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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 Political Researcher



Bill: Dems happy with both candidates

Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008 2:48 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: ,

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
FINDLAY, OH -- Bill Clinton said this morning that, despite the some hard feelings among the candidates' most "severe partisans," he's confident that most Democratic voters are still happy with both candidates, and will support whoever the nominee is.

"We know that an overwhelming majority of the American people believe the country has to change course," Clinton told nearly 1,000 people here at the University of Findlay. "The other thing we know is that most voters who will participate in the Democratic primary like both these candidates. Some of their severe partisans have developed hard feelings about the other -- that always happens. But the truth is, most people like them both."

Clinton, speaking at the first of five scheduled stops in the Buckeye State, told the crowd that if they voted for her in Tuesday's primary, and again in November, she'd be the next president. He also called her "the best change agent I've ever known," though he conceded he's biased.

"I know every time I get up to speak, people say, 'Aw he's gotta do this, they're married," he said. "It is true that I love her. But I love my country, too. And I would not have urged her on in this campaign, would not have encouraged never to quit when times were tough, if I didn't believe she'd be the best president for you."

And he pressed on with the argument he said both candidates made themselves at last week's debate. Without mentioning Barack Obama by name, he said the Illinois senator is making a case that "you should vote for me because I embody change," and that "we need to change Washington, and we don't want anybody who was there before." Hillary, on the other hand, argues that she has the "best record" of making changes in other people's lives and has the best ideas for the future."

"I think that's the better side of the argument."

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By David Ignatius(WaPo)
Sunday, February 24, 2008; B07

"When it comes to foreign policy, experience is a highly overrated asset." So says a former British foreign service officer named Jonathan Clarke, who has created a blog called Swoop ( http://theswoop.net) dedicated to undermining Washington's fondness for conventional wisdom.

What my friend Clarke means is that the set of issues and strategies that shaped the Cold War generation has passed. He's a product of that generation, having served at the sharp end of the spear for the British government in various Cold War hot spots. But that era is over. The intellectual matrix formed by the Soviet threat, and before that by Hitler's rise in Germany, needs to be reworked. There is a new set of problems and personalities -- and if America keeps trotting out the same cast of characters and policy papers, we will fail to make sense of where the world is moving.

The experience issue will dominate the final weeks of the Democratic primary campaign. Hillary Clinton's only remaining trump card is that she has been in the White House before and will be ready, as she repeats so tirelessly, from Day One. But ready for what? For a recapitulation of the people and policies that guided the country in the past? That's an attractive proposition only if you think that the world of the 1990s -- or '80s, or '70s -- can be re-created.

The experience gap will overshadow even more the general election race against John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee. With his every sinew, McCain embodies the idea of a wise, battle-tested man. "I'm not the youngest candidate, but I am the most experienced," he said after winning the Wisconsin primary Tuesday night. It's clear he hopes this pitch will carry him all the way to the White House. He's the tough old fighter pilot; he has fought the Cold War battles; he knows how to protect the nation in a time of danger. That's the McCain strategy in one compound sentence.

The assumption that experience equates with good judgment is a hard one to shake. We tend naturally to defer to the person who has been there before, measured the adversary, learned how the game is played. Yet if ever there were a test of the efficacy of experience, it was the Bush administration's decision to go to war in Iraq and its subsequent management of the postwar occupation. Bush's national security advisers were arguably the most experienced in modern times. But their performance was often very poor. That was partly, I think, because they overlaid the post-Sept. 11 challenges on a Cold War template about the uses of military power.

We are the last major nation to make the transition from Cold War thinking to something new. China and India are rising thanks to new leadership elites that understand how to succeed in global markets; Russia is about to elect a new president whose formative experiences came after the fall of the Soviet Union; Pakistan has just rebuffed its own durable Cold Warrior, Pervez Musharraf; even Fidel Castro, perhaps the iconic survivor of the Cold War, has decided to step down. Only in America could John McCain seriously campaign for leadership as a symbol of the past.

