First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Steve NewYork NY — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:25:13 GMT

The Elian Gonzales thing is just silly season politics.
It shows the extent to which O'Reilly and company are willing to go in order to disrupt Obama's campaign.

It's issues like this that make it impossible for his to accept public financing. He has to fight these kinds of ATTACKS.

And they will keep coming .. and he will keep fighting them.

Opting out was the best thing to do.

If McCain cannot control these republican attacks ... then Obama has no choice but to Opt out of the public financing system, in order to defend himself.

These republicans really are scared of Obama.

But like we've said before : YOU CAN'T STAND IN THE WAY OF HISTORY.

Obama will be our next president.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Lucy Michigan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:26:29 GMT

A dream ticket OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jPev5sEdTjg

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Obama For President!! — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:27:43 GMT

It will work out for Obama! I am pledging my financial to him! McClain will get his special interest money, so he will do well.

Obama is making the right decision. $84 million in public funds vs about $150-$200 million in donations!

** 20% JULY BLOW-OUT SALE on Barack Obama products $8.99 & Up ( up to 80% Off). Use this coupon at this Obama Store.
http://www.MyObamaStore.com
Coupon - Obama20Now (20% OFF)

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Ron, TX — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:29:11 GMT

There goes Powder Keg McCain again, proving the exact reason Obama decided to opt out of public financing. He is using this a reason to justify the vile Republican 527s and their disgusting attacks, instead of using it to prove that he doesn't support 527s. This goes hand in hand with what the Obama campaign has said all along. Accepting public financing, while encouraging people to donate to 527s, is nothing more than a ruse, and obviously, the McCain campaign was never going to compromise on the issue of 527s. They love them. They need them.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Nashville_fan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:30:15 GMT

"Instead of raising the specter of GOP 527s, why not simply say that he owed it to his supporters to do everything possible to win in November, and that McCain would do the same thing if he had the opportunity?"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah. Guys. It's not really necessary to offer alternate wording to everything the Obama campaign does. They didn't say it that way because they didn't want to. Geesh.

If Senator Obama had followed all the great advice from you guys, he would have jumped in the mud with the Clinton's and be waiting to hear if he is the VP today. Please get over yourselves - again!

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

adam/Brooklyn New York City — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:30:25 GMT

OMG!!! A Democrat is playing to win!!!!? What's the world coming to?

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

California Indy — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:30:33 GMT

When's the last time anybody on this board, anybody on the First Read Team, or anybody any of us know checked the box to contribute to public finance of campaigns? It'd be great if the system worked; we'd all love to have it work. But it doesn't. Special interests prevent it from working. So we the people, to the tune of 1.5 million and counting, said we're sick of the games and would rather contribute to a team that gets results.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Linda. Boston, MA — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:31:02 GMT

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/20/mccain-and-obama-tied-in_n_108217.html

Obama is making GEORGIA competetive!!! A New InsiderAdvantage / PollPosition survey (6/18):

McCain: 44%
Obama: 43%
Barr: 6%
Undecided: 7%

McCain is going to have to spend a whole lot of money defending states that he was sure he'd win.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Just Wondering — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:31:37 GMT

Didn't McFish opt in before he opted out before he opted in?

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Pat, Boston, MA — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:31:49 GMT

This is our country.

Exxon- Mobil
Shell

Why is it that I can’t help but be reminded of Russia and Germany and their pact before the invasion of Poland on 1939?

I’m sure Dick Cheney and Geo. Bush are real happy. They got what they always wanted. Afterall, what good is an invasion if you can’t profit from it.

However, I can’t help but think of the 500,000 displaced Iraqi’s. I can’t help think of the thousands of dead Iraqi’s. I can’t help but think of Osama Bin Laden who is still walking around free, sending his videos full of hate as always.

And the big news this morning was Barack Obama flip flopping on public financing.

Again - the Iraqi’s had nothing to do with September 11th. Osama Bin Laden planned it, he executed it. It’s mind boggling that the media continue to push stories about Michelle Obama and whether or not she’s patriotic enough.

Yet no one asks that about Bush, Cheney and their gang. The biggest war criminals/profiteers in American history. And a large portion of the media and Congress continue to look the other way.

