Bill Clinton does it again

[livelongandprosper]

I laughed when many said after his convention speech he was on board. I thought just wait he would reveal his true feelings soon.

And he did.

He says Palin is qualified to be president he praises McCain with the same vigor he used to trash Obama during the primaries. And now this bullshit:

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: Former President Bill Clinton defended Sen. John McCain's request to delay the first presidential debate, saying McCain did it in "good faith" and pushed organizers to reserve time for economy talk during the debate if the Friday plans move forward….

"We know he didn't do it because he's afraid because Sen. McCain wanted more debates," Clinton said, adding that he was "encouraged" by the joint statement from McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.

"You can put it off a few days the problem is it's hard to reschedule those things," Clinton said, "I presume he did that in good faith since I know he wanted -- I remember he asked for more debates to go all around the country and so I don't think we ought to overly parse that."

If the debate moves forward as planned for Friday night, Clinton says "they should be able to talk about this some of the debate because it is a security issue."

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/bill-clinton-is-trying-his-lev.php


He wants Obama to lose simple as that.

[PeaceNikki]

1. uh huh.

:eyes:

[Naturalist]

2. You have bigger problems to worry about.

[livelongandprosper]

5. And so does Bill, right? Then why doesn't he just stop

boosting McCain/Palin with obviously nonsensical statements?

Because his primary concern is to make sure he doesn't lose control over the Dem party and his wife gets another chance in 2012.

[undeterred]

3. The McCain campaign thinks she is clueless

and they don't know what do do with her, but the last Demoratic president thinks she's qualified to be President of the United States. Thanks, Bill. Way to get out there and campaign for Senator Obama.

[DesertFlower]

4. i really want to like bill clinton again,

but he's making it difficult.

[Catherine Vincent]

6. Your post is bullshit too. nt

[livelongandprosper]

10. Then you think McCain did it in "good faith"?

Hello?

[endthewar]

18. Yeah, I'm looking forward to that response.

Everybody knows that McCain was doing a political stunt. Everybody except for Bill Clinton at least. Time to give Bill some daily talking points and tell him to stick to the script. Send him to Alaska and tell him to turn it blue. :rofl:

[livelongandprosper]

35. He knows it. He just lies.

Why does he do it?
For the same reason he said in 2000 right in the middle of the campaign that Gore would be the second best thing we could get. Now that helped a lot, too.

He didn't want Gore to win, he doesn't want Obama to win. It's so obvious he couldn't do a better job advertising his real objective.

[Dr Fate]

20. Could be- but do you agree with Bill on McCain's "good faith" or not?

I dont think McCain did it in good faith, and I doubt you think he did either.

The OP challenges us to ask why Bill would make such a statement.

Why would he? Reverse psychology? A feint within a feint- ie a trap for the GOP, perhaps? I wouldnt know.

Can you make the case as to exactly how the statement hurts McCain & helps Obama?

[peacetalksforall]

7. I defended them for twelve plus years. I defended them in the last two weeks. I embarassed

myself. Those who said he is talking anti-Obama are correct. We are witnessing DLC-New Democrat transparency. I thought I could say he and both of them had sincere support for Obama. Now I better go into a hold for a few days to see how ridiculously absurd it might become given what we've heard this week from our President.

The DLC-New Democrats right-leaning and right-crossing Democrats may be a disaster for the little people.

[fla nocount]

27. Leiberman.....a trend-setter?

Perhaps now we know what Dr. Dean was howling about. The DLC painting him into a corner might end up costing them...I hope.

[itsrobert]

8. SKIP IT

What happen to the rating system? My rating: SKIP IT

[Greyhound]

66. I think that's exactly why it's gone. n/t

[mzmolly]

9. He's raising expectations for McCain in the debates....

:hi:

[livelongandprosper]

11. Maybe I'm missing something. How does defending

a cynical political stunt raise the expectations for McCain in the debates?

[endthewar]

14. It doesn't.

Sometimes the silver lining to a dark cloud is only in the eye of the beholder.

[mzmolly]

15. Because the premise is that McCain isn't ready to debate

according to the OP. I agree it's a political stunt, but to say McCain isn't ready to debate is questionable.

Welcome, by the way. :hi:

[livelongandprosper]

23. No that's not the premise. And I don't think most Dems

think that's the reason why he did it. They think he did it to , once again, re-energize his shitty campaign.
To do something dramatic and to present himself as a selfless non-partisan leader. He was afraid that Obama would come out on top if it's revealed he initiated the joint statement.

[mzmolly]

25. The premise of his entire comment was about that.

Again, we agree his decision was a tactic. In fact it may be a bit of both? Political theatre and rethinking his debate strategy as well as controlling the media again.

My comments are directed at the totality of Mr. Clinton's statement.

