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

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Bill Clinton takes a few questions

Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:13 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Christina Jamison
Former President Clinton today announced an agreement his foundation negotiated to cut the cost of malaria drugs in Africa. He then took a few questions after the event.

Question: Do you want to speak at the convention? Clinton laughed, answering: "I've given no thought to it one way or the other."

When will you campaign with Obama? "Whenever he asks... We had a good talk... He's busier than I am on politics anyway."

Regarding the Jesse Jackson flap, Clinton agreed with his apology, saying: "If we all lived on live mics, we'd all be embarrassed 100% of the time."

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yeah im sure if clinton was caught on mic then him and obama wouldn't even be talking on the phone

Awkward Exchange between McCain’s press aides and St. Louis Reporter
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/awkward-exchange-between-mccains-press-aides-and-st-louis-reporter/
or
http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.html
Mr. Clinton, why did you sign the Gramm Leach Biley Act into law?
Ex. President Bill Clinton says, philanthropy is fun, and all in all, it's good for whatever ails 'ya. Go Bubba, Go Bubba.

He left Senator Clinton's side, immediately after the Montana, and  S.Dakota primaries, and went straight to his office in Harlem to busy himself with his charity work. You've got to respect that.
"I have given no thought to speaking at the Convention". Come on Bill. We no better then that. You're still pissed that Obama won the Dem primary. True? And here I thought you would return to that sharp slick willy we all liked, get over Hillary's defeat, and really do all you can to get Obama elected. Sorry to see you are holding back.  
Liberals think all elitists are rich? How precious. I guess AlGore is an elitist then? Hardly. An opportunist maybe, but there is certainly nothing elite about that self congratulating bag of hot air.

Obama is an elitist and a snob because he talks to people like he has all the answers, when in fact, he doesn't even understand the questions.
History will prove that President Clinton was one of the very best the country had. No one's perfect, but he cared and did all he could for the working people.
Bill. Boxers or briefs?
Bill Clinton . . . . A.Mitchell. Hot? Not hot?
So the last Democratic President doesn't know if he's speaking at the convention? Sort of looks like the Democrats are still a little split.

Bill is probably trying to figure out how much he'd charge Obama for the speech he'd give.
Bill. Sunday, September 17th, 1995. Was Monica at the White House?
Mr. Clinton, why did you sign the Gramm Leach Biley Act into law?
The Truth (Sent Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:18 PM)
..................................................

You must mean The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act, Pub. L. No. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) allowed commercial and investment banks to consolidate. For example, Citibank merged with Travelers Group, an insurance company, and in 1997 formed the conglomerate Citigroup, a corporation combining banking and insurance underwriting services. Other major mergers in the financial sector had already taken place such as the Smith-Barney, Shearson, Primerica and Travelers Insurance Corporation combination in the mid-1990s. This combination, announced in 1993 and finalized in 1994, would have violated the Glass-Steagall Act and the Bank Holding Acts by combining insurance and securities companies, if not for a temporary waiver process [[1]]. The Glass-Steagall Act prohibited a bank from offering investment, commercial banking, and insurance services.
The law was passed to legalize these mergers on a permanent basis. Historically, the combined industry has been known as the financial services industry.

The combination of firms offering similar products and services, simplified the process for millions of Americans.  Small, undercapitalized firms which could not compete and would have gone out of business with the loss of hundreds of jobs merged with larger firms and most jobs were saved.  It increased competition as more firms became well capitalized, it leveled the playing field, improving rates, etc for consumers.

These combinations happen in all industries, every day.

Bill what kind of cigars are you smoking these days?
Thank you Bill:

For the 23 million jobs created

For the balanced budget and surplus

For the best economy of our lifetime

For the peace and prosperity

For the respect and admiration we enjoyed around the world

For the 2 reasonable / rational supreme court justices you appointed

and mostly:

For the best 1st lady in US History: Hillary!
Thank you, Ira, for a thoughtful answer. Also, thank you for a post on another blog re: the need the respect the service of our veterans and asking that Obama supporters stop disparaging McCain's service. Obviously, we do not agree on some things, but we do on that one.
ah for the days when we were at peace and prosperity was abundent and America had $$$ in the bank.
Bill, was Monica ever hot mic-ed?
And what kind of fees are you charging for speaking in these countries you are "helping"?
President Clinton, Are you over a 1000 yet? Excuse me? Just this year?!?
Definition of Elitism:

"is the belief or attitude that those individuals who are considered members of the elite -- a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities, intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes -- are those whose views on a matter are to be taken ..."

