Ron Allen
From NBC's Ron Allen
These days, it can feel a bit strange being in the Hillary Clinton press caravan.
The morning newspaper headlines scream about how she should cash it all in, how the race is over. Magazine covers proclaim Barack Obama the winner. We all read the polls. We all do the math. We all think we're pretty smart.
It can feel a bit odd to carry those newspapers and all of those thoughts onto her press plane and watch her cheerfully appear there up front, ready to take on another day, never showing any hint of doubt. Nothing at all suggests it's not just yet another day on the long march to the nomination.
But while watching her, questioning her, and listening to her give speech after speech to crowds of passionate supporters, you can't help but wonder what is she really thinking? Only she, and perhaps a few people very close, know.
She has to be upset, disappointed, anyone would be but angry? How would you feel if you had your eyes on a promotion at the office, had worked real hard, had the experience, had paid the dues, and then someone younger and less experienced, someone you'd given advice to, mentored a bit, came along and ruined your dream?
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From NBC's Ron Allen
There was a very interesting discussion on the flight back to D.C. from Indianapolis. By the time we landed, the Clinton campaign was proclaiming, "We shocked the world" by winning Indiana. "A win is a win," was the rallying cry, as the margin narrowed.
Meanwhile, the Clinton press team did everything possible to minimize Barack Obama's win in North Carolina. He has a "built-in advantage" there, they said. It was a state where they knew the "demographics" were going to be tough, referring the state’s African-American community. Turns out, his margin overall was greater than her's in Pennsylvania.
But Clinton's aides continue to argue she's the stronger nominee, because she continues to do well with the most important voters, crucial swing voters, who will make the difference in a race with John McCain in November, blue-collar and working-class voters, most of whom are white.
But how does a candidate claim to be the strongest and most electable nominee, when that candidate has very little support with some of the Democratic Party's most loyal followers, African-American voters? Wouldn't it be fair to say that ignoring that "demographic" tends to marginalize the significance of those voters, who also historically have felt somewhat taken for granted by Democrats?
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From NBC's Ron Allen and NBC/NJ's Athena Jones
In a press conference aboard the flight from Cleveland to Columbus, Clinton wanted to talk about the campaign's upcoming economic summit meeting in Zanesville -- which will focus "not only on problems, but solutions" in Ohio where the economy is "unbelievably important."
"Inflation is up, prices of everything are going up," she said. "We are sliding into a recession." When asked what's the major difference between herself and Obama on the economy, Clinton replied with "experience," "specifics..." And she then outlined her plan for a moratorium on foreclosures and a freeze on subprime adjustable mortgages.
Regarding last night's debate, Clinton said she "drew some good contrasts" with Obama. "I was really pleased by it. I thought that once again we drew some good contrasts and obviously I was pleased to talk about issues that I, you know, care a lot about and know something about and thought that that came across."
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From NBC’s Ron Allen
LORAIN, Ohio -- Hillary Clinton is at a town hall here, listening to an elderly man vent about financial problems; he’s either losing or lost his house -- he was hard to understand because of an accent. It was a very odd moment, with Clinton standing just a few feet from him. It was a bit tense because he was so emotional. Clinton accepted an envelope from him and promised to help. She has two residents on stage with her who are facing foreclosures; they told their stories to the crowd.
The only jab at Obama: "Hope is not a plan...," in her opening her remarks.
Today, it was Hillary Clinton full of compassion and empathy for working people facing foreclosure, mountains of school loans, and taxes.
After anger, sarcasm, today it was empathy. At one point she said, "I got a little hot there the other day in Cincinnati...." and says she was really mad, because Obama was sending YOU false, misleading and discredited information.
*** UPDATE *** NBC/NJ's Athena Jones adds... Here's Clinton's full quote:
"This is a big difference in this campaign between me and my opponent. You see, I believe in quality affordable healthcare for everyone, and some of you may have seen. I got a little, uh, a little hot over the weekend down in Cincinnati," she said to cheers and applause. "Because I don't mind having a debate. I don't mind airing our differences, but I really mind it when Sen. Obama's campaign sends you literature in the mail that is false, misleading and has been discredited. That is not the way to run a campaign to pick the Democratic nominee for president."
