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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 News Political Reporter



Bill praises McCain, calls him tough to beat

Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 5:52 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli
ALLENTOWN, PA -- Bill Clinton, who earlier today criticized McCain over the US presence in Iraq, praised the likely Republican nominee at a local college, saying he's a "very fine man" who'll be tough to beat.

"He paid as high a price as you can pay to serve this country without getting killed, and we have to honor that," Clinton said. "[And] he has some redeeming qualities for a Republican: he doesn't believe in toture, he supported campaign finance reform and he doesn't think global warming is a myth... So it is not gonna be all that easy to beat him."

He made the case that it's Hillary who would best match up against the Arizona senator, specifically mentioning her support in the military community.

Clinton also mentioned the endorsement yesterday of Pennsylvania Rep. Jack Murtha, whom he said was "one of the most prominent opponents of the Iraq war." "He said she would be the best commander-in-chief, the best person to bring our troops home from Iraq," Clinton said.

The former president, who has frequented high school gyms of late, drew one of the largest crowds in recent weeks at the Muhlenberg College basketball arena. And before the largely student crowd, he highlighted his wife's plan to forgive some student loan debt in return for public service.

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" before the largely student crowd, he highlighted his wife's plan to forgive some student loan debt in return for public service."

That's funny.  I thought that was BARACK OBAMA's plan!  Bill, when exactly did Hillary decide this was such a smart thing to do?
Just more from the "we like to have it both ways" Clintons.

Pretty strong on military spending, were ya Bill?

(note, I'm not necessary trashing Bill for that, but let's be honest here)

Obama 08
LOL.I LOVE THE CLINTONS

Obama's solution

WHITE AMERICA ELECT ME AND ALL YOUR SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN

Clinton 08
Chuck,
Here is my response:
1. McCain actually voted against a legislation banning torture.
2. Clinton is a very inconsistent person, often self-contradicting. He criticized McCain, as you said, earlier today, then he praises him. Of course the Vietman war was a worthless war of ideologies between communism and capitalism, not in support of human rights or democracy, and McCain comes from a warrior class and seems to delight in war in his young life. Nonetheless, he should be honored.
3. Bill's praise of McCain seems to indicate his realization that Hillary may not be able to catch up with Obama and by praising McCain, he is hoping Obama loses in November. Also, don't forget that while he praised this Republican (Hillary and McCain are friends, as she put it), he strongly denounced Obama's praise of Reagan for his ability to attract Reagan Democrats.
I think I just realized what the Clinton strategy actually is... after all this "experience" talk, and the "experience" talk being blatantly incorrect after we look at her schedules... all of her double-speak is coming out...

The Clintons are trying something revolutionary- say so much contradictory bull that no one knows WHAT to believe, and gives up trying to figure it out!
Lets be frank and honest. Obama and Hillary deserve praising for their work and concerns for the people of our country. But talking about higher level of being president they do not live as yet to our expectation of the prime office as president of the USA.Our best bet is to vote for McCain. Sure, he is the most quelified. Besides, can you imagine the presidency and the congress in the hands of the Democrats? What an internal mess and an external foreign policies weakness!
Ron dear, you are 100% incorrect, as usual. You need to get off your "I hate woman rant" and grow up.
Hillary Rodham Clinton!
HILL-ARIOUS!
HIPPO-CRITE!

OBAMA ALL THE WAY!  



Well why would we vote for a familly that embarrassing our NATION?, CLINT = sex scandall,curroption,impeachment.  

How can she protect our Nation from Terrorist when she could not protect her husband from LewinsKY Monica while she at home... ?  

God Bless America

Texan,, Dow
February 22, 2008
Reality Check On Clinton's Claims on Florida and Michigan Delegates


The Pledge Clinton Signed

WHEREAS, Over a year ago, the Democratic National Committee established a 2008 nominating calendar;

WHEREAS, this calendar honors the racial, ethnic, economic and geographic diversity of our party and our country;

WHEREAS, the DNC also honored the traditional role of retail politics early in the nominating process, to insure that money alone will not determine our presidential nominee;

WHEREAS, it is the desire of Presidential campaigns, the DNC, the states and the American people to bring finality, predictability and common sense to the nominating calendar.

