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Clinton's decision for debate

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 16, 2008 01:33 PM

Will she or won't she?

Go on the attack in tonight's face-off in Philly, that is.

It is the first Democratic debate since Feb. 26 in Cleveland, it comes only six days before the important Pennsylvania primary, and it's a high-profile opportunity for Hillary Clinton to try to reshape a race she is losing.

But it has been the two faces of Hillary in recent debates with Barack Obama. In one, she's gushing about how proud she is to share the stage with him and about how one of the two will make history as the first major party nominee who isn't a white male. In another, she's bashing him on issue after issue and complaining that the press is soft on Obama.

New polls suggest some of the forces that are likely weighing on Clinton's strategy.

A Philadelphia Daily News/Franklin & Marshall survey out today shows that Clinton is holding a narrow lead in Pennsylvania, 46 percent to 40 percent over Obama. But she probably needs a bigger, double-digit win in the Keystone State to really build momentum, so might be tempted to attack Obama, as she has this week over his comments about small-town voters who, bitter about their economic struggles, cling to guns and God.

But a national ABC News/Washington Post survey suggests that Clinton getting tough on Obama is backfiring. In the poll, 54 percent of Democratic voters said they view her unfavorably and 58 percent said she is not trustworthy. Those numbers might argue for staying positive.

Find out which way Clinton goes at 8 p.m. on your local ABC affiliate. The 90-minute debate will air from the National Constitution Center.

36 comments so far...
  1. I am sure that Senator Cilinton will endorse Senator Obama today or before June 3

    Posted by COl[retd] A.M.Khajawall MD April 16, 08 10:41 AM
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  1. BLIND AMBITION WILL TRUMP HER CHANCE TO BE A REAL LEADER AND SUPPORT THE CHANCE TO BEGIN CHANGE IN AMERICA BY SUPPORTING OBAMA AND UNITE TO DEFEAT MCBUSH

    Posted by EDDY GUNN April 16, 08 11:18 AM
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  1. LOSING? Maybe you should get off your high horse and start spending time publishing the real facts in this race. Let me point them out to you. 1)Hillary has just received the endorsement of a key AFL-CIO Union group. 2) 100 Pa. Mayors endorsed Clinton yesterday 3) 11 Indiana Mayors Denounce Obama "bitter comments" 4) Montana local officials denounce Obama "bitter" comments. 5) Clinton picks up another superdelegate in Jackie Speier of California 6) Hillary leads by at least 6 and as much as 20 in Pa Primary, now just 6 days away. 7) Hillary leads in latest Indiana Polling by 16%. 8) Hillary leads by 38% In Kentucky, 9) Hillary leads by 29% In West Virginia 10) Hillary leads by 13% In Puerto Rico 11) Hillary with big lead among Catholic Voters. So let's try again, shall we.!

    Posted by Steve April 16, 08 11:30 AM
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  1. HILARY HAS MANY FACES BUT THEY ALL LIE. SENATOR OBAMA SHOULD BE CAREFULL TONIGHT BECAUSE SHE WILL THROW OUT ANY PIECE OF S**T AND SEE IF IT WILL STICK...IF IT DOESN'T SHE WILL THROW OUT ANOTHER PIECE. THIS IS THE CLINTON WAY, HER HUSBAND DID IT, SHE'S NOW DOING IT AND UNFORTUNATELY, NOW THEIR DAUGHTER HAS STARTED DOING IT.

    THE CLINTONS MODUS OPERANDI IS "SLASH & BURN" AND THEY WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO WIN THE WHITEHOUSE AND IF THEY DON'T THEN THEY DO NOT WANT ANY OTHER DEMOCRATE TO. THEIR ACTIONS, ALL 3 OF THEM, ARE HANDING THE WHITEHOUSE TO THE JOHN McCAIN.

    Posted by BOO-HOO April 16, 08 12:05 PM
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  1. I agree with all of the above!!!!

    Posted by Andreas April 16, 08 12:13 PM
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  1. .....except EDDY GUNN post #1.

    Posted by Andreas April 16, 08 12:16 PM
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  1. Clinton advisor Patti Solis' husband's $192,000 pay from his tax exempt business filed from their home address.

    www.webofdeception.com

    Posted by Robert Lewis April 16, 08 12:27 PM
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  1. Go Obama!

