It's late in the race?  You cannot be serious.  It's only February!

I am so tired of Obama and Clinton throwing the verbal jabs back and forth.  I've gotten to the point that I refuse to watch any coverage of either of them (sorry, that's includes NBC's coverage).   I'm not a fan of McCain either and wish I could vote for None Of The Above in November.

My condolences to your collegues with the flu.  It knocked me flat a couple weeks ago (for four days).  I'm feeling 99% better now, but I still get exhausted easily.  Next fall I'm going to listen to my mother and get a flu shot.

I am sick and tired of the American people that have nothing better to do than nit pick.I imagine now we will see O'Bannon roasted because he happoned to appear in a native garb.I used to have a Japanese gown, but my ancestry is Lithuania not Japanese, but I
loved the robe.Same with some Bibles,excuse me Holy Books.I have several,Hebrew,Morman, and Catholic,but I am still a believer of God. Regardless of what I read.People need to grow up and look at the whole
person they are electing, not just bits and pieces,
Katherine



\

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I hope the two senior-most producers feel better very soon. Also use that Purell to the maximum because you can never be too careful. I am sorry the weather is so bad with the major snowstorm on the way. I hope you packed alittle extra clothes. Stay warm and dry and keep well! You will do a fine job tomorrow evening moderating the Democratic Debate. I'm sure between you an Mr.Russert things will go smoothly. You know how to keep order and they will just have to mind the rules of being courteous. You have suberb people working with you and everything will work out fine. Keep warm and safe! Looking forward to the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!    

BRIAN:  GOD'S SPEED TO ALL INVOLVED IN TOMORROW NIGHT'S DEBATE AND I HOPE BOTH CANDIDATES SHOW DIPLOMACY AND STICK TO THE ISSUES AND REFRAIN FROM ANY TYPE OF PERSONAL ATTACKS.  FOR THIS FLU - YOU KNOW THE DRILL, BED REST, LOTS OF FLUIDS, EAT IF YOU CAN AND HOT TODDY'S AT BED TIME.

"A member of our traveling party (no names here) has pinkeye"

I've heard reading democrat economic plans could cause that. Best of luck to no name, and the rest of you.
Was reading at politico how the McCain camp is worried about being attacked as racist or sexist by democrats. They should just consider the source, and laugh at them.

Brian,
Good luck with the weather tomorrow! I think most of us are looking forward to seeing both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama on the same stage particularly after the past few days. If anyone can get some questions asked and answered, it would be you and Tim Russert. I think this debate could be a turning point in this race.
Stay well (she says with fingers crossed!)

Can we dispence with the Rhetoric.. within the debate and ask how are we to adsorp 30 plus million people within our society when they are are not evenly distributed? Understand in 1990 our poulation was 224 millionn and we excided 300 million last year. Is it not federal responsibilty to take care of and not state? How is it that all these programs require monies yet I have not heard how they are ot be paid with given that 55% of incme tax goes to pay for benifits which leaves only 45% to pay for all government programs? Further why is it congress gets an automatic raise (even when not doing job).

Two questions I would like to see asked of the democratic candidates:  On this anniversary of the stand at the Alamo, how do the candidates compare the actions of the Mexican government with respect to illegal immigration, with the attack on Alamo by the government of that day?

Two. How do Senators Obama and Clinton plan to avoid the economic disasters of the Carter administration, and how do they account for the fact that Republican Ronald Reagan was credited with pushing a reform package that resulted in recovery from that severe recession?

Two questions for McCain: In light of the censure following the Keating Five episode, how does Senator McCain answer the appearance that he deludes himself?  That he is unable to discern when he favors friends and contributors?  This appears to me as a vivid lack of integrity, so striking a lack that Senator McCain seems unable to tell right from wrong.

6 weeks now since I came down with that flu.  My lungs are still trying to clear.  Hot green tea (decaff) and honey are precious for weathering the cough and misery.  That and layers of clothes - two t-shirts under a couple sweatshirts and a jacket (after the first week).  A couple of echinacea capsules every week or so, acidophilus capsules weekly, too.  Lots of fiber - metamucil or oatmeal, and an astounding amount of time in bed the first 4-5 weeks.  Luck to all.

sorry but my comment is for a political news reporter in today's nightly news (2/25) - andrea mitchel? will you plz have someone else report the potical news? she seem to favor Obama when reporting.  I am a republican (and should not care) BUT - it is simply not correct for a news reporter to be so obviously leaning towards a certain candidate! And yes, I religiously watch your show!

Brian: I'm anxiously awaiting Tim russerts' comments and observations for tommorrow nights debate...no slight at your fine reporting Brian....it's just that I feel since Tima attend school here at John Carroll University over in University Heights a short distance from where you are and also attend Marshall School of Law on the Cleveland State Campus, I really beleive (at least for tommorw night) he will have more of a feel of the overall enviroment inside the arena there. Don't forget he's one of "our" bretheren having attended the LAST nickel beer night at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium! For my two cents...I'm really pulling for Senator Obama to put the nail in the coffin! Good Luck and Welcome to Cleveland

Brian I would like to congratulate Judge Mark Fuller as Doss Aviation got a US contract worth 21 Million dollars on the day he found ex Gov. Siegelman guilty for a crime he didn't commit. Now at lease we know how Karl Rove/George W. Bush/ Dick Cheney appointed lawyers and Judges to follow the crimes plan of removing Democrats. To bad the people of Alabama didn't get to see 60 Minutes show as it was blacked out by none other then the current Gov. Reilly. Even our Attorney General Michael Mukasey  is getting his kick back with the company he has interest in. I wonder how many other States were set up with corrupt Judges and lawyers to complete the crime wave ordered by the White House.

