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



Junior Super Tuesday

Posted: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 8:58 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:

John Harwood of CNBC and the New York Times offers of a primer of what to watch for tonight. “Should Mr. Obama sweep all four contests, her hopes will plainly be extinguished. Should she carry Ohio and Texas — as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, said she must to retain a shot at the nomination — she will no doubt fight on to the next big battle, on April 22 in Pennsylvania, and, perhaps, all the way to the convention in Denver. Trickier to handicap would be a split decision, in which Mrs. Clinton won Ohio, for example, but lost Texas. For people who want to think about possible permutations, keep this one in mind. Because of the way Texas allocates delegates, it is entirely possible that Mrs. Clinton could win the popular vote there but lose to Mr. Obama on delegates.”

The Politico’s Roger Simon: “The stage has been set for a Hillary Clinton comeback on Tuesday. Nobody knows if she has the votes to do it, but the opportunity is ripe. She not only is vigorously attacking Barack Obama but simultaneously portraying herself as a victim. It is a nifty political two-step.” He adds: “Nor do I think, as some do, that Bill Clinton’s statement that she needs to win both Texas and Ohio to gain the nomination was (yet another) grievous tactical error. The Clinton campaign had to serve notice that Tuesday is it. The campaign is facing elimination after 11 Obama victories in a row and with superdelegates swinging his way. Both Clintons had to motivate voters in Texas and Ohio by serving final notice. They had to tell them: Get up off the couch and vote now, or it’s all over.”

NBC political analyst Charlie Cook writes in his CongressDaily column, “[W]inning by slight percentages in Texas and Ohio aren’t real wins for Clinton. A ‘win’ would be anything that significantly closes the gap in delegates. Symbolic victories mean nothing at this point, other than encouraging her to plow ahead in this campaign, amassing a greater campaign debt than already exists and delaying her ability to get on with the next phase of her life.”

Democrats don’t necessarily seem to want the Clinton-Obama race to end. From a new Washington Post/ABC poll: “Democrats by more than a 2-1 margin say Hillary Clinton should stay in the presidential race even if she loses either the Texas or Ohio primary today. But if she fails in both, fewer than half say they’d want her to fight on. Many, in that case, have another idea for Clinton: the vice presidency.”

The New York Daily News’ DeFrank about sums it up: “If Hillary Clinton wins Texas and Ohio Tuesday, she's back from the political boneyard. If she loses both, she's finished. And if it's a split decision, anything is possible.” 
 
But, as Reuters notes, “Even a split decision in the two states would leave her with a steep climb to overtake Obama's lead of roughly 150 pledged convention delegates who select the nominee, and increase the pressure on her to quit.”

The cover of the New York Daily News: “Win or it’s adios!” “Hillary faces do-or-die primary battles today in Texas and Ohio.”

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As an Obama supporter, I have a really bad feeling this morning.  True, he might split the delegates evenly from today’s primaries, but the fact remains Hillary is going on; probably all the way to Denver.  Funny how fleeting ‘hope’ can be or the thousands of voices chanting “yes we can” can simply vanish.  I am completely at a loss for thinking Senator Obama is going to either win the nomination or Presidency.  

How can she live with herself?  I have ‘Googled’ the internet for weeks trying to find the reference point which claims it was her divine right to be the nominee.  She is the direct and sole reason the GOP will reclaim the White House, and probably reclaim control of Congress.  How will she feel as a woman after the Supreme Court gets packed with a conservative tilt, and Roe v. Wade gets overturned?  How will she feel when parents across the country lose another 3,000 of their sons & daughters in Iraq?  How will she feel when the Constitution gets raped for another couple of years by the Repukes?  How will she feel when gas hits $4 a gallon, and the economy is on the brink of depression?  How will she feel when the world no longer seeks us out for leadership because we are so despised internationally?  Of course by now, I already know she has no ethical backbone, so why should she care if she brings down the party and the country?  How did we get to the point where comedian Limbaugh openly stresses for people in Texas to vote for her?

Yes, Hillary will be to blame.  The sad thing is nobody will even fault her for the loss she is going to cause; just because she is a Clinton and a weeping woman.  I had somehow thought that we had smarter people in this country.  Obviously not.
I must say I fear that Hillabee will soldier on regardless.  She's turning into Raskolnikov -- you just can't knock off her campaign, npo matter how many death blows it receives.  
If she's portraying herself as a victim, how an she be a fighterat the same time?
Barack Obama and his staff have absolutely no reason to talk to Canadians about NAFTA at this time. Not to ease their concerns or for any other reason. It takes some funny math to add up to the story circulating against him at this time. So figure.
I love the quaint notion of some that Republicans will vote for Obama come November!  It would be hilarious if it weren't so sadly misguided.  Get this: Nixon - Reagan - Bush - Dole - Bush - Obama.  Yeah, I believe that!

People, what is going on the Republicans can't wait to take out Barack if he knocks out Hillary, that’s what they’ve been praying for and WORKING for since former Bush donors gave to Obama last year.  

