, just like he did to the american economy, and get respect by stepping on the middle class, making laws that lie, and kill a generation in a war to make money over morals and hide behind christians, and say "Belive in god, because God lives only in the U.S.A.".

And Don't forget the "Hillary factor"...Supporter of the S.M.M.(Single Mom's Movement). Health insure for everyone , and punishment for those who can't pay. That's saying "we don't need a man, woman and child to make a family... let's make the woman and child "family", and forget about the "father" part. The N.O.W. org loves that. No real equality. No one to make the real playing field. Score this to the femminists... no different than bush and the war in iraq... as a matter of fact it's the same kind of tactics.

it's exhausting listening to these "educated criminals" and the "killers of the constitution".
It is time for change. Between Barack Obama and Ron Paul is where the "Real American" ideology for american lies.




   
Sexism is alive and well in America! The black man got to vote decades before women so I suppose it will follow a black man will be president before a woman even though she is better prepared! Has more experience... America you disappoint me! YOU voted Bush, not once but twice, and once again you will have buyers remorse! I'm gonna be like my girl and hang in there but it is clear the glass ceiling is higher than it should be in the year 2008! We've come a long way baby but not far enough yet. Oh I know many of you will comment that gender has nothing to do with it as you will say race doesn't either but it does. Many want to prove they aren't racist by supporting Obama and others use Hillary's flaws to hide they are sexist. We are a joke to the world, and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon!

Obama- so glad we metcha!
You come on down to PA I got a vote for ya!
Clintons lost my respect in South Carolina.
Bill Clinton says Obama is a fairy tale- (Someone clue Bill in- his message of hope.. is the same message...).
Hillary- the anointing/coronation didn' turn out like you thought huh? Now you show your true colors- dark dirty colors they are. Got down right nasty when you lost 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and now 9 contests in a row. Hillary, get a clue, hon. You lost so step aside gracefully- and not drag the Democratic Party down with more of your hubris! You are starting to get into Ralph Nader territory-walk away.
And racists- for the sad creatures that fake as being Americans with this racist "colored" crap- are you for real? You sound like you are str8 out of the segregated 50's- your an embarrassment to America- racism is a mental health issue-really. Get some help.

Obama- fight for USA. Fight! America is pulling for you- we know our future depends on you cleaning up this hellish mess these selfish thieves have made of America. America is still a great country and your leadership will re-unite RED and BLUE, BLACK and WHITE, BROWN and YELLOW.
America is a great country and all we need is honest leadership- I didn't know how much I despaired until I thought of how the general election would look if Hillary won- (both warmongers both BUSH LITE).
Yes we can- it's time to turn the page!
well stated Bill Burton!!!!!!...

HRC: Ready to lead us all into temptation on Day One... Straight into H*ll on Day Two.
Please people, let's not start a war between the Clinton and Obama camps.

That's *exactly* what the republican party wants.

Hillary and Barack are both pretty cool.
It is clear that the people like Obama. He won Wisconsin (with 78% of precincts reporting) 58% to Hillary's 41% -- that is a 17 point lead. Obama has 145,693 more votes than Hillary. He has also has more votes than all the republicans combined!

Once people get to know Obama the better they like him. While many commenters post he is all speech and an empty suit have not looked at his record. He is a man of his word because they are followed by action.

Obama showed poor sport manners tonight.  He started his speech before Hillary was done.  Not the way it's done.  Not right for front runner.  Very passive aggressive. He knew camera's would go to him.  It was rude.  Not the Hope and Change we are looking for.  He can afford to be gracious.  I am sure he would like to not alinate Hillary supporters. There are a lot of us.
at this point, Hillary is nothing but a DESPERATE (white) HOUSE-WIFE..  

Hey Hillary..  loan me $5 million.. at least I can make it work for me : )

