Obama recovers a bit...

Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:16 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
To Obama's credit, he recovered a bit on the potential Farrakhan debacle at the end with trying to blur the differences; but Clinton is VERY quick on her feet. Obama clearly wasn't ready for that question.

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Comments

why is this even being asked?

John, Worcester, MA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:20 PM)

He did recover well. And I think it would have looked disingenuous to say that he "rejected" Farrakhan's support. What does it mean to say "You can't support me?" Better to reject the position and not the man.

Alex, Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:20 PM)

He was definitely shaky when dealing with the word reject and he handled it nicely when Hillary pounced but I think Hillary missed a big big opportunity here. I think if she instead came out and said "This is a ridiculous attack on Obama lets move on." Or words to that effect.

I think her attacked looked way too grubby and opportunistic.

David, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:20 PM)

It makes me sick...the continuing reference to Obama being a radical muslim.

D Will (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:21 PM)

Did anyone else think this moment was just bizzare? I mean, really, what's the difference between "reject" and "denounde" in this situation? It became this weird battle of semantics.

Brett, Macon, GA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:21 PM)

Its just someone standing up and say they support him, why is it a big deal.

Lets ask Clinton about Peter Paul and why he spent 3 years in a Brazil prison and feels its her fault?

Brian Duane Alger, Fostoria, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:21 PM)

I think he recovered more than "a bit." She was mincing words. He called her on that. Denounce. Reject. I think his position was entirely clear to begin with. She was just trying to make hay under her campaign's very cloudy sky.

Flo, Panama City, FL (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:21 PM)

What Clinton did in response to the Jewish question was reprehensible. How dare she suggest that Obama wouldn't be against what Farakkan?

Also how brave was it to denounce anti-semitism in New York!

Eric (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:22 PM)

Naive again. A leader knows when to say that he made a mistake (for others that read this don't blow it out of proportion, like saying this leads to his not know how to run foreign relations or something).

T Terry (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:22 PM)

Please!!!! Barack Obama is a unifying force. He has support from every sector of society. He is universally loved.

It is clear that he does not support Farrakun. Any suggestion otherwise is a fallacy and a deliberate smear.

Felicia, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:22 PM)

My god, you are so far off on this. Obama made Hilary look like a petty fool with his answer = "I renounce and reject his support."

Matthew Jameson (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:22 PM)

Considering how much time the media spent on this, there is no way that Obama didn't expect to get that question. I think he handled it just fine. Hillary is much more skilled at this than he is, but he is holding his own.

T Robinson, Chester, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:22 PM)

why are these bloggers stubbornly pro-Clinton??? It

J Swami (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:23 PM)

He just did

Selena (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:23 PM)

I completely disagree with your assessment of this last question and response. In fact, Senator Obama's response "conceding the point" made him look more like a statesman and in fact it looked like desperation on Senator Clinton's part to try and raise this "distinction"

Efrain Ramos, San German, PR (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:23 PM)

Chuck, You are nitpicking. Quick on her feet? Her facial expressions alone let us know she is frustrated. He was more than ready to respond. I accept his answer completly.

Marilyn Gipson, Ossian, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:23 PM)

Hillary was a Goldwater Girl in her youth. Goldwater was endorsed by the KKK - an endorsement he neither accepted nor rejected. Apparently "not accepting" was enough for Goldwater and the Klan.

Hue Rhodes, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

you're wrong on this Chuck
Hillary I thought was going to do something classy like say she had the same situation when Arafat's wife and her kissed and absolve Obama (like he did with Biden at the Des Moines debate)

But no - she went the low road and Obama totallt made her look small when he said if you think denounce and reject are different -- I denounce and reject Farrakhan

I am Jewish by the way -- and I am more than fine with this

alison fort lauderdale (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

Clearly your thinking on the go, however, Farrakhan offered nothing to Obama in the way of support, other than talk...that is appropriate for denouncing.

Had he offered support other than verbal in anyway, then a rejection would be called for.

Obama was dead on his is definition of his use of denounce.

There was no mack truck...it was a hot wheel toy.

Georgiamom (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

kenny newland (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

denounce - condemn, attack, criticize
reject - turn down, decline, say no too
Hillary...you are right...there is a difference between the two words...and a definite difference between Clinton and Obama....Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is the most experienced and most capable to run the United States of America...I trust her with my most precious possessions...my children and my grandchildren...LISTEN EVERYONE TO HER EVERY WORD...OUR COUNTRY AND OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT!!!!!! Obama is not what you think!!!! There are alot of smooth talkers in this country!!!! Do not be fooled!!!!!!

