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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



Clinton: Monster's ball

Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008 9:05 AM by Mark Murray

The cover of the New York Daily News: “Monster Bash.” The sub-headlines note, “Obama aide calls Clinton a ‘monster,’ then apologizes. And, “Hil’s camp: Barack acts like Lewinsky prosecutor.”

The New York Post: “Hil launches Starr wars: Aides whine: Obama acts like Bill’s 90s nemesis.”

The Post’s Charles Hurt’s take on the Starr comments: “[I]t didn't take the Clinton campaign long to run wildly off track, by returning yesterday to the sort of sloppy and absurd criticisms that have only backfired on it thus far.” 

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That's hillarious!! It's sooooo true!  HRC is like a zomby that just won't die!!  Our long national nightmare must end!  I'm so tired of getting haunted by the Clintons and Bushes!!!
Too bad she apologized for the monster comment; sometimes truth is the best form of "attack".
RE: NAFTAGATE
The Clinton campaign supposedly wants the name of who Canada was. Duh, his name was Bill.
I'm a Democrat but, based on the recent actions by the Clinton camp, I'll vote for anyone (even a Republican) rather than put her in the White House.  She's no better than Bush.
You are about to lose the election – you have to make changes:
1. Take the high road - you have let Senator Clinton bringing down into the mud.  You need to get back on about change.  Do not fall into the trap of he said she said. Your message yesterday should have been: it is unbelievable that the Clinton campaign has evoked one of the darkest times in partisan politics.  To indicate that Senator Obama is like Ken Starr is beyond wrong!  It needs to be indicated that this was brought up first here by the Clinton team.  You need to say something to the effect that by voting for Senator Clinton you will be taking the country back to a time of devicive partisan politics.  And that by bringing up Ken Star you're reminding the country of the mess that the Clintons, the Republicans and the scandals in the late 1990s.  Then you need to say this is all you will say about this. THEY have opened the door.

2. He missed an opportunity this week when Senator Clinton planted the seed of a combined ticket.  At that moment you should've had a statement coming out and saying quote in no uncertain terms would you want to share a ticket.  To do so you would be indicating that you do not stand for change but stand for opportunity.  Your campaign is about change.  By accepting a VP slot or by asking Senator Clinton to be your VP, you would be showing the millions of people that voted for you that you really do not stand for change.  By coming out with a press release saying this now you are reaffirming your stance for change and not politics as usual.  She did this to plant the seed that you could be subservient to her.  Get a statement saying he will not accept a combined ticket in any way shape or form.  If you have the power and that you were bringing people to this party, she is not.

Ken Starr drug out his 15 min of fame for years and came up with nodda.Obama will if not this time than next will make his case I think.He has already made history by getting this far.
I am so sick of Hillary's bi-polar attitude. One day she wants to look like a fighter(bully) and the next day she wants to play the victim.

It will not happen in Philly.

Obama "08"
Do they really want to go there? But maybe digging into Hillary that way, is a good idea. Who knows what will turn up, aside from Bill's indiscretions. The truth is, Starr single handedly set the bar so low, could any of us get by it? Obama wants to be the gentleman candidate, but he's up against a gutter fighter. He will have to get dirty if he wants to win. And so runs American politics.
What happened to the Clinton's NAFTA gate first read. It was never on the political page and there is no report any where else.  This is a big deal why is not getting covered?
I say Obama must DESTROY DARTH HILL. She is a monster. She is a liar and will do anything to win.
OHIO got fooled in a big way. They fell for her whinning, her lies and now she could care less about them.
God i hate her
To Mr Howard Dean, John McCain, DNC and US Media!

I will not donate nor support any of your issues until you reign in the hate mongering and negative spewing of Robo Billary- Bin Laden - Bush - Saddam - McCain - Star R. Clinton and her evil twin Blow Job Billarry!  


Robo-Billary - Bin Laden - Bush - Saddam - McCain - Star R. Clintons and her machine are trying to destroy President Elect Obama any way they can.

Luckily for all of us/we the millions that actually support him...we know the truth!

Can't wait until you idiots at/in the DNC and the US Media start reporting all the dirt on Robo-Billary and family, hence the Law Suits in CA Supreme Court (Paul vs Clinton) right now, where are their tax returns,  Who all slept in the Lincoln bedroom for the Rain Maker blow job billy to sprinkel his favors after words, what about her never ennding illegal money from her Chinese fund raising guru?

I Can not support a candidate that.

