"You can't choose your family" Hillary Clinton has said, and she is right. Perhaps this is a defense of the less-than-idyllic childhood that the young Hillary Rodham lived. Descended from hard working Welsh immigrants, her father escaped life in the coal mines to pursue drapery manufacturing. He was a thrifty, stern and domineering man who chose the best for his family, yet also valued appearances (wanting to impress others with his choice of house and a Cadillac in the driveway). Hugh Rodham Sr. frowned upon weakness, showing emotion, and ran his household like a drill sergeant imitating General Patton. Hugh was so harsh; he would turn off the thermostat, even on cold Chicago nights, no matter how uncomfortable it made his children. When Hillary would make a mistake, her father's response would be, "Well, Hillary how are you going to dig yourself out of this one?" These facts were taken from the book, "Hillary's Choice" by Gail Sheehy at:
http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/sheehy-choice.html?_r=2&oref=slogin

Even though we cannot choose our family, we DO have freedom to make independent choices in our lives. Hillary's domineering father does not excuse the life of rebellion that she chose and the socialist values that she currently pursues. Hillary rebels against organized society and has chosen a life of crime in response to the constant pressure placed upon her during her upbringing. Yes, Hillary is a criminal and has, so far, escaped legal action through the threats and strong-arm tactics of the Clintons. Shows that accurately depict the Clinton years as those of eroding our security measures globally, and allowing a direct hit on Bin Laden to expire (see "Hillary the Movie"), are squelched by the Clintons. A vote for Hillary IS a vote for socialism and the expansion of government in controlling health care (as a start). Does Hillary promote the fact that there are penalties for those who fail to pay into her healthcare system? It is all or nothing for Hillary and she demands that it be HER way. We must resist the demands of Hillary to elect her because she "is the most qualified" and "ready on day one," for she does not tell the American public what she is really about. Read about Hillary's past scandals and not what she proposes, because she HAS NOT changed. Even though Hugh Rodham Sr. died in 1993, the ghost of his legacy still haunts Hillary. She still rebels against an organized society!

To Paraphrase Johnny McClaughlin issue #1 who was elected president? Bill or Hillary Clinton?. How can you take credit for something your spouse does? -- Whatever the job maybe. Its like saying oh my hubby is a Doctor and I help treat the patients or my hubby is a lawyer and I help with the paper work.. unless you do this and this is your job title?. Otherwise it just doesn't fly. Unless you are elected to office you can't add first lady to your resume. The first lady's job is basically a glorified butler.. make sure the people are served see that senator X who hates senator Y don't sit next to each other and go to some cultural function or pay a visit to a country or region on good will trip. How gullible does Hillary think we are? Northern Ireland, Bosia? what on earth did she do there other than make sure lunch is served and take a few pictures. Padding your resume is not a good way to run as president

If you want an intelligent assessment from Chris Cilliza listen to him on BBC World. BBC will never allow the kind of garbage he puts on WP blog.

DON'T BE DUPED !!!

Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. With Hillary Clinton you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.

But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. "Carpe diem" (harvest the day).

I think Hillary Clinton see's a beautiful world of plenty for all. She's a woman, and a mother. And it's time America. Do this for your-selves, and your children's future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.

You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don't want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves.

Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama's. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!

As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.

Hillary Clinton has been OUT MANNED! OUT GUNNED! and OUT SPENT! 4 and 5 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.

If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON'T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.

The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.

The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.

Fortunately the Clinton's have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton's. Only the Clinton's are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.

"This is not a game" (Hillary Clinton)

Sincerely

jacksmith... Working Class :-)

MY FELLOW "BITTER", STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE :-)

If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of "BITTER"!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER. :-(

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..

You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)

Best regards

jacksmith... Working Class :-)

p.s. You Might Be An Idiot! :-)

If you don't know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering...

You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year. :-)

Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don't die from. And I could go on, and on...

Oh, most of you failed to mention the transformation of the Lincoln bedroom in the 90s into motel 6, where people who paid money to the Clinton campaign were allowed to do sleepovers. All kinds of slumlords, slimeballs, fugitives and Chinese spys who stole our military trade secrets have stayed in that room in the 90s.

The 90s were filled with special investigations throughout Clinton years. I can't think of a day that went by when there was no mention of either the white water, travelgate, Hillary being hauled to the courts, Jennifer Flowers, Monica Lewinsky, failed healthcare debacle, Foster commiting suicide in the white house, Hillary's aid finding missing papers from Foster in the rafters above Hillary's office, Hillary's pork barrel stock scandel when she made a $100,000 by investing $1000 when the rest of the people lost all the money, losing the congress to the republicans, and so many other fiascos on a daily basis. I don't remember those days to be either peaceful or prosperous.

To the guy who said he changed stations - did you change it to MSNBC?

So many of you probably don't realize who is really behind MSNBC. Telemundo purchased MSNBC and has an agenda. Clearly. The ruling party was overthrown in Mexico. They had power for 70 years. Since they can no longer control Mexico then the USA is the next best thing. This party are now the owners of MSNBC and the American people are being pulled by the nose of the very Mexicans they hate so much. It is absolutely hillarious!

Peace and prosperity - that's what matters now.

I was at the rally at the Mayfair Diner in Philadelphia also. Governor Rendell and Mayor Nutter were great. Hillary Clinton was there with Chelsea. Hillary came across as smart, confident, and full of ideas and solutions to help this country get back on track. I think the crowd was supportive and energetic. I'm glad I got a chance to see her in person. She is impressive. She was very warm and gracious. I hope Hillary will win PA by at least 15 points. Hillary '08!

DISPATCHES FROM THE GROUND WAR ...

