Senator Clinton is having $$$ problems?! Maybe she should ask Ron Paul for a loan. How much money does President Clinton make per speech? Get some money from him, too. I’d say he owes her BIG TIME!

All this spinning FROM BOTH OF THEM is making me dizzy. Do we have more of this to look forward to until a nominee FINALLY gets decided?!

I wonder why the Clintons have so much pull with Hispanic voters?

I really REALLY don’t want the Demo nominee to be decided by Super Duper Tsunami delegates. And, son of a *&^%$#@...these two WILL NOT BE A TICKET!!

I listened to “the comedian” today; he sounds like he’s losing it; well, he’s losing it more than usual! People who don’t like the Iraq war are voting for Senator McCain?! He wants us to be there for 100 years if necessary!

OK, not to toot my own horn, but I RULE! E.J. Dionne said what I’ve been saying for months and months and months; the GOP WILL UNITE IF SENATOR CLINTON IS THE NOMINEE!!

As screwy as the weather has been here in “Tornado Alley,” I’m surprised there haven’t been more of them. Around here, the last couple of days, it’s been almost 60 degrees; today, the temp didn’t get to 40; by this weekend, the high will be in the teens. Those pictures are all too familiar, and thoughts of strength and compassion go to all the victims.

# 5 -- We won one state, two states, red states, blue states.  Can we eat green eggs and ham?  Yes we can, Senator Obama I am.

# 4 -- Hey Countdown -- Why would a three-month pre-convention fight be a nightmare?  Sounds like “Never Never Land” to me.  Democracy in action for all of us, and a couple of extra dollars in advertising revenue for you.

Bushed!  Can’t the Bush administration find any better liars than this?  Well sure, but they’ve already got jobs -- president and vice president, secretary of state ….

Oddball -- Paul Harvey sounds like Dana Perino?  Who knew?

#3 -- If Obama runs against McCain, would conservatives vote for Obama, or would they just stay home?  Either way, it’s a disaster from their perspective; therefore, it’s a hollow threat.  Democrats might do it -- which scares me -- but not republicans.  Not Limbaugh and not Coulter, for sure.  THEY know self-interest.

WPitW -- Billo as Bilbo?  Please don’t make me send the Witch King over there.  Add Tony Fratto to that list of liars up above.  He must be a liar because he still has a job at the White House.

#1 -- What more is there to say?  A tragedy, for sure.  Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible storm.  Godspeed to all.

goodnight gracie

Tonight was it; you have finally made me leave Countdown too.  I had already left Hardball and changed news networks, but always considered Keith fair and balanced, no more.  Keith, how much is the Obama campaign paying you to carry their water? A loyal viewer gone.

Keith, you are SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Obama that you make FOsX news seem moderate.  I used to love yeah..but...no more.  MSNBC doesn't report the facts!  Jesus, I look in this afernoon and Obama was ahead in detorial votes...do you think we all are stupid?  I am switching to CNN.  This is total BS.

Low on funds, eh?  Well, here's another newsfash: The People, not the Clinton party machinery, will decide which of the two Democratic candidates is worthy to be our next standard-bearer!  Obama's is a grassroots effort.  The People are tired of the old ways of party politics, and young people especially are now also hard at work as never before--inspiring this retired teacher.  I was so proud of them last night at my caucus here in Colorado.  Super delegates are going to have to listen to and follow the will of the People sooner than later!

The end results of last night's Super Tuesday show many of us--especially here in Colorado--that Barack Obama can win the Democratic Party's nomination and the general election in November.  What he must do NOW is continue to speak out to the nation, like none of the other candidates can.   Specifically, speak out on these issues that contrast with Hillary Clinton: the Iraq war, the status quo rut of party establishment vs. the People’s Obama Movement for Real Change, the character issue, Hillary's mandated health care vs. Obama's lowering of health care costs, poverty in the U.S. and the travesty of the New Orleans area debacle, and the past vs. the future.  Talk to the People, Barack!

P.S.  This morning’s Obama press conference was presidential and a good start indeed.

