*** I KNOW WHY BILL CLINTON IS SO HATEFUL TO OBAMA!***

[PoliticalAmazon]

Jeeze, am I slow or what.

I was watching Obama's Annie Oakley rebuttal to Hillary today when it dawned on me: Obama is as good of a speaker as Bill Clinton is.

Not only that, but the audience loves Obama as much as Bill Clinton's audiences love Bill.

But here's the worst for Bill Clinton, I think: Obama is young, vital and alive. He has his health and decades in front of him. He can be so much more than even Bill Clinton ever hoped to be.

So that's why Bill Clinton is so hateful to Obama: Bill is jealous of Obama's charisma, his potential, but most of all his youth and vigor.

That's what drives the almost bizarre statements Bill Clinton has made about Obama: Jealousy.

[merh]

1. spot on

jealousy is a destructive mistress.

[scheming daemons]

2. Obama 2008 is Clinton 1992.... without bimbo eruptions...

...

[PoliticalAmazon]

4. I know, and it's killing Bill. n/t

[Emillereid]

42. Barack doesn't need any Bimbos. He's got Michelle! She is DY - NO - MITE!!!

[DemVet]

79. Does that mean...

...people will be insulting Obama on this board ten years from now? Probably.

[PoliticalAmazon]

87. If he puts the best interests of his dick ahead of the best interests of our country...

...and supports death-squad leaders that have executed 2500 union organizers in 10 years, and participated in one of the filthiest campaigns I've ever witnessed...

Yes. And I will be one of the ones insulting him.

I don't think that Bill Clinton's achievements should give him a free pass for the horrible things he has been involved in since the presidency.

[Coexist]

120. its MY teflon, dammit

you CAN'T HAVE IT.

[havocmom]

3. Yep, Bill is singing that old Eagles' tune

about the new kid in town

Everybody loves him
And you're still around.

[zulchzulu]

15. ..or the other Eagles song...

Desperado.

[nxylas]

93. I was thinking Toy Story myself

Bill is Woody, Barack is Buzz Lightyear. Hopefully, unlike Buzz, Barack won't believe his own hype and start thinking he can fly.

[AtomicKitten]

5. Obama is going to be a better president, the Clintons know it and they are pissed.

[PoliticalAmazon]

9. Absolutely. Great observation. n/t

[Hamlette]

33. and if Hillary is not elected, the Clintons won't be able to write the history

of Bill's presidency.

Still, hard to feel sorry for them as they brought it all on themselves.

A big self destructive streak in both of them.

[AtomicKitten]

35. Inevitability goes poof.

[patrice]

49. The World is going to Love him too.

He will be a respected negotiator of international issues.

[PoliticalAmazon]

88. ITA. International press is already very favorably. I have friends in Geneva...

...one an American, the other his wife who was born in Iran, and they say that people are fascinated with Obama. People have great hope for the turnaround of the U.S. if Obama wins.

[rodeodance]

6. ha dream on. you grasp a lame straw.

[Kurovski]

73. And you create a metaphor that truly sucks.

"Lame"? "Straw"?

[TankLV]

110. Exactly - obama's campaign is now IMPLODING and this is all they have...

[haymakeragain]

118. What color is the sky on your planet?

More to the point, what planet are you on?

[Butch350]

142. Yeah, Yeah

You'd better get-on-board before all the tickets are gone. This train is moving along ba-by.

[eleny]

7. Works for me

The Big Dog is now the Old Dog. Must grate.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Reminds of one of those old stars like Tony Curtis

YOUNG & VIRILE
OLD & GREY

[Kurovski]

74. LEAVE TONY CURTIS ALONE!

:D

He's a good guy. Not some political whore.

[eleny]

114. Bill can always take up painting clowns

Or landscapes or whatever inspires the old aging male divas these days.

Lose the toup, Tony! Jeez.

[tishaLA]

125. LOL! Now that is just

mean--and funny. I love Tony's brows (browlift much, Tony?), blush, and glossed lips.

[XemaSab]

8. Obama's way better looking than Bill EVER was.

:P

[patrice]

17. He has very! nice eyes.

I don't know why I didn't notice that before, but I did last night. Very! nice eyes.

[FrenchieCat]

22. I like Obama's bearing.......

He carries himself with so much casual elegance.

[patrice]

41. Like my favorite cat, Frankie.

Alert. Calm. Assured.

Michelle is a lucky woman.

[ErinBerin84]

10. I love how

the pundit talk has recently turned a bit from "Has Bill Clinton lost his politically savy?" to, from Chuck Todd and others, "Was he ever THAT savvy anyways? Would he ever have been elected in this YouTube culture?"