WHY DID BILL CLINTON HAVE THE HIGHEST APPROVAL RATING WHEN HE LEFT OFFICE SINCE JFK?  Higher than the savior of the right, Ronald Reagan.  WHY????  And unlike Reagan, who bought his popularity by running up our national credit card debt to the tune of BILLIONS, Clinton actually left us a SURPLUS.  

Do ya think maybe Clinton's popularity was due to his successes at things that actually HELPED PEOPLE?  Jobs? UP. Wages for middle income earners?  UP.  Crime?  DOWN.  Teen pregnancy? DOWN.  Drug use?  DOWN.  Individual net worth?  UP. Home ownership?  UP. National debt left by Reagan/Bush?  WIPED OUT and HUGE SURPLUS ACCUMULATED.  When you look at those, it's obvious why the Republicans went after him as they did.  

Clinton scandals?  What is truly scandalous is that the Republicans spent close to 100 MILLION dollars of OUR money trying to get Bill Clinton for a few hours of Monica Lewinsky.  100 million dollars - yet we "can't afford" health care.  And, of course the media went right along as it was fabulous for their ratings.  

Don't you get it?  Bill Clinton is SUPERMAN to the Republicans.  That's why they detest him, very simple.  When they can't get their way, they try and pummel their opponent.  But Bill whupped them EVERY TIME.  I want Superman back in the White House!
If Clinton Wins in Ohio or Texas, Most Democrats Want Her to Stay in the Race

Tuesday, March 4, 2008; A08



Two-thirds of Democrats say a victory in either Ohio or Texas would be reason enough for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) to keep her historic bid for the party's presidential nomination alive, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Two losses, however, would dramatically change the equation. Only 29 percent of Democrats said Clinton should drop out if she loses one of the two big states, but that number jumps to 51 percent if she loses both. About two-thirds of men and liberals indicated that she should give up her bid under those circumstances. And among those closely following the campaign, nearly six in 10 said she should quit the race if she loses both Texas and Ohio, states that her husband, former president Bill Clinton, has called must-wins.

At the general-election level, half of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents across the country would like to see Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) as the party's presidential candidate; 43 percent would rather Hillary Clinton be the nominee.

Obama's edge is built on strong support among the types of voters who have lifted him to 11 consecutive wins since Super Tuesday. Eight in 10 African Americans want Obama to be the party's standard-bearer, as do about two-thirds of younger voters and those seeking a candidate offering a new direction and new ideas. Nearly six in 10 men and 45 percent of women support Obama, putting him roughly on par with Clinton among women. White women and older voters preferred Clinton by wide margins.

And in a twist, Obama has the edge among mainline Democrats, who prefer him over Clinton by 10 percentage points. While losing to Clinton among Democrats in most states holding their caucuses or primaries through Feb. 5, Obama has won the party faithful in the four post-Super Tuesday contests that had a network exit poll.

Overall, white Democrats prefer Clinton by a 10-point margin, masking a wide gender gap: By about a 20-point margin, white women are more likely than white men to want Clinton to be the nominee. Whites without college degrees and those with annual family incomes of less than $50,000 back Clinton, while those with more formal education and higher incomes split about evenly between her and Obama.

The poll was conducted by telephone Feb. 28 to March 2 among a random national sample, including 629 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents. The results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.


-- Jon Cohen and Jennifer Agiesta

Hold on, Chuck.  It's just that this thing has dragged on so long.  There is always that moment of hesitation---will people really show up at the polls and do their thing?  They will, but one does wonder.

Texans will deliver their state tonight, I do believe; one must admit that HRC has been getting the royal treatment and a free ride on her negative dish on Obama.  I would like to believe voters have her figured out and are plenty tired of the 'me first' politics, lack of disclosure, and basic integrity issues.  If Texans and Ohioans do not do what the rest of us have done, I suppose we deserve what we get.
If Hillary Clinton comes back - it is NOT because she has proven to the voters that she is more qualified in ANY way. It will be b/c her campaign threw the "kitchen sink" at Obama in pure Clintrovian fashion. I haven't heard a THING about why she is qualified, only her smear and Rove tactics against a fellow Democrat. They brought up
   (1) the Canadian Embassy (which Canada denied was improper for which they went as for as to APOLOGIZE

    (2) Obama's "failing" to conduct hearings in the NATO Committee He chairs. (which is NOT, despite what Clinton has said, the Subcommittee responsible for Afghanistan - that subcommittee is headed by John Kerry AND the ENTIRE committee of which these two committees are a part HAS held meedings on this important topic.

    (5) Hillary's ridiculous statement that McCain will bring his "lifetime of experience" and she will bring her "lifetime of experience" and Obama will bring a "speech" - WRONG - Barack has more experience in ELECTED office and PUBLIC service than Hillary does. She only has 6 years of experience in elected office, he has far more - Let's review their experience: She worked for the children's defense fund for LESS THAN A YEAR - He was a community organizer, she was a corporate lawyer at the scandal ridden Rose Law Firm, He was a state senator - she was a first lady - and they are both senators.