Yessiree, this is our country.
___________________________________________

Barack and Michelle Obama - 2008.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Dorothy, Kansas — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:32:45 GMT

One thing Obama is good at is no-brainer ideas. He comes with an idea, and you figure he must not have a brain. Obama would be the perfect choice to play the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Reality Check — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:33:02 GMT

How can McCain play the "reformer" card when he opted in before he opted out before he opted in? The role of flounder perhaps, but not reformer...

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

tina, dardanelle, ar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:35:44 GMT

Will someone actually keep an eye on the money trail from today's luncheon by McCain in Canada? Will someone take it seriously enough to make sure that once again McCain is not gamming the system? You know like the jet, getting loans on the public finance system, so on and so on. I doubt it, but will see.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Marihelen, TX — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:38:19 GMT

On all the hooplah about Obama opting out, I thought this was pretty much a done deal for quite some time.

I remember some back and forth awhile back between Obama and McCain where I thought it was pretty clear that Obama was going to opt out. I understood it, the pundits seemed to understand it at the time, so to me this is no news. It was a done deal awhile back....

The main purpose of campaign finance is to stop the power brokers from having the power to the detriment of the little guy. Here, you've got the little guy funding Obama and it seems pretty strange to me that people who want to reform the system have a problem with that, as he's putting the power back exactly where it belongs -- in the hands of average Americans instead of the bigshots in smoke-filled backrooms.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Carol, Long Valley NJ — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:39:05 GMT

Here's hoping that the 50 state strategy bears fruit. We shouldn't have to rely on only three swing states to decide elections every four years.

Good luck Chairman Dean and Senator Obama -- go paint that map blue.

It's time to come together for our country. Bush/Cheney have created a fascist state with corporations running our government. The Republican Congress has "borrowed and spent" us into an irresponsibly huge deficit, with the paper being held by the Chinese and some oil rich states in the Middle East, and McCain is willing to borrow even more.

It's time to join together to work towards electing a Democratic President with a workable Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate.

This time do something smart and vote for your wallet, vote for the economy, vote for the environment, vote for jobs, vote for America!

Vote for the smartest candidate in the race, a real leader (and no that's not McCain, who graduated at the very bottom of his class -- not by a long shot)

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Senator Obama made a wise decision — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:41:54 GMT

Senator Obama is playing the game to win! It would not matter what excuse he provided for opting out of public finacing, it was going to be attacked no matter what. This is the way it went down. Over with, move on. Senator Obama made a wise, strategic decision.

On Michelle, I just loved the video's of McCain saying "I didn't love America until..." Really?! So you went to war and did not love your country? This is ten times worse than anything Michelle Obama said! I'm sure she will have a much better day in DC knowing that the rightwing nuts just got busted! Thanks Dan Abrams! Thank you, Thank you for your research!

Obama 08

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

BJ, CA — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:42:39 GMT

Families...the Best Building Block of America...

Go Michelle...you go girl....

You are building for the bottom up...Great!!

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Clara Kansas City, MO — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:44:17 GMT

I love Brian Williams; but I don't see him as the moderator long term. It needs to be more of an 'everyman' type - like Chuck Todd, perhaps?

Keith O was awesome last night blasting Murdoch and his reporter on the topic.

I am definitely leaning towards Biden for Obama VP. I have only seen the positives, not aware of the negatives.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Nashville_fan — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:46:39 GMT

What is it so "interesting" that Senator Obama made a patriotic ad and is wearing a flag pin? What exactly are you implying?

Is it "interesting" that Senator McCain says he is running a campaign on issues, while he (and his wife) simultaneously seek to call into question Senator Obama's (and his wife's) love of country for their own political advantage?

Pretty classless.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

SANDRA — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:48:21 GMT

I THINK SEN OBAMA IS DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR HIS TEAM. SEN MCCAIN AND TEAM WAS THINKING THEY COULD PULL OBAMA AROUND BUT AS YOU CAN SEE HE IS NOT A WEAK PERSON WHO WILL DO WHAT MCCAIN WANTS . DO YPUR THINK OBAMA HANDLE BUSINESS. THE MEDIA AND MORNING JOE COULD LEARN SOME THING FROM YOU AND YOUR GREAT TEAM.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Sandra, Tennessee — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:50:42 GMT

Where is Chuck today? Hope he is taking some down time. My thoughts are with him and the whole crew.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Houston — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:53:58 GMT

Instead of raising the specter of GOP 527s, why not simply say that he owed it to his supporters to do everything possible to win in November, and that McCain would do the same thing if he had the opportunity?
---------------------------------------------

Because the Democrats are genuinely concerned about the impact of the well-funded 527s that make the current public financing system a bad joke.

