First thoughts: Party crasher

Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008 9:15 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro

*** Crashing the party: By announcing yesterday on Meet the Press that he’s making another White House bid, Ralph Nader crashed a party where -- at least on the Democratic side -- everyone is having fun and likes their choices. By now, everyone knows the story: In a 2000 race when analysts and voters believed there were actually few differences between Al Gore and George Bush, Ralph Nader ran for president; he picked up 2.7% of the popular vote; and, by most accounts, he took votes away from Gore in the closest presidential election in decades. Nader ran for president for years later and picked up just 0.4% of the vote. With Obama possibly on the ballot, who votes for this guy? Frankly, what room is there for him with any of the three candidates left? All can lay claim to being more reformers than any set of previous nominees in years. This could be Nader's jump-the-shark moment when he finds he has fewer supporters and donors (and volunteers) than ever before and ends up struggling to get on ballots.

VIDEO: Ralph Nader speaks with NBC’s Tim Russert of "Meet the Press" about the opposing candidates of the 2008 presidential election.

*** Clinton's changing tactics: As today’s Los Angeles Times notes, Clinton is changing her tactics and her tone. Last Thursday, she was honored to share the debate stage with Obama. Two days later, she’s wagging her finger, “Shame on you, Barack Obama.” The next day, she's mocking him for his overly hopeful rhetoric. Which Clinton will show up at Tuesday’s debate? What got her fired up? Did the media's interpretation of her closing debate statement as some sort of concession fire her up? Whatever it was, something changed -- she's as aggressive as ever. Will this be a sustained attack this time? The one criticism inside camp Clinton that seems correct is that the campaign has never been able to sustain a negative attack on Obama. Of course, Clinton is doing it rhetorically, but her TV ads are all soft.

*** The fight over NAFTA: And speaking of Tuesday’s debate, we certainly know which topic might get all the attention: NAFTA. In previous debates, trade has been a back-burner issue. But with the upcoming contest in Ohio -- a state devastated by manufacturing job losses -- Obama is pointing to the Clintons for being responsible for the trade agreement, while Bill Clinton is blaming the Bush Administration for failing to uphold NAFTA’s worker and environmental protections. As we've noted before, nine times out of 10, a Democrat seen as pro-NAFTA in a Ohio primary would be the underdog -- which is why Clinton is pushing back so hard on the characterization that she is someone pro-NAFTA. She'd like folks to see her as ambivalent. Of course, neither Dem is calling for cancelling the trade agreement.

VIDEO: The war of words escalate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. NBC's Lee Cowan reports.

*** Ohio is tightening: Almost two weeks ago, a Quinnipiac poll had Clinton leading Obama by more than 20 points in Ohio (55%-34%). Well, that lead has been cut in half, according to the latest Quinnipiac poll -- it’s Clinton 51%, Obama 40%. The poll was conducted from Feb. 18-23. A University of Cincinnati poll, conducted Feb. 21-24, shows Clinton leading Obama by eight points (47%-39%).

VIDEO: NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on the gap between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the race for the Ohio primary.

***

Obama's negatives: Bill Kristol’s New York Times column is the latest example of conservatives beginning to mock Obama’s rhetoric. We guess it’s getting close to general election time… By the way, Louis Farrakhan’s semi-endorsement of Obama yesterday was pretty much the last thing the Illinois senator needed. Toss in the blind photo Drudge attack of Obama today showing him doing what many American statesman do when overseas -- dress in local garb -- and it looks like this could be the week that the kitchen sink is tossed at Obama. Will Clinton be asked at her foreign policy speech today if her campaign is circulating this photo?

*** Delegate update: As the New York Times’ John Harwood points out, this week is first one this year that we haven’t had at least one nominating contest. Here is how things stand right now in the Dem race: The NBC News official hard count is Obama 1,183, Clinton 1,031. There are 30 delegates unallocated including 14 from Maryland, 10 from Colorado, and one each from Georgia, New York, Tennessee, Democrats Abroad and Hawaii. In our count of superdelegates, it’s Clinton 257, Obama 194. In the GOP race, McCain has 882 delegates -- plus 82 of Romney's, per the AP -- for a total of 964. Romney still leads Huckabee -- 286-246.