The utility of inexperience was explained to me last week by Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir Putin. He said that what's attractive for Russians about Dmitry Medvedev, who is certain to be elected as Putin's successor next Sunday, is that he embodies "a generation that was not shaped by the Soviet Cold War way of thinking." Putin himself is a transition figure, a man formed by his experiences as a KGB officer. But after him, explained Peskov, comes a generation of Russians who don't carry the same baggage. They have traveled the world, seen things their parents could never imagine, looked at problems with fresh eyes.

To prepare for the next stage of the U.S. presidential campaign, try this thought experiment: Imagine the television footage of Barack Obama's first trip abroad as president -- the crowds in the streets of Moscow, Cairo, Nairobi, Shanghai, Paris, Islamabad. Now try to imagine the first visit by President John McCain to those same cities. McCain is a great man, and he would be welcomed with respect, deference, perhaps a bit of fear. Obama would generate different and more intense reactions -- surprise and uncertainty, to be sure, but also idealism and hope. Now tell me which image would foster a stronger and safer America in the 21st century.

Obama has liabilities as a candidate, but his inexperience paradoxically may actually bolster one of his core arguments -- that he would give America a fresh start.
I love Bill.
But, he's wrong.
True Hillary Democrats could NEVER vote for O'BOMB-a if he were the nominee.
...and WE won't.
:-)
At least he doesn't have to think about supporting the party if Obama actually gets the nomination, unlike Mrs. Obama.
I intend to vote for the democratic nominee. So to Bill and Hillary Clinton, I ask you - if Hillary does not do what she's supposed to do next Tuesday (win Texas & Ohio by significant margins) will you bow out gracefully so Barack Obama can begin running as the democratic nominee?

It's going to be a hard fought campaign and if we want a democrat as our next president, we are going to have to unite behind Senator Obama. Soon. Real soon.

Will you do that?
Bill, please lets know Hillary number so that we can call her 3AM 3/6/08 to ask her to drop and unite the party
Sen Rockefeller(WV) endorses Barack Obama.

ps...
When Barack Obama has Hillary Clinton,Al Qaeda(sp), and the neocon wing of the Repub party against him---He must be  doing something right.
Add J Merle and Taylor Marsh to the list too.
Bill is wrong. It would have to be one mighty cold day in hell before I would vote for his wife. I'd even vote for Monica before I'd vote for Hillary. At least I would know she does one thing well!
Another Super in Barack's Arsenal, Sen. Jay Rockefeller(WV)(my home state).There's more to come folk's, just sit back & watch as more & more come out & Announce they're backing Barack. This is the End of the Clinton's. They wanted to keep them silent, but the Clinton antic's have brought them out before the Clinton's can do any more Damage to the Democratic Party.

Enjoy your last few days, Clinton supporter's, The Real Democratic base is Speaking Up
WELL, I HATE TO BURST BILL CLINTON'S BUBBLE BUT THERE IS NO WAY, NO WAY I WILL EVER VOTE FOR OBAMA. I DON'T TRUST HIM OR THE PEOPLE BEHIND HIM.  HE IS A SOCK PUPPET FOR POWERFUL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE USING HIM AS A FRONT. HIS PAST COCAINE USE BOTHERS ME. HE DEFENDS JOHN KERRY'S VOTE ON IRAQ AND CONDEMS HILLARY FOR THE SAME VOTE.  JUST WHERE DOES HE STAND???  VOTE FOR HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!  ONLY HILLARY!
Merle -- that's b/c you're an admitted racist like the lady who stumped for Hillary in Ft. Worth a couple of days ago.  Thank you for not polluting this thread w/ one of your racist screeds, BTW!  Save it for the Klan meetings!
True Hillary Democrats could NEVER vote for O'BOMB-a if he were the nominee.
...and WE won't.
:-)

SAY NO TO FARRAKHAN. SAY NO TO OBAMA.
We all need to rally behind the nominee - however that might be.  I am a Hillary supporter, but I will vote for Obama in November.  We need a Democat in the White House next year!!