The Swift Boat Liars proved how rotten it is, and they didn't even have to spend much money to get their lies out before the public. They ran a few ads and then the corporate media credulously (or perhaps intentionally) repeated their lies endlessly for the entire campaign.

Contemporary "journalists" seem to believe that their job is to mouth GOP talking points without doing any fact-checking whatsoever and it's up to the Democrats to refute the charges. And that's why Obama needed to opt out of this bogus public financing: the lethal combination of the GOP and the corporate media would destroy him, and they may still do so even with his fundraising advantage. A few hundred million dollars may not be enough to counter the multi-billion dollar corporate media and their "news" departments.

The USA Today article below goes a long way in explaining why McCain is the darling of the corporate media: he's done so many favors for them in the Senate, and he can do many more favors if he's president.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-03-23-mccainlobbyists_N.htm
------------------------------------------------
"Telecom lobbyists tied to McCain"

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate John McCain has condemned the influence of "special interest lobbyists," yet dozens of lobbyists have political and financial ties to his presidential campaign — particularly from telecommunications companies, an industry he helps oversee in the Senate.

Of the 66 current or former lobbyists working for the Arizona senator or raising money for his presidential campaign, 23 have lobbied for telecommunications companies in the past decade, Senate lobbying disclosures show.

MORE: McCain pushed tax ban backed by telecoms

McCain has netted about $765,000 in political donations from those telecom lobbyists, their spouses, colleagues at their firms and their telecom clients during the past decade, a USA TODAY analysis of campaign-finance records shows.

It's unclear how much more money those lobbyists have raised for McCain. Eighteen of them are listed by the campaign as "bundlers," which are major fundraisers. McCain doesn't disclose how much each bundler has raised — unlike Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, who categorize their bundlers by the amount they raise. For example, Clinton's "Hillraisers" have brought in more than $100,000 each.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Trey Indianapolis, IN — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:54:09 GMT

OK . . . if you are going to point out that Obama didn't take the financing you HAVE to point out that McCain took public financing, before he opted out, before he then decided to take it again.

It happened with Romney and now the media is doing it agian, pointing to the other sides change on a position and not pointing that McCain is a Flip-flopper.

It also happened when you allowed him to attack Obama's vetter when he had a guy with closer ties to the mortgage industry than Obama. When did the media become parrots of McCain talking points?

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

pittsburgh dem — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:55:32 GMT

OBAMA/BIDEN '08
The new DREAM TEAM.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:58:53 GMT

Barack Obama actively sought to "update his supporters" in The U.S. House of Representatives (which is a fancy way of saying "campaigning") while a floor vote was being conducted within that body.
That is against the law.
But, nobody complained about and it was barely even mentioned in the media.
So, I don't want to hear any crap about McCain's luncheon in Canada.
The media (FIRST READ included) is REALLY controlling the positive and negative news we hear about each candidate. Obama gets PUFF-BALL, Che'-Che', Fu'-Fu' treatment, and anybody who opposes him gets the hammer.
This is absolutely shameful. Their should be some sort of regulating body that oversees this kind of garbage.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Christmas Eve — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:01:31 GMT

Is it "interesting" that Senator McCain says he is running a campaign on issues, while he (and his wife) simultaneously seek to call into question Senator Obama's (and his wife's) love of country for their own political advantage?

Pretty classless.
Nashville_fan

-----------

M.Obama said the nasty, that's all Cindy is doing is pointing out that Michelle needs to defend it. I don't doubt the M.Obama believes what she says to be true. The Obama's are now just spinning it and throwing up smoke in mirrors. If a Republican had said the same, the media would be all over them and questioning them everyday. Because a liberal set it though, it's up to a Republican to keep pointing it out to the country.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Houston — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:03:27 GMT

This "controversy" over Obama opting out of public financing is a good example of the incestuous relationship between the corporate media and the GOP: McCain lies that Obama "pledged" to take public financing.