Looks like Senate republicans are holding up President Bush’s economic stimulus package --

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080207/ap_on_re_us/economy_stimulus

“The fate of $600-$1,200 rebate checks for more than 100 million Americans is in limbo after Senate Republicans blocked a bid by Democrats to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and businesses to the House-passed economic aid package.”

Billions and billions for war but not one extra penny for disabled veterans.  Why am I not surprised?

So far those I have talked to say that they hope Hillary does not become the Democratic Candidate. If she does they say they will vote Republican. Anyone else heard this from those they know or maybe have the same opnion?

Two things:
1.  How can anyone report on Hillary's money shortage without even mentioning McCain's problems before he became the big leader?
2.  It's double dipping to report that Obama leads with youth and white males--actually the same with blacks.  If the youth vote is reported, the others need to tell us of the non-youth white males, females, etc.
Countdown has always been my favorite, but I'm a bit disappointed with MSNBC Campaign for Obama.

When Dana Milbank was talking about Hillary Clinton's finances, he used the phrase, "It'll take more than a bake-sale," etc. Is there no man alive who can talk about her without making a sexist comment? It's the twenty-first century, morons, time to evolve!

J. Alter just can't bring himself to say anything nice about Hillary.  That man is a joke and his premise trying to sort the American electorate into these pretend groups is ridiculous.  I am a better than average educated person who cares about the environment, health care even though I have insurance myself, don't own any stock but care about the stock market, can't stand the mad dog press fluff, they have been 100% wrong.  I don't think Hillary was ever 30 points ahead, ever.  I don't believe that Obama had a 10 point advantage going into the super Tues election, and the voters pretty much showed the pundits where they could take their hype.  Of course, there are those that are influenced by the glamor and glitz but finally we must actually vote for someone who can do the job.  Obama has done nothing that impresses me.  I cannot in good conscience vote for him, and apparently I'm not alone, even though from the coverage I thought I might be.   Noticed that there was another "late breaking vote" for Hillary.  I wonder if it has anything to do with a back lash against this stupid coverage.  Can't stand Obama just because of all this fawning of the press.  I remember the great to have a beer with Bush, and I won't get fooled again.  Of course, I didn't make the tragic mistake of voting for
Bush but the press just loved him even though Gore was by far the better candidate.  Stupid press. I think the people who seem to work as pundits just can't get a job doing anything else. To hear the press tell it Obama won with the white vote.  But the stats really don't say that.  Some people will believe anything.  Obama didn't get a majority of the white vote either, and he never will.  Sorry press buddies, I know you think you are really helping Obama but this stinks.  Hillary is so much more qualified for the job there is no comparison.  Obama has to be propped up because there is no there there.  Its obvious the blacks are voting for him because he is black, there is actually no other reason.  Great speaker but what else has he got?  Just a tired bunch of republican talking points against Hillary.  She doesn't have to stoop to his level either, even in the face of this unfair coverage, she can still keep up.  Money isn't everything, ask Romney.  Hillary's voters don't have the money to freely give to her campaign because we actually have to pay for the high price of everything.  Obama is just another trick of the light.

I just have a question that just seems obvious: Why do GOP Leaders worry about what they want when the people appear to want a different GOP, a McCain GOP?

#5 Hillary's low on funds, eh?  Well, here's another newsfash: The People, not the Clinton party machinery, will decide which of the two Democratic candidates is worthy to be our next standard-bearer!  Obama's is a grassroots effort.  The People are tired of the old ways of party politics, and young people especially are now also hard at work as never before--inspiring this retired teacher.  I was so proud of them last night at my caucus here in Colorado.  Super delegates are going to have to listen to and follow the will of the People sooner than later!

The end results of last night's Super Tuesday show many of us--especially here in Colorado--that Barack Obama can win the Democratic Party's nomination and the general election in November.  What he must do NOW is continue to speak out to the nation, like none of the other candidates can.   Specifically, speak out on these issues that contrast with Hillary Clinton: the Iraq war, the status quo rut of party establishment vs. the People’s Obama Movement for Real Change, the character issue, Hillary's mandated health care vs. Obama's lowering of health care costs, poverty in the U.S. and the travesty of the New Orleans area debacle, and the past vs. the future.  Talk to the People, Barack!

