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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



HRC defends Obama on 'lipstick'

Posted: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 5:47 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: ,

From NBC's Ken Strickland
At a Capitol Hill news conference today, Hillary Clinton defended Obama's "lipstick on a pig” comment, accusing McCain of using the controversy to distract from substantive issues in the campaign.
 
"Barack has made this clear," she said responding to a question about the lipstick remark, which Republicans have condemned as a “disgraceful” and “sexist” attack on Palin. "It was no way meant as an affront." 
 
During the press conference, which addressed equal pay for women, Clinton added that "Republicans need to lift up the dialogue" and blamed McCain's campaign for trying to "divert attention away from challenges facing Americans."
 
But, even given the opportunity through repeated questions from reporters, the woman who won “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling” continued to refuse to attack or criticize Palin. 
 
Asked about Palin and her candidacy, Clinton responded only that the campaign should be about the issues. "What I see as critical in this election ... are the differences over issues." She added, "What happens in people's lives is what really counts... That's what it should be about."
 
Clinton and fellow Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin held the press conference to discuss the findings of a new GAO report on the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. When asked if Clinton was disappointed that Palin had not raised equal pay issues on the campaign trail, she directed her fire at McCain. Clinton said it is assumed that the VP nominee is in sync with the presidential candidate's views, reminding reporters John McCain voted against it. "McCain is at the top of the ticket," she said. "And we know where he stands on equal pay."
 
The former Democratic presidential candidate told reporters that she'll soon return to the campaign trail to stump for the Obama-Biden ticket, "working very hard to make the case for Sen. Obama ... being as forceful as I can to lay out the contrast" between the two camps. 

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HRC is very good at this.  Obama should take some notes if he wants to maintain a good chance at winning the White House.  Stop going after Palin.  That's what Joe Biden is for.
Clinton is dragging her feet. Spin it any way you want, that is what she is doing. Anyone surprised?
My fellow Americans.  The right to vote is a precious thing for whom many have shed their blood, including our current brave men and women in Iraq.  Casting your vote in vain would be a shameful waste.

Vote FACTS, not feelings
Vote ISSUES, not distractions
Vote POCKETBOOKS, not personalities!!!!!

To this proud independent, the choice is clear.  Obama/Biden 08
McCain May Have Opened Door For Charges That He Is A Sexist!

"I don't know if the McCain campaign wants to go there," said an operative.

Indeed, he added, if sexism is a debate McCain wants to have, than Obama may be well suited for it. That's because the Arizona Republican's resume contains several inflammatory remarks about women.

Just this election cycle, for example, McCain did not protest as a questioner at a town hall meeting referred to Hillary Clinton as a bitch. McCain went on to say he respected Clinton, but he laughed when the question itself -- "how do we beat the b@#%h?" --was asked.

In 1998, McCain famously made his tasteless joke about Chelsea Clinton's looks, claiming the then first daughter was "so ugly" because "her father is Janet Reno." He later apologized.

Then there are the unconfirmed reports. From Cliff Schechter's book, The Real McCain, there is the report that McCain publicly insulted his wife, Cindy, during the 1992 Senate campaign, including referring to her as a "trollop" and "C" word.

In the 1986 campaign, the Tuscon Citizen reported on allegations that McCain had told a Republican audience a disturbing joke about a woman enjoying being raped by a gorilla. Both of these accounts have been denied by McCain and his campaign.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/10/mccain-may-have-open-door_n_125381.html

Buyers' remorse.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda nominated Hillary.

Bill was right.

Race-baiting is Axelrod's game.

Dems can kiss this election goodbye!
PALIN IS A COWARD WHO IS SCARED TO TAKE ON THE MEDIA

Palin finally meets the press -- or at least one of them: As mentioned above, Palin will sit down with ABC later this week for her first big interview with the national media.  ABC will give Palin softball questions and make sure she looks good.

This women is such a coward she well not answer any tough questions from the media she hides behind McCains coat tails.   She is not tough enough to face the media she is a coward pure and simple.

She even shoots big game like mooses from a helecopter; how sporting is that.   Why doesn’t  she just drop Napalm on the big game, like McWar did during  the Vietnam war.

I am so disapointed that the MSM has not called her out and have her go toe to toe with the some credtable news anchors.   She is such a chicken,  coward and should not even be considered in this election.

I respect Hillary Clinton she will stand up for herself, she never shyed away from the Media. I respect all the other political women who answer tough questions everyday.  Even Mrs, Obama will stand up to the media this women is a coward 1st and foremost.
I wonder if McCain refers to Obama's potential administration as a Black Hole, if there would be no backlash? We'd have riots in the street!!!!!
Dear concerned citizens of America and mass media of the U.S.A.

As a concerned  disabled American Veteran and American citizen, I
consider it my duty and responsibility to address the following
critical issues facing the voters of our Greatgrand nation, the
United States of America [USA].
 
