Coffee Talk: so, anyone besides me think that the "big dog" stepped on it by

[Ninga]

suggesting that folks should be able to keep their insurance?

I thought that the code among former Presidents' when it came to criticism was omertà - silence.

If the President wants to change policy -or not - it is up to him. Everyone in a while Clinton makes me cringe.

[hlthe2b]

1. Is this momentary "obliviousness" or "too cute by half" by one known to be politically adept?

Cringe-inducing to me as well...

[Ninga]

11. My reaction was immediate and visceral. Nt

[G_j]

2. he sure did..

not cool, or thought through.

[northoftheborder]

19. agree

[rock]

3. I wish he had remained silent

He did not add anything useful the conversation.

[boston bean]

4. Wasn't there some other big issue Clinton spoke about that was a trial balloon

that Obama wanted and used Bill Clinton?

I can't remember what it was, but I believe it did happen prior.

[Laelth]

12. I can't recall the exact issue, but I think you are right.

President Clinton, for all his flaws, is a team player, and I distinctly remember feeling that President Obama had employed him to float a trial balloon in the past.

Wonder what it could be this time?



-Laelth

[Puzzledtraveller]

5. probably

I think going on tv and apologizing makes it worse though. I also do not think it was intentional but what he was repeatedly assured was true and was encouraged to say. Why some people around him still have their jobs is beyond me.

[seabeyond]

6. not clinton. he seems to have the need for a jab at the democrat to keep sittin on his roost. nt

[get the red out]

7. YES

Maybe he thought he was helping Hillary in some way, but I doubt he did even that.

[marmar]

8. I've always felt Clinton was Obama's frenemy.

And I think he's perhaps trying to help distance Hillary, the chosen one, from Obamacare somehow. Bill doesn't say things by accident.

[Ninga]

13. That's a scary thought - I recall during the 2008 primary he "stepped in it" with a "racism"

remark...which wasn't accurate or useful.

[maddezmom]

9. he is entitled to his opinion

But sometimes I think he needs to keep it to himself. I don't think it was helpful.

[Ninga]

10. If Hillary runs, he needs to not give his opinions, and only give stump speeches, otherwise

the talking heads will make him the story...and put Hillary in his shadow. In fact, he just needs to take a step back...now.

[quinnox]

14. No, I totally agree with Clinton on this

Of course, if it was up to me this would be the first of many major tweaks and adjustments to Obamacare, but at least its a start.

[Ninga]

16. Aren't there better ways to tweek other than giving the talking heads and the GOP

talking points that "even Bill Clinton thinks" (fill in the anti-Obamacare blah blah blah blank)

[quinnox]

18. Not when Obama had already apologized and then he agreed with Clinton

about this when his spokesman was asked about it.

[Ninga]

21. The spokesman said the right thing - but as usual the right thing doesn't matter, it's

perception that takes hold like a run-a-way train....Clinton did not need to say anything, which is my only point. He needs to button it up if an "agreement" can be pitched by the opposition as a criticism.

[quinnox]

23. Ok, it sounds like you think Dems should pretend Obamacare has gone swimmingly and smoothly

with no issues or problems. Sorry, but I disagree, and think it's a good thing when influential Democrats like Clinton speak out about this and talk reality, instead of living in a fantasy world, and ignore the problems. No offense intended, just my opinion.

[randome]

25. It shouldn't matter if Clinton was 'right' or not.

He should not be giving the impression of 'piling on'. Especially when he has nothing to offer regarding keeping one's existing insurance. Is the GOP-led House going to fund that? Not likely.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[JVS]

36. You're looking at this the wrong way.

It is precisely the fact that what he says won't change anything that makes it ok for him to say it.

Is Bill Clinton's comment going to get ACA overturned? Will it even lead to some kind of special exception to let people keep policies? Not unless Obama wants to let it happen and the GOP is willing to fund it, this is highly improbable.

The only thing Clinton's comment does is lets Democrats claim ground on whichever side of the issue is convenient.

[Ninga]

26. The issue is NOT Obamcare - it's whether a former President (of either party) should make

and/or give opinions that can be twisted into criticism.

Just like this:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/bill-clinton-made-racist-remarks-about-barack-obama-in-2008-report-262595

[quinnox]

30. See JVS post below, a good point of giving other Dems cover in upcoming election

I simply disagree with you on this. Its not all about Obama, the Democratic party is more important than him.

