First thoughts: Obama's tricky day

Posted: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:32 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Obama’s tricky day: So far, so good for Obama. His campaign got the pictures it wanted from Afghanistan and Iraq. The candidate also seemed to successfully navigate yesterday’s press conference when every media outlet and GOP operative monitored every word he said. There are two big hurdles left: 1) the Berlin speech and 2) today’s events in Israel, which might be the trickiest part of Obama’s trip. Indeed, there will be a lot of attention on Obama’s stance on Jerusalem. When Obama called for Jerusalem to be “undivided” at the AIPAC conference in DC he got large applause from the pro-Israeli audience. But Obama was criticized from the Palestinian community and he then walked back from the comment, later telling Fareed Zakaria on CNN it was "bad phrasing." "You know, the truth is that this was an example where we had some poor phrasing in the speech, and we immediately tried to correct the interpretation that was given," Obama said. It is a fine line Obama walks with skeptical Israelis and -- more important politically -- Jewish voters in the US.

VIDEO: Time Magazine's Mark Halperin explains why Barack Obama's trip abroad can only help his campaign and why John McCain has a right to be frustrated.

*** A busy man: Of course, Obama's day in Israel is mostly over... Already today, Obama has met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak and then with opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu. After that, he visited the Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial and chatted with President Shimon Peres. He ventured to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. And he spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Still on the agenda: a trip to Sderot, a border town that has come under repeated rocket attacks from Hamas. And finally, he speaks with embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

*** Problematic body language: Sometimes body language can tell you a lot. And the body language coming from the McCain campaign -- as Obama continues his overseas trip -- doesn’t look too pretty right now. Let us count the ways: It has aired its first two negative TV ads of general election, one of which (on energy) was panned by virtually every media outlet for being factually incorrect. It later sent the press on what appears to be a wild goose VP chase, when it leaked to Bob Novak that a veep decision could be coming this week (and now even Novak admits that he might have been used).

Next came the McCain Web video blasting the media’s attention on Obama, as well as those luggage tags calling the reporters who have followed McCain for much of this election the “JV Squad” while others are covering Obama overseas; the other side of the luggage tag was in French with a beret-wearing guy pouring wine. (Side thought: Why does McCain think belittling his own press corps is a good idea? But we digress…)

Click for a larger photo of luggage tags

And then yesterday came McCain’s line that “Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign” -- language that spurred veteran journalist Joe Klein to wonder whether McCain “has the right temperament for the presidency.” McCain told CBS’s Katie Couric last night, “I relish [being] the underdog.” Did the McCain campaign push the candidate into this mode because they are obsessing SO MUCH over winning and losing daily news cycles? What happened to the happy warrior?

*** Poll alert: Where does the McCain-Obama race stand? Has Obama received a bump from his overseas trip? Do most Americans support a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq? Is Obama a riskier choice than McCain is safe? And how many think the country is on the wrong track? Some answers to these questions will be revealed when the latest NBC/WSJ poll -- the first national survey to come out after Obama departed on his international trip -- is released on NBC Nightly News and MSNBC.com at 6:30 pm ET.

*** Tar Heel dreaming? Does Obama really have a chance in North Carolina? GOP voices in today’s Raleigh News & Observer don’t think so. “There remains some skepticism among Republicans about whether the Obama effort is for real or just a feint. Some of them think Obama is likely to refocus his efforts on more traditional swing states closer to the election. ‘We are anticipating that it could be a race in North Carolina,’ said Ferrell Blount, a former state GOP chairman from Pitt County who is advising the McCain campaign. ‘But we are not totally convinced it will be at this point. But we want to be prepared to spend some money in North Carolina, and we are trying to make some preparations.’”

VIDEO: Quizzing people on whether or not they are being vetted never gets old and neither does talk of Obama's visit to the Middle East. Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., talks with Mika Brzezinski about whether he might be the vice presidential nominee.

