You're not going to like hearing this.....but Bill Clinton wants us to win

[brooklynite]

Having plowed through five days of outraged comments about Bill Clinton's public comments about McCain, Palin, Obama etc, and the inevitable assumptions that this is intended to make Obama lose so Hillary can run in 2012, I can comfortably say "you're wrong".

I say this not because I'm more perceptive than anyone else here, but because I was with him Tuesday evening.

I listened to him speak with Governor Paterson, Governor Rendell and Governor Strickland about the upcoming six weeks. I listened to him talk about our new 1.1 million voter edge in Pennsylvania. And most importantly, I listened to him talk to my wife, directly, for ten minutes about the current issues and the campaign.

Bill Clinton is ready, willing and able to campaign. But "The View", "Larry King", "TDS" etc are not campaign stops. Bill Clinton isn't going to them as an Obama surrogate; he's going to them as the head of the CGI, so more diplomatic comments are appropriate.

In addition, he has a different perspective than most people here on dealing with Palin, that's worth considering. His view is that attacking her every chance you get isn't productive because 1) the people who find those attackes appealing to are already in our camp; 2) a section of the electorate DOES find her "story" appealing, and you don't want to write them off; and 3) the undecided voters DON'T CARE about Palin; they care about their finances, mortages, jobs etc., and a minute spent on Palin is a minute wasted on talking about this issues that could potentially win their vote.

The event I was at with President Clinton was to raise money to turn out our vote in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Both Clintons will be in the field next month in the Battleground states . If they wanted us to lose, they'd be doing far less.

[mcctatas]

1. I concur...

although he still makes me cringe with some of the crap he says...

[Justyce]

2. Thank you for posting this. nt

[terrya]

3. I agree.

And the man does know how to win a Presidential election. Two of them actually.

[Lucky 13]

4. And what about him defending McCain's postponing of the debates?

Is that something I shouldn't worry about either?

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/bill-clinton-do.html

[BigDDem]

10. Yes, that's something you shouldn't worry about.

[Lucky 13]

49. Because......?

or is it just cause you say so?

[AtomicKitten]

20. Unvarnished truth is considered hatin' on the Big Dawg doncha know? Blind eye is how they roll.

[SoonerPride]

5. His head wants us to win, but his "rebuilt" heart isn't in it

These TV appearances aren't Obama campaign stops, but they sure seem to be McSame stumping IMHO

[Egnever]

6. Well then he has become an idiot

of course the campaigning he did for his wife pretty much proved he lost his sense of what worked.

You can make all the excuses you want for him the fact is he is not helping with the comments he is making.

He is doing what bill does best looking out for himself.

[BigDDem]

28. Obama's opinion:

“I want him involved. He is a brilliant politician. He was a outstanding president. And so I want his help not only in campaigning but also in governing. And I’m confident that I’ll get that help.”

Is he wrong?

[Egnever]

35. Yup

too kind by a long shot.

He is pandering to the clinton can do no wrong crowd.

[Egnever]

36. Yup

too kind by a long shot.

He is pandering to the clinton can do no wrong crowd.

[Bread and Circus]

7. As much as I'm sitting here gnashing my teeth about Clinton's latest sly comments, I think you are

right on this.

I think he realizes that just 4 years of McCain will be beyond catastrophic.

[azmouse]

8. So Clinton just hides it well?

[joshcryer]

9. Thanks for your perspective, and I would concur, he's trying to be neutral when he gets asked...

...questions about shit.

What's he going to do, say Bush looks like a doofus, say McCain is a liar playing politics?

[SoonerPride]

15. Since that's the truth, yes. Those replies would be welcome.

Bush is a doofus and McSame is a liar.

[joshcryer]

24. Then why doesn't Obama say those things? Is he trying to sabatoge his own campaign!?!

Note that I'm being rhetorical and sarcastic here, but that would be the logic that we're trying to use here.

[SoonerPride]

32. You have surrogates attack.

duh.

You don't need your surrogates to go out of their way to heap praise on the opponent.

[LaydeeBug]

42. or, when you're trying to CHANGE things, you speak directly.

