ABOUT FIRST READ

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 Political Researcher



The Buckeye brawl

Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:17 AM by Domenico Montanaro

USA Today writes, “Aggressive cuts and thrusts over Iraq, health care and campaign tactics dominated the 20th and possibly final Democratic debate Tuesday as Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama angled for advantage a week before a crucial set of primaries.”

VIDEO: MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann talks to a political panel about Sen. Hillary Clinton’s response about her Iraq war vote as something she wishes she could take back.

The New York Times: “Questions about which approach Mrs. Clinton would take to sway voters were quickly answered as she immediately confronted Mr. Obama, and she was relentless throughout the meeting. She insisted on responding to virtually every point that he made - often interrupting the debate moderators, Brian Williams and Tim Russert of NBC, as they tried to move on. At the same time, it was one of the most detailed and specific of all the debates, with both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama giving long explanations of their records and views.”

The Los Angeles Times leads with the pledge from both Dems that they could opt out of NAFTA.

The Boston Globe: "At times last night, Clinton's frustration at her position was evident. Not 20 minutes into the debate, she expressed exasperation at being asked first about the North American Free Trade Agreement, an especially volatile issue in Ohio over which the two Democrats have tangled."

The AP: "The tone was polite yet pointed, increasingly so as the 90-minute session wore on, a reflection of the stakes in a race in which Obama has won 11 straight primaries and caucuses and Clinton is in desperate need of a comeback."

The Washington Post: "The tone of the debate was generally civil but rarely relaxed."

Reuters saw Clinton's difficulty in pronouncing Putin's successor's name, Dmitry Medvedev, as a problem for the former First Lady. "In a campaign where the New York senator and former first lady has stressed she is ready to serve as president from the first day, as opposed to Obama, the scene was reminiscent of past campaign debates where foreign policy missteps have hurt presidential candidates."

VIDEO: MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews discuss who won the MSNBC Democratic debate.

Time: "The 90-minute affair … had most of the same features we have come to expect of the last round of Clinton-Obama debates: strong jabs, deep dives into health care policy, pointed arguments over the meaning of words-and another cordial, high road finish." More: "At times, Obama showed a lawyer's flair for conceding the small points that aren't worth arguing about. This pattern was most visible in an unexpected exchange over whether Obama has sufficiently distanced himself from Louis Farrakhan's expressions of support for his candidacy. After Obama had said he has long denounced Farrakhan's anti-semitic statements, Clinton said Obama had to do more and flat-out reject his support. Obama, sensing a tiny opening that Clinton had carved in his performance, asked whether there was much of a semantic difference between the words "reject" and "denounce," but then defused the situation by ceding the point to Clinton and agreeing to do both."

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

Hillary Clinton came across as a well informed, forceful and no nonsense leader, she was extremely articulate and answer all the questions with clarity and sincerity, where as Obama seems to wait for Hillary to finish taking clues fro her to smooth talk his way through the entire debate.
What are the results of the text poll on the debate last evening between Barack and Hillary? Why don't ou publish it on your site. It seems MSNBC works hard to find negative points to make on Clinton while giving Obama a pass.
I'm  not really sure how anyone can assess last night's debate and declare no winner. Obama gave, by far, the best presentation. He was calm, earnest, detailed and explained his positions very well. He made great foreign policy points on Iraq, Pakistan and Kosovo.

Hillary Clinton sounded and looked very tense compared to Obama's  relaxed and friendly appearence. My favorite moment was the Farrakhan question. I thought his overall answer was good enough but when he turned tables on Hillary and conceded her point in a very humorous way I was amazed by his deft handling and deflection of her attempted jab.

I for one, "reject and denounce" the idea that Obama is not going to be a great president. He would certainly be tested and the problems he will have to deal with are almost insurmountable but his intellect, ability, instincts, empathy and total lack of fear to change our direction is exactly what America needs right now.
I believe that Senator Obama was able to give clear and concise answers to questions posed to him.  He was able to keep calm, even when Senator Clinton made digs at him.  I've always said that no matter who the nominee is, I would vote for that person.  Based on Senator Clinton's performance these last few weeks and the fact that she started the campaign off as the inevitable nominee, I'm not so sure that I could cast a vote for her.  We would not be discussing this issue had Senator Obama lost 11 straight states.  So, when Senator Clinton complains about how tough the media is on her, she should look at the fact that she is still be given the benefit of a doubt, when it would be all over for Senator Obama, if he were in her shoes.
"At times last night, Clinton's frustration at her position was evident. Not 20 minutes into the debate, she expressed exasperation at being asked first about the North American Free Trade Agreement, an especially volatile issue in Ohio over which the two Democrats have tangled."

