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Bill Seems Flustered

January 08, 2008 11:15 AM

Last night at Dartmouth College, President Bill Clinton was asked about his wife's senior strategist Mark Penn. Watch the VIDEO HERE.

"One of things that Senator Obama talks about a lot is judgment," asked a student. "And I'm curious to hear your thoughts on recent criticism of Mark Penn, who's Hillary's chief strategist, who's been criticized for being somewhat out of touch with reality. For instance, he circulated a memo about Iowa saying 'Where's the bounce?' And the next day there was a 12 point jump for Obama."

Responded the former president, "he was wrong about that. Because the bounce always occurs on the second day. not the first day. It always goes on the second day, not the first day."

Then Bubba decided to do some hootin' and a hollerin'.

"But since you raised the judgment issue, let's go over this again. That is the central argument for his campaign. 'It doesn't matter that I started running for president less a year after I got to the Senate from the Illinois State Senate. I am a great speaker and a charismatic figure and I'm the only one who had the judgment to oppose this war from the beginning. Always, always, always.'"

(Note: I'm not really certain that that's actually Obama's argument. I'm fairly certain there's a tad more to it than that.)

Continued Bill: "First it is factually not true that everybody that supported that resolution supported Bush attacking Iraq before the UN inspectors were through. Chuck Hagel was one of the co-authors of that resolution. The only Republican Senator that always opposed the war. Every day from the get-go. He authored the resolution to say that Bush could go to war only if they didn't co-operate with the inspectors and he was assured personally by Condi Rice as many of the other Senators were. So, first the case is wrong that way."

(Note: He's still talking about Chuck Hagel? He's still claiming that his wife didn't think the US was headed to war when she voted to authorize use of force against Iraq?)

Continued Bill: "Second, it is wrong that Senator Obama got to go through 15 debates trumpeting his superior judgment and how he had been against the war in every year, numerating the years, and never got asked one time, not once, 'Well, how could you say, that when you said in 2004 you didn't know how you would have voted on the resolution? You said in 2004 there was no difference between you and George Bush on the war and you took that speech you're now running on off your website in 2004 and there's no difference in your voting record and Hillary's ever since?' Give me a break.

"This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen...So you can talk about Mark Penn all you want. What did you think about the Obama thing calling Hillary the Senator from Punjab? Did you like that?"

(Note: Actually, as stupid as that Obama oppo was, and as much as it clearly contradicted the idea that he's running a purely positive campaign, the Punjab line comes from this newspaper quote: "At the fundraiser hosted by Dr Rajwant Singh at his Potomac, Maryland, home, and which raised nearly $50,000 for her re-election campaign, Clinton began by joking that, ‘'I can certainly run for the Senate seat in Punjab and win easily,' after being introduced by Singh as the Senator not only from New York but also Punjab.")

Continued Bill: "Or what about the Obama hand out that was covered up, the press never reported on, implying that I was a crook? Scouring me, scathing criticism, over my financial reports. Ken Starr spent $70 million and indicted innocent people to find out that I wouldn't take a nickel to see the cow jump over the moon.

"So, you can take a shot at Mark Penn if you want. It wasn't his best day. He was hurt, he felt badly that we didn't do better in Iowa. But you know, the idea that one of these campaigns is positive and the other is negative when I know the reverse is true and I have seen it and I have been blistered by it for months, is a little tough to take. Just because of the sanitizing coverage that's in the media, doesn't mean the facts aren't out there.

"Otherwise I do not have any strong feelings about that subject."

Well, I'm glad he doesn't have any strong feelings about that subject.

I feel bad, too, when my wife is unhappy. I want to make it better. Sometimes all she wants is a hug and for me to listen.

-- jpt

January 8, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (42)

User Comments

At the time, we are appointing 'position as a house', I will appoint Clarance Thomas as Supreme Chief,his house is in the suburban area, bigger than any supreme court justice's house. NO, he does not own an apartment house. He has a private and long entrance,...
Good living the house Chief
Arthur Mboue, mBA, JD

Posted by: Arthur Mboue | Aug 22, 2008 12:58:35 PM

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Obama is dull and boring! Same old “I can save the world story because I am so good” whenever his mouth opens!

He is not a Senior Statesman and does not have the Presidential requirements to actually run America.

My image of him racing around with blackberry in hand, texting, emailing, and making snap judgement decisions on the backs of the nation is not reassuring!

I see worry on his brow these days. The thought that he may win is terryifying to him.. He would actually have to stop bragging about how great he is and actually do the Work of the Nation! He can not because he does not know how!! He is not a Senior mind - he is in a Junior league. He is not a Senior Statesman! America wake up before it is too late!