THE HUFFINGTON POST REPORTS ...

Obama greeted by largest crowd of his campaign

PHILADELPHIA -- Barack Obama was greeted by the largest crowd of his campaign Friday night in Philadelphia. Some 35,000 people jammed into Independence Park to see the Democratic presidential candidate, four days before this state's crucial April 22 primary.

Frank Friel, director of security at the Independence Visitor Center, made the official estimate.

The crowd exceed the 30,000 who greeted Obama and Oprah Winfrey in December in Columbia, S.C. ...

These comments from fellow democrats.

I don't remember any prosperity during the Bill Clinton years either. We had a major shutdown of the government in 1995 for lack of money. Bill took over the white house in 1992. Three years later, the government was dysfunctional and ran out of money. But will Hillary take credit for that? No as usual Hillary's statement will be it is all because of 'right wing conspiracy'. Now when the government cannot function for lack of money is that what you call 'prosperity'?

I don't remember any peace during the 90s. We had the genocide happening in Rwanda in 1994. We had the first major blow up of a huge building in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma bombing by a white American Christian Timothy McVey which killed 100s of young children. We had the attack on the world trade center twice during Bill's administration. Pakistan went nuclear with their testing of the atomic bomb under Bill Clinton's watch. Irish people were fighting all over. Bill went to war with Yugoslavia, basically Bosnia, now known for the infamous sniper fire Hillary claims to have encountered. Republicans took over both houses. Now which of these is Hillary claiming to be 'peace'?

Yes, let's address the Clinton 90's. Why didn't he investigate the .COM debacle. Just like the Saving and Loans weren't investigated for personal gain on the part of the residing Presidents. The .COM was growth based on trading not on the companies improving. And Clinton knew it and he looked the other way and let Bush Jr. take credit for the collaspe of our economy which was a suto good economy based on nothing of substance.

I remember the 90's. Bill got elected because Ross Perot siphoned enough votes off 41. Then there was a big fiasco about healthcare, with Hillary pissing off Congress. Then we lost majorities in both houses of Congress. Then there were the endless scandals and investigations, where Bill and Hillary were involved in various shell games and Bill was involved in pulling girls panties down. Then somebody was murdered...or committed suicide. And files were hidden and destroyed. And more investigations. And more girls with their panties down. And more Democratic losses all the way down to dog catcher, then the pardon auction. I haven't seen anything to make me believe the Clintons have changed their spots.

Chris, you've done some good journalistic pieces, and some not so good pieces. With little objective analysis, plus your own bias, this was one of the latter, and unfortunately your good/bad score is starting to even out. Inevitably, the Post's reputation suffers as well.

For Chris Cillizza,

How about this scenario at the Democratic Convention?

Edwards does not release his delegates.
Neither Clinton or Obama can muster enough votes ON THE FIRST BALLOT to gain the nomination.

Michigan and Florida delegations are still up in the air.

As I recall, the delegates are pledged ONLY FOR THE FIRST BALLOT.
So after the first ballot, all previously pledged delegates are no longer obligated to vote for the candidate their states sent them to vote for in Denver.

So ... maybe you could address that scenario in The Fix.

Because it just MIGHT happen.

"Let the games begin!"

A.T.

crt12:
Go to CNN for your post. They love Obama! There you will find it to be 0 and 1000.

I started to watch ABC's Clinton podium but changed stations.I was about to vote for Hillary last Nov. Until her game plan has been smut, smut smut. Now the 60 year old rich witch, who is always tired, probably from knocking down Johnny Walker Black label, with beer chasers, won't hear the phone at 3 a.m. and if she would get elected, what room will Billy get as his room for Monica, or is there a new one.
lniem3436

and we love you for it, scrivener

none of the above, drindl, my four legged friend!

Ethan, I know the superdelegates are thinking Gore more than ever, but not a peep from MSM apart from Joe Klein. These guys and gals are so inbred that they just talk to each other and on occasion they venture out to talk to actual people -- but usually during staged events where the crowd is stacked toward whomever is providing the free food.

I was outside of the Constitution Center and was amused by the big cable gurus lined up to get in hours before the event. About the only familiar face talking to real people in the crowd was the Obama Girl and her crew! And the local TV and radio people...

The national press corps needs to separate from the pack attending staged events and talk to some real people... why I advised CC to speak to steakshop owner Joey Vento because, for good or ill, he reflects the views of a sizable segment of the folks who live in Philly. At least he would challenge CC, something Chris isn't going to find at a rally.

But among them all, I find CC's insights more grounded than most... why I'm here...

OK, American Lover:

are you kingofzouk, USMC_Mike, JD, or ProudtobeGOP ? ? ?

Welllllll, by damn, Ralph Nader (the spoiler) has the best opportunity to become President IF the Democrats are stupid enough to nominate Hillary! They have "shot themselves in the foot" for almost 2 decades.

I will not vote for nither McBush nor Hillary. In my youth, I was a great admirer of Nader but somewhere along the way he must have lost his objective (or was the ego SUPER inflated).

Hillary shows her lack of good manners and McBush agrees with her (doddering monkey see---doddering monkey do). Some choice we have people!

A Ozog

oh and, 8th) get an NFL franchise into Baghdad -- and a couple of pro baseball teams, too -- one American and one National.

What we need to do in Iraq is this:

1st, re-instate the draft. Call up about a million men.

2nd, send re-enforcements of about 500,000 as quickly as possible. Do this build-up gradually would allow the enemy to adapt. The deployment has to fast and furious.

3rd, completely throw out the existing Iraqi government, divide the country into manageable provinces and appoint American military men as governors.