    Posted by Edog April 16, 08 12:42 PM
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  1. Go Obama

    Posted by Elke April 16, 08 01:05 PM
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  1. So even Bruce Springsten sings for Obama?
    I don't think BHO is going to like the term "Boss"!
    Kind of rubs his Black Liberation Theology (this is BLACK "Christianity"?) the wrong way. The basis of this "religion" is black vs. whites; look it up!!! Google it!!
    I can not get past Michelle's comments- "For the first time in my life, I am proud of America". Privileged bitch! You make 300k/yr and you hate your country? I say ... Then go somewhere you can be proud of your country and go now! Try France, or Iran, or China,... or Africa. Go let your black pride shine!
    I can't get past 'Rev.' white's Goddamn America and the string of black hate on white lies and anti-American mistruths.
    I can't understand why a junior senator from Chicago can realistically be even considered for the office of president of t he USA.
    This guy is prefab; he is artificial; a package, an empty suite with good language skills.
    Bottom line - an inspirational speaker BUT in no way is he qualified to fill the oval office.
    Give me and the rest of the USKKKofA a break. (Can’t forgive that either!)

    Posted by kemo April 16, 08 01:20 PM
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  1. I just had a look at the "I need Hillary" video and it only reminded me of how much respect I've lost for the Clintons as a political family because of their destructive win at all costs approach to this campaign.

    The video captures the spirit of Hill's campaign not of calling us to a greater good that defines real leadership. Rather sadly, it conveys the spirit of negativity and unproductive caricature that has torn this country into paralyzing, warring factions for the last 20-25 years, as the rest of the world goes about taking advantage of our internal malaise.

    'Hope' is not 'hype,' as bastardized in the video, but it is the watchword of people united to make real the best ideals our country can embody.

    Posted by Urban Skier April 16, 08 01:26 PM
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  1. The American media will surely eat their words when the time comes. The cover and protection they have given to Obama will come back to hunt them . The truth is that most of those TV commentors and pundits cannot even run thier private kitchen talk of handling policy issues for the American people. No matter what they do they cannot erode the achievements of Hillary Clinton. She will emerge as a strong President and unite our party

    Posted by Henry Endeley April 16, 08 01:38 PM
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  1. Hillary 08!

    I heard once when a woman shows that she is worth more than a bag of potato, she is called "bitch", "overly ambitious", "unsexy"., ...

    In this race the superior candidate is Hillary :)

    Posted by Meg April 16, 08 01:40 PM
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  1. I still think Al Gore will be our next president. Clinton and Obama will stay at one another's throat until the convention, and the party will nominate Gore on a second ballot.

    Don't pretend like you don't love the idea.

    Posted by Bill April 16, 08 01:49 PM
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  1. I saw both Hillary and Barack on the same day in NH. I could have lived with the Hillary I saw then, but since she has done absolutely nothing but disgust me and the Democratic brand. I've since lost all respect for her and her husband Bill.


    Posted by LM April 16, 08 01:55 PM
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  1. Hillary will make the Best President. People put her down,because of her husbands reputation. People forget the Clinton days were good,for the economy.I think thats what people should be thinking about before they vote for an unknown.

    Posted by p jacobs April 16, 08 02:51 PM
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  1. Al Gore would be insane to join this zoo. No chance in hell he asks for the nomination, and I don't even know if he'd accept it if asked to.

    Posted by DemocracyLost April 16, 08 03:38 PM
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  1. sniper fire
    mark penn
    negative campaigning, negative messages, negative ads
    Judas
    Bill Clinton "I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMAN"
    nafta
    The movement of the goal posts
    unpaid bills in Ohio and other places
    poorly run campaign
    shady business deals...... pick any excuse you like....and dont worry there's more!

    Posted by bk April 16, 08 04:28 PM
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  1. How about neither for 08. Both of them do nothing but talk about race and gender. Although, that is what the Democratic Party is all about. Everyone is a victim and everyone needs us to help them or they'll fail in life.
    Barak is a wolf in sheeps clothing/racist and Hillary is a whiner. Barak makes liberal white's feel good because of all the guilt they live with even though he has made racists statements, has no experience, belonged to a racist church, has a wife that hates America, and refuses to be patriotic. To him it's a badge of honor. Do you naive college students and liberal elitists understand that it's never good for this country to elect an activist to office. We need dedicated Americans in office. This is our country, if you haven't forgotten. I don't think I need to add anything on Hillary, she has done enough damage to herself.
    Also, many people have died to support and defend this country in the past. And most would feel they died in vain if they could see how this country has turned out. America is now full of poor people that have a slim chance of having a better life due to the handouts that keep them in the cycle of poverty. A country where illegals immigrants are invading with impunity. A country where everyone, rich and poor, feels they are entitled to everything, without sacrifice. A country where it's now fashionable to be anti-American.
    Folks, we're in trouble.
    One more thing for you extreme liberals, or is it now progressive's, please stop telling everyone how tolerant you are. Most of you are only tolerant of people that agree with you. My friends, that's not tolerance!