Debra Ryan, Gloucester, Mass. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

Chuck, I like you, but you're wrong... he didn't come back "a bit;" he made it a great moment, and got the first applause line of the night.

Pete Huxley, Santa Monica, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

This is hardly unbiased blogging. Get a real job!

R (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

I loved Obama's answer about the Jewish community. I loved the line about how he would not be sitting there were it not for the help of the Jewish community in the civil rights movement. As a Jew it made me very proud.

Laura (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

I'm not sure I'd describe Obama as on the defensive; what are the two worst responses by either candidate tonight? Senator Clinton's hedge on taxes and that lame SNL line....How did you feel Chuck about that tax-release dodge?

Sal A (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:24 PM)

But he handled it just fine. She is being petty and snarky.

Victoria, Virginai (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:25 PM)

Obama made it clear that he opposes what Farrakhan stands for.

stacey zaremba, kintnersville, pennslyvannia (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:25 PM)

Obama made it clear that he opposes what Farrakhan stands for.

stacey zaremba, kintnersville, pennslyvannia (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:25 PM)

Chuck Todd I must say this is a very pro-Hillary analysis. I think Obama is handily looking like the more presidential candidate here. I think I'll go back to CNN!

Scott Cline, Charleson, SC 29412 (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:25 PM)

No, he did say he rejected Farrakhan. So I dont htink this is an issue. Anyone can endorse it doest not mena you can denounce it, he did..So Hes Ok. Hes doing great. I dont see Hillary helping herself in this debate.

William (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:26 PM)

Hillary proves again why she is a better leader. She listens and responds with answers quickly and she has set plans. She is the natural choice to go up against McCain.

Terry, Blackwood, NJ (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:27 PM)

louis farrakan is irrelevant but tim makes him relevant because tim is wrong to bring him into a presendential debate.

kenny newland (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:27 PM)

will tim and brian ask about the crises in africa? sudan, kenya, congo, ethiopia, somalia!

gabby (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:27 PM)

Obama was initially asked if he would reject Farrakhan's support. His answered indicated he didn't feel it was necessary to reject support, that he rejected Farrakhan's anti-Jewish sentiments and statements. At the end, Obama tried to make it sound like it was a difference only in verbiage. That is not correct. Clinton's point was that she took a stand in voicing actual rejection in her situation and Obama wouldn't. Unfortunately, Brian William's jovial comments allowed Obama to get away with it. This should have been pursued.

Carol, Tulsa, OK (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:27 PM)

I believe Obama was very clear on his response to the debate question. If you are looking to nit pick "words" between reject and denounce...then you are missing the point. If Hilliary had receive that support...she would not "reject" the endorsement either. We are ALL americans....with many issues...and many topics that are more important to us than to others. The point is...you don't have to agreed with a philosophy...but there is no need to dismiss the important of having the support of all people from all walks of life believing in your core values.

Patricia Spurgeon Johnson (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:28 PM)

I thought that he did well in responding. I must admit that I was nervous for him given this picture of him in a muslim ceremony just recently released. I thought that Clinton made Obama look good when she said

"there is a difference between denouncing and rejecting...".

Hmm let's define the terms:
denounce-inform against, accuse publicly, annouce withdrawal from.
reject: refuse to accept or believe in, put aside or send back as not to be used or done or complied with.

Can someone please point out to me the difference?

Claudia R. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:28 PM)

Omaba responsed very appropriately. I, too, was once a supporter of bill clinton. As a president, he was great for this country. I can't say the same thing for hillary clinton. she refuses to acknowlege her mistakes and thinks she's best no matter how many states have told her otherwise. Obama response was that he can't censor anyone. that's what great about this country. FREE SPEECH. remember that. clinton was wrong to suggest that reject and denounce are not the same. He answered that to concede the point and to move on to more important things that he will reject and denounce. touche, clinton.

junie davis miami florida (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:29 PM)

I would just like to say thank you to the Sen. from Illinois for "denouncing as well as Rejecting" the unsolicited support of the snake Farrakhan(sic). Sen. Clinton, think before you speak! Oppurtunism is not always a good oppurtunity. Ricky McD. in Macon, Ga.

Ricky McDermon, Macon, Ga. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:31 PM)

recovered a bit? Please.

Basically he totally exposed her nit-picky answer. He's speaking english, she's speaking beltway.