    (4) the Rezco issue (which has been thoroughly researched and everyone who has examined it has agreed that - though it was a boneheaded move for Obama to associate with this guy - Obama did NOTHING WRONG...and while we are at it - why on EARTH is Hillary Clinton of all people going afer someone for associating with someone who is involved with a scandal - SHE of ALL people should not want scandal to come to the forefront of this campaign whitewater, travelgate, the rose law firm...and on and on....HOW MANY PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH HILLARY HAVE BEEN IMPLICATED AND INDICTED?! ...AND Hillary was far more involved with these people than Rezco with Barack - in fact, Hilllary and Bill have been involved with Rezco to a small degree.

...Oh, and let's not forget that the information her campaign is putting out about how to conduct the caucuses is questionable - at best - now THAT is a REAL scandal on which the press should focus.

Come ON Texas and Ohio - don't fall for it - don't be duped.

THE ONLY THING TO WHICH HILLARY CAN LEGITIMATELY CLAIM 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS 35 YEARS OF SCANDALS.
Hillary's comment yesterday, that Obama has nothing to offer the country but a speech from 2002, while both she and Sen. McCain offer a "lifetime of experience" to "take to the White House," is one of the ugliest attacks yet, and signals that the Clintons are willing to burn the house down if she doesn't win the nomination.  They don't seem to understand that if they win the nomination that way, it will be a worthless nomination that will destroy their own party.
Chuck, NY
Man you have to get real.  You really honestly believe Hillary is to blame for everything?  If the repubs get back in it is totally Hillary's fault?  Obama does not need to take any responsiblity for his downfall; it is all Hillary's doing?  Get real.
There has been so much name calling, slamming, degrading, manipulating on BOTH sides, candidates and supporters as well.  It is not Senator Clinton alone who has made this division.  Obama and his supporters are just as guilty, they just refuse to see any wrongdoing on their part.  Gas prices, supreme court, Iraq war - it IS NOT going to be Hillary's fault, collectively it is the democrat's fault (with a lot of help from the media) for selecting the two most unqualified (excluding Gravel and Kucinich) to run. All of the dirt should have come out early on - transparency for everyone.  
Chuck in NY, relax.  The absolute best case scenario for Hillary today is that she nets 5-10 delegates.  There is virtually zero chance that Obama will go to the convention without a solid elected delegate lead.  Therefore, the only way Hillary can win this nomination, momentum or not, is if she can convince superdelagates to overturn the will of the voters.  That is something I don't believe they will do.

This election is over and has been over for a while.  The media will keep it going because they get good ratings.  But it's over, Obama won.
Chuck,
I totally agree...The last 2 days I've realized that the "clinton machine" has managed to spin this thing in her direction...For the first time in my life I have believed in the political process, and it's about to be stolen from us...I saw a poll today that said only 10% of Barack's voters will not vote for Hillary...Well, if she manages to win this nomination you can count me in the 10%...I'm not going to give up "hope" however...Even if she has a good day (which I expect she will) then we will press on...I believe in America...I really can't imagine 4 years with HRC as the President...Her arrogance and sense of entitlement make me ill....

Si se puede....
"Both Clintons had to motivate voters in Texas and Ohio by serving final notice. They had to tell them: Get up off the couch and vote now, or it's all over."

But on the flip side of this are all the Obama supporters who realize if they get out to vote, they could finally knock her out.

Let's face the objective facts here:

No matter who you support in this race, the things Clinton will have to do to win the nomination will all but ensure a loss in November. Just for her to catch up: Win tonight by huge margins; go on to trash Obama for 6 weeks until Pennsylvania; trash Obama some more for 4 more months until the convention; then still be behind in elected delegates and have to convince the superdelegates to overrule the elected ones (Oh by the way, she would have to contend FL and MI). So we end up with Obama who has been attacked by every GOP talking point before the general even starts, or we end up with a Clinton nominee who will have split the party. All the while, McCain is building his organization.

In the interest of the party's chances in November, it has to be Obama. It has to be Obama tonight.
Yes indeed, I think Billary's 'Campaign of Fear and Smear', the strategy of being the attacking victim will pay off tonight. She tightened the leash of the media and put them back into the place where they have to obey 'the queen'. The republicans and the billaries want her to be the nominee.

One thing is for sure, I would organize with other Democrats to support her defeat in November. I live in swing state that Democrats would like to win this time. So this Anit-Clinton sentiment will have a great effect. I would be delightful to see the republicans 'take care' of her since they don't have to play nice like Obama.

I would also vote for a republican congress in '08 and '10 ... there is nothing I would not do to stop this parody of politics.
This race is going down to the convention and here is why.

Using the CNN numbers  Obama has 1184 pledged delegates to Clintons 1031.  They need 2025 delegates to get the nomination.  