THEREFORE, I, [Name], Democratic Candidate for President, pledge I shall not campaign or participate in any state which schedules a presidential election primary or caucus before Feb. 5, 2008, except for the states of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina, as "campaigning" is defined by rules and regulations of the DNC.



http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck2/2008/02/

ps...Also includes various comments related to those states.
It should be obvious to all what the Clinton plan is now.  It's been obvious for some time that it is impossible Hillary to beat Obama in total delegates and that super-delegates have been leaning toward voting with delegate count to avoid any "backroom decision" accusations.  
 With McCain's age, he is likely to only run for a single term and Clinton sees a chance to run again in 2012.  However, if Obama were to win, she'd need to wait until 2016.
 Basically, the Clinton's know she's lost and are now rooting for McCain so they can try again next time.  
I have grown very tired of the Clintons and their doublespeak.  I simply can't believe how low they have stooped.  To put down a fellow democrat and praise a Republican completely undermines whatever legacy Bill was hoping to have.  Bill's legacy is now forever tarnished in my opinion.  Nancy Pelosi was so right when she said that there is no way for a "dream ticket" when one democrat is praising a republican over her fellow democrat.  Simply amazing.
Ron,
isn't that how they (the Clintons) have always run.
I voted for them in 1992 and 1996. 2008  NOT!
McCain is only tough to beat because he's getting help from the Clintons.

PA voters have a choice between DIVISION and UNITY. Clinton means division and Obama means unity.
BOY IT'S SAD.  The Clinton's came into this campaign with such stature and authority.  If Hillary had just taken the high road (perhaps losing in TX) or if even now she said "Look, the math doesn't work.  We fought hard but we lost."  She would be honored as one of the greats in the party.  Maybe she'd be president someday , certainly a leader.  But no.  Both Clintons are turning themselves into a joke.  A stereotype of what folks have always said about them -- that it is all about them.  Bill CLinton had actually managed to rescue his legacy over the past 8 years.  Now he has re-squandered it.  Suddenly the selfishness of Lewinsky seems more emblematic than the Global Iniative.  Hillary will become just another partisan warrior -- and Bill another wet noodle ex-President.  Sad.
Honestly, when Clintons talk it's like Charlie Brown's teacher. I have to tune out for fear of an aneurysm. They argue both sides and say it's fair. I think the press thinks it's funny, but many people believe every word. It's like the jedi mind trick on America. They signed NAFTA, but it's the republicans fault. Now she's against NAFTA, contacted the Canadians, but Obama's the one doesn't really want to change NAFTA. It's truly funny.
Ron Texas,

Obama in the debates:  "I agree with Hillary".  "I would do pretty much the same as Hillary said".  "I would agree with HIllary on that point".  Yes, I can see how you would think Hillary is riding Obama's coat tails!!!  Of course after copying most of his speaches from JFK, MLK & Malcomb X I shouldn't expect him to be any more original without his teleprompter.  Also, Hillary was the first democratic president to talk about boosting the economy through green jobs but Obama must have thought that was good to add to his list of "ideas".  
Patty from Sd,Ca

Find some new material...your posts are all over evry article...and some articles, you posted 5-6 times...but the same thing...If you are going to sit home in front of your computer like the hunch back of notre dame, then at least take a moment before hitting send to think of something funny..or intelligent...or sincere...or anything that isn't the exact same rhetoric that sounds like your missing a chromisome.
For all the Clinton supporters, please cite some other historical examples where a former president has gone so out of his way to praise a Republican who supports conducting a war our own party wants to end and now supports tax cuts he voted against that are also unpopular to our party. A man whose policies represent little difference than a sitting President with approval ratings the lowest since Nixon. This is nothing more than the Clinton's playing the fear card to divide us. United we defeat McCain easily, but if the Clintons can convince us only one candidate can win we become smaller and our efforts to enact real change in this country more difficult.But they don't care about that- its all about getting themselves elected. The desperation grows daily. Who knows which Clinton personality will emerge tomorrow. Tomorrow John McCain may be evil if the polls say that's what will work. We can be divided by the politics of the past or we can say enough is enough- no more of this. It hasn't solved any of our major issues and it never will. Please say no to talk radio politics.
Mccain isn't in the country, he is on a pork barrel photo op at our expense. Supposedly a "fact finding tour", lucky for him he took somebody with him who knew the difference between a shiite and a sunni. He will soon be back, eager to take his place on bushs lap. The only thing he believes in is what this miserable administration tells him to believe in.
Bill, Bill, Bill, who gets the Bill? The high school cheerleaders and the Emperor's Club.
Hillary received  fundraiserS for her campaign from Rupert Murdoch. Bill gave Halliburton nobid contracts several times during his presidency. Bill has been "busy" over in Dubai. Halliburton mover their general operations to..Dubai.  Hllary praises McCain over Obama, Bill praises McCain over Obama. Connect the dots.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/09/clinton-got-money-from-re_n_90605.html