[PoliticalAmazon]

12. Chillingly accurate. He never would have been elected in YouTube culture....

...both he and Hillary live in the past now. They frequently evoke the past on the campaign trail.

[TankLV]

112. yeah - PEACE HOPE AND PROSPERITY as far as the eyes could see

was getting pretty "old" wasn't it...!!!

And now we've got a gay hating, rezko mob elected, "present" voting, "wright" candidate...who just can't keep from insulting people...

nice...

[murielm99]

127. You love the trashing of a fellow Democrat?

Then you are in the wrong forum. Quit trying to divide the party.

[Bake]

134. Oh, right. Obama's doing such a bang-up job of uniting the party ...

:rofl:

Bake

[murielm99]

140. Hey, I'm on your side.

I think Obama is the one dividing the party. I can't remember ever seeing it this bad.

I was replying to the poster who said he/she "loved" how the pundits were turning on Bill, saying that he had lost his political savvy. No Democrat loves it when another Democrat is trashed in the press.

[Bake]

141. Sorry. I obviously misread your post.

:hi:

Bake

[PVnRT]

143. Unity is Bill calling Obama supporters fools

Yep, unity.

[patrice]

11. You may have something there. The first pseudo-Black pResident

jealous of the Real Thing.

Remember when Randi Rhodes used to say that about Clinton, "The first Black pResident" boy howdy how she's changed her tune!

[PoliticalAmazon]

14. RR used to be very pro-Clinton, but RR is all about ethics and I think....

...the way the Clintons are running the campaign was just too much for even RR's loyalty (which can sometimes be beyond reason).

[patrice]

34. Believe me, I've been fighting for my objectivity. That's my way.

I didn't buy into all of the wild stuff that was being said on this board.

It was just HC's use of the words "demeaning" and "elitist" here lately that were the straw that broke this camel's back. Of the many many thousands of ways she COULD have responded and criticized constructively, and might even have taken the issue away from BHO by framing the same phenomena a little differently, she chose instead to hurt the Democratic Party by hurting BHO. I was shocked and VERY disappointed.

I hear from a reliable source that one of her pledged delegates in our state, a leading and long-time Democratic fiture here, regrets having organized for her and being pledged to her now.

[EFerrari]

13. It's a little worse than even that.

Obama is even better at appealing to people.

Thank god he doesn't play the sax. :scared:

[Bonobo]

16. Bill has given himself away several times when he has referred to his wife's age as regrettable.

Twice now he has raised Hillary's age.

The first time was when he said that she couldn't make herself any younger (he meant it as a compliment? Eww...)

The second time was recently, about Bosnia-Gate, when he said she was forgetful because she is a "60-year old woman".

The truth is, the old bulls always get mad when they are put out to pasture and have to watch the young bulls come in.

Horny old goats too.

[PoliticalAmazon]

18. Saying "she couldn't make herself any younger" is a lot like saying...

..."For a fat girl, you don't sweat very much."

Do you think Bill Clinton is jealous of Obama for his young, beautiful, energetic wife?

[Bonobo]

23. Yes, and I think Hillary hates Obama because he is as charismatic as Bill AND he

doesn't two-time his own wife.

I think it is part of both of their hatred. Not to mention the fact that they look so damn good. Tall, slim, good-looking.

[PoliticalAmazon]

29. You're right. Everything about the Obamas must make the Clintons jealous. n/t

[C_U_L8R]

19. It's Shakespearean.

This whole campaign is fascinating stuff. Real drama and treachery.

[Mz Pip]

20. You may be on to something

THere's a new guy in town and it must really piss off the Clinton's that he didn't wait his turn. Obama is everything the Clinton's stood for, or at least said they did. But Obman got in the way. He came too soon for them.

IN an alternate universe, Bill and Hillary would be his biggest supporters.

[aaronbees]

40. I think that's really true, Mz Pip

Obama stirs up the same kind of energy Bill did way back in '92 and like Bill back then he's weathered the campaign firestorm effectively. He's young, quick on his feet, positive, clearly intelligent and knowledgeable, well-spoken, and genuine ... qualities Bill had back in the '90s - feels like such a long time ago to me. Plus, Obama is truly gifted at galvanizing the public's hunger for hope (Bill was born in Hope, Ark., after all, and played that theme to great effect). It's strange and amusing to me to see so many Clinton supporters and Obama bashers criticize Obama's magnetism and ability to tap into the hope thing (by calling it a "cult" and saying he's an "empty suit") when in reality Obama's appeal on this one level is so similar to Bill back in '92.