Matt, Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:31 PM)

Why does Tim Russert insist on debating with the two candidates. Some one should tell Tim the reporter is not supposed to be part of the story.

Don, Hampden Massachusetts (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:35 PM)

PLEASE ASK MRS. CLINTON THIS QUESTION.:WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO ABOUT HER HUSBANDS AFFAIRS? IF SHE COULD NOT CONTROL HER HUSBANDS AFFAIRS SHE NEEDS TO TELL US WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO ABOUT WHAT SHE COULD DO ABOUT HIM? BECAUSE WHAT WE AS A COUNTRY SAW ABOUT THE AFFAIR WITH MONICA L AND ALL THE MONEY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO PUT OUT AND THEN SHE SAID SHE PAID HER MONEY OUT OF HER POCKET FOR HER CAMPAIGN? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW WHO HER HUSBAND PARDONED . I THINK THE PEOPLE JUST DON'T TRUST HER OR FOR THAT BELIEVE ANY THING SHE HAS TO SAY. ASK HER WHAT IS HER RESPONSE?

LORRAINE STONE (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:36 PM)

Give me a break. Chuck Todd is the biggest fake if ever I've seen. Suddenly he wants to give Sen Clinton a positive observation after all these months of MSNBC & NBC's NEGATIVE PRESS. Fox News has been more fair than this group of corrupt and stupid reporters who say anything and will do anything for OBAMA.Is there any wonder their reporter got suspended for his slanderous remarks when Keith Oberman has said the same thing. Is the kind of person they promote. Give me a break!!

In the end MSNBC - Keith Oberman - THE WORSE PERSON IN THE WORLD, Chris Matthew, Tim Russett, and the rest of those idiots will suffer in the end by not being professional journalist, but lap dogs for Obama.

G Watkins (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:37 PM)

Hillary protested when she was asked the first question twice in a row but was the attention seeking kid in class waving their arm frantically "call on me, call on me" when the attention wasn't focused on her. The denounce vs reject was silly. The question was directed toward Obama, not Hillary, and this appeared to be just a "holier than thou" response.

jfwyman, detroit, mi (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:43 PM)

Geez, Chuck! Are you on HRC's payroll? Quick on her feet? How about obnoxious opportunist. Did you ever see School of Rock? Hillary's the snotty "smartest person in the class" girl who was going to narc on everyone if she didn't get to be the band's manager. You can't deny she's smart, you just don't want her at your party.

Claire G, Houston TX (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:44 PM)

Can we bring a real journalist like Tom Brokaw back to replace Williams and Russert?

NS, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:45 PM)

No--she's speaking for me and many others as Jews who know the venom that Farrakhan spews on a regular basis. If my Rabbi called David Duke a great man (as Obama's preacher did about Farrakhan), my first action would be to leave the congregation and find one where the spiritual leader did not endorse bigotry in any form. Obama shows no moral compass, no leadership. He refuses to take the strong step--actions v words.

Audrey Roth, Medford, MA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:45 PM)

Please..please..please...denounce..reject.....nit picking...let's get real....Hilliary sounds desperate.
Obama has always indicate it's not the blue states or red states ...it' the UNITED STATE of AMERICA.
There are all sorts of characters in the United States.
We still have KKK ranting in the USA....If Clinton had received the support from the KKK....would she denounce...reject....in her own words (or her husband's....same difference)...GIVE ME A BREAK !!!!

Robert DeEmilio (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:49 PM)

I think that you and your colleagues need to spend more time on the "key" issues of the debate. Just know that some hairs were split over semantics and irrelevant issue. Additionally, you need to make sure your colleagues can spell Farrakhan correctly. Gregory got it wrong. As far as you are concerned, I would like to see you call out Clinton, in cases where her responses are a mere reverberation of Obama's sentiments. I am speaking on the Russia comments you made. I think that this "question" raised on the future leadership of Russia, was not framed very well, because in its form it did not reference how the change in leadership would impact the US and its people.

Yusef Sullivan, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:50 PM)

I have no respect for that Tim Russell that sexist-pig wannabe. Like a wimp he only kinows how to attack women. He gives me the creeps!!! Hooray Hillary, for standing your ground.

Lorene Brown Chicago Ill (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:54 PM)

Oh please, Clinton was only trying to make Obama look weak and came out of it looking like a pinhead herself for interrupting his answering a question asked of him.

Rhonda Laird, West Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:59 PM)

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