Now the debate should be interesting as Hillary and Obama give the last one. I loved the scene with the SNL woman telling the truth at last. If Obama wins woman can expect the Bush Supreme Court to over turn Roe vs Wade and Woman's Rights Bill.  That should bring some job openings at NBC.  Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and the Woman's Rights Movement do so much work for all those years only to see woman today fold up and drop backward. I'm glad Hillary decided to do the debate even when MSNBC reporter David Shuster made the sicken comment about Chelsea Clinton.  I don't think I would have been as brave as Hillary if someone called my daughter that, but Americans didn't see a problem with it. I guess that's what Hillary met when she said she puts the country ahead of herself, maybe Obama can learn from her. I saw the movie that gave the life of the Civil Rights Movement this weekend.  Obama should have watched it, as he gave information he could learn from instead of using the cliff notes of Dr. Kings speeches. It showed the President that signed the bill to allow the land for the Washington site was President Bill Clinton yet Obama who was in office was a no show. I guess he just didn't have time or didn't need anything from Blacks at that time.

Mitt Romney might come back to run for President. That's good news for the writers who just got back from the strike.  I wonder who else will return as McCain falls apart.  Look the Republicans should just put Cheney's name in the ring.

One issue that is going to be new if Hillary is elected president is the role of Bill Clinton's Global Initiative Foundation.  Many corporations and other nations are contributing to this Foundation.  I understand that Khazastan deposited $31.5 million, and many other corporations are making million dollar donations.  If Hillary and Bill Clinton are back in the White House, have they discussed whether or not those activities would be suspended during her administration or not?  The goals may be worthy - but it just seems that it would provide a way for deals to be brokered with the White House - or at least have the appearance of that happening with the continued operation of that Foundation.  Usually spouses quit their day job when they enter the White House.  In this case, it may not be so easy.  Yet if she's promising no new scandals, what are they planning to do about this?

A very interesting conflict of interest issue.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, On to the broadcast this evening. This Democratic Debate tomorrow evening at Cleveland State University will certainly be very important and have a strong effect on the upcoming primaries in Texas and Ohio. Hearing Mr.Russert's preview and his anaysis is always interesting. I think the sniping and constant attacks between the candidates are really getting to be unnecessary. The candidates need to just focus on the message they want to bring to the voters on important issues. Never mind the attacks. The report by Ian Williams about the New York Philharmonic travelling to North Korea to perform a concert must have made the musicians nervous and alittle apprehensive as one musician stated. But they have been treated well and the dance performance they attended really seemed very nice with all the beautiful costumes and music. I hope their concert tomorrow evening goes very well. On another note (pardon the pun-relating to what subject I was just speaking about) the series "Where they Stand" does show how each candidate views particular issues. Each one has an answer to all the different and difficult issues of our nation and world. The economy is number one with people because this effects everyones financial future. The housing crisis, rising gas prices, high food prices etc. Hearing the plans put forth by the candidates sometimes sounds better when they say it. Then when one of them is elected into office things change quickly. Time will tell. Finally, regarding the report by Mr.Lewis concerning the Hollywood sign and the land around it, I believe the sign should stay put on the hillside. The investors and the city of Los Angeles need to work out an agreement because it really is an icon of that city. I hope they can resolve it. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. I hope you are not snowed in tomorrow evening and can return home safe and sound. Keep warm and well! Peace to all!

Dear Mr Brian!
How nice to see you again after been dissapeared for a week-end at the news bar. I really can not understand what is so important that happends to you in the debates we here for 2 of march have elections of president and only one candidate for millions of economies people he is employee of milliarders income of course by state and there is no other choice represented in the elections only 'hockey tracers' so to tell you some artistic figures very odious and we agree to him alone probably from 50 to 70 percent of votes will be given to him we can nothing we have no rights those who left country are now with you others are living in the degradeted masses and the fronts of very rich people as the democracy politics of the capitalist states is not up-to -date, fasionable these people have no opinion
they are not civilized and will die with a time to leave the place on eurth for nobles most of them are made in americain companies their profits and benefits depend on army race. Its curiously in the last sightseeing event i noticed they are togather in the race workers retailers and milice (that is police soviet for hobits) i see them in the streets
outside the houses. At service.
I was leurning democratic revenge in the europe states from wikipedia and rememebered how we were full of idead for future at this democratic period of life in 1990th years much of intilligence now lost for hobits and new moles milliarders without any intilligent knowledge apear on their places people are tought for injustice to be forgotten by the state which is only for money winners others become their victimes.


I wish you all the best, good job and private elections.

Regarding Russert's comment about the "sniping" between candidates:
When the Clinton camp goes beyond issues, e.g., this recent obama photo (we all know the intent of that), or making the charge that Obama is a plagierist, should Obama just ignore it? We all know what happened to John Kerry when the Swift Boaters lied and he tried to stay on the high road. Personally, I think Obama has shown great restraint, but he does answer back, quickly and calmly, but forcefully. Good for him.
I hope this debate will delve into issues and give the candidates time to answer in depth.