http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/03/12/clinton-on-haliburton-and-dubai/

http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/about_hal/iran.html
LOL.I LOVE THE CLINTONS

Obama's solution

WHITE AMERICA ELECT ME AND ALL YOUR SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN

Clinton 08
patty,sd,ca (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:07 PM)

__________

Patty you are so removed and divorced from Reality its scary.  Obviously you failed the SAT's reading and comprehension portion.  
President Clinton is just saying what most people believe.  We don't agree with everything McCain believes in but respect him as a veteran and a patriot.  People are just trying to make something out of nothing.

As for the primary, the Clinton's need to make the case that Hillary is a better candidate than Obama, which she is.  I respect the years of service she has done for all communities, including the African American community who has now turned their back on her.  

This is an election.  Come out slugging until your opponent is out.  She is a fighter which just makes me want to vote again for her.  

You can have your "hope", I want a doer and a fighter.
Hillary can't beat McCain. That's for sure! If the Clintons don't throw the toilet after the sink, Obama may yet be able to win. He seems to be the only one who knows the difference between Sunni and Shia. Which I am sure means that he must be a Muslim, even though he is also being beaten up because he won't leave his Christian Church.  
Hillary can't beat McCain. That's for sure! If the Clintons don't throw the toilet after the sink, Obama may yet be able to win. He seems to be the only one who knows the difference between Sunni and Shia. Which I am sure means that he must be a Muslim, even though he is also being beaten up because he won't leave his Christian Church.  
Barack Obama gave what could be deemed as an eloquent and courageous speech the other day on race and racial politics in reaction to the controversy over the comments by his spiritual advisor and pastor of twenty years Reverend Jerimah Wright.  When you get beyond the words and method of the speech, however, questions still remain.

In his speech Obama stated that he could not denounce or disavow his pastor anymore than he could distance himself from his white grandmother who he says made comments that he found to be divisive or derogatory.  

While I will admit to not knowing Barack Obama’s grandmother I would suspect that she has never stated words that rise to the level of blaming America for 9/11, that this is the US of KKK-America, that we should not say God Bless America but God Damn America, and that the US helped South Africa put Nelson Mandela in jail which are all things that Barack Obama’s pastor, who he has called his spiritual advisor and baptized his children, has all said.

I would also remind Barack Obama that you cannot choose your family (which his grandmother is) but you can choose which church you go to and what language you expose your children to.  Barack Obama chose the church in Chicago where a pastor has blamed white people for all that is wrong with this country, who traveled to Libya to meet with the leaders of that country, and who honored Reverend Farrakhan.

Moreover, Barack Obama throughout his denials of the last week has stated repeatedly that he had never heard any of the controversial statements of this pastor and that when the campaign had started he only heard about a couple of the statements and then only heard about the rest in the past few days.  In his speech he stated that he WAS there for some of these remarks, without stating specifically which ones, and claimed that he was bothered by some of these statements although he also stated he never talked to Pastor Wright about these.  So was Barack Obama lying earlier when he stated he did not hear about these statements or is he lying now when he said he did?  Also, if Barack Obama could not stand up to his Pastor when he spoke the way he did about this country, its government, and the majority of the people in it how can we expect Barack Obama to stand up to the people who are blocking ending the Iraq war, who are not for universal health care, and to those who wish to do harm to this country and their allies.

