First thoughts: The new math

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:25 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd and Mark Murray
*** The new math: With Florida and Michigan re-dos all but dead, the Obama folks have successfully kept the delegate path very narrow for Clinton. As the New York Times’ Nagourney front-pages, “Without new votes in Florida and Michigan, it will be that much more difficult for Mrs. Clinton to achieve a majority in the total popular vote in the primary season, narrow Mr. Obama’s lead among pledged delegates or build a new wave of momentum.” By the way, did the Clinton campaign err in sending the candidate to Michigan yesterday? Some supporters of the re-do in that state believe that her visit to the state -- combined with the public release of the Clinton sugar daddies who promised to pony up $12 million -- spooked some undecided lawmakers who were queasy about the prospect of the re-do looking like a totally Clinton-funded event. And as it turned out, Clinton was in Michigan pushing process, while Obama was having a debate with McCain about Iraq. It's a rare day that Team Clinton took their eye off the message ball. But doesn't that underscore the need they have for this Michigan re-vote -- that they were willing to cede the Iraq anniversary to Obama and McCain? One other question: Does anyone think that one of the many reasons Obama has shown hesitancy to endorse a full revote in Michigan has to do with the controversy surrounding Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick? Does Obama really want to have to find ways to avoid being seen with Kilpatrick during a campaign in the state? The last thing Obama needs is to be drawn into some controversy that may appear divisive on the race front.

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on Barack Obama's pastor problem and latest polls showing him losing ground to Hillary Clinton.

*** Is it safe? It's been a week since Rev. Wright became a household name and his sermons became discussion at the water cooler. Should the Obama campaign take heart in the fact that no new controversial sermons have become public? One would assume a slew of journalists have been scouring his sermons for more crazy statements and simply haven't found any ... yet? On the flip side, who else besides the Los Angeles Times yesterday and Nicholas Kristof today has attempted to look at Wright in a positive light (who he is, what he stands for, why he had thousands of parishioners including Obama, etc)? Of course, Wright's words are going to live, the "Is Obama Wright" YouTube continues to make the rounds and it's a taste of how the patriotism card could be used against Obama in a general. and

*** Redacted! So how scrubbed were those Hillary Clinton schedules? Scrubbed enough that the names of David "redacted" Kendall and Bob "redacted" Bennett apparently never appeared on them. As expected, the schedules didn’t reveal that much. If anything, they only served as a tool to distract a lot of media to comb through them to find, well, nothing other than to attempt to recreate salacious days during some of the more dramatic moments of the Clinton years. The collective press corps now eagerly awaits those tax returns. When they’re released, will Yucaipa become a household name? Of course, the release of these schedules gives the appearance of transparency, even though there was a lot that was redacted. This could turn out to be a helpful talking point for the Clinton campaign as they fight this message meme that they aren't being transparent about their post-presidency income and the Clinton library donations.

*** A Clinton-McCain alliance? Yesterday, while campaigning in Allentown, Bill Clinton praised McCain, NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli reports. "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 torture, 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." Of course, Obama has also praised McCain and his service. But Clinton’s praise came on the very day -- the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war -- in which the Obama and McCain camps were trading barbs over the Iraq war. So in that context, it was fascinating that Clinton would be so effusive in his praise. Meanwhile, McCain's been similarly deferential to Clinton, but not so much to Obama. In fact, the tone of the Mark Salter’s attack release yesterday is a reminder to some that there really is no love lost between Team McCain and Team Obama. There is a lot more contempt for Obama with McCain folks than there is for Clinton.

*** Another GOP retirement: First Read has learned that New York Rep. Tom Reynolds (R) -- who chaired the National Republican Congressional Committee in the ’04 and ’06 cycles, and who was once thought of as a possible successor to then-Speaker Denny Hastert -- is retiring. Reynolds narrowly held onto his seat in 2006, after he got caught up in the controversy over Mark Foley. Democrats are optimistic about their chances in his New York district, but it’s still fairly Republican; Bush got 55% of the vote there in 2004. But it’s yet another GOP retirement. By the way, what kind of message is being sent to the House Republicans that the last TWO NRCC chairs (Reynolds and Virginia's Tom Davis) have both decided to get out?