Why not?
Her husband signed it...
She was all for it back in 1993

She only changed her mind when she was running for President.

The AP: "The tone was polite yet pointed, increasingly so as the 90-minute session wore on, a reflection of the stakes in a race in which Obama has won 11 straight primaries and caucuses and Clinton is in desperate need of a comeback."

After her screaming and yelling over the weekend, I guess Bill gave her Focalin back to her...
Just want to share a couple of thoughts when I hear the media favors Obama. First. I think the networks want to be a part of this movement with Obama. They don't want to miss the story of Obama. Second. In my opinion, Clinton and her campaign have no one to blame but themselves. They make the most news by her comments during speeches. Look at this past weekend. I think she brings it on herself.
It also does not help that Obama does not play by the same rules. You never see the guy get upset no matter what is thrown at him. Clinton on the other hand. Does not hide her emotions well and sometimes speaks when she should remain silent.
Reuters:  At least Clinton ATTEMPTED to pronounce Medvedev's name.  Obama was in la-la land on the entire issue regarding Russia.  Tim Russert later said that he intentionally did not direct the "Russia" question at either candidate, just to see who would jump in and answer the questions.  We all saw Obama turn to Clinton as if to say, "you take that one, 'cause I will sound like an idiot trying to answer it".

One other observation:  I loved that Clinton FINALLY pointed out that Obama's claim to have been against the Iraq war from the beginning was totally irrelevant, because he WAS NOT IN THE SENANTE at the time and was not privy to all the intelligence that was presented to Congress.  It was a long time coming, but went directly to the heart of the matter.....Obama CANNOT say how he WOULD HAVE voted, because he simply wasn't at a level where he COULD HAVE voted.

Clinton '08
Are you saying that by Clinton not being able to pronounce Medvedev's name is more important than the detail understanding of the crisis in Russia she proved to understand. Have you guys for a second even considered that Clinton's comments on getting the first question every time was because each time she answered Obama just agreed with every thing she said."I totally agree with Senator Clinton or As Senator Clinton rightly Pointed" If Obama had gotten the question on Russia first I think we should have all seen a different results from the debate. Please MSNBC for GOD's Sake and for the sake of this country just look above the ratings and give a fair coverage to all the candidates. It for the Good of this nation.
I find it hard to determine who won the debate, but I do lean toward Obama. Pat Buchanan (sp) was spot on, Hillary did better in the 1st half than the 2nd. I think there's a bit of media backtracking after being slammed by SNL.

CNN took at hit for that and MSNBC weren't going to follow. That said there are clear and distinctive trumps that are getting passed. Hillary's tax response was the worst. It looked like she was lying.

In contrast Obama needs to brush up on his foreign policy. Against McCain, what was a stumble, will be a clear and distinct loss.

The tone of the debate made Hillary look defensive and gave Obama the high hand. I think that after the media gets over it's embarassment it will be March 5th and it won't matter. Until then Clinton should thank every writer and cast member of SNL. That gave her a shot in the arm truly. I think the coverage of this debate would've been entirely different if not for them.

It seems completely ludicrous to try to spin this debate.  Obama held his own, which is simply put a win.  He was presidential, informed and substantative.  He defused Hillary's singular claim to her right to be president by if not out-pointing her, by being definitely as detailed, knowledgeable and prepared in his answers.  He has shown that he is definitely more of a leader in his broad appeal and his understanding that the only way to make government work is to make it trasnparent and to involve the populace.  Hillary's let me fix everything for you plan is flawed and has been proven so throughout history.  No president, no matter how intelligent or knowledgeable can bend congress to it's will without the help of the populace.  Obama has made his case, he is best fit to lead this country forward.  to qoute hillary "Get Real"
from m-w.com:

reject:  a: to refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use <rejected the suggestion> <reject a manuscript> b: to refuse to hear, receive, or admit

denounce: 1 : to pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or evil <they denounced him as a bigot>