At a different time when their own power is not at stake, I think the Clintons would support Obama, but now he's upset their apple cart. Hence, the kitchen sink is thrown at him for not waiting his turn. Pretty amazing to see. But that's what happens for some when they become part of the establishment and will do anything to keep it that way.

[patrice]

44. Ohhhh! That IS so true! It's weird isn't it? "Reality" is SO strange. nt

[undeterred]

24. Fake sincerity cringes around the real thing.

Bill Clinton loves being loved, loves being the center of attention, can't wait to arrange the whole world so he is back at the center of it.

How dare someone younger, smarter, more genuine, without the trashy skirt-chasing baggage, come along and take his place at the center of attention?

This campaign is about BILL's sense of entitlement as much as HILLARY's. That's why its so enormous-its coming from two people.

[PoliticalAmazon]

27. BINGO! Bill has his own sense of entitlement. n/t

[undeterred]

39. When the 3 of them came to my city, there was more interest

in him than in Hillary. 17,000 at the Obama rally, barely 3500 at the Clinton rally in Madison a couple of days apart. But Bill was on campus at the University of Wisconsin and there were thousands who wanted to see the former president. I don't think that means they were Hillary supporters. He's an engaging speaker and an important person. This must feed his ego to the max.

[Nedsdag]

25. k/r

:kick:

[bridgit]

26. I disagree. Clinton has a 3-D command of multi-leveled world events...

Obama has yet to speak on matters in little more than 6 to 9 words bursts, on top of which he's so/too lawyerly, too causal to speak his full mind...except for the "Annie Oakley" "duck blind" politic. That's what's on the tip of his mind make no mistake.

At present, and at his insistence; he is a local/community organizer. He's far yet to engage in worldwide causes such as HIV/AIDS that Clinton has tackled successfully

[PoliticalAmazon]

31. You're missing the point. For Bill Clinton, Obama has decades to....

pass him up. And already Obama is more charismatic and more dyanmic than Bill Clinton ever was.

But, most importantly, Obama is young, healthy, and virile. That's something Bill Clinton will never be again, and it must be eating him up.

[bridgit]

43. "virile"? Again I disagree. Obama is constantly preening the crease in his slacks...

Clinton & Gore would pop out of a campaign bus and start to toss a football around just cause. Certain images are forever.

Months back now, a AA woman called into the Schultz show. She went rather on & on about how black women are conditioned to support their men. And offered the basis upon which AA's are voting for Obama in the process. Her opinion seemed to have little to do with what Obama was actually saying especially when viewed up against the fact that Obama had said very little by that time other than "I'm here, vote for me"

She was giddy about the opportunity to do so, twitterpated; you could hear it in her voice giggling, all girly just talking about it. I remain unconvinced descriptions such as 'virile' in a presidential candidate is what America is looking for. I, of course, find my husband virile. But that's neither here nor there. And that wonderful quality that enjoy so much in him; is nowhere on his resume :shrug:

My sense is that Barack Obama is a dandy man.

vir·ile

1. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting a man; masculine; manly: virile strength.
2. having or exhibiting masculine energy, forcefulness, or strength in a marked degree.
3. characterized by a vigorous, masculine spirit: a virile literary style.
4. of, pertaining to, or capable of procreation.

twitterpated

Definition: confused by affection or infatuation

[PoliticalAmazon]

48. I'm a woman. I think Obama is virile, AND HOW. Bill Clinton isn't....

...he looks so fragile now. And his comments are sometimes so bizarre.

His comments against Obama are especially strange, and are the kind of political mistake that WJC in his prime NEVER would have made.

As much as there is a desperation in Hillary, there is a desperation in Bill, too. It's like they are trying to grab onto the brass ring that has already passed them by, and refuse to understand why we won't stop and backup the carousel just for them.

[bridgit]

54. I'm a woman and I *don't* see it; to me he's too thin, pissy/MEow/cat fight girly

but go for it this is still America...so far as I know :patriot:

[PoliticalAmazon]

94. What I see in thin men at his age: the higher probability that he will...

...be around a lot longer than someone who siphoned up donuts and Big Macs, and battled their weight most of their life.

I think that's part of his virility: his blasting-out good health.

[ginnyinWI]

64. They say heart surgery can change the personality.

Maybe this has happened to Bill. Made him more negative, short-tempered. Or else it's simply old age creeping up. They say Cheney got a lot more Cheney-esque since his heart surgery.