Brian- I am a Hillary Clinton supporter and yes I am unhappy with the srategy of her campaign. I would like you to ask Barack Obama tomorrow at the debate, How would he know if he would not vote to authorize the Iraq War if he had the same faulty intelligence that the Dems in Congress had as well as the "Phony" assurance from George Bush that he would not go right in to Iraq? Barack was NOT a US Senator at the time and did not half the classifed intelligence that a sitting US Senator would have had. I feel that it is an unfair argument to say you were against the war and would have never voted for the bill when you did not have all of the information.

Brian Williams:  ref: campaign 2008 update nitely news 2/25/08

You did not present the news truthfully this evening 2/25/08.  Your story on where the candidates stand on different issues to include: economy, health care, etc.
You presented 4 candidates and once again left Ron Paul out....he is still in the race as a Republican candidate in case you didn't know and USA Today, CNN and Fox all have him recognized and include him in their news.....now you are the only station out of sink.  Shame on you.  
If I could have found a direct email to your boss they would be getting this also.

I no longer watch nbc nitely news.

Get it right, it doesn't even take someone smart to know who the candidates are. It makes you and your station look like a fool/s.

Brian, I would appreciate it if you or Tim Russert would address the gasoline prices with the candidates during the debate tomorrow night.  No one ever addresses the issue and with the price going towards $4.00/gal it should be a main concern as it will have a domino effect with everything we do/buy in our everyday life.  Groceries will be more expensive as it will cost more to transport them as well as heating, clothing, transportation and so on. PLEASE, PLEASE ask the candidates what they propose to do about this as it will effect us all.
p.s. How do they explain Exxon Mobile making a profit of $40 billion last year!  And price gouging??

Brian,

  Good luck in tomorrow's debate. You and Tim [Russert] will need it moderate these debates, after tomorrow they will be very interesting having to watch this cheap excuse for Democratic friendship. Continue with your journalistic style and have them tell the truth.

Why do I get this impression that NBC news team focuses on the presidential candidates' campaign not their politics/stands/beliefs? I would like to vote for a candidate who has better plans not who has more popularity.  Also, it does not seem right for one reporter to cover one candidate from the beginning till the end, because that person can be biased against/for the candidate, which thus, is unfair to the candidate and I see it happen in NBC.  Please provide fair coverage of two candidates, if you want to call yourself a news team.

I fell in love with Obama after reading the first three pages of his first book, but after finishing his two books and listening to him over and over again, I have lots of doubts about him becoming the leader of this country.  My impression of Obama is that he is trying to please everyone, so he sounds great in the beginning, but if you listen carefully, you would realize that he just sounds great.  For example, he openly says the difference between his healthcare plan from Clinton's is that he gives an affordable OPTION to everyone while Clinton forces everyone to buy it. Yeah, Obama sounds great again, but would it fix the fundamental healthcare problem in this country? If you do not get it yet, I would like to ask you why the car insurance is mandatory but the health insurance should be optional?  Many healthy people have no reason to buy the health insurance, so the health insurance premium will remain high so unaffordable to those people who really need it, which means our healthcare problem stays.  He routinely bashes free trade, corporations (as greedy), and foreign firms (as taking advantage of American workers) while kissing up to labor unions.  He sounds great again to the labor union, but how will he deliver?  

Anyways, I hope you cover more about their plans and analyze which plan would work better, and please stop analyze their campaigns or the statistics on who is more popular now.  Thanks for reading my message.

Where has the global elite hidden Presidential candidate Ron Paul?  He scares you people so much news about him is censored off the air.  I am surprised at how many average voters I know have noticed it.  

I agree with JJ Grave above!  Maybe Andrea is one of the examples to show that NBC is so biased to one candidate.

How dare you? I can't believe you are calling Senator Clinton bi-polar and making references to her mood changes being a woman. as a woman, I am offended. She is strong woman who deserves more respect.

And please STOP with Andrea Mitchell. She is the worst. She can't be fair since she has a crush on the muslim.

I am so sick of the media dancing around Obama. Tell the truth. Report the news. He is endorsed by muslim extremist. His wife is barely proud of america and threatens all Americans daily.

Our next commander? I think not.

Mr. Williams-

I will be on the edge of my seat(or couch) looking forward to the debate tomorrow night.  I wonder what,if any, lines or occurrences will influence voters before the second most anticipated day of this race so far. Which Hillary will show up indeed Time Russert! It's funny that senator Clinton scolded Barack Obama about his misinformed tactics, while I believe she has made the same claims about his universal health care plan. I thought her theatrical expression of celestial choirs is the type of emotion that she needs to show, as it has worked for her in the past. I think when she comes off too serious is when it hurts her. I liked her flailing around on stage, and I think it works for her, and will help her.