[Ninga]

37. Good grief. Since the Democratic President "tasked" his people to look at the issue, and it

gets fixed, then cover isn't needed, as candidates can the say...Democrats goofed, and we owned it, and fixed it.....because after all it's a good thing....

[peace13]

15. It's the open mouth of someone who has not had to look at insurance ...

...or the costs for his entire adult lifetime. He should be commenting on the crazy **cks who gave the keys to the car to the insurance companies on the run up to ACA. Insurance rates have skyrocket each year since the conception of the ACA and now the insurance companies are holding the last of their customers hostage. This has nothing to do with what President Obama said and everything to do with the thieving insurance companies. Next stop...single payer!

[Ninga]

17. I concur. Further, I think this discussion is relevant to a possible run by Hillary. Nt

[JoePhilly]

29. ^^^^ This ^^^^

Bill is inoculating Hillary.

No matter how this plays out, no mud lands on Hillary.

If things get worse, Hillary can say ... "I agreed with Bill. President Obama should have taken his advice."

If things improve, Hillary can say ... "President Obama did a great job resolving the initial issues and avoided having to take the drastic action that Bill suggested."

She's squeaky clean either way.

[gulliver]

20. Nope.

He knows what he is doing. Same with Obama.

[Ninga]

27. Oh right, like this:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/bill-clinton-made-racist-remarks-about-barack-obama-in-2008-report-262595

[randome]

22. It was an imprudent statement, surely.

Let's see the GOP jump on it and pass a law that fully funds existing insurance coverage. Like that will ever happen.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of
this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[JVS]

24. Clinton's suggestion allows Democrats who face re-election (i.e. politicians other than Obama)...

to avoid taking the heat for Obama failing to deliver what he promised.

Obama: You can keep your old insurance
Some of the Public: No we can't.
Some democrats: Keep your promise, Mr. President.

Plays a hell of a lot better to the public than...

Obama: You can keep your old insurance
Some of the Public: No we can't.
All Democrats: Tough shit!

Democrats who face re-election have to be able to criticize shortcomings of the current legislation, and since Obama never has to face another election, shortcomings of the legislation are best laid at his feet rather than defended by the entire party.

[Snarkoleptic]

28. Maybe he's just being petty and vindictive over the recent book published

stating BHO had a hard time dealing with concentrated doses of WJC on a one-on-one basis?
Egos can be bruised, even by sketchy tell-all books with questionable facts.

[Lint Head]

31. I am a life long Democrat. There are things I do not like

about Bill Clinton and this is one of them. Sometimes he needs to keep his big dog yap shut. He is also a little too close to the Bush crime family.

[Le Taz Hot]

32. That's Bill standing by his

woman's 2016 presidential campaign. That's what that is.

[HereSince1628]

33. Doncha think he was trying to create opportunity for space between Obama

and someone he will support in 2016?

Distancing from problems is part of triangulation...whose primary modes seem to be emphasizing connectedness with the popular, and divesting of the unpopular

His criticism enables others to do the same, and unless Obama's likables go up a need to distance will be important.

[RedstDem]

34. its about hill running for president

you need to look at it thru that lens.

yes, president Hillary will suck, but its better than president Ryan!!

[AngryAmish]

38. You are correct my friend.

Hillary needs to distance herself from this and she just did.

I wonder what the reprisal will be? I bet there will be a big Bengazi leak.

[Shankapotomus]

35. I think he just said it to confuse Republicans

Reverse psychology. Like the Bugs Bunny vs. the slow hunting dog routine.

"Duh, hey wait a second, duh. I'm not fallin' for that one, duh...That's crummy health insurance and dat screwy rabbit's tryin' to get me to take it, duh... But I'm gonna out smart 'em, yes, I will, duh..."

[musiclawyer]

39. Bill will derail Hillary

Bookmark this. This is the first of many foots in mouth that will turn the tide in favor of HRCs opponent, and there will be one ...

[Baitball Blogger]

40. I don't know about insurance, but people should be able to keep their own doctors.

In the early nineties when the HMOs were allowed way too much power in order to give them a chance to grow, a lot of mistakes were made. That is the reason people are so distrustful of these programs. In this case Clinton might have something to add to the dialogue since he was president when a lot of the mistakes were being exposed.