*** On the trail: Clinton, in DC, delivers a foreign policy speech and then attends a fundraiser; Huckabee campaigns in Rhode Island; McCain spends his day stumping in Cleveland, OH; and Obama, also in Ohio, holds rallies in Cincinnati and Dayton. Also, Bill Clinton is in Ohio and Michelle Obama is in Texas.

Countdown to the MSNBC debate in Ohio: 1 day
Countdown to Ohio and Texas: 8 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 253 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 330 days

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Comments

On January 24, the Obama campaign released a statement, saying, "To be clear, Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago.

On March 14th, in a statement to The Times, the Obama campaign offered this statement to correct their previous statement, that appears to be a bold-faced lie:

"Obama has never been a practicing Muslim. The statement added that as a child, Obama had spent time in the neighborhood's Islamic center."

And, the original statement began, "To be clear ..."

So, in three months, Barrack's campaign has gone from describing the U.S. presidential hopeful as never having been a Muslim and never having been raised as a Muslim to now never having been a practicing Muslim.

What's with the semantics? Statements from Obama's campaign appear to have evolved, to say the least.

joe , houston texas (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:47 AM)

For all the talk in praise of working in a bi-partisan manner what about NAFTA?

Now Obama thinks NAFTA is terrible and somehow Clinton's fault. One might point out that NAFTA was a bi-partisan effort supported by all tehpast presidents as well as a majority in the house and Senate and had wide support among Democrats as well as Republicans.

Is NAFTA perfect, NO. But totally understandable in a CHANGING world economy.

campdog (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:49 AM)

OK, listen up ignorant McCain supporting idiots (and that's not all of you, but evidently a whole bunch of you like to post on this board). The NY Times DID run a piece on Obama in the same series probing his drug use, and ANOTHER story on the Clintons probing Bill's ties to a Kazakhstan uranium mining deal. For people who hate the NY Times and never read it, you sure spout off a lot about things that you don't know anything about.

By the way jackasses, Larry Sinclair FAILED his highly touted lie detector test, and the fact that you idiots ever gave him a smidgen of credibility is a testament to how stupid you really are. Did I tell you that there's a YouTube video of John McCain with a troupe of carnies at a truck stop pay toilet? Dumbasses.

And finally, please keep happily posting your smears on your ugly-ass websites. I thought you guys were supposed to have a little coin, can't you hire a graphic designer to make your ridiculous sites at least LOOK like a professional hit job, instead of that of some pasty faced, beer-bellied redneck with a 5th grade education and Frontpage 2000?

You do a disservice to every intelligent Republican out there and would be better off keeping your mouths shut if you want McCain in office - we Democrats are doing a fine job of destroying ourselves without you idiots chiming in, thank you very much.

Uhhh...duh elefant no read so good (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:49 AM)

I really think the burden of proof is on Hillary right now, who repeats like a broken record that she is so ready to be president. The Frank Rich editorial, along with many other accounts I have read, show Obama's planning, financing, staffing, and overall political instincts to be far superior to hers.

Not to mention that her mixed signals lately during the campaign are coming off confused and frankly a little bi-polar. One day she is honored to be competing with Obama and the next she is scolding and mocking him. I was amazed at how juvenile she sounded making fun of him this weekend. Is that what people are looking for in a president?

To answer her own question about who I want answering the presidential phone at 3:00 AM, I would have to say Obama. He is the cool steady one so far. One message, one personality. Hillary is all over the place.

AP from IL (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:51 AM)

Fred C Dobbs and many others, this is gutter nonsense! You want us to believe everything is gravy with your candidate and smear others.

You know damn well, this is politics as usual. My question to you is how is any of this is gonna solve critical problems we have in America? How does this educate our children and put food on the table and bring jobs here. Stop being AGAINST something and be FOR something.

We have had 8 years of BS and America needs to wake up and realize these tactics will only deliver more of the same if McCain continues on the same destructive paths.

