ABOUT FIRST READ

First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



First thoughts: Dumping Wright

Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:19 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Dumping Wright: A day ago, we asked if yesterday would be the day Jeremiah Wright would go away, at least in the context of the Obama-Clinton primary race. Well, not quite. Obama made sure the story would last one more day by holding a press conference in which he unequivocally denounced Wright. That denunciation -- just like his speech on race more than a month ago -- has received universal praise. It made him look strong, and it might have even helped him a bit if he wins the nomination (after all, denouncing him now is MUCH better than doing so in October). But the criticisms still to be leveled against Obama are twofold: 1) it was late and 2) he did this only after Wright personally attacked him; Obama didn't get angry over the OTHER things Wright said, but only when Wright made it personal. One thing still hanging in the air: will Wright respond; he did a sort-of response through a blind quote in the New York Post but considering how upset black church leaders seem to be with Wright, he may end up keeping quiet. Clearly, superdelegates were the most important audience yesterday. They may be relieved Obama finally showed an ability to deal with a baggage crisis head-on, but they still will want to know if Wright will continue to dog him. Obama's back was against the wall and he delievered. But like every other time, it feels a little late, the question is, was it TOO late.

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd discusses Obama's fallout with his former pastor. 

*** The odd good news for Obama: The Wright Story Volume 2, which began on Thursday when PBS released excerpts of the reverend’s interview with Bill Moyers, has now lasted six days -- which, by the way, is the same amount of time between now and Tuesday’s elections in Indiana and North Carolina. And unlike right before the past contests in Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania, it is Clinton -- not Obama -- who seems to have all the momentum. The perception is that Obama is bleeding. But this COULD be a good thing for Obama, relatively speaking, of course. Clinton won the expectations game in those past three contests, primarily because it seemed like Obama had all the Mo’. But now that Mo’ is on Clinton’s side. What happens if Obama is still able to defeat Clinton by double digits in North Carolina and essentially split the delegates in Indiana? Of course, the bigger question for his campaign might be: What if he doesn’t? And what if those exit poll cross-tabs in North Carolina and Indiana show white voters abandoning Obama in greater numbers than in Ohio and Pennsylvania?

*** Hillary, working 9 to 5: Per NBC’s Ron Allen, Clinton begins her day today with an interesting "event." A typical Indiana resident -- Jason Allen Wilfing, who has worked at Deluxe Sheet Metal for 15 years -- will just happen to stop by the hotel where Clinton is staying, and she will join him on his typical commute to work. And what's more, they will have to stop for gas. (The tank just happens to be running dry while Clinton's along for the ride.) Clinton will then help Wilfing pump gas. And then he will complete the typical trip to work. Of course, we all wonder when was the last time Clinton drove a car? Or pumped gas? Or even, after that $109 million, had to worry about the cost of gas? Politicians do all kinds of things to attract votes, but this has the potential to be memorable. Indeed.

*** Pander alert: The Clinton gas event is yet another sign that Clinton is trying to harken back to the '90s and hammer home the "I feel your pain" aspect of the Clinton years that voters responded to so well back then. But the debate over the gas-tax holiday is an interesting one -- and it's a test of just how closely voters are following the campaign. Will voters respond simply on the pocketbook front and demand this gas tax holiday, despite all the downsides that many experts have outlined about the idea? It's the old "if it feels good, do it" (that Clinton and McCain have seen succeed for so long during times that pocketbook politics have dominated the debate) versus the intellectual argument Obama is trying to have (that usually is praised by, well, intellectuals but dismissed by rank-and-file voters who want their tax cut or gas prices cut). Clinton is trying to own this issue big time -- even running TV ads about it and constantly criticizing Obama for not supporting the gas-tax holiday.Obama's criticism of McCain's plan and Clinton's are accurate. The only problem is it leaves voters saying, "Ok, it's a gimmick; so what's your proposal? This feels like Clinton v. Tsongas '92. But the electorate acts as if its more informed than it was 16 years ago, and also could be a bit more distrustful of government handouts than in the past. Regardless, one could argue that the Clinton-Obama debate over this issue sums up their candidacies and potential presidencies. In this environment, which do voters prefer?

*** How low can you go; how high can you fly? Yesterday, we released some early numbers from the latest NBC/WSJ poll, which comes out tonight. The numbers? Only 21% approve of President Bush's job in handling the economy -- his lowest number ever as president on that question. Also, a whopping 81% believe the US is currently in a recession. Interested in the latest numbers in the Obama-Clinton race? Want to know how both stack up against McCain? Or curious about which party -- Democratic or Republican -- holds the advantage heading into November? And want to know which relationship is worse: Bush or Wright? Tune into Nightly News, or click onto MSNBC.com, at 6:30 pm ET.

