Okay, so WTF is *this*?

[NewHampshireDem]

Senator Clinton, when Bill Richardson called you to say he was endorsing Barack Obama, you told him that Senator Obama can't win. I'm not going to ask you about that conversation. I know you don't want to talk about it. But a simple yes-or-no question: Do you think Senator Obama can beat John McCain or not?

I know people have fixated on her response to that question, but to me, the larger issue has been overlooked: Former Clinton aide gives Clinton debate pass.

Your 'media' at 'work' for 'you.' :puke:

[MadBadger]

1. I know, can you believe it?

[LSparkle]

2. Yup ... Bill must have told Georgie "you owe me"

I know GS and BC didn't part ways amicably, but I couldn't help but think
last night that he felt he needed to "pay his boss back" by trying to
save his wife's ass.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. lol.

What a maroon!

[Texas Hill Country]

4. i dont think it was a pass at all. that was a hardball question. very hardball, especially for her

[madwivoter]

5. Ha.

I hope you forgot the :sarcasm: tag.

[gateley]

6. I read it differently --

partly because I think George S. STRONGLY dislikes the Clintons.

I think he "got it out there" as a fact. Essentially saying "you told Richardson Obama can't win.". If had asked her she would have given the same "I don't discuss personal conversations" response.

Instead, I think he DIDN'T give her the chance to wiggle out of the fact that she said it, but presented it as a given.

[Debi]

7. Where would you get the idea he dislikes the Clintons?

I know President Clinton has problems with Stephanopoulos because of the book he wrote, but I haven't heard that HE dislikes them any.

:shrug:

Here's his 'hard hitting' interview with Clinton prior to the Iowa Caucuses :eyes:

http://thepage.time.com/transcript-of-clinton-on-this-week/

He should have endorsed her right then and there. (may have helped her hit a better than third place finish)

[gateley]

8. I guess from some of the things I've read excerpted from that book.

That he feels as though the Clintons discarded him (gee, we never hear THAT do we? :sarcasm:), that he had to get counseling because he was mentally such a wreck, etc.

And my gut feeling when I saw her on his ABC show. She would gush and go "Oh, George, YOU understand what it's like", but he didn't bite. Just kept looking stonily at her awaiting a reply to his question.

My opinion, I guess, nothing more.

Has he said what he thinks of them, either way, or is it all open to interpretation?

[Debi]

17. I think it's all open to interpretation

However, he would not be where he is w/out being where he was. He may have been disappointed in both Clinton's past behavior - that doesn't mean he dislikes either one of them.

Just like you, it is just my opinion. :hi:

[NewHampshireDem]

10. @ Debi & Gateley

Either way ... would (should?) the 'media' allow, oh, I dunno, maybe one of the former Mrs. McCains moderate a debate?

Why frame the question in that way: 'I could ask, but I won't because you don't want me to?' Frankly, my issue with it is the incestuous relationship between the media and politicians. The whole Dunkin'-Donuts-standing-ovation thing earlier in the week, and now this. Seriously, how can anyone (and I'm not suggesting either of you do) think this is good for our country? Damn--where's Jon Stewart when you need him?

[Debi]

18. I agree w/you

Former staff members should not be moderating debates or doing 'hard hitting' interviews. The mere appearance of special treatment is sufficient for all of us to question the reporter/moderator's integrity.

[rinsd]

12. His book was a tale of disappoint in the Clintons.

[rinsd]

14. That was how I saw it.

[Major Hogwash]

15. Don't you think Bubba going out and saying on teevee that he was promised made it an issue?

I think it did. When Bubba went out and said "he said 5 times to my face that he would endorse Hillary".

Of course, that was a lie, too, but I think that is why that question was brought up to begin with.

[Ian_rd]

22. "I won't ask you about Rev. Wright, Senator Obama. I know you don't want to talk about it."

Remember that part? I don't either.

[quantass]

9. bingo

[rinsd]

11. Bringing up an uncomfortable story then forcing a yes or no answer is a pass?

Let's hope neither of our candidates has to deal with such passes in a GE debate.

:eyes:

[Enrique]

13. he didn't have to bring it up at all

[Major Hogwash]

16. They tried to smear Richardson - Carville even called him "Judas", so it was a fair question.

If the Hillary team had not gone out of their way to smear Richardson like that, I don't think it would have been an issue.

But, they were the ones that made it an issue.

[SKKY]

21. I was a fair question up until he said, "...a simple yes or no."

At that point, he gave her a pass and basically steered the question to her advantage. Now, asking her to explain those comments and why she felt that way, THAT would be a real debate question.

[Major Hogwash]

24. Yeah, but that was because Hillary was dancing around the question not answering it

Just like she did about the question about the upcoming Supreme Court case concerning guns in Washington, D.C.

She went on a spiel, but didn't answer the question, until George basically pleaded with her to answer it, "please, just a yes or no".

He was trying to help her, but she was too dumb to see it that way.

[redqueen]

19. The larger issue is ONLY being overlooked by Hillary's more rabid supporters.

Most people can pick up on that stuff pretty easily.

[SKKY]

20. I'm glad someone else saw it that way...

...When I saw that, I had a feeling a fix was in because I don't recall Obama getting a pass like that.

[ecstatic]

23. Good catch. Did he think Obama wanted to talk about lapel pins and Ayer?