Then Chris Matthews credulously repeats McCain's lie, accusing Obama of breaking his word. Matthews got two other talking heads on his show yesterday to agree to that, so it must be true! Except it's NOT true. Obama pledged only to consider it. And Obama made that pledge before Bush's Surpreme Court voted to let the corporate-financed GOP 527s to run their smear campaign right up to the November election. That's an even worse deal than Kerry got 4 years ago.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

lily — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:04:05 GMT

If McCain cannot control these republican attacks ... then Obama has no choice but to Opt out of the public financing system, in order to defend himself.

on above:
Steve, there's one 527 Presidential ad running right now and that one is against McCain. So, when's Barry going to take control and shut that down?????? I won't hold my breath for him to do it. He's a hypocrite, a fraud and a liar. He's no different than any other politician though he promised you he would be. He's a politically ambitious individual who will say, do anything to get elected.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Harp, Omaha, NE — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:05:43 GMT

Well, Well. Well. Hear the free marketers wail and moan. It looks like the peeps on the streets, the 'hoods, the exurbs, and farms are going to be the Daddy Warbuks with our Tens and Twenty dollar bills-theoretically 35-36 million potential donors.

Ummm.. How many "conservative-free marketers" are willing to come forth??

Judging by the conservative proponents' responses to "the transcendent existential conflict" by being enlisted volunteers to the Coalition of the Willing, John McSame better use all his Maverick persuasion to those patriots to send him a draft before he gets awashed in Obama-Bucks from the "Awakened Peeps".

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Dave, Tn — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:05:58 GMT

NBC’s Brian Williams fills in for the late Tim Russert to moderate Sunday’s edition of Meet The Press.

_________________________

That's good news, but I still think Chuck Todd and Byron York would make a good team until after the election. Maybe longer :-)

Vote your wallet, vote for American jobs. VOTE OUT ALL NO DRILLING DEMOCRATS!!!!! No you can't save OUR resources until you figure out a way to enslave us little people.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

lily — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:07:39 GMT

Then Chris Matthews credulously repeats McCain's lie, accusing Obama of breaking his word. Matthews got two other talking heads on his show yesterday to agree to that, so it must be true! Except it's NOT true.

on above:
Oh, no, Houston. You better go back and listen again to CM reading the statement that BO signed. I don't remember if it was CM or Abrams that cited the six dates on which he promised to use public financing. In this case, CM wasn't the liar. It's YOUR candidate Mr. two-faced Obama that LIED and broke his promise. I'm wondering if it was heart of the country grandparents with their Kansas values that told him it's okay to break a promise, go back on your word?

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Harp, Omaha, NE — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:08:59 GMT

The FISA Cave-In by the House Dems

Not since Robert Bruce sold out William Wallace to Longshanks has there beensuch political treachery by those for whom a civic trust was placed. Those Dems who voted make Sylvester the cat heroic compared to their duplicitous hypocrisy to the constituency that gave them the majority and can just as easil put a third party in their places.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

lily — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:10:17 GMT

Since BO is expecting 527 ads, I'd like to see one re: lying, breaking his promise re: public financing. It could be a Pinocchio speaking. The head would spin round, round and his nose would keep getting longer, longer with each lie. This isn't the first thing he's lied about. So, if he needs all his millions to fight the 527s, then bring em on. Let him spend his millions. He better save some money, tho, for somebody to hold up that growing nose. It could get heavy and in the way.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Bruce, NV — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:10:22 GMT

Since the only 527s putting ads on right now support Barack Hussein Obama, I'd like one of the Obamaniacs to point out how John McCain can't "control the 527s".

First, it's illegal to try to control 527s. Second, right now there aren't any. But BHO fans don't care about truth (they probably can't handle the truth).

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Amy B Portland, ME — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:11:36 GMT

I'm not sure I want to watch Meet The Press without Tim Russert. He is irreplaceable. But I must say, I do enjoy watching Gwen Iffel over on PBS. Seeing as she was a Tim Russert protege, do you think you might consider making her the moderator?

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Cisco Kroto — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:12:47 GMT

This is absolutely shameful. Their should be some sort of regulating body that oversees this kind of garbage.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY

JMS - No, No, No, No!!! Don't give Obama any more ideas for more government control of things! He's got enough on his plate that will take the country to its knees already. Let's keep that 1st amendment around for a while longer, we may need it.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Scott H — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:13:50 GMT

Laura Bush stated that she herself beleives that Michelle Obama's statement is not being taken for what it was meant. An honorable gesture from the White House, so let's give it a rest people (and Cindy). There are real issues to get fired up over.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Hillary Democrats — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:14:07 GMT

We cannot wait for the General Election so we could vote for John McCain, the only and true reformer.