    Posted by David April 16, 08 04:40 PM
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  1. When Obama is confronted with a problem he THINKS about it. I believe that is what people love about him.

    I admire someone who thinks, observes, corrects himself and makes good judgements.

    Bush never thinks.

    However, I do wonder where Obama's judgement was in his dealings with Rezko. And if Hillary can convince people that Rezko was a crook and Obama SHOULD HAVE KNOWN, She might convince me to forget Obama.

    Then my choice would be go with the known liar (hillary) or go with a mystery man (obama).

    Even then though, I'd probably go with Obama. I hate liars.

    Posted by Jack April 16, 08 04:54 PM
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  1. Obama nor Hillary should never be elected with all the baggage they bring with them. Neither has the experience to be president of this great nation.

    Posted by Top Gun April 16, 08 05:04 PM
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  1. HILLARY'S POOR JUDGMENT leaves AMERICANS FOOTING THE BILL....

    THE WAR IN IRAQ IS HAVING SERIOUS NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OUR ECONOMY and those who voted for the war (i.e. hillary) should be to blame, in part, for the state of the US economy.


    Look how the WAR IN IRAQ is affecting the US economy...


    $3,000,000,000… 3 Billion dollars PER WEEK!


    That is the amount America is paying for the Iraq War PER WEEK, money that should have been used here, at home.


    Add to this:

    Interest. We are financing the war with borrowed money (e.g. treasuries) that carries interest; so in actuality, the war is costing the United States MORE THAN 3 billion dollars PER WEEK.

    Higher oil and energy prices. Instability from the war in Iraq is adding roughly 30 dollars per barrel as a premium.

    High oil prices mean high utility bills. Higher oil prices shifts demand to other sources of energy - gas, coal, etc. - and greater demand will raise the equilibrium price of all sources of energy -- Can you say high energy bills?

    High oil prices (a raw material used in the production of many goods, fertilizers, gasoline, diesel, plastics, etc.) mean high prices of goods and services -- Can you say INFLATION?

    Higher trade deficit. High oil prices mean a higher trade deficit because most of our oil comes from foreign sources. A higher trade deficit means more money is leaving the country than is coming into the country -- Can you say Goodbye to your hard-earned money!

    The US dollar is weak and getting weaker. Since we have a trade deficit and is growing in large part to the rising cost of imported oil, the value of goods and services we import exceeds the value of goods we export. You know that foreign car you're thinking of buying or the computer you're using, or that trip abroad you've been thinking of taking....well, guess what? It is going to cost more, Ceteris Peribus, because the dollar is weak and getting weaker.

    Lastly, how do you think the world views our country since the argument was made for war? The evidence was weak and circumstantial, yet we rushed into war with Iraq thanks to hillary’s authorization.

    Remember, Hillary Voted FOR THE IRAQ WAR

    Posted by Mary Preshot April 16, 08 05:28 PM
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  1. We Democrats are heading to disaster if we nominate Barack Obama.

    The entire campaign by him has been a shell-game disgrace. To wit:

    Jesse Jackson, Jr. "Katrina Tears"
    Amaya Smith's South Carolina Memo
    Doug Wilder's calls for riots, along with Al Sharpton
    Michelle Obama's "black Americans will wake up and get it"
    Bogus "fairy tale" story
    MLK/LBJ flap that wasn't

    We are on our way to another McGovern, another Stevenson.

    Wake up, people. Please. We are heading for electoral disaster.


    Paul F. Villarreal AKA "Universal" AKA "RokSki"
    VillarrealSports.com

    Posted by Paul F. Villarreal AKA "Universal" AKA "RokSki" April 16, 08 05:46 PM
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  1. I agree with Jack. Hillary has shown a knack for lies, deception and mudslinging. I absolutely hate liars, so even though I may agree with many of her policies, I can't assist a liar in achieving the presidency. She has tried to pin a lie on Obama, when in fact his statement was completely taken out of context. I am sure he will correct that tonight. His argument that some voters are bitter and instead of voting for their own economic self interest, they instead vote neocons into power because of the gun issue or religious grounds. Americans, how can you be so stupid and naive.