Democrats 2008!!
My guess is, Bill got the 3 am phone call to tell Hillary, " It's All Over".
QUESTION: When had Clinton ever been tested on foreign policy - or had to pick up the phone at 3:00 am?

RESPONSE: She has been tested throughout her life on so many matters.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!

I've been tested throughout my life too. Make me president. Fools in the Clinton campaign.
If Hillary were to win, I probably would hold my nose and vote for her.  She'd be better than McCain and more republican garbage, but I just don't think she's better than Obama.

I don't like her stances on foreign policy.  The biggest job of the President is commander in chief.  Obama is offering a new vision for foreign policy that can put America back on top again, give us a little respect around the world.  It's time for that to change.  It's time we aren't afraid to talk to people we don't like.  I'm not just some fan of vague change.  Obama has very specific policy proposals and goals.  

I'm not surprised that people like J Merle are nasty and bitter.  They have invested almost an entire year into their candidate.  Thankfully for me, Obama looks like he's going to come out on top.  But, I'm a big enough person to look beyond that if Hillary is the candidate.
Bill, loved you as President, but you're wrong on this one.  Barack Obama is a duplicitous, lying hypocrite scumbag, and I wouldn't vote for him for all the tea in China.

That being said I won't vote for McCain either.

I'm voting for Chester Hopewell.  He's clean, soft, friendly, and fluffy.  Unlike Senator Obama, he doesn't take money from lobbyists or pacs, and has never told a lie...even when he's peed on shoes he doesn't deny it.

Democrats, you have an alternative if Obama gets the nomination.  Write in Chester Hopewell in November!
I love Bill.
But, he's wrong.
True Hillary Democrats could NEVER vote for O'BOMB-a if he were the nominee.
...and WE won't.
:-)
J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY

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

Thank you for deomnstrating just what this election is about... You never got it did you..

YOU are what we are all united against.  
For me at least, Bill speaks the truth...I do like them both. I will vote for the Dem nominee in November. The last thing the country or the world for that matter needs in more of the miserable failure of government that this administration has dumped on us. And that is exactly what we would get if gasbag mccain were elected. ANYBODY but mccain!!
Here's what Bill had to say about Hillary. Quite interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZW0m2nWB_M
I'd vote for either candidate against McCain.  There is really no difference in their stands on the issues relative to McCain. You have to doubt the sincerity or question the logic of folks who say they voted for Hillary, but will vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee.  If that's the case, why were you voting in the Democratic primary in the first place?  
I disagree we need Hillary in the white house and if the media and the Republicans win the race for Obama the only thing to do is write her name in..
I wish he'd shut up & go away.
Pat, Boston -- Now's the time for everyone to put their differences behind them and unite.  Our future depends on it.

Obama '08
Democrats, you have an alternative if Obama gets the nomination.  Write in Chester Hopewell in November!

Shtuey (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:07 PM)

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

No. I will write Hillary Clinton.
MMMM interesting comment after the Canadian connection. Both Hillary and Barack were implicated and both denied.

Damage control time for the Democrats.

You know our country is really in a mess. Obama or Clinton didnt do it.We have a lot of hard work and decisions ahead of us. Obamas wife I dont like her she is arrogant,speech slurs, falls onto stage has done damage to Obamas image,i believe.But I think when its either alone in the oval office she or Bill wont be there for the final decisions. Lets stop with the 10 yr old crap. This sure isnt new or uniting or even a help to any of us. We notice they keep Obamas wife in the background and thats ok we see above why.It is Obama or Hillary.I believe Hillary is best equipped and able for the job. If I was hireing for the biggest job in the land I would have to pick Hillary. Remember though,Obama is young and will be an asset to this country too. If he doesnt make it and tries again we may be glad for him.Maybe we need to just look at where we stand now ok. Hillary is poised,firm,strong,knowledable,fair,hard working,and has always loved and worked hard for her country.I dont think all this crap you and the media try to spread on her is necessary. If you dont think Obama holds up to her just come on over to our side and welcome.
This is one Hillary supporter that will never vote for barack hussien.  I will either be a democrat for McCain, a stay-at-home democrat or a nader tater, but NEVER A barack hussien tag-along.  You may have given up on Hillary, but I haven't.  I will be voting for Hillary in November.
This is one Hillary supporter that will never vote for barack hussien.  I will either be a democrat for McCain, a stay-at-home democrat or a nader tater, but NEVER A barack hussien tag-along.  You may have given up on Hillary, but I haven't.  I will be voting for Hillary in November.
Ron, TX: I have to agree with you. Hillary Clinton was a given for so, so long.

