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The Bill Comes Due
April 26, 2008 12:57 PM
Lots of talk about former President Bill Clinton these days.
Perhaps, as Bono once said, too much talk.
He is a force out there on the trail, as ABC News' Sarah Amos reports.
And yet . . .
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., tells Fox News that “Many of the surrogates in the Clinton campaign of recent days have been saying things that have been angering African-American voters over again.
"I mean, who 'played the race card' on President Clinton?" Clyburn said, referring to comments made in an interview Clinton gave to WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and later denied making. "What does he mean by that unless he is trying to send some kind of signal on race?”
Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American in Congress, has remained neutral throughout this contest, but he has continually expressed concern about the tactics of the Clinton campaign.
"I am concerned … that the conduct of this campaign could very well make the nomination not worth having,” Clyburn told Fox. "“Our party is much bigger than Bill Clinton. It is much bigger than Sens. Clinton or Obama. It is a party that is here to serve the American people. … And I don’t want to see us conduct a campaign in such a way that it does irreparable harm to our being able to do that. When this campaign is over, if Hillary Clinton is the nominee, she cannot get elected president if 25 to 30 percent of black people vote for McCain. She is going to have … to have that same 92 percent of black people that Obama [has] now. And if [Obama] is the nominee, he is going to need her help and her husband’s help getting white voters that he is not now getting. And I don’t see how you can go back to these people and get them to vote for the nominee if you have done all these things and said all of these things about him during the campaign … because you are not going to be able to reverse field in the middle of general election."
The Wall Street Journal's Monica Langley today takes a look at what some "insiders" are calling the "Billification" of the campaign.
"Mr. Clinton has placed several of his own aides at headquarters, including his former lawyer and a bevy of strategists. Known as a bad loser, Mr. Clinton privately buttresses his wife's drive to push on, telling her, according to aides: 'We're not quitters.' On his own daily message calls, advisers say, he implores: 'We've got to take him on every time.' At the Clintons' Washington, D.C., home recently, these people say, he reviewed possible TV spots and told ad makers to be more hard-hitting, faster and harsher."
Langley says that Bill Clinton's "role has come at a cost -- to morale among some campaign staff, relations inside the Democratic Party and with African-American leaders, and in the view of some, his own legacy. He has lost considerable credibility with many party leaders, who, as 'superdelegates' to the party convention, will be crucial in determining who is the Democratic presidential nominee. ... 'Bill is blessed and cursed as a super-spouse," says one adviser. 'He can go off-message, but mostly he delivers big crowds and positive results. He's fully invested and involved every single day.'"
April 26, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | Share | User Comments (241)
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Hillary will do or say anything to win this election. Truth has no place in her campaign unless it serves her agenda. Remember, the Clintons are a package deal. There won't be an intern in the White House who will be safe. The Clintons are old news. There's nothing exciting or innovative going on in that campaign.
McCain better come up with a good running mate. He's older than dirt and will not make it through the first four years intact.
The only candidate without political baggage is Barack. He may be young and he may be inexperienced, but he has potential. He's smart. He'll take us to a level of leadership that we haven't seen in years. Give me something new and exciting.
Posted by: Judith | Apr 28, 2008 9:38:29 AM
Rick from Pa - You are wrong to say that Bill Clinton did nothing to deserve the criticism. I remember those years well and history will not look at Bill Clinton kindly because of the "legacy" he left. One scandal after another, one lie after another, he helped destroy any trust or respect that people felt for the office. To me, great presidents inspire trust - not destroy it. Great presidents bring honor and respect to the office - not disgrace it. A balanced budget does not make up for the psycological damage he inflicted on this country and Hillary has already shown she has a dislike for the truth like her husband. Both are power hungry to the point where it is sick. I don't want them anywhere near the white house again. If she wins - hide the dishes.
Posted by: Gretchenmom | Apr 28, 2008 8:27:45 AM
President Clinton has done absolutely nothing to deserve this type of treatment.
Americans that were babies at the time he was in office don't understand what a great President Clinton was.
We should feel blessed to have him anywhere near the White House.
He is the last person anyone should call a racist. This man has supported and has done more for African Americans than any other president. For African Americans to turn on him is cruel.
President Clinton balanced our budget, mended ties internationally and stood up for all of America. He is not liked but LOVED not just in America, but throughout the world.
Please stop falling for the comments said "fairy tale" and whatever silly thing the media has tried to spin into being a racist remark.
This is discusting to think that anyone black or white would even consider this man a racist.
Wake up America.
Be grateful he is helping to win the White House for the Democratic Party.
He is a PLUS for all Americans.