But whatever the reason, if I see Bill wagging that finger again, I'm gonna :puke:

[PoliticalAmazon]

92. It does change people, and Bill's fragility is understandable....

...I think it must be hard for Bill, who has always been as strong as a damned bull, to see Obama with good health, youth, and vigor.

[Levgreee]

36. "Obama has yet to speak on matters in little more than 6 to 9 words bursts" Completely false

In addition to the variety of talks he has given in the past, have you already forgot the speech on race that he just recently gave in Philadelphia?

[bridgit]

46. The speech on race was brought about because his poll numbers were fluttering due to...

the remarks of his pastor...have you forgot? I have no interest in a president that only speaks upon important matters when HE IS FORCED TO :eyes:

That was also the speech in which he cheap-shotted his white GrandMa :(

[patrice]

59. That post is WAY off. The guy is a Constitutional scholar.

My own freak-of-nature-bright Libertarian husband is impressed with him. You've heard about Libertarians, haven't you? They don't cut anyone any slack.

[Cameron27]

37. Absolutely,

without a script, Barack rambles endlessly before getting to the point. He doesn't have command of facts in the way that either Bill or Hillary do, and while they take complex facts and make them easier to understand, Obama unnecessarily complicates even the simplest subject with his professorial approach.

I don't think Bill Clinton entertains jealousy, it's not his style. As a matter of fact, I think he genuinely likes Obama as a person.

[PoliticalAmazon]

38. How do you explain WJC's bizarre comments, bordering on racism? Senility? ....

Bill Clinton's beef with Obama seems to be on a personal, as well as political, level.

WJC's comments are so totally out of character for him. There is something emotional bothering WJC. What do you think it is?

[Cameron27]

50. What comments are you talking about?

[PoliticalAmazon]

53. Well, here's two...

1) Claiming that the reason African-American Democratic Party voters voted for Obama in SCarolina was because Obama is black.

2) The "stealing cars" comment recently.

The last one was really bad. Why didn't Clinton just say "stealing watermelons" and be done with it?

[Cameron27]

56. He never said that AA's were voting

for Obama because he's black. He compared his win to Jesse Jackson's. The demographics on who was voting for BO were staggeringly slanted, and that's undeniable. On the other hand, Michelle Obama explicitly called out to AA's to vote for Obama simply because he's black. John Kerry explicitly stated that Barack would be a great diplomat simply because he's black, and black super delegates supporting HRC are being targeted by the Obama campaign and coerced to change their votes with threats that Obama supporters would challenge them during their next bid for office.

What did Bill say about stealing cars?

[Bake]

135. Heart surgery, for one thing.

I read an article, sorry I don't have a link, that post open-heart surgery patients often experience cognitive changes.

But frankly, Bill is still just as sharp and in command of facts as ever, and still just as great a communicator.

Further, I just don't see the "racist" crap in what Bill said. The South Carolina thing was simply a statement of fact - Jesse Jackson DID do well in SC, and I challenge any Obot to prove otherwise. It was a statement of fact, unless you're an Obama campaign trying to paint the opposition as "race-baiting" in order to get to 90% support in the AA community for your guy.

Bake

[bridgit]

52. He's never found lacking for want of a cheap shot i.e. I knew Annie Oakley, Sen. Obama...

She was a friend of mine. And you're no Fredrick Douglas

[TankLV]

113. but it's perfetly OK to shit on Gay People, right..;.!

and yet some continue to TRY to DEFEND that ASSHOLE "preacher"...

[murielm99]

58. This whole thread reeks of ageism, doesn't it?

And so many of the posters are attributing emotions to the Clintons that they probably have themselves.

Both the Clintons have an amazing grasp of foreign and domestic policy and experience in dealing with world and domestic leaders. Any fool who tries to diminish that by snickering about sniper fire is only showing his or her own immaturity.

The Clintons are too politically savvy to feel jealous of a neophyte like Obama. I think they probably like him as a person, too. They would like to see him grow as a leader and improve over time. They know that this simply is not the right time for him to become President.

I cannot think of one remark or one situation that would lead anyone to call the Clintons jealous. They simply think he is wrong. And they are waging a primary battle. If some of the people here would recall their history, they would realize that this is not by any stretch the worst primary fight in history.

[Usrename]

69. If that's all true, what you are saying about them, then riddle me this.

Why would Bill accept $800,000 to speak in favor of Uribe and the Columbian FTA?

[murielm99]

72. Clinton herself opposes the FTA.

If you did any reading or had an open mind, you would know that.

[Usrename]

81. That's exactly what I thought you were going to do.

When did she start opposing the FTA?

If you do any reading, or want to keep an open mind, you would try and find out.