*** London calling: McCain’s taxpayer-financed overseas trip has taken him to Iraq, Jordan, and Israel. And today it takes him to London, where -- among other things -- he holds a fundraiser for his campaign. (His campaign is covering the costs for the fundraiser, which only US citizens can attend.) It's another sign, by the way, of the growing importance of overseas donors, since globalization has moved a lot of US citizens around the world, especially London. Also, don't miss another Lieberman-save for McCain on a potential Jewish holiday faux pas over Purim. Lieberman is turning into McCain's overseas MVP.

*** Here’s … an endorsement? Edwards is on Leno tonight. Will he hint at his endorsement? Unlikely. We're just shocked he'd schedule anything on the first day of the NCAA tourney. Come on, John, we thought you were more of a hoops fan than THAT! Jay can wait -- it's the most important hoops day of the year! In fairness, however, Edwards’ Tar Heels don’t play until tomorrow night… And speaking of, a memo to the campaigns: Please don’t hold any conference calls, etc. past noon, except perhaps during the 5:00 pm-to-7:00 pm window. We can all take a slight break these next two days, right?

*** On the trail: Clinton stumps in Indiana, making stops in Terre Haute, Anderson, and Evansville. Obama, meanwhile, gives his third big speech in three days -- this one from Charleston, WV on Iraq and its impact on the US economy. Afterwards, he campaigns in Beckley, WV before heading to Oregon.

Countdown to Pennsylvania: 33 days
Countdown to North Carolina, Indiana: 47 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 229 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 306 days

Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639 to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

I'm sure at times Senator Obama, especially early in his career, has had to maneuver as a traditional politician, in order to build a base. I won't hold that against him.

How sad would it be if we, as a country, would reject the most hopeful, potentially great president in generations, simply because his pastor has serious issues to work out?

I'm a 48 yr old white male from MI. I have some college and earn around 50k yr. I am not naive and do not drink kool-aid. Please don't insult my intelligence by accusing me of being brain washed. I can assure you, I am not.

I think MI should not have a re-vote. After Senator Obama has secured the nomination, I'm certain a reasonable solution to seating MI and FL delegates will be reached. You can not change the rules once the contest has begun. PERIOD

I do not hate Hillary or Bill. I try not to hate anyone. I could not bear it if she were to steal the nomination and if she were to pull it off I would vote for someone else.

We as a country have a once in a lifetime opportunity to take this great country, that I served honorably, to a place we could only dream of. Please give this man a chance. If history teaches us anything, Hill or McCain will be more of the same.

I appreciate all of the intelligent opinions here but not the thoughtless words of hate and intolerance.

Obama/Webb 08'

Chris, Dorr, MI (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:30 AM)

Senator Obama is on a roll again with his typical keen insights. These are gems from yesterday:

"There is a security gap in this country -- a gap between the rhetoric of those who claim to be tough on national security, and the reality of growing insecurity caused by their decisions. A gap between Washington experience, and the wisdom of Washington's judgments. A gap between the rhetoric of those who tout their support for our troops, and the overburdened state of our military," he said. Pointing to Clinton's argument that both she and McCain had passed the "commander-in-chief test," Obama argued that the argument was more focused on years spent in Washington than it was on the judgments made in those years.

With the release of the Wicked Witch’s WH calendar, many of her claims of foreign affairs experience are shout to hell. And oh by the way, what security clearance was she granted as First Lady? She was present during some Cabinet Room meetings that involved very sensitive national security issues.

Her collapse is closer now. I have posed the question before, has she developed an exit strategy and a plan to complete her term as the junior Senator from NY?

Chuck, NY (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:30 AM)

Looks like the Obama blimp (Hindenburg) has blown up and is on fire and falling to the ground!! Oh my, oh my!! Ohhhhh the huuummmaaannniiitttyyy!!!Well, well, now maybe we can really get to know more about this Obama guy. He doesn't look so good anymore, huh?

j fl (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:32 AM)

Edwards do the right thing for the party...
Give them to someone who can win and we all know that is not Obama.

sharon,largo,fl (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:34 AM)

Re. the Clinton/McCain alliance...its pretty clear that both camps are fearful of running against Obama (as Hillary presently knows, he's a very worthy adversary, the Republicans in general seem to agree and seem to prefer to run against Clinton)...

I think this Clinton coziness, well let's just say I can see this being problematic in the Fall (unless she wants to run on a ticket with him).

Is Hillary pandering to Repubs...how exactly does she think that will play in the elections in the Fall? Do we really know how she is likely to lead. The consistency issues in HER campaign continue to bother me.