So I caution you to peel this nonsense for it is not healthy and it is definitely not solving anything.
At this point, I am supporting Obama, but if Hillary gets it, she will get my vote.

Knock it off, any sensible person with any common sense knows Sinclair filed this on his own, an attorney did not. This happened years ago and why on his complaint, it is against Axelrod and Obama? Axelrod was not so much affiliated with Obama AT THAT TIME. THIS IS EXTORTION AND YOU KNOW IT!

For the sake of country...GET A LIFE and let's get serious about real issues! Stop being the media's puppet.

Starchild, Mo (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:52 AM)

I LOVE that pic of Obama in Arab clothing that the Clintons are distributing. Obama should distribute a pic of Bill penetrating a woman with a cigar, as I have heard that is his fetish.

Bob, NYC (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:52 AM)

1. Conservatives are the prudes of America who basically ry to push their ideologies down your throat.
2. They are the real hypocrites of America in that they asked for limited government but tried tog et the government recklessly involved in the Terri Schiavo case.
3. They are warmongers and present God as a war monger in that they supported the Iraq war and cared little or nothing about over 650,000 Iraqi lives destroyed by reckless U.S. war efforts, even as they tell us life is sacred and opposed a woman's right to regulate her body.
4. They call themselves guardians of virtue, but then you can easily find scandals (sex and money scandals, etc) among the Republicans, yet the cosnervatives try to scapegoat others (liberals most often) for their scandalous acts).
So what is a true cosnervative? There is no such thing as a "compassioante conservative" or "environmental conservativism" In a secular, freedom loving world, conservativism has no place.
We have to also reject the 'liberal' label. We have to be Americans, and only is a patriot one who rejects the ideologies and labels of a particular group in America. People criticizing Obama for not wearing the lapel pin with the flag of the US on it are as much nationalist as those of Europeans during the 19th, and 20th centuries of explosive nationalism that ultimately gave us World War 1 and 2.

Ron Allen (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:52 AM)

Dont Mess With Texas,

It's probably a good website for a moron who beleives everything they read on the web. It's called spin and lies.

You know what I read...George W. Bush is gay. It must be true! http://www.bettybowers.com/isbushgay.html
Very informative!

Jeff, Portland, OR (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:53 AM)

I really thought Nader would stay out of the race if Obama was the nominee. The Democrats have been nudged back to the left of center and I credit Nader in bringing this change about. When I look at the Dean campaign of 04 and the Obama campaign, I see many similarities to Naders campaign in 2000. Sure the Dems are not pushing for Single-payer national healthcare or speaking out against some of the things that are standards of the Nader platform. However, there is a stark difference between what the Democratic front runners are saying this year vs. years past.

Obama is almost everything that Nader has always talked about needing in a presidential candidate. He rose from the grass roots working as an organizer and spoke out and supported much of the same issues a Nader. Sure Obama has either avoided or toned down some of his positions but I think that is understandable when your trying to reach a broad electorate.

Even Nader can see that the Democrats are poised to win easily and I agree that if they can't win this election that they will need to reinvent themselves. So I assume the only reason Nader is in this race is to make sure the Democratic nominee doesn't take a hard right turn to the middle as soon as they get the nomination.

I support Naders right to run, to debate and to be heard. I also support his right to be on the ballot without having to jump over the unfair hurdles placed out there by both of the major parties. However, this time I will not be supporting him with my vote. At this time Obama has that along with my time and money. Now if Hillary would somehow get the nomination then I would see no other choice and Nader would have my full support for the same reasons he has had my support in the past.

Kevin, PA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:53 AM)

Actually, her biggest FLIP FLOP
Supporting the illegal and unjustified war in Iraq !
She supported the Bush/Clinton war in Iraq
Now, she says she's against it !!

SHAME ON YOU, HILLARY !!

From the Washington Post:

'...Top Clinton Flip-Flops

1. NAFTA In a January 2004 news conference, Clinton said she thought that "on balance [NAFTA] has been good for New York and good for America." She now says she has "long been a critic of the shortcomings of NAFTA" and advocates a "time out" from similar trade agreements.