So... Yeah. Rich is part of the equation. Thanks for playing, my Repub friend...
He left Senator Clinton's side, immediately after the Montana, and  S.Dakota primaries, and went straight to his office in Harlem to busy himself with his charity work. You've got to respect that.

---------

Yes he did !!
Mr. Clinton, why did you sign the Gramm Leach Biley Act into law?
The Truth (Sent Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:18 PM)
****************************************
Uh...

Are you smoking something?

He signed it it on November 12th 1999, 11 days after the act was passed. It IS law!

Source: http://whitepapers.zdnet.co.uk/0,1000000651,260149584p,00.htm
Bill Clinton: "Campaign for Obama? Sure. He's that black guy, right?"

71-year-old McCain says in Kansas City, Missouri Thursday that he’s receiving Social Security checks, but the system needs to be fixed if future generations are to enjoy the same benefits.

http://thepage.time.com/2008/07/17/on-social-security/
71-year-old McCain says in Kansas City, Missouri Thursday that he’s receiving Social Security checks, but the system needs to be fixed if future generations are to enjoy the same benefits.
McCain the Straight Talk Express Re-Writes History on Social Security.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/12/204230/248/931/535022

CNN reviews John McCain's Social Security comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vSiWDvSbG4

McCain Targets Social Security in Deficit Cutting Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB8foG4hYD4&eurl

Campaign-ending McCain Quote: Social Security is a Disgrace
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/9/95253/65107/523/548667
If Bill doesn't speak at the convention it will be because Obama doesn't want him to, not becuase he would relish the chance to do it.  I'm amazed that the Obama supporters can't seem to take "victory" for an answer.  You folks really need to put the primaries behind you and stop attacking the Clinton's.  It does no good at this point -- only further Party troubles can come from it.  Grow up folks.   You're in a real battle for power now with folks who play very rough.
I have to agree with Bill Clinton on that last item; If we all lived on live mics, we'd all be embarrassed 100% of the time."  It is amazing how often we slip up and say silly and stupid things to other people when we think no one is watching or listening.  

I am sure that we will see more of Bill Clinton during the campaign.  I would hope that Bill Clinton continues on his charitable work as well.  Everybody needs some level of help at some point.  
So... Yeah. Rich is part of the equation. Thanks for playing, my Repub friend...
Master of Vocabulary


Obama is worth over $5 million. Some would call that rich. Thanks for playing my Democratic friend.
Bill Clinton - next to Abe Lincoln is one of the smartest and most successful United States President ever...


We still love you Bill


Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA
ah for the days when we were at peace and prosperity was abundent and America had $$$ in the bank.
thats a fact jack (

========

I remember those days. Those were the days when Osama was attacking us on a yearly basis, and Bill Clinton ignored it. Funny way of saying we had peace though. And we had money in the bank? You do recall the national debt doubled during the Clinton years?
Thank you, Ira, for a thoughtful answer. Also, thank you for a post on another blog re: the need the respect the service of our veterans and asking that Obama supporters stop disparaging McCain's service. Obviously, we do not agree on some things, but we do on that one.
Nobama (Sent Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:41 PM)
..............................................

...we can be civil and have an intelligent discussion on politics and positions.  That's what I love about America.



I wonder if Jesse Jackson ever spoke of wanting to cut
Prez Bill Clinton's "nuts" off!!  Maybe at one of their famous prayer breakfasts!!
Thank you, Ira, for a thoughtful answer. Also, thank you for a post on another blog re: the need the respect the service of our veterans and asking that Obama supporters stop disparaging McCain's service. Obviously, we do not agree on some things, but we do on that one. Nobama (Sent Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:41 PM)
__________________________
I couldn't agree more. Attacking someone's military service is never the road anyone should go down.
__________________________
Did you all catch the promo's for Keith's program tonite where he's going to talk about Senator Obama's chances of changing red/swing states to blue?

This is one part of the equation I'm so curious about as I read conflicting stories all the time. Either Senator Obama has a chance to win some of the southern states or no, he doesn't have much a chance at all.