1. Touts gender as a factor.
2. Is under investigation for illegal campaing finances: Paul vs Clinton
3. Supported Goldwater.
4. Involved in Whitewater controversy.
5. Claims vast right wing conspiracies.
6. Wont release their tax returns.
7. Was for NAFTA before they were against it.
8. Mandates Health Care and fines those who cant afford it.
9. Uses Republican tactics and then complains about so called    tactics.
10. Has a split personality and is nothing more than a Machiavellian!
11. Did not read the intelligence reports and then authorized the war
12: WALMART where she was nothing but UNION BUSTING  CORP. LEGAL WHORE!
(too many more to continue…)

Obama 08

Common you guys get it together and bring up some stuff on the Robo Billary- Bin Laden - Bush - Saddam - McCain - Star R. Clintons...or have they payed all of U so much money behind the scenes already?   That you all choose to ignore her lies, flip-flopping, siding with the
Ozonian-esq tin man and big oil & Halliburton controlled White House, etc?

You should get some BALLS and act on and behalf of millions calling for change NOW!

OBAMA 2008 !

I only donate to President Elect Obamas campaign and so do my 23,768 email friends and their email networks also!

Rob

--^^--Robbie*Rob*Robert L. Tiger-Martel Jr.--^^--

"Yes We Can" http://www.youtube.com/user/illwilly

"I believe we can lead this nation out of a long political darkness. We can overcome the division and distraction that have clouded Washington. Because when we challenge ourselves to reach for something better, there's no problem we can't solve, no destiny we cannot fulfill!

Senator Barack Obama 2008 www.barackobama.com

If YOU RECEIVE A SMEAR EMAIL ABOUT SENATOR OBAMA.
Forward the message to watchdog@barackobama.com
Stop the Robot!
Would'nt it be wonderful is Obama won Pennsylvania?  I would just love to hear Hil concede.
Why is it that None of the Major News org, Are not reporting on the fact that the Clinton Campaign is the one who actually contacted the Canadians and did what they FALSELY accused Obama of doing?  This is SERIOUS stuff, it actually could have cost Him Ohio. Yet the Big news (MSNBC,CNN)the exception of KEITH OBERMANN has said little or nothing about it. This is very deceitful and underhanded on the Clinton campaign and the Major news Orgs.
If it walks like a monster... talks like a monster... well maybe it is a monster... she's something right out of a Rob Zombie movie...

PLEEEEZE make it stop!!!!!!!

Obama 08!

It is really a shame that these Obama backers refuse to see him for what he really is. That being a good looking, charismatic, and eloquent speaking man who lacks political experience and cannot beat Clinton in any of the major primary states.  Winning red states in a democratic primary will accomplish absolutely nothing in a general election.  Once he is again demolished in Pennsylvania we will hopefully have enough Super Delegates whom will realize that he is nothing but a "flash in the pan" candidate who has accomplished little to nothing in his political career other than voting "no' in authorizing troops to Iraq
Yes, please talk about NAFTA. What is the current status of that Hillary smear?
A campaign built on lies that cherry picks races and rules with total disregard for ethics; isn’t that what we Democrats are trying to replace?  Is a win under those circumstances a victory in any sense of the word?
Does this guy really have what it takes?  The current politics by Hillary is nothing, just wait until he has to face the Republicans.  This monster comment shows me that Obama and his staff are completely unprepared and naive.
I agree with the Obama aid. Clinton is a monster. She and her team have turned what was a contested yet fun race to watch into an all out blood-sport. The Ken Starr comment is beyond me. I felt Barack was kind of weak just going after her tax returns. It seems like a simple issue and is in no way worthy of the comparison.

At this point, If she wins, I'm voting Nader. Even if she makes Sen.Obama her V.p. What a joke that would be, she'd castrate his initiatives, then make him the Al Gore of her administration. He'd be nothing more than her puppet. I'd would not like to see that.
I can't blame his campaign adviser for calling Hillary a monster -- though it may not have been politically correct.

Hillary has been acting badly - she lied about the NAFTA contact with Canada - turns out that was her wrongdoing, not his - She misrepresented the subcommittee on which Barack serves (which does NOT oversee opperations in Afghanistan), she has endorsed McCain several times within the last few days and then she has the gall to tell OBAMA to be more positive. ...maybe he needs to fight for the Hope of which he speaks - maybe he needs to take out the volumes of files on the Clinton Scandals (Bills trist with Monica was the LEAST of them - Travel-Gate, Whitewater, The Rose Law Firm...those were ALL Hillary)

By the way...if I had donated to Clinton's campaign - I would be OUTRAGED that she is using MY money to campaign for the REPUBLICANS!!!
Why is it, when MSNBC find's out that the NAFTA comments to the Canadian government came from Hillary, it isn't front page news like you tried to crucify Obama with?