2. No Child Left Behind Clinton voted in favor of the 2002 education bill that focused on raising student achievement levels, hailing the measure as "a major step forward." She now attacks the law at campaign rallies and meetings with teachers, describing it as a "test, test, test" approach.

3. Ending the war in Iraq In June 2006, Clinton restated her long-standing opposition to establishing timetables for withdrawing U.S. forces in Iraq. In a Jan. 15, 2008, Democratic debate in Las Vegas, she proposed to "start withdrawing" troops within 60 days of her inauguration, to bring out "one or two brigades a month" and to have "nearly all of the troops out" by the end of 2009.

4 . Driver's licenses for illegal immigrants In a campaign statement on Oct. 31, 2007, Clinton expressed support for a plan by New York Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer (D) to offer limited driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, after going back and forth on the matter in a televised debate. In a Nov. 15, 2007, televised debate from Nevada, she replied with a simple "no" when asked if she approved the driver's license idea in the absence of comprehensive immigration changes.

5. Florida and Michigan delegates In September 2007, the Clinton campaign formally pledged not to participate in primary or caucus elections staged before Feb. 5, 2008, in defiance of Democratic National Committee rules. She now says delegates from Florida and Michigan should be seated at the Democratic National Convention, despite their flouting of rules that all the major Democratic candidates endorsed.

Sierra, SF (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:53 AM)

HILLARY STATES I WAS NOT IN THE SENATE WHEN NAFTA PASSED.HILLARY WAS NOT IN THE SENATE WHEN THE SCHIP CHILDREN HEALTH INSURANCE FOR 6 MILLION CHILDREN PASSED EITHER,BUT HILLARY DOES WANT TO CREDIT FOR THAT ONE!

RENEA,PLYMOUTH,MI (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:54 AM)

Fred ~ What's the matter guy? Afraid of a mixed-race man as President. You and Bill O. are obviously cut from the same cloth. Oh, by the way, Sinclair BADLY failed the lie-detector test. He's another racist lying piece of scum. Maybe God should strike all the racists blind. Then they wouldn't be able to make ignorant presumptions about others based on color. Sickening!

Kaybee, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:56 AM)

Hillary's 10 point approach;

1.a) I Served on the Board of UNION HATING Wal-Mart
1.b) But I am Pro Union.

2.a) I voted for the war in Iraq
2.b) But I am against Iraq War.

3.a) I Voted for Kyle-Lieberman to extent the war to Iran
3.b) But I will bring soldiers back home in 60 days.

4.a) I will provide universal health insurance
4.b) But I will force you to buy it to boost insurance company’s profits strengthening their grip on the country and encouraging your employer to drop its health benefits.

5.a) I Support NAFTA in southern Texas
5.b) But I oppose NAFTA in Ohio.

6.a) I am a strong fighter
6.b) But I cry and complain when I can’t win.

7.a) I can stand the republican heat
7.b) But I never actually have.

8.a) I am the most experienced candidate
8.b) But I have no clue how to run a presidential campaign, manage its money, stay on message, win a primary, win a caucus, control my supporters, or keep an even temper.

9.a) I hate Bush
9.b) But I try to copy his politics of fear and division and voted for most of his worst ideas because even though I say I can, I just can’t stand up to the Republicans because I’m obsessed with looking tough.

10.a) I am the most vetted candidate in the race
10.b) But, no I won't show you my tax returns.

adam/NYC (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:56 AM)

Richard Anderson, you are so 'full of it' your eyes are brown!
Obama hasn't had to ward off any attack machine. The media has all but gotten on it's collective knees and kissed the man's rear end.
I don't know if anyone caught the opening skit on this past week's "Saturday Night Live."
It was both hilarious and TRUE.
In the skit, which was a take-off on Thursday night's CNN debate, Obama was asked questions by the panel such as "are you comfortable sir, can we get you anything to drink," and "did you get the (love) letter I taped to your front door."
While Hillary was asked tough political questions with anger and venom. Obama girl was allowed to stand up in the audience and sing, and when Hillary protested she was, of course, "smacked down" by the panel.
Now, this was just a comedy skit.
But the writers who dreamed it up obviously see what the rest of us are seeing too.
The media is SOFT on Obama and never questions him on what he's going to "change" or how he's going to change it. They allow him to get away with these rhetorical speeches that are generally about nothing, and they never press him for answers to hard policy questions.
Hillary has been quite sincere and truthful throughout the campaign. She's bent over backwards NOT to be negative and she is the one who has had to deal with the lies and the innuendo of BOTH the media and Obama.
So spare me the hearts and flowers for poor
"Pimp Daddy B" because this guy's been treated with kid gloves ever since his campaign started. In fact, it's actually time he was asked a few tough questions and made to explain his positions on the issues more clearly.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:59 AM)

