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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



Poll: Obama leads nationally

Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008 2:56 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro

Obama leads Clinton 51%-39% nationally, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll. McCain leads Huckabee 61%-23%.

In the last poll, conducted Feb. 8-10, Obama and Clinton were in a statistical tie with Obama ahead 47%-44%.

The poll was conducted Feb. 21-24 and has a margin of error of +/- 3% for Democrats and +/- 4% on the GOP side.

NOTE: This is the USA Today/Gallup poll, not the Gallup Tracker poll, which shows a slimmer margin.

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WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA?


WAKE UP FOLKS!!!!!


HILLARY IS THE BEST BY FAR'


HILLARY 2008
To whom it may concern:

Why is everyone making fun of Boracks Muslim heritage.

This is scaring me and I think as American's we should investigate Obama and not make lite of it.
Now that is CHANGE!  Hooray!
oh well, i guess the Obamabots are going to stay home election day. Obama will not win the nomination.
the gap is growing, and superdelegates should consider.. who between obama and clinton can win, nationally. food for thought...
The mood and sentiment of the country is pretty clear... It is really time that Hillary stood on her own - from the end of the debate to today, she is 3 different people and that type of ambiguity has been to her tragic detriment...  she clearly left the debate, went home and listened to Bill and others tell her to become defiant -  problem is, she looks like a sore loser now... still not very Presidential
Od course he is ahead. After all the media, especially MSNBC, has done everything it can to discredit Clinton and ignores anything negative about Obama. The media hasn't even reported that Clinton remains ahead in the Electoral College voting, 203 to 190. Remember the Electoral College! That's what counts. Ask Al Gore!!!
This won't matter if Hillary continues to trash Obama's character and ultimately, his chance against McCain.  She knows the nomination is lost.  Her only play now is to make Obama seem unelectable for the general election, by totally trashing him, to the point that he does not have enough time to repair the damage before the general election.

The Democrats never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Uh-Oh look out Clinton, I see a truck coming and it ain't Obama, its your tactics coming back to haunt you.  Apparently the American people are saying 'Shame on You'.  
MSNBC who knows anything you say anymore is true?  With you obnixious clear bias for Obama what can we believe?  You should try and keep your dignity and maybe quit promoting Obama as your messiah.
MSNBC you are so unfair to Hillary by reporting the facts like that!

Another clear example of how Hillary is getting an unfair shake by the media!
Qualifications of Clinton and Obama




Let's take a closer look at who's really qualified and or who's
really working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or
Clinton.

Records of these two candidates should be scrutinized in order to
make an informed decision.


Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. - and
another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 -twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.


These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress
www.thomas.loc.gov, but to save you trouble, I'll post them here for
you.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation andexpress condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive.
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11  
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.

There you have it, the fact's straight from the Senate Record.


Now, I would post those of Obama's, but the list is too substantive,
so I'll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.


His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded 1.
1. **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law,  
2.**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law,  
3.**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,  
4.**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law,
5. **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.
He's not just a talker.
He's a doer.
A vote for Clinton is a vote for J. Merle Stanley!!!

Now doesn't that logic sound stupid when applied to someone NOT Obama
We've known for weeks that Sen. Obama was ahead of Sen. Clinton. Good  to know that MSNBC is as always, accurate. CNN, a Clinton supporter, is  still keeping  Sen. Clinton ahead in their polls. It is wishful thinking on their part.
Well, if you can believe in polls, all I can say is WATCH OUT Sen. Obama!  After reading some of these "silly season" bloggers they're going to go even crazier than they already are when they read this bit of news, LOL!!!  Yes, the American people are tired of scandal, corruption, lies, philandering,lobbyist control of the country, and career politicians who are only interested in lining their own pockets and creating dynasties!