*** One more plug: Obama will be on Meet the Press for the full hour this Sunday. Tim Russert will travel to Indianapolis to sit down with the Democratic front-runner for the live interview, taking place on the even of what could be the most significant primaries of the campaign season. Set your TiVOs now if for some reason you haven't yet clicked "season pass" for Meet the Press.

*** Closer to the magic number: Obama picked up another superdelegate just this morning, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA), who was a strong supporter of Edwards. Yesterday, Obama picked up two more superdelegates: Kentucky congressman Ben Chandler and Iowa DNC member Richard Machacek. Clinton also picked up one: Missouri Rep. Ike Skelton. Skelton cited Clinton’s “support in rural America” as a reason for backing her. Since the Pennsylvania primary, Obama has gotten eight superdelegates to Clinton’s four. Here’s where the counts stand: SUPERDELEGATES: Clinton 266-245; PLEDGED: Obama 1,490-1,334; OVERALL: Obama 1,735-1,600.

*** On the trail: Clinton spends her day in Indiana, stumping in South Bend, Portage, Lafayette, and Kokomo; McCain raises money in Florida and then holds another health-care event in Allentown, PA; and Obama, in Indiana, has events in Indianapolis and then holds a rally at Indiana University in Bloomington. Also, Bill Clinton has a whopping seven events in North Carolina, and Michelle Obama is in Indiana.

Countdown to North Carolina, Indiana: 6 days
Countdown to West Virginia: 13 days
Countdown to Kentucky and Oregon: 20 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 188 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 265 days
 
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Comments

Memo to NBC News, you have a problem on your hand that needs attention now.  It has become increasingly clear that your so-called Political Director is in camp with the Clinton campaign.  He has failed to demonstrate any objectivity for some time now, and brings discredit to any of his reports or analysis.  At least with Russert, Matthews and Olberman you know up front what to expect.  I fail to see any added value to Mr. Todd’s input and suggest you review his performance.  Also, please take a close look into the further reporting of Andrea Mitchell.  Her analysis and reporting has now become irretrievably skewed towards Clinton, and the fact that her husband is on the Clinton campaign staff aggravates this.  I hope this gets posted, but I doubt it will.  I also don’t expect anything to change.  Oh well, back to CNN I go.  I will miss Keith.
Obama need to resignfor the good of the democratic party.

Will his ego allow him to put the nation in front of his own desires?
What is sooo sad to me is that all you can see Chuck Todd is "political implications" to the relationship of Sen. Obama and Rev. Wright.  Never do you see real humanity in any of this.  Hillary has stood by her cheating, lying, impeached husband all of these years and NO ONE yells "Bad Judgement" and yet the Pastor who brought Barak into the Christian fold is the man Barak should have "vetted" and disowned immediately upon deciding to run for President.  This shows how out of touch the media is that a new day is dawning, we want Politicians who act like human beings and NOT the old Clintonian ways of doing everything, even staying with your unfaithful spouse, just to gain political points.  Very, Very Sad for you!
Obama is SLOW to disown those he disagrees with.

He is SLOW to disown those who disagree with him.

He is SLOW to demonize.

He is SLOW to begin unnecessary wars.

Not only is this a virtue, it is a virtue America urgently needs.
Drip, drip, drip.

http://thepajamapundit.com/
"That denunciation -- just like his speech on race more than a month ago -- has received universal praise"

???????LMAO
I don't want a "fighter" in the White House, I want a "leader".  The last debate told me all I need to know, he was gracious to her and her gaffes, while she went for the jugular.  

No matter how the "values" voters vote, the gay population will still be 5-10% of the population, they will be living among us as tax paying productive members of society.

No matter how the "values" voters vote, abortion will still be available, for the poor it will be "back alley" and risky, for the rich it will be overseas.  The goal is to make it rare by sensibly teaching prevention along with morals.  

No matter how the "liberal" voters vote, prayer will still be said in school, especially before tests and sporting events.

No matter how the "liberal" voters vote, the second amendment will still allow lawful gun ownership.