4th, do a thorough and complete ethnic cleansing and separate -- once and for all -- the Kurd, the Sunni and the Shi'a.

5th, begin a massive, and I mean massive, migration of civilian Americans into Iraq. Practically, give the land away. The only way this will work is for Americans to outnumber Iraqis.

6th, after Americans are in the majority, declares Christianity the official religion and outlaw Islam. Give them the options that their forefathers gave the peoples they conquered: 1) convert to Christianity, 2) pay an exorbitant tax, or 3) die.

7th, declare Iraq the 51st state on the condition that all Oil Revenues are shared equally with the other 50 states.

Now, THAT is the way to run an Empire.

If we are really focused, and of single-minded purpose, this could all be accomplished within 20 years. And in the grand scheme of things -- historically speaking -- that's nothing.

Can we do it?

YES WE CAN ! ! ! !

"Clinton Invokes '90s"

Remind me again, which parts of the 90s is Hillary responsible for? If I remember correctly, it's "all of the good, none of the bad", right?

You know what I miss most about the 90s? Special prosecutors and congressional investigations. Ahhh... Those were such good times!

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

1. Hillary Clinton believes it is her "turn" to be nominated and then elected president.

2. The Clintons will do ANYTHING to win.

This is not even close to my idea of "a more perfect union."

1st, considerng their histories, is it even possible to turn Iraq and Afghanistan into "peaceful, stable, prosperous democratic states"?

2nd, if it can be done -- how long would THAT take?

3rd, how much would THAT cost us in LIVES (ours and Iraqi civilians) and our money?

Could it be that McCain simply does not know what to do in Iraq, how to get out -- it is very complicated -- and therefore, tells us to 'stay the course', because he cannot see any other way?

This from today's Salon:

"McCain... told the Los Angeles World Affairs Council late last month, success in Iraq -- as well as in Afghanistan -- is the 'establishment of peaceful, stable, prosperous democratic states that pose no threat to neighbors and contribute to the defeat of terrorists'."

and they call Obama the DREAMER ? ! ? !

does Hillary or chris know that Rocky was fictional character in a movie- one that didn't even come with the usual this doesn't represent anybody living or dead

I recently heard that the U.S. outspends the rest of the world combined on defense; is this true?

Anybody know for sure?

oh lets see what I didn't like about the 90's.

didn't get health care for all
lost the congress both house and senate
lost majority of state legislatures
lost majority of governors
Basically got the Republican agenda for most of the 90's- remember contract with America or should I say contract on America what parts didn't get passed
Triangulation
Sex in Oval Office

What if Obama chose Al Gore as hie Veep?

It's the Mayfair Diner, it is in Mayfair, but it is on Frankford Avenue.

There is no such thing as Mayfair Avenue in Philadelphia.

I was at the rally (which was on Frankford not Mayfair Ave), and I think that Chris actually highlighted the worst part of the night for Hillary - it was the only time I remember her directly mentioning Obama and she raised the prospect of 16 years of co-presidency with Bill. Most of the rest of the night was devoted to positive message and Bush-bashing (and who doesn't enjoy a good W-bashing). Plus the Rocky references are a lot more entertaining coming from Ed with his boundless enthusiasm, they did not sound tired in person.

I am still planning on voting for Barack, but I do think the Hillary-bias claims are unfounded (I would like to see CC spend less time talking about stuffing his face, though).

Here's my concern. I think a number of people are supporting Senator Clinton because they feel she will bring back the 90s. This isn't possible or feasible. The matrixes today are completely different then when Bill came into office. Our debt is larger, the world economy is larger, China and India are rapidly becoming the economic drivers in the world. Now add in Iraq, Afghanistan, oil at $110 a barrel the list goes on and on. You can't have completely different ingredients and expect to get the same cake.

Supporting Senator Clinton is fine, just don't do it because you have fond memories of her husband's administration. You will end up being disappointed in the long run.

The good times in the '90s had largely to do with 2 things.

1. The end of the Cold War, which finally led politicians - although unfortunately only for a while - to conclude that we no longer needed to outspend the rest of the world on defense by a factor of at least 300 to 1... thus freeing up money to pay down the deficit, as well as investing in new programs.

2. The explosion of the Internet, and Internet businesses. This was a large part of the unprecedented economic good times.

Neither of these took place between 1992-1994 - the only years in which there was a Democratic Congress. So while he was a fairly good manager and an extremely charismatic politician, it stretches credibility to claim all or even most of the credit for Bill Clinton. And it is IMPOSSIBLE to give ANY credit AT ALL to his wife.

Also - those conservative huntin'n'churchgoin' rural voters? Hillary advised her husband to "Screw 'em" back in 1994, saying sth like - and I'm paraphrasing here - "They've given you nothing and so deserve nothing in return."

I wonder if those rural shot'n'a beer Democrats in PA remember or have even ever heard of that statement.

This from the NY Times today (the paper of record from Clinton's "home state"):

"'What I'm hearing from voters in this state who have been uncommitted or not solidly behind any candidate is that they are increasingly frustrated with the negativism going on, mostly on her side,' said Patricia Waak, the Colorado state party chairwoman. (Mr. Obama won the Colorado primary in a landslide.)

'In general what I heard this morning was just negative, negative, negative,' Ms. Waak said. 'As far as Obama's comment on guns and religion, mostly what I've heard from people in general is, ''it's true.'' '"

One superdelegate, Reggie Whitten of Oklahoma, endorsed Mr. Obama on Tuesday because, he said, he believed the candidate needed a new public vote as the Clinton camp was battering him daily over the bitter remark.