:eyes:

bill Clinton is a former POTUS. His role can, and will, be more subdued. If he came out like a pit bull, they'd be screaming how he's trying to steal the spotlight.

[Bake]

60. WJC is not a surrogate in those contexts.

He's a former POTUS and head of CGI.

Bake

[Arkansas Granny]

27. But as soon as you say that, the people that you need to reach stop listening

to anything else you have to say. By staying neutral on the McCain/Palin and their personalities you have an opportunity of also making positive comments about Obama.

[brooklynite]

43. Can you point to Obama or any other official surrogate saying this?

[SoonerPride]

48. here's an ad were they call him a liar

http://blog.indecision2008.com/2008/09/15/barack-obama-calls-john-mccain-a-liar-for-lying/

[hedgehog]

17. AS former head of the Democratic Party, why is he trying to be

neutral? Is it appropriate for him to elevate his personal foundation ahead of the result of this election?

[joshcryer]

25. If he says shit about McCain it could explode.

The talking heads would play it over and over again and say "Bill Clinton calls McCain a liar!" Then he'd have to "apologize," and then you people would be complaining about *that* mess.

[SoonerPride]

33. Why would he apologize WHEN IT IS THE TRUTH??

McSame IS a liar.

And we can show you where he LIED.

The press is calling him a liar because he is a liar.

[joshcryer]

38. Because the media is dishonest!

C'mon!

[Webster Green]

11. Why is he being such a dickhead then?

He might show a just a little bit of enthusiasm for the Democratic ticket. :wtf:

[Merlot]

12. Agree with everything you've said.

Saw him on Letterman (was it last week?) and he hinted that Hillary wouldn't run again in '12. She'd be four years older. I don't remember how he said it, and it wasn't a direct answer, but he implied that this was her only time to run.

And then Chris Rock came on and howled about how Clinton wouldn't say Obama's name. Which wasn't actually accurate. Besides, if Clinton is upset that his wife didn't get the nomination, I think that's just human nature. Clinton wants dems to win this election, he's made that clear.

[WeDidIt]

13. Sorry, he comes off as a McCain supporter

:shrug:

And, since Rightwingnuts are quoting Clinton about McCain, that's pretty much how he's really approachinhg this campaign.

[jberryhill]

21. That is as it should be....

The only people left to persuade are undecideds.

If the Rightwingnuts want to quote Clinton, and boost his cred this week, that's great.

Because those undecideds are going to hear what Clinton has to say next week.

[tandot]

14. I like "...the people who find those attacks appealing to are already in our camp"

There are people who are still undecided (I know, it is hard to believe) and an attack by Clinton on McCain or Palin might push them more toward them instead of Obama.

Also, you make a good point about having to be diplomatic to get more support for his CGI.

[FloridaGrl]

16. Since "he is going to them as head of CGI"

then leave the damn election talks out of it. He has hurt Obama more than he has helped him.

[sandnsea]

29. McCain to speak at Clinton Global Initiative

Or already spoke.

http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=2755&srcid=2356

[BlueStateGirl]

45. Obama is, or already has as well. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

18. Nope, even if I set aside all my resentment for his recent statements, I do NOT believe that for

a second. In fact, it only encourages me to re-evaluate the potential motivations to explain his past and future behavior.

IMO, Bill Clinton's behavior now reflects jealousy and bitterness toward a younger man who is as talented and attractive as himself. It is not a pretty sight. :(

[onefreespiritedchick]

19. Well, thanks for posting this

I've been pretty upset with BC lately. Perhaps, this will help give insight for many.

[RichGirl]

22. I agree with you.

If there was nobody on our side who actually was respectful of the opposing candidate, we would be just like them. We have the moral and ethical high ground, we have the candidate we have confidence in and are excited about. We CAN AFFORD to show respect instead of slash and burn, nastiness and constant trashing.

[Arkansas Granny]

23. Thanks for the report. I convinced that if Blinton were to attack McCain/Palin,

as so many would like to see him do, he would immediately turn off the people he most needs to reach. You can't get your message across if people won't listen to you.