Was it AFTER her husband cleared the $800,000 in personal income supporting it? Isn't $400,000 of that money her money?

How do you explain this away? Why would you support this method of governing the country?

I am well read enough to know that Hillary believes in this method of "pay to play" influence peddling in Washington, and in her mind it is the best thing that can be imagined for solving the problems that we are facing. She thinks things will only get better when a different group of people (her administration) is on the receiving end of these payments. She has stated her opinion about this many times, and it couldn't be any more clear. She believes that these special interest lobbyists are the voice of the people, the only real voice we have, and that Western civilization will collapse if we quit listening to them, if we quit allowing them to write our laws.

[murielm99]

128. Oh my.

Bill is the only one ever to make money on speaking fee after being President.

Do you have any links to the rest of the swill you posted?

[Usrename]

133. Wow. Didn't you just accuse me of not paying attention?

You should read any of the transcripts of the early debates with John Edwards if you want to see her defend her position on lobbyists. He managed to bring this subject up at every debate he participated in, whether he was asked about it or not.

Here is a good primer on how she views this subject:

http://vermontdailybriefing.com/?p=702

Yearly Kos has managed to generate an impressive amount of controversy this year, but almost certainly no moment will be revisited as often in the next six months as Hillary Clinton’s strangely stalwart defense of lobbyist contributions.

Do you really think bribery is OK, just as long the payola comes in the form of a speaking fee? Isn't that what got us here?

[PoliticalAmazon]

95. How do you explain WJC's almost bizarre comments against Obama?...

...They have done nothing but hurt their own campaign, and for Bill Clinton, with his uber skills at politics and campaigning, to consistently make such major mistakes, I think there has to be an emotional reason behind it.

His comments about Obama take on a personal tone which is NOT good politics and not a good reflection on Bill Clinton.

So, IMO, other possibilities would be that Bill Clinton is:
1) Growing senile.
2) Becoming mentally unstable.

I reject both of those possibilities of having no reasoning behind them. He is clearly still one of the sharpest knives in the drawer, and he has shown no other signs of emotionality other than when discussing Obama.

What do you think is driving those comments by WJC about BO?

[PoliticalAmazon]

96. The feelings the Clintons have are normal for high achievers...

...and it is something that perhaps a young person wouldn't recognize. It doesn't mean that it is not true.

[ginnyinWI]

66. Bill is a very angry person these days.

It's obvious. He's always going off on one thing or another. Not as sunny as he was in the old days.

[patrice]

45. Did you listen to him last night at the "Compassion Forum"? nt

[bridgit]

47. Yeah, and he sounded better in that venue, maybe better late than never n/t

[patrice]

57. Early on, I was NOT impressed, partly because I was, and still am, an Edwards supporter.

Obama didn't do much of anything in those early debates. I think maybe he was just trying to get through them while other candidates got eliminated. He just needed to still be standing.

I think it was the Ohio debate, wasn't that the first one where it was just he an HC sitting together on the stage, where I started to get a sense of his intellect. I swear there was a moment there too when, after a particularly long and wonderfully coherent answer, when HC also realized he is way better at this than she is. You could tell by her tone and tempo that he'd shaken her a bit. I like the way he doesn't accept the terms of the debate the way the media defines them. He expresses his own understanding.

I'm nearly 60 yrs old. I know a LOT of people. Taught AP Psychology. Have a couple of degrees. Big, big family, all ages, all types. My husband was an NMSQT finalist, got a free ride at Yale and Yale Law. I'm telling you this to let you know that I'm not easily impressed. BHO is the real thing. He may, in fact, be too good for the job. We'll see. I hope.

[bridgit]

63. I get a kick out of all these DUer's that assume just because one points out Obama's tackier...

little this & that's, they are then by definition a HRC support = whatEVER! Edwards was my guy, and I miss him still :( Kucinich was cool. He had scads of forward thinking stuff on his mind. But I come from a military family. And have seen a more serious side of national defense, and resolve. I therefore do believe America has enemies. Not just the straw-men we're told to fear. And so would have much appreciated Dennis giving a word or two on matters in which national peril was eminent.

De-escalation, diplomacy, conflict management, risk assessment/aversion are not jive pursuits. They are real deals too, however...and I believe it to be the case, as he has spoke upon such matters if only some would have been listening...

BHO is prepared to break some hearts regarding inevitabilities such as war, and war planning. If he is the 'real thing', then he will be compelled to engage a multi-layered; 2,3,4,5,6+ -D world.

No you're right, so far as I am able to recall; no one here at DU has ever suggested that Obama was not intelligent. I therefore say more power to him.