'I don't think all of this divisiveness is helping him, so it was a good time to send a signal of support from a conservative state like Oklahoma that we believe in him,' said Mr. Whitten, a lawyer from a suburb of Oklahoma City.."

It doesn't matter. Bill Clinton could have been the greatest president the nation has ever seen, or the worst, and it wouldn't matter. He's not running for president. His wife is. And unless he's going to have a policy-based role in her administration, or she had such a role in his administration, it doesn't matter whether or not Bill was a good president.

Hillary and her supporters like to talk about how great the 90s were, as if that had anything to do with her campaign. The only official thing she did in her husband's administration was her disastrous attempt at healthcare reform. Other then that, she can't legitimately take credit for anything that happened in her husband's administration. And we really don't need this campaign to be a referendum on Bill Clinton; that's not good for anyone.

William, thank you for doing the work to provide a detailed comparison. Every Clinton supporter should be asked about the facts contained therein.

Well, I lean toward Obama, but I'd say Bill Clinton was an excellent president. The thing is, Hillary is no Bill. In fact, Obama reminds me of some of the best things about Bill Clinton: intelligent, broad understanding of the world, great communicator, whereas Hillary reminds me of Bill's few weaknesses: politically calculating, wonkish (in the bad sense of the word--i.e., using policy-speak as a way to impress people, not to get things done), and a dangerous propensity to draw attacks and flounder in the fight, instead of rising above the fight. She also reminds me a bit of Karl Rove lately, and I don't buy the argument that voters see this as proving her ability to defeat the Republican attack machine. I see it as a potentially self-fulfilling prophecy that a Hillary CLinton administration would begin a 4-year partisan mudslinging contest that wouldn't make our government any more effective or solve any of our problems.

At least with Obama, we have the electable candidate who will probably get at least something done, and help change the tone of our politics. And no, I don't think he's some political savior who will transform American politics, but I do think he's a genuinely honest and committed candidate who has the right ideas and has shown the judgment to get us on the right track.

Who do you predict will win the Pennsylvania Democratic Presidential Primary?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=2127

.

Enough with the CC-bashing. Not every post has to give a broad view of the race. He went to a Clinton rally and this is what happened. That's all this post is about and that's all it needs to be about. Yeesh.

Chris was obviously spoon fed this peice, right after the buffet table in the HRC food line. He reads these posts and reponds in kind, with even mre drivel than the last post he makes. He takes any swipe as a personal attack and decides he will pile more on.

I kind of like the guy most of the time, and I am an independent - but what I think is fair is that he rarely provides any opinions (unless on TV) - the rest of the time he just posts verbatim what the candidates give him without any verification or opinion about it. He leaves that to his readers - but I do not know if he considers himself a reporter or messenger.

Once again running on the basis of her genital structure, Hills says, wink-wink, "if there's one thing WE WOMEN know it's how to clean house."

Barack Obama has a million times too much class and dignity to say: "if there's one thing WE BLACKS know it's how to sweep up a mess." Geez, this election really takes the cake. Between the Clinton dirty-tricks train and the idiotic reporters....

I am never EVER NOT amazed at these post. Reading through these post, I wonder ow many people really understand politics.

How many people REALLY know the records of those who once held office.

How many people REALLY know anything about those running for office.

Most of the post I read are EMOTIONAL responses to weak and poor media coverage.

How many people are TRULY doing the research?

How many people truly have a grasp on politics, past sound bytes?

Unreal....

When the air comes out of the ballon of the Obama campaign, one realizes there was air in there.

the whole time.

Just one more point 2004 Howard Dean attempted to make the Democratic Party the anti-war party.

How did that go?

The party elders ganged up on him, they raised money and went after him. This is ANOTHER reason why the country can not trust the democrats.

The polls shift a bit, and all of a sudden these people are against the war, trying to win elections against the war.

If the polls shift back, they will try to win elections supporting the war. Is this any way to run the NATIONAL SECURITY OF A SUPERPOWER ???

Seriously can you think about that???

I simply can not help wondering whether these people are a bunch of fools or simply a gaggle of slimmy liars.

Ultimately the people vote, the people allow themselves to be fooled, or they get convinced that something else is more important than what is more important.

Chris have you looked at that Frank Thomas stuff? The problem is that Obama appears to be making the leap that an argument tailored for Kansas Republicans applies to Pennsylvanis Democrats who vote in the primary next week.

That is quite a leap.

Doesn't it show that Obama is a bit out of touch with the various regions of the country???

Yea the guy gets alot of applause for going from Harvard Square to the southside of Leroy Brown.

I think Obama's campaign is off track.

His campaign is a campaign - it is not a revival meeting. For some reason, revival meeting works in a gym packed with people and college kids who want to cheer.

However, that's all we see. That and a website.

I want to draw a similarity between these revival meetings in the gyms and the latter years of the Clinton administration

Remember all those rallies the Clintons used to have - knowing that they could not get anything through Congress, they held all these issue rallies which did nothing more than highlight an issue for the evening news - everyone knew they couldn't really do anything at that point.

I see these Obama revival meetings in the gyms - I see a bunch of people talking to themselves - Everyone in the country wonders just how much out of touch they Obama supporters are - the campaign appears to have the attitude "let's go with this" -

Has anyone realized that the campaign theme is losing its steam - that "change" is a little vague - has anyone realized that "change" was Bill Clinton's theme in 1992 ???

How much of change is that if we have the same campaign theme from 16 years ago??

Obama appears to have taken Bill Clinton's campaign theme and Frank Thomas's introduction and WAMMO pack a gym with kids and instant Presidential Campaign.

WAMMO>

Maybe there will be a better act coming.

What is missing is an honest evaluation of the Clinton administration.