Posted by: Angelspeak | Feb 24, 2008 2:58:28 PM

PS

Hillary was in law school 35 years ago, after which she became a corporate lawyer representing the very same 'special interests' she now derides - but who finance her campaign.

Additionally, they've raised more money from more now convicetd felons than anyone in the history of the U.S., including one, Paul, who raised over $1,000,000 for her Senatorial campaign, who she later called to thank, and then even later than that denied ever knowing.

Can you say 'hypocrite'?

Posted by: Billy | Jan 23, 2008 6:31:12 PM


Obama stood against the war while running against 17 other candidates when it was a hugely unpopular stance.

His 2004 remarks were made at the DNC convention. A convention at which he was asked to deliver the keynote address by nominee John Kerry, who voted for the Authorization.

Hillary admits never having read the NIE before voting to give Bush the War Authorization.

I'm sick of the Clintons. They used to garner respect in our home. No longer.

Posted by: Billy | Jan 23, 2008 6:28:39 PM

DKNY, do you guys even listen or pay attention the what goes on in the political arena, or just the sound bites?

Bammy could not even vote then, on the Iraq bill, he WAS NOT A US Senator!!
Now, I was not for any war with Iraq then either, does that great "judgement" mean all you Bammy supporters will vote for me and make me president?

Posted by: Carl | Jan 11, 2008 1:02:04 PM

At least Obama and Hil can read and understand the Constitution. Bush and Cheney obviously get lost after we the people.

Posted by: Thor | Jan 9, 2008 9:36:54 PM

Obama's message to the US is "we can do better"

The Clintons message seems to be "how dare you ask us to do better". Thanks for keeping America's expectations low, Bill and Hill.

Posted by: sara | Jan 9, 2008 7:46:55 PM

DKNY - Obama never voted in that vote he was not in the Senate yet! But he did give a speech agreeing with the vote while he was running for Senate!

So will the Real Obama stand up!!

Posted by: spock | Jan 9, 2008 4:18:27 PM

Amallah - Wrong - Distant Relative - When did his Father become a Distant Relative?
His Religous Mentor is Muslim and hangs out with Farrakan.

What Change is Obama talking about!!

Why do you support him? What does he stand for other then an empty bumper sticker 'Change'? Change to what?

He studied under the same Marxist Professor that Hilary did! The professor who taught how to over throw our constitution.
He sttod for nothing in Illionis expect for allowing babies to die!

So get your facts straight, if you want to support a tyrant!

Posted by: spock | Jan 9, 2008 4:16:36 PM

Hey Jake,
It doesn't take a poll to figure that vitriolic tirades against the Clintons are way out of bounds. What happened to reporting the story of the election as opposed to trying to script it with twisted interpretations that have completely missed the mood of the electorate? Reluctantly I've decided once and for all to shun ABC's website and broadcasts, thanks to your very lax journalistic standards.

Posted by: J.E. Trout | Jan 9, 2008 2:36:25 PM

Note that Clinton did not say, as widely reported, that Obama's candidacy is a fairy tale. What he said was that Obama's claim to unbroken opposition to the war year by year was a fairy tale.

Posted by: Asp | Jan 9, 2008 11:04:51 AM

The couple that lies together cries together

Posted by: bandit | Jan 9, 2008 9:18:49 AM

I challenge Obama and all his followers to stand up and show us where he stands on the issues. Charisma is one thing; backbone to lead the free world is another.

Posted by: Darlin' | Jan 8, 2008 10:22:28 PM

Glenda,
You want to tell the rest of us that support Obama where you got your facts from? First of all, he was not born in Kenya but Hawaii. He is not Muslim but his distant relatives in Kenya are Muslim. You should learn something about him before you speak about him! Your comment about him bringing in Jesse Jackson was just ignorant and stereotypical. It's people like you who we need a change from. He is a breath of fresh air. At least he can tell the truth about his life instead of lying under oath. Tell me why would we want them any where near the White House?

Posted by: Amallah | Jan 8, 2008 9:10:11 PM

hillary is best thing will happen to this country if elected president.

Posted by: david brown | Jan 8, 2008 8:04:16 PM

It does not matter who becomes President because the industrial-military complex controls the United States. I am looking forward to the time when people realize that "their" candidate generates no change and to believe otherwise makes you a duck. I intend to write in Fred Thompson's wife but only if she promises to deliver all State Of The Union speeches au natural.