[endthewar]

37. Just fold already and stop being a Bill apologist

:hi:

[mzmolly]

42. I don't think he needs

one. I'm just stating my opinion on the content of his comments in context. ;)

[livelongandprosper]

38. OK, but that still doesn't explain why he said

McCain did it in "good faith".

[mzmolly]

41. As I've said the content of his comment in full

was that McCain was not afraid to debate.

[endthewar]

26. Well, he shouldn't want to debate right now

"Country First" yet he chose Sarah Palin? Is his V.P. pick ready to deal with foreign policy in case she has to step in? Why does McCain want to continue giving a blank check to the Iraqi government when they have $80 billion sitting in New York banks? Where is he going to get the troops for his Afghanistan surge without drawing down from Iraq? Is McCain against "timeline horizons"? Why do 5 former Secretaries of State say that it would be wise to engage Iran in negotiations? Does McCain really not want to meet with Spain's leader, even though Spain is a NATO member with troops fighting alongside ours in Afghanistan? Is Alaska being next to Russia REALLY foreign policy experience?

And that's just the first 5 minutes. :evilgrin:

[mzmolly]

32. Oh I agree

he shouldn't want to. But I also think it's dangerous to underestimate him? Especially in the public eye.

[endthewar]

36. I watched him in debates, and he isn't that good.

He's just about used up his POW currency. If he goes to the POW well on this economic crisis, I think the crowd will groan.

[mzmolly]

43. He was good on the view.

I can't stand the man, but he was quick on his feet. I prefer Clinton to raise expectations vs. lower them.

[endthewar]

45. Huckabee was clearly the best debater in the Republican Primaries.

McCain benefited from the fact that nobody was willing to challenge him on foreign policy. He would pull out the POW card and they would scamper away to their little corners.

[mzmolly]

46. I agree.

Hucklebee would have frightened me. I think he would have been a better rally the base pick as well? They wouldn't have to hide him from the press either. ;)

[endthewar]

12. Sorry, but I'm not buying this spin

David Axelrod is pulling out his hair right now having to worry about Bill Clinton right now. If Obama gets elected and Bill's antics continue, he might have to be thrown under the bus. Or at least sent overseas to foreign countries to repair relations.

[mzmolly]

17. Here is what I commented on - from the OP...

"We know he didn't do it because he's afraid because Sen. McCain wanted more debates," Clinton said...

[endthewar]

28. You really think that's the talking point being pushed by the media now?

Seriously? Bill Clinton needs a primer on how the news media works in that case. Headlines = Scandals, gaffes, ads, attacks, and DRAMA. Political drama, as in surrogates seeming to be off-message.

[mzmolly]

30. I'm talking about his comment

in context.

[endthewar]

34. Did people wait to hear Rev. Wright in context?

Of course not. Bill needs to get with it and understand how the 24-hour news cycle works.

[mzmolly]

44. That doesn't mean WE can't look at the context.

If Clinton appears impartial about the men involved, his commentary on the importance of electing Obama has MORE credibility, not less.

[endthewar]

47. Goodness.

:rofl:

[mzmolly]

48. It's not spin. We have people here who wish to continue the primary

wars by parsing every word Bill Clinton says. If he dares to say anything objective about McCain people jump on it. Often times I've watched a video of a supposed foul by Clinton and thought WTF was all the rage about?

[endthewar]

52. Hillary and Bill are two completely different people.

Hillary has been a superb surrogate for Obama. The only thing I'd like her to do now is to smack some sense into Bill.

[bertman]

58. There is no human being on the planet, aside from maybe Karl Rove, who understands the 24-hour

news cycle workings better than Bill Clinton.

[endthewar]

63. You obviously slept through the primaries

Too many examples to name. Bill Clinton was clearly not used to the fact that in today's media, every citizen is a potential journalist.

[bertman]

67. No, actually I was totally focused on the primary. Where we disagree is I see Bill Clinton as

the man who thinks that whatever he says is pertinent, important and absolutely dead on the money. He is a calculating, exceedingly smart person who thinks he can affect every outcome to which he applies his influence. Unfortunately for him not everyone agrees with his assessments and sometimes sarcastic comments. The Obama campaign was able to use his jabs and snide remarks to nail him, much like they are doing to the Rove-influenced McAnus campaign.

[AlCzervik]

13. i'm done specualting on Bill Clinton, he was still about a bazillion times better than

Bush even on his worst day.

[livelongandprosper]

16. There's no question about that. But he was president

between Jan 1993 Jan and Jan 2001. And now it's Sept 2008 and what he is doing now is disgustingly selfish.

[TahitiNut]

49. So was Nixon.

:shrug: Are our standards THAT low?

:eyes:

[AlCzervik]

53. so what i should i do, not vote for him, no problem. Me wasting my energy being

pissed off at Clinton is a waste of time. Am i happy about his comments---no, do i wish he would stop, yes.