YES WE CAN!!!
OBAMA, 2008!!!
**** March 4:

Ohio primary
Ohio polling places are open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.*
*If you are still standing in line at your polling location at 7:30 p.m., poll workers must give you the opportunity to vote! Ohio law requires all voters to take identification to the polls.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/yvc/main/faqs.htm">http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/yvc/main/faqs.htm
http://www.sos.state.oh.us/
http://www.ohiodems.org/site/c.mhLRKZPCLmF/b.3751973/
Ohio for Obama------http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/ohhome



Rhode Island primary
http://www.sec.state.ri.us/elections
http://www.ridemocrats.org/
Rhode Island for Obama----http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/rihome


Whatever. The media has decided that Obama is the one and the sheep respond. So much for democracy. Dude is an arrogant empty suit who believes his own press and the crying fainting groupies. He'll be the Dem nominee, so I'll be voting Nader.
A majority of Americans seem to have re-found their lost brains.  Let's get this over with and take our country back.
Polls schmolls - have we learned nothing from Florida or New Hampshire? Releasing polling data is a way of influencing undecided voters - should be banned.
Get it Hillary?  You're done.  You barely keep your own interest anymore, and i doubt even you would contribute to that sinking ship again.

There would never be a time you would beat Obama, but there used to be a time when democrats like myself at least respected you.  That time is long gone.  Your disgusting flip-flop from "I'm honored to be here" and "I just want the party and the people to be ok" to ugly anger and condescending tones is EXACTLY why no one is voting for you.  

I used to encourage Hillary 2016...now i hope for a quick fade into obscurity.  Thanks for trying to tear down the arenas and town halls of hope.  And for trying to silence millions upon millions who finally feel ready to scream out for something new, inpirational, unifying.  And not you.  

Thank God your tactics didn't work.
Obama '08
This poll is inconsistent with the others I have seen recently. It is hard to tell which is right. Poll results vary based on how the question is asked. Was this on likely voters?
Great to hear.  Keep in up, Barack.
Why highlight this poll in your headline, even though this is the largest outlier of most national polls?  You barely give notice to the separate Gallup poll in which Obama has just a 2-point margin - by the way, this is down from a 7-point lead he had about a week ago.
That poll is wrong everyone I meet votes for Obama. You can't listen to him without getting moved. He will be the best president in history because Jesus hand is guiding him and opening his way.
I find it interesting that the MSNBC Team (who I think is the best team in the Universe, as Keith Oberman calls them) is now playing up Mrs. Clinton's comeback.  

This new national poll, the fact that the race is a real close in Texas, and the latest poll in Ohio just indicated that Mr. Obama is now within 10 points of Mrs. Clinton from a 20 point difference last week.

It is refreshing, that despite news efforts to claim a Clinton comeback, it is not happening thus far based on the latest polling.  

Now, we shall see after tomorrow's debate...but if Mr.Obama can hold it together...his momentum will continue and soon he will be the only Democratic Candidate.  Good Luck Barack.
Wonderful!  Go, Texas, and put an end to Sen. Clinton's misery, and her damage to the dem. party's chances for a win in November.  Empty rhetoric is saying "it's not about me, it's about the American people", while trying to bring the opponent (with a very similar platform but MUCH larger appeal to independents, Reps. and new voters) down.  ENough already!
Gallup's daily update poll on their web site has it at 47% Obama to 45% Clinton. USA Today contribution to this poll must have been based on a sample of Chicago, IL to make it 51%-39%.
It finally came through for Senator Obama. I was hoping in time that it would. I hope the polls keep going up in his favor. He is the one who can get this country back together.
It finally came through for Senator Obama. I was hoping in time that it would. I hope the polls keep going up in his favor. He is the one who can get this country back together.
Quick story that reminds me of the Clinton campaign:

A man falls off a 10 story building.  As he passes each floor the people inside hear him saying, So far, so Good.
Just have to offer a comment on that photo of Barack wearing that African outfit being circulated by Hillary?? as just another attempt to throw dirt on my candidate - Did you EVER see some of the outrageous outfits especially HATS that Bush of even the POPE have had to don out of respect for their hosts on these foreign visits.