So this time, Vote with your head, vote for the economy, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.  
yes, it was late---possibly too late to undo the damage Obama's "friend" Wright caused him (although, as Chris Matthews pointed out, he responded four days quicker than Bush did to Katrina!)but at least now, NO ONE (except maybe racist Republican adsters in N.C.) can raise this question anymore.  It's dead in the water.  What'll Rev. Wrong's answer be?  Who the hell cares?  He was either being paid by the GOP, or by HRC (or by both, they're such good buddies), or he's just a "whackadoodle."
Of course, we all wonder when was the last time Clinton drove a car? Or pumped gas?
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It has to be pre-1978.  She lived in public housing (governors mansion and White House) until 2001.  I can tell she did pump gas in Arkansas when I lived there.
yes, it was late---possibly too late to undo the damage Obama's "friend" Wright caused him (although, as Chris Matthews pointed out, he responded four days quicker than Bush did to Katrina!)but at least now, NO ONE (except maybe racist Republican adsters in N.C.) can raise this question anymore.  It's dead in the water.  What'll Rev. Wrong's answer be?  Who the hell cares?  He was either being paid by the GOP, or by HRC (or by both, they're such good buddies), or he's just a "whackadoodle."
Alleycat and Tomcat love to brag about their catfighting.   Really classy.  There's more than one way to fight.  Obama is fighting for causes, not attacking other people.   Because he doesn't get down & dirty, he's a "wimp?  

A man who is secure in his manhood, doesn't have to keep trying to convince others he is manly, as Hillary does.  A secure woman isn't afraid to wear dresses.  (Bet she sleeps in those butt-ugly pantsuits.)  

A person of quality, doesn't fear others' equality.   Having a black man presume he is equal to the "chosen ones", is what is threatening, and infuriating, the Clintons.   Bill's popping blood vessels.

A true Christian doesn't have to carry a bible, or wear a cross.

A true patriot doesn't have to wrap himself in a flag, or wear a flag pin.

A truly intelligent person doesn't have to advertise his IQ.

We are judged by our deeds.    What we hold dear, shines from our hearts.  

Obama is the real deal - a man of ethics, good judgment, and integrity.  He treats others with kindness, and respect, which is NOT a sign of weakness.  It's called STRENGTH of character.  

Compare those attributes to those who wear masks, pretend to care, and make false promises.  They claw their way to the top, destroying anyone, who would deny them power.
Fellas, when you call those who simply want lower prices on gas "rank-and-file voters," you do a disservice to those who are actually trying to help. Those "rank-and-file voters" are actually STUPID voters. No, that's not elitist; that's the truth. We need someone in the White House who's not going to pander to those for whom face-value is all there is to a story. THAT, more than anything else, is why the presidency has been such a crap-hole for the last sixteen years: the presidents in that time period have pandered to the dumbest segment of society. It's time to stop pandering and start making real changes.

And any of you who wants to challenge me on the gas tax, I ask you, how much do you love going over potholes? How much do you love the damage crumbling streets do to your cars? This isn't just about falling bridges in Minnesota -- it's about the everyday bumps and bruises the roads in this country get because of traffic. And if we remove the gas tax, we either raise taxes elsewhere (which is precisely what Mrs. Clinton would have to do) or we screw up our infrastructure. If you're okay with that, great, vote for McCain or Clinton; but if you want actual change, you know what you have to do.
Obama defended Wright when he was just bashing American, but as soon as Wright started dragging Obamessiah through the mud that's when it became too much.

Bash the country? Ok.  Discredit the candidate? No way.
Obama is Giving Hillary the slow death ... drip drip drip ... But Hillary is not ready to drop out ! ... As far as I know !

Hey Chuck please start up a countdown so that we can know how many delegates Obama needs to get to the 2025
Wow. The Obama love-fest continues. You practically beg everyone reading to finally get over the Wright issue and then accuse Clinton of "pandering" in a post laden with sarcasm. How about you report the news and leave the Obama spin elsewhere.
Set your TiVOs now if for some reason you haven't yet clicked "season pass" for Meet the Press.
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TiVO - I now what it is, but cannot afford it financially.  There truly are two Americas, only the elite have TiVO, kind of like BOSE (tm).
Senator Obama, it's too late!  Not until you were attacked personally did you "see the light"...so for political gain(from the non-politician-that's hypocrisy)and because it was an attack on you personally...so now you're the "victim".  Good grief, you must think Americans are stupid!

We are supposed to look the other way...suspend your character flaws, your lack of judgement, the fact that you have little experience and vote you President of the United States!  The majority of Americans can look the other way when it comes to politicians, in fact it's a must....but surely, you don't believe the majority of Americans are going to accept this much "baggage" on top of your left wing liberalism!

This is a no brainer, at least that's what Senator Obama hopes the American people aren't using, their brains!!!
I used to love these morning re-cap pieces, but now they're just seeming long...