Posted by: john driessler | Jan 8, 2008 7:57:25 PM

Mark, Bill Clinton has done more to help America's image abroad than anyone in the last 8 years. His foundation is helping children around the world lower HIV drug costs. They aren't giving them millions, it's in the billions. That's only 1 of dozens of Clinton initiatives.

He's just defending his wife. It's part of the deal after she stayed after Monica was smoking his cigar. Can't blame him.

forestgump, do racists really think the rest of us take you seriously? It's not even worth getting upset when bigots talk, I just pat them on the head & hope they don't druel on me.

Posted by: Jeff | Jan 8, 2008 7:17:35 PM


Ludicrous and inappropriate remark she should be fired without hesitation

Posted by: George Donkor | Jan 8, 2008 7:13:48 PM

If nobody confronts Obama, he skates through. Bill confronts and Obama whines" do not muddy up the waters" WHY NOT? I want mud, lots of it too. If Obama can't handle Bill's scrutiny it's obvious he can't handle a Vladimir Putin or a Kim Yung Il.

Posted by: forrestgump | Jan 8, 2008 6:43:18 PM

Obama's entire Kenyan family is muslim. The woman his was already married to when he married Obama's motehr in Hawaii, and went back to (ditching Obama and screwing up his head), was also muslim, so were the other 3 wives his dad married. Obama's book Dreams of My Father is about his obsession with his absent polygamist father. The happy ending to Dreams is that Obama’s hard-drinking half-brother Roy—“Actually, now we call him Abongo, his Luo name, for two years ago he decided to reassert his African heritage”—converts to teetotaling Islam.
Obama's black separatist church and his main consult Rev. Wright preach white antipathy (hatre of whites) to promote black unity. One might see that his church going serves more a "check the box" purpose than an actual calling. Never mind 5 years in a Jakarta public school, but remember that Madrassas are part of the Indonesian Public Schools, and his stepfather was a devout muslim. Ah, Obama is a complex, internally-conflicted (and with possible severe conflicts of interest) candidate. His drug use to medicate it all also puts him in a vulnerable stance as CIC. He's manipulatable via his extended Muslim family, and how he rejects his white family who raised him in love and privilege. This psychopathy does NOT belong in the white house.

Posted by: forrestgump | Jan 8, 2008 6:33:25 PM

Obama never voted, but his stance against the war was more likely to not displease his Kenyan Muslim relatives who personify his deceased rejecting father.

Posted by: forrestgump | Jan 8, 2008 6:26:53 PM

Senator Obama's response to President Clinton's attack can be found on the NYTimes Blog, The Caucus.


Evidently my comment of substance was not as acceptable as, "Bill was hoarse as well...LOL!" Disappointing.

The quote from Senator Obama is as follows:

----
“It is a little frustrating for the president to _ the former president _ to continually repeat this notion that somehow I didn’t know where I stood in 2004 about the war. He keeps on giving half the quote. I was always against the war. The quote he keeps on feeding back was an interview on Meet the Press at the National Convention when Tim was asking, `Given your firm opposition to the war, what do you make of the fact that your nominee for president and vice president didn’t have that same foresight.’ And obviously I didn’t want to criticize them on the eve of their nomination. So I said, `Well, I don’t know what _ you know, I wasn’t in the Senate. I can’t say for certain what I would have done if I was there. I know that from where I stood the case was not made.’ He always leaves that out.

“And you know, I understand why he’s frustrated. But at some point since we’ve corrected him repeatedly on this and he keeps on repeating it, you know it tells me that he’s just more interested in trying to muddy the waters than actually talk fairly about my record.”
----


Thank you.

Posted by: genevieve | Jan 8, 2008 6:01:06 PM

I happened to hear the end of a clip CNN was replaying on Billy Boy's rant about Obama's 2004 vote or whatever. Didn't really understand what point he was trying to make...didn't care since it had to be a pack of lies anyway. I just knew Slick Willey was furious and trying smear Obama. Not very ex-presidential...oh but then he was impeached for his sexual exploitations wasn't he...what was I thinking???

Total disbelief that Bill is so openly angry and felt he had to take center stage and come to the aide of "Bill-a-ry".

How's that working for you 2 guys anyway??????? How's that going to work for you in a showdown with another nation????? Ummmm...let's see...NOT!!!!!!!

BARACK ROCKS!!!!! Clintons NOT!!!!

Posted by: MS | Jan 8, 2008 5:48:33 PM

Who IS Bill Clinton? We all know who he Was, but who IS he today? Is he the revered senior statesmen that most former presidents attempt to be (e.g. Jimmy Carter was horrible as President, but a rather respected orator for democracy, (Habitat for Humanity). OK, his recent rantings have started to put him into question, but I digress.