Words DO matter.  Obama was right the first time.
I think nobody is talking about how the Reject/Denounce thing did little more then make Clinton look stupid. She interrupted the moderator AGAIN (she has a lot for respect for the rules I've noticed) to quibble over pointless semantics. And it made it her look STUPID.
Ok enough of the media pass or you can't talk about race.  I look at things often times through a sports metaphor.  If you get to foul line because the ref made a bad call, the shooter STILL, has to make the damn shot and Obama had done that each and everytime.  If he benefits from bad press, often times press that she or her husband creates, then so bit it.  But in a debate, he still had to answer the question, on the stump he still has to get in the minds and hearts of voters.  Stop it with he gets a free pass.  If he were not qualified he would not be in this position.  It is not like we have had great black candidates before like Obama.  Get over Hillary.  You  are losing and you need to sit down.  We are down to seconds left in the game and you don't have the ball!!!!!!!!
The media are so obviously biased towards Obama, that Clinton can do nothing right in their view.  Keith Olberman is clearly anti-Clinton.  Whenever the post-debate interviews led to positive remarks about Clinton's performance he either said time was up or deflected the positive comment with a negative remark of his own.

Brian Williams did the best job of being fair to both candidates.  The media should employ more fair & impartial analysts.

The rest of the media ought to just wear their Obama buttons and stop pretending to be "analysts"

I knew that Hillary was bright but the more I watch Obama there is no doubt that this guy is very, very sharp.
Gobama!  Hillary is a whiny little brat.
since Hillary told thee truth about the media why was it calledself pity?How many of us have listened to these gasbags praise Obama and describe Hillary as nasty,cdrabby,angry,and whatever comes into their heads?Alter says she should drop out right now---who is he?She will drop out when she feels the time is right.SNL hit it right by saying the media is in the tank for obama.Why hasn't his whining been talked about?Mean Hillary,liar Hillary,oh the horror of the pictureon Drudge.Why wasn't he asked about Rezko/If and when Obama wins the nomination will the media protect him from the Gop?
I like Hillary, but I like Barak Obama even more, he would be a much better President.  Already, Hillary is in the blame game mode.  We have had enough of that; 8 years of it from the Bush Administration.  We certainly don't need another 4 especially from a Democrat.  Hillary does not have what it will take to stand up to Lobbists, Big Corporations, Oil companies.  The exact organizations that are being allowed to suck the average American dry of their hard earn money.  Barak Obama will be a President of the People and act like one.  We don't need another person that's called a President but acts like a CEO of a business organization, I am afraid Hillary would be that to a certain degree.  
I believe the most qualified person for this job is Hillary. She's been there and done that, who better than her to know the issues we face. Obama IS DEFINETLY NOT READY for Presidency!!!He thinks it's easy when WE ALL know its not. All those followers he's got are as delusional as he is. If this man is given the reigns to direct our United States of AMERICA, he will lead us into continued DESTRUCTION!!! (NOTE: As a Proud American Citizen, I am only exercising my First Amendment "FEEDOM OF SPEECH")!!! HILLARY is OUR SMART CHOICE.
The one thing that really stood out is that both Obama and Clinton would have cleaned the debate floor with George Bush.  I watched the debate, and it was pretty even.  I think Hillary's tone was somewhat unfocused ranging from the SNL reference to discussing the minutia of her health care plan whereas Barrack's performance seemed a little more consistent.  Still, compared to Bush, either candidate would have clearly outperformed George Bush.
Obama's tone during the debate, while more pleasant, lacked passion. Clinton's passion for her country is always evident though not always well received. In my opinion, she won the debate hands down based on content and conviction.

Has anyone else noticed during the debates that Obama tends to use Clinton's best answers and then just repackages them as his own. Some say this is a strategy to look like he has the ability to find common ground. I don't. I suspect that he is at a loss without a script and is not as well-informed as Clinton so he must "borrow" her answers. It seemed at times last night that he was mirroring her.
One other observation:  I loved that Clinton FINALLY pointed out that Obama's claim to have been against the Iraq war from the beginning was totally irrelevant, because he WAS NOT IN THE SENANTE at the time and was not privy to all the intelligence that was presented to Congress.  It was a long time coming, but went directly to the heart of the matter.....Obama CANNOT say how he WOULD HAVE voted, because he simply wasn't at a level where he COULD HAVE voted.

Clinton '08
Don, Dayton, OH (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:58 AM)



Well, HRC likes to take credit for passing SCHIP, which passed in 1998, and she wasn't in the Senate at the time......
After sleeping on it, I have come to the conclusion that this country is not ready for a woman as President of the United States.  

I couldn't believe the feigned confusion of the MSNBC boy's club over Clinton's frustration on getting the first question so often, as they did the post debate "analysis."  