Ohio and Texas are must-win states for Clinton and recent polls show Obama closing the gap in the former, although Clinton still leads, and show him leading her in Texas. Two other polls give the Illinois senator a double-digit lead nationally.
During the moment when the disabled veteran asked a long, difficult to understand question that seemed to have something to do with losing his home and being a good parent, Clinton held the microphone for him and listened intently as he spoke before accepting a packet of papers from him and saying she would try to help.
From NBC’s Ron Allen
On a stage with American flags behind her, and a phalanx of retired generals backing her, Clinton seemed to assume the role of commander-in-chief, for a "major" foreign policy speech. Slowly and deliberately she laid out her view and concerns about the world.
The world today compares with the time when Harry Truman took office, she began. (She never mentioned this, but four months after taking office Truman approved dropping two atomic bombs on Japan.)
Then, in one of the few references to Obama, while referring to President George Bush, she said we've seen the tragic result of a president without wisdom or experience in foreign affairs, and we can't let that happen again.
Later, while laying out her "New American Strategy," she said people won't need to guess whether she needs an instruction manual to deal with the world. Along with Iraq, she named Afghanistan and Pakistan as two other failures of Bush foreign policy. She talked about the emergence of China and the need to "level the playing field" for trade.
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From NBC's Ron Allen and Kelly O'Donnell
A police motorcycle officer died after a crash escorting Clinton's motorcade in Dallas today. In a statement afterwards, Clinton called the accident is "devastating" news -- she feels "heart-sick" and expressed her condolences to the family and to the Dallas police department. Clinton placed a call to the chief, and she added that this reminds us of what people in law enforcement do everyday. "We respect their service."
VIDEO: A Dallas police officer was killed in a motor accident while escorting Sen. Hillary Clinton to a campaign rally. NBC's Peter Alexander reports. Clinton looked profoundly upset by what had happened -- a routine police operation she's probably been part of countless times as first lady, senator and now presidential candidate.
It's also worth noting that at least two officers have died in accidents while working in motorcades for President Bush in the last few years. The incidents occurred in Honolulu and Albuquerque.
As of this writing, the Clinton motorcade is rolling slowly down a highway. We're heading to another event. It's such a contrast to the way motorcades usually race through cities and towns....with crowds catching a glimpse of dignitaries. The press bus is silent. I think everyone is just stunned. Such an unexpected tragedy.
*** UPDATE *** Per NBC's Christina Jamison, what was supposed to be a rally in Fort Worth is now being cut short. Senator Clinton will make brief remarks here in Fort Worth -- she spoke with the Dallas police chief on the drive over here, and then she is going to go visit the officer's family while the traveling press is taken to the airport.
From NBC's Ron Allen
On Romney's plane, the answer to a question that he never fully answered during the recent debate: Romney explained he had at least two big regretts in life. One, never serving in the military; The second, he revealed today, is not having more children. The Romneys have five sons, and now 11 grandchildren. Mrs. Romney was not available to express her feelings about the subject.
And, today, standing with advisor Ron Kaufman by his side, in front of AP reporter Glen Johnson, who in a testy exchange with the governor about lobbyists running his campaign had asked if Kaufman, a known lobbyist was a "potted plant," Romney whipped out an artificial potted plant from behind his back, and said with some glee that he'd choose Kaufman over the green fern-like garden item.
A convoluted moment of humor is how I'd describe it. But frankly, I'm really not sure what just happened. No comment from reporter Johnson, who has tried to avoid discussing the Staples Store encounter over lobbyists "running" Romney's campaign any further.
Taking off for Denver....
From NBC’s Ron Allen
Romney stopped by Greg and Charlene Bennett's home in Long Beach, Calif., to show he's concerned about middle class families. In the Q and A, he said McCain showed his lack of understanding about the economy in the debate in an answer to a question about housing that "included a stream of consciousness which took in the idea of punishing people on Wall Street and a town in Norway."
On the exchange over Iraq last night, "I think he took a big detour on the strait talk express," Romney said.
Does it call into question his credentials to be president? "No I think he's a fine man," Romney said.
On endorsements, Romney basically said, Rudy and Arnold aren't surprising -- they're moderates.
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