Brian: I keep watching your coverage of the democratic race for president and am ambivalent about the obvious and wonderful increase in participation of younger voters, but the fact that their inexperience with the political realities create a block of voting that is swooped up and swayed by unrealistic promises.  I was so enthusiastic about Senator Obama and his campaign too until I began to really listen to speeches and evaluated his resume.  It became obvious that he was exciting, but he is not someone I would hire to to be president when there are other more experienced candidates with better and deeper grasps on the issues confronting our nation.  I live here in the DC Metro area and just happen to follow issues very closely, and have come to realize that you need to work with both sides of the aisle to get anything done.  President Bush chose to bulldozer his way through, and Senator Obama seems to be someone who is going to end up doing the same thing.  It must be a "man thing" about his oration that makes audiences believe he will be a good leader.  He reminds me of that boy in 3rd grade that always shouted out the answer, right or wrong, just to be heard, and Hillary is the observant girl raising her hand with the right answer, but ignored by an overwhelmed teacher.  It's time for a woman to lead...men have had their chance and they have all shown themselves to be far less capable than people have hoped.  There is no logic in putting a person with such a thin resume into the While House...It almost seems that people are so proud of themselves to be putting a white sounding black man into the White House, and it doesn't matter that he's comparatively less qualified than other candidates.  I fear Democrats might again do to themselves what occured in 2000 when they put a Republican into the White House, and they might do it again or elect a president who I believe will not be very effective working across the aisle to get things done.  I can only hope Ralph Nader will create a stir that can educate new voters, but not sway the political calculus toward a Republican Presidency.  Although, John McCain is a good man and will make a good President, I disagree with his views on what constitutes victory in Iraq, and prefer a Democratic Presidency.  Please use your broadcasts to look deeper into healthcare issues or earmarks or immigration etc.  Take a risk and go beyond political rhetoric and hit some details...some listeners live for that kind of stuff...      

Brian,
....should you be in a position to consider additional questions for the candidates:
According to the most recent 'Foreign Affairs'the impending arctic resource claims, by a panopoly of nations, appear to be a process that the U.S. cannot only not take part in, but also cannot have a voice in arbitration of conflicting claims.  This appears to result from a difficult to understand strategy by Congress. Can you raise the question of the two senators?
Also, I would like to hear the views of each candidate regarding the testing of cattle for mad cow disease as a part of a national program to assure our food supply is safe.  It would be good to know the number of cattle tested, if any, at the slaughter house recently shut down prior to asking the question......
Thank you,

Hi Brian,
I can't help but to laugh! Last time you were here it was pouring rain. Now that you're back, 10 inches of snow is expected! Don't be surprised if it's 55 degrees on Wednesday! Here, you must be prepared for ANYTHING! Welcome to Cleveland, Ohio!

Since tomorrow night's debate between Senators Clinton and Obama is going to touch on healthcare, I have a question for both candidates:

"If elected, would you support legislation requiring members of Congress to dismantle their own Congressional healthcare program and go under the program you are proposing?"

Cleveland!  I liked that Cleveland background at the end of tonight's broadcast even for only 2 seconds.  I miss it there!  Cleveland State Univ. happened to be where I had my HIGH SCHOOL graduation ceremony of my alma mater Strongsville High.  I'm currently in Japan so I regret that I have no way to watch the debate live but I'm excited to see how it all went the next morning on the TODAY show podcast for my iPod!!  Thanks for the broadcast again, Brian, and I'm definitely gonna be all restless and jittery for the next 48 hours!  Oh!  I was actually in Cleveland this time of year LAST year, and I was stuck in a Middleburgh Hights OH hotel 5 MORE EXTRA days than was planned because of the snow!  But in hindsight, it was great because I got to take a magnificently beautiful picture of the Ohio snow.  Much luck to you Brian and hope it all goes well!  My thoughts are to your two collegues with the flu.

For tonight's debate....I'd appreciate asking Senator Obama again about the following that keeps circulating....his refusal to place his right hand on his heart as a sign of allegiance and patriotism to our country....also, if elected president will he place his hand on the bible when he takes the oath of office.  

Also I feel Senator Obama has been given a much easier ride in the press than Senator Clinton.  The press and the 'experts' they call in have gone so far as discuss her hairstyle....they would never do the same to a man with a bad combover, toupee, or darkly colored hair on a male candidate long past his prime for naturally dark hair.  

This long drawn out presidential process has finally brought into focus the best democratic candidate for our country and it is Senator Clinton.  When she speaks it's evident that she has given thought to what she is saying.  Senator Obama often has to say "what I meant by that was....".....we already have a president who has a problem with phonetics and communication.....we need someone who is clear, fluent, and can think and speak at the same time.  After listening to Senator Obama speak to crowds on his campaign, I feel it's clear and evident that he would make a much better minister/preacher than president.  It's good that he has the ability to lift up spirits with his speeches......however, his speeches offer little else.

For tonight's debate....I'd appreciate asking Senator Obama again about the following that keeps circulating....his refusal to place his right hand on his heart as a sign of allegiance and patriotism to our country....also, if elected president will he place his hand on the bible when he takes the oath of office.  

Also I feel Senator Obama has been given a much easier ride in the press than Senator Clinton.  The press and the 'experts' they call in have gone so far as discuss her hairstyle....they would never do the same to a man with a bad combover, toupee, or darkly colored hair on a male candidate long past his prime for naturally dark hair.  