The citizens of the United States of America [USA] have the ultimate
power and responsibility to elect the Right Ticket with the right
joint "temperament, judgement, and statesmanship" to lead our nation
as well as change our nation's present and future moral, political,
economic, educational, health care, energy, military, and
foundational soul.
In my firm professional, personal, and political opinion,  the media
should help the common voter to explore and discuss the following
attributes of the present Republican and Democratic presidential
slates:
1. Does the joint ticket have a calm, cool, and collected " temper
and impulse" [Presidential Temperament]?
2. Does each ticket have sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber"?
3. Does each ticket have a "presidential depth and degree" in regard
to their purpose, policies, and positions?
4. Does each ticket have adequate, "understanding and knowledge" of
workings around Washington"?
5. Does each ticket have enough "vigor, wisdom and Vision" for the
future of our beloved Great-grand Nation?
6. Does each ticket possess enough joint foreign policy experience
and exposure based on "American Values, Virtues, Vastness, and strong
soul"?
7. Are their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based
on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair
attacks, negativity, and impulsivity? [Danger to country and countries
mission[s].
8. Does the ticket keep country or politics first? [McCain stole
Obama's change and is running with it.]



As a Independent registered voter I have decided to vote for the
Obama-Biden ticket. I am sure they will protect our national
security, strengths, stamina and soul as well as rebuild our nation
from the bottom up in all areas of need. The OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will
restore our global standing with the use of maximum, firm
international diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated.


Yours sincerely,

COL. A.M. Khajawall [Ret] MD., Forensic psychiatrist, Colonel, US-AR
/ MC Combat Stress Control[Ret], Disabled American Veteran and Iraq
Freedom team.

PS: This nation will not buy into the kitchen sink strategy. We are
getting deeper into internal and external holes through these attacks
and the world is laughing at us as they enjoy our partisan Pitt Bull
wounds. I am sure the collective deceptive measures of the GOP, RNC,
FOX, RUSH, ROVE, McCain, and his surrogates will fail to deprive
American voters of their deserved leadership. Media stop cultural
divide and wars.


As Hillary put it:

      NO WAY, NO HOW, NO McPlain!!!

To all you disgruntled Hillary supporters that feel like Obama slighted your candidate:


********McCain didn't pick her either!!*********


Get over it & at least vote for the principles she stood for instead of this farce of a duo the republican puppet masters are offering!

America Needs Real Change (CHANGE You Can Believe In)
Hillary & Obama both offered this.

McPlain does NOT!

Democratic Ticket '08!
That's right Hillary, tell'em

John McCain is so detached (oops I meant connected). ya’ll know that demorcates, independents, republicans, and disgruntled women listenn to Hillary because...

Palin's clean image celebrity image will be taking a big shoot, because she is antithetical to her social conservatism and the planet.
Don’t be duped. Cracks in the glass ceiling will do anything for Sarah, women, this nation, or the planet.
Sarah Palin has a lawsuit AGAINST FURTHER PROTECTION OF POLAR BEARS so as not to hinder oil drilling in Alaska's ice-filled waters and her ardent support to allow oil companies into the Alaska wildlife refuge. [Associated Press, August 30, 2008]  Sarah was paying $150 to bring a paw of wolf… salon.com
“Lipstick pit bull” Sarah cut the scientist grant; which the Wildlife Association gave “lipstick pit bull” Sarah her control over. Sarah has a disdain for the planet and is working with oil companies and the powerful wildlife association. What’s this say about protecting wildlife (they are God's creatures) and mocks faith-based community organizing.
Big oil contributed to her campaign.

McCain and Palin want to have their cake and eat it too. Why is Palin taboo? We can all see the myth of Palin-entolgy. Sarah Palin was created for this very reason that is to not talk about issues. Tucker Bounds said it.

Think people; don’t just gloss over! Enough glossing over!
Enough
No way!
No how!
No McCain/Palin!
Nobody but Obama/Biden



Way to go Hillary hold the GOP to the issues.

________________________________________

Check out what Aaaaaarnold says
The Schwarzenegger interview…

Gov. gets candid on GOP, Palin
In a wide-ranging interview with the German newsweekly, he says he has 'almost no contact' with Republican leaders and says the Alaska governor is 'feisty.' He praises Obama's campaign....

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arnold10-2008sep10,0,1584280.story

G, "thanks" Hillary -- little late don't you think? If you really are for a Democratic President next time, maybe you should think about getting your act together a little bit quicker to pull ranks and assist your party in responding to partisan attacks. The Democratic Party is your Party too, and the Party of your husband. Let's not let any lingering issues related to your Primary loss cost Obama the election. Lest we have to deal with a real pig in lipstick.

High Sarah!

http://www.innovatingtowin.com/innovating_to_win/images/pig-lipstick.jpg
Good for Hillary. Why on Earth should she attack Palin? Palin is not the issue. She's a windup Barbie doll the Republicans are using to smear Barack Obama and put their puppet McCain in the WH. When the Republicans are through with Palin they will spit her out, back on her butt in the Alaska snow. John McCain is the one to blame for this. He's the one who hired all of Bush/Cheney's lackeys and dirty dealers. He should be ashamed of himself! He's no maverick. He's just a little hot tempered punk who should have been put out to pasture when he got out of the Hanoi Hilton!
Clinton is dragging her feet. Spin it any way you want, that is what she is doing. Anyone surprised?

Stan McCauley, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

I didn't support HRC in the caucus, but she's right not to attack Palin, by attacking Palin she's elevating her.  She said the McCain campaign was using a false issue to distract voters, which is true.
What can I say? I love this woman.

Stay on message. She didn't even feign outrage over McCain's slam at her.

Hillary is a class act and I'm glad she's on our side.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com
It appears that the Republican "bounce" has worn off already. People are seeing that McCain and Palin can attack, but have nothing of substance to offer.
im so sick of this stupitiy since when did a metaphore count as an issue for presdent aaaaahhhhhhhhh!


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