I'm skimming them, wondering why anyone bothered to type so much about a non-race.
YOU PEOPLE ARE A JOKE ,ALWAYS SO BIASED AGAINST HILARY.............WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LET UP ON HER?  WHY IS IT ALWAYS OBAMA QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS? WHERE IS THE BALANCE AND FAIRNESS HERE ?GIVE IT UP WITH ALL OBAMA ALL THE TIME..IF HE IS THE NOMINEE HE WILL NEVER GET TO BE PRESIDENT,BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS WILL NEVER LET UP ON HIM AND YOU ALL WILL HAVE NOTHING TO WRITE ABOUT EXCEPT WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO OBAMA.....PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THINK LONG AND HARD BEFORE YOU VOTE......
I oddly think that all this "wright stuff" was GOOD for Obama. He got the "DIVORCE" and in strong words denounced the bafoon in front of the world. I think that supers are going to come out of hiding and back the candidate that has the best chance of becoming president.

I think that even if he TIES in IN, supers will come out at a steady pace that is WAY MORE than just a drip.


I'm going to keep my faith in the american people to see through the clinton lies, I hope white blue collar voters in Indiana have more sense than those in PA, and vote for the candidate who REALLY cares about them.

With this proverbial monkey off his back (the dogged wright issue), Obama is well on his way.


OBAMANATION
It has been reported that Clinton's Chief Strategist Geoff Garin called for a violent revolution in the US.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/30/geoff-garin-clinton-chief_n_99336.html

Why is this not on TV?
yes-blacks are never together
Now that Obama has "divorced" Wright will the media please follow suit.  We have far more important issues to discuss and I'm tired of the media hyped distractions.

Go Obama!
Obama main supporters like MSNBC and other biased media will not waiver in there support of him.  But, what all of you fail to understand that the vote he needs to be president do not appreciate him insulting their intelligence about his relationship with Rev. Wright for over 20 years.  
Obama says it, but who trusts him anymore? He's the same as any other politician. The man is lying through his teeth.
Obama= hope, change, honesty (the way he handled the Wright scandal, how he has apologized--which the Clintons never do)
Clinton= racial divide, Iraq war authorization, scandal, Bill Clinton back in the White House, overturning Obama's lead through Washington politics
What is TOO LATE is MSNBC ceasing to ALWAYS view ANYTHING Barack Obama does through a BIGOTED RACIST lens.  You NEVER give him fair and appropriate credit for DOING THE RIGHT THING, yet, HILLARY, MCCAIN and all persons of their race can LIE, CHEAT and OPENLY ATTEMPT TO DEFAME, DESTROY and STEAL without questions.  
I submit that ALL of the highly paid pundits, reporters and cable news loudmouths would crumble like weak whiney little slugs if they had to walk a minute in Barack Obama's shoes.  ALL of your opinion posts are cowardly and offensive and insult the intelligence of the electorate with your constant race baiting tactics cloaked in the guise of "fair and balanced reporting".
MSNBC and its gang of Obama cheer leaders never give up. i watched the entire press conference and it was sad to see the suffering that Obama went through to get out of his own trap. FOX news exposed that real well. It had video's of remarks by Wright and Obama going back several years and they don't square with Obama's yesterdays comments. First he throws his grandmother under the bus and now his Pastor. I can only wonder who will be next. There was a report of a North Carolina tracking poll that followed Rev. Wright'd press conference remarks that showed the race had tightened to a tie. White middle class voters are fleeing from him and the bleeding will continue. If the Democratic voters want to end the Republican rule they better vote in droves for Hillary Clinton and start to pressure the super delegates in their states, or we all will be saluting President John Mc Cain. The results could even effect their majorities in the house and senate.
Obama main supporters like MSNBC and other biased media will not waiver in there support of him.  But, what all of you fail to understand that the vote he needs to be president do not appreciate him insulting their intelligence about his relationship with Rev. Wright for over 20 years.  
Wright is to iceberg as Obama is to Titanic.
*** Hillary, working 9 to 5: Per NBC’s Ron Allen, Clinton begins her day today with an interesting "event." A typical Indiana resident -- Jason Allen Wilfing, who has worked at Deluxe Sheet Metal for 15 years -- will just happen to stop by the hotel where Clinton is staying, and she will join him on his typical commute to work. And what's more, they will have to stop for gas. (The tank just happens to be running dry while Clinton's along for the ride.) Clinton will then help Wilfing pump gas. And then he will complete the typical trip to work. Of course, we all wonder when was the last time Clinton drove a car? Or pumped gas? Or even, after that $109 million, had to worry about the cost of gas? Politicians do all kinds of things to attract votes, but this has the potential to be memorable. Indeed.