Thanks for the fare and balanced reporting...
The media wants Clinton to win...there is nothing you or me can do about it but go vote.

And also Clinton is playing the I'm a woman game, you point out her foolishness...she in turn says I'm a woman, you are abusing me.
After reading the comments posted, I have come to the conclusion that all that read your blogs are hate mongering Obama supporters or you have chosen to not publish any comments that support Clinton.  Which is it?
Hillary likes to say that she went through soooooooo much but, someone forgot to remind Hillary that you get what your hand puts forth. Everything that happen in that White House and ultimately to the American people were because of Bill and Hillary.

Hillary will not write the playbook for this election. She is a pathetic liar and she will never get Pennsylvania.

So, Hillary and Bill can visit all the black churches in Philly till they drop, it will not work for them this time.

Hillary would rather see a Republican in the White House before a black man, not a very smart statement for the crazy lady.

Last but not least, the news media can bury all the deceitful lies that she said about Obama but, we will play it every single day on the streets of Pennsylvania until Obama wins this state because he has won the delegates and the nomination.

Obama "08"

Obama "08"
I'm sure she meant to say "monster" in the nicest way possible.
It probably won't interest the Obama supporters, but the Starr comment by Wolfson was made IN RESPONSE to the Obama camp's PUBLISHED STATEMENT that they would go after Hillary's "ETHICS AND OLD LAND DEALS" i.e. Whitewater, Monica and the rest.  However, of course, all the media is turning this into another attack on Hillary about raising Starr's name.  Especially the so-called "journalists" at MSNBC, especially Matthews (of course) and now Olbermann.
Reading.......

I don't see anything wrong here. Hillary IS a monster and if Obama is acting like Lewinsky prosecutor maybe it's because Obama knows a whore when he sees one....
she truly is monster - i don't trust her, and obviously, many people agree.  she has a past riddled with scandal, deception and secrets.  PEOPLE, DO NOT LET HER BECOME PRESIDENT!  I would sooner vote for McCain, and that is really saying something.  she is fake, nasty, petty and pathetic.  not qualities i value in a person at all, let alone a president.
I think the public should continue to ask the news media about Hillary's role in Canada/Nafta-Gate.  She played the innocent while the media threw Obama to the wolves.  
Also, I was shocked when I heard about Wolfson's comment about Ken Starr.  Do they really want to go there?  Maybe people should Google those investigations/trials.  I hope everyone remembers that Clinton's campaign took us back to those days of
Whitewater; Travelgate; Monica Lewinsky/Impeachment;
Vince Foster; Paula Jones...this is most of Hillary's 35 years of experience.  She should not want to go back to the scene of so much hatred and misery.
It looks like Democrats are finally seeing what the Republicans have known for a long time.  The Clintons are the most vicious devisive figures in America today.
How is asking for her tax returns such a negative thing? For a state Senator whose husband is unemployed, $12 MILLION is a lot to make in one year. I, for one, would like to know where it came from. If there is nothing fishy, then there is no reason why she should not be releasing them.
Obama is going to up our respect with the world by telling Scottish writer Hillary is a monster???He cannt ever speak his own mind or his wife either.When the truth of there mind comes out it is poison."First time I am proud of my country"??These two are the raceist ones in this campaign.They also have a gender bias.His poison is bad enough here maybe he shouldnt give talks globally unless his writers tell him what to say.
So, here we go to yet another Clinton must win in PA.  And for argument sake, let's say she continues to do well, pulls some strings to get Mich & Fla in play, and (though still behind in the pledged delegates) she bullies enough super delegates to get the nomination.  Great right?  Hardly.

Will the youth vote (that she was quite ready to ignore until Obama proved they could be mobilized) show up for general? Some may.

Will the black vote (who have just watched the majority vote overturned) continue to come out in these unprecedented numbers?
You tell me, but I wouldn't.

