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 News Political Reporter



Canadian Parliament weighs in...

Posted: Monday, March 03, 2008 4:39 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
We noted the evolving Canada-NAFTA story in an earlier post and included the embassy's statement. Here's part of what aired on MSNBC (passed on by the Obama campaign) when both sides of the Canadian Parliament weighed in...

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

I'm watching Hard Ball, and every one on there is acting like they haven't seen this footage. They hack out the first part of the clip and played one with no substance.

What's up with that?

Please run the clip that on this page, because I feel that voters aren't getting all the information they need on the subject.
And Obama says that he would make a good foreign policy leader. lol... He is the cause for Canadians having a disrupted Parliament... Obama is a JOKE.

Hillary all the way!
FINALLY...THE TRUTH!!
WHY isn't THIS A HEADLINE???
SO the Texas and Ohio VOTERS can make an INFORMED DECISION!!
We have heard ALOT ABOUT THIS in the MEDIA!  But when the Canadian GOVERNMENT speaks out on the controversy...IT IS NOT TRUE...it's not a HEADLINE????

Obama is getting the dirty end of the political stick...because he has come up against the BIG POLITICAL MACHINE and he was winning!  This sickens and saddens me!!!!
The GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT FOR Lobbyists, special interests, and corporations!!
Obams speaks the TRUTH...IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE IN AMERICA!!  GEt rid of the DIRTY POLITICIANS!!
Eat crow Clintonistas
Again Obama proves to be whiter than white.
ANY I AM SORRY,S FROM THE CLINTON CAMP YET?
"You can't pray a lie" was one of the timeless words written by Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens) in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885).  

Unfortunately for us, the people of these Great United States of America, it is possible that Senator Clinton can continuously spread a lie and do great damage to Senator Obama, who is simply trying to change the way politics work.

Senator Obama has been "ambivalent" about NAFTA from its inception.  He does not believe that the way it currently works is either "fair" or "free" trade.  Why don't we tell the truth about each other instead of involving FOREIGN governments (even if that government is Canada's) in politics surrounding the election of the President of the United States?

Shame on the Prime Minister of Canada and shame on Senator Clinton.  I don't care so much about the Prime Minister of Canada, although I hope the Canadian people have a thing or two to say about this.  I didn't think I could be more disappointed in Senator Clinton; I was wrong.  I hope from this moment forward Senator Clinton will begin to take the high road.  I do recognize that this hope is probably false.

My hope in Senator Obama is not false.  It is sound.
Yes we can!  I urge all voters to research and discover the truth.  Please do not believe the inneundo and falsehood.  Obama '08.
where is the rest of this???? This makes no sense but then again it came from the obama camp....
DAM YANKEES !
What the heck is going on?  This isn't Canada people. Does either side have anything besides speculation and hearsay to back their claims up? Why is a presidential candidate speaking to another country during the election? What would be Obama's motive? Why is Canada getting involved? None of the pieces fit. Is this another "vast right-wing conspiracy?"
Stephen Harper is a Bush disciple don't trust a word he says runs the country like a dictator. Although, I think Stevie has other things to worry about,like bribing a dead man.

Oh and Jack Layton isn't the leader of the Labour Party,  it's not called that in Canada. It's the new democratic party, but it's not like it matters anyway. Americans fail to get social democracy. -American in Canada
The fact is Obama said that there was not meetingnow we know there was a meeting.  The memo speaks for itself.  He was lying to the people of Ohio when he said that he would opt out of Nafata.  Just another politician say anything to get elected.  I know that is hard for Obamaicans to admitt.
Dang!  I cannot believe this.  Why are the Canadians trying to influence the outcome of our Presidential race and why?  Who is suppose to look into these sorts of things?  At least we now know who our closest enemy is.  Canada.  