Posted by: Rick from Pa | Apr 28, 2008 6:12:36 AM
President Clinton has done absolutely nothing to deserve this type of treatment.
Americans that were babies at the time he was in office don't understand what a great President Clinton was.
We should feel blessed to have him anywhere near the White House.
He is the last person anyone should call a racist. This man has supported and has done more for African Americans than any other president. For African Americans to turn on him is cruel.
President Clinton balanced our budget, mended ties internationally and stood up for all of America. He is not liked but LOVED not just in America, but throughout the world.
Please stop falling for the comments said "fairy tale" and whatever silly thing the media has tried to spin into being a racist remark.
This is discusting to think that anyone black or white would even consider this man a racist.
Wake up America.
Be grateful he is helping to win the White House for the Democratic Party.
He is a PLUS for all Americans.
Posted by: Rick from Pa | Apr 28, 2008 6:12:26 AM
jbate where was Obama on Feb 4 1999? He did not go to work at the Senate in Illinois.
Posted by: libre | Apr 28, 2008 4:27:22 AM
So now to Rezko we have to ad Blackwell as beneficiary of Obama's "favors" with the Illinois taxpayers money in exchange for financial personal gain. Obama is a liar and a dirty old style POLITICIAN.
Posted by: libre | Apr 28, 2008 4:24:35 AM
To jbate:
She was in the cabinet meetings and General's meeting throughout President Clinton's presidency. You might want to do your homework on that one. She has immense experience. She has worked for American families (like us) for over 35 years; she has worked with foreign countries. She is backed by Generals and the military! She is very strong and she WILL get the job done for you and for me. She WILL fight for us! She is an amazing woman. I hope that you get a chance to realize this.
Chris in Indiana (where we are the so called "tie-breaker")..."Clinton country"
Indiana is ours! I hope that you're not from Michigan or Florida, what an injustice there (I would be so upset if I resided there)! I thought this was America!
Posted by: chris | Apr 28, 2008 3:14:27 AM
To the previous comment,
President Bill Clinton seemed to be giving a sympothatic remark to Obama, not a negative remark. He was sticking up for the guy! The poor guy had to decide when he came to the mainland to be "black" or "white"....he must have had some confusion with his identity and where to go with it. He chose to go to an African American church and have an African American family. What's wrong with that? President Clinton didn't say anything negative, he was only speaking what Barack himself has expressed.
That being said, how many Americans know that he went by the name Barry Obama his first 18 years or so?
His hand over his heart during the pledge; I think we all learned that around the first grade. Barry, if I'm not mistaken, was in a Muslim school during this time in Indonesia (must not have received the lesson).
However, my main point that I'd like for people to take a look at is this:
Why did he wait so long to take a good, hard look at his church? Doesn't that say something about Obama's character? Didn't even Oprah Winfrey distance herself from the same church a few years back?
Let's wait about 4-8 years and get to know the guy a little better and maybe, just maybe, he might be one of the greatest leaders of all time, maybe.
Chris in Indiana (where it is really starting to count here, finally!!!)
Posted by: Chris | Apr 28, 2008 3:03:14 AM
President Bill Clinton has not made one racist remark when touring The United States. He has a deep affection for African Americans. Why are they forgetting him. He is very fair, just as Obama is. President Clinton has done nothing wrong; he has only tried to campaign fairly for his wife (he dearly loves his wife and is very proud of her)...Obama's name doesn't even seem to be brought up during Clinton's events/rallys and I've attended many of Clinton's events.
Senator Clinton is very strong and she WILL get the job done for us. We need her. It is not a Clinton or Bush legacy...it's about Senator Clinton finally having a chance to help the American people. She has a passion to help us...that is all she wants. She doesn't want power; she wants to help the American people as she has always done. Please give her the job (look at her resume). You will not be disappointed. She will not quit; she will not give up; she will fight for all of us until things in this country are right again. She is not a quitter and that is what we need in a leader.
One last point, why will Senator Obama not debate Hillary in Indiana? Is he afraid that she is the better candidate? He has time to play basketball here, why can't he take some time to do some old fashioned debating?
If he were to be nominated, the Republicans will eat him alive....Senator Clinton's baggage has been out there for many years and it is over with. It's in the past....what can the Republicans tell us that we do not already know about the Clintons?
Chris in Indiana
Posted by: Chris | Apr 28, 2008 2:46:40 AM
Joel:
Are you sick, or what? To infer that black people vote for Obama simply because he is black is an insult. Blacks have been voting for white men since 1870; it just that now the best candidate happens to be black. The other candidate is from the "32 years" of the status quo. Her so-called experience is bogus and her credibility is in the pits.