GIVE US A BREAK HILLARY - once again this type of attack will only backfire on you
If Obama's supporters truly belive all of the arguments against HRC coming out lately, they should know that they are finally learning what republicans saw 12 years ago. I'm ok with that! You have finally seen the light and realize that the Clintons are self serving politicians who have no value of truth. Obama really has nothing concrete to offer either. It is true that he speaks with insiration, but it is also true he has offered no workable plan for his goals. Only problem is, we have little better to offer this time around. Maybe it is Ralph Nader's year.
Senator Clinton is using the same lobbying firm as John McCain.  She hasn't released her financial and donor records.  The campaign demonstrates poor ethical boundaries with lobbyists, poor after-thought efforts to engage with voters, and a unwillingness to define "mandates" so that voters can make an informed decisions.  This enmeshment with lobbyists, poor decision making in choosing a firm that represents a potential opponent, lack of advocacy for disenfranchised voters in her own state (80+ districts in Harlem reported to have been shut out due to old machines), evasiveness and the tactics are consistent with the very concerns that we have endured these past eight years.  Enough is enough.  We want our Democracy back!
http;//archives.cnn.com/2001/World/europe/07/12farrakhan.case/index.html
Well if the polls show Obama ahead. Okay there will be a long line athe Republican voting booths come November. Any one that reads how Farrakhan praises Obama as a great asset to the WORLD. And of course endorses Obama. Even making his first speach after recovering from cancer and to make it about Obama should read this.
My hats off to Obama. Either way I would for a democrat. My concern however with Obama is not so much his theme of change but lets be real if he has real political cloud in Congress then he would have a problem making changes. He is new  and I would take my chances with Hillary. She too has a chance of making history. I believe Hillary can make things happen quicker.
Senator Clinton is using the same lobbying firm as John McCain.  She hasn't released her financial and donor records.  The campaign demonstrates poor ethical boundaries with lobbyists, poor after-thought efforts to engage with voters, and a unwillingness to define "mandates" so that voters can make an informed decisions.  This enmeshment with lobbyists, poor decision making in choosing a firm that represents a potential opponent, lack of advocacy for disenfranchised voters in her own state (80+ districts in Harlem reported to have been shut out due to old machines), evasiveness and the tactics are consistent with the very concerns that we have endured these past eight years.  Enough is enough.  We want our Democracy back!
Yeah, but guess who leading the white women age 95+ and citizens makeing less than $10,000 yearly demographic?....you've guess it..Hillary 08 BABY!!! Now these are the people that are smart enough not to be bamboozled by Obamas magic powder!!
It’s no wonder that Obama is beating her by more than 10 pts in the latest national poll.
Here are some reasons.
1. First she was for the war, now she’s against it
2. Hillary voted for the No Child Left Behind bill, now she’s against it.
3. She claims the White House years, which include the signing of the NAFTA trade bill by her husband, now she’s against it.
4. All of this plus race baiting and putting out just today a picture of Barack in a African outfit.
When it comes to flip flopping and going negative she has learned a lot from Mitt, including how to lose.
Chuck Todd:  I had no other way to try and reach you.  Did you see today's "MSNBC News Live" (2/25/08; 3:32 EST) when they discussed, "Obama Going Negative?".  One political pundit who was a guest, A.B. Stoddard, seemed to be so personally caught up in her dislike for Mr. Obama her analysis was not matter-of-fact and without personal prejudice.  Maybe next time she should be introduced as:  "A.B. Stoddard is associate editor of the newspaper 'The Hill' and Clinton supporter and ...."  At least with doing this for all your guests I would have a reasonable expectation of what to expect from MSNBC's guest political "experts".  Thanks!
It's encouraging to see that most people aren't being swayed by Clinton's increasingly negative attacks.
The polls take a while to catch up to reality. My expectation is that, after all this vicious negative campaigning, Hillary's numbers will be plummeting in OH and TX.