Vote for security.
Vote for fiscal restraint.
Vote for experience.
Vote for bipartisanship.

Vote for John McCain.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

abby — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:14:22 GMT

Obama is a FRAUD - typical dirty Chicago Political Tricks. So much for our UNITY guy of CHANGE.
Let's HOPE he just goes back to Chicago - where he belongs - he will Never win the white house - he is NOT qualified. Sorry DNC - you cannot BUY -or STEAL the white house.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:14:31 GMT

Sen. John McCain has now officially become the "Wile E. Coyote" of this election. Every attack that he has issued has backfired. Kudos to Dan Abrams on doing some actual reporting last night. The right wing smear merchants have been attacking Michelle for months taking her "really proud" statement out of context but will now be rightly painted as the hypocrites that they are if they continue to do so without mentioning the even worse statement from John McCain himself saying that he "Really didn't love America until he was deprived of her company". A priveleged, silver-spoon man with every advantage in life didn't love his country until he was prisoner in a foreign land?

Now McCain and his cohorts will push for offshore drilling in order to steal low-information votes. This will backfire and he WILL lose Florida. People are learning that these oil companies have 6300 oil leases and are not drilling on those areas but are being greedy in an attempt to further line their pockets with gold and manipulate prices.

Many people always thought that the war in Iraq wasn't really for some noble idea of good guys vs. evil boogeymen who hate democracy and apple pie. Now we have the evidence that it is and will always be about oil. The big Western oil companies have been awarded no-bid contracts to have access to Iraq's oil. The surge was only done to keep our troops in there to allow enough stability for these thieves and profiteers to broker these deals. Also, I'm sure that these traitors need security. Sen. McCain has even made the slip up and admitted this truth in a town hall meeting. He has anchored himself to a failed surge and an unpopular war and can not escape the most unpopular President in American history.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

J. Ellis, Virginia — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:15:50 GMT

It is a fool who stays the course when the course does not lead to victory. I applaude Sen. Obama for his tough decision to not accept so-called public financing. This decision was unprecedented and historic but I trust Team Obama's judgement in doing all that is necessary to win the election. The stakes are too high and far too much is in jeopardy.

The morning talk shows are full of Repubs belly-aching and crying about how Sen. Obama went back on his promise to accept public financing. At least he didn't do the Hokey Pokey, as John McCain did, by getting in and then getting out of public financing when it suited his political needs. As usual, the Repubs are hypocritcal and they wrote the book on politics as usual.

Sen. Obama has turned out to be a phenominal visionary and strategist and of course, that makes the Repubs deeply angry because-----they're not.

Gotta go make a donation to Sen. Obama's "We the People" campaign.

GO MR. PRESIDENT

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Jean, Asheville, NC — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:16:50 GMT

Why is it that Keith O is the only one who gave us the "rest of the story" regarding McCain and public financing. Obama said he would have a discussion with McCain about it. Well McCain was for it, then opted out - now that Obama opted out - McCain is for it again?!! Does McCain think we are all so stupid to believe his little speach on "trust" and how the American people want someone who doen't go back on his word - does he want to explain his "going back on his word" with some real important issues like waterboarding, etc???

And Morning Joe - I started watching your show when you were out of town for about 3 weeks and Mica was the Host. She did a great job. She actually let the guest speak and she asked some great questions. You could learn a lot from her. Unfortunately, since you are back, she has been reduced to reading the news and giggling at what you say. Hey - she has a brain - maybe if you stop talking and giving your Republican spin on everything, she could teach you something. Like the public financing story - you don't give all the facts.

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

lily — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:18:01 GMT

The main purpose of campaign finance is to stop the power brokers from having the power to the detriment of the little guy. Here, you've got the little guy funding Obama

on above:
Really Marihelen? So those were the "little guys" at Ethel Kennedys? So, how many of you Obamatons are going to the Warren Buffet dinner for Obama? It's ONLY $28000 per plate. I'm sure all you "little guys" will be there. He's a politician. He'll take anybody's money, any time, anywhere. The bundlers just did a real good job of hiding some of it. He's an overtly amibitious politician. He doesn't give a dman about you "little guys". If you think he does, ask his grandma how it felt under the bus!

First thoughts: Two no-brainers

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:19:02 GMT

Like I said yesterday, your move, McSybil. Obama is advertising in your "safe" states. What now?