[joshcryer]

26. Indeed, especially with the talking heads playing it over and over again.

[Every Man A King]

30. You, just like Bill

are inplying that Obama is 'attacking' Palin

"In addition, he has a different perspective than most people here on dealing with Palin, that's worth considering. His view is that attacking her every chance you get isn't productive" ...

What attacks are you talking about?

[Cronus Protagonist]

31. Bill's entire shtick is to talk in dog whistles to fringe constituencies

And he's damn good at it. If what he says pisses you off just a little, it's probably bcause he reached that next door neighbor of yours who doesn't like Obama but agrees with Bill on what he just said. Bill is a master at calling in the swing voters with dog whistles. You can get an education just watching him on TV,

[musicblind]

34. Thank you! The truth is refreshing. n/t

[Overseas]

Well he may actually want us to win, but I am still confused.

by his lukewarm statements both when talking about our opponents, and giving the standard endorsement of our candidate. He could easily slip a few excellent barbs in there about McBombBomb's unfitness to serve while sounding like a statesman. Obama has done so. Made very courteous statements about McSame's service followed by sincere criticism of his policy decisions.

When Bill or Hillary have been running, he's been able to slip in excellent barbs against Republican mismanagement with great ease. So we know he has that ability and has used it well when he has campaigned for himself or his wife. That's why we get so upset right now.

He doesn't need to do a five minute diatribe against McCain or Palin directly, or a five minute rave about Obama's brilliance, but we know he could drop some devastating lines into the mix to skewer the Republican style of destroying government, and he doesn't do so. That is very odd. He could slip a line in there about how odd it has been to watch a veteran vote against veterans' benefits so many times. He could slip in a comment about Phil Gramm's best buddy having a midnight conversion to being a Regulating Reformer. He could ask the audience some simple but very effective questions about how they're liking Republican privatization.

Bill's reluctance to use his rhetorical skills to skewer Republican policies in his recent interviews sticks out because it is odd for a dedicated Democrat not to do his best to support our candidate. It was also uncomfortable during the Kerry campaign not to have him skewer the grotesque abuses of the Bush administration. He has a gift for incisive comments and has withheld it when the Clinton Dynasty was not running. He has just given the standard Democratic statements, not the great jabs we've heard during his own campaigns. That's what confuses us. He could skewer the opposition but holds back.

I'll bet the corporate media are very glad he's doing the same thing again. The Right is probably excited to see him disturb his fellow Democrats by pontificating on how they should run their campaigns, seemingly unconcerned that in fact the Obama campaign has already been doing what he was recommending for a long time. I'll bet they love Bill stirring things up in such an oblique way-- doing his duty, but mildly.

And I can't help wondering if Bill gets a thrill of revenge as he upsets us with his garden variety praise of our candidate and extra praise for the opposition. It seems designed to hurt us DNC rebels, because we had the audacity not to choose his deputy as our candidate this year. If we don't continue his dynasty then we don't deserve his best. That's how his actions have seemed to me.

He can lecture us about leaving Palin alone if he likes, but frankly, our having uncovered many substantial reasons she is unfit to serve has indeed had an impact on the campaign. Her poll numbers fell as a direct result of that. The factual criticism has lessened her appeal and thus added to questions about McSames' rash judgment at the same time.

[msanthrope]

37. Thank you for posting this truth!!!!!!!! n/t

[LynneSin]

39. IT BURNS IT BURRRRRRNNNNNNNSSSSSS......

That's what your post does to the Clinton Bashers.

But thank you for posting it, if Bill really wanted to tank this election he would and the most important Clinton out there working for us is Hillary - and she has been great of lately ESPECIALLY with Palin trying to claim she's replacing Hillary as the one to break the glass ceiling.

[4_Legs_Good]

40. He dodged a potentially explosive question on the Daily Show, which I thought was well done

Jon meant it as a joke, but had Bill answered, it could have been used against Obama.

Jon asked: "If you were running right now you'd be up by, what, 20-30 points?"

I don't think Jon knew what he was doing, but had Clinton said "at least that!" or some other funny answer, it could easily have been used to show "Obama can't close the deal" or "People are deeply unsure about Obama", which is utter BS. This is all about partisan politics, but it still would have been used that way.

