Clinton Relishing Role as Democrats' Adviser in Chief [NYT]

[truthisfreedom]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/04/politics/campaigns/04CLIN.html?ex=1073797200&en=071c16abce6dc082&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

Clinton Relishing Role as Democrats' Adviser in Chief


By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

Published: January 4, 2004

Associated Press

The Democratic presidential candidates have sought advice from Bill Clinton, who is still eager to talk politics.

ASHINGTON, Jan. 3 — He left office nearly three years ago, but Bill Clinton, the youngest ex-president in modern times, is still the go-to guy in Democratic politics.
All of the party's major candidates for president say they call on Mr. Clinton for advice. They say the former president always seems eager to talk politics, and one says the former president sometimes seems to relish the calls as an excuse not to work on his memoirs.

<snip>

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, who calls himself the former president's ideological heir, said, "He's brilliant, both on policy and politics."
"We'll talk about where we are on some issue, and maybe this is the way to deal with it," Mr. Lieberman said.
Representative Richard A. Gephardt said Mr. Clinton had helped with "the whole construct" of his campaign.
Mr. Gephardt added: "He always said to me, `One of your advantages is your experience,' and he said, `That's something you obviously need to talk about and make an asset, not a negative.' "
When Gen. Wesley K. Clark, a fellow Arkansan, entered the campaign in September, the re-emergence of Clinton loyalists like Bruce Lindsey fueled speculation that Mr. Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, were backing General Clark as a way to stop another candidate, Howard Dean. General Clark said the Clintons had encouraged him to run, but the Clintons have said they would not endorse anyone in the primaries.

<snip>
"All of the candidates would like to emulate his success and to contrast the economic success of the 90's with what Bush has done," Mr. Mann said.

<more>

[MINEMAN]

1. I find it hard

to believe that the Clintons will not endorse anyone. Somebody is on crack.

[lancdem]

3. Not before the primaries are over

Makes sense to me. If Clinton endorses someone before then, he'd forfeit his role as adviser-in-chief, which he obviously loves.

BTW, I liked this line: "one says the former president sometimes seems to relish the calls as an excuse not to work on his memoirs."

[Auntie Bush]

5. Ysah! And the Crack ia going to open wide.! n/t

[The Zanti Regent]

11. Note that the distinguished PRESSTITUTE Katherine Seelye wrote this

Bob Somersby's Daily Howler and Media Whores Online have repeatedly exposed Seelye as the Republican Presstitute that she really is. Somersby and The Horse exposed lie after lie this slut wrote about Al Gore (and YES, she used to call him "AL WHORE").

I wonder why the Screw York Times fires Jayson B-LIAR but keeps this libelous louse. Oh well, consider who else "writes" for the Screw York Times (the only honest person who tells the truth in that so-called paper is Paul Krugman!)...

[mrdmk]

19. I agree

The article is loosely related conversations bent on the assumption people should know everything about a subject before contemplating an endeavor. There is no history or meaning to this story.

[kath]

27. Yeah, when I saw that Seelye the megawhore wrote this article,

I decided that it wasn't worth my time to read it. screw her.

[Blue_Roses]

14. Yep

he said that on CSPAN a couple of months ago when he and Bob Dole did an interview together. He is NOT endorsing anyone. He made that REAL clear.

[Eric J in MN]

2. It was a mistake for Gore to distance himself from Clinton. I hope

It was a mistake for Gore to distance himself from Clinton, I hope that after the Democratic nominee becomes apparent (after March 9 primaries) that Clinton will be asked to speak for his campaign all over the country.

So what if Bill Clinton is controversial among Independents?

Clinton was elected twice because he's a great speaker, among other reasons.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Big Dog needs to learn that he is no longer President

He should accept the fact that he is now another citizen, and quit meddling in the primary process.

Either endorse a candidate, or shut up!

[Auntie Bush]

6. Why?

He's the most learned politician out there!

Remember...Dean sought or seeks his advice. If he comes out for Clark...Dean loses access. So watch out what you hope for.

[Auntie Bush]

8. PS

Then shouldn't Gore forget he was VP and go away?
What's good for the goose is good for the gander!
Or should I say...What's good for Gander is good for the goose.
(Note...I didn't call Gore a goose) Hope I didn't break the rules.