I am a bit amazed that the democrats have not gone through this process given that Hillary has been claiming the administration as such a large part of her "experience."

You know what? I'm not going to tell you my opinion and let everyone evaluation the wasted years, the promise gone bad, the betrayals on their own.

Does this country look more like Arkansas now than it did in 1992. Campaign contributions have gone rampant, China and Indonesia - our manufacturing base has disappeared.

Those supposed policy "wonks" who were sooo smart and who came to Washington knowing everything made a MESS of our economic position.

Let the dems evaluate for themselves.

Seriously, they won't - they rather pretend everything was great - an internet boom which was more of a swindle than anything - ignoring the problems in the Middle East - refusing to have proper intelligence in the Middle East.

Seriously, are we going to continue to see a democratic party with such bad judgement - with such a horrible set of policies that a three point move in the overnight polls will convince them to shift their national security policies???

Seriously, Are we supposed to take these people seriously ????

Bill and Hillary Clinton began the presidential primary campaign by trying to characterize Barack Obama's position against the Iraq war as "a fairy tale". But the record clearly shows that on October 2, 2002 at the Federal Plaza in Chicago Barack Obama delivered a powerful speech against the US starting a war in Iraq, while later that same month both Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain voted for the funds requested by President Bush to authorize the beginning of US military action in Iraq.

After being severely criticized for totally misrepresenting Obama's position on the Iraq war, the Clintons instead began accusing Barack Obama of being too young and inexperienced to be president. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have tried to convince voters that because Barack Obama is younger than they are that he therefore must be too young and inexperienced to be president. But the facts of American history suggest otherwise.

Senator Barak Obama will be 47 years old on Aug 4th, Senator John McCain will become 72 years of age August 29th, and Senator Hillary Clinton will achieve age 61 on Oct 26, 2008. Previously America has had both younger and older individuals who have become president and served with great distinction such as Theodore Roosevelt who became president at age 42, John Kennedy who assumed the presidency at age 43, and Ronald Regan who was sworn in as the Commander in Chief on January 20, 1981 at age 69.

Before Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office in 1860 to become our 16th president he had previously served 8 years as an Illinois state legislator and 4 years in the U.S. Congress, which happens to be precisely Senator Barack Obama's experience. Bill Clinton became president at age 46 after having served 12 years as the governor of Arkansas, but without having had any prior experience whatsoever in Washington or as a state legislator.

How do Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton actually compare in terms of their individual experience?

Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School Magna Cum Laude in 1991 and served as the President of the Harvard Law Review. Given those credentials he could have joined any number of prestigious law firms but instead felt compelled to give back to his local community, so he returned to his home in Chicago to direct a voter registration drive and work as an attorney representing community organizers working on voting rights and civil rights cases. In 1993 he became a lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School and in 1996 was elected to the Illinois State Senate where he served 8 years prior to his landslide election to the US Senate in November 2004. With his combined service as an Illinois State Senator and US Senator, Barack Obama is currently serving his 12th year as an elected legislator accountable to voters.

Hillary Clinton graduated from Yale law school in 1973 and subsequently worked as a lawyer at the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Arkansas and has been a very active spouse, first as the wife of the governor of Arkansas and then as the First lady of the United States. Despite her claim of "35 years of experience", she actually first became an elected official as a Senator from her adopted state of New York in 2000, and she is currently serving her 8th year as an elected legislator accountable to voters.

Barack Obama's opponents are trying to convince voters that Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. anger and bitterness and sometimes over the top 1960's type radical incendiary rhetoric that Barack Obama has repeatedly denounced and rejected actually somehow represents the feelings of Barack Obama himself rather than those of Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. Furthermore Barack Obama's opponents are trying to convince voters that he is somehow unfit to become commander in chief of our military forces.
But these attempts at trying to denigrate Senator Barack Obama are not working because more people have been reading the 2 books which he has written which reveal his character and clearly and unmistakably show his deep love and respect for America. Furthermore on March 12, 2008 10 distinguished retired Generals and Admirals of the United States Army, Air Force and Navy unconditionally endorsed Barack Obama to become the President of the United States of America and the Commander in Chief of all United States Military Forces.

When Barack Obama decided to run for president, unlike Hillary Clinton and John McCain, he made the significant decision that he would not accept campaign contributions from lobbyists, special interests, and political action committees for his presidential campaign. It was Barack Obama's judgment that it would be preferable if the next President of the United States was elected without being beholden to money peddlers in Washington.

Suppose Barack Obama becomes the Democratic nominee for president at the Democratic National Convention in August, and suppose in the November general election the majority of Americans decide to vote for Barack Obama, the presidential candidate who among many other things has refused to accept campaign contributions from special interests, political action committees, and lobbyists but has financed his campaign solely from the contributions of people to whom he is accountable.

Furthermore, suppose this idea of raising money for political campaigns directly from the voters to whom the candidate is accountable sits so well with the American people that they come to expect that future presidential candidates as well as candidates for other offices such for the US Senate and House of Representatives will do as Barack Obama has done. What if candidates who continue to accept campaign contributions from special interests, political action committees, and lobbyists find it increasingly difficult to get elected? Would that help or hurt democracy in America?

That's the kind of change that Barack Obama represents which concerns so many in Washington who don't seem very eager for the American people to reclaim their democracy from the influence of special interests, political action committees, and lobbyists, the Washington money peddlers who currently arrange to provide huge amounts of financial support to political candidates whom they believe have a good chance of winning, and whom they can then "work with" later on.
This election is not about whether you happen to be a woman or a man, or whether your father was a black man or a white man, an Asian or a Hispanic. This election is about the future of our country.