And oh yeah, tell me what you think will happen when the Republican attack machine (once Obama is out of the way) starts parading a steady stream of her ex-president husband's extra martial lovers on the six o’clock news.  That's not going to distract the voters come November, will it.  That won’t rekindled all kinds of uneasy feeling parents across the US had trying to explain the relationship between a cigar, a stain, and what the definition of “is” is.  I know those were some of my proudest moments as a Democrat. McCain will start looking like Santa Claus (or should I say an election escape clause) and then we can all sit back and watch the Bush tax cuts become permanent, the war continue on (and on), and say hello to the new Supreme Court tie breaker “my friends”.

But let’s face it.  None of these things are as important as Hillary’s own political ambitions.  That’s what’s really important; not the country.

Hip-Hip-Hooray!  Hillary lives to see another election day.
On the contrary, I think Obama could put some red states into play in November.  When either Obama or Hillary get primary votes that total the top two or three Republican presidential candidates, Hillary winning over Obama with less than 10% of the vote in Ohio and Texas is a still a good sign for Obama.  To think that traditional Democratic blue states like California, New York, New Jersey, and etc., will vote Republican in 2008 is really a stretch!  Some smaller to medium size red states like Utah or Virginia might be converted under an Obama nomination.
I'M A WOMAN GAME?  WHAT THE HELL, SHE IS A WOMAN AND A PRETTY DARN STRONG ONE TWO.   SHE DOESN'T WHINE LIKE THE PHONY SHE'S RUNNING AGAINST.  THE MORE WE SEE OF OBAMA THE MORE HE SHOWS HE IS NOT READY FOR THE JOB.
I've said from the beginning that she will do ANYTHING to win, including destroy her own party.  Backlash is coming Hillary, just like it always does.  Karma is such a bitch!
SG, Michigan, that gave me such good laugh this am! Thanks. Did anyone see the Colbert Report spoof on Rodham sounds like Saddam so maybe she's a muslim? It was quite funny.

PS Saying she is a monster is an insult to monsters!!
What Charles and the rest of the Obama camp don't understand is that the Clinton camp is expected to do this, its not a big deal. The Obama camp has said they would not participate in any negative exchanges, however they probably did the least effective, most childish thing they could have resorted to, namecalling.

There is nothing about the Clintons we don't know. The lewinksy ordeal and other things are already known. Barack is saying look at her taxes, and the Clintons are saying for what?

Look into the Rezko-Michelle Obama history and the way in which she received a $200,000 raise after her husband became a US Senator. That is as shady as they come.

If Bill is up for discussion, so isn't Barack, his father, mother, and other family members, I am sure they do not want to have that discussion
Why is no one covering the NAFTA-gate story?  Everyone was all too happy to jump on it when Obama was getting criticized and now that its backfired on Hillary, no one seems to care.  If its time to dig up dirt on Obama, even though it was false dirt, they all report it before all the facts are in.  Now there's a twist in the story and no one reports it?  This is getting absolutely ridiculous, I'm done w/ our media.  This is a huge story that our public deserves to hear about, but b/c the gatekeepers that be aren't reporting it, most people will probably go on falsely thinking that your inadequate reporting was correct.

I'm sticking to BBC from now on.  Its sad the only impartial news source is across the ocean.
I am just amazed at the venom that BO suppoters have.. Maybe thats what led to the Monster comment by his advisors...

About Clinton - NAFTA .. Do you really think Keith , Mika and alike would have let the story die ??