Regardless of a speech by Barack Obama that most say was done well this is not about speeches and words but about integrity and judgment and on both of these tests Barack Obama has failed.
Enough of the elections already. Were dying over here at American Axle. We have been on strike for 3 weeks already. Thousands of auto workers have been layed-off because we are trying to save our jobs and keep them in the United States. How about a little air time our way?
The White House schedule records show that Hillary didn't have much interest in military affairs when she was in the White House. MSNBC reports:

"Take, for example, when Al Qaeda terrorists bombed the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, killing hundreds of people. Mrs. Clinton’s schedule does not show any foreign policy meetings in the aftermath of the crisis, only a trip to Andrews Air Force Base to console victims and their families as they returned from Africa to the United States. And when, in retaliation for those embassy attacks, President Clinton bombed Al Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan, where was Mrs. Clinton? The records show that she was vacationing at a “private residence” in Martha’s Vineyard, Ma., and had no official events."

That's Hillary's REAL experience!!  SHE KNOWS HOW TO LIVE IT UP WITH HER FAT CAT FRIENDS AND WHEN TROOPS ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ARE ON THE LINE SHE TAKES A VACATION.  
I think Barack Obama's chances of becoming President have been fatally flawed over the last week. His association with Rev. Wright is now only part of his problem. Now he has a credibility problem in how forthcoming he was about that involvement. I don't think that the country would want him answering the phone at 3.00 am if it took him 20 years to realize that his preacher was not preaching the true word. Does it sound a little bit like Bonds and Clemens denials about steroid use? You would have to be a very naive person to bite on that line.
I really do believe that the best way to take on McCain is with a Democrat who is different than McCain.

Hillary has agreed with him during most of the war.

Hillary is McCain Lite, we can do better.
I think Barack Obama's chances of becoming President have been fatally flawed over the last week. His association with Rev. Wright is now only part of his problem. Now he has a credibility problem in how forthcoming he was about that involvement. I don't think that the country would want him answering the phone at 3.00 am if it took him 20 years to realize that his preacher was not preaching the true word. Does it sound a little bit like Bonds and Clemens denials about steroid use? You would have to be a very naive person to bite on that line.
Hillary Clinton may have one more chance to run for president in 2012. That is, if she helps McCain now by destroying the democratic party and portraying its nominee as weak.  But it took a man of iron to do what Obama did on Tuesday. He told the whole truth, so help him God. If I had four votes to give, I'd give it all to Obama right now. That's a man with the presidential qualities I like.
theres no surprise here if hillary doesnt get the dem nomination she'll just join mccain as his running mate HMMMMM I wonder how mccain feels about clinton/ mccain ticket with mccain as the VP
I could be wrong, but I think the idea to forgive student loans in exchange for public service was OBAMA's plan first.  Talk about plagerizing!!!
yes, the "flinging crap stratagy", if you can toss enough, logic, reasoning, contradictory statments  from the past, they can all be buried under a pile of dung, far beneith the light of day.
Patty loves the Clintons so totally and unconditionally that she will resort to race baiting to make her point.  It's not about race or gender.  Try hard to wrap your mind around that.

Bill Clinton demonstrates once again that he will do anything, say anything to try to gain an advantage.  Since Hillary is losing to Obama, Bill chooses to praise McCain.  Feeble, Bill.  We're onto you.
Why the h*ll are the Clintons are acting like a flirty cat rubbing up against McCain's pantleg?  Perhaps one of the Clintons is hoping to run with McCain after Barack secures the Democratic nomination.

By the way...  I was really moved and inspired by Barack's speech in Philadelphia yesterday.  Now the next day, it is not getting the amount of positive press coverage that I thought it would get.  That surprises me because it was such an inspirational speech.  He is the truly inspirational Leader that America has been needing for quite some time.  He got my caucus vote in February and will get my general election vote in November.
Did anyone see the McCain gaffe about Iran training Al-qaeda?  I am not going to trust this guy to be commander-in-chief.  He is so confused, he will invade the wrong country.  Wait, he alredy did that (along with Hillary).

IT's 3AM and the phone rings in the whitehouse. John McCain will get the door. This guy is a joke.  HAHAHAHAHAH
Bill seems to be getting a lot of coverage here lately, more than his wife the presidential candidate or other newsworthy items.

His daily opinion on why she's best suited is not interesting (and it's obviously biased). Just seems like you're giving the campaign lots of free ad space here.
Bill certainly is a busy man. Here is part of his schedule when he was in office:

Nov. 15, 1995: The first lady was in a mid-afternoon "meet & greet" photo opportunity at the White House with various Nobel Laureates and their families. That night, Lewinsky had what she later said was her first sexual encounter with the president in the private study off the Oval office.