Lisa in WORKING CLASS DIVERSE New Britain, CT (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:37 AM)

Did the taxpayers pay for McCain and his MVP's flight to London from the middle east? I sure hope not!

LB, VA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:40 AM)

Hillary will try to STEAL the nomination in another way.

GO OBAMA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:41 AM)

I think the interesting thing about the Clinton papers is that they DON'T show anything. They show her foreign policy experience - you know those eighty trips abroad - to be nothing more than having tea with diplomats. That's a little different than claiming you brokered peace in Ireland.

Luanne (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:44 AM)

"With Florida and Michigan re-dos all but dead, the Obama folks have successfully kept the delegate path very narrow for Clinton."

You're kidding, right? Once again, this statement denies the inconvenient truth for the Clinton campaign...

Michigan and Florida broke the rules and the DNC, with the aid of Clinton advisor Harold Ickes, voted not to seat the delegates.

Senator Obama agreed to abide by the DNC's decision and it should not be up to him or Senator Clinton to see that a re-vote is done fairly. If Michigan and/or Florida can't get its act together then don't blame it on him.

I agree that sending Senator Clinton to Michigan with a list of her supporters eager to fund the new primary was a huge mistake as it put the focus on her plight and not the plight of the voters. This wasn't about the voters. This was about Senator Clinton pandering for votes.

I eagerly await, of course, the daily argument some of you post about the 14th Amendment and how states can't deny equal protection. Well, once again, let me point out that the DNC is not a state and that the equal protection clause therefore does not apply. If equal protection applied you wouldn't see different states having different methods of determining delegates.

It's over. Let's move on.

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:45 AM)

Chuck I saw you on MSNBC this morning down playing the poll numbers showing Hillary Clinton leading obama in EVERY category. These polls also show obama losing big numbers against Mccain in EVERY category.

On the flip side when obama leads in the polls against Hillary and Mccain Chuck and the obama leaning pundits were all calling on Hillary to quit the race and give the nomination to obama because the polls were against her.

So Chuck give us a credible and honest assessment of the numbers instead of giving us a obama leaning talking point assessment because the numbers DON'T LIE

Stewart, Bethesda, MD (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:46 AM)

THIS Iraq and the Economy speech could be the one that gets the mo' back in mo-bama, This is the speech that can link Hillary's war stance problem with the leading issue of the day. God hope the press covers it with sufficient focus (despite NCAA).

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:49 AM)

...But meeting with officials in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, cabinet members and members of congress and the senate in trying to push the healthcare issue... I guess wasn't in the released papers.

SHE WAS FIRST LADY AND NOT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA. On the flip side, she would have been criticize for being too invovle in the day to day running of the Presidency.

You people need to try harder in advancing obama Presidential run for the white house while diminishing Hillary Clinton's roll as first lady and to some extent her significant experience on the world stage.

StewarT, Bethesda, MD (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:49 AM)

John Edwards: if you endorse Hillary Clinton, you will be a huge disappointment to your supporters. First, 9 of your delegates chose Obama over Clinton just last week. Second, I just don't know how you can support a woman who has shown such disregard for truth, racial healing, one who will do and say anything to win, and say sorry later. You wanted change from big Washington but now might support a woman who is the poster girl for DC insiders. We supported you because you stood for harmony and equality between rich and poor, black and white. She and her husband have so disparaged the black community they won't go near her. She won't release her tax returns and we just want to know where she and Bill made their money. She is a "she" and I suppose that would be historic. However, having her run as the first woman president, in my opinion, will ruin the chance for women who have actually earned their place in the political dialogue for years to come. This country can't afford another 4 years of Hill and Bill. Don't disappoint us by encouraging them.

Say it ain't so John E! (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:49 AM)

Conservative talk radio is absolutely hysterical in their claims that Obama is interchangeable with the likes of Minister Farrakhan and Al Sharpton and working secretly with them on an overthrow of traditional "American" society. Normally the talkers are only this frantic when they REALLY know their back is up against the wall, as when it was obvious they were going to get creamed in the 2006 elections. My observation is that the Obama "Wright" speach is potentially a game-changing moment.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:50 AM)

Lisa in New Britain, do the inconsistencies in Obama's compaign, character and judgement not bother you? And, why do you say Clinton is pandering to Republicans? Did you brag when Obama was getting the Republican vote? Just like your candidate, you can't have it both ways.

oknOK (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:50 AM)

"*** Redacted! So how scrubbed were those Hillary Clinton schedules? Scrubbed enough that the names of David "redacted" Kendall and Bob "redacted" Bennett apparently never appeared on them. As expected, the schedules didn’t reveal that much."