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Thanks, First Read...all my co-workers are looking at me funny because I just dropped to the floor, doubled-over with laughter after reading this!

who ever is in charge of the press should be President! The Press Media is the main source influenceing the public...the Press is the source that continues to bring up Rev. Wright, no one else...ooops, let's not forget the opposition, I'm sure they are adding to it as well. I'm sure Rev. Wright has preached on more than the over-exposed sound bites that the media has blugeoned the public with. You've given him more power than the sniper fire in Bosnia!
The gas tax holiday is a good example of why it is so important to have elected delegates, and supers. The average voter is uninformed, and blissful in their ignorance. Quick fixes are not what we need, and will do more harm. Hillary is selfish, and cares not for the electorate, other than their votes.
This is all part BIG lie to the American people. Obama is only trying to fool us in thinking he does not associate with Wright anymore but if elected those two will be back together arm in arm, slamming the US and all of the values we hold near and dear to our hearts.
Obama dumped Wright for political purposes. No other reason, plain and simple. End of story.
Bush's seat in hell beckons, even now.
Chuck,  when will enough ever be enough for the press.
You guys will keep a distraction alive as long as you can. Emotional issues do keep the cable news ratings up...  Obama tried to put Rev. Wright in the context of the racial divide in this country in Philadelphia - which your comments ignore - funny how the press likes to keep bring up race as an issue but always out of context.
Why don't you just stop skirting the issue and report that the voters who are racists will continue to  discuss whether or not Obama's actions yesterday were too late.  Sounds like you are part of that group. It's getting obvious...  
Obama's response only feels "late" to the drivers of the 24-hour news cycle.  The media needs a good piece of introspection after this sad affair.
Hey, you forgot to mention Guam which happens this weekend.  Every delegate counts. :-)
Poor Obama. He has the crazy Wright character to deal with, he's fighting the 3 on 1 Clinton tag-team Machine, and has McCain firing missles at him. I am so proud of him.

Obama 2008!
Obama needs to dump voting record.
NOBAMA IS A CREEP, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.  AS FAR AS I CAN TELL HE THROWS ANYBODY UNDER THE BUS!!
Wright is divorsed. Wright Was Wrong!! Congrats Obama for the way you handled the matter. Let's get to issues affecting americans: the economy, jobs, gas prices, home foreclosure, health care, etc...
The damage from Obama's relationship to Wright has destroyed Obama's campaign. There is not one mid-western state, other then Illinois, that will vote for Obama in a general election after this ugly encounter. That includes Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. No working class blue collar people can ever respect a man like Obama. Without that vote, Obama is history.
Give it up guys! Clinton IS the candidate to back, and of course the higher educated people who make more money would back Obama, they don't have the concerns the working class have, like how to pay for gas the rest of the week to get to work. He's not for the little guy and that is exactly why the superdelegates (and how did those guys get elected anyway?) are going with him, because they know their interests and their pockets will be weeelll padded if Obama makes it to the White House (which he won't)
I am beginning to think this was staged.  How many times has he committed a gaffe then gives a big speech???  Is he trying to bait the race card again? OR?

There are too many red flags with OBAMA
I don't think its "too late"...I think he used reasonable force (in self-defense language) as events evolved.  He denouced Wright's remarks in Philly, to make it clear that Wright didn't speak for him.  When Wright revealed himself to be a loose cannon, Obama sadly, had to renounce the man.  He made a difficult choice with honesty, grace, and humility...are there really those of us so jaded that we can't, at least, give him that.  Its unusual but not unprecedented to see that in a politician.

It wasn't something he wanted to have to do...but he had the political courage to do what he had to do.

I am proud to be his supporter.
Wow... that just as bad as her disabled person comment.  When she tells these stories, they sound so fake.   As far as Rev Wright goes.... you all wanted him to denounce him and now you're saying it wasn't enough.  Is anything good enough for you.  You keep talking about it and it's going to stay in the news.  Chuck, please move on.  Could you please talk more about how McCain's insurance plans make no sense to the average American.  The free market DOES NOT WORK FOR THE INSURANCE AND HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.  Have a nice day ya'll!
Sorry MSNBC, you guys are too much. First you say to Obama he must divorce the guy, and when he does, you say, OH MY! Is it TOO late? PALEEEEEEZE!

And Mika, please stop pooching your dopey teenager-lipglossed lips of yours, you are so annoying. Put on some real woman lipstick and act your age!! If you prefer to be a blonde bombshell, go work for Fox News, they could use you.
Hillary is certainly having a good week.


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