Thank you for your post. It was lovely being with you for a time. Precious moments are few & far between here in GD: P; and I thank you for this one :hi:

[Major Hogwash]

76. So, that's why you're bitter - Edwards being a quitter.

That sort of makes sense. But, the numbers don't favor Hillary, so I think you're setting yourself up to let down again if she's your new choice.

[PoliticalAmazon]

97. I was an Edwards supporter, and reluctantly started checking out Obama...

...after Edwards withdrew. Who knows? If I had known Obama as well as I knew Edwards at the very beginning of the campaign, I may have been an Obama supporter from the very beginning.

I am sorry that Edwards left the campaign. My biggest campaign wish right now is that Obama would name him as VP, and Richardson as Secretary of State.

[bridgit]

126. hahahaha, you just keep hanging in there with your boiler plate gibberish, pal...

;) the buzz is no longer numbers "favoring" BHO (which by the by HRC is not that far off the mark as you guys would care to think), but Big State and *therefore* national elect-ability. That is where HRC's numbers don't really look all that bad. At convention it's a little push here, little push there, some horse trading, a couple broken hearts, and few drops of blood and your guys out. Welcome to America. But I at least hope you get your way too; get whatever it is that makes you happy...I remain unconvinced that you wish me any goodwill. In either event...

You guys just need to understand that the contest is continuing in spite of your 'I/Me & Mine So Just Drop Out Cause We Don't Really Like To Work All That Hard Or Think All That Much' approach to American Politics

As for "bitter", Major Hogwash, I have every confidence in directing you to the mirror in your bathroom :rofl: :thumbsup:

[ginnyinWI]

67. Today he gave a long talk,

detailing all sorts of things, like what he wants to change in Washington, what sort of administration he'd have, exactly why it is dangerous to keep our troops in Iraq and ignore Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, ethics reform--all sorts of stuff. He's never at a loss for words.

Your portrayal is not true.

[bridgit]

68. I heard part of it, and it's well past time for him to come out of the pom-pom waving...

university gymnasiums filled with smiles & cheering adoration and start talking plain talk that matters imo

[Bonobo]

70. "Obama has yet to speak on matters in little more than 6 to 9 words bursts"

Ha ha ha! Do you have ANY idea how STUPID that sounds?

Everyone admits he's a great orator.

You just sound dumb.

[bridgit]

71. You have no ear *for* oration, you're just hearing what you want to hear...

BHO supporters are very good at that if nothing else :eyes:

[SoCalDem]

28. What should have been

and with it.. a breeze to an easy victory over Grandpa

I am sad about what we "could" have had

Posted by SoCalDem in General Discussion: Primaries
Thu Mar 13th 2008, 08:49 AM

Had hubris and raw lust for power not entered into the plan, we could have had the most unified party, and at just the right time.

Bill Clinton left office still popular, his wife went on the be a US senator.... and was easily re-elected. She had won over the most die-hard upper New York conservatives. Almost everyone had good things to say about her as a senator...

For seven and a half years she coyly rebuffed suggestions that she was really just preparing for her own run for the presidency. We all pretty much knew what she had planned... . or was it even HER plan? Was it Bill's plan FOR her? Perhaps as a gesture of contrition for all he has put her though?

HE is the great campaigner..the schmoozer who can talk for hours, sans notes. He's the one with the BIG personality.. Could it have been a way for him to revive his own presidency, and live vicariously though her?

Don't get me wrong... she's a very intelligent woman, and has gotten high marks for her senate tenure, but she also is a controversy magnet, and has extremely high negatives. They may be unfairly attributed to her, but she WAS half of the famous "two for the price of one" team, and she had her own share of bad press and difficulties.

Perhaps they thought that Bill's charisma would automatically transfer to her if she ran. Early on, I sensed that it was not going to happen, and maybe Bill saw it too..That sense of "what do we do now?" might have been what led him (and others) to make rash comments here and there...to plant little seeds of doubt about the worthiness of the person who shocked them all, and became the front runner..

The fact that he was an African-American man, very much LIKE Bill was impossible to miss. Bill Clinton, the so-called "first Black president", who had excellent relationships in one of the most faithfully democratic communities, found himself at a crossroads.. "Burn every bridge" , in order to lessen Obama's appeal, and risk angering the very people he has had such an affinity for for decades, or cede them over to the first really electable African American candidate.. He chose option #1 and got both in return, AND falling popularity for himself.

the pictures we should have/could have seen on the campaign trail look like this:




Obama's campaign could have been the crowning glory for Bill and Hillary.. The older , wiser First Couple, shepherding the next generation.. The culmination of Martin Luther King's dream, and with their help, a bringing together of young, old, male, female, white, black.. A HUGE coalition that could have endured.. I could even see Bill becoming Sec of State and Hillary , senate majority leader (lord knows Reid is not cutting it)..