More important - Sen. Clinton attacked Obama with this false information prior to learning if it was true or not.  Is this lack of judgement of jumping to conclusion without getting all the facts first?
That's Jack Leyton of the New Democratic Party (not Labour as Norah incorrectly ascribed to him -- this isn't Britain). He's right. Knowing the Conservatives as I do, I wouldn't put it passed the Prime Minister's office of doing just that. They have, after all, reached out to Bush's campaign advisors to help them with their own campaign.
Now the true test begins not only for Obama but for his supporters. Clinton stated she is "just getting started." Wel she was right. We have the Canadian Parliament weighing in basically saying "it ain't true." To make sure the negatives continue they bring up Rezko again. Of course they also want to keep the "Muslim" lie going.
The strategy is obvious. DO everything to dirty his reputation and hope he retaliates and gets off message. If she wants to play that game then we could go on and list all the controversy, scandals and inuendo surrounding her and President Clinton since God said let there be light.
We should all be tired of this kind of politics. She is like a wounded animal now. Cornered, attacking and dangerous.
Where is the rest of it???
I like the way they act in the Canadian Parliament....they heckle eachother continually as they speak.

They skip all the PC BS and fight it out...lol.
Now, finally official word from the Canadian Government, not internet lies from the Clinton/Bush/McCain tag team of Karl Rove dirty dealers! Will ALL of you Clintonistas look at this video and stop killing the Democratic party?!?! Legitimate discussion of the issues is fine; but this underhanded mudslinging by Clinton/Bush/McCain, and their latest celebrity endorsers like Rush Limbaugh has to stop. Hillary, how can you speak of unity? Thank God you will be dismissed tomorrow.  
What's the matter with the Obama supporters?  Cat got your tongue, eh?
Now Obamas backer just says that he doesnt understand Hillary seems to go back and forth about NAFTA. I would think this isnt to hard to understand.NAFTA has been good for some parts of the country and some parts not so good.So instead of getting rid of it she wants to renegoiate it so all the country will benefit to the fullest.
Thanks MSNBC for clearing up this mess brought on by the DESPERATE Clinton campaign.  This is a CLEAR incident of how the Clintons and their campaign have POLARIZED politics.  I call on Nancy Pelosi and the DNC to put an end to this type of disgusting and divisive politics.  I am furious that they have sat back and allowed the Clintons to stoop this low and make the DEMOCRATIC PARTY LOOK PATHETIC.. HECK WE look worse than the Polarizing, fearmonging REPUBLICANS.  Most of us will become independent if the DNC doesn't step in ASAP!!  
Another Hillary falsehood intercepted.

OBAMA 08.
NAFTA didn't send U.S jobs overseas. Greedy union demands forced capital to seek a reasonable return.
Clinton donations from troubled firmPosted: Friday, February 29, 2008 5:47 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton
From NBC's Lisa Myers and Jim Popkin
Sen. Hillary Clinton has declined to return $170,000 in campaign contributions from individuals at a company accused of widespread sexual harassment, and whose CEO is a disbarred lawyer with a criminal record, federal campaign records show.

The federal government has accused the Illinois management consulting firm, International Profit Associates, or IPA, of a brazen pattern of sexual harassment including "sexual assaults," "degrading anti-female language" and "obscene suggestions."

In a 2001 lawsuit full of lurid details, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims that 103 women employees at IPA were victimized for years. The civil case is ongoing, and IPA vigorously denies the allegations.

"This is by far, hands down, the worst case I've ever experienced," said Diane Smason, one of the EEOC lawyers handling the lawsuit. "Every woman there experienced sex harassment, they were part of a hostile work environment of sex harassment. And this occurred from the top down."

Sen. Clinton's spokesman, Howard Wolfson, told NBC News in a statement that the senator decided to keep the funds because the lawsuit is "ongoing" and because none of the sexual harassment allegations has been proven in court.

"With regard to the pending harassment suit, as a general matter, the campaign assesses findings of fact in deciding whether to return contributions," Wolfson said.


