Bill Clinton Invokes the "Bad Dreams" of a Former P.O.W.

[RamboLiberal]

Former President Bill Clinton spoke at the Aspen Ideas Festival where, in a conversation about global issues and philanthropy with Aspen Institute vice president Jane Wales, he made one comment that at least one attendee -- The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg -- took as a shot at presumptive GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

In a conversation about former South African president Nelson Mandela, Clinton talked about Mandela's ability to forgive his captors.

"Didn't you hate them?" Clinton recalled asking Mandela privately, referring to Mandela's final steps as a prisoner walking to freedom.

"'Sure I did,'" Mandela said, per Clinton. "'I felt anger and hatred and fear. And I realized if I kept hating them, once I got in that car and got through the gate I would still be in prison. So I let it go because I wanted to be free.'"

Continued Clinton: "Every living soul on the planet has some often highly justified anger. Everybody… If you know anybody who was a P.O.W. for any length of time, you will see, you go along for months or maybe even years and then something will happen and it will trigger all those bad dreams, and it will come back, it may not last 30 seconds…"

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/bill-clinton-in.html

Will the media whores try to turn this in to Bill dissing McCain?

[27inCali]

1. I was a bit disappointed with Bill during the primaries

But I'm in love with him right now, giving McCain the poison kiss. Using a compassionate overall statement to subtly slip in the semi-subliminable suggestion, "you know folks, those POWs went through some crazy shit, it's not their fault if they occasionally flip the fuck out and do some batshit crazy Vietnam flash-back shit and choke some dude half to death every once in a while."

I love you Bill, comin in after that all that nasty, bitter primary battling and just sucka punching McGrumpy right it the nuts like, Bam! no mercy.

Billy Boy plays for blood, mutha fucka!

[cornermouse]

2. Is Bill Clinton the new "in" this week?

Someone has given a green light and we can all go back to liking him now? :sarcasm:

Those of us who always liked him are relieved to hear that.

[McCamy Taylor]

4. I think it would be good if the press wrote about him and laid off Obama, since

Clinton isn't running for anything and so they can not hurt him.

[JoFerret]

6. Bill's the same as he ever was

(Pretty much)
But the season has changed and now he does not have to be trashed so vehemently. And as Hillary gets out there making a difference for victory it will be pronounced that she is OK, now.

[McCamy Taylor]

3. Beautiful words about Mandela. I detect nothing about McCain.

The "POW" reference seemed to be to explain why Mandela would sometimes get angry---i.e. he sometimes had PTSD attacks.

[JoFerret]

7. Really?

But that doesn't matter. As long as others did.

[RichGirl]

9. Really?

It seems obvious to me. We've been hearing about McCain's explosive temper. Unlike Mandela, McCain, apparently has not let go of his anger at his captors. It is dangerous for a president to have this kind of unpredictable, uncontrollable anger that can be set off unexpectantly.

Kipling said "to keep your head while all others are losing theirs". That's what we need from a president. Someone who can keep their cool in ANY situation.

(FYI...notice how I complimented Obama without even mentioning his name. Bill Clinton ripped McCain, without mentioning his name.)

[karynnj]

12. The two comments - Mandela's and Clinton's are intersting

To me, what Mandela is saying is that keeping the anger would keep you from being free. He's speaking of letting it go.

Last spring, I was lucky to hear Sister Helen Prejean speak. She was the real life nun, whose story was told in "Dead Man Walking". In that speech, she spoke of how one person, who led her to take on her quest against the death penalty was the father of one of the youths who were murdered. He moved beyond hatred because he realized that he didn't want to feel the hate and anger all the time and have it define him. (take this recollection with a grain of salt - it is from memory only)

Mandela's comment sounds like this as well. If Clinton did not say, POW, I would think that he could be giving advice to himself. He has had many public displays of seemingly uncontrollable anger. Mandela clearly lived the life of one following the sentiment that Clinton quoted - and South Africa is the better for it (even with all their problems). There are American politicians, who can be credited with putting their anger at transgressions aside and working for what they believe in - Gore and Kerry come to mind.

Throwing in POW when McCain is one - is weird.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Speaking Of Anger, Hatred, And Fear...

Did Clinton use the opportunity of his speech to finally endorse Obama?

[polmaven]

8. Speaking of anger, hatred and fear,

when are you going to let go of yours?

The event was not a political appearance for the purpose of "endorsing" anyone. President Clinton has had a phone conversation with Senator Obama, and will, I'm sure, do what the Senator needs him to do at the proper time and place.

Give it a break! And as so many are so fond of saying, "Get over it".

[MannyGoldstein]

10. I'm Sorry - You're Right

I'm sure it's typical for a former Democratic president to withhold an endorsement from the Party's nominee for over a month. Clinton's probably doing it to help Obama.

[karynnj]

13. Hey Manny,

You know it's the Obama people holding the endorsement until the proper moment.

I think linking Mandela's statement to his POW quote is weird. If intended to hurt McCain, it backfires as it links McCain to Mandela.

Not to mention, there are people who NEVER were POWs, that have bouts of intense anger - even on TV when they wag their finger at reporters.

[MannyGoldstein]

16. I Hope You're Right About The Endorsement

Winning in November is critical.

[karynnj]

19. OOps - I was saying that sarcasticly

Though in 2004, I don't think there was a big overt endorsement of Kerry. the only thing I remember is that there was a big democratic event where Clinton praised all the 2004 people, including Kerry, as well as spoke of Kerry as the nominee. He also gave his speech at the convention.

This really shows what a mess is created when a First Spouse runs. Opponents need to highlight the low points because the spouse will (justifiably) use the high points. How else do you contest it. (It likely would have been even messier if Al Gore or John Kerry had run against them. ) Now, it makes the endorsement more important - especially when matches to the attacks.

You are right that it has to be done - It actually has to be done well.

[polmaven]

17. President Clinton

is not a political neophyte, and has stated he will do as the nominee wishes him to do. It really, really is time for you to get over your hatred of anything spelled Clinton, and move forward with the NEW head of the Democratic Party, the presidential nominee.

This was not a "typical" primary season, and you know it as well as I. The "typical" former Democratic president did not have a spouse running for the nomination and was not vilified by supporters of the eventual nomination as was this former Democratic president.

OF COURSE there are issues to work out, and OF COURSE the Obama campaign is now calling the shots! He is the nominee.....haven't you noticed?????

[grantcart]

20. this is better than an endorsement

and as long as it appears that their relationhsip is 'frosty' his subliminal attacks on McCain are not seen as partisan.


Very Clever

[ErinBerin84]

11. I think that "The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg" is reaching a bit by taking this as a shot at McCain.

[nc4bo]

14. i don't know what to think of big C's use of the term pow. if nothing else, it is interesting.

been hanging out at DU too long because i automatically associate the the "word" POW w/mcsame :S

Perhaps some other not-so politically inclined individuals would think the same way.

[karynnj]

22. I would be willing to bet that if given a task to assign the first name that

comes to mind when you say, POW would show an extremely high percent McCain - and not just on DU.

[GoldieAZ49]

15. Didn't McCain work to help VietNam with Kerry

years ago?

I thought the two of them did...

[karynnj]

21. Yes, though you wouldn't know that from Clinton's book, released in July 2004

He credits only McCain. Kerry was just the chair of the committee (with Bob Smith, the ultra conservative Republican as Ranking Member)
McCain's own book gives Kerry the lion's share of the credit.

[anonymous171]

18. Bill for VP!

[Beacool]

23. Not constitutional, but I would settle for Hillary.

:D