(Waiting for Patty from SD's bizarre, alternate reality spin...)
Looking at the two Gallup polls running at the same time, I guess it's fair to say so much for margin of error in these things....
leads Clinton 51%-39% nationally, according to a new USA Today/Gallup poll.
In the last poll, conducted Feb. 8-10, Obama and Clinton were in a statistical tie with Obama ahead 47%-44%.

In 10 days, the poll changes so much. It is a joke or something wrong in States. I had to shake my head when I watched the debate, why the people is so easily fooled by the media.
why not post the one that shows the true results lol or would that not priase Mr. obama as much as you'd like :)
HOLY SH#%T!

IT MUST BE THE SHAME ON YOU OUTBUST THAT REMINDED FOLKS OF EVERYTHING EVIL ABOUT HER.
To the Latinos-how many Latinos does Senator Obama have on his staff? How many does he have working on his campain in a high position? How many times has he been to Texas before he began to run for President? How many times has he voted for your rights?How does he stand on every issue you feel everyday?
Who's the best?  Obama's the best.  Take a look you sad Clintonites and you'll see that Obama did more in 8 months then most senators do in a lifetime of service.  That's the kind of president I want working for me.

The following information gathered from the Library of Congress on the Legislative experience Junior Senator Hillary Clinton and Junior Senator Barack Obama. Please Feel free to check these records for yourself and draw your own conclusion.

Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term, which is 6 years and another year campaigning, has authored and passed 20 twenty pieces of legislation in her term of six years into law. These bills can be found at (wwwhomas.loc.gov).  Senator Clinton has passed.

(1) Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
(2) Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
(3) Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
(4) Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
(5) Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
(6) Name post office after Jonn A. O'Shea.
(7) Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
(8) Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
(9) Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
(10) Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
(11) Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men's Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
(12) Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
(13) Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
(14) Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
(15) Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty.

Only five of Clinton's bills are, more substantive.
(16) Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
(17) Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
(18) Assist landmine victims in other countries.
(19) Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
(20) Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.

She has a nice list, but note that these are The Fact's straight from the Senate Record; Therefore, it is not made up.

Now, It is time to post Senator Obama's record from the Library of Congress.I have to mention that Senator Obama's list is too substantive, one is coalesced to categorize. Since its alot, remember you can go to the Library of Congress website, and check it out yourself, but I am just summarizing his first 8 months.

During Senator Obama's first 8 eight months of elected service he sponsored over 820 bills.

He introduced 233 bills regarding healthcare reform,
125 bills on poverty and public assistance,
112 bills on crime fighting,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
In his first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These included:
(1)the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 that became LAW,
(2)The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act that became LAW, (3)The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act that passed the Senate,
(4)The 2007 Government Ethics Bill that became LAW,
(5)The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill that is in committee just to name a few.

In all since he entered the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096. An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no legislative record.  Read the facts and not emotion.

This makes one statement: Folks in the US are smarter than what Hillary portrays them to be.  In the early stages I was a Clinton supporter, not any more...I wisened up.  
First fairy tale, then give me a break, then shame on you, then bama's photo in Africa, then Muslim, then....As A wise American loves America, I want to ask you a question; is that a kind of person you want to be your president?. Please take two minutes thinking about your answer. Did that happen with Mrs. Thatcher, or any president woman. I beleive all women have better judgement. I'd like to see a mentally retarded president than this
I think the question of electability will be a very important topic in the debate between Clinton and Obama tomorrow.

It will be hard for Clinton to argue that she should be the nominee when Obama is leading in the delegate count, popular vote, contests won, and in national polls against the presumptive GOP nominee Magoo.

I think this race ends March 5th, when Obama wins either Ohio, TX, or both. The question is, if that happens... who is going to be the one to tell Hillary to leave the race?? It's a scary though, I don't think I could do it, good luck to whoever does.


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