On MSNBC, Chuck Todd reports Bill Clinton tells friends he could not get Dem nod today because of

[flpoljunkie]

his views on free trade. Todd also says it will be interesting to see how far Clinton separates herself tonight at the AFL-CIO presidential forum from husband Bill's record on free trade--NAFTA, etc.

[burythehatchet]

1. Brilliant man. But its not like he wouldn't have altered his position

if the campaign needed it.

[AtomicKitten]

2. that will be fascinating

Just remember his views aren't hers. I think some people just don't listen to her at all because they think they know what she would say, and then they get reporting of it on blogs that eviscerate her and they believe it without actually seeing and hearing her themselves.

I actually found her response to lobbyist $$$ quite refreshing. I just appreciate people that are up-front with themselves. As manipulative and phony as she is portrayed here, I found that response straightforward and she chose to tell it like it is and risked being booed, and she was.

I hope people can listen with open ears.

[ccpup]

3. I agree.

We insist time and time again that Candidates just tell it like it is, but if they give an answer we don't agree with, we attack them mercilessly. "Be honest, but say what I want to hear" seems to be the prevailing sentiment I've noticed on DU. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[AtomicKitten]

7. that seems to be the way it goes, grasshopper

[flpoljunkie]

5. Agree that one contribution does not influence their votes, but when lobbyists serve as fundraisers

and bundlers for their campaigns, they have an undeniable and considerable influence.

[AtomicKitten]

10. I guess it's the "how much" influence that is the point of dispute.

But we all know money talks.

[babylonsister]

6. I agree about the open ears, and I'll be listening. I do have a friend

who is voting for Clinton because she's a woman and who she was married about. She has no other interest otherwise which is sad and ignorant imo.

[AtomicKitten]

11. Perhaps - but we have to be careful and not assume

the overlord 'tude whereby we believe the peasants are too dumb to vote.

It is a privilege and duty we all share as Americans. Truthfully, how somebody else exercises it is none of my business. Perhaps we understand the implications more than some, and that is the challenge and importance of boots on the ground.

[killbotfactory]

8. I haven't really seen her draw a clear distinction between her views and his.

Not saying she hasn't, but I sure haven't heard about it. The closest she has come recently is when asked about the telecommunications bill, and then she ignored the question and blamed it all on Gore.

[AtomicKitten]

9. like the OP points out, this debate will be interesting

[hedgehog]

12. At some point Hillary will have to decide whether she is campaigning as herself

or as Bill Redux. She can't have it both ways, telling people about what "we" tried to do or what "we" did while simultaneously separating herself from Clinton's positions that are no longer popular.

[AtomicKitten]

13. I disagree -- if you've got it, you should be able to use it

Sorry. But on that point she's entitled.

She bottomed out on the foreign policy debate. That was awesome.

[ulysses]

4. the talking point on NAFTA has been out for a little while already.

"NAFTA was a good idea that went bad."

Alternatively, "NAFTA's promise wasn't realized."