And instead .... we have acrimony and pictures like this.. and almost daily "apologies"..and older white women vs almost everyone , and African Americans turning away from the man they trusted and loved for many years..and they all just look totally "tapped out".. and angry







This is how we kill dreams..

[bluestateguy]

30. I have thought this myself

Obama is also resilient like Clinton was (and to be fair, as she is today). Obama has bounced back from the Rev. Wright business and the "plagiarism" accusations, when such charges might have sunk any other politician.

Another point, Obama has matched--no, exceeded--the Clintons when it comes to fundraising. The CW was always that no one could top the Clintons in fundraising in the Democratic Party.

[mtnsnake]

32. Yes, I'm sure a World Class Rock Star & popular former President is jealous of Barack (snicker)

[Ysabel]

51. oh hell yes bill is jealous and...

obama isn't a pig either...

- :D

[HuffleClaw]

55. this continual characterization of ANY criticism of either obama or clinton as 'hateful' is wrong

it cheapens the discourse (not that it can get much cheaper)

[patrice]

62. It is possible to describe negative things without judgement.

People should try to avoid loaded words.

[PoliticalAmazon]

98. I believe in calling things for what they are..."negative" is different...

than the kinds of attacks Bill Cinton has lobbed at Obama. I think "negative" seeks to whitewash the nature of WJC's comments and is, therefore, inaccurate.

[D23MIURG23]

60. Thats it exactly.

[graycem]

61. Those pictures are great.. well,

the first set. It really is sort of sad. I know that you probably shouldn't put too much emotion into any politician, but how awesome would that have been, if they had been able to keep it clean and form that joint ticket. They really would've been unstoppable.

I always admired Bill, even when he had personal failings, he seemed to care about people. I bought his book, heck I even sent him a small gift when he had his heart surgery. Maybe I was naive, and man, I hate when the blinders come off. I am in Amarillo and could've gone to see him so easily. A year ago, I would've done anything for the opportunity to hear him speak live, and he was here just a few miles away, and I just felt, meh, disappointment.

[here_is_to_hope]

65. Well, I'm a little jelous of the guy myself...n/t

[Jamastiene]

75. Obama is good at public speaking. I'll give him creds for that, but

he cannot hold a candle to Bill Clinton. I'm not sure anyone can, to be honest.

[kwenu]

77. Barack is the new Bill sans the zipper problem.

[Raine]

78. Exactly on point

:thumbsup:

[Perry Logan]

80. When Obamites read the Clintons' minds, they always sound like characters in a bad comic book.

[PoliticalAmazon]

115. It's not "mind reading." It's simple observation of patterns...

...and attempting to find an explanation for an anomaly.

[mtnsnake]

82. Hey, Political Amazon, Richard Belzer stole your material and used it on Morning Blow this morning

In his disgusting rant this morning where he blamed Hillary for the destruction of the Democratic Party and blamed her for being the reason that millions of new young voters would become disillusioned and jump off a bridge if Obama didn't get the nod, he also parroted your sentiments EXACTLY about how Bill Clinton is jealous of Obama. Belzer should be paying you for stealing your material!

(If you get some money from him, don't forget my commission!!)

[PoliticalAmazon]

99. LOL. If I get any $$$ out of it, you'll get a right-purty finder's fee. n/t

[Life Long Dem]

83. Hillary supporters are supporting the Republican McSame n/t

[Independent-Voter]

84. Actually, he's a hell of alot better speaker than Bill

Obama is going to put the Clinton's in the rear-view mirror as far as America is concerned. It's well past time to turn the page on those two sociopaths.

[knixphan]

103. exactly.

[lynnertic]

85. Bill Clinton is overextended and in ailing health

the man deserves to rest before he dies.

[BklynChick]

86. green eyed monster

[meow mix]

89. K&R

:popcorn:

[berni_mccoy]

90. Obama is a BETTER speaker than Bill. And he will be a BETTER president.

[knixphan]

91. And Obama will accomplish 10x more.

[ShortnFiery]

100. "Bill is jealous of Obama's charisma, his potential, but most of all - his youth and vigor."

Spot on. I think that also is partly true of the following EGO-MANIACS: James Carville, Pat Buchanan, Sean Hannity and Geraldine Ferraro. All of the foregoing people are insanely JEALOUS of his intelligence and appeal to America's youth.