What in God's name are you talking about First Read?! Those schedules PROVED Hillary Clinton was lying about several different foreign policy "experiences" she shared with Bill. That's pretty big, in my opinion. I mean, sure, it didn't reveal any juicy new sex scandals or racial divisions, but is that really all you journalists are considering "big news" nowadays?

How about we get some discuss of the issues? You guys and gals in the media hardly gave two seconds to the schedules that prove Hillary had nothing to do with the Irish peace negotiations, that she was nowhere to be found when Bill ordered the bombings to scare Milosevic, I mean, the list goes on and on.

That fact that she never seemed to be there when it matters, very likely explains her HORRIBLE judgment on Iraq, and her continued bad judgment on foreign policy issues. People ask, "what will Obama change?!" He can help dig us out of this foreign policy mess we've been in for the past 20 years. The old way of foreign relations just doesn't work any more, and Obama has the answers.

Ron, TX (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:52 AM)

Lisa dear, a new poll out says 25% of Clinton supporters will vote for McCain instead of Obama. Foolish dems like yourself picked the wrong candidate again. Obama will not be our next president, due to the above problem and recent uncovering that he is a Jew and white hating black. Stupid dems.

a smart dem (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:52 AM)

What is it about people in FLorida? Every election there is a cluster and the comments on here from people from Florida show they've been drinking something. But you are in the south so I wouldn't expect you to vote for anything but a old white man.

GAB, Austin, TX (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:55 AM)

The obama people have been sucsessful in keeping two states from participating in the election, bad childern have to be taught.Politics as usual.

kenn (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:57 AM)

first read proclaims / 'With Florida and Michigan re-dos all but dead, the Obama folks have successfully kept the delegate path very narrow for Clinton.'

was it the obama folks that caused the primaries in florida and michigan to be disqualified?

would anyone consider the votes cast in either state valid since the voters of both states were told before hand that their votes would not count?

did not all the candidates sign a document agreeing both states would not be included in the primary process? one of the signatures on that document was hillary rodham clinton, no?

it would seem quite clear that the dnc, florida, and michigan are the entities to be held responsible, and barrack obama can in no way be held responsible.

and that my friends are the facts no matter what spin you continually apply to them.

please tell what part of the above statements is false; I would love to hear it

MK,MO (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:57 AM)

The obama people always threaten ,CHAOS and RIOTS at the convention ,clinton will pay because she is a racist ,and the super delegates have to vote for him and noe eDWARDS must ENDORSE HIM HE SEEMS SO ENTITLED TO EVERYTHING.

KENN (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 9:59 AM)

Is there a difference between Mccain and Hillary?

Really, what are the differences?

RobK, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:02 AM)

I am an Edwards supporter too, because of his populist support for the middle class (mainly) and also because he appears to be a man of good character.

I am now an Obama supporter (with Edwards out of the race) because on balance I believe Obama will do more for the entire country (including the middle class) and I truly believe that as Obama doesn't pander, he speaks the truth, he is able to be a leader of people.

I will not support Clinton even if Edwards endorses her because I will not vote for those tactics...I will not vote for someone so ambitious that she needs to cheat to win.

Edwards may support Clinton because she has (partly through pandering, perhaps somewhat because of other factors like race) garnered more support among blue collar workers. He may feel that he has to remain true to that base. However, I don't think she is actually better for that base, and that's the problem.

Obama 08

Lisa in WORKING CLASS DIVERSE New Britain, CT (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:03 AM)

Nice analysis today Mark and Chuck. I think it will be most interesting to see who wins the support of Edwards, Richardson and Gore. It seems that they could greatly influence the tide of super delegates.

JIm, Santa Cruz (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:05 AM)

Thank God Edwards is stepping up to the plate! Finally someone who sees what Hillary is doing to punish the party that won't vote for her. Hillary's "entitlement" mentality is destroying the party and the only viable candidate, Obama. Michigan and Florida have made their decisions. The math is real. Time to end this. It's over.

Spikeaus, Austin, Texas (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:07 AM)

Regardless of all the rhetoric this race is over. In the interim we will have to put up a bit longer with Hillary's attempts to tear the Dem party to shreds.