    Posted by MAI April 16, 08 06:06 PM
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  1. Hey MARY PRESHOT did you know that illegal immigrants cost us 346 billion dollars last year? Of course you didn't because the liberal main stream media ignores this important fact. They do this because they hate to report the truth if the truth doesn't fit their agenda. I'm sure you and your friends will be happy when and if the 20 million illegals become citizens and then sponsor another 100 million poor family members that will need government assistance/our tax dollars. We will then ourselves become a third world nation because our infrastructure will collapse. Thanks for thinking with your heart not your head. God help America

    Posted by David April 16, 08 06:11 PM
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  1. To Steve:

    Wow, your figures are out of date.

    It was so impressive (really) that 19 mayors actually showed up to support Hillary. Oh yeah, those cardboard signs with their names on them really were supportive.

    Hillary Clinton is such a liar, I can't imagine anyone voting for her. If she does somehow manage to secure the nomination, I will have a very difficult time voting for her in November.

    Come On PA! Let's end this pathetic Clinton charade right here next week.
    Think. Research. Vote.

    Posted by Susan April 16, 08 06:38 PM
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  1. MIA you have had too much of the Obama kool-aid. He has been caught in many lies. Let's see there is Rev. Wright, Rezko, Ayers(radical anti-American activist). You want to believe his words are being taken out of context, but they really haven't been.
    You think because people are religious or believe in the Second Amendment they are neocons. How stupid and naive could you be. I have to assume you are a college student that has the answers to all the worlds problems. But, I could be wrong.
    We can't give up our right to the Second Amendment. If we do only criminals will have access to weapons illegally and not law abiding citizens.
    Also, let's not forget about Michelle Obama's anti-white statements. The two of them belonged to a radical black seperatist church for twenty years and your okay with that? If he were white he would have been asked to step down long ago. Double standard? Yes, but liberals live by this double standard. It makes them proud .That's why they support affirmative action because it only discriminates against caucasians.

    Posted by David April 16, 08 06:59 PM
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  1. It's difficult for me to vote for Hillary based on what Bill did in his two terms:

    1) NAFTA - he totally misunderstood that this was not about "free trade" but about US companies finding lower cost factories to make their goods and shipping them back here without tariffs. Totally missed were the need to give material aid to Mexico by both the US and Canada to improve its infrastructure and financial situation to start to develop a real middle class, a la the Marshall Plan. Hav-
    ing a middle class able to purchase our products that we made in our country is the only way true free trade can be conducted.

    2) Signing the Telecommunication Act of 1996 which allowed greater concentration of media control into just a handful of conglomerates and which gave new wind to the right-wing talk radio and cable TV noise machine.

    3) Repealing the Glass-Steagal Act of 1933 which until 1999 regulated the banking industry. By allowing the banks to run wild with stock investments and insurance, Clinton set the stage for the Dotcom bust and now the housing bust.

    These fundamental mistakes, to put it kindly, are part of a pattern of being a limo driver for Wall St.

    Posted by Joe April 16, 08 07:23 PM
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  1. St. "Snob-ama", according to the MSM and himself, is turning out to be quite the liar! Oh but, he is the candidate who is not divisive and is going to change everything, [W]right???? Careful America what you wish for or we may end up with 4 more years of Bush- McBush III. Vote Hillary, the only hope of defeating McCain in November. Hillary of course will take the high road as usual and hopefully the media questioners will attack him on these issues. They certainly would if she would have said anything like these insults to Americans.

    Posted by Mary O'Bryan April 16, 08 07:50 PM
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  1. wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by chi chu April 16, 08 08:18 PM
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  1. To: Steve (3)

    Californians know that Superdelegate Jackie Speier is, in fact, not a real democrat. She's a conservative, anti-environmentalist in a blue suit. The Democrat that wins this Superdelegate should not boast it as an achievement.

    Posted by Joseph April 16, 08 08:26 PM
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  1. 8:46 pm -- I'm disgusted and demoralized by the questions posed to *both* candidates. The moderators have squandered just about half the total time available. And acknowledging -- and firmly believing -- that a strong, free Press is crucially important to the health of the nation, I nonetheless think the Press completely abrogates its responsibility by keeping half of the debate conversation on such patently superficial issues.