*** McCain’s short list? We now have what appears to be the McCain VP short list: Romney, Pawlenty, and Jindal. Those seem to be the three after reading today’s news clips (check out our Veepstakes section). One person whose name isn’t on that list, but probably should be? See right below…

*** Meet Tom Ridge: With McCain in Pennsylvania today, we take a look at former PA Gov -- and Homeland Security secretary -- Tom Ridge, with whom McCain is close friends. (And remember, how McCain gets along with someone is a factor in the VP decision.)… Ridge, a Harvard grad, won a bronze star in Vietnam. In 1982, "he was the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House...." In some veep crossover, Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) appointed Ridge to the independent panel studying the Virginia Tech shootings… Ridge may always be remembered for his color-coded charts (and the emotions those invoked) at Homeland… But his Achilles heel in this process? His support of abortion rights; in fact, his pro-abortion rights stance derailed his veep chances in 1996 and 2000.

*** On the trail: McCain is in Pennsylvania, holding a town hall and raising money in Wilkes-Barre, PA. He later visits his campaign headquarters in Harrisburg before heading to New Orleans, where he meets tonight with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Obama, meanwhile, spends his day in Israel.

Countdown to Dem convention: 33 days
Countdown to GOP convention: 40 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 104 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 181 days

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Comments

The only tricky part of the day for Barack is to avoid Katie Couric from her throwing her panties at Obama. And yes, its gotten that bad.

Lyle Williams, Ames Iowa (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:39 AM)

It's not unusual the Obama is so popular in Europe. They're used to, and have a long history of, being led around by the nose by idiots.

Calvin Boone (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:40 AM)

Obama will do fine on this trip in israel and I wish we all stop looking for some gaffe by obama when mccain is make ridiculous gaffes that are news worthy. by the way FOX News isnt reporting mccains gaffe.
how come you guys just cant tell us the results of the poll now?

Video: McCains Daughter doesnt think mccains getting unfair media treatment, media party
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/media-unfair-to-mccain-meghan-mccain-seems-to-differ/
or
http://sensico2.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-blogs.html

camie (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:41 AM)

Actually I think the media got more acknowledgement out of North Carolina Republicans than I would have expected.

They are preparing for a competitive race. That alone speaks volumes. Sure, they aren't convinced it will materialize yet. Neither am I. But that they even see a possibility tells me Republicans aren't sure what to expect this time around.

Consider this - could Gore or Kerry have been able to get the North Carolina GOP preparing for a possible fight?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:46 AM)

How is is that CBS DID NOT SHOW the main part of the McCAIN GAFFE last night? Unbelievable news bias...

CA Voter (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:46 AM)

According to CNN, as of July 22, 2008, there have been 4,438 coalition deaths in Iraq - -- 4,124 Americans, two Australians, one Azerbaijani, 176 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, five Georgians, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians.They also have a detailed list with names.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/

As of March 2008 there were 8,914 wounded requiring medical air transport. 20,416 wounded did not require medical air transport.

The estimates of Iraqis killed vary wildy, but a September 14, 2007 estimate by ORB (Opinion Research Business), an independent British polling agency, suggests that the total Iraqi violent death toll due to the Iraq War since the US-led invasion is in excess of 1.2 million (1,220,580).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_conflict_in_Iraq_since_2003

In January 2007, Time magazine published the article: A Grim Milestone: 500 Amputees
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1580531,00.html?cnn=yes

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Let’s all stand and applaud George Bush and John McCain for their history making decision to invade Iraq. As you can see, the results have been breathtaking.

Clearly, the success of the surge negates all of the dead and wounded that came before it. How could it be anything other than a victory for America?

It is so sad to watch human life discarded so carelessly, all the while watching the people responsible pat themselves on the back for a job well done with the media’s help.

What have we become?

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:47 AM)

Reality Check (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:47 AM)

The McCain campaign is so frustrated and desperate right now that they aren't even thinking straight. Whose brilliant idea was it to make that video about the media being in love with Obama?

RULE #1: When running against an opponent, never make a video that essentially says: "Hey, look how much everyone else loves my opponent."

I mean... wow, what a dumb ass move.

As for the polls - I don't think we'll see anything meaningful until after he returns. He's likely to give a final press conference when he gets back, and there's word that he may even be close to announcing his VP (before the Olympics). So, the interesting polls will be after...

1) his meeting with the Israelis.
2) speech in Germany.
3) State-side press conference.
4) VP announcement.

Then we'll really start to see how the last two weeks have changed the landscape.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:48 AM)

Your headline should be more about McCain's tricky day yesterday where he clearly lied to Couric about the surge timeline. This just after he disparaged Obama when he said that Obama would rather lose the war to win an election.

JessicaElaine (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:49 AM)

Obama took some time out of his busy day in Israel looking to find a deli that served a decent ham sandwich.