Obama is back on message after all the Rev. Wright BS. McCain is starting to show he no longer has the mential capacity to know who he wants to continue warring with and the major mental gaffes will continue throughout the general election. Obama will be the next President.

Obama should take a small break from his campaign, fly to the home of Edwards and offer the man the VP slot.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:08 AM)

On this FL and MI issue, may I speak out as a Mom? If my children break a major rule - and they have been told AHEAD of time what the CONSEQUENCES will be if they BREAK that rule - I risk setting a dangerous precedent, not to mention losing their respect for my authority - if I totally cave in and let them get completely off the hook. Well, I look at this FL and MI thing in the same way. Howard Dean (the parent!) made it crystal clear to these two states what the consequences would be if they broke the rule and moved up their primaries. Now the states (the children!) are screaming that they are being punished unfairly. Well, if Dean lets them completely off the hook and allows them to hold new primaries - or count in some mish-mash way the January results - what PRECEDENT does this set for future election years? And what does it do to the RESPECT for the authority of the word of the DNC??

What Dean should do is hold the states to his original punishment by saying their votes do not count. BUT - he can placate them a little by seating their delegations in Denver. How? Just NEUTRALIZE their influence by SPLITTING the delegates 50/50! No harm, no foul! The states ARE receiving CONSEQUENCES for their misbehavior by NOT having any say in the outcome. But, they are allowed to participate in the celebration in Denver.

Jane, NC (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:08 AM)

I truly do believe the voters in the remaining states are going to come out in very large numbers and crack this election wide open.

Unfortunately, with Sen. Obama's consistency of the inconsistencies (NAFTA, REV. Wright, Tony Resko) this is having a serious and profound effect on his electability, especially when he has staked his campaign on "Change" we can believe in.

Unfortunately, trust is gone with Sen. Obama and once you lose this, it is not easily given back.
Some are now speculating that come Nov. he is unelectable (which I tend to agree with).

The voters will decide who wins the popular vote hence forth in this election --and I do not think it is a favorable outcome for Sen. Obama.

American Voter (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:09 AM)

It's ASTOUNDING to me that Democrats in Florida and Michigan will NOT have a say in our party's nomination process (Florida because of a Republican governor) but REPULICANS and INDEPENDENTS who chose by definition NOT to be Democrats in the first place have had a say in most of the primaries and caucuses so far. This is disgraceful!!!

I will be voting for McCain in November. I have not left the Democratic Party but it has abandoned me.

Teddi, Norwalk, Ct. (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:10 AM)

I am still waiting to see if Nancy Pelosi, Jim Kerry, and Ed Kennedy are willing to risk their careers with this radical left candidate. The cat is out of the bag. The republican machine no doubt has 15 more 'swift boats' ready for him. They are going to have to make a contingency plan to appease african americans if Obama is unelectable. I think its almost certain he is unelectable. Why? He will never live this down. And he cant quit the church to appease voters . It wont wash. He cant get the pastor to 'apologize'. African americans leaders will FREAK OUT and claim he was pressured. Hes stuck with it. And to be honest, WHY ON GODS GREEN EARTH DOES THIS GUY USE SUCH LOUSY JUDGEMENT AS TO STAY WITH THIS CHURCH AND PASTOR when running for president in the first place. There is no way the Clinton democrats support Obama in a general election. How? Mc Cain is liberal, and friendly with the clintons. Mc Cain is already calling us 'reagan democrats' and is going to target us . Even if Bill and Hillary have chit eating grins at the convention beholding Obama. We aint voting for him Its impossible for him to undo this FUNDAMENTAL an error. Obama is unelectable.

Nancy Pelosi, Not goog for anything KA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:10 AM)

It's way past time for Queen Hillary to see the writing on the wall, that she's lost the primaries and if she doesn't do the right thing now and quit that she'll hand the fall elections to Tailhook John and his cronies.

With the repugnant ones wrecking our primaries by voting for Hillary now so they can vote against her in the fall the popular vote is now suspect as she's gotten hundreds of thousands of repugnant ones falsely voting for her.

If she wrecks the elections this year her name will go down in infamy and the Clinton brand will be garbage in the future.