The remaining  states are as follows:

Mississippi: 40  
Ohio: 161  
Rhode Island: 32
Texas: 228
Vermont: 23
Wyoming: 18
Pennsylvania: 188
Guam: 9
Indiana: 84
North Carolina: 134
West Virginia:  39
Kentucky: 66
Oregon: 65
Montana: 24
South Dakota: 23
Puerto Rico: 63

For a total of 1191.  Obama needs  over 71 % of the remaining  pledged delegates and Clinton needs over  80% of the remaining pledged delegates. Now  looking at the past voting  Obama’s highest percentage of votes was  79% in the Idaho Caucuses. He has only come close to that number in the DC primary with 75%. Clinton has only come close to 80% in the Arkansas primary with 70%.  The average in most primaries has been about 60 – 64 % Obama  and 36 – 40 % Clinton in his wins.  Clinton 55%-60%   and Obama  40 – 45% in Clintons wins. The pressure is on Clinton to win big while Obama also needs to win big to clinch this.  They can split todays elections and still not come out with a clear winner. Unless one of these two can win and win big it goes till August.
My fellow Americans,

I have, for too long, endured the divisiveness that continues to erode our country.  For too long, have special interest held sway in our government—this alone is criminal.  And for too long have I watched the price of oil cause inflation in the United States (I believe this is a plot to destabilize our country’s economy by greed oil companies who set record profits each quarter, and others. . .)  For too long, have I watched our valiant men in uniform, sacrificed (some of which were my friends.) As an American, I am tired of seeing my government (who takes 25-30% of my hard earned wages) unable to agree on almost anything.  This has to stop.  Now, I am sure Hillary Clinton would like to bring our broken country back together, but I fear she simply has too much fight in her personality to be anything other than divisive in her politics as we saw in the last debate, and we continue to see in her negative political attacks. Furthermore, I remember the good and the bad times of the previous Clintons, and no matter how many “super delegates are in their pocket,” I do not wish to revisit those times. I have, for too long endured political speeches that promised only more back- biting once the election was won.  However, as I am often reminded, we are all in this together. After all, we are all Americans.  Republicans see things one way, Democrats see it another, Independents like myself are wishing for the two opposing sides to come together because  WE ARE REALLY ALL ON THE  SAME SIDE!—The American Side.  Now I do not want socialism, or anything similar to it.  What I do want is for my government to work and not be dysfunctional. For too long, have we “The People” paid for a government bought by special interest, and for far too long have we sent money to other countries while some Americans are poor, homeless, and helpless.  For too long, has our governments turned their backs on public education, health care, and the working man/woman.  For far too long have I read about our fallen heroes, our soldiers who will never return--home.
As an American, I deserve better from our politicians.

Now, I do not know Obama personally; however, he is the only person who actually has plans of “substance” ready to address these problems.  I say give the man a chance because he seems like our best  “hope” for the future.  Time will tell.
My fellow Americans,

I have, for too long, endured the divisiveness that continues to erode our country.  For too long, have special interest held sway in our governmentthis alone is criminal.  And for too long have I watched the price of oil cause inflation in the United States (I believe this is a plot to destabilize our countrys economy by greed oil companies who set record profits each quarter, and others. . .)  For too long, have I watched our valiant men in uniform, sacrificed (some of which were my friends.) As an American, I am tired of seeing my government (who takes 25-30% of my hard earned wages) unable to agree on almost anything.  This has to stop.  Now, I am sure Hillary Clinton would like to bring our broken country back together, but I fear she simply has too much fight in her personality to be anything other than divisive in her politics as we saw in the last debate, and we continue to see in her negative political attacks. Furthermore, I remember the good and the bad times of the previous Clintons, and no matter how many super delegates are in their pocket, I do not wish to revisit those times. I have, for too long endured political speeches that promised only more back- biting once the election was won.  However, as I am often reminded, we are all in this together. After all, we are all Americans.  Republicans see things one way, Democrats see it another, Independents like myself are wishing for the two opposing sides to come together because  WE ARE REALLY ALL ON THE  SAME SIDE!The American Side.  Now I do not want socialism, or anything similar to it.  What I do want is for my government to work and not be dysfunctional. For too long, have we The People paid for a government bought by special interest, and for far too long have we sent money to other countries while some Americans are poor, homeless, and helpless.  For too long, has our governments turned their backs on public education, health care, and the working man/woman.  For far too long have I read about our fallen heroes, our soldiers who will never return--home.
As an American, I deserve better from our politicians.

Now, I do not know Obama personally; however, he is the only person who actually has plans of substance ready to address these problems.  I say give the man a chance because he seems like our best  hope for the future.  Time will tell.
Isn’t the focus on the delegate count more than a little self-serving?  If at the end of the day, Senator Obama doesn’t win the popular vote in Ohio or Texas, the delegate math will not matter since it will call into serious question his ability to prevail in November.  Given that the focus would move to Pennsylvania.  If Senator Obama lost there as well the likely scenario would be that the Super Delegates from the large States would come together to nominate a candidate who can win in November.