Lei Thompson, Holbrook SC (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:49 AM)

Jack in Washington (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:49 AM)

The Quid pro quo ticket..Family Guy and Hellboy...

Out to pasture Mitt but don't wonder to far from the fence...

VP juxtaposition is the most difficult thing the GOP has to do. No one in the GOP finds McCain a viable matchup..and the clock is ticking...

BJ, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:50 AM)

So who decided to completely ignore the fact that John McCain once again has demonstrated that he doesn't know what he is talking about when it comes to Iraq?

Not a word about his bogus claim that the Sunni Awakening came after "the surge", when in fact it came before? Is this not just a wee bit relevant?

I guess John McCain is right - the media really won't cover him. Poor baby.

McCain’s confusion on Iraq goes from embarrassing to scandalous
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16288.html

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:52 AM)

Great journalism work by Keity Olbermann for exposing CBS's errors in Katie Couric interview with John McCain. A credit to CBS is that entire interview is now on line. John did not "purposely" try to mislead the American people as he misspoke in that interview. I once knew John and he wouldn't do that. But unfortunately what we have is early stages of DEMENTIA. Usually the onset appears in the mid 80's, but early stages can appear sooner. Usually the impairment becomes worse. There is now building considerable evidence for this claim. The latest being the forgetting of the sequence of events that happened in Iraq. Then there is the Czech comments. One time can be an misspeak, but the same mistake on four occasions suggests trouble lerning and remembering. Viagra-gate. The facial expressions said it all. I could go on and on, but as I said, I once knew John and I do respect that friendship.
The point is that independents and moderate republicians need to take heed of the situation and consider the country first, not their party.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:53 AM)

would mccain run the country like he does his campaign?

jus askin (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:54 AM)

Andrew Mitchell yesterday claimed that Obama claimed he knows more than David Petraeus. Andrea, NEWSFLASH: he NEVER claimed that. He said that as President of the United States, one sometimes has to take into consideration issues BEYOND what your commanders are telling you. Her reporting yesterday was stunning in it's ineptitude. She's usually terrific; sleep deprivation?

CA Voter (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:55 AM)

John McCain - Is failing to realize that it's not the Media's fault that he is unpopular.

The more John McCain talks the more he subtracts the sum of human knowledge.

He has to realize it is HE; that creates his own demise. Not the Media, Not the Democrats, and at this stage to some degree - not even George Bush.

John McCain is just not Presidential material - he's too set in his old ways and has an old mind set.

He doesn't understand that after George Bush - America is under a new transformation - with newer ideas and greater expectations.

Most American don't see transformation happening with John McCain -

Barack Obama - is the new wave "if you will" the intelligent man - that fits the younger generation of American (18 - 60) and John McCain he is not a person of our generation.

John McCain’s whining - blaming the media and also his resulting to telling lies in his advertisements

Is a sign of desperation – he’s looking for help in any way possible.

These are the times of intellectual common - sense.

Not continued false or idiotic notions.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:56 AM)

Lyle Williams, get a grip and come back to reality. CBS DID NOT SHOW a major McCain gaffe last night. Curiously, they left it on the cutting room floor. You're about as disconnected from reality as McCain.
Reality Check

RC, you must have me confused with someone else. I didn't say anything about McCain. I know reality blurs for you lefties a lot, but do try use your 3rd grade reading skills before responding to things that only exist in your delusions.

Lyle Williams, Ames Iowa (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:58 AM)

What's with all the critism about the possiblity of McCain announcing his VP choice while Obama is overseas? Some cable network shows (Hardball for one) referred to the possible announcement by McCain as "devious" and "low." It's exactly what Obama did to Senator Clinton during the primaries. Whenever she won a state (especially one he was predicted to win), he would roll-out his delegates and/or his endorsements. He did it with Richardson and he did it big-time with Edwards. And Obama did this to his own party! This is the general election. Why is the press coming down on McCain? Is it only okay if Obama does it? Can we get some "fair & balanced" reporting of BOTH candidates please!

Karen (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:58 AM)

CBS news is a disgrace to clean up what McGoo said yesterday, all you have to do is watch any news channel to see what kind of journalists we have. Just watched a weather person reporting on the Hurricane hitting Texas, and she said "the stronger the winds, the more damage occurs" (this is where you slap your forehead with the palm of your hand, and say why didn't I think of that) DUUUHHHHH. I sure miss the good old days and Walter Cronkite.