[SoCalDem]

19. Faint praise..left-handed compliments

two things he's quite good at:grr:

[NightWatcher]

21. Bill's no longer feeling needed. I for one dont need him either

[wanpete]

22. many people do not understand nuance. What he appears to be doing on the surface is

sabotaging Obama while propping up McSame. It may be unpopular to say, but I do not feel he is doing Obama any favors when he talks like this and he obviously has latent very angry feelings about losing and is passively-aggressively knifing Obama in the back. That's just how I see it.

As far as I'm concerned, he cannot stop talking now.

[scarletwoman]

33. "passively-aggressively knifing Obama in the back" -- Yup. That's how I see it, too.

But I've had no love for Bill Clinton since then end of his term when he pardoned Mark Rich, and DIDN'T give clemency to Leonard Peltier.

sw

[marmar]

56. He's starting the Hillary 2012 campaign....

n/t

[moriah]

24. Fsck..... what the fsck do you think is wrong with saying that this IS a security issue?

Look, if we mortgage our country to fscking CHINA...

That's a fscking security issue!

------

I saw that clip.

I'll be brutal. He didn't say that he wanted MORE debates than Obama -- OBAMA wanted more debates than there will be, too.

And it IS a security issue.

Now, the fact that he did want more debates than Obama wanted is true, but Obama still wanted 5 if I recall.

I personally think that they should flip the economy/natsec debates.

-------

Edit: FSCK is a computer term meaning to check data for errors. It works well as a sub for fuck, but I know we can cuss here. I use it when I am not truly mad at someone, I just think they ought to FSCK their opinions. It's true. Sorry.

[tavalon]

50. Your "u" and "s" keys appear to be switched

You might want to check that.

[moriah]

51. *grin* I like the fsck use anyway.

I'm a Unix Geekess :)

Fsck is often used instead of "fuck" because if you have to make a Unix box re-FSCK a system, you're likely still fucked.

But it's a term for checking data for errors, and a lot of the Clinton hate is based on incorrect data, assumptions, and deciding to read headlines instead of watching video.

For those who actually believe he SAID that McCain did this in good faith....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b92P5mBkPSk

Video, man. It's beautiful.

Seriously, he very cleverly implied by pretending to "know" and "presume" these things, that he DIDN'T do it in good faith, and that he IS quivering in his boots.

[tavalon]

54. Okay, I feel like an idiot now

I read this person's link but didn't go find the video. I should have gone to get the video. This is in fact, Clinton bashing. He didn't say it in the way it's implied. I'm a dolt and thank you for taking the time to explain fsck. I figured you were just being a prude and it was hard on the eyes. But knowing the background, I fully approve. Not that you needed my approval. Oh, hell, I'm going to quit digging. :hi:

[bertman]

57. Thanks for posting the video, moriah. I didn't see what you saw as far as some clever diss of

McAnus and I watched it twice. Looked like our former President just couldn't find it in him to say that this might be a campaign ploy by McPOW.

Bill's heart just isn't into campaigning for Obama. I wish he'd just hibernate until after the election. Obama doesn't need him to win. But he does need Hillary, and she's doing her part.

[wildbilln864]

29. k&r $4! nt

[wildbilln864]

31. Spot ON! nt

[quiet.american]

39. Since Bill left office, he leaves me shaking my head in "WTF" mode as many times as Bush. nt

[riverdeep]

40. It reminds me of when he said, "I don't think anyone is really ready for the Presidency."

That was in response to the question is Obama ready to be President? I don't know if he's doing it intentionally, or if he subconsciously doesn't want Obama to win, or if he's just lost all political sense, but he needs to stop that crap right now. Quit complementing your opponent! Especially outright lies like Palin is ready.

Even Chris Rock picked up on this tendency the other night when he was on with Clinton on the Letterman Show.

[GoneOffShore]

55. Bill Clinton - Best Republican President since Eisenhower.

:eyes:

[newtothegame]

59. Can we PLEASE focus on McCain?

I was just about to post how great it is to see us nailing McCain over the last couple days (IMHO, he's gone basically SCOTT FREE since Palin was nominated, even though her lack of qualifications makes it basically a waste of our time to spend our energy on HER). But seriously, who cares about Bill? He's irrelevant, and can say what he wants. He's a big boy. He's got nothing to do with this election. This is about Obama.

[Tutonic]

60. The man needs to stay on his meds. Hillary is the clean up lady

gonna have to spin thigs on Friday.

[MellowDem]

61. Bill is a Shill

Always has been, always will be. He was the most Republican Democratic President I can ever remember. He is more concerned about power and his ego than the country. Hence him getting a BJ in the White House and leaving Al Gore out to dry.

Had enough power and egocentrism yet, Bill? Or do you want more in 2012?

[HughMoran]

62. He's playing coy

I think he's being pretty clever - glad some are falling for this here - means he's doing a good job.

[farmboxer]

64. Is Clinton campaigning for McCain?

Sounds like it.

[OakCliffDem]

65. Kick