It would be nice if Chuck Todd didn’t pretend that the current Super Delegate count mattered?  He either understands the process or he doesn’t.  This fake drama is really insulting.  
I predict that no matter what happens today Hillary won't quit.  Why?  During the Jennifer Flowers incident she told Bill, "We're going to fight like hell."  During Monica...the same.  During the impeachment trial...the same.  Never mind that this led to republicans taking over the white house and congress.  We now reap the consequences of both of them putting self before country--a War in Iraq, a miserable recession, the middle class fast becoming an illusion.  When Richard Nixon faced impeachment he stepped aside for the good of the country.  I didn't like Nixon, and I didn't vote for him...but I did respect him.  I can't same the same about the Clintons. 20 years of Clintons and Bushs is enough.  We need a change desperately!

First of all it wasn't Obama officially sending anyone from his campaign to meet with CANADA.  That is false.  It was a university representative that happens to be part of Obamas team and also he didn't speak on behalf of Obama and he didn't say what they are saying he said, and canada has said he didn't say what that one leaked canada wtf document said. The document was also written by someone who was accusing him so yeah thats credible source... Please get your facts straight.
GOBAMA ! SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
FYI, Hillary said her campaign has spoke about NAFTA to the Canadians, after all she claims credit for NAFTA in her 35 years of experience.

Hillary would have more to lose since her husband created NAFTA and she was the one visiting these people while she was in the White House.

If she steals the election those White House documents will come out and we will be handing the Presidency to MCcain. Think about that!!!!!!!

Obama "08"
Be encouraged!  Obama can pull this off.  He and his campaign have been working extremely hard and strategically to win Ohio and Texas.  I'm sure it's going to be a tight race tonight and I do admit, I'm a little nervous.  I think we still have a great chance of winning at least 3 our of 4.  

I hope we can get Hillary out of the way so that she will no longer damage the DNC.
To the Obama supporter who has a bad feeling.  Don't be so weak. This is fun!  Get into it!  I'm an Obama supporter and I love where he's at. Perspective. His is one of the great campaigns in history so far.  She was up 30 points a month ago in some of these states! He's caught up just like he did first Super Tuesday and will win more remaining states after today. You're letting the Clinton machine scare you when all they are doing is bluffing with big chests in hopes no one will call their bluff and want fight on with them.  You run hard with all you can until the race is over! You sprint to the finish line just when oppenent thinks you're going to give up!  Obama's needs support now more than ever and with it will come a great victotry!

Biggest story today as far as I'm concerned: Clinton quoted as saying McCain would be better president that Obama.  This is a huge blunder for two reasons. More anger from half the Democrats and she may have just given Republicans a grand slam sound bite to be used against her or Obama in November.  Obama/Clinton are the same on issues so Republicans can have a field day with her quotes. This is truly a big story that many aren't picking up on now but will come back to haunt her should she squeeze by Obama.
 Regardless of how Obama does, Hillary will claim a victory, come out in her "dragonfire orange" blouse or her acid-yellow jacket (with matching beads, of course) and say, "nyah, nyah, I'm still in this thing!"  I wish she were finished (I'm a Republican, but like Obama).

ABH in 08  (Anybody but Hillary)
 Regardless of how Obama does, Hillary will claim a victory, come out in her "dragonfire orange" blouse or her acid-yellow jacket (with matching beads, of course) and say, "nyah, nyah, I'm still in this thing!"  I wish she were finished (I'm a Republican, but like Obama).

ABH in 08  (Anybody but Hillary)
Hillary Clinton should remain in this race no matter what happens today because she's the most qualified and most electable candidate in the race. Her credentials are unmatched. We feel the tide is turning for Hillary as Obama is finally beginning to be scrutinized and exposed for the fraud that he is.

Obama's negatives are rapidly rising and he is proving to be too risky for the Dems. Dems are waking up and realizing that Obama is a fraud and Obama is not trustworthy.

For example:

REZKO, Obama's friend of over 17 years. Rezko is on trial this week under federal criminal charges. Rezko is a big noose around Obama's neck, probably this alone is enough to sink Obama. His relationship with Rezko calls into question Obama's judgment and personal character.

PASTOR JEREMIAH WRIGHT, Obama's pastor and the man Obama calls his "mentor". YIKES. "Pastor" Wright is an avowed racist, anti-white, anti-semitic (anti-Jew), pro-Farakaan supporter of black supremecy whose magazine gave Farakaan "man of the year". YIKES! Why does Obama call this man his "mentor"???? This is very serious, again calling into question the character and judgment of Barack Obama.

NAFTAGATE, Obama has been exposed as a big time liar on this issue. Obama has been lying to Ohio voters, telling them that he is opposed to NAFTA, at the same time his advisor are assuring Canada that Obama does not really mean what he's saying in Ohio, he's just lying to Ohio voters, Obama is really FOR NAFTA. Obama at first denied it, then tried to blame Hillary, and then it was finally exposed that Obama was in fact lying all the time. Canadian TV and the Canadian Embassy confirmed this and Obama finally had to admit the lies. Nice. Did someone say flip-flop? Did someone say something about "new politics"? Hope? Inspiration? Better angels?  Yea right.

OBAMA'S TANGLE WITH THE PRESS, Obama's first real question session with the press didn't go so well. Obama could not handle it. As ole Pres. Harry Truman said "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" Indeed.