I would imagine it's hard for her supporters to see everything evaporate before their eyes.

I just wish they weren't so ugly with their comments. Oh well. Not everyone in this country is looking towards the future and trying their damnest to be more progressive in their thinking. Change for some reason doesn't come easy in this country.

I never could understand why. Perhaps the United States of America is less educated and more uninformed than we realized. It sure appears that way.

And that is scary.
J Merle,

Agreed. He won't get my vote either. He hasn't passed the sniff test. He associates with some pretty bad cats, is long on promises, short on action, sidesteps all the tough questions, plays just as dirty as the best of them while decrying "dirty politics" is a thing of the past. Is ahead due to Repug crossover which is just another repug manuever to circumvent democracy. And, if you stripped away the Repug votes, the intimidated superdelagets and seat Florida, then who's ahead?

I'm so disgusted with the DNC I'm ready to move back as an independent.
Bob in Virginia-----------  why?
On the one hand, Barack offers hope instead of constant fear-mongering and whining when Congress doesn't give up 100% of what the president wants.

On the other hand, Hillary might be motivated to hunt down some the wretched dogs who've been using public offices to fatten their bank accounts and do favors for cronies.

In either case, neither one would be so hapless and witless to look surprised at the thought of $4/ gal gas when it's already $3.75. Bush was probably calculating his profits for when it does hit $4.
Don't count on it .... the people who are supporting the Obama movement are not your (girl) friends.
"The price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change."

"For too long we've been told about "us" and "them." Each and every election we see a new slate of arguments and ads telling us that "they" are the problem, not "us." But there can be no "them" in America. There's only us."

"I still believe in a place called Hope, a place called America."

"Today we can declare: Government is not the problem, and government is not the solution. We, the American people, we are the solution."

"Our destiny is bound up with the destiny of every other American."

“We cannot build our own future without helping others to build theirs.”

"By lifting the weakest, poorest among us, we lift the rest of us as well.”

"Everybody counts, everybody deserves a chance, everybody has a responsible role to play and we all do better when we work together.”

All said by William Jefferson Clinton.  He can't wait to campaign for Barack Obama.  I have no doubts in my mind that one of the smartest politicians we ever had has made so many "mistakes" this year unintentionally.  I seriously believe he doesn't want her to win. He's too good to mess up that much.

One final quote from Bill...

“I have news for the forces of greed and the defenders of the status quo; your time has come and gone. It's time for change in America.”


I voted for Bill, so shall I vote for Obama.  Who is far closer Bill 2.0 than Hillary.

Obama 08!
Bill *loves* Hillary??? What does Monica think?
Msnbc may as well work for Obama...all they do is sing his praises and cut down Hillary. I noticed this clear back in January before I selected a candidate.
Dan Abrams report confirmed this.

You guys stink at reporting!!
I think it is time for us to grow up and/or think intelligently.  

Let me first say that if my favorite candidate loses the nomination I will be beyond mad BUT for me this is not about Clinton or Obama, it is about ME; it is about MY children.

We cannot allow the republicans to continue holding the highest political seat – no way!  At this point if I had to vote for McCain or a hyena, I would be voting for that hyena.  