Ha! Nader pokes his unruly head out of his hole and the pathetic media laps it up, everytime. For what?
He is irrelevant, as are those who vote for him.
The Democratic candidate, whomever it may be, is too strong this time to allow Nader to have any impact. Combine that with the Independents and pro-Obama Republicans who will go Dem instead of for McCain, and that more than erases, rightfully, any Nader ding. Go ahead - keep feeing Nader's ego, that's all he wants. He hasn't done a thing in 7 years except dupe a few folks.

ToeKnee in Philly (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:00 AM)

I think this "Photo Smear" proves that Hillary is playing to the worst in us, while Obama plays to the best in all of us. This tactic makes me sick to my stomach and I "hope" America will join me in voting for the "best" in us.

Kyle, New York, NY (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:00 AM)

My guess is Nader will get the Kuinich, Gravel, (already discussed as a running mate) and some of the Paul vote.....

James (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:03 AM)

HOW MANY TIMES HAS NADER POKED HIS NOSE IN TO THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. HE HAS SOME VERY GOOD IDEAS, BUT HE SEEMS TO BE JUST PUSHING HIS EGO RETHER THAN HELPING TO GET THE RIGHT PRESIDENT ELECTED. HF HE HAD JUST BEEN ONE OF THE MODERATORS OF A DEBATE INSTEAD OF JUMPING INTO THE RACE HE WOULD HAVE HELPED THE RIGHT CANDIDATE TO BE ELECTED, BUT AS MOST PEOPLE KNOW HE WAS WHY BUSH IS PRESIDENT NOW, ALONG WITH BUSHES FRIENDS IN THE SUPREME COURT OF COURSE.
DOES ANYONE DOUBT THAT GORE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST CHOICE?

YELLOW DOG DEM AR. (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:04 AM)

Here goes J Merle again, the Billary paid endoser. Please take your hate mongering elsewhere.

Dwight, Ohio (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:05 AM)

So Hillary wants Obama to meet her in Ohio for a debate. (# 20) After the campaign is over perhaps she can join the World Wrestling Association and promote matches.

Robert Stelling, Chandler, AZ (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:07 AM)

Drudge is not an attack site! firt of all the photo was leaked by the CLINTON organization. Secondly, look further and you will see he has included pics of Hill, Bush and Bill also 'dressed.' He further points out that this often occurs when heads of state visit abroad. Put the blame fully where it lies...on the Clintons negative, dirty doorstep where it belongs. Personally, I think Drudge may have saved the day.
Well done, Matthew.

Deb, Pgh, PA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:13 AM)

I believe that as we used to say as kids; Obama is rubber and Clinton is glue...

EVERYTHING bounces off him and sticks to her! WHY?

It is truly disturbing to see such a baseless bias perpetrated by the very Media that sponsors this "news" post. Perhaps MSNBC should check factcheck.org before THEY post this crap!

Will, Atlanta, GA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:18 AM)

I just watched the video of Hillary mocking Obama. Wow. Is this the same woman who said how honored she was to be on the same stage with him last Thursday? Which one will show up tomorrow evening? Somebody please escort her gently to a padded room before she hurts herself.