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:00 AM)

Calvin Boone (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:40 AM)

We, as a country, can speak from seven years of high priced experience about being led around by the nose by idiots.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:00 AM)

CA Voter (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:55 AM)
Not sleep deprivation. Nomination envy.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:02 AM)

"...So far, so good for Obama. His campaign got the pictures it wanted from Afghanistan and Iraq. ..."

Yes he did. He also got three (3) different networks to send their 'anchors' to Iraq to cover his visit.
Where were they when McCain went there?
Or, didn't they know that John McCain has gone there severel times?
This is only the first time Obama's been there since he took office in the Senate three years ago.
Its' kind of strange that a guy who talks so much about the war and talks so much about bringing our troops home, hasn't bothered to go there until now.
But then again...that's the way Obama operates. He said he could no more disassociate himself with Reverend Wright than he could a member of his own family.
Then, three weeks later, Obama threw Wright "under the bus" when the polls showed Wright was costing him favorability points.
Obama doesn't care about our troops in Iraq. He went there for the same reason he left Wright's racist cult-religion church; BECAUSE, BARRACK OBAMA WILL SAY AND DO ANYTHING TO GET HIMSELF ELECTED.
McCain is correct. It would be better to lose an election than to lose a war.
But, Barrack Obama would rather win an election, and lose the war in Iraq because he puts himself first, and the rest of the country and the world second behind his own personal ambition.
In Barrack Obama's arrogant mind, it's all about him. It's never about the American People.
Barrack Obama is the wrong man for the job. We need a patriot and a man who'll put "service to the people" first.
You just don't get that with Barrack Obama.

Barrack Obama; 11 years worth of personal ambition. ZERO years worth of patriotic service.

DEMOCRATS FOR McCAIN (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:04 AM)

I don't know how anyone, even supporters, can call McCain's behavior this week flattering. For someone with so much "experience" he is acting like a spoiled brat.

On the other hand, I am extremely proud of Obama and how he is handling the pressure of this trip. I can't wait for the event in Berlin tomorrow. I hope he goes all out because I don't see any down side to Europeans having an excited, positive view of our country and our leaders again. It's pretty fascinating to watch Obama virtually undo 8 years Bush damage in just one week.

AP from IL (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:06 AM)

John McCain just needs to SHUT UP.

LENI,MICHIGAN (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:06 AM)

I see others picked up on Andrea Mitchells "bitterness". Maybe she was a bit "cocky" about her chances of scoring an exclusive interview.

Andrea, Katie Couric being bias will come back to bit all of you eventually.

Tina, NC (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:07 AM)

God Bless Andrea Mitchell .. poor girl, she seems bitter that she was scooped by Lara Logan for the Obama interview.
Now she's showing her anger and being derogatory towards Obama.
Can someone at MSNBC please tell her that her bitterness is transparent ?

Steve NewYork NY (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:07 AM)

Calvin Boone(sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008,9;40 am) So that's why other countries call us "ugly Americans"!

margaret,baltimore,md. (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:07 AM)

The CYA Network (CBS) should be called out on that editing job. What, they think just because they posted it on their web site makes up for what they aired?

I know we can't trust the news anymore, but we should be able to. Instances like this don't help. Is Les Moonves a Repub or something?

Personally, I am getting sick of the McCheese's camp whining about...well, everything lately. Maybe Gramm was right - he personally knew the biggest whiners of them all.

MI Chick (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:09 AM)

McCain is in Pennsylvania today? Maybe he thinks he can get Hillary's supportors? `no chance of that. "Mr. Mccain you are no Hillary."

g`pennsylvania (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:09 AM)

McSame has fundamental comprehension problems with foreign policy:
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2008/072208.html
He is a fraud.

Walt, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:09 AM)

I have to agree - Andrea Mitchell's coverage of Obama has been disgraceful. It's obvious that she isn't over Hillary losing and she should be reassigned until her healing is done.