Should be an informative program. Isn't it always?
It's amazing how this blog post stupid silly remarks. Bill Clinton might have committed a sin against his family (which is really none of our business). Sure, he denied it - typical of men who get caught - but he did not put the country in any danger. We had a decent economy, it was booming and we had the respect of the world. Respect that at least. All this vile remarks and comments are truly reflective of the kind of people Obama attracts.

It's a shame that Hilary lost. McCain is too old and Obama is too young and inexperienced. She would have been perfect to lead the country out of this mess. Bill's advice would come in handy at her side.

As it stands, God help us - either one of this men isn't good enough.
Bill will have his speech at the convention and get a huge ovation and do Obama right.

What does McCain do with the current president? How do you distance yourself from a president whose ratings are down in the gutter?
Ira, Freehold, NJ: '...The combination of firms offering similar products and services, simplified the process for millions of Americans.  Small, undercapitalized firms which could not compete and would have gone out of business with the loss of hundreds of jobs merged with larger firms and most jobs were saved.  It increased competition as more firms became well capitalized, it leveled the playing field, improving rates, etc for consumers.

These combinations happen in all industries, every day....'

Ira, I agree with almost everything you post....
But, not this time
The so-called 'Financial Services Modernization Act' was an abomination
It allowed anti-competitive mergers and combinations
It also loosened regulations on financial institutions
In large part, this contributed to the current mortgage melt down we're now experiencing

Unfortunately, the Clinton Administration sold out consumers and workers with this law and others..... Millenium Telecommunications, NAFTA, WTO (and the whole 'free trade' scam)

I don;t know if Obama will reverse or correct any of these policies (I think John Edwards would have).
I can only hope

No, it wasn't Camelot.....


Obama/Edwards '08
Thanks Bill for nothing...

Sending my job to Mexico

For giving the Chinese our missle technolgy so they can now hit a target

For lying upder oath

For not balancing the budget but just refinancing the budget and making it look like there was a surplus

for moving out of AR (really)


for firing Joyce Elder when she told black women to stop be baby factories for lazy black men who didnot want to be married and be a real father

for showing us that you really did mess around with other women all your life

Off topic a little here...I've seen several posters inquire on the subtle bias that seems to have snuck in on First Read, and wondering what happened.

What happened is we've started to fall for talking points and the easy story. And what triggered it (check the timing when it switched if you doubt me on this one) is that Tim Russert, rest his soul, left us without a real journalistic on the rudder. Sorry Chuck Todd, et. al. but it's true. You are now the MSM following the shiny objects, instead of the insightful folks looking beyond them.

Russert's death was a national tragedy. What's happened to MSNBC since his passing must have him rolling in his grave.
You have to admire the stupidity and ignorance of those still hung up on clintons sex life...its not about lies since bush has lied numerous times and got thousands killed for it...but clinton got a bj
You must mean The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, also known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act, Pub. L. No. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) allowed commercial and investment banks to consolidate. For example, Citibank merged with Travelers Group, an insurance company, and in 1997 formed the conglomerate Citigroup, a corporation combining banking and insurance underwriting services. Other major mergers in the financial sector had already taken place such as the Smith-Barney, Shearson, Primerica and Travelers Insurance Corporation combination in the mid-1990s. This combination, announced in 1993 and finalized in 1994, would have violated the Glass-Steagall Act and the Bank Holding Acts by combining insurance and securities companies, if not for a temporary waiver process [[1]]. The Glass-Steagall Act prohibited a bank from offering investment, commercial banking, and insurance services.
The law was passed to legalize these mergers on a permanent basis. Historically, the combined industry has been known as the financial services industry.

The combination of firms offering similar products and services, simplified the process for millions of Americans.  Small, undercapitalized firms which could not compete and would have gone out of business with the loss of hundreds of jobs merged with larger firms and most jobs were saved.  It increased competition as more firms became well capitalized, it leveled the playing field, improving rates, etc for consumers.

These combinations happen in all industries, every day.


Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:36 PM)

Yeah Ira, and that is why we had Enron and the mortgage meltdown.  Just another way for yuppies who create nothing except paper to make stupid amounts of money and con hard working Americans.  That was one of the great blunders of the Clinton administration.  We would be better served to let banks be banks and stockbrokers be stockbrokers and insurance agents be insurance agents.


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