P.S.  This morning’s Obama press conference was presidential and a good start indeed.

Why hasn't Ron Paul gotten any press time? Didn't I see he had some wins in Super Super Tuesday?

Keith,

I couldn't believe your piece with Todd this evening, claiming that the Clinton campaign is doing a great job at dampening expectations.  The media, and MSNBC in particular, was once again crowning Obama and "reporting" that the polls were showing that he was going to carry CA.  When in fact Clinton carries CA, instead of giving her credit for the win you try to explain it away as a game of expectations.  

Now I hear Tod saying that whoever wins Ohio and Texas would have momentum.  But before Super Tuesday, you said that whoever carried CA would have bragging rights. Look at the tape from Super Tuesday. When you reported Hillary's win in CA, it looked as if you and Chris would cry.  

I had been one of your most faithful watchers but your reporting during this campaign is so pro-Obama and anti-Clinton that I have actually turned to Fox-News to get more balanced reporting.  This is not a joke.  It's a pitiful statement about your bias.  And I'm no closet Republican.  I have voted Dem in every national, state and local election since 1969.

Hello world. I don't have a lot to say too often so I'll be brief... Question for the past few years I've been hearing that people all over the world hate Hillary R. Clinton, Why? Liberals and Lesbians feel that she isn't left enough for their taste and call her a conservative. Christ wielding Christians and Conservatives feel that she'll make everyone poor and gay so they call her the most liberal soul in all creation. I am a black man living in Louisiana and like a good deal of people in this bracket plan to make her our choice for our Dem. representative. I feel that she is one of the few people who are taking a realistic look at the job ahead and have a realistic view of the work that is ahead.

Can someone please advise MSNBC that the state of Mississippi is actually part of the US?  Our area was greatly damaged in Hurricane Katrina, and yes GW Bush refers to us as the "Coastline of New Orleans" but we really truly are an actual state.

We have NOT held our primaries yet and will not until March 11th.  We may only have 6 delegates but those 6 may really count for the Dems right now!

Thank you!

The Obama campaign per its website blog, has the total raised at 6.2 million as of this post.

Also thought the Countdown team would appreciate this dug up quote from Hillary's Homer Simpson.
"We are very frustrated because we have a Supreme Court that seems determined to say that the wealthier have more right to free speech than the rest of us. For example, they say you couldn’t stop me from spending all the money I’ve saved over the last five years on Hillary's campaign if I wanted to, even though it would clearly violate the spirit of campaign finance reform," - Bill Clinton, December 24, 2007
D'oh! That's got to be just a wee bit awkward!
The Obama campaign is being defined and expotentially expanded by the people flocking to it with not just their votes, but their money. The peoples' money.

You always complain about Billo spinning and not being fair and balanced, which I agree. However, it appears that you, Chris and Tim are more and more spinning Obama. Make sure you report all the positive looking Obama stores and negative Clinton.

AP Confirms Secret Camp Inside Gitmo

http://my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20080206/47aa9050_3ca6_15526200802071559791160

SO CLINTON "LOANED" HER CAMPAIGN 5 MILLION DOLLARS; DOES THAT MEAN SHE WILL TAKE IT BACK IF/WHEN SHE GETS THAT MUCH IN DONATIONS?

WHAT HAS DEVELOPED IN THE CASE OF McCAIN TRANSFERING HIS VOTES TO HUCKABEE IN VIRGINIA(WEST VIRGINIA?).  I THINK THAT IS PRETTY LOW AND SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED.

Samantha in San Diego:  WHAT exactly is YOUR problem?  If you haven't noticed on this blog, the majority of people will vote Democrat.  The MAJORITY of the people on here have disagreements, however, they do it in a mature, cordial manner.  Also, you apparently haven't noticed that MOST of us are on the same side, and would really like to see a change in the Oval Office-someone that will take us out of the misery that our country is in-whether you like it or not, Senator Obama may just be that person.

