First Read

Not over 'til lady in the pantsuit says it is

2008-05-11T21:03:00Z

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli and NBC's Abby LivingstonGRAFTON, W.V. -- In the week since disappointing results in the Indiana and North Carolina, Hillary Clinton’s stump has focused not so much on her policies, but on both her gender and the words of encouragement she’s received as she tries to rally new support in the few remaining contests.Today, this was evident as she held a “Mother’s Day Celebration” in this town, the so-called “Home of Mother’s Day.” Clinton told the crowd that she drew inspiration...(read more)

Another McCain aide out over Myanmar ties

2008-05-11T20:19:00Z

From NBC/NJ’s Carrie DannNBC NEWS has confirmed that another McCain aide, Doug Davenport, has resigned because of his lobbying ties to the Myanmar government’s military junta. "Mr. Davenport has tendered his resignation and we have accepted it," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers writes. The Atlantic's Ambinder reported: “Doug Davenport, the regional campaign manager for the mid-Atlantic states, founded the DCI Group's lobbying practice and oversaw the contract with Myanmar in 2002. …He joins former DCI...(read more)

Delegate update: Obama snags one more

2008-05-11T19:41:00Z

From NBC's Domenico MontanaroObama has pulled within two of taking the lead in what was once Clinton's formidable superdelegate lead in the NBC News count. Today, the Illinois senator picked up the endorsement of California superdelegate Crystal Strait, a Young Democrats of America board member. Strait is the first superdelegate to endorse this Sunday, but is Obama's sixth pick up this weekend. Clinton gained one yesterday, but lost two for a net of negative one in the NBC News count.The NBC NEWS...(read more)

Clinton goes to church in W.V.

2008-05-11T16:59:00Z

From NBC/NJ’s Mike MemoliHUNTINGTON, W.V. -- Hillary Clinton, traveling press corps in tow, started her Mother's Day trip through West Virginia with a stop at church, where the pastor's sermon urged the faithful to think of themselves as more than a "comma.""Maybe you've been a comma at some time in your life," Pastor Paul Russell said. "People don't really listen to you. People don't really value you. Listen -- there is one who listens to you. There is one who values you. What a great thing to know...(read more)

Delegates: Yet another for Obama

2008-05-10T22:52:00Z

From NBC's Domenico MontanaroObama picked up the endorsement of Arizona congressman Harry Mitchell. Mitchell is the fifth superdelegate Obama has picked up today. Clinton today gained one, but lost two for a net of negative one.The NBC NEWS delegate counts:PLEDGED: Obama 1,590, Clinton 1,426SUPERS: Clinton 276.5, Obama 274TOTAL: Obama 1,864, Clinton 1,702.5...(read more)

GOP convention head resigns over Myanmar ties

2008-05-10T22:38:00Z

From NBC’s Domenico MontanaroThe McCain-picked Republican National convention head resigned today after a Newsweek report revealed the man’s lobbying ties on behalf of the military Myanmar government.AP: “Doug Goodyear resigned as convention coordinator and issued a two sentence statement: ‘Today I offered the convention my resignation so as not to become a distraction in this campaign. I continue to strongly support John McCain for president, and wish him the best of luck in this campaign.’ Goodyear...(read more)

No day off for Clinton

2008-05-10T22:07:00Z

From NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli and NBC’s Cherelle Kantey
NEW YORK -- Think Hillary Clinton is giving up? A look at her schedule suggests otherwise.

Clinton said last week that all she wanted for Mother’s Day was a day off. But on Sunday she’ll be making at least three campaign stops in West Virginia, a state she has called a “test” for herself and Barack Obama.

Today, Clinton marked the holiday by appearing with Chelsea at a low-dollar fundraiser in Midtown Manhattan. And she talked about the epic campaign, joking that it seems like it began “a 100 years ago.”

“People ask me all the time, ‘Well don’t you get tired?’” she said. “Well physically, of course. It’s grueling, and it’s demanding. But I never ever get tired of meeting people and hearing their stories and listening to what they hope our next president will do.”

She told the mostly female audience that their support has “sustained” her throughout her effort, and said the campaign has been “a joy.”

“Now I know that may be hard to believe,” she said. “But if you would just take the advice that I give to my own mother, and that is just turn off the television, you will really enjoy this experience. Because what I hear and what I see is all about how we’re going to finish this nominating contest, which we will do. Then we will have a nominee, and we will have a unified Democratic Party, and we will stand together, and we will defeat John McCain in November and go on to the White House.”
...(read more)

Delegates: Obama gets Ohio add on

2008-05-10T21:25:00Z

From NBC’s Domenico MontanaroObama picked up an Ohio add on, AP reports: “Ohio labor leader Dave Regan, who was selected as a superdelegate Saturday, told the AP that Obama is ‘the candidate that can unite the country and move beyond the divineness and gridlock that we have today.’ Regan recognized that Clinton won the Ohio primary March 4. ‘But that was two months ago. I think as the campaign has unfolded, Obama is looking like a stronger and stronger candidate,’ Regan said. ‘I think it's very likely...(read more)

Obama, McCain to campaign together?

2008-05-10T20:44:00Z

From NBC/NJ’s Athena Jones
BEND, Ore. -- This election year has already broken fundraising and voter participation records, but it could also break the mold for how campaigning is done during a general election.

Think of hand-to-hand combat, but with words, something akin to a rhetorical duel on policy that plays out right before voters’ eyes, in state after state, without the interruption of pesky journalists asking questions about issues the candidates believe are not important. This time they would be in control.

It could happen.

Politico reported that Republican strategist Mark McKinnon has suggested the two candidates agree to campaign in some states together, to attend joint town hall meetings and debate each other without a moderator. McKinnon called the town hall meeting McCain’s “best format” and said joint campaigning would test Obama’s “claims that he wants a clean fight on the issues.”

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said, “John McCain has repeatedly encouraged these types of appearances with his opponents in the past, but in order to extend all due respect to Sen. Clinton, we will look forward to welcoming the arrangements when the Democrats have actually chosen their nominee.”

Obama said Saturday that he was open to the idea, should he become the nominee.
...(read more)

Obama gets two V.I. switches

2008-05-10T20:04:00Z

From NBC's Domenico MontanaroObama picked up two Virgin Islands superdelegates who were previously supporting Clinton, the campaign announced. They are Kevin Rodriguez, who had publicly endorsed Clinton, and Carol Burke, who had been privately considered for Clinton before today. Obama won the Virgin Islands contest overwhelmingly, and Clinton supporters there have been facing increasing pressure to go with Obama.So far today in the NBC NEWS count, Obama has a net of three to Clinton's negative one....(read more)