Obama is bad news for the Dems. He's not qualified to be President and is not electable.

**VOTE SMART!!  VOTE HILLARY!!**
PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP, PEOPLE!   Go and vote, Republicans tonight.  McCain is the nominee, so go and vote for Obama and let's finish Hillary and her lovely husband Bill off tonight.  
Chuck, NY - It's not over yet.  Don't be discouraged.  I believe that if by some chance (if the superdelegates go against popular votes) than I would like to see Obama run as an independent.  Maybe we could finally get rid of the two parties and let them know the American people are frankly, tired of both of them. Neither represents the average American anymore.  Both parties are more interested in big business.  I think Obama would have a very good chance running as an independent.  I would rather see that, than anyone vote for McCain.  
I was DISGUSTED to see HRC's Muslim jabs, and that is precisely why I left her camp..."not as far as I know" is not an honest answer by a long shot, and honestly I would expect more from her (or Obama if he were in the same spot).  It remind's me of Seinfeld's "not that there's anything wrong with it" skit.  If she had the courage of being herself, she would make a great President.  Also of interest is the timing and eagereness of the Canadian Government to make issue on NAFTA...and somehow the claim by the very same CTV, that HRC had done exactly the same, got entirely buried...media bias...poor strategy...or excellent kitchen sink?  How smart are we as voters I wonder?
Every time you see one of those ads, think Bobby Knight.

Slam. Bam.

Even Bob knew when to quit (finally).

Mark Thieme (Sent Monday, March 03, 2008 1:58 PM)

----------------Who the hell is Bobby?  Is he one of the violent felons that fill our jails and prisons to the breaking (pun intended) point?

I HOPE Hillary will Change things and start charging Men More Taxes when she is President.  Men cost this country more , more murders are committed by men and all violent crimes.  WE should tax them when they are born as they are costing TAXPAYER BILLIONS TO CONTAIN. WE let the SEXOFFENDERS OUT AND THE PEDOPHILES TOO, men are the majority of criminals.
Hillary should envoke a law that men have to be off the streets at dark, they are the perpetrators of violence, and grab the guns HILL!


Obama Dems.....

Why do you call any Clinton ads in which comparisons are made, "Negative"?  If the comparison is not favorable to your candidate I can see why you might think it is negative but isn't that what this is all about....comparison?  

Clinton puts out an ad and asks us to compare the candidates and make a choice...one might say, inform ourselves and make a choice...what's wrong with this?

I though it was Clinton that was always crying, "victim"....maybe I've been wrong.  Seems Obama is now crying foul as he is the VICTIM of negative advertising.
It appears to me that Clinton will carry on her bid for the nomination with simply one win (probably Ohio).  Her blind ambition will lead McCain to run a general elaction campaign while the Democrats wage a protracted war for the nomination.  It's unlikely she will win the nomination, simple math tells you that, so she is in fact hurting the party.
The following names on MSNBC are observed as Clinton's haters:
Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman,(severe)  Mika ( mild) O'Donnel ( she is moderate)David Schuster ( severe)
A month ago I would've classified Joe Scarborough, but I respectfully appreciate his fair & balanced reports within the last month. It shows people can change from bad to good! The other gentleman on Morning's with Joe is most consistant in fairly reporting the facts & never seem to get caught up in showing favors to any candidate. There should be an agreement within each employees contract that prohibits using their personal biases to change the political landscape. If they failed to comply, then they should be fired! Because of the constant unkind assessment/ comments that permeate throughout MSNBC I will never again watch that station.
Chuck,
Don't feel bad.
Early this morning, I questioned Hillary's optimism despite her dirty campaign tactics and the fact that she seems as if Ohio and TX owe her or they may face consequences for not voting in her favor. And the only reason for her continuing her fight for the nomination past today is because she cares mroe about her personal ambitions than the needs of America.
one american-good post. It seems to me that we are becoming more and more a plutocracy whereby power is basically based on wlth. Lets see: 1) Record corporate profits i.e., Exxon/Mobil; 2) stagnate wages; 3)oil over $100 dollars a barrel; 4) record deficits; 5)record credit card debts; 5)Recession (regardless of the Shrub's denial); 6) The declining dollar; 7) trade deficits and I CAN GO ON. We need more than just change. Come 2008 and status quo continues we are in deep trouble!
DQuinn....

Actually, for all the fuss, the democrat's candidatey won the popular vote after the Clinton Years and Florida rigged the results.  Obama's camp might ask if the Democrat Party would have benefitted from having a fighter in th ecamp when the Florida recount was going on.

I understand and Respect Gore's position in the matter....but with the 20/20 hindsight the Obama camp seems to possess one might wonder if it would have been better to have stood our ground in Florida.  Maybe if we had we would not be called on to stand our ground in Iraq!
I don't understand why some people wants her to drop out today.  We are a democratic country and shouldn't the people in the remaining states have a say if they want Hillary or Barack.

Me in Nashville -- you couldn't have said it better.  

