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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



Obama adviser invokes 'blue dress'

Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008 1:33 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama adviser Gordon Fischer invoked the Monica Lewinsky scandal on his blog while defending another adviser's likening of Bill Clinton to Joe McCarthy, saying Bill Clinton has put "a stain on his legacy, much worse, much deeper, than the one on Monica's blue dress."

He has since apologized for the comment.

"B. Clinton questions Obama's patriotism. In repsonse, an Obama aide compared B. Clinton to Joe McCarthy. This is patently unfair. To McCarthy,"
Fischer, a former Iowa Democratic Party chairman who was seen as a key Iowa pick up for Obama, wrote on his blog. "When Joe McCarthy questioned others' patriotism, McCarthy (1) actually believed, at least aparently, the questions were genuine, and (2) he did so in order to build up, not tear down, his own party, the GOP. Bill Clinton cannot possibly seriously believe Obama is not a patriot, and cannot possibly be said to be helping -- instead he is hurting -- his own party.  B. Clinton should never be forgiven.  Period.  This is a stain on his legacy, much worse, much deeper, than the one on Monica's blue dress."

He later wrote ABC News, part of which he posted on his blog: "On my individual blog, I made a stupid comment.  I sincerely apologize for a tasteless and gratituous comment I made here about President Clinton. It was unnecessary and wrong. I have since deleted the comment, and again apologize for making it. It will not happen again. I hope my readers will accept my apology and we can move on to the very important issues facing our state and country. Thank you."

"A sincere apology is always a good thing," Clinton Communication Director Howard Wolfson said in a conference call with reporters. "But I don’t know why he would apologize; it seems consistent with the kind of campaign the Obama campaign is trying to run."

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Comments

Don't day 'Blue Dress' ... that's a bad word!

You Clinton idiots really think that the Republicans will listen to your whining and apologize ?

The republicans have truck loads full of Clinton-Dirt ready to dump on the nation.
I admired President Clinton, but lets be honest, if it had not been for his philandering, I doubt if the current President Bush would have had a look in.

We'd be coming to the end of a Gore presidency, with undoubtedly a stronger US economy. I don't see how this escapes the US psyche.

Its unfortunate that becoming President depends on raising a warchest, I believe the American people have much better leaders than are currently up for election.
Is Fischer accurately described as an adviser?  I'd say more like a major Iowa supporter.  Is there any evidence he has post-Iowa conversations with Obama?  I'm guessing not, as we Iowans have long since ceased being the center of the world.
This is typical of the Hillary campaign. Do not apologize.
Carville called Richardson Judas and refused to apologize. Geraldine's racist remark, no apologise. Hey we are talking about the Clintons. Shameless and deceitful bunch. The Clintons' motto is to admit wrong is to appear weak. My way or the highway?! Ah, where have I heard that before?!
What he said was true and he should not have even entertained the idea of an apology.  It is Bill Clinton who owes this country an apology, and we'll never get it.  Yet there are folks who want to put the Hillarybillies back in the White House.  

Obama is a politician?  Of course he is, and they're all the same really.  Whether it's Hillary, Obama, McCain... doesn't really matter.  We're gonna get screwed any way you look at it.


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