Kym (Sent Monday, March 03, 2008 4:09 PM)


Apoligies for Plagirism on my part Kim,just wanted to make sure other voter's see this.
This clearly shows that the CLINTONS have some of the CANADIAN government in their pockets and in their attempt to POLARIZE the Primary Election they have called on them to deliver!!  Thanks MSNBC for airing this and I hope it is covered thoroughly tonight...Ohio and TExas voters need to see this and understand just how deep the Clintons have NAFTA in their pockets and her pocketbook!  Now I see why she won't release those darn tax returns!!!  The DNC should demand that she releases those tax returns if she wishes to continue participating in this electin!!  Fair enough!!  I am getting really feed up with the Clintons and I will NEVER vote for either of them again even if it's to participate in a dog fight.  They truly disgust me!!
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.
hmmm, sounds like slick willy and his new blonde bombshell canadian belinda stronach have been up to more than their usual tricks.
What?!  This didn't work either?

DAMN!

We're trying everything, folks!  Back to the drawing board!  We'll figure out something!

Oh...uh, we'll be right from day one with solutions, not speeches, yada, yada, yada!
Until were done with the Bushes and Clintons, for good! This crap will continue. The GOPERS are professional sleze speakers, looks like Bill and Hill learned all they could from them.
I'm voting for Obama, I'm a grandmother and this country needs a fresh new direction. Not the same old duffle bag McCain, or Hystercial Hillary. The young people have finally woke up, this country is going down the tubes fast ladies and gentelmen, thanks to GEORGE AND DICK'S great adventures in the middle east, which our country has paid dearly for. Our manufacturing base has been destroyed, good jobs gone, just like the GOPERS like it. Feed the rich, starve the middle class and hope the poor stay that way. Pelosi and Reid are no better, I say throw out all of them, and bring in the Juniors, it's time for new brains, and ideas. The coruption will only continue with McCain or Clinton, so if you want more of the same, until were a total third world country, don't blame anyone but yourself if you vote for either of those two.
No weapon formed against you will prosper Senator Obama!  Keep up the good work!!
Obama has just showed his true colors, he is not telling the truth and why didn't MSNBC they show the whole clip......
He is just like every politician!!!!
Where's the change????

If any of you were ever in doubt about how little dedication HRC has to the party (as opposed to herself):

Clinton Says She and McCain Offer Experience, Obama Offers Speeches

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/03/01/politics/fromtheroad/entry3896372.shtml
When it becomes obvious you are going to win the nomination, the media chases you like crazy. There is little the media can uncover on Obama, and the Rekzo issue is even too old to be featured in the news.
MSNBC, why cannot you find something to report and not pure trash like the Rekzo issue? You are acting like you have filmed the Rekzo issue so you can repeat it because there is little else to report? I am not accusing you of bias yet.
Foreign leaders need to shut up and leave us alone. They know the leader we choose will affect their own ambitions.
As a canadian, I'm very ashame of our government....
laDean

Canada's not the enemy, the Canadian conservatives are helping their US counterparts. Someone else mentioned that they often dialogue and help each other during their elections.

This is NOT a US vs. Canada deal it's a Conservatives versus liberals deal.
It's highly unlikely Clinton will win, and dragging the course just gives McCain a better shot. Does no one realize all the bashing is for LCinton/ Obama? What about McCain? What about HIS record????

Wake up people!! vote Obama, call it a day and let's get on with the campaign. The longer you drag it out the less likely ANY democrat will win- they would have done too much damagae to each other!!! I have had enough of the Bush's and Clinton's, let's get some fresh blood.

OBAMA '08
Clinton's robots up here on this thread....YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

Nice slash and burn technique you got going, when it comes to fearmongering and doing anything to get elected, Clinton reminds me very much of Bush and the GOP.

"Smell that smell?  The smell that surrounds you"
Oh my gosh - a memo, in writing, showing just how two faced Obama is.

Obama will not carry New jersey or Ohio or Florida.