Ari said on CNN last night that the issue with NAFTA and Barack gives the Republicans a good chance to win against Barack because they'll dig up more stuff on him.  He comes off as "fresh, new" but it's all about politics.
What about the battle for RI...or VT...or Wyoming?  Lest we forget, Wyoming is having cauceses this weekend!
Sharrell:  I hear ya!  Yes We CAN!!
Why isn't the press making a bid deal out of Hillary witholding her tax returns?  She is the only candidate who hasn't released her records.  Media bias, my eye.  

IF she wins the Dem nomination, this will be the first Presidential election I will have to sit out.
"Audacity of Hope",

Obama really knew the perfect title of an autobiography. As the scorched earth tactics of the Clinton campaign is showing. It appears to me that her thinking is how dare he have the AUDACITY OF HOPE that he can be POTUS when I WANT AND NEED TO BE.

To me it appears that she is telling any and everyone with a pulse

"HOW DARE YOU HAVE AUDACITY TO HOPE THAT YOU CAN CHANGE ANYTHING, I AM HILLARY AND THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY IF YOU DO NOT DO AS I SAY!!"

"HOW DARE YOU HAVE AUDACITY TO HOPE THAT YOU THINK TO KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU, ONLY I KNOW WHATS BEST FOR YOU!!"

Well I for one am OFFENDED AND APPALLED that Hillary WOULD HAVE THE UNMITIGATED GALL TO INSULT MY INTELLEGENCE LIKE SHE HAS. For her to even imply that she doesn't have any baggage for the republicans will use against her can only means one of two things.

First is this, the young people who are coming out in droves to vote for the first time overwhelmingly support Obama they will automactically support her. She believes I am afraid that that IF she can somehow STEAL the democratic nomination that when the REPUBLICANS run ads that chronicles the lies, misdeeds and, violations of trust commited by the Clinton administration they will not know what they mean and just think that they are mean and picking on her because she a woman.

I for one HOPE "there's that word again" and believe that the young people knew these things already, thanks to internet all you have to do is 'google' her and Bill and find out the whole kit and kaboodle about the Clinton white house. This I feel is the reason for the overwhelming supprt for Barack among the youth.

The second and I feel the more serious problem maybe this. SHE REALLY DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE!!!!!! She has been fond of saying lately "LET'S GET REAL"  But the reality is this that without the results from  ILLEGAL VOTES BEING COUNTED, HELLO FLA AND MI, SHE CAN NOT WIN ENOUGH STATES BY BIG ENOUGH MARGINS TO WIN THE NOMINATION. Now before the voters in Fl and MI go nuclear on me let me state unequivicably that if you want to assign blame for it BLAME YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MOVED THE DATES FOR THE PRIMARIES KNOWING THAT THE WOULD BY NULLIFIED!!!

The sad part about it is this if they hadn't you would probably be the next "FIREWALL" according to Hillary.

In MI there was NO-ONE ELSE ON THE BALLOT!!! ALL OTHER CANDIDATES VOLUNTARILY REMOVED THEMSELVES OFF OF IT, HILLARY DIDN'T!

To me this sounds VERY CLOSE TO THE KINDS OF ELECTIONS WE AND THE UN RAILS ABOUT SUCH AS THE SOVIET ELECTION OF MEDVE, MVEDEV, OH WHATEVER! IF THIS HAPPENED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD THE UN WOULD BE THERE TO NULLIFY THE RESULTS! I feel the UN will need to send peacekeepers in the make sure our election is on the up and up.

Next on to FL although everyone was on the ballots it was agreed by the candidates NOT TO CAMPAIGN in FLA. Hillary did, she ran ads urging the voters to vote for her anyway.

Okay, Sen. Clinton to quote you "Let's get real" and "hope doesn't pay your bills" You say that we shouldn't hope we should want results. I ask why can't I have hope? Because sometimes all you have IS HOPE! HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERNCE, HOPE THAT YOU CAN AFFECT CHANGE, HOPE THAT YOU CAN SUCCEED. IT SURE SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE HOPING TO COME BACK FROM A DEFICIT OF NEARLY 200 DELEGATES.

As you should know this country was founded and based on hope.

The founding fathers had THE AUDACITY OF HOPE THAT WHEN THEY WROTE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THAT THE OTHER COLONIST AND OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD WOULD BACK AND SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM OF FREEDOM FROM BRITISH RULE. BECAUSE WITHOUT IT WHAT CHANGE COULD THEY HOPE TO HAVE ALONE.

PATRICK HENRY HAD THE AUDACITY OF HOPE THAT WHEN HE SAID "I DO NOT KNOW WHAT COURSE OTHERS MAY TAKE BUT AS FOR ME. GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!" HE HAD TO HOPE THAT OTHERS FELT AND WOULD DO THE SAME. BECAUSE WHAT COULD HE DO ALONE AGAINST THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN HAD THE AUDACITY OF HOPE THAT HE COULD HEAL AND HOLD THIS THIS COUNTRY ACCOUNTABLE TO  THE WORDS THAT WAS WRITTEN DOWN "FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO" THAT "ALL MEN ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS..."