You are getting way too angry for all of the wrong reasons.  Chill.  Take a ride up, over, down (whichever direction you live), to Mission Beach-drive around the Bay-whatever, just relax and lay off the insults.  Nobody here insulted you, and you come on and imply that CA is a dummy-I can assure you that he is not.

Hang around for a while and you might learn a thing or two. Hell, I didn't even call anybody a name until they called me a 'supporter of terrorists.'

#5

Keith corrected on his show last night that the 3 million figure raised by the Obama campaign yesterday (noted above) was really 4 million.

I have two questions for the bloggers here. Somewhat similar to a question posed to two women years ago by King Solomon. Let me know what you guys think.

First: If this race gets to the convention with no clear winner and to avoid fracturing the Dem party,  who do you think between Hillary and Obama would be the most likely, the more willing, to agree to take the VP slot in order to save the party and to go into the general election united against the Republicans?

Second: Based on your answers and based on whoever receives the most nods to the question above, Hillary or Obama, don't you think it should then be that person who should receive the nomination for President?  

The caucus I attended in MN was unfair,  you had to park a mile away. Then the place was packed, no one was watching people could have voted many times.  No systemn of accountability.  No seniors or handicapped could attend. No wonder Obama does well with the caucuses.

Keith - I have always heard, 'lie down with dogs, get up with fleas.' Is this what you are doing when you talk so harshly about Hillary. When did you start hating her so, is it when you started hanging with Chris Matthews. It is not you, I hope. Until you get away from these evil men, Joe, Chris, Chuck, ETC - I will not watch you. I know you do not care, but I am disappointed.

Let's talk Hillary:

If elected, Hillary and Bill will be a co-presidency, same as last time. We all know that Bill is her biggest problem, needs to be reeled in now and then when he can't control his tongue. Also,
Rupert Murdock will soon be unveiling a list of
William Jefferson Clinton's past playmates so Hillary will have more on her mind than the presidency. Add in her gigantic tax hikes, entitlement policies and an overwhelming healthcare
package. Too many freebees here that will hinder the American taxpayer. Hillary has been fairly or unfairly criticized for
shedding a tear now and then and while she has ridiculed Bush's decision to go to war, she was in favor of such a decision in
light of the information given at the time. She was "slammed" by the media for wanting to fund a Woodstock Museum. She leans moderate to conservative on some issues. She will be slow to pull troops from Iraq. She also has "loaned" her campaign 5 million of her own money and is currently not paying her advisors. Not a good sign.

Bad blood between John McCain and Mitt Romney.
Bad blood between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Bad blood between Democrats and liberals.
Bad blood between Republicans and conservatives.
Bad blood between Democrats and Republicans.
Bad blood between liberals and conservatives.

The obvious fitting song: "Bad Blood" (Sedaka)

CA, so sorry to hear about the devastation yesterday. I kept looking at the maps to see if your city was hit. Glad you're okay.

#1.Nothing funny here. #2. Or here. #3. That's OK. Limbaugh is actually Shirley Temple. #4. Maybe we should move the Capitol to Pitcairn Island, huh? #5. If all it cost to run for President was five bucks, everybody would do it.

Good morning/afternoon, all.

A couple of points to address:  First, congratulations to Countdown for its professional, detached yet compassionate reportage of the terrible tragedies that struck our Southern brothers and sisters.  It's nice to see that straight forward news, unadorned by hype can still be seen on MSNBC.

My late afternoon post of yesterday, which was unexceptional to content went missing, while the trollish commentary of "Erasmus" was displayed.  I'm not one to use hyperbole in a public forum, but really.  The moderators on this blog need to get their $hit together.  I merely stated that a McCain/Huckabee ticket was something to be greatly feared - and it could happen if Sen. McCain's handlers feel they need Gov. Huckabee to herd the deeply conservative sheep into the fold.  Sen. McCain, while appearing hale and hearty is a trifle long in the tooth for the most demanding job in the world.  I, for one would not like to see the power to appoint up to three justices to the Supreme Court in the hands of a man who believes the world was created 6,000 years ago.