Let us not allow our passionate views regarding one candidate overshadow what is most important… US!  We need to have a democratic president or we have no one to blame for the next 4 more years.

Yeah, experience is important as is change but unless we come together we are going to have more of the same old, same old come November.

So my advise to those of use who are true Democrats, or pretend Democrats … please take your head out of your you know what and focus on the important issue at hand...US!

Clinton and Obama will be just fine come 2009 but will we?
"Ack-ack-ack-ack. Ack-ack-ack."

The Slim Whitman music will play on Tuesday, all their heads will explode, and we can get on with the General.  Can't wait.
how do you ignorant fools sleep at night?  do you really think we can't see and hear the racism teaming in your posts?  if you think you're covering it at all you're mistaken.

have some guts-- say "i don't want a black man in charge", or "change scares me".  not "i just don't trust him for some reason".

wanna discuss some issues?  for the love of god, let's do it.  don't just come here to spread your unfounded and unsubstantiated fear, hate and ignorance. i'm sure there are plenty of message boards for just that. don't forget to bring up barack's middle name while you're there - stupid people think that's hilarious...
i will not rally for the Clintons for the following reasons:

- too much baggage. hill on tyra tried to portray the Lewinsky thing as her difficult moment. like it was a one off thing convenientky forgetting jones, flowers, willy spanning several years. this conversations will onlt get revisited over next 4 years while we try to explain to our kids its ok to follow our president but not act like them.

- too much special interests, pardons tied to donations, favors nationally and internationally (china, ukraine contributors).

- too much shady circumstances. still no clear explanation for why vince foster killed himself

- i do not like monarchys. this country ca surely di better than bush-clinton-clinto-bush-bush-clinton.
Please help me accomplish a goal for Americans:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/dashboard/main/unmillondesuenos

Sincerely,

Angel
Agreed Joe in Chicago. Those message boards are in the right wing
Bill Clinton endorses Barack Obama -

"Now, one of Clinton's laws of politics is this. If one candidate is trying to scare you and the other one is try get you to think, if one candidate is appealing to your fears and the other one is appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."
-Bill Clinton, 2004
Why doesn't the press bring up Obama's drug use and connections with Rezko? Or how about they show the public the YouTube video of him not respecting the national anthem?? No, we don't hear stories like this about Obama bc the media is blindly in love with him. He does a lot of talking, but it's easy to criticize when you were only a state senator. Barack Obama may have charisma but he won't know what hit him when he has to act on the change he guarantees. His foreign policy advisor sounds even more clueless on foreign relations than he does. HILLARY IN 2008!!!

This is one democrat who hasn't been blinded by words that sound nice. Hillary Clinton is my president
"Experience" is only as good as the action taken while doing. "Perfect Practice" makes "Perfect". A Person with "EXPERIENCE" in Washington has BAD HABITS! LOOK at her EXPERIENCE! Whitewater, Travel Gate, the Health Care debacle...etc...Is THAT the KIND of EXPERIENCE Voters want, America NEEDS? I think not. Good judgement is what's needed.
As a moderate (and there are many, many more like me) Hillary as Dem candidate = vote for McCain.

Barack as candidate = vote for dem ticket

We don't need 4/8 more years of partisan wars led by Billary.  We are tired of all the partisan bickering and want the politicians to start working for us.

Re: if experience in the whitehouse as first lady matters so much, count on Laura Bush running next.  If experience failing counts so much(Hillarycare), George W. would be the best candidate for a 3rd term at president.
I am a Hillary supporter that would never ever vote fo Barack Hussein Obama.So Bill you are wrong.
This is the beginning of the consession speach. Bill finally sees the writing on the wall.

Baring a few losers on this blog, the dem party will soon be strong and united.
Bill Clinton Endorses Barack Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGW38Zy4bJo
bill's wrong.  there are a lot of hyper-hormonal, femi-nazis and racists out there who HATE senator obama simply because he's a black male gunning for the highest office over their chosen white and female candidate.  pathetic but true.


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