Since Mr. Clinton left the Whitehouse (Impeached, disgraced, and DISBARRED), what has been his claim to faim? How has he represented America?

He Hasn't. He has represented himself, and his self interests. What better way to mend one's legacy than to have another go at it.

What has he done for America, during or since he left the Whitehouse? NOTHING, nada, zip, zilch.

So Bill seems flustered? Well, we're all flustered, and exhausted with the affair many have had with the Clintons. Good Bye, Good Luck, GOOD RIDDANCE!

Posted by: Mark | Jan 8, 2008 4:35:49 PM

Bill was hoarse as well...LOL! OBAMA in 2008!

Posted by: Tonya | Jan 8, 2008 4:05:00 PM

Bill is not used to losing. He better get used to it if he wants to stick with Hillary.

Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Jan 8, 2008 3:45:42 PM

I'd rather have Bill Clinton as president with whatever his definition of IS and ISNOT and the Monica scandal etc. than a neo-conservative war-monger who can't wait to take away more of our civil liberties at home and take us to wars abroad under false pretences. I don't care what anyone thinks, Bill Clinton was one of the best presidents this country had in my lifetime --certainly in the past 40 years. I can understand why Obama supporters don't want their candidates criticized, but Bill's comments on Obama and Hillary's records on the Iraq war are accurate and his comments on the media giving Obama pass, almost rooting for him are also right on.

I am obviously a H. Clinton supporter. I am afraid all this Obama euphoria will only lead us to yet another Democratic defeat and another neo-con war monger to the white house.

Posted by: Aly B. | Jan 8, 2008 3:44:13 PM

Since his election as president, I have been a supporter of President Bill Clinton--so much so that, like many other Americans I looked the other way when we learned all those distasteful truths about him. But, I must say the buck stops here! I am quite disappointed and disillusioned at his current behavior and his comments about this "fairy tale" that Barak Obama is spinning.

President Clinton should realize that his actions will be remembered long after Hillary has lost the New Hampshire primary. He should step back, take a deep breath, and get a fresh perspective--Lord knows he needs one.

Posted by: Frannie | Jan 8, 2008 3:41:00 PM

Glenda, you need to have your facts straight before you go spoutin' off. Do a little research....

Posted by: TamSam | Jan 8, 2008 3:25:34 PM

Jake, does any of this deconstructionist nonsense offered by the ex-Pres. really surprise anyone? Pres. Clinton has always been an A-1 spinmeister, so he's spinning as hard as he can to ensure that he and his wife appear to be the victims. After all, remember your recent history: THIS is the guy who was videotaped in a deposition unsuccessfully trying to differentiate between the various semantic shadings of the word "is."

Posted by: chuck | Jan 8, 2008 3:14:40 PM

Barack's message reflects the youth's calling on causes greater than one
self while Hill's message is me, me, and me. The winner is very clear as night
and day. It reflects personal character, the calling for self-sacrifice and
willingness to learn other viewpoints to achieve a common ground. This message
is very idealistic and the youth are idealists and some older people still
haven't lost their youthful idealism. It resonates widely with voters because
most voters still has that idealism within them. I don't consider JFK is really that great president, but he was able to tap into that idealistic callings to promote programs that really worked. No amount of slogan changes can help Hill's campaign and their constant adaptation only showed how out of focus was their message or their message just doesn't carry the gravitas of an
"experienced" candidate. Hill's tearing up yesterday shows her frustration and
fear of really losing to Barack like she was staring at reality. I consider it
to be a reflection of her true feelings and got my empathy, but not my vote !
Her time is passed, and she should just learn to accept fate as Al did and pick
to work on causes that is greater than one self ! Bringing in 2 attack dogs from Bill's campaign won't make any difference as Barack have moved to a level beyond their reach - civility in our body politics. Attacking Barack with their old slash and burn tactics will only bring a backlash from establishment Democrats who won't appreciate this kind of tactics.

Posted by: wilson | Jan 8, 2008 3:03:37 PM

O Spammerific Glenda:

Obama was neither born in Kenya, nor raised in Kenya, nor truly spent any significant time in Kenya. He was born in Hawai'i and spent a few formative years in Indonesia.

Obama is also not an admitted Muslim, nor is there any evidence that he was in the past. He says that he's a Christian, and shucks, I'll have to take him at his word on that one, same as I would you.