We are at a historic moment in America. Barack Obama is a very special candidate for president who can bring about significant changes in Washington and help ordinary Americans begin reclaiming their democracy.
Both the Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, and Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey Jr. know this and have recently endorsed Senator Barack Obama, recognizing Obama's integrity, intelligence, and the strong leadership he can provide as president.

It is time for voters in Pennsylvania and in all of the other states soon to vote in presidential primary elections to stand up and be counted. It's time for ordinary Americans to begin the process of reclaiming American democracy by voting for Barack Obama.

While many Americans did well economically during the 1990's, with President Clinton playing a minimal role, other Americans did not do well, with their purchasing power declining during the decade. Bill Clinton never achieved some of his key campaign promises in 1992. He promised a tax cut for the middle class, but abandoned this idea, after being elected, but before taking office.

He promised to seek significant increase spending for various federal programs, such as education and job training. Another broken promise, there were only minor increases to keep federal spending in check. Clinton's progressive advisers were very disappointed in him.

One of the biggest promises of both Clintons was health care reform. However, the initiative by the Clintons was so mishandled, Congress, despite overwhelming Democratic majorities, never voted on their plan.

Larry Kudrow and his conservative Wall Street guests often praise the Clinton presidency as being good for businesses, entrepreneurs and wealthy investors, such as themselves. This and the facts written above, should give an idea of how "progressive" was the Clinton presidency.

Obama and the Country of Doom

Obama spells doom for this country. Not only because of his dubious affiliations with mob members like Rezko and criminals like Auchi, but because of his lack of experience and bias education especially his bizarre religious affiliations. He is like silly putty; able to change his ideas for the public as needed so as to achieve his goal as supreme leader.

His intentions are unclear, but his affiliations are clear. Being surrounded with people like the violent Ayers, or the Hiteresque Wright, or his American hating wife Michelle, or his Kenyan half brother Islamic Jihad terrorist Abongo "Roy" Obama, or his Jewish/Israeli hating best friend Rashid Khalidi, or his close advisor Robert Malley who advocates supporting and helping the terrorist group Hamas, or Mr. McPeaks, Obama's military advisor who open believes American Jews are the "problem." and "Christian Zionists were driving America's policy in Iraq to benefit Israel," or Obama's super delegate and major long term supporter Senator Meeks who openly hates and distrust all whites and gays or Obama's most dangerous affiliation to Mr. Auchi who was Saddam Hussein right hand man and made billions in Iraq and has been a important supporter and behind the scene man throughout Obama's rise to power.

And besides all this questionable laundry in Obama's life, another serious question is why is Obama protected and promoted by the media? Is this also being directed from behind the scenes? The American public has been fooled before and I guess those in power know we can be fooled again. (Kennedy's assassination, Martin Luther King's assassination, the invasion of Iraq...).

The fact that Obama has made it this far demonstrates the collective lack of discriminative intelligence and education of this country. And nothing demonstrates this better than how well Obama plays his black card; which plays on our fear of being labeled a racist.

gbooksdc said:

"I gave up on evenhanded reporting from CC a long time ago. About the time he quoted some wire reporter on Obama being aloof or arrogant, and followed it up with the pushy photo seeker."

Yes, that was one of his "Wag the Blog" posts. There hasn't been a "Wag the Blog - Redux" on that one though. I'd imagine because the comments were overwhelmingly against his trying to make an issue out of what was clearly nothing.

Cillizza is all about the horse race, and he'll do everything he can to keep that aspect of it going for as long as he can. He's a great example of the old adage about when the only tool you have is a hammer, all you see are nails.

C'Mon Chris - "Wag the Blog Redux" on "pushy photo-seeker gate"!!!

in 92, i liked paul tsongas.he appeared decent and honest.in retrospect,electing him would have been a huge mistake.bill clinton turned out to be the most brilliant president in recent memory. reagan could have only envied bill for balancing the budget and generating a surplus.the difference between the two men was bill's intellectual superiority and talent. he relied on his intellect,knowledge, intuition and great charisma.reagan was a good communicator but entirely about ideology otherwise which was a serious limitation. over time my admiration and respect for bill clinton grew.the last seven years make bill stand out all the more.

hillary has the best combination of talent and experience among the three candidates. she is smart,pragmatic.has a strong command over policies and how they can help people, and is keenly aware of voter sensitivities-whether it is the economy,education,iraq,jobs,or global warming.she is the most likely of the three to get the country out of the current mess. mccain is by far the worst of the three

BO has once again shown that he is an arrogant big baby
He sure likes tot alk down Bill C
I often wonder how he would handle a one on one with Bill?
For any democrat to bash a former dem president the way he has is a blatent hint to all that he really does think he is the greatest thing alive
HE brushes his shoulders off as if to say Hillary is dirt calls her Annie Oakley-who does he think he is -Sheriff Bart from Blazing Saddles?
He is not funny in the least
What an impressive way for a person to run for president
He is about as impressive as his wife MO is
Any one who doesnt think he is the messiah is considered unworthy to him
Mo carries on about her struggles in life-Ya right
The democratic party brought this train wreck on themselves now they are stuck with him
So he gets the nod (hope not)
Then we have to listen to him and his followers blame Hillary for his loss in Nov
of course BO&MO will just go hang out with Wright in his mansion in a neighborhood that 93% rich white people
If HC or anybody else used the brush the shoulder crap on him they would be called racists

I am still p_ssed about your shoddy blogging of the debate! You might have commented about what a total farce ABC made of the whole affair.

I started reading your blog a year or so ago but you have gone steadily downhill. How about some real insight and reporting for a change? You are really starting to sound like part of the Clinton team.