This long drawn out presidential process has finally brought into focus the best democratic candidate for our country and it is Senator Clinton.  When she speaks it's evident that she has given thought to what she is saying.  Senator Obama often has to say "what I meant by that was....".....we already have a president who has a problem with phonetics and communication.....we need someone who is clear, fluent, and can think and speak at the same time.  After listening to Senator Obama speak to crowds on his campaign, I feel it's clear and evident that he would make a much better minister/preacher than president.  It's good that he has the ability to lift up spirits with his speeches......however, his speeches offer little else.

Dear Mr.Williams: You and Tim Russert will probably have a whopper of a debate tonight, since this is the last one before the Texas and Ohio votes. There is a nagging question out there that remains under the radar. Phyllis Schlafly and others have identified a move by president Bush and powerful organizations advocating the economic integration of the US with Mexico and Canada. The "Super Highway" through Texas and north to carry foreign freight from China, etc., reported by CNN, is one of the first steps of the "economic integration." The claim by Phyllis Schlafly of the Eagle Forum is that the goal by president Bush is to open the borders between Mexico and Canada for labor and commerce to freely move. Also planned is to merge the U.S. dollar with the canadian dollar and Mexican peso, as Europe did with their euro. This move by president Bush is apparently being done without interaction with our congress. Surely our U.S. citens will be angry of such a move, as they were over selling our ports some time ago. In my view, this should not be allowed to be kept under the radar. Why not put the question directly to each presidential candidate--do they approve or disapprove of presidents intentions in this?

Brian, please take a look at the recommended debate questions published on today's NYT op-ed page and consider asking some of them. In particular, I thought this question was important:

"Responding to a questionnaire from The Boston Globe on presidential power, you both criticized President Bush’s use of signing statements, with which he has asserted a constitutional right to bypass more than 1,000 sections of bills that he has signed into law. You both also said you would continue using signing statements, though in a less aggressive way. But the American Bar Association has called for an end to this practice, and Senator John McCain says he will never issue a signing statement. Why are they wrong?"

These serious policy-based questions are so important. Thanks.

Please ask a question about the environment tonight.
I think this would be a good question.
The Alliance for Climate Protection chaired by Al Gore urges people to be "everyday heros" by being a “role model and key influencer in everything you do, day in and day out, in actions large and small”.  What actions do you personally take to reduce the impacts of global warming and what actions does your campaign take?  

Since yesterday MSNBC had unleashed their attack dog on Hillary again.

Now I only watch your news but its seems I have to go back to ABC or CBS, atleast they are not biased and insulting towards woman.
Please spare us from Andrea.

In today's debate please be respectful toward candidate, one of them will be President. Keep your attack dogs at home. Too bad Tim Russert will be sitting next to you, so keep leash in your hand.
Thanks,

January 26, 2008
Obama's Farrakhan Connection


Barack Obama is a member of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and Obama's spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine, with Wright's daughters now serving as publisher and executive editor. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness." That man is Louis Farrakhan.

Maybe for Wright and some others, Farrakhan "epitomized greatness." For most Americans, though, Farrakhan epitomizes racism, particularly in the form of anti-Semitism. Over the years, he has compiled an awesome record of offensive statements, even denigrating the Holocaust by falsely attributing it to Jewish cooperation with Hitler -- "They helped him get the Third Reich on the road." His history is a rancid stew of lies.

It's important to state right off that nothing in Obama's record suggests he harbors anti-Semitic views or agrees with Wright when it comes to Farrakhan. Instead, as Obama's top campaign aide, David Axelrod, points out, Obama often has said that he and his minister sometimes disagree. Farrakhan, Axelrod told me, is one of those instances.

Fine. But where I differ with Axelrod and, I assume, Obama is that praise for an anti-Semitic demagogue is not a minor difference or an intrachurch issue. The Obama camp takes the view that their candidate, now that he has been told about the award, is under no obligation to speak out on the Farrakhan matter. It was not Obama's church that made the award, but a magazine. This is a distinction without much of a difference. And given who the parishioner is, the obligation to speak out is all the greater. He could be the next president of the United States. Where is his sense of outrage?

Any praise of Farrakhan heightens the Nation of Islam leader's standing and prestige. For good reasons and bad, he is already admired in portions of the black community, sometimes for his efforts to rehabilitate criminals. His anti-Semitism is either not considered relevant or is shared, particularly his false insistence that Jews have played an inordinate role in victimizing African-Americans.

In this, Farrakhan stands history on its head. It was Jews who disproportionately marched for civil rights and, in Mississippi, died for that cause. Farrakhan and, in effect, Wright, despoil the graves of Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and, of course, their black colleague, James Chaney.

I can even see how someone, maybe even Obama, could dismiss Farrakhan as a pest, a silly man pushing a silly cause that poses no real threat to the Jewish community. Still, history instructs us that anti-Semitism is not something to trifle with. It is a botulism of the mind.

At the moment, the Obama and Clinton campaigns are involved in an utterly tasteless tussle over the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. What is clear from rereading King's celebrated "I Have a Dream" speech of Aug. 28, 1963, is how inclusive that dream was -- "all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'"

This, though, is not Farrakhan's dream. He has vilified whites and singled out Jews for crimes large and small, either committed by others as well or not at all. (A dominant role in the slave trade, for instance.) He has talked of Jewish conspiracies to set a media line for the whole nation. He has reviled Jews in a manner that brings Hitler to mind.