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:18 AM)

MSNBC quit trying to elect our president. We know how to vote in Texas and its not for Obama.
Hillary 08

Norma Comer Whitney, Tx (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:20 AM)

Hillary does not want Obama to have large crowds, or give inspiring speeches that give people hope. She also does not want him to critize her on any of her views or her so called 35 years of experience. She is the one operating in la la land, (evident by the way she spent campaign funds.) Does she not get it? she is in a campaign? Or did she just think Obama was a push over candidate because he is younger and African American. Why did she wait for two weeks to respond to the flyer? I know why. Her campaign is so inept and disorganized, they did not know it was out there until some one at her speech showed it to her. Right now she is in total melt-down because she still cant comprehend what is happening to her. This was supposed to be a tea party for her, which means she is out of touch and behind the times.

loris bay (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:21 AM)

About "experience": Being the wife of the President of the United States makes you no more or less experienced than being the son of the President of the United States.

If we are looking only at the work that HILLARY Clinton has done, her record is about the same as Obama's . . . she's been in the Senate longer, but he was an Illinois legislator for eight years prior to coming to the U.S. Senate, whereas Clinton had no ELECTED political service prior to her service in the U.S. Senate in 2000.

But, I digress . . . all of this back-biting and arguing is just leading Democrats away from the point: the party needs to come together if there is any chance to avoid having 4 more years of divisive Republican leadership. The polls show that Obama has the best chance of beating McCain. That's the reality.

Girl Friday, Albany, Georgia (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:24 AM)

fred c dobbs sierra madre, ca,

actually larry sinclair-- failed the lie detector test 2x this weekend--

remember larry wanted the test so badly-- but he failed

also-- larry lives in the hud housing for the mentally ill-- you can actually google his address

realchange08 (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:26 AM)

To Dave in Ark, your quote:
"NAFTA seems to be working just fine for the Clinton, I don't see what the problem is or why the people in OH keep belly-aching. Ohio will just have to learn to deal with it. So my advise would be for them to learn to live with it and quit screwing up Hillary's chances.
GO Hill."

You're right, NAFTA is working just fine for the Clintons, at least it was until they've been called to be accountable for the price that Americans have had to pay with all the jobs going to China because of it. And it doesn't just effect Ohio, but our whole country's economy. Your attitude that people should just not worry about unemployment in their state because their complains will mess up Hillary's chances, is exactly why people should not support Hillary Clinton.
America needs a candidate that that cares about the American people. That candidate is Barack Obama. We need a President who believes that the people know what they want, and doesn't talk down to them when they vote for what they want, that person is Barack Obama. We need a leader who believes that our country is capable of being even greater than we've ever been, who unites people across party lines, across racial lines, across economic lines, across gender lines, and across all the lines that we have used to divide each other here in the United States of America, that unifying, inspiring leader is Barack Obama!
Vote for Change! Vote for Progress. Vote for Barack Obama!

Alec, Richmond, Virginia (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:28 AM)

My family and I are definitely supporting Senator Hillary Clinton and have contributed financially to her campaign. We feel she is the most qualified to be President.

As a college educated young woman, I am proud to have a qualified and viable woman running for President. It's about time. America is a leader in the world, yet other countries have had women Presidents and Prime Ministers (e.g. England, Pakistan, Israel, Argentina, Philippines, India, etc.).

American women were given the right to vote in 1920, after a long struggle. A few women have attempted to run for President, without success. We now have a strong and viable candidate in Hillary. It’s a tough job running for President. For a woman, it’s even tougher.

Let's support Senator Clinton and make history by electing her the FIRST WOMAN President of the US. A woman President will be CHANGE. We may not get this chance again for many years.

See link below for more info on women's history in America. Thank you.

http://www.wic.org/misc/history.htm

tsr, miami, fl (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:30 AM)

There has been stupid rumors about Hillary being a lesbian for many years. What if some crazy republican paid some women to say she had a relationship with Hillary back in college. Would you evil people believe it? Give me a break. Get off the Sinclair thing whoever is is. His ass ought to get suied and quick.

loris bay (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:34 AM)