This is what turns me off about Obama. While his rhetoric is high minded and talks about a new way of politics, many of his supporters bash, malign, and vilify both Hillary and Bill Clinton. His supporters equate the Clinton years as being no different than the bush years (Bush,Clinton, Bush..) Really? Yeah I guess we were Trillions of dollars in debt after the Clinton years..No? Oh.. I guess we stayed in a war of little moral value for 6 years and spend all our money on bombs instead of education...No? Oh.. I guess the fact that he began to make the government more accepting of people of colors, of gays and lesbians, and went farther than anyone president has before does not count and is equal to Bushes defense of Marriage act...No? I guess we should not be thankful than because of Bill Clinton the supreme court has not taken away all of our rights and the court appointments made by Bill Clinton are EQUAL in political ideology to those made by the Bushes?...NO?

I am so mad at the sliming of Bill and Hillary Clinton by Obama supporters that I am even thinking of not voting for Obama in the fall...AND I AM A BLACK MAN!!!

Remember.. Obama got in trouble for his "bitter" and xenophobia remarks while trying to BASH and EQUATE the Clinton years to the Bush years (never mind the facts on jobs, income, budget surplus, etc).

I agree with you Scrivener! Obama step aside and let Al Gore run...PLEASE!! You won't make it thru-but still should be VP b/c you have run an amazing campaign

the economic times are like 92,when bill clinton ran.
back then i liked paul tsongas. he appeared the most decent and honest of the candidates.bill clinton looked scrappy/ i was disappointed tsongas lost.i was skeptical about bill and his promises for change.but as time passed bill produced excellent results and his policies brought the economy out of a recession. he accomplished something reagan and george h w bush and the republican conservatives could only dream of-he balanced the budget and generated surpluses.
the difference between him and the conservatives was bill's talent and brilliance.i have respected and admired bill clinton since.
the future of the country is what matters-not speeches,debates and nitpicking.

hillary is far ahead of the other two candidates. shes the likeliest of the three candidates to lead the country to a bright future with her solid and pragmatic education,health,economic and security policies.

Hey Chris, fair enough you hit the trail and follow HRC for a few days... but are you going to do the same for Obama?

At the moment it seems like you are just repeating her talking points... which is fine, as long as you give the other side a fair shake.

"I keep wondering which part he didn't like - the blow jobs or the creative use of cigars... because Bill liked both of them."

Clinton's lines about the '90s are the same ones she used to brandish against Republicans.
Chris has always been in the bag for Clinton, and I can't really figure out why. For some reason he seems to be fascinated by her and most of his coverage of this race has been framed around her successes or failures (Clinton lose rather than Obama wins). While it's absolutely true that Obama has not yet unequivocally "put Clinton away", he has not had the normal assist from the press that other candidates get when they establish a nearly insurmountable delegate lead. Heck, the media pushed Dean and Edwards out while Kerry was still BEHIND in overall delegates.

I'm getting a bit sick of Rocky references.

I mean I'm as fond as anyone of stories where the strong-hearted white person triumphs over the heavily favored black person, but lets switch up stories every once in a while.

I know, maybe Evan Bayh can start using Hoosiers metaphors.

I gave up on evenhanded reporting from CC a long time ago. About the time he quoted some wire reporter on Obama being aloof or arrogant, and followed it up with the pushy photo seeker.

The Post will no doubt win more Pulitzers. You, CC, will not, ever.

I gave up on evenhanded reporting from CC a long time ago. About the time he quoted some wire reporter on Obama being aloof or arrogant, and followed it up with the pushy photo seeker.

The Post will no doubt win more Pulitzers. You, CC, will not, ever.

There was also peace and prosperity during the Harding and Coolidge administrations, does this mean they were good presidents? Harding, like Clinton, was involved in major scandals, which will forever tarnish their legacies.

Many Americans in 2000 voted for George W Bush partly to restore decency to the White House, which he promised. Bush is not the incumbent, despite her rhetoric, and John McCain, has far more integrity than Senator Clinton.

Good post, Chris. You summed up all of our talking points quite deftly. When you're done stuffing your face like a pig, report to HQ for some more marching orders.

DEFENDING THE DREAM... THE PUNDIT HAS NO CLOTHES

I just watched Howard Fineman tell me that if Obama isn't hurt in the PA primary his recent faux pas and past associations, then the Republicans may have to "rethink" their go-for-the-juglar playbook.

What?? That analysis assumes that the outcome of a Dem primary can be equated to the probable outcome of a general election.

It's true that Charlie and George turned in a shameful performance. But it's also true that their emphasis on "petty" culture-war issues previews the GOP fall strategy -- and the debate showed that Obama simply can't hold up against these kind of below-the-belt attacks.

OBAMA SHRUGS IT OFF, BUT THE MUD HAS STUCK

Now we watch as Obama smugly (his detractors might say arrogantly) brushes off his shoulders with a sly smile. Sorry, Barack, but not so fast. It's not going to be a cakewalk, as you once said. Barack came unprepared to stave off questions for which he should have been prepared... this, months after these controversies arose. He's lucky the Rezco connection got lost in the fusillade of flag pins and Weather Underground bomb tossers.

OBAMA'S ONLY OPTION: ALLY WITH THE MAN WHO ONCE WAS THE NEXT PRESIDENT...

Twenty-four hours later, I am more convinced than ever that Obama has only one card to play: He must throw his delegates to Gore and hope that his lack of preparedness for the coming GOP blitzkreig does not disqualify him for the VP slot. (Last night I thought it was his for the asking; tonight, not so sure.)

DON'T BLAME THE MESSENGER...

Listening to those who have bought the dream try to excuse Obama's sorry turn by blaming ABC is an exercise in naive self-delusion.