And yet Wright heaped praise on Farrakhan. According to Trumpet, he applauded his "depth of analysis when it comes to the racial ills of this nation." He praised "his integrity and honesty." He called him "an unforgettable force, a catalyst for change and a religious leader who is sincere about his faith and his purpose." These are the words of a man who prayed with Obama just before the Illinois senator announced for the presidency. Will he pray with him just before his inaugural?

I don't for a moment think that Obama shares Wright's views on Farrakhan. But the rap on Obama is that he is a fog of man. We know little about him and for all my admiration of him, I wonder about his mettle. The New York Times recently reported on Obama's penchant while serving in the Illinois Legislature for merely voting "present" when faced with some tough issues. Farrakhan, in a strictly political sense, may be a tough issue for him. This time, though, "present" will not do.

I was preparing to battle HRC's mud-slinging and negative attacks in tonight's debate . . .but then I had a hunch that she was going to come out as 'soft Hillary' tonight. Conventional wisdom says that she should come out swinging, but I have been hearing whispers that 'nice Hillary' plays better in focus groups. It is very possible that her 'shame on you' tirade was truly off the cuff this weekend.

Anyway . . .putting all that speculation aside - I think that the debate could really be shaped by Brian Williams & Tim Russert. If you recall, it seemed like CNN was trying to pick a fight in last week's debate. The NBC team has a choice tonight: stick to the issues, or grab some headlines by inciting a fight. I hope for the former, but expect the latter.

I know there are some of you that want the fight, but I suggest that we encourage the moderators to aim for a civil debate.

I discourage NBC from asking the leading questions that are only meant to illicit a negative war of words. Those questions are not going to help voters determine who will solve America's problems.

I have a question for Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama.

US jobs continue to be lost to overseas operations.  Because of foreign sub-standard wages, conditions and environmental regulations, the arguments for “Free trade” no longer apply.  Free trade requires a level playing field and this is not the situation we currently face.

The candidates all say they will bring back jobs, but no one says how they will do it.  Education for “High Tech” jobs is not the answer.  These are “Support Industry” jobs.  When US industry and the related jobs are gone, what is left to support?

Until overseas competition is held to the same high environmental and humanitarian standards that the US demands, why do we not consider stronger tariffs to protect US jobs from unfair competition?  I realize this will cause higher costs, but what good are lower prices if you don’t have a job or a future here?

John Griffith
Vienna, WV

I throught that anyone that ran for President that there life was an open book...But I guess not (only if your white)the news people hasn't said anything bad about Obama, everyone else...Obama NOT that clean...If any of the others that are running for President would have said they wouldn't put there hand over there heart because most people that go to football and baseball game don't that would have been on the NEWS..Obama said that to CNN..Most of the people I have seen on TV at a football game or baseball game do have there hand over there heart.Obama was very wrong with that statement...Does America want a follower or a LEADER??? I feel that the News people are afraid to say anything bad about Obama WHY because he black..Now if he was white there would have been alot said...Just like the news people going after McCain and Clinton, if they would have said that it would have been on TV NEWS...Are the news people afraid that what happen to Imus and Dog would happen to then ...Why won't the news people make Obama tell just how is he going to do all the things he wants to do??? All I have seen is that Obama goes around the question not answering them....Have the news people forgotten about 911 whan everyone was for the American Plad????

We want to see fair debate, give equal time to both candidates, don't show biased as CNN did. It was disgusting and clearly shows media advantage towards Osama.
When we will vote, we need clear picture on issues not celestial sermon.
US is world leader, we want to elect leader who can fight for us, who can be great commander and can handle global pressure.

To Brian and Tim,

Good luck at the debate tonight. I personaly think a very good question in tonights debate would be...

SENATOR OBAMA since being in the senate you have voted over 130 times as present. How do you expect people to vote with you on change when your record shows you dont for change yourself ???

As an american citizen who votes I feel it is up you guys to give us a honest response and how come people like Wolf Blitzer is able to shut Clinton and Edwards down when they tried to let the citizens of America know his record. For once I would like a debate NOT to be one sided (Obama) or biased

Why Farrakhan endrosement to Obama is not a big news for MSNBC but Kennedy endorsement was ?
Even Dodd endrosement is a news but endrosement by 58 Generals to Clinton was not a news?
Why media is keeping us citizens in dark?
Why media want to project weak candidate to lead Country?
Is media is anti-national?

Sir,

40% of illegal aliens came after 2000 because they were encouraged by Bush and Vincente Fox.  Both my parents and my wife are LEGAL immigrants.

I suggest the following is a better solution than our gutless congress has come up with.
1. Change the 14th amendment so that only children born to legal immigrants and citizens may be citizens by birth.  Make this retroactive to five years ago.
2. Illegal aliens and overstayers may not return for five years and never become a citizen.
3. Children of illegal aliens, even if citizens, may not sponsor relatives for immigration.
4. Companies who hire legal immigrants who commit felony or illegal aliens/overstayers must be financially responsible for their removal from the country.
5. Remove special immigration privileges for Cubans.
6. Illegal aliens/overstayers must have no rights under the constitution.  Their rights must be decided by the immigration courts in order to expedite their deportation.
7. The problem is people are mad that congress has not enforced our current laws.  Read my lips.  It's immigration stupid.
8. Allow trained private organizations to enforce ICE laws based on fee base arrests. Include police organizations which would allow them to hire additional officers.
9. Schools, which are in crisis because of the magnitude of illegal aliens/overstayers, both educationally and financially, should be able to charge for education for these people.