Kate, Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:10 AM)

McCain's comment about Obama wanting to lose the war are unacceptable. If he thinks the GOP line of attack, your not a patriotic American because you don't agree with me is going to work, he should think again. A majority of the voters in this country didn't support the surge and do want assurances that we are goign to start leaving Iraq. Does he really think that Americans will just forget about all the missteps and that we shouldn't have been there in the first place. Does it really take a military expert to predict that more troops might be able to improve security? Of course not. But the question remains, will security be maintainable once we are gone? Could a similar achievement or even better situation have been secured without a trrop surge. We will never know that now. But the press needs to stop reporting that the surge has been a success. Lots of things have happened to improve security. What will happen once we stop the pay offs and our troops leave? Did we get our money's worth? Was it worth additional soldiers lifes or well being? I know it makes Americans feel good to just say yes we have finally won. But that determination is very subjective.

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:12 AM)

The multi-headed beast has finally regained its equilibrium and has agreed to attack the good Senator Obama with non-stop requests for him to admit that the "surge" is the penultimate reason for "victory" in Iraq. The beast was knocked off balance when all of Barack Obama's foreign policy ideas have been proven to be correct. His trip is already a success even if he does nothing more. The glowing reviews and hope in the eyes of our troops and our foreign allies when seeing Obama have made the beast sick to its stomach and the panic button has been pushed. After goading Sen. Obama into making this trip, the McCain camp is on the verge of total meltdown. Sen. McCain has even gone so far as to accuse the Democratic nominee of treason. Meanwhile the beast has allied itself heart and soul to the McCain campaign and the preservation of a corrupt status quo. At every stop of his tour, a different head of the beast will attack Sen. Obama with "the surge" and continue to miseducate the public about the true description of a Commander-in-chief's duties. The beast can not admit its cowardice in the lead up to this disastrous war for oil and corporate greed because in the last few decades, the beast has become so intermingled that there is no discernible difference. The beast's next attack will be to say that Sen. Obama is attacking and hates our troops because he is not giving the "surge" the 100% credit that it believes it deserves. All other factors must be ignored and marginalized or as Sen. McCain did last night in his interview--lied about. The troops love Sen. Obama and they know that he doesn't want them to be mired in an endless police action of an imperialist colony. I pray everyday that the beast has underestimated the intelligence and goodness of the American people.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:12 AM)

There comes a time when the real truth cannot be ignored. Sen. McCain is not the man he used to be and at his age it is not surprising. Where has the maverick gone? Instead we now have a grumpy old man, who has poor memory and a nasty disposition. There is no way he can any longer compete on the world stage. Doesn't matter how many in his campaign want to keep the power, they cannot make him what he now is not, a credidble candidate for POTUS.

The MSM have a job to do, a very important job, to keep the voter informed no matter how little they tune in. To do this as journalists, they have to be objective, sadly that is missing in most cases today.
It is very disappointing to see a well known reporter, such as Andrea Mitchell, show her bias so obviously. I do not believe that if Tim Russert were still alive this would be allowed to continue. Shame on all of you for pandering.

gmhussein, Jupiter, fl (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:12 AM)

nashville_fan: Thank you. Dr. Brzezinski this morning showed to me what a difference between the "experts" and the political talking points commentators we see all over the air waves, both tv and radio. They don't know what they're talking about.

He was outstanding. He is the true expert.

From this morning's newspaper re: Israelis and Palestinians: Senator Obama said he will work to bring the two sides together "starting from the minute I'm sworn into office." But he cautioned it is "unrealistic to expect that a U.S. president alone can suddently snap his fingers and bring about peace."

That is an important statement. We cannot do it alone. Lessons from the past. Learn from our mistakes. Work at it. And above all, listen to all sides.

Lessons from President Carter. And Dr. Brzezinski just this morning.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:14 AM)

The slavish attention given to Obama's every move by the media is so much biased reporting that it is similar to reading one of those moviestar magazines. Get a grip America. Obama is an inexperienced leftist- leaning-towards-socialist candidate. It is time to wake up, and make people take responsibility for their own destinies instead of thinking the Federal government should do everything for us. Is this America or is it a replay of the Roman dynasty crumbling to the uneducated mob wanting free handouts?

The Truth (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:15 AM)

Does McCain have the right temperment to be POTUS and CIC? No. He has exposed himself as being an angry old man, out of touch and misinformed and misinforming, and just a nasty, crotchety, depends wearing rude kook. What else can you expect from a man who called his own trophy wife a C you Next Tuesday?

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:16 AM)

BREAKING NEWS

General Petraeus was not elected President of the United States.

George Bush was.