HILLARY GOES IMPERIAL; THE SUPERS AREN'T IMPRESSED.

As for Hillary, her seemingly unconditional willingness to join in any war involving Iran only further alienates her from the prevailing Dem position on the Mideast. John McCain's running mate? After the Dems pass on Hillary, she'll have nowhere to go except back to the Senate (if she can get re-nominated).

THE UPSHOT... THE THIRD WAY.

So the Dems are left with Al Gore. But the value of Obama's political stock is in danger of further erosion (the polls, in this case, are a lagging indicator because they reflect the opinions of Dems alone. I'd like a poll to tell me just how many "Obamicans" are left in the wake of Barack's recent travails.

THE WINDOW IS CLOSING...

Obama better made the announcement that he's tossing a lateral to Gore shortly after PA and will continue to campaign on his behalf in a bid for the VP slot. It won't matter what happens in North Carolina, where he's a shoo-in, or anywhere else.

WHERE'S OBAMA'S PROTECTION?

Obama has no slime shield -- and Hillary's performance has only reinforced her reputation as a polarizer and alienator (calling both Kerry and Gore "elitists" didn't help her with the supers).

DO THE RIGHT THING TIME

Now it's up to Obama to salvage his political viability by invoking the Gore option, soon. If he doesn't, the party will take unilateral action. And it won't be Hillary.

WHAT HILLARY REALLY MEANT BY "YES YES YES"

Did you think Hillary was backing Obama when she said she would work hard to elect ONE OF US this fall? What she was really talking about was thwarting an Obama pivot to Gore -- which would leave her the biggest loser.

Maybe that's why she's talking sweet about McCain -- not because she wants to be his VP, but because she would rather see Obama get the nomination and then lose, rather than have Gore be anointed by Obama and give the Dems who will reject her a winner.

90's had American manufacturing Industries. Now reality is different.

Is this supposed to be a joke about Hillary borrowing Obama's lines?
___________________________________________
Hillary is fired up and ready to go.
Posted by: Jim Boyd | April 17, 2008 10:16 PM
___________________________________________

What about Somalia: that episode truly exemplified Bill's credentials that he was read to lead from "day one."

FYI, It's the "MAYFAIR" Diner. Named so because it's in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia on Mayfair Ave.

The 90s? Let's see. Clinton campaigned promising to change policy with the Haitian boat people. He entered office and immediately renewed Bush, Sr.'s policy of sending them packing. He entered office on a promise to integrate gays into the military, and instead established a nonsensical "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Clinton entered office promising to pass health care reform. Never happened. He also got us into an ugly fight in Somalia. I don't think anybody can really explain why we were there, or what we ultimately accomplished. Clinton also continued a campaign of strategic bombing in the no-fly zone in Iraq, and we're now fighting the terrorists who were upset at that campaign. He never did really solve the problem with Israel and Palestine either, despite getting some good photo ops and claiming that the peace process worked.

What else? Oh, yeah. A president was impeached for the first time since Reconstruction. That wasn't pretty. And politics polarized and partisanized to the point that Washington is still a mess. Despite having a vice president who strongly believed in environmental issues, the serious steps pushing through the Kyoto Protocol and dealing with the biggest environmental concerns stalled. Meanwhile, Clinton gave most-favored-nation trading status to the Chinese and paved their entry into the WTO. Whoosh went American jobs to China. Yeah, our economy got a boost due to lower prices...or Walmart got a boost. It's not really clear which. We also rode a Greenspan-Clinton dotcom bubble through the end of the decade, only to see it start to burst just as Clinton was leaving office. And corporate regulation was so lax during those years that Worldcom and Enron were able to cook their books throughout the late '90s, only to collapse soon into the next decade.

If the '90s were anything, they were a long denial of responsibility, and we're still paying the price of the '90s. Do I want to live through the '90s again? Grunge music was pretty cool, I suppose, and things seemed good at the time, but I don't think people realized just how much we'd be paying for the '90s during this decade.

Hillary is fired up and ready to go. I think it was on 4/15/08 - 100 Mayors from across PA endorsed Hillary. Hillary has been endorsed by 34 Retired Admirals and Generals (including 2 former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff).

How many Retired Admirals and Generals are currently endorsing Obama?

For any objective Obama supporter, learn why he is unelectable at:
http://www.AudacityofHypocrisy.com/

That web site "could have" (but, does not have) another URL:
http://www.TheWebSiteBarackObamaDoesNotWantVotersToRead.com/

I'm a daily reader of the Fix. But, hey, com'n, running line for line the Clinton talking point of the day and just throwing in some facts about Obama - that's not professional reporting, let alone good reporting. That's being a mouth piece for a campaign. Isn't that one of the ways that we were lead to a war based on lies - you have a duty to affirmatively analyze, make determinations and seek the truth - we love ya, but show us some love back by digging a bit deeper than Wolfson's BS.

Which part of the '90s, senator? How about the part where your husband was forced to pay a large settlement to a woman accusing him of sexual harassment, after he was caught lying under oath in federal court? Or the part where your brother took payments from criminals whom your husband pardoned? How about the part where you botched health care reform by having secret meetings and insisting it would be your plan or no plan at all? Or the part where your husband promised full equality to gay and lesbian people, and then endorsed and signed laws making them second-class citizens?

I know you're in Philly, Chris, but didn't Barack Obama speak today too? Wasn't there also a conference call for his campaign? How about endorsements...I heard three more superdelegates, including a former Clinton supporter...true?

I'm going to start keeping a running count of your posts--Clinton talking points vs. Obama talking points. As of today, it's 3-0.

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