The immigration bill did NOT provide a solution.  A reduction of 13% is NOT a solution.  Congress has it's lowest popular support because of bills like this. The AMNESTY bill is an insult and will only result in MORE ILLEGAL ALIENS.  ILLEGAL ALIENS are not immigrants, they are law breakers and people who suck the life out of our society, both economically and culturally.

Thank You.
David Jones -  Denver

It will be interesting to see if MSNBC continues to give Obama a free ride during the debate tonight. They continue to allow him to go off topic when he can't answer a question posed to him. I really hope Hillary does not suffer because MSNBC likes to treat Obama with kid gloves while they continue to constantly slam Hillary.
Tim Russert co-hosting the debate tonight?  Oh boy, he is a Clinton basher and an Obama butt kisser. We are already setting ourselves up for disappointment tonight.  Sigh......

I am a 51-year old female living in Northern Michigan.  I have lived in Michigan for the last half of my life – but I was born in Ohio.  Ohio will always be home and I will always be a Buckeye.  I heard your comments on MSNBC this a.m. concerning the debate this evening at Cleveland State – and the advice you have been getting from your friends and associates about questions that should be asked of each of the candidates.  I think sometimes that the news media is somewhat out of touch with middle America and the very true – and increasing challenges that are affecting our families and everyday lives.  I guess the analogy can be made that it is hard to feel hungry when you are not.  I listened to Pat Robertson this morning and heard he is not interested in a continuing healthcare debate – I wonder if it is because he is not in the same position as many Americans – he has insurance benefits provided to him.  I have been diligent in trying to find the answer to questions I have regarding the presidential candidates – and if I may, there are a couple of questions I would like to have asked of Senator Clinton – as it relates to her 35 years experience, health care and the war in Iraq.

First of all I live in a county of about 25,000 residents – small in comparison to other areas of the country.  We have lost 2 major manufacturing facilities in the last couple of years – over 400 jobs.  It is hard to believe that it is cheaper to make chipboard in China than it is here in Northern Michigan – especially due to the fact that we have the transportation infrastructure in place, adequate workforce and – are surrounded by trees.  Gas prices have increased in the last year by over $1.00 a gallon – we receive approximately 150” of snow each year and the cold that goes with it – therefore it goes without saying that heating costs have increased dramatically.  My employer pays monthly insurance premiums for families of about $1,300 monthly  – which are now more than monthly mortgage payments in some cases.  Some businesses in our community provide insurance only to their employees – it is up to each employee to pay for coverage – or make the decision to do without health insurance coverage – for the rest of their family.  Health insurance premiums are a burden for not only individuals – but for businesses too.  Residents in our county have a hard time finding a job that pays a living wage and benefits, and those that already have one find that the increase in energy costs, health care costs, mortgages, etc. are out pacing the increase in wages and according to a source at a local Family Independence Agency (aka Social Service) – more and more middle income families are asking for assistance.  Even with the war – I am not sure the economy has gotten to the state it is in in just the last 7 years.  I imagine that the framework for the current state of affairs was laid over decades instead – as opposed to years, NAFTA, increased energy dependence without creation of alternate energy sources, increases in health insurance premiums to the point that individuals cannot afford to purchase it nor can businesses afford to offer coverage as a benefit.  Therefore my question – what has Senator Clinton’s 35 years of experience done to actually affect the everyday lives of residents we who live in Otsego County, Michigan, and my friends and relatives who live in Ohio?  How did she fight to keep our jobs at home, did she do anything to help reduce the escalating cost of health insurance premiums since the mid-90’s or to push for new energy technology?  What has she done to keep the value of our dollar strong?  I realize that she is claiming credit for a child heath care program passed in 1997 – but has distanced herself from NAFTA as something her husband did during his which I find interesting especially given her role was the same essentially from 1992 until 2000.

Health care insurance premiums where I work have doubled since 2002 – my employer pays about $1,300 monthly for family coverage – with a higher deductible policy ($2,500 annually).  Senator Clinton has said she will mandate coverage for those who do not have coverage provided through other sources – such as an employer and that through her program individuals will see a reduction of about $2,300 annually.  Based upon my calculations – and using the data known to me – a family without coverage elsewhere would be subject to premiums totaling approximately $13,000 annually – and would be afforded “tax credits” to subsidize the cost, which would still mean monthly or quarterly cash payments for coverage.    Unless I am entirely incorrect – this would be a huge burden on society and I truly wonder how families could begin to afford a plan such as this?  Businesses under Senator Clinton’s plan would be penalized for not providing health care – providing an additional burden on those businesses who have invested in our communities, and states and in our country and with increased costs of their own, are just barely surviving.  And cannot an argument be made that this penalty may squash business growth – and counteract stimulating it?  And, could it not be cheaper for a business to pay the penalty rather than to provide insurance coverage to its employees  - or in the case of larger businesses, to simply outsource.  And cannot the argument also be made that payment of insurance premiums by the government for those who cannot afford it – could also be likened to an additional “hidden tax” on those who have purchased coverage or who have coverage provided through other sources – as it would seem the premiums would be funded from taxpayer dollars or by the business penalty.   Would not our government be wiser to stimulate job growth to allow families to make a living wage, to pay down their debts and save their homes and to have enough discretionary income to stimulate the economy – before we simply impose a premium on them that would serve only to increase their already heavy burden.  I would love to see universal coverage – but I question the reality of the program being presented, as I understand it.

