http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspxFrom Chuck Todd and Mark Murray*** Back to Walter Reed: Bush makes his first visit to the Army hospital since the Washington Post exposed the poor living conditions there. But what story will be the bigger headache today for the White House -- this oneen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106596Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:31:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106596Still Crazy After all These YearsChuck Todd, a welcome song-"Chuck E.s In Love"-Rickie Lee Joneshttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106650Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:19:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106650Rick Lapin, Albuquerque, NMHow 'bout replacing these tedious prose renderings of each candidate's latest take from their bagmen with a simple daily chart -- y'know, the old thermometer graph so popular at church fund-raisers, where the red line just keeps going up and up towards the top ... which in this case can be marked "White House!!!" Just put the ten leading candidates' thermometers in a box at the top of First Read, and we can tell at a glance who's on the fast track to the Presidency on any given morning -- make it more like a real horse race, and handicappers'll have a ball! And remember, y'all: Money isn't Everything -- it's The Only Thing ... http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106654Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:21:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106654M.E., Albany, Ga.Countdown to Fundraiser Deadline- "Shake Your Moneymakers"- (The Black Crowes)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106664Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:25:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106664Melba, White Bluff, TN"Money - its a gas, keep your hands of my stash" Pink Floyd. "Get it while you can" - The late Great Janis Joplin! Lets get the money out of politics and government, then we can be clean again, until then, each and every candidate that runs for anything from dog catcher to prez is wearing "dirty laundry'(Don Henley). http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106672Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:31:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106672Rufus Gibbons, Kennett, Mo.Is Rudy thinking of a "Rudy and Judy" ticket? That should win the hearts and souls of the right wing.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106677Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:32:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106677Melba, White Bluff, TNThe best way to start getting rid of the "money influcence" in our government would be for every state to have their primary on the same day, just like the general election. Then, parties, use your conventions to honor your nominee, not to choose your nominee - that ship has long sailed and I don't think it will ever find it's way back to port again. After the primary is over make every media outlet give each candidate a certain amount of free airtime (even steven, all primetime or none primetime)and print space every day - they can afford it, and finally - no more personal attacks, no more lies in ads - make them tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Then we might get back to what this country was founded to stand for. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106713Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:55:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106713M.E., Albany, Ga."Rudy and Judy"- "A Song For Rufus"-(Bob Seger)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106760Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:40:55 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106760Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaUnnamed sources claim that Dubya's visit to Walter Reed was delayed until all the Democratic patients could be fired and replaced with Republican patients. - Independent Party News Servicehttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106802Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:04:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106802Dave, TnThey got the money, hey You know they got away They headed down south and theyre still running today Singin go on take the money and run - Steve Miller http://www.metroactive.com/metro/03.21.07/dianne-feinstein-resigns-0712.html http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106812Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:09:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106812Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IANews Flash - Dubya goes to Walter Reed but never sees the building that the soldiers were in and had to deal with. Photo Op with soldiers in a different building. Dubya to claim that they are fixing the mulitple problems with soldier/veteran health care. Can anyone smell or see a smoke screen here. Oops forgot that it is the land of Oz!!!!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106831Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:18:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106831Still Crazy After All These Years"We All Live In A Yellow Submarine"-The Beatleshttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106951Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:35:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106951Ellen, St. Augustine, FlHearing 2 days in a row from Decision'08 MSNBC that Guiliani & McCain lead over Clinton and Obama is just the most unbelieveable of all!! Who in the world would want 'more of the same' which is exactly what they would get from another Republican president!!! McCain, a veteran who we use to respect has changed his tune since he wants to be Prez, and Guliani? He can't even govern NYC correctly (he has many fooled). That's all the GOP has! The Dems have many good ones, Biden, Richardson, etc. all smart, good. And at least w/ Clinton or Obama we would have INTELLIGENCE and leadership which we truly admire and haven't had anywhere in this administration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#106969Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:42:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106969Dorothy"Freak out..... le freak, c'est chic...."--Chichttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107000Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:52:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107000Iowa MomMelba, I agree with you. A date the campaign can start, one national primary date, ads must be reviewed by an impartial panel and fines administered if lies or half truths are aired. Why doesn't the FCC do this now? I would rather hear a "naughty" word than all the lies and half truths. If Bush would have had to tell the truth, he would never get elected. And keep religion out of politics, period!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107054Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:20:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107054Russell in MarylandEllen, I too am disheartened by that poll. It says more about the American people than it does about the candidates. As much as we would like it to be different, America is still not ready for a Black or Woman president. We should face reality and support other candidates because the alternative of another term or two of radical right rule will literally destroy this country. I am holding out some small hope that we will find out in a few days that the poll was seriously flawed. There are many wasys to bias a poll either intentionally or by bad design.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107102Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:45:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107102JIrby, Colorado SpringsI can see where the Repubs could raise millions if they could do a plaster cast of Karl Rove's face for the purpose of making punching bags that look like Rove. They would be getting all their money from Democrats, thus leaving the Dems at a financial disadvantage. I would personally be willing to pay a hundred bucks for such a punching bag, and it would give you real incentives for not skipping your workouts. They could also do ones of Tom Delay, Cheney, Bush himself and any number of Repubs that most reasonable people would like to smack across the landscape and into other zip codes.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107334Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:17:50 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107334OliviaI like JIrby's idea about the punching bags. Or, how about voodoo dolls?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107353Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:30:03 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107353Bob, OrlandoRussell, I'm not so sure that this poll reflects the voters' views of either women or african americans. I believe that, as it stands right now, Clinton will never manage to get over 48-49% in the general election. She has made too many enemies over the years, she still has a hawkish view on Iraq, and the country is tired of the Bushes and Clintons. Obama does offer a refreshing change but, as of yet, does not offer much substance on the issues. It's a good thing for both the Dems and the GOP that the first votes will not until be cast until January '08 as neither party's front runners are really exciting the base (other than Obama, whose real attaction may be with first time voters, or those who feel disenfranchised). Us Dems must take a closer look at some of the "second tier" candidates and give one of them our support if we really want the presidency. I, for one, am very impressed with Bill Richardson, who has unique foreign policy experience, knows how to deal face to face with our nation's adversaries, and has the temperment to work with both sides of the aisle. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107422Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:52:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107422Scott in South TexasThat voodoo that you do so well. (Be still my heart)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107736Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:29:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107736M.E., Albany, Ga."Witchy Woman"- (Eagles)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107744Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:33:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107744M.E., Albany, Ga.Liv- All my voodoo dolls came from New Orleans. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#107876Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:46:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:107876Jane, Southern MississippiOlivia, if you're ever down New Orleans way, go to a voodoo shop. There are plenty in the French Quarter. It will blow your mind. JIrby's idea made me laugh and your idea got me thinking. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#108391Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:37:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:108391Dorothy"That old black magic has a way with me...."http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#108762Sun, 01 Apr 2007 14:45:18 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:108762Cheryl, Tacoma, WashingtonNo "substance"? How many times do we have to hear this tired old refrain? The issues are all laid out neatly on his website, BarackObama.com. And if he's not, at this point, developing specific plans and programs for implementing his ideas, that's a GOOD thing, as far as I'm concerned! He has said that he would request input from independent commissions that would study issues and make recommendations. I don't want a president who thinks he knows it all and won't listen to the subject matter experts, like GWB vis-à-vis the Iraq debacle. Obama has integrity, good judgment, and a sincere concern for the well-being of all Americans. Once he's elected, he will create fair, workable policies based on the way the world really works, and he won't do it from within some untouchable ivory tower -- he cares about what we the people want and need. ~~Cherylhttp://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/106585.aspx#109592Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:01:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:109592OliviaM.E. & Jane--I remember when I was in New Orleans approximately 30 years ago I saw voodoo dolls in a souvenir store there. Sometime last year I saw a news story about real voodoo shops in New Orleans--if I ever find myself there, I'll check one out.