Isn't MSNBC a launch pad for Hillary bashers anyways !!!
And the media likes to say Obama went through so much; being raised by a single mom and dad deserted them and on and on and on. So has have of America gone through what he claims to. That does not make him a viable candidate for the office of Presidency.
If anyone thinks Obama is any better than Hillary in taking the "high road" you are beyond naive.  Look at all the people that are supporting him.  Many of whom came from Bill and Hillary's supporters from the 90's.  His "present" votes are proof that he is like any other politician, and will do what it takes to get elected.  It's not wrong to make compromises, because everyone has to do it every day in life.  It's a joke to say that you are above it, especially when you havn't walked a mile in the other person's shoes.  He rants on about how he made the right decision when it came time to vote on the authority to go to war.  After 9/11 Obama would have done nothing?  That is not who I want sitting in the White House.  Many terrorist are no longer a threat because we went to Iraq.  Hillary should say that she has no regrets about her vote to authorize force and she would do it again.  Meanwhile Obama's wink wink to Canada on NAFTA is just the tip of the iceberg in how he really feels on a variety of issues.  If he is elected there will be many that voted for him thinking "he was different" that will be dissatified with the compromises that he inevitably will have to make to get things done.  He won't be King Obama and he doesn't have a magic wand in his back pocket.  If it wasn't for people like Hillary there would not have been the opportunities for Senator Obama to be in the position he is now.  Hillary and Bill have done many good things for a lot of people for a long time, because it was the right thing to do.
Hillary is a MONSTER! Does Bill have to put a paperbag over her face when intimate with her? Obama is still doggy-styling her in the polls and he would doggy-style her in bed, if she would let him. She is a mean woman and a very controlling woman too. Now, she is crying over someone calling her a monster.
Of course the media is trying to downplay and skirt the Hillary version of Naftagate because of how THEY pimped and preened the lie and handed it to the American people on a silver plate and slapped the label of "good" journalism on it. Their kow-towing to Clinton's whining, tears, fake outrage (this woman should get an Academy Award I tell ya...she's got Betty Davis and Joan Crawford in a 3-way tie for drama queen) and the cute little gender game she pulls at every step (but let Obama bring race into it and it would be front page news negatively portrayed) while stepping into the gutter at the blink of an eye when she isn't being served as the media monarch is laughable. But you reap what you sow. Some how the truth always comes about and this presidential race has been and will continue to be no exception irregardless of the politics being toyed with in front of and behind the cameras.
I cannot believe the bile that comes out of Obama's supporters, yet you claim that you are for "hope" and "change".  The worst thing Ms. Powers said was to ridicule working class people, still the majority in US.  There is so much arrogance in Obama's camp, they cannot see the reality of everyday life.  They seem to have no clue why voters are for Hillary.  She works hard, she gets things done, and she does not quit.
If Hillary doesn't want to be called a monster, then she should quit behaving like one!!  The truth hurts and the comment made by the Obama staffer was mild, compared to the truth of who she actually has become.

If the Superdelegates decide to back Hillary, they will deserve exactly what they get.  Has everyone in the DNC forgotten how humiliating it was to tow the Clinton line and defend the indefensible?  I bet they are remembering right now...

As a former card carrying member of the right wing conspiracy, I had actually forgiven the Clintons for their behavior during the 90s.  I actually started to believe that the Clintons may have been victims and forced to play hardball during the scandals.  Now I know better.  Hillary's campaign has proven that they are willing to do and say anything to preserve and regain political power.  I voted for Obama in the TN primary but had planned to vote for Hillary if she became the nominee.  Now, I would not consider voting for Hillary ever!!! Her ambition outweighs any dignity that she may have regained as a Senator.  I will not vote for a person that believes that their person ambitions are more important than the democratic party or the United States.  Her campaign has signaled by their reference to the 90s scandals that they believe that the "ends justifies the means".  It does NOT and I can only hope that the citizens of New York see who they have elected and choose to elect a Senator that cares more for the people, than for herself.  No doubt that her behavior will likely prevent her from becoming the democratic nominee and hopefully from being reelected to the Senate.  

I am not surprised but am extremely disappointed that she could not find it within herself to be dignified and set an example for young women interested in the political process.  Instead they have chosen to represent the worst in politics and to go back to the time when the President humiliated her and the rest of the country.  It makes me sick and disgusted.  I will vote for McCain if Hillary makes it to the general election.
If there any undecides reading this, please look at the Obama posts on this thread.  They condone this type of behavior.  Calling a wife and mother who is loved by so many people a monster is not the politics of hope.  I respect Barack Obama, even though I do not agree with him on the issues.  I really wish that Obama supporters did not hate me or the candidate who is the choice of millions of voters.  If you are undecided, I ask you to look at the issues and voter for Hillary Clinton.  She is not perfect, but she has a better plan.

Hillary 08
Can we please have a conversation about  NAFTA/ Canadians? Now that everyone knows it was Hillary who got in touch with the Canadians, why isnt that given the same attention that was given to Obama? Why isn't
it on Hardball,Morning Joe,Countdown??Comeon MSNBC,
you guys are supposed to be the LEADERS!!!!!!!!!
Obamanoids in full swing today.Hillary this,Hillary that.Why don't you say something about Obama thatwill convince us to support him.?Throughout this campaign you obama supporters have been non-stop with the name caling and insults to not only Hillary but also to those that support her.You have helped to turn us against him with the way you represent him.We do not need another devisive bunch in the whitehouse.I grant you that you have had msnbc on your side but they too have lost their listening office.I used to at least watch Keith but not anymore--he has become an obama shoe licker.


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