    Posted by s c miller April 16, 08 08:54 PM
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  1. It seems to me that Barack Obama has shown more maturity than Hillary in this campaign.

    Posted by Jim Rozeendaal April 16, 08 10:46 PM
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  1. Hillary is a corrupt, lying cheater. She scares me: she is full of evil. No thanks!

    Posted by White Male 55 April 16, 08 10:47 PM
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  1. Obama is a liar, he IS elitist, condescending, and a race traitor. As far as his record, he voted to fund the war after his initial No vote; what kind of stand is that? He voted against guns, yet he supports sportsmen - which is it? Forty percent of Clinton's bills have been for women, children, and health care - look it up in the Library of Congress, that is why no national women's groups support him! He apparently intends to penalize those children and wives of those he feels should be "punished" for their "mistakes" that brought them to a foreclosure crisis - and he certainly is not going to help those who are forced to it through adversity, such as a breadwinner dying or becoming ill! He is NOT, and never has been, one of the "common folks"; he spent his childhood in both Indonesia and Hawaii in private, prestigious schools - the common people were not good enough to rub shoulders with, apparently. My mother was born and lived in Hawaii, and has much contempt for him because of that fact. His website is deceptive; nowhere does he say how many dollars are coming out of MY pocket for his "change," particularly on education and health care. He has gotten very chummy with a man who brought down a great union by his crime ties. And for such a "green" candidate, it is ironic that he has taken almost twice as much in "contributions" from the OIL INDUSTRY as Clinton - and I very much doubt that they are giving it to him because they want him to put them out of business! He was disloyal to Americans over the deal with Canada - and my Canadian friends now believe he is a liar. he was disloyal to Wright, dumping him because his candidacy was threatened, and he figured Americans were so stupid that they would ignore the fact that he CHOSE to be in the company of an anti-American spouting pastor who gives awards to racists like Farrakhan, who hates whites and Jews among others - look it up, he belongs to the NATION OF ISLAM! If a white candidate has chosen to go to a church with a pastor that spouted anti-American sermons and gave awards to the KKK, they'd be roasted alive. So how come Obama gets kid glove treatment? White guilt over slavery and pretending to be egalitarian "because-I-voted-for-a-black-man" is a pretty pathetic way to pick a President. If Obama supporters really wanted to give more than lip service to mending race relations, maybe they should take a good hard look at one of the bills Obama has said he will push, to give "self determination" to Hawaiians - in actual fact, he wants to ride on the senators' coattails who originally crafted the bill, regardless of how watered down it has now become, making it absolutely useless to Native Hawaiians. Then, when they have been designated and treated as another "tribe," with all the "federal recognition" Native American tribes get, he'll just dump it back on the senators who framed it in the first place, and he won't have to deal with the fallout of a sellout bill, because he's NOT HAWAIIAN!! That's really mending race relations, Obama - NOT!!


    Posted by S. Nelson April 17, 08 12:27 AM
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  1. This debate was the most fair one yet. I liked that the responses were timed, and each were given an equal amount of time. I liked that the questions were staggered, and that they "flipped a coin" to see who would go first on opening and closings. I was impressed that both were challenged with tough questions and not allowed to wiggle out of fully answering.

    ABC handled this debate in a very admirable way, and I think both candidates supporters should have been satisfied with the fairness of the debate, for a change. This is how journalists should handle debates. Both got hit with three very tough issues, some of which have been dominating the news. Obama: Rev. Wright, his infamous "bitter" remarks, and his association with William Ayers. Clinton: Her Bosnia exaggeration, her purported statements that Obama was unelectable, and a public opinion poll about her honesty.

    For his part, Obama rationalized, made excuses, stammered a lot, and declared the subjects absurd and a distraction from the issues. While Clinton apologized and ate a lot of crow for her "mistakes," describing her trip to Bosnia and got badgered into saying Obama is electable.

    Their discussion of the issues wasn't anything all that new; however, Obama did stumble a bit on his position on payroll and capital gains taxes. My main observation is that Clinton was ASKED questions about her positions on Wright and Obama's bitter comments, and she responded, owning her position, while Obama hedged on the Bosnia question, admitting his "campaign" was hammering on it, "of course," yet somehow dodging personal responsibility for what his campaign is doing? That just seemed dishonest to me. If his campaign is doing it - HE is. I'd much rather see the candidates own their positions and actions, than try and appear above the fray, when their actions don't match the perception they're trying to falsely portray.

    Posted by Teri B. April 17, 08 02:09 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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