Nov. 17, 1995: Mrs. Clinton had no public schedule and was at the White House. That night, Lewinsky said she had a sexual encounter with the president while he was on the telephone in the White House with a member of Congress.

Dec. 31, 1995: Lewinsky said she and the president had a sexual encounter early that afternoon in a study down the hall from the Oval Office. Sometime afterward, the president, first lady and their daughter, Chelsea, flew to Hilton Head, S.C., to spend New Year's Eve with hundreds of friends during their annual getaway at an intellectual family retreat known as Renaissance Weekend.

Jan. 7, 1996: On a Sunday afternoon, Lewinsky and the president spent most of the afternoon in the Oval Office. The first lady and the president had a small dinner with 20 people at "the Old Family Dining Room" at the White House.

Jan. 21, 1996: The first lady had no public schedule, but she and the president privately toured an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. Lewinsky and the president had an afternoon sexual encounter in the hallway by the private study next to the Oval Office, Lewinsky said later.

Feb. 4, 1996: Mrs. Clinton and the president attended the National Governors Association annual dinner. Lewinsky said she and the president had a sexual encounter that day, and sat and talked in the Oval Office for about 45 minutes.

March 31, 1996: Mrs. Clinton toured an archaeological site and museum in Delphi, Greece, and watched a folk dance performance. That day, Lewinsky said she and the president resumed their sexual contact.

April 7, 1996, Easter Sunday. Mrs. Clinton had no public schedule. Lewinsky said that, at the president's suggestion, she performed oral sex while he was on the telephone in his office.

Feb. 28, 1997: The schedule shows Mrs. Clinton was in the White House at least part of the day, when President Clinton and Lewinsky had oral sex near the Oval Office, leaving stains on her dress. There were no public events, but the schedule shows Mrs. Clinton had "drop by" events or meetings in the Map Room and Diplomatic Reception Room between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The schedule also lists plays and a concert that night, but it is not clear whether Mrs. Clinton attended.

March 29, 1997: On the day when Lewinsky later told independent counsel Kenneth Starr that she had her final sexual encounter with the president, Mrs. Clinton was thousands of miles away in Eritrea. In his grand jury testimony, the president denied this encounter. The first lady that day toured the Martyrs' Cemetery in Eritrea, where she participated in a wreath-laying ceremony and a tree planting. She also visited a health care clinic, spoke to villagers, and toured a polio vaccination room. She visited a woodworking center, held a round-table discussion with the National Union of Eritrean Women and met the country's president.
Soon Hillary will be up at 3am calling Barack Obama to ask him what its like to be President of the United States.
I think I know what Billary are up to: If Hillary can
not win the DNC then she wants to make sure McCain
wins the Presidency.

Come on HRC, you can't win the DNC, so show your
support and drop out now.
Hello! MSNBC...is anybody moderating this blog? Where's my post?

Again:

"LOL.I LOVE THE CLINTONS

Obama's solution

WHITE AMERICA ELECT ME AND ALL YOUR SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN

Clinton 08"

That comment is racist and demeaning and characteristic of the tenor of the Clinton campaign. patty,sd,ca is rapidly establishing a track record as an uninformed shrill who avoids addressing issues and resorts to personal attack and libelous innuendo.

Okay MSNBC, I was nicer with this comment. Now will you post it?  
If Clinton isnt the Democratic Canidate, my vote goes to McCain.  According to a new poll today, many people share my opinion.  McCain will be a better president than Obama, and I am sick of the race card being thrown out by Obama and his supporters.
Thank God, we found out about Obama before it was too late. We need Hillary to be the one to go against McCain. It will be our only chance to take back the White House. No true american will vote for a person who sat in the pew for 20 years listening to Rev Wright scream that hate . God help us if we had Obama for our president.
We're already in a shit whole. What's another 4 or 8 years?
We all know that Sean Hannity has instigated the whole uproar with Obama and reverend Wright. I urge everyone to google "Hal Turner" and you will see where Hannity is coming from. For that matter, this man was part of Pat Buchanans campaign also. Does this surprise anyone
"And before the largely student crowd, he highlighted his wife's plan to forgive some student loan debt in return for public service."

When did she add that to her platform plan?

I heard her speak in WA in advance of the primary and she mentioned no such thing.


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