DR KING HAD THE AUDACITY OF HOPE THAT "ONE DAY ALL MEN WOULD BE JUDGED NOT BY THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT OF HIS CHARACTER'

JFK HAD THE AUDACITY OF HOPE THAT "THE US COULD SEND PEOPLE TO THE MOON AND BACK BY THE END OF THIS DECADE..."

So Sen. Clinton as you can see these are just some examples of THE AUDACITY OF HOPE this great country was based on. I ask you and your supporters to tell me when did hope become smething to be ashamed of? I have THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, hope that tonight that you will put your country ahead of your AUDACITY OF HOPE to be president. Unless you are unaware or just blissfully ignorant of the tone and demeanor this canpaign has taken you will see that as a result of your remaining in this race the democratic party is being torn apart. Your supprters are believing the BLATENT LIES ABOUT Sen Obama that have come from your campaign team. THERE IS SO MUCH HATRED AND DIVISION BEING BANTERED ABOUT BY BOTH SIDES THAT IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT YOUR VOTERS WILL NOT VOTE FOR SEN. OBAMA AND VICE VERSA BECAUSE OF YOUR SCORCHED EARTH ROVIAN TACTICS YOUR CAMPAIGN  HAS UTILIZED FOR THE LAST WEEK. AS A RESULT WE WILL NEED EVERY POSSIBLE MOMENT TO HEAL THIS COUNTRY BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOV.

BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT IF YOU DO NOT CONCEDE THE NOMINATION SOON THEN ALL THE DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE  IS THE AUDACITY OF HOPE THAT THEY WILL WIN IN NOV.

Norman E "Hussein" Harvey, Sr
Just a question.....

If we had continued the great Clinton years (5,000,000 new jobs and trillions in the bank)with 8 more years of job growth and treasury surpluses would 24 years of Bush, Clinton, Bush have been enough?
Hmmmm.....maybe, if the little woman whimpers like a baby again! ...hmmm!
Sounds like old' Hillary has some Audacity of Hope herself. I think it’s great she is helping Senator Obama prepare for negative publicity and smear attacks from the opposition after tomorrow. I didn't think Bill's girl was such a team player and true politician. Get it together Obama, you are learning from a Jedi Master.
I have questions for the Hillary supporters.

1. Do WE really want to be TOLD that we have to carry health care? REALLY!
My answer: NO – we need better health care prices… not a government that will mandate health care. To mandate health care simply puts more money in the insurance companies pockets... not US!

2. Do We really want someone that forgets the smaller states?
My answer: NO – we have seen Hillary not campaign in the smaller states because… “they didn’t matter anyway”. She thinks she knows the American people and has NO clue! We are a UNITED NATION! I have heard that the best measure of how someone will be as a president… is to see how they run a campaign. Hillary thought this would be over by S. Tues and already spent ALL her money while Barack bared down and knew what was coming!

3. Do WE need someone with “experience”?
My answer: NO – I think political experience can do more bad than good. Barack has less experience… but has the vision to cross the bridges to others… which is TRULY what we need. Hillary knows the system… but not in a good way!

4. Do WE need someone that can close the gaps between us and other nations?
My answer: YES – Look at what other countries are saying about Barack! They feel that his change will embrace relationships with others and move us forward.

Look at McCain… he fears Barack! He has been sniping from the roof tops at Barack because he knows that he is the tougher one to beat. Also… while Barack has been firing back at McCain… Hillary has stepped up to stab him in the back.

It is all dirty… but HEY… that’s the politics she is used to!
Don't forget that Obama himself said that hope is not easy. Hope is hard work, and hope often has an uphill battle. We can't let 3 or 4 days of Clinton's divisiveness and kitchen sink strategy take the wings from our hope. Our candidate is being battle-tested. I have faith that today, he'll prevail.
Barack Obama sweeps all 4 states..the rotund songstress gives an inspired performance and the weight of all Hillary's dirty business will be like a stone around her neck. The voters in Texas & Ohio are not the frightened lemmings Hillary's hoping for.
Get ready for the spin.  The Clinton team has spent this entire campaign in full spin mode, and there will be much more starting this evening.  To their inevitable question about why Obama "can't close this out" you should ask yourself this FAR more important question:

WHY DOES HILLARY'S SUPPORT PEAK BEFORE EITHER CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS IN A STATE, AND WHY DO HER POLL NUMBERS PLUMMET THE MORE TIME SHE SPENDS IN A STATE?

This has been true in every state that has voted thus far (and will happen again tonight), whether she wins or loses a state.  So, the real question is why does this "strong" candidate falter the more voters get to know her?  Could it be that her words, upon examination, are actually not backed up by any real action?  You can claim to be ready to lead on day one, but but eventually the voters see your failed record of leadership and bad judgment.  Talk about a fairy tale....
Adding one more superdelagate to the roster:


Chicago, IL – South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler endorsed Barack Obama for president, citing ability his electability and his lifetime of advocating for middle class families and workers.


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