Not surprisingly, this same press corps, rather than EXPLAIN what it meant, they are just saying "it didn't work."   A missed opportunity, and one that was left on the table because it hits too close to home.

But let's explain it now.  

Hillary gets the first question and answers it thoroughly, and Obama's answer to the same question is nothing more than an ECHO of Hillary's answer.  

I'm also hearing how Hillary looked petty talking about the mailers.  That is a no win situation.  She was responding to a petty question about that very thing.  

As a Democrat I was conflicted about who to vote for.   As a woman, I see that the club at MSNBC is hostile to Clinton because she or her campaign have called Matthews and Schuster on their colloquial and unacceptable choice of words and poor judgement.   It looked like Russert in particular was determined to take it to Hillary.  

I'm shocked that more women haven't expressed their unhappiness with the press coverage.  It took Tina Fey and Saturday Night Live to embarrass the media and call them on it.  

While no one offered Mr. Obama a pillow, they certainly didn't call him out on the nearly identical responses he had to questions when he went second.....and that is not because he and Hillary's position on the issues are nearly the same as they like to say.

I have to finally say that all of the poll results and blog responses that get reported on are heavily bias to a younger demographic which has to be mentioned, but sadly is not.  I mean, how many people over 35 do you know who use the texting feature on their cell phones, other than to contact their children?  

Simply insulting to report the results of text messaging polls and blog
responses as representing the broader viewing audience.  Yet, it gets reported as though it is.  This isn't American Idol, it's the Presidency.



Why all of the ‘whining’ about the media bias against Mrs. Clinton? We all have short memories. When this campaign started, Hillary was labeled by the media to be the significant front runner. She was the only one being talked about and was in the spotlight continuously.  When her team failed to adjust to changing conditions and fell behind in the delegate count and lost multiple primaries in a row, the attention switched to the new front runner. What does that say about the media? They are going to focus coverage on what is hot. And what do you say about the team that fumbles the ball away? You say they fumbled and are now desperate. That is what is happening!
I don't know why I should expect a different set of standards for this election that I would in the regular work place.  It's much easier for a black man to get promoted than it is for a white (or any other color) woman.  We are set to a highers standard (ALWAYS).  It makes me so mad that because Hillary has showns that she is not a droan by showing more than on emotion they tag her as moody, schizophrenic, crazy..............because I don't know ANY men who are every cranky, moody, or uneven in their behavior.  I'm sick of the Obama bias.  It is real and it is percieved.  The networks should not be able to give 24 advertising to their favorite candidate and I just hope the people in Texas and Ohio are smart enough to vote for more experience.  On the darkest evening of the year would you drive without headlights if you had a perfectly good set of headlights (even if you didn't like what the headlights looked like).  That is what the people voting for Obama are doing.  They are driving this country without headlights when we know what a Clinton presidence would be.  Also, has anyone thought about what the black community will feel Obama owes them for their unwaivering support of him?  
Sen. Clinton is not getting traction. Her best shot won't be good enough against Obama. She appears increasingly nervous and edgy, with a forced smile that fools nobody. Perhaps if she and her husband had less baggage....


Gina, Brownsville:

Hillary has been there done that? What does that mean. Where has she been and what has she done that makes her a better candididate. Amazing how people express their support for someone based on over-generalized comments that mean nothing. Hillary has been there done that so lets vote for her. Am I missing something here?    
when all is said and done a campaign, a presidency, an NBA game come down to two minutes. who do yu want in the lineup when the game on on the line
a rookie or a player with playoff experience? it's just that simple.
Hillary apperared to look old and looked like she was a mother scoulding her son.
Obama stayed on the high road and gave her enough rope to show her peronality.
Obama will need a good military advisor.
What I loved was that Hillary in her blueprint for the economy has PROMISED to create 5 million new jobs.  Then it was pointed that she promised to create 200 thousand new jobs in New York when she ran for Senate yet there was a net job loss of 30 thousand jobs.  Her response....She made that promise because she thought Al Gore was going to win the presidency.  Make you wonder how many of her "promises" are conditional on the make-up of the Congress & Senate or on some other (unknown to the voters) condition.  The way I see it, all she did was pass the buck and place the blame for her failure to deliver on everyone else. Typical DC politics.
The Debate was a knockout for HRC!! But when Matthews and KO started talking they just wouldn't admit it. They wouldn't talk about anything obvious. They played what ifs and said did anyone get the pillow thing? MSNBC has always been in the tank for Obama. Him skirting around the LF support question was NEWS WORTHY and they said "hey, look, he finally said the word reject, Hillary was just being picky" THIS was huge! To tie his Pastor to LF like that on National t.v. and Obama not to say first off he rejects that sort of backing. You know Obama doesn't want to offend the black community that backs LF. Then he said words don't matter. They sure do if you are going to be the Leader of the Free World! No one commented on his nervous full teeth grin as she was debunking his position on that... play that again MSNBC... I dare you!! And why don't you have someone on from Clinton's actual campaign beside Obama campaign people instead of someone who used to work for her?? You are wimps!
a of illinois:

What a sick racist statement. And what will females want in return for their undying suport for Hillary if she were elected. I know. Sounds just as stupid dosen't it?

Hey, what do you think would have been the reaction if Obama had touted last night that he would be the first Black President just as Hillary stated she would make history by being the first female President. Do you think that he would have been as well praised as Hillary was for her comment if he had made such a reference. I doubt it. People would have said he was playing the race card. Why do you think he stays away from such comments while Hillary is able to bring up again and again that she would be the first female President? You are right. There are different standards for candidates in this race. Some for Hillary and just as many for Obama. Hillary can sing all she wants "I am female hear me roar" and she is praised for it, but Obama has to basically keep his mouth shut about his unique minority status or he looks like he is divisive by many.  
Hillary not remembering Putin's successor seems to come down to America's ethnocentric mentalities. Europe is bordered by several countries with numerous cultures, history etc while we are bordered by just 2 and separated by massive ocean;theirfore; when Rumsfeld mocked France and Germany as "OLD EUROPE" we all come across as ignorant and arrogant. Americans seem to lack basic knowledge of history, geography and civics. I remember when Ford made a fool of himself debating Carter insisting that Poland and other eastern countries were not Soviet influenced. Before we can engage in foreign policies that is based on exporting so-called democray it's obvious at least that we get their names right since this present administration operates on hypocrisy, not practicing what they preach, and pure geo-political arrogance(neo-con policies). One just has to travel abroad to know our Americans are being treated thanks to last 7 years.
A conservative sent the Obama over to Drudge and it worked.

Clinton got the blame.

McCain is up in the national polls and Obama is down.

By the time we get to November 2008, McCain will be far ahead in the polls.  And we can add Obama to the long line of Democratic losers.

I am a Democrat and for the life of me I cannot understand why some people in the party are drawn to losers like Obama/Kerry/Gore/Ted fat drunk Kennedy
et al!
Once again the media shows how school yard bullies get their name. Obama sat on a nice comfy pillow while Hillary was attacked by the sexist pig, Russert! How disgusting!!
Her first question whining was clearly to make the attempt that Barack always latches on to her answers. HOWEVER, watch the last two debates. Contrary to Clinton's comment, Obama did get plenty of questions asked first and she VERY OFTEN stated, "I agree with Barack". Face it Clinton zealots, there is not much difference between the candidates
Sen. Clinton issued her challenge to meet me in Ohio!  It was no Thrilla in Manilla.  It just showed the Clinton legacy.  "It is everybody's fault but ours."  
If her actions last night foreshadow how she would conduct foriegn Policy this country would be in the crapper.
"I have the most experienced machine that has ever been assembled and you keep picking on me."  
"If you don't say renounce I'll nuke you."
Hillary you have stayed too long. Say Good Night.  
Has anyone seen total speaking times for the Feb. 26 debate posted anywhere?  It seemed to me that Obama spoke for more minutes after Clinton complained about always having to answer first.
Senator Obama has a habit of riding two sides of an issue that the mainstream press seems to wish to ignore. The problem of his 'present' votes in the Illinois State Legislature have hardly been addressed.

Last night, Senator Obama walked the middle-ground on the issue of NAFTA  but most egregious was his attempt to please both his African-American voters who hold the anti-semitic Reverend  Farrahkan in high esteem and the Jewish community that does not. Senator Clinton called Senator Obama on his longtime refusal to extricate himself completely from Farrahkan. Even when she did win her point, Obama only parsed his words but still didn't utterly condemn Farrahkan or Obama's Reverend Wright. To do so he would have to resign from his church, and Obama isn't about to do that.

Halli Casser-Jayne
http://www.thecjpoliticalreport.com
Barak Obama has a lot of questions to answer about why he has been a member of this church for 20 years, with a Pastor who supports and praises Farrakhan.

