Bill Clinton offers support to Obama

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/sns-ap-obama-president-clinton,0,7667062.story

By NEDRA PICKLER | Associated Press Writer
1:11 PM CDT, June 24, 2008

WASHINGTON - Former President Clinton said through a spokesman Tuesday that he is committed to helping Barack Obama become president, his first comments in support of his wife's former rival since their primary ended three weeks ago.

Relations between the last Democratic president and the candidate who wants to be the next one are frosty -- they still haven't spoken in the aftermath of the heated campaign. But Bill Clinton extended an offer to help in a one-sentence statement from spokesman Matt McKenna.

"President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president of the United States," McKenna said.

[Oregone]

1. Didn't he say further.....

Its a fairy tale that John McCain is some kind of hero. Come on, what are they trying to cover up! Its like a conspiracy or something...


I think Barack should follow Gore's lead in terms of relations with Bill. This isn't intended to be a slam on Clinton really.

[polmaven]

3. No, of course

it isn't intended to be a slam on Clinton really. :banghead:

Just exactly what IS it intended to be? Of COURSE it is a "slam" on President Clinton!

This is really, really getting OLD!!!!

Senator Obama is now OUR candidate. It is time to stop bashing everything CLINTON!

[Oregone]

5. Well, if you didn't see Bill as any sort of operational hinderance to Hillary, you would respond so

But I think the reality was, on the campaign trail, he caused problems (many). Thats just that reality.

If you are non biased, no matter how you feel about Clinton (Bill or Hillary), you should be able to see the fact that there was a lot of negative press generated by Bill Clinton's comments and general demeanor. This isn't a value judgment, but something that can be shown generally as a matter of statistics.

[polmaven]

12. There was a lot of negative press, yes...

But why is it that any negative press generated about the Clintons is THEIR fault, but anything about anyone not named Clinton is the MSM fault? :shrug:

[NNN0LHI]

4. Yea Gores strategy of not using Bill Clinton was a brilliant move. See where it got him?

And Obama should follow Gores lead?

Don

[EFerrari]

7. I don't think this Bill Clinton is that Bill Clinton any more.

He sure hasn't acted like that smart politician.

[karynnj]

8. Do we KNOW the result of what would have happened had he used Bill?

The fact of the matter is you never know the result of the road not taken. Gore COULD have done worse or better.

The fact is that there were reasons that Bush's main message was to restore honor and dignity to the White House. Can you tell me why a man who was a mean spirited druk until he was 40 could use this against a man with Gore's solid family and career? Could it be Bill Clinton? It may be that Gore was tainted by him if he used him or not.

[FourPieRun]

13. gore could have fought back, instead he legitimized the "clinton dishonor" meme by distancing himsel

himself from clinton and choosing lieberman as VP (widely seen as a "moral, deeply religious" man).

[karynnj]

16. The reason is that the vast majority of the country

did think that Clinton's actions with Monica were dishonorable - in fact read the statements of Democratic Senators, most of them thought it was dishonorable - but not high crimes and misdemeanors, thus not worthy of impeachment. Those actions were what was referred to and the Democrats should not have been asked to sell their own integrity to defend him at that point.

The Democrats spent 8 years defending Bill Clinton - it would have been suicide for Gore to do that when Clinton would be leaving office. That was enough - in fact, had they used half as much energy defend the far more honorable Gore and Kerry - they would have won (or Gore would have and Kerry would not have run.)

[Oregone]

9. There was a plethora of bigger problems...

He picked Lieberman after all as a VP! He didn't seem to write any of his own damn speeches, and delivered them in a terrible manner (besides his concession speech)! He spent his time kissing DLC ass! And some people still claim that the election was stolen...

And you are claiming that not traveling with Clinton was what did him in!?!? "See where it got him" is a statement that puts the blame of losing an election solely on not campaigning with Clinton....ridiculous assertion.

If anything, it was the one decision that terrible campaign made properly.

[NNN0LHI]

11. Clinton left office with a 70% favorable rating

Had Gore won Arkansas, Clintons home state, that would have been enough to put Gore over the top.

You are not going to convince me not using Clinton as much as possible helped Gores chances.

That dog don't hunt.

Don

[ben_meyers]

17. Had Gore won Tennessee, His own home state.... n/t

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. gore's tactic was so fucking brilliant. it really should be emulated

if we really really want to lose.

[Eurobabe]

2. I think Bill went into a depression after June 3rd.

It looks like Hillary has rebounded nicely, and she is back at work in the Senate. Good for her. :hug:

[karynnj]

6. She is NOT back in the Senate

She has not voted in the entire month of June - her last vote cast was May 22 - over a month ago. Here is a link to a vote today - Clinton, not voting. http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00155

[Eurobabe]

10. they said today that she is back on the hill.

as of today, because there were some important bills "pending." http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5235879

[karynnj]

15. Ok - I didn't see that

so went to look if she was voting - usually the best sign if they are there.