Bill just kinda ducked out of the way and blew it off, for that I thank him for thinking on his feet and keeping the goal in his sights.

David

[EstimatedProphet]

41. Well written

[intheflow]

44. "'The View', 'Larry King', 'TDS' etc are not campaign stops."

I strongly disagree with you on this for two reasons:

1) Most people these days gets their news from TV (and maybe the Internet), MANY more people than will go to a campaign stop/rally/event. Therefore, all TV appearences become de facto campaign stops.

2) Those TV appearances are heavily weighted by his being Bill Clinton--arguably the most recognizable Democratic leader in the country. Therefore, he has an even stonger imperitive to be strongly in Obama's corner. This does not preclude him being diplomatic and respectful of Republicans, but it does put an onus on him to stop talking about Hillary's campaign and their disappointment in the Democratic party chosing Obama over HRC, and of lavishly praising the Republicans.

[Lord Helmet]

46. Clinton is campaigning for Clinton 2012, period.

[Metric System]

50. By angering Obama supporters? Yeah, that makes sense. If what Bill is doing is supposedly so obvious

then I would like to know how it's an effective strategy for 2012? Completely fucking ridiculous.

[WA98296]

47. Both Clintons are going to have to PROVE it, for now it's not looking good.

[Metric System]

51. Hillary has already raised $5 million for the Obama campaign. She has sent up a volunteer program

for her supporters to get involved in the Obama campaign. She has been all over the country stumping for Obama. She made numerous TV appearances in the last week clearly stating that Obama was the best choice in these uncertain economic times. But go ahead and continue to fight the primary battles. That's what this temper tantrum by certain Obama supporters around here is all about.

[CampLo]

52. ay fucking men brother

...

[blm]

53. There's a HUGE difference between what Bill sez to partisan Dem audiences and on BROADCAST TV

when he is speaking to the general public and casual voters.

ANY Democrat can sound fiercely committed in front of Dem audiences - Lieberman pulled that act, too.....in 2006.

Why pretend that what he sez in front of partisan Dems is the 100% truth while at the same time he deliberately feeds the general viewing public his praise of Mccain and Palin?

He pulled this exact same MO in 2004 - go on tv and defend Bush vigorously for his entire book tour, and in front of Dem audiences make em believe you're their ONLY ONE. Bill's a love guy....someone any goodlooking girl can tell you about. He has his pet phrases and uses em to make you believe you're his only one.

[barack the house]

54. Exactly, I more feel now that he was only responding to tough questioning. I understand why the>

view did so after asking the tough questions to McCain they had to be fair and balacned.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

55. agreed. i think the interview w.bill clinton and jon stewart was very insightful

[ieoeja]

56. And he has such wonderful timing.

Last time he went on a whirlwind speaking tour was in 2004 when he was pushing his newly written book and defending Bush from Kerry's attacks. Nice of him to go on these tours every presidential year and just coincidentally spend all his time defending the Republican nominee from attacks by this Democratic opponent.

And if you believe this is all coincidence, then I have an investment banking agency to sell you.

[TheKentuckian]

57. I don't think many expect him to light people up

but he could heap a little more personal praise and confidence in Obama.

Doing that would not stir up any negative emotions, turn off any independents, nor would it take any shine off of Bill, or make him any less of an elder statesman.

He doesn't have to go in the tank or any such thing. Just express confidence in Obama as a person, a leader, a Democrat, and an American.
I can see the point of killing them with kindness but a little love our way would help and certainly do no harm.
I'm not trying to beat up on Clinton at all but there's not a logical explanation of praising McCain at every turn and going with I think he'll win when speaking about Barack.

I hate the Patriots but I've predicted them to win quite a few times over the past few years. I'm not saying that Clinton isn't behind Obama but saying you think he'll come out ahead isn't going to move any mountains, nor does it indicate any level of support but rather an assessment of situation.

[ObamaKerryDem]

58. He's trying my patience, but I do hope you're right, I really do..:) n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

59. It's a TRAP!