Stop hiding behind General Patraeus, George. It's not Presidential - take your lumps like a man - you screwed up and John McCain helped. Deal with it.

ALSO BREAKING
Senator Obama has said REPEATEDLY that the surge has been successful and that Iraq is safer . . . so WHY does the media keep reporting the opposite? WHY? WHY?
WHY?

Oh yeah. I remember now, because JOHN MCCAIN TOLD YOU TO! (So pathetic.)

I still don't know why we have so many channels when they all tell the same government approved lies dailiy - the illusion of choice calms the masses I suppose.

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:16 AM)

I agree with the comments about Mrs Andrea Mitchell. What is she thinking these days? I actually used to enjoy her reporting (even when it seemed outright false at times, like her repeated claims during the primaries that sources close to the Clintons have told her this and that) But she is acting rather strange and utterly unprofessional these days, somebody please let her know.

Couldn't believe my ears yesterday when she called Obama "cocky". He might usually be a cocky guy but one thing i have markedly noticed on this trip of his is how much he has 'humbled himself down', so her 'cocky' comment really hit me. She sounds frustrated. Perhaps she thought she deserved to get one of the interviews with him, with her being the foreign affairs expert and all? Well, piece of advice to her: Start reporting on the foreign affairs that she is an expert of and leave the character judgment calls to the experts. Thanking her in advance for her meaningful Hardball appearance this evening,
The American People

Jane Does, Settle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:17 AM)

The McCain campaign is slowly but surely drowning and it's obviously showing. Desperation brings out idiotic/false attack ads that Obama is to blame for high gas prices and the angrier McCain gets the stupid Bushism comes out: Iraq borders Pakistan and for the last time Czechkoslovakia is not a country anymore. We need a President obviously that will not be another laughing stock of the world.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:17 AM)

"It's not unusual the Obama is so popular in Europe. They're used to, and have a long history of, being led around by the nose by idiots. "

yah - not like Bush / Cheney supporters. Nope - they're not "idiots," being "led by the nose." No way.

johnny-gone-crazy for president (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:17 AM)

Andrea Mitchell needs to be reassigned. Her reporting on Obama has never been objective and almost always derogatory. NBC has a stable of senior people who are much better than her. Heck even Domenico would be a better choice.
*****************************************************

I have posted several times about Andrea's biased and downright untruthful reporting of Obama. Yesterday, she got pissed at him because she has "old school ideas" about how the relationship between the POTUS and a general. She thinks Obama should bow down to Prateus like everyone else does. Instead he told her that as Commander in Chief, I will listen and consider his opinions, but I make the final decision for the people of the US. To that comment; she reported "remarkable"...translation.."in all my fourty years of reporting around the world..no one has ever left me "speechless".

Considering who she's married to and her support of McCain; it's been a long time since she's been in the presence of anybody that doesn't need a Depends.

judybortell Ovilla Tx (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:18 AM)

"The point is that independents and moderate republicians need to take heed of the situation and consider the country first, not their party. "

What a wonderful world it would be.

Lee in CA (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:20 AM)

"quizzing people on whether or not they are being vetted never gets old" I laughed out loud on that one!

I am an Obama supporter, but even I have to say, I never realized HOW good Obama is until I saw him on this trip. It has nothing to do with the media - they just have to get out of the way and let him talk and he sells himself.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:20 AM)

Where is the Media Outrage over McCain's Sunni Awakening Gaffe? It was on CNN last night. I was amazed that the Media hasn't been more forthcoming and outspoken over this. It proves McCain is losing it! If you don't know about it, McCain blasted Obama for saying he'ld still oppose the Surge. In that context, McCain said, that the Surge was successful beacause it created conditions that led to the Sunni Awakening, when it is a FACT that the Sunni Awakening took place 6 months before the Surge began...the Surge did not bring about the SUnni awakening which is primarily responsible for the low level of violence. Meanwhile, Obama said the SUrge would not work without something like the Sunni Awakening....guess Obama was right, McCAin is wrong as usual. How anyone can vote for McCain is beyond me!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:22 AM)

Of course, the Sunni awakening is the reason for the relative stability we have in Iraq at this time. Former Asst. Sec'y of Defense (under Reagan) Korb believes this to be the case. Anyone who knows about guerrilla warfare knows that the guerrillas (Al Qaeda) will have success only as long as the underlying population supports them. The American troops with or without our surge would not have been able to succeed without the change in allegiance by the Sunni chieftains (they rec'd money from the U.S. and were tired of living under the religious fanaticism imposed by Al Qaeda). John McCain has no right to take credit for the present course of events in Iraq which at best, is a repair (temporary, at that) of an unstable condition brought about an illegal invasion of a sovereign state that offered no threat to the U.S. This whole claim to some sort of victorious strategy by McCain is the most twisted logic I have ever seen; and the MSM buys it!...fools that they are!