Lastly the war in Iraq.  A couple of weeks ago a comment was made by David Shuster of MSNBC about the Clinton’s role of their daughter during the campaign.  One thing that can be said is that throughout the years it has been obvious that Senator Clinton deeply loves her daughter – and after Mr. Shuster’s obvious poor choice of words – Senator Clinton fairly and vehemently cried foul. I think her words were that she is a parent first and foremost.  Throughout this campaign Senator Clinton has professed to us all – her love and desire to provide protection to the children of our nation.  As a mother, when she supported the war in Iraq she supported putting the children of others in harms way.  Thousands of “someone else’s children” have now died; many more thousand wounded both physically and emotionally – both from our country and from Iraq.  The most heinous and grievous foul of all.  I watched Senator Clinton on news broadcasts at the time the war was declared, I watched Senator Clinton on news broadcasts at the time it was released that the intelligence regarding the declaration of war was wrong, I watched Senator Clinton talk about the wounded and disfigured at the Intrepid, but I have never seen Senator Clinton show what would appear as true remorse as a mother regarding the loss of life and injury of someone else’s children in Iraq.  I have not seen Senator Clinton “rage” and demand to know how we could have declared war because of wrong information.  I have not seen Senator Clinton show even a small portion of the passion and sense of insult for those who lost their lives and limbs in Iraq as she displayed at the time of Mr. Shuster’s insult towards her daughter, which may have injured her sense of integrity but not her life.  I cannot imagine being responsible to make such a heartbreaking decision as to send the youth of our nation to war – and then, in retrospect, to have gotten it wrong.  My son-in-law served in Iraq – had he been a few feet from where he was at one time during his tour  – he would not be with us now.  Needless to say, someone else lost their life that day.  I would like to know why Senator Clinton feels she has the experience to be our Commander in Chief, why she should be trusted to make the right decisions that may decide the fate of our children and what experience does she have to show that she has the right instincts, and judgement, to protect our nation.

In closing, when the appearance that the only sense of urgency our elected officials display is finding out the truth about Roger Clemens and steroids – then we have justification to be somewhat disappointed in our government.  I do not think the majority of our citizens want a hand-out – just a fighting chance.  

Hey - how about bringing up the fact that Hillary was not pro NAFTA:

GERGEN: "I was actually there in the Clinton White House during the NAFTA fight and I must tell you Hillary Clinton was extremely unenthusiastic about NAFTA. And I think that’s putting it mildly. I’m not sure she objected to all the provisions of it but she just didn’t see why her husband and that White House had to go and do that fight. She was very unhappy about it and wanted to move on to health care. So I do think there’s some justification for her camp saying, you know, she’s never been a great backer for NAFTA." [David Gergen, Anderson Cooper 360, 2/25/08]

At least a case of the flu means it will go away in a reasonable amount of time, unlike the candidates and their rhetoric.  I am so Candidate Weary, and unfortunately, there is no shot available, no end in sight, and even though I love Brian and Tim's political gossip, I think I'd rather sit through another Oscar show...I think I'm going to be sick.

Brian,

I hope you will have a chance tonight at the Democratic debate to asked the candidates a question no one has asked previously, and which goes to the very core of our republic.

I am talking about George Bush's systematic circumvention of our Constitution and usurpation of Congress' legislative authority. President Bush has in fact placed himself and the whole of the executive branch above the other two branches of government, and beyond the reach of our Constitution.  Clearly the Founding Fathers feared this more than any other type of government corruption and took pains to separate government into three branches in equality.

The question which has not been asked each candidate is: What is your view of the current state of Presidential powers, and if elected, do you promise to return the powers of the President as set forth in the Constitution, keeping with the intent of our Founding Fathers?

Sincerely,
Michael Modula
Columbus Ohio

At the end of World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was divided in August 1920, the League of Nations, via The British Mandate of Mesopotamia, entrusted to Britain the area of Iraq , Palestine and Transjordan. Britan initially formed two former Ottoman vilayets (regions): Baghdad, and Basra into a single country in August 1921. Five years later, in 1926, the northern vilayet of Mosul was added, forming the territorial boundaries of the modern Iraqi state.

I have not heard either Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama say how we can get out of Iraq and still be "responsible for cleaning up our own mess". Since Iraqs’  border is arbtrary any way, why can't we worlk for three Iraqs based on the pre-World War I  regions? It seems that this would be easier to implement than the two state solution for Israel and Palestine that the US  already supports.

Would someone PLEASE just ask Obama and Hillary just one question that needs to be aswered.They preach CHANGE can they tell us how they are going to change Washington.We all know that the Pres.just makes suggestions and the Congress does the CHANGES so how are they going to cahnge Washington. We need to be more concerned with who we are putting Congress!!! That`s who going to make the decisions.

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