Socialism We Can Believe In! Every fascist / socialist regime has ridden into power on a wave of popular support driven by a desire for change, promised by an eloquent and charismatic leader (Germany, Italy, Cuba, Venezuela...). Too bad the emphasis in schools for the last 2-3 decades has been on propaganda (ie: mandatory viewings of "an inconvenient truth")and revisionist history, rather than FACT-based study of real history (there are still people alive who witnessed history and know the truth - the facts can be checked). Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. The scariest part is when someone promises change, but offers few details of exactly what those changes will entail (especially when history is taken into account, and when the few details that are provided offer glimpses of a very socialistic bent...a government that will look after and take care of its people - for their own good). Let's outlaw trans-fats and smoking, because the people are too stupid to make decisions on their own health; besides when society is communally providing for their health care, "the people" should have a right to dictate how individuals take care of themselves, right? The values and interests of the collective are more important than the rights of the individual - scary stuff!

nObama, Dallas, TX (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:34 AM)

I think Adam/NYC said it best.....

That quote alone should be printed and passed out at ALL Clinton rallies.....

J Merle...

Just like my guys fell all to the wayside....
Your girl is going down with them............
She better come up with a "called shot" that will make her more famous then Babe Ruth tomorrow night or it is over for The Clinton's....

I'm sure Barock Obama will cover chapter and verse for everything Hillary Clinton has to say to him tomorrow night on NAFTA......

It's OK for Hillary to go after Barock for his preschool essay on being President, but not OK for him to go after her on NAFTA.....

Something here does not make sense.....

Hillary Clinton.....
A woman for all quotes....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:34 AM)

Of course the media is going to ask Hillary if her campaign circulated the photo of Obama, and if not today, then Russert will ask for sure in tomorrows debate. Despite the fect that is absolutely no evidence that she has, they will still ask.

Patrick Casey. Salt Lake City, Ut (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:38 AM)

This past weekend, I saw news coverage of all four presidential candidates. None were wearing American flag lapel pins. I guess we are left with no jingoistic candidates left to support Bush's disastrous foreign policies.

Robert, Boulder CO (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:38 AM)

Everyone (especially Hillary supporters) should read Frank Rich's most recent column in the New York Times. Yes, I'm sure we're going to see responses to this post that slam Frank Rich but if those of you in Clintonian delusion land would start reading things other than her website, you might get a sense for what normal Americans are thinking.
EP, CA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 9:41 AM)

*********************

You call the New York Times normal?

Now that is funny.

PATTY, SD, CA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:38 AM)

I hate when American politics sinks into the cesspool of negative attacks. Hillary does the same things she accuses Obama of, and then he is forced to respond. Hillary's mood swings over the weekend did not present a presidential image. I'd rather hear about the issues than this made-for-reality-show mudslinging. It's an embarrassment to the United States of America, and it's turning me off to this election. At this rate, the warmongering McCain may win the election. :-(

Disappointed in Hillary (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:41 AM)

I'm disappointed that MTP even gave Nader a platform. His .4% showing in '04 should have shown him to be a marginalized fringe candidate, and unless MTP plans to welcome all such candidates, they should just stick to those that are realistice candidates. Russert runs the risk of becoming Larry King with such wastes of time.

I also find it odd that the Clinton's continue taking heat for NAFTA, since it was a treaty negotiated by Papa Bush, signed under his fast-track prerogative, and left over for Clinton to get ratified, which happended only with significant Republic support in Congress.

Bill, CC, TX (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:43 AM)

Senator Clinton said about the Senator Obama mailings
"A woman in the rope line in Ohio showed her the mailings" Does this mean that this is the first time she has seen the mailings? The same mailings have been out there since Super Tuesday. Does not pass the smell test. If in fact she had not seen them until Ohio then where has she and her campaign people been. As far as NAFTA is concerned, read the passage from her book where she brags about getting NAFTA passed. Senator Clinton is now telling us that we should not believe in hope, unity and change in her latest tirade against Senator Obama. Well I for one will not give up hope for a better America. The polls are beginning to tighten in Ohio & Texas let us keep hope alive. GO OBAMA, YES WE CAN. Make a contribution today, we must win Texas and Ohio.