Hillary Clinton 2008!!!!
Renea, no, there's no apology from Clinton supporters. Why would there need to be one? Did her advisor meet with them? Did she create the memo from the Canadians and send it out? And, part of the Parliament is saying it happened and part of them are saying not. I'm not sure we know everything yet.
To The Professor:

Doesn't look like your 'sources' are very credible.  The Canadian Prime Minister already came out to denounce this story.  Why don't you get out from under your rock and read real credible sources.  
I still can't blieve all the Obama followers,or worshipers in denial about their false prophet. The truth is out and it's because he's a liar. Again, the Canadian government issued it's denial for fear of reprecussions if Obama wins, since the Obama campaign called Foreign Affairs Canada to threaten them so they issued a retraction and denial. I know both sides of the issue because I just returned to visit friends and relatives, and I voted for Obama in Massachusetts. I wish I could take back my vote now, but I can't because I fell for his rhetoric and hoped he was better. But over time I see that he's just another politician promising on what he'll never deliver. They are all the same, from Canada to the US. I just want the people of Ohio and Texas not to make the same mistake I did, so vote Hillary. You know what you're getting and we can't afford another G.W. Bush, who said he was a unifier and not a divider also. Remember he's the most liberal senator and no one on the right will work with him even if he reaches out. There's no reason to believe that he'll reach out anyways since CNN just reported that Obama never did reache across the isle in the senate. I will even vote McCain in the general election if Hillary loses because I don't want a two-face in the WH. To make up for my mistake I will contribute the max to Hillary now.
ELECTION 2008
Clintons to face fraud trial
Judge setting date, testimony to include ex-president, senator

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 19, 2008
11:27 pm Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily


Peter Paul and President Clinton (Courtesy Hillcap.org)

While Hillary Clinton battles Barack Obama on the campaign trail, a judge in Los Angeles is quietly preparing to set a trial date in a $17 million fraud suit that aims to expose an alleged culture of widespread corruption by the Clintons and the Democratic Party.

At the conclusion of a hearing tomorrow morning before California Superior Court Judge Aurelio N. Munoz, lawyers for Hollywood mogul Peter F. Paul will begin seeking sworn testimony from all three Clintons – Bill, Hillary and Chelsea – along with top Democratic Party leaders and A-list celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, John Travolta, Brad Pitt and Cher.

Paul's team hopes for a trial in October. The Clintons' longtime lawyer David Kendall, who will attend the hearing, has declined comment on the suit.

The Clintons have tried to dismiss the case, but the California Supreme Court, in 2004, upheld a lower-court decision to deny the motion.

(Story continues below)


Bill Clinton, according to the complaint, promised to promote Paul's Internet entertainment company, Stan Lee Media, in exchange for stock, cash options and massive contributions to his wife's 2000 Senate campaign. Paul contends he was directed by the Clintons and Democratic Party leaders to produce, pay for and then join them in lying about footing the bill for a Hollywood gala and fundraiser.

The Clintons' legal counsel has denied the former president made any deal with Paul. But Paul attorney Colette Wilson told WND there are witnesses who say it was common knowledge at Stan Lee Media that Bill Clinton was preparing to be a rainmaker for the company after he left office.

Paul claims former Vice President Al Gore, former Democratic Party chairman Ed Rendell and Clinton presidential campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe also are among the people who can confirm Paul engaged in the deal.


Hillary Clinton with Peter and Andrea Paul (Courtesy Hillcap.org)


Paul claims Rendell directed various illegal contributions to the DNC and Hillary Clinton's campaign and failed to report to the Federal Election Commission more than $100,000 given for a Hollywood event for Gore's campaign and the Democratic National Committee in 2000. McAuliffe, Paul says, counseled him in two separate meetings to become a major donor to Hillary Clinton to pave the way to hire her husband. Paul asserts top Clinton adviser Harold Ickes also directed him to give money to the Senate campaign but hid that fact in "perjured testimony" during the trial of campaign finance director David Rosen.

Rosen was acquitted in 2005 for filing false campaign reports that later were charged by the FEC to treasurer Andrew Grossman, who accepted responsibility in a conciliation agreement that fined the campaign 35,000. Paul points out the Rosen trial established his contention that he personally gave more than $1.2 million to Clinton's campaign and that his contributions intentionally were hidden from the public and the Federal Election Commission.