It's kind of sad to see *the visceral* hatred ... there is something deeper and I concur, it's jealousy.

On Edit: I forgot to add Joe Scarborough ... especially Joe Scarborough :evilgrin:

[knixphan]

104. and maybe just a dash of cultural entitlement....

[PoliticalAmazon]

116. It's the "brass-ring" concept...

...The Clintons are trying to grasp the brass ring, it's already passed them by, and they can't understand why we won't stop the carousel and run it backwards just for them.

Someone said that if WJC was running for president now, he would not be elected because both he and Hillary are out of step with the new YouTube world. Indeed, both of the Clintons speak a lot about the past (Hillary more than Bill), and it's very Republicanish in approach to winning voters. It's the Republican Party that has always looked to the past and been, on some level, afraid to face the future that current changes, which they cannot stop, will bring.

Well, we see the Clintons doing it now, and it is sad.

[BumRushDaShow]

101. Correct.

They are oddly similar in an almost beyond coincedental way. Both lawyers from Ivy Leagues schools, both "people persons", both southpaws, both tall, both Leos born in the same month, both very verbal and energenic.

The difference being one lied about inhaling and is a skirt-chaser. :rofl:

[psychopomp]

102. Yeah, I made that realization a few months ago

Sen. Obama is the young buck who has stolen the old man's thunder. One of the oldest stories in the world, really.

[knixphan]

107. Young lions usually have to overthrow the old ones, right?

[PoliticalAmazon]

117. If they don't, the pride will not be competitive, and may be naturally selected out. n/t

[americanstranger]

105. And he's better at employing Clinton's strategy.

The reason Hillary is losing is because Obama and his team have taken Clinton/Carville/Begala's 'War Room' strategy and actually improved upon it.

Hillary is not capable of using that strategy. She's not likable enough to use it.

Obama is. That must chafe Bill's hide, that some upstart is better at campaigning than Bill's candidate.

- as

[DevonRex]

106. And Bill sounds so OLD. My 80-year-old in-laws

sound younger than he does. So I agree he is jealous. He probably never thought there'd be a guy running who is as smart as he is and can speak better. And I think he's really angry that his coat tails aren't helping Hillary more.

[knixphan]

108. 'them is some worn-out coattails....'

and Bill used em to gain millions of dollars.

Time for the next wave. Bill has enough retirement money for several lifetimes.

[jefferson_dem]

109. Bill was pretty cool back in the day. Now he's just a *bitter* grumpy old man.

Ack.

[Texas Hill Country]

111. The Annie Oakley speech was shameful IMO. it was patronizing and rude.

it reminded me of a high school bully picking on a "nerd"

It wasnt WHAT he said, it was how he said it... his demeanor was terrible.

[scheming daemons]

123. After weeks of being patronizing and rude herself, she deserved it....

[faithfulcitizen]

119. True, but Obama's is MORE & THEN some compared to Bill. Perhaps Obama is who Bill aspired to be?

[PoliticalAmazon]

121. Ouch for Bill, but I think you are corerct. n/t

[scheming daemons]

122. Barack Obama is "Bill Clinton 2.0".... and that's driving Bubba crazy....

....

[madrchsod]

124. yup....

bill can no longer be portrayed as the first "black president" . that was stupid to begin with now it`s just plain wrong

[PoliticalAmazon]

129. Oh my. I didn't think about that. That has to hurt. n/t

[Beaverhausen]

130. sorry- not buying it. Obama is no Bill Clinton

Obama might be smart and well-spoken and have a nice smile, but WJC was and is a true statesman. Obama isn't quite there yet.

[Brigid]

131. Obama no Clinton? You say that like it's a bad thing.

I think Obama is the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in decades. I liked Clinton, but he's getting really irritating in his old age, and so is Hillary. I happily voted for Obama today. :)

[Brigid]

132. Obama no Clinton? You say that like it's a bad thing.

I think Obama is the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party in decades. I liked Clinton, but he's getting really irritating in his old age, and so is Hillary. I happily voted for Obama today. :)

[Nia Zuri]

136. Could Bill be.......

Bitter????

[anamnua]

137. Sweet mother of God!

That is like Robert De Niro being jealous of a rookie B movie actor.

[Blue-Jay]

138. .

[DawgHouse]

139. Yes, Bill is just jellis.

:sarcasm:

[knixphan]

144. And Bill doesn't want the next stage of the process...

OBAMA -vs- McCAIN

will remove the word 'Clinton' from every newspaper in the nation.

possibly forever.

the dying of the light...

it's only human to rage against it.