Dottie, Swarthmore, PA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:43 AM)

I can not understand how after Regan, Bush 1 and Bush 2 how the Americian people haven't learned anything.You have Hillary Clinton wanting to be our President and you fool's don't want help. You think it will be the Muslin, but he will fail. He's not going to stand up against McCain. You will have the GOP for 4 more years. Good for you, Hillary is to good for you.

yellow dog for Hillary (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:44 AM)

Michelle Obama also served on the board of walmart--also some other manufacturing plant that was shut down---do not worry the obamas got their hunk of cash from the loss of aa and hispanics jobs.

HMT-MI (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:46 AM)

I am not worried about Ralph Nader, because if people didn't get how he impacted the 2000 race, then they will let him do it again. I think the american people is too smart to fall for Ralph Nader again!I will never support Nader and he has hurt his legacy!

Lisa, Minnesota (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:49 AM)

Joe , Houston - Barak is not a Muslim his wife isn't either nor his kids. Stop these racist comments. No wonder this country keeps going backward having ignorant people like you called themselves proud Americans. Maybe when a jewish candidate run, will slam him with being jewish as well! A country is built on vision not race, religion or ethnicity!

Evan (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:50 AM)

LOVE that pic of Obama in Arab clothing that the Clintons are distributing. Obama should distribute a pic of Bill penetrating a woman with a cigar, as I have heard that is his fetish.
Bob, NYC (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 10:52 AM)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Well Bob if ya got the pic lets see em!! We want the world to see what ya are talking about BOB.
Did ya get em off the net while you were downloading your kiddie porn. I hear that is YOUR FETISH! I know it is!

BOB's FAMILY (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:52 AM)

How can we have a Commander in Chief thet is uncomfortable wearing an American Flag lapel pin, but is right at home in Muslim garb?

A report in Investor's Business Daily, pointing to the Black Value System of Obama's Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, concluded that there is "little room for white Christians at Obama's church."

Black conservative pundit Erik Rush said the church has embraced "things African above things American," and he claimed that this should be as alarming as a Republican presidential candidate "belonging to the Aryan Brethren Church of Christ."

Tucker Carlson of MSNBC described Trinity as having a "racially exclusive theology" that "contradicts the basic tenets of Christianity." Scan Hannity of Fox News confronted Wright on TV and asked how a black value system is any more acceptable than a white value system. Hannity also suggested that Trinity's emphasis on black values contradicts Martin Luther King's famous hope that people would be judged "not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

"The Same Christian Church" that Obama belongs to in an all Black church with an "African Centrist" doctrine. Trinity United Church of Christ, tucc.org, does not allow white members and places Black Africanism values above American values.

Now that the press has decided to look into his Muslim ties, Obama is furious. Who can blame him, these facts hurt his claim that he is for "all americans".

Proud to be American (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:52 AM)

Dottie, Swarthmore, PA (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:53 AM)

Folks who label Mr. Nader a spoiler should at least have the decency to admit that they do not care that America's political parties are run by and for corporate interests. It is only on the premise of unquestioned corporate power that claims about spoiling elections for some Democrat or Republican makes sense.

Phil Mashi, Denton, TX. (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 11:55 AM)

Louis Farrakhan's endorsement of Obama yesterday I see was tried to be hidden in the middle of this long news statement.
I had heard that he and Obama were close. "Folks" you better wake up!
He is the leader of the Islam Nation. Has America lost it's mind?!

John Doe (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 12:03 PM)

The woman has to be an un-treated Bi-Polar. She is way to unstable to lead this country.

James (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 12:06 PM)

WHERE IS THE BLOG FOR FARAKAN'S ENDORSMENT OF OBAMA??

The leader of the Islam Nation has endorsed Obama and compairing Obama to a saviour.
My God, I can't believe what I am hearing. Remember 9-11 people. We need a president who will protect us not a person who is friends with Islam leader.

John Doe (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 12:07 PM)

GS, Chapel Hill wrote a very insightful post about the flag pins. I couldn't agree more. I live in a small Repub town. The flag was first a symbol of national unity, but soon became a symbol of blind obedience and far right war mongering. In my town,they were flying from Pickups and "uncle buck cars" everywhere I went. It was quite nauseating. I love my country very much but I would not wear one of those pins.

bonnie (Sent Monday, February 25, 2008 12:08 PM)

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