I realize this may sound utterly cynical. . . but does anybody else doubt that Sen. Clinton's staffers are going without pay?  Or that she has given her campaign a personal loan of some $5 million?  In these times where perception is ALL of politics, wouldn't leaking this story return her to the coveted status of "underdog" and thus bring forth dewy-eyed supporters willing to break into their piggy banks so she can continue the battle against the evil Obama Machine?

Not that there's anything wrong with the tactic - all's fair, after all!

5 - Did I hear Jonathan Alter mention Sam Nunn as a running mate for Obama? Ick. He's almost as offensive as Lieberman.

1 - I was at the U of Alabama about ten years ago when we had one in late January. That was when I learned that, if you are scared to death, your teeth really will chatter. That's not just some made-up Scooby-Doo thing. And, yes, a tornado does really sound like a freight train. Let's hope that this is more than a photo-op for W.

The Ted Kennedy Factor - it is more subtle than people realize:

# 1: Barack Obama was NOT going to win Massachusetts. Everybody knew that. There was no ground campaign for him here. He DIDN'T campaign here, other than an election eve rally. It was ALWAYS about trying to get some delegates. Boston Mayor Menino "owed" the Clintons. Terry McAuliffe was the DNC Chairman back in 2004. Despite not being ready for it and against opposition here, McAuliffe gave in to Mayor Menino and Boston had the Convention here. Hence, the large support for the Clintons.

Barack Obama was behind Clinton I think by about 20-25 points in MA just 2 months ago. In the end, he did very well here delegates wise, thanks in large part to Ted Kennedy.

# 2: Barack Obama was NOT going to win California. He won I believe in California with people who voted for him on Tuesday. The absentee ballots went to Clinton, which was before Obama became a viable candidate.

# 3: Ted Kennedy shut Bill Clinton up which allowed Barack Obama to stay on message. Ted Kennedy opened the door to Barack being seen as a viable candidate, not just an African American candidate, which is what Bill Clinton wanted.

#4: Ted Kennedy & most of the Democratic Party do not like the Clintons as they feel Bill Clinton sold out to the Republicans with the Contract w/America nonsense.  Which he did. Just ask Tom Daschle. That is why you see most of the Democratic Party behind Barack Obama.

Looking at the map yesterday, I just don't see how Hillary Clinton is going to win the election if she's the nominee. Her support is minimal across the country.

And if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, I hope Barack Obama does not take the VP position. That would put him third in line, not second.

As of Thursday, February 07, 2008
There are 348 days until the end of this regime on 1/20/2009
There are 333 days until the end of this Congress on 1/5/2009
There are 271 days until election day -- 11/4/2008
There are -2 days until Tsunami Tuesday day -- 2/5/2008

There are still more primaries to come.   Evaluate ALL the candidates and think wisely before you vote.
And we are counting down.

Roger Thomas, Austin, Texas (Sent Wednesday, February 06, 2008 10:04 PM) Good morning, Roger! My sister and now ex-brother-in-law lived in Austin for a year. COUNTDOWN segment contributors and, especially, Chris Matthews have discussed repeatedly about Senator McCain's money issues and his "dead" campaign. They've talked about him carrying his own bags, flying alone, flying coach, etc., to continue his campaign when "conventional wisdom" declared his campaign dead. I think Chris Matthews is the #1 charter member of the Senator John McCain fan club. :)

Waterboarding works...face it Lil Olbe you were again wrong! The CIA agents involved found out more about Al Qaeda then the Clinton Admin did in its entire time in office...way to go Lil Olbe.

This is killing me but, goodbye Countdown. I have watched your show for years, before it was the "go to" broadcast for those who wanted the truth, given unbiasedly, with intellegence. I am so dissapointed in the tack taken by the show lately. It has become as nasty and biased as the blog-driven content that now seems to inspire most of the stories you air. I never thought this show would sell-out but sadly, it has. Keith, you brought me to tears with some of your Special Comments because, I thought, Wow someone finally gets it! It is bad enough that the rest of msnbc has become so tabloid, but you guys, damn! Well, thanks for the memories, I guess. Remember this, the viewers you now attract will turn their backs on you as quickly as you have turned yours to loyal viewers as soon as you say something they don't like. I didn't always agree with you but I always thought you were fair, not any more. I hope you are happy, this former viewer is not.