Posted by: jbate | Apr 28, 2008 2:08:48 AM
I am proud of everyone here that has said how corrupt the Clinton regime is. I was very young when Clinton was in office, but I know far too well the corruption that came with him. I am also aware of the racism that is carrying Senator Obama. I think it is sickening to see black people vote for someone just because he's black. They vote for him because they're tired of white racists, but the way I see it, there are more white people voting for Obama than black people for Clinton or McCain proportionally. To me this says that the BLACKS are actually the racists. I am sick and tired of racists, I am ready to see America be what it's supposed to be, which is a diverse country unified under one belief and love for the country which our Founding Fathers created!
Posted by: Joel | Apr 28, 2008 1:50:11 AM
The heck with these super delagates...we need to bust up this Bush/Clinton deal once and for all.....I'll just vote for McCain. It may leave a bitter taste in my mouth but at least it won't be a Clinton or a bush again.........
Posted by: Dave Peck | Apr 27, 2008 11:13:09 PM
Now Dean is trying to tell Us that Hillary and Obama are now in a dead heat! Can you beleive that stuff ???? She got by a bunch of Pennheads, and now she is in a dead heat!
I saw that comming. I knew they would try to force Hilly down our throats and that is why I have changed my affilation to independent and I urge all the Obama followers to do the same. If Obama is not on the ballot, we can still write him in and at the same time, get even with all these "super delagates" that sold us out!!!
Leave it to those idiots in the Penn State to keep this going......what idiots!!! When the democrats loose this one, you know what state to thank!
Posted by: Dave Peck | Apr 27, 2008 11:07:20 PM
Bill Clinton, in my opinion, is why Hillary cannot win this election. If she takes the nomination she will not win in November. Too many Americans remember eight years of dishonesty, scandals and lying. I am a life long Democrat but if Hillary wins, I will leave the party. The Clinton's have made a mockery of the presidency and I blame them for the mess we are in now with Bush. When Clinton left office the economy was good, so there was absolutely no reason that Gore should not have won. The reason was, in my opinion, because people were disgusted and fed up with the Clintons and the backlash was against the Democratic nominee. If we as Democrats stick together and vote the party ticket...we can't lose simply because there are more Democrats than Republicans. Disgust with the Clintons and all the scandals that haunted their administration is the reason people voted Republican in 2000. There is no way I would subject the country to the Clintons again even if it means voting Republican. At least McCain is a decent person. Can't say the same for Hillary or Bill.
Posted by: Gretchenmom | Apr 27, 2008 10:44:16 PM
Please no Clintons for the sake of my family. We cana't have liars and cheaters in the White House - what message does that send to our kids - yes, its fine to lie and cheat on your spouse etc.
I'm voting for anybody other than Clinton. Please lose HRC for the good of the US and the world.
Posted by: democratfor08 | Apr 27, 2008 7:28:46 PM
Hi Tina D,
How could anybody hold the Clinton's in high esteem. I'm trying to raise three kids and teach them about right and wrong in this world. How do I explain the behavior of Mr. Clinton in the White House and all the lies that both Clintons have told over the years. I'm not trying to support Obama here but the Clintons are not good people - they are cheaters and liars - and I'm sure criminals in the eyes of some.
I'm voting anybody but Clinton for the sake of my kids.
Posted by: democratfor08 | Apr 27, 2008 7:26:28 PM
democrats are showing what they truly stand for-a devisive america- the utopian speeches about uniting america and helping the poor are mere political manuver to score political points but yet their records shows their liberal and uncompromising stance.
Posted by: sgmisa | Apr 27, 2008 7:26:22 PM
Unless one of your parents was Black and one was White, you really have no business talking about "embracing" and "denoucing" parts of someone's heritage. My late father was Black, my mother is White and my heritage comes from both of them. However, my racial identity was made quite clear to me on my first day of kindergarten when the a little boy yelled out to the teacher, "I don't want to sit next to a n****r." Racial identity is something that society determines for you because of how you look, it is not something determined by personal preference or choice. I'm now 55 years old, and have yet to have anyone refer to me as "White", even with my mother standing next to me.
Posted by: Teachfor53 | Apr 27, 2008 6:27:32 PM
Bill Clinton is showing some chinks in
his black armor. His faithful steed,
Hillary, tho, looks none the worse for
wear.
Ride on, ride on to victory.
Posted by: hombre | Apr 27, 2008 6:22:52 PM
The Clintons are bad for America. They teach our kids that cheating and lying is ok.
Posted by: democratfor08 | Apr 27, 2008 6:16:21 PM
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