[dfong63]

10. PPS

Then shouldn't Gore forget he was VP and go away?

no, because Gore is the elected president of the US.

[Clark4VotingRights]

7. Former presidents generally remain prominent, and often outspoken

It's standard, and proper.
A normal white house uses former presidents as advisers,
and sometimes emissaries. This is not a normal white house.
They don't want advisors.
But Clinton is doing exactly what ex presidents do in advising
his party.

[Auntie Bush]

9. Clinton is doing exactly what ex presidents do in advising

Notice Clinton/Clark have the same war strategy. Speaks well for both.

[Kolesar]

12. What does Clinton advising candidates have to do with the Bush WhiteHouse?

That is what you said, wasn't it?

[mrdmk]

17. It goes a further than that

Not only do Presidents advise, so do Vice Presidents and cabinet members. This is an ongoing country and the union does not cease upon change of the presidency. The current government checks with members of the past government to confirm facts, agreements and strategy. There is an unwritten rule if a member of the current government calls a member of the past government your statements are true and forthcoming no matter of the political party. The Bush Jr. government does not call upon past government of the Clinton government and there may be a problem with any future government having to deal with Mr. Bush Jr. and staff considering what they do to political opponents.

This also goes for party members. They do need to talk to one another or else matters get out of hand. Clinton does have experience in campaigning and being the president. It would be stupid for the current candidates not to seek his advice.

[lancdem]

15. Shut up?

What exactly has he said? He's giving private advice to candidates who call him. They're taking the initiative, not him. How is that meddling?

[madforffingyears]

21. Never bad mouth a Clinton

They have done more for America than any of us could ever do. How dare you speak negative of the last royal family to help America.

[roguevalley]

22. since they call him, its not meddling.

[MysticMind]

24. so private citizens don't have the right to..

Speak their minds about how politicians can win races? Or do you want Clinton to shut up because he's influencial enough to convince the party to go far left. Should Gore shut up too?

[Catherine Vincent]

28. Don't you dare tell Clinton to shut up!

[Malva Zebrina]

13. wouldn't he love to run again!

I bet. He would clobber Bush if he did.

[goforit]

16. Yes , they are all best buds with Bill,......Oh Please!!!!

Whatever!!!

History ain't gonna help them now!!!

Clinton should have ordered the National Gaurd to monitor Florida's
2000 counting due to Jeb Bush's conflict of interest.
Bill chose to do nothing.
And here we are!!!

[giantrobot_2000]

18. ...

No, you can blame that on the supine SCLM.

[SnoringMouse]

20. Bill is still a God

The world has never seen such a God as Bill and may never again. I'm sure Hillary will be President as soon as she is ready and then the world will be once again impressed with America. The Clintons are all Gods and even Chelsea will rule America when she is ready.

We in America are not really deserving of their true stature but we should all bend a knee in their grace for fighting for us in our time of need. God grant his grace on thee of the Clintons whom have blessed us with their wisdom and sacrifice to lead us out of the darkness and into the light.

If the USA was ready for a monarcy the Clintons would be our Kings and Queens. God bless them and forgive us for ever doubting their wisdom and knowledge for what is best for America.

Bill's accident and favour with Monica is forgiven by most of us and we understand that the stress he was under deserved the kind of needed attention Monica gave hime in his hour of need. All is forgiven Bill and we know in our hearts that Hillary understands his need at the time.

God bless the Clintons each and every one.

[leetrisck]

23. And instead, the Supreme Court

knighted the bush family - bush is the "titled" and the "entitled"

[goforit]

25. Bingo!!!............So much for Democracy!

This is reality now.

No more fantasies for me and dreaming what it could have been.

Time only to roll up our sleeves and get down to business.

[jab105]

26. Seems to be doing a piss poor job so far...

since he left office...

I dont think democrats can run on clinton's support...it is too devisive...

[peacetalksforall]

29. Shut up? Devisive?

If he really shut up, people all over the world would turn against him. His very capable mind helps us all focus - even his opponents.

Devisive? C'mon. That doesn't even deserve an answer unless you're referring to his affair. And that is boring. After all these years, there is nothing new there.