Jamie, formerly of Chula Vista, CA-now in Italia (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:56 AM) AMEN!! A-freakin'-men!! Very passionate supporters of both Senators Clinton and Obama participate here and do their best to make the case for "their" candidate, which is great! But, with all apologies to the great PBS documentary, we have to keep "our eyes on the prize," which is the exit of the current occupants of 1600 Penn. Ave. and the presidency of the best candidate who can restore both domestic and international faith in our nation, end our involvement in Iraq as quickly and as safely as possible, restore our economy which may or may not be in a recession (depending on which economist is talking), provide the best options for the current mess that is our health care/insurance situation, the list goes on and on and on. If the name-calling and bickering continue, we will look no better than the juvenile delinquents on "the other side" who will take their proverbial ball and go home if "their candidate" doesn't get the nod, which won't ever happen because they want to bring President Reagan back from the great beyond. We know what needs to happen. Let's work together and make it happen! OK...stepping off the soapbox now...sorry.

Good morning, all. Other than the form email I got from some flunky of Dan Abrams's, there has been no response to our concerns from MSNBC; the troll's comment has not been taken down, although there are rumblings about the moderators needing to get their s**t together (thank you, Chris F., for that pungent but true phrase).

CNN has anchor Heidi Collins on the ground in Macon County, Tennessee, where the death toll stands at fourteen, the most in a single area affected by the tornadoes; she is accompanied by Rusty Dornan, while Rob Marciano, one of CNN's weather forecasters, is in one of the affected areas in Arkansas. Collins has reported that President Bush is to survey the damage in Macon County tomorrow. With luck, for once he'll have some real information to give about government assistance, and this will turn out to be more substantial than the usual photo op. (For what it's worth, all politicians can be guilty of this sort of thing; I'll be impressed by any of them, no matter what their political affiliation, on the day they turn up to move debris and work with rescue squads to help the injured and find the dead. If you know of a politician who can operate a Bobcat, send 'em this way.)

Among all the miracle stories the one that touches me most is the eleven-month-old baby boy found alive in a field near Castilian Springs, Tennessee; he had been flung three hundred yards from his home, but seems to have no injuries other than being cold and probably in mild shock. His mother didn't survive the storm; her body was found in some trees a few hundred yards in the opposite direction. The little boy was at Vanderbilt's children's facility last I heard, and will be raised by his grandparents.

As for MSNBC, I gather that they do have stringers in the field covering the aftermath of these horrors. I understand Mr. Olbermann devoted his entire number one segment on the Countdown to the latest updates. Unfortunately, I could not bring myself to watch. Until somebody stands up and says flat out that they are sorry for letting such an evil post make it past moderation and they will make some effort to see it does not happen again, they're short a viewer.  

There is a strong movement for conservatives NOT to vote for McCain and simply "sit this one out" and hand the election to either Clinton or Obama. This, supposedly would send a message that the Republican party wants a "true conservative" candidate, not someone like McCain who is liberal, moderate and conservative, depending on the issue. It's a very interesting philosophy.

To all of those who seem to believe Keith is unfair to Hillary.  What do you think is going to happen if she is the nominee and goes on to be the president? Do you really think the right noise machine has runout of attacks on her?  Do you think it is suddenly going to matter if the attacks are true or not?  I think Keith has every right to question her performance which has clearly not lived up to the expectations she set for herself last year, when she was running on being inevitable.  She is a polarizing figure whether or not it is fair and if she wins that's not going to change.  

Chris F- the first thing I thought when I heard Hillary loaned her campaign money was that she was crying poor to rally her supporters.  I guess I'm as cynical as you.

Funny that John McCain is bending over backwards to
gain the endorsement of the basic conservative movement, which he definitely will need to possibly win the November election.

Trouble is, this is the SAME conservative base that McCain "deserted" many, many times in favor of more liberal ideas and policies.

Looks like McCain is somewhere between a rock and a hard place. It's the old saying "what goes around ...