If I were Obama I'd be ashamed too of a photo of me with Islam clothes on IN A VILLAGE THAT SUPPORTS ALQAEDA TERRORISTS....REMEBER 9-11


Wake up people.
It is funny that Hillary was jumping up and down on getting questions first and then flubbing the name of Putin's hand pick successor.

Did and one catch the fact that when Tim Russet corrected her on the pronunciation she just said "what ever"? Now if that is how a Commander and Chef handles mispronouncing some ones name then we are in real trouble.

With a name like Barack I would not even try to attempt to pronounce Dmitry Medvedev. It is heard to butcher someone's name and then be sarcastic about it as Hillary did last night.

I have a name that people butcher all the time and it gets frustrating. Let along disrespectful but then again she's a Clinton, tacky.
Oh, enough already with poor little Hillary, the media is against her.  I only get hard questions, poor pitiful me.  Obama has run a transparent campaign, you want his tax returns, here they are, his kindergarten records, take a look.  You can't look at her tax returns, her White House records or even her Senior Thesis.  Sen. Clinton has been secretive to the point of paranoia.  If she would just answer questions directly and make the information available, the media wouldn't have to get tough on her.  They aren't hard on Obama because they haven't had to be, the information is already out there.   Hillary Clinton is her own worst enemy and the dolts she has running her campaign aren't doing her any favors.
What I find hilarious is that Hillary's campaign is preaching a message of change in the Whitehouse, yet has continued to show at every available opportunity that they will continue to use the divisive and intellectually dishonest political tactics of the Bush administration. Her supporters complain of a media bias yet refuse to acknowledge that she has been given ample opportunity to put forward a more positive image and refrain from the highly negative tactics she is now famous for; she has basically taken what a little more than a year ago was a united Democratic party and through her constant negativity and "us vs. them" discourse has torn it in two, ensuring that no matter who wins the nomination it will be a much tougher battle than it originally could have been.

The Clinton campaign truly has no one to blame for their failure other than themselves, I realize that's a tough pill for her supporters to swallow, but it's simply the truth. If you're tired of watching your candidate continually lose then you should make it clear to her that you would like to see a more cleanly run race where instead of constantly focusing on the "shortcomings" of her opponent she is instead focusing on her own strengths, otherwise it's simply a matter of days until we can officially count Clinton out of the equation for good.  
I thought the same thing; last night when the question about Russia was proposed Obama was absolutely lost and waited for Clinton to take the raines, she may not have pronounced his name correctly, (who can?) but she knew what the heck she was talking about and Obama deferred to her he was totally lost
Can Olberman and Matthews can you two not see this
Are you both promised Cabinet post in an Obama administration

Jeff Atlanta
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. The bills they both have worked on and which are now the rule of our land 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 for both candidates.

The List for Obama 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 bills 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:
**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law,
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law,
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law,
**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.

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

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 championsh ip.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American RevolutionCommemorative 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.

There you have it, the facts are straight from the Senate Record - YOU my fellow citizens, decide who is fit to be the President of the United States of America and who is ready to lead us from DAY 1.  

- ZM, CA
Is there a word restriction on this?  How many characters or words are allowed?
MSNBC commentators were extremely critical about the CNN debate of last week.  Many of the remarks were directed at the lack of control of the CNN moderator, which was copied by Brian Williams as if he had drunk the CNN Kool Aid.  Russert was much better in this respect, but should have dealt with issues critical to Ohio voters, such as foreclosures and industrial development in the rust belt and Appalacis.  If your going to be critical of others then step up to the plate and hit one out of the park not just take pitches until you walk or strike out.
Not to know the name of the man she has to look into the eys next year. If she is the new President of the United States of Amarice she should know and be able to say his name "Dmitry Medvedev". How is this fitting in with being knowledgeable and prepared. And now 2 seconds to midnight she wants to take back her vote to allow Bush to invate another nation.
It is a pattern of Obama looking at Hillary for answers during debates. Again this time, he turned to Hillary to answer the question about Russia as he knew that he doesn't know enough to be able to say much, not mention if he could say the name of the Russia leader. It is a tough pronounced name.

When Obama debates Republicans, he is better to remember that Hillary won't be there to answer the questions for him.

Again during this debate, it shows that he won't stand the ground to "reject" for what he believes. Another 4 years of Bush is on our way if he becomes the nominee.


SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=708393

First Read e-mail alerts


Sign up for First Read alerts
The first place for key political news and analysis

Syndicate This Site

Add First Read to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google