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:10 AM)

CLINTON/EDWARDS

DREAM TEAM (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:13 AM)

It seems the outright bias by MSNBC/NBC/Newsweek has no limits. The continued parade of excuses being put forward by this network and its related news outlets with fluff articles and excuses for Obama’s lack of judgment continues to amaze me. If it isn’t something to promote Obama, it’s an article to criticize Clinton or McCain in an attempt to change the subject. If I was the producer on Saturday Night Live I would be putting a sketch together where Obama gets up to the mic to give a speech and couches and says excuse me which is immediately followed by the MSNBC/NBC reporters clapping and cheering followed by Chris Matthews making the comment, “That was the most historic speech in American History.” Give me a break! How can one news organization be so blatantly bias? Not that MSNBC/NBC is the only network as it doesn’t take much to pick out the Journalist blindly supporting him on other networks. Anderson Cooper almost apologized last Friday night for even to have to report on the Pastor Wright issue. I hope America is finally waking up to the fact that there are people who want to push Barack Obama down our throats and don’t want anyone to question them, but rather, open their mouths and swallow the BS whole.

Jim Banks, Towanda, PA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:13 AM)

On Reverend Wright.

I have been trying to figure out what might be the root of Wright's outrageous comments and it struck me that his rantings are really no more factually ridiculous than many of the bible stories. Stories that are used by religions to make certain moral points are no more crazy. Is Wrights ranting about the U.S. infecting blacks with AIDS anymore crazy than the ten plagues of Egypt story in the bible? I am not trying to excuse his comments, or say it is ok that they made, just trying to understand.

Noel, Hot Springs, AR (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:15 AM)

Bill Clinton is a man who has a long, long history of exploiting women. He had no respect for his wife, for his daughter, for the Oval Office or the American people, especially the younger generation, who look up to our Presidents.

Hillary Clinton is a woman who did not investigate the Bush Administration's claim of WMD's in Iraq. She couldn't be bothered even though it is Congress's responsibility to hold any Administration accountable. She had no respect for our military, for the Iraqi people or the American people.

Now 4,000 Americans killed. How many thousands upon thousands of Iraqi's civilians I wonder have lost their lives simply because Congress didn't do their homework?

I hope you all got a chance to see Keith's interview last night with Jon Soltz/Votevets.org. The pain in his face and voice is undeniable. Our vets are hurting not only physically and economically, but also emotionally, knowing their government sent them on a mission based on lies.

Let's hope we don't forget what this upcoming election is about. It's about what kind of country we want to be, what kind of leadership we want and should demand.

Hillary can't make that happen.

Chris Matthews was right - when we talk about change, we're talking about our country never, ever repeating the mistakes made in Iraq.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:16 AM)

[[McCain’s taxpayer-financed overseas trip has taken him to Iraq, Jordan, and Israel. And today it takes him to London, where -- among other things -- he holds a fundraiser for his campaign.]]

Gee, how nice that us taxpayers get to finance this dullard's campaign junket, which he pretends was a "fact-finding" mission. And he couldn't even find the fact that the Shia Iranians are not likely to arm the Sunni insurgents in Iraq.

Houston (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:16 AM)

it would really be enlightening if everyone, media included, would go back and read the positions and words of the candidates prior to the primaries with respect to the actions of the florida and michigan democratic parties. both sides came down very tough on the actions of both states and pledged not to participate in any campaigning or voting taking place there. one of the loudest and harshest critics of florida and michigan was none other than veteran clinton adviser harold ickes..he actually served on the dnc's rules committee and led the charge for the draconian actions levied on the two states. now he and his flip-flopping colleagues in the hrc campaign are sounding like hurt and abused victims of a thoughtless. unfeeling system out to get those beleaguered voters of florida and michigan. give me a break...quit your whining and abide by the very rules you fought so hard to enact. face the facts, you took a shot that this scenario would never come to pass, and you lost.

dick l, sarasota, fl (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:17 AM)

R.e. Jeremiah Wright and Obama's long personal association: their 20 yr friendship gives the lie Obama's claims of ignorance about Wright's rabid views. No one can possibly believe that Obama was unaware of Wright's outright hatred for this country.

Were it discovered that John McCain had attended a white supremacist religious service one single time thirty years ago, his career would be finished. We all know a double standard applies in the media, so that Obama is largely getting a pass for a long standing friendship with a man consumed by racial hatred and disgust for America. It remains to be seen whether the voting public will be so generous.

I suspect that they will not. Obama's association with Wright renders him flatly unfit to be President, now or any time in the future.