CA- Obama definatly won't pick Hillary as VP. I expect he would pick someone more along the lines of John Edwards, Joe Biden or even Richardson. I think it's the only reason Richardson hasn't endorsed Hillary.  I also don't see Obama being Vice President behind Bill although it is a more likely senario than Obama/Clinton.  

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 10:24 AM)

Thanks for the concern Pat. Tuscaloosa was spared from these storms. The natives might not have noticed if they had been hit anyway. They are too busy watching Saban's recruiting efforts for the Tide. Their number one priority right now is getting the Univ. of Alabama back on top of the college football world. They do not like to lose.

Jamie, formerly of Chula Vista, CA-now in Italia (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:56 AM):

Thanks for the kind words Jamie. I must admit however that I am a dummy about many things, but reserve the right to recognize and call myself a dummy from time to time without having to be reminded by others, smile. Hope you and yours are all doing well.  

Krista Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:19 PM I wonder why the Clintons have so much pull with Hispanic voters?

I can only speak for the folks in So. California. Historically, Hispanics have been Democrats. The Democratic Party is a party of inclusion, the Republicans of exclusion. No Republican, to my knowledge, have ever made Hispanics feel welcome. These folks feel totally excluded by this party. They are sick and tired of Republicans harping about illegal immigration. A Hispanic only becomes a Republican if that Hispanic has money, otherwise they are Democrates. Now, as for why the Clintons have pull with Hispanics. Bill Clinton when president cultivated relationships with the Hispanic community. He made them feel like they mattered. He did the same with the Black people, not to mention Bill Clinton had alot of charisma. People like that. Hillary Clinton was very well liked when she was First Lady and of course, that is carried over to the current time, also because Hispanics still very much love Bill Clinton. In a nutshell, Hispanics trust Democrats and distrust Republicans. It's complex, but these are a couple of the reasons Hispanics like the Clintons.

NEWS FLASH! Mitt Romney is about to announce he'll drop out of the presidential race. Guess his kids won out..no more spending their inheritance!

CA, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:23 AM) Leave it to YOU to bring King Solomon-esque scenerios into the mix - as if things weren't complicated enough! ;) Knowing what I've seen, read, and learned about Senator Clinton in her years in public life and in her personal bio, she has groomed herself her whole life for eventually holding the highest office in the land. Nearly every relationship in her life, every event, every membership in any applicable organization, etc. has been toward that eventual end. HOWEVER, having said all this, she has demonstrated the ability to throw herself on the proverbial sword for "the greater good." Through all of President Clinton's infidelities, she has chosen to stay with him and with the family; the exact MOTIVES for doing so are up to debate, but she has demonstrated she is capable of doing so. I do not see her as likely to do that as Senator Obama.

Chris F., digging out (again!) in Williconsinois (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 10:43 AM):

Your thoughts about the Hillary money dilemma had crossed my mind Chris. I am somewhat stunned if it is true that the Clinton campaign is truly that broke. I know Bill and Hillary well enough to know they would not let themselves get into such a money crunch. They are both much smarter and better planners then that. The only thing I can figure, if true, is that when budgeting for the campaign months ago they did not allow for the possibility that they might need additional funds after Feb 5. This entire race, how close it is, the ability of Obama to raise so much money, and the fact Hillary has not won the nomination to date has really been a shock for Bill and Hillary. She seemed a little subdued to me yesterday when answering questions at the news conference. I don't think it was a ploy (the subdued look). I think she is really tired.

"And, yes, a tornado does really sound like a freight train." HM, in an ivory tower somewhere (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 10:46 AM) The tornado that I had a close encounter with a few years ago sounded nothing like a train; it sounded like some sort of 9th circle of Hell unearthly roar. I will never forget that sound. And, I hope the people affected by the storms get the help they need soonest.

Chris F., digging out (again!) in Williconsinois (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 10:43 AM) I am the most cynical one in my corner of the universe, but I wouldn't necessarily doubt that Senator Clinton might have money issues. As was discussed on COUNTDOWN, ad time, tv time, etc. on the west coast is an expensive proposition, and it sounds like she had A LOT of ads out there, so those may have depleted her funds big-time.

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