Rosen, accused of concealing Paul's in-kind contribution of more than $1 million, was acquitted, but Paul contends the Clinton staffer was a scapegoat. Paul points out chief Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson told the Washington Post he was aware of the donation, yet he never was called as a witness in the Rosen trial.

Paul contends his case will expose "the institutional culture of corruption embraced by the Clinton leadership of the Democratic Party," which seeks to attain "unaccountable power for the Clintons at the expense of the rule of law and respect for the constitutional processes of government."

The complaint asserts Clinton has filed four false reports to the FEC of Paul's donations in an attempt to distance herself from him after a Washington Post story days after the August 2000 fundraiser reported his past felony convictions. Clinton then returned a check for $2,000, insisting it was the only money she had taken from Paul.  But one month later, she demanded another $100,000, to be hidden in a state committee using untraceable securities.

"Why wouldn't that cause someone to inquire?" Paul asked. "Especially since it was days after she said she wouldn't take any more money from me."

Paul has the support of a new grass-roots political action group that is helping garner the assistance of one of the nation's top lawyers

Republican activist Rod Martin says his group plans to highlight Paul's case as it launches an organization based on the business model of the left-wing MoveOn.org but rooted in the principles and political philosophy of former President Reagan.

Martin's group also is assisting in Paul's complaint to the FEC asserting that unless the agency sets aside the conciliation agreement and rescinds immunity granted the senator, it will "have aided and abetted in the commission" of a felony.

Paul's case is the subject of a video documentary largely comprised of intimate "home movies" of Hillary Clinton and her Hollywood supporters captured by Paul during the period.


Why is Canada even a party to our political affairs?  Sorry Clintonistas looks like you have been foiled once again. I hope the people of Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island do the right thing and vote a man of integrity back in the White House.  Let the dynasties dies already. Obama 08!!!
MSNBC, why won't you post my information about the clinton fraud trial?  

ELECTION 2008
Clintons to face fraud trial
Judge setting date, testimony to include ex-president, senator

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: February 19, 2008
11:27 pm Eastern

© 2008 WorldNetDaily


Peter Paul and President Clinton (Courtesy Hillcap.org)

While Hillary Clinton battles Barack Obama on the campaign trail, a judge in Los Angeles is quietly preparing to set a trial date in a $17 million fraud suit that aims to expose an alleged culture of widespread corruption by the Clintons and the Democratic Party.

It's highly unlikely Clinton will win, and dragging the course just gives McCain a better shot. Does no one realize all the bashing is for LCinton/ Obama? What about McCain? What about HIS record????

Wake up people!! vote Obama, call it a day and let's get on with the campaign. The longer you drag it out the less likely ANY democrat will win- they would have done too much damagae to each other!!! I have had enough of the Bush's and Clinton's, let's get some fresh blood.

OBAMA '08
Amazing,

MSNBC is so biased against Obama it's amazing.  They refuse to discuss the Clinton $17MM fraud trial brought by Peter Paul.

Unbelievable.
THANK YOU "Make the Right Decision"... There's also a blog written by "grassroots' mom" about similar research she has done and how after doing it, she made her decision to vote for Obama instead of HRC.  Find it here at : http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633

And for a quick chart from the NYT about his time spent in the Illinois Senate, find it here:  
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

Please people, knowledge is power... back up your "emotion for change" with hard facts as we go into tomorrow's primaries and pass it on!  Obama '08 and beyond!
Jen of Ca:

First grow up. Second, WTH that... Change we Believe In? Can you be a little bit more original. Now listen, how in the world Sen Obama paid an international public official to declare such idiocracy. Are you on drugs? Read more about foreign affairs, will you? Yeah, good work!

Yes, that's right Obamamites; there's an international right wing conspiracy that is in cahoots with the Clinton campaign to sabotage Obamamania.  Listen to yourselves.

Your guy got caught with his pants down.  Then he tried to tell everybody that he was actually wearing pants, they're just invisible pants.

Why deny the meeting took place?  He didn't know?  Uh-huh.
Why do I smell a Clinton behind all this?  I hope the people of Ohio are smarter than Hillary thinks they are.


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=726012

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