McCain thinks of the world in terms of the U.S. against the world of islamofacism 'who hate us for our freedoms' – sound familiar? What a crock of sh*t. There are criminals (Al Qaeda) who must be dealt with aggressively - as we would deal with any criminals and there is the rest of the Islamic world which is as fearful of us as we are of them (and really the only Islamic state gov't. that helped the band of criminals, was that of our supposed ally, the Bush family buddies, Saudi Arabia. It was they who funneled funds into the band of criminals - funds provided by the U.S. who is a slave to foreign sources of fossil fuels).

So the way I see it, our goal should not be to stay in Iraq forever to prevent the inevitable Civil War which will likely install another Sunni dictator like Saddam but to leave and commit our troops to the border of Afghanistan/Pakistan (yes Senator McCain, that is the border of interest) and attempt to go after Al Qaeda where they live.

Secondly, instead of trying to continue our dependence on fossil fuels (which will run out soon enough and result in global warming), we should embark on 'an Apollo' type project spoken about by Al Gore and even T. Boone Pickens, to convert to alternative energy sources (this should be able to be accomplished in the same time that it would take to realize any benefit from new off shore drilling). This new energy industry would not only unleash our dependence on fossil fuels but would be a boon to our sagging economy (in so many ways - use your imagination).

If you like the current way of approaching problems, the Republican way, then by all means vote for McCain but a vote for the future, for new thinking and new solutions is most certainly a vote for Barack Obama.
Obama/Biden '08

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:25 AM)

I have to agree with those who say Andrea Mitchell is seemingly biased against Senator Obama. I saw her last night on Hardball (or the Race to the Whitehouse) say that Obama is "cocky." I use quotes because she put just a hint extra emphasis on the word.
The trick for Obama is to NOT have 1 million people show up for his speech. That's possible, considering how popular he is over there.
While still early, the polls are a problem too as they show Obama within 3 points in Arizona. ARIZONA?

Senator McCain has gotten a "free ride" from the press as we just do not hear for more than 30 hours anything about any of his gaffes. And after a while, as some are starting to point out, it becomes obvious. Like CBS yesterday not showing the gaffe of getting the Anbar awakening and then the surge in the right order. Either he was trying to get credit for the surge or he forgot. Both are troubling for someone who we're supposed to trust as the leader. Well, unless you like the current administration, for as you can see for yourselves, fibs quite often.

I'll say it this way, what other senator, congressman, or even President (at least from the US) has been as highly received as Senator Obama? Who amongst us has had the king of a country personally drive (no, not his driver, but the king himself) that person to the airport as a show of comfortability and connectedness with that person?
Dude has simply hit the right chord, and McCain hasn't. With more viagra questions, he'll continue to veer off the road with his straight talk.
We've been off the road long enough under President Bush, it's time, now, to get America back to its prominent place in the world. Senator Obama is that person to lead us.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:27 AM)

States Rights (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:44 AM)

http://www.merriam-webster.com/

"Main Entry: states·man
Pronunciation: \'stāts-mən\
Function: noun
Date: 1592
1: one versed in the principles or art of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies
2: one who exercises political leadership wisely and without narrow partisanship"

one versed in the principles or art of government? check - constitutional lecturer
one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies? check - current US Senator
one who exercises political leadership wisely and without narrow partisanship? check. Much more artfully than Bush or McCheese, I might add.

MI Chick (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:28 AM)

I rhought that you guys monitored these e-mails for appropriate content. I don't believe that you allowed the comment from Lyle Williams from Iowa on to the blog. A comment like that is entirely inappropriate and has nothing to do with the issues at hand. Please do not continue to allow this type of filth to infiltrate our lives and our politics. It has gone on too long and needs to stop for the good of us all. We have too many critical issues at hand, irregardless as to who our next President will be.

Dorothy Wright (Sent Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:29 AM)

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