As for "opening the doors" for other black leaders ... shall I even touch that one? I think I may need a flame-proof fork.

Posted by: Nic | Jan 8, 2008 2:28:59 PM

As I stated before, I'm afraid of Obama's "changes". He was raised in Kenya, embraced the Muslim faith and now that he's running for President, he says he is a Christian. Talk about saying what the people want to hear! And the fools are buying it. If he gets in as Presdent, you better believe Obama will have an open door for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, and oh yes, Oprah (the power monger)

Posted by: Glenda Giles | Jan 8, 2008 2:14:49 PM

"This whole thing IS the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen..."

Well, I guess that depends on your definition of IS now, doesn't it?

Go away Bill. I'm sick and tired of your pointing your self-righteous finger in the faces of the American people while proclaiming your version of the truth. On second thought, hang around and keep running your mouth, so the American people can get a good look at the real Clinton legacy: lies, selfishness, and a thirst for power.

You think Hillary's not getting a free pass? She's campaigning on her 35 years of experience with change. What 35 years is she talking about? And she refers to her eight years of first lady as part of her vast experience, yet you both refuse to release the documents that would detail that experience. One member of the media, Tim Russert, had the nerve (or character and integrity) to raise that question and you practically crucify him. Not a peep from the media since.

In any case, if she has had 35 years to effect change and she's still not happy with the way things are, she has either been ineffective or she's made the wrong changes. Either way, it's time for someone else to have a turn. The American people are finally in the process of rejecting BOTH of you.

Posted by: DH | Jan 8, 2008 2:06:12 PM

If there is anything that unites people on both sides of the isle it is,'Anyone but Hillary'.

Posted by: Darrin | Jan 8, 2008 1:49:27 PM

Vince Foster, Travelgate (those missing documents showed up in HER office after the investigation was closed, and those people were fired for "polictical reasons", "innocent" people indicted that would make Barry Bonds' trainer proud, Monica, "..what the definition of "it" is...", seeded questions from the crowd, and crying on queue to try and counteract the glare she gave during the debate...ON CAMERA...as Edwards said, "staus quo".

How much more of this tripe do we have to stand for? I am actually considering voting for a Democrat for the first time since wasting it on Clinton 25+ years ago, but only if the Hillary r

Posted by: Alex | Jan 8, 2008 1:32:41 PM

The only fairy that has ever been present was mr. clinton if I am not mistaken. And hillieary's tears our out of self pity, because she finding out most Americans can't stand her arrogant selfish personality

Posted by: William F. E. | Jan 8, 2008 1:23:56 PM

Go AWAY!!! Go and count your ill begotten corporate millions you white collar criminals!!!

Posted by: geddesman | Jan 8, 2008 1:11:13 PM

This man has been convicted for lying under oath! How can anyone possibly believe anything he now says when he is not under oath????
And Hillary boasts of her "experience" while in the white house???
We do not need another Slick Willy in the white house!

Posted by: Ken weaver | Jan 8, 2008 12:47:40 PM

Jake - As your fellow Dartmouth alum ('74) I got a particular kick from this report. I am in that minority of Democrats who resented Bill's assumption that he should be forgiven all sins, and I also resent Hillary's assumption that because she also suffered through Bill's largely self-inflicted pain, the nomination is hers by self-assertion.

I was president of the Dartmouth Young Democrats in '73-'74 (the first dark year of the second Nixon administration) and thought until recently that no one would ever capture even a hint of the spirit and buzz that RFK did in '68.

I was wrong - Obama does, and if he can prove himself through the primary tests (including Bill and Hillary's gibes) maybe we'll have something new with a chance for substantial progress starting 1/20/09.

Posted by: john t. lamond | Jan 8, 2008 12:39:10 PM

We want a Change and a fresh start and his name is Omaba.Who Voted for the War In Iraq, Hillary and most Republicans.

Posted by: Listen Up | Jan 8, 2008 12:24:23 PM

As you note, Jake, Bill is reacting the same way any spouse would if his or her significant other were on the ropes/being attacked. It's charming in a way, but the arguments, as you also note, are not strong, particularly the point about the Iraq War.

If H. Clinton did not know that her vote to authorize the use of force in Iraq would absolutely result in the use of force in Iraq (last resort my hindquarters), then she's not half as competent as she would have you think. Fact is, she was wrong on the most important vote of her Senatorial career and Obama was right on that same vote. That does not necessarily mean that Obama is the better choice for President, it does mean that the Clinton camp should stop trying to explain it away.

Posted by: DKNY | Jan 8, 2008 11:34:11 AM

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