Just imagine if she ran the country like she does her campaign.. that's all you need to know about her.
God how I wish Obama would just go away,why cant people see that he really stands for himself,He is a  what I call a AH,The best thing for him would br on the ticket with Hillary as VP ,that way could could learn and get educated on what it takes for the job and than maybe ,just maybe he would be ready in 8 years.But no ,dumb people will put him in now and boy will you be sorry,you young people dont know what you are voting on.Trouble is about to start if he does win.but than I will vote for Mccain over Obamaaaaaa/as will lots of people so all of this will be a waste because I firmly believe and I am a woman ,that god bless our solders who defend this country everyday,and god help us if he wins because what we know as safety and freedom will certanily be in trouble.so people think real hard when you go out to vote and ask yourself,do I want a talker or a doer,voteHILLARY
Does anyone remember Obama's middle name is Hussein.  He does not say the Pledge of Alligence.  He has cousins in Kenyo fighting againt us.  What better way for the terrorists to fight than to came from within.   especially the president.  Wake up people he was raised a muslim.  God Help Us!!!!  I'll vote for McCain before I would vote for a traitor.
Anyone see Chris Matthews tonight on MSNBC? He had a Texas State Senator tripping over his tongue trying to name any voting accomplishment of Mr. Obama. I mean it was ugly and if the shrew doesn't use it Thursday, she is a fool. Then again, there aren't many claims any US Senator can make about accomplishments, right? I'm worried about Thursday, she's gonna take off the gloves, nothing to lose.
America is in a sorry state. We are trillions of dollars in debt to foreign countries. We have thousands of people losing their homes. We are destroying the world we live in.
The two best dem candidates only care about who said what and when. While, if his party is any proof, Sen. McCain simply will not care at all.
Where is the land I have been told about? Where is the melting pot? Where is the land of opportunity?
America has serious problems, and we need serious soulutions. (American President)
I honestly believe, deep down in the places I do not share often, that Sen. Barack Obama, does not have the ability. I do not believe that any rep. has the willingness. Which leaves us with Sen. Hillary Clinton, which I believe, just does not have the heart.
For me, it boils down to a question of faith. Call it blasphemy, sacrilege, or forward thinking. Call it what you will, but I do as I have always done. I place my faith in Humanity. No matter the problem, we can solve it. No matter the obstacle, we can overcome. To this end I beg for a Clinton/Obama ticket. Put her in the Office, give him second seat, and we will have 'our more perfect Union'. (Preamble to the Constitution) Her ability and his heart, this is my prayer of hope for America.
Whether it continues, or we feel it for the first time. That will give us all an America we can be proud of.
It's crying time for Clinton.
Really, who cares about borrowed lines?
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn"
Obama 2008
Obama 2008
Obama 2008
Clinton does not know how to be gracious.  She has not once thanked any voters from the states that she lost that voted for her.  That shows her personality.  Is this what we want in a president that does not acknowledge, or thank, those who do nor dont support you.  I do not want this type of ungrateful person in the whitehouse.  She never says thank you to no one if they are not a benefit to her.
Fred in Utah, hey how's that old truck running?  Anyway, got a question for you, Fred.  You're obviously a Hillary supporter, so it is my guess that you want to see her win the Presidency, right?  That is the whole basis of your support for her, you want her to win.  Now, using your statement that basically all of Hillary Clinton's supporters will not support Obama if he wins the nomination, then how do you expect Hillary to win?  You do want her to win, right?  You're not just some flaming troll of a republican that wants to have her beaten down by McClain, right?  So how is she going to win?  If your side won't support Obama, what makes you think that his side will support her?  What makes you think that the Republicans who have tired of their party, the youth, the African-American block, the independents that Obama has drawn to the Democratic party as part of his coalition, will support her?  Especially after all the discouraging words she has had to say about Obama supporters?  If they don't, and they decide that they instead will just stay home, or support their old party, how is Hillary going to win?  What are you using as a rational that she can win against McCain, when he trumps her on experience, is a closet liberal, and is stronger on security that she is?  How can she win, after loosing all Obama supporters, and having a high dislike rating amongst the rest of the population, coupled with a Republican base that will gel around McCain's candidacy just to ensure that a Clinton does not make it back into the White House?  And she has dirt on her, lots of it.  Do no think for a moment that they will not tear her apart as an incompetent, purely based on her own actions in the past!  So tell me Fred, why do you think Hillary can win when even a neophyte can see that see that her campaign is in the tank?  Tell us why Fred, that Obama's supporters should support her when you make statements that Hillary's supporters will abandon him and the party.  Tell us also Fred, why her candidacy is of so much importance that you, and quite a few of her other supporters, are so intent on destroying the party in the single minded goal of getting the nomination?  Best get back to that truck, Fred, I think I can hear that engine dying.
This was a great example of what should happen when a candidate slings mud: total rout.

I can't believe how nasty some people are getting. I liked Howard Dean, but when he was going down I didn't start attacking Kerry. The Clinton camp's nastiness just lacks class and makes me sad for the democrats. Come on, people. If you can't lead (and inspire), then follow or get out of the way.
They will be childish
They will be negative
They will be arrogant
They will be insulting
They will be overbearing
They will not concede defeat
They will continue to be divisive
They will not be graceful in defeat
They will harp on and on about no contests
They will try to steal the pledged delegates
They will ignore the will of the Democratic Party
They will attempt to change the rules after signing to them
They will say anything and do anything until they are pronounced the winners

Is this the kind of leader and leadership we want?
Is this the person to unify the Democratic Party after the Convention?
Is this what we want our children to aspire to?

Speak Up America
Let your voices be heard
Wherever you are, whoever you are
Stand Up and be counted
The time to stand up for Change has come
In strong unison, let us vote for positive change
Let us vote for him who will unite us all - Red States and Blue States, the United States of this Great America.
I stand proud and in awe of all of us, for taking on this mantle of Change. We are indeed the Change we have been waiting for.

OBAMA '08
   Sir, after travelling to India, I was struck by the geographic importance of Persian Gulf-Str of Harmoz.A huge energy source is at stake, not only for us(USA) but also for the rest of the world.Security and peace is not the only issue. Mr.Obama has ill conceived idea of CHANGE.Our way of life will be at stake, if we caucus around  the peace table bargaining.I agree Iraq war is a bad decision, but what is the alternative? Middle-east and economy go hand in hand along with security. Are we ready for clinton or Obama idealogy-NO. We need to meet the modern times with education. WE cannot afford to stay in a burrough. We are the only nation to protect ourselves and the rest..... We need stregnth,determination and resolve.All readers,Please visit the world map and look at Straigt of Hormoz. There is only one door to escape from ravaging fire. Ask yourselves, how we can escape-BRAWN or HIDE.Job skill and education is the only way to stop exporting the JOBS. No one can or will help to acquire the job skill- It is "I" or "ME" is the only altenative.Please, Readers, if you read this, appreciate comments.Am not endorsing a NOMINEE, I hope this information helps to make a knowledgiable decision our life as well as the generations to follow.Thanks
Great response from the Obama campaign!
Now that Mrs. Obama is finally proud to be an American and is now speaking on Obamas behalf, when are you going to release a news report about Obama pimping out his wife?


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