Rick S. , Framingham, Mass. (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:17 AM)

NOBAMA 08!!

DIMITRI (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:18 AM)

Amercian Voter: Obama is inconsistent on NAFTA? What a laugh. Please, please, please don't tell me that you are thinking Hillary is more trustworthy? I can see you thinking that about McCain, but not Hillary.

LB, VA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:19 AM)

QUESTION for FIRST READ: It is very hard to imagine Edwards deciding to endorse anyone on the Tonight Show. Wouldn't he go for a more sober venue? But then the question is: Why IS he going on the tonight show? It is the Late Night show of middle America (as opposed to Letterman which is more urban/urbane). YOu gotta think he is going there to give his take on the race flap. And won't his take tell us who he is supporting? He is either gonna say the speech was great and Obama turned it into an opportunity for healing, or he's gonna say it gives the republicans fodder for the Fall and weakens Obama. At heart Edwards is an idealist, and a southern white man who wants to unite the poor of all colors. I think he goes with option one. Not an endorsement of Obama, but a call to move past the race stuff, It;ll show where his hear lies....

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:19 AM)

I really hope John Edwards is not going to announce his support for Obama tonight. He may think that it will help Obama here in NC, but it will have just the opposite effect. A LOT of North Carolinians do not think highly of Edwards, remember he didn't even carry NC for the ticket in '04. Edwards is a much more popular figure nationally than he is in his own home state.

Susan E. Bahama NC (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:20 AM)

Don't expect too much from John Edwards. I don't think he sees the possibility of the future, he only sees the present and the past. Now, Elizabeth, I think she sees a new tomorrow. She would be the one to endorse Obama, she is concerned about her children's future and knows that with the same old players in Washington that nothing will change.

I hope I'm wrong about John but that's my impression of him this time around.

M H Robinson, White guy, CA (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:20 AM)

Chuck, you love to play up Obama's numbers when he is up and today, you totally downplayed Clinton's lead in all the polls. If I recall correctly, it was a week ago when yu said this Wright thing will "blow over" shortly. Is this your attempt to save face somehow or will you admit now that it's bigger than you thought?

Kevin Chicago IL (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:21 AM)

Has anyone looked at the polling done by Zogby? McCain is beating both Obama and Clinton by doing next to nothing. This "knife fight" between these two nominees is making it easier for John McCain. Why? The short comings are brought to light not by the Republicans, but by the Democrats themselves. As an independent, these guys are turning me off and want an adult to lead this nation not two little kids that a little time-out time is needed.

GA, Edgewood, Kentucky (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:21 AM)

John B, I agree with your comment on the Obama speech being a game changer. Everyone is waiting now for polls to verify that change, but it was a marvelous and cathartic speech.

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:21 AM)

Rules are rules. Everyone knew the rules before the primaries began. Florida and Michigan CHOSE to break the rules. There are consequences for these actions. Their primaries should not count. If the DNC eventually decides to seat their delegates, that is up to them, but that decision should come after a nominee has been chosen.

Al in Dallas (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:22 AM)

NEW CBS POLL:

A new CBS Poll out today shows that Obama still leads McCain by 48 - 43 while Hillary barely leads McCain 46 - 44.

There goes all those therories that the Wright issue has hurt Obama. He is still beating McCain and much better then Hillary.

Now that Obama has gotten by all that crap about Rev. Wright he can get back on message and will expand that lead over McCain.

Move aside Hillary and leave Obama the space and time he needs to take McCain down.

Of course Obama will have help as McCain will continue to think that Iran is training Al-Quaeda, or was that Sunni, or was that the extremists. Hey Joe! Lieberman! Come here and whisper in our ear so we can find out what it is McCain is thinking and saying, gghheezzzzhhhhhhh!!

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:22 AM)

I have always worried about some of the people behind Obama’s campaign. From George Soros, Moveon.org, and the most liberal of Democrats to the judgement of some of his closest advisors; but this time Obama's ability to judge character has failed. In spite of his vast following of journalist and liberal bloggers who have come to his support and continue to promote him as the Liberal second coming of Christ I don't think even the bias of the news media will save him this time. How can we expect him to judge our adversaries if he can't even judge the character of those around him?

jj (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:24 AM)

Bravo, Chris from Dorr, MI!

Robin, Rangeley, Maine (Sent Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:24 AM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=787800