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Bill & Barack: Smoking Buddies?
July 01, 2008 2:10 PM
FROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, from ABC's The Note.
Bill Clinton and Barack Obama came down on different sides of the 1996 federal welfare-reform bill -- and, of course, of a certain presidential primary 12 years later.
But maybe they have more in common than they realize.
Looking at old transcripts of debate in the Illinois state senate, a colleague turns up this nugget in the midst of a speech by state senator Barack Obama -- a speech where Obama said he “probably would not have supported the federal [welfare] legislation” signed by President Clinton.
“I was outside late at night. I confess I was smoking a cigar; my wife doesn’t let smoke inside,” Obama said.
Obama has quit his cigarette habit. But might stogies be on the menu when 42 and the would-be 44 break bread?
-- Rick Klein
July 1, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (30)
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i find this stuff kind of funny. mccain isn't very right wing and obama is even less left wing. try comparing your country to others (ie stop being so self-centered) and you'll see where the us really stands.
you guys are going on and on about 'who will protect the nation from our enemies' but whoever is sitting in the president's office isn't going to make that difference, like if there is another major terrorist attack or not. the president might be different but the structure/system in place is more or less the same.
please start thinking about real issues. like who is more willing to make the US more proactive in sending aid to people who are actually in need all over the world (and in the states too i guess) and solving conflicts.
Posted by: ianism | Jul 6, 2008 2:48:33 PM
Matt G.
I ahree. The choice is clear - cowboy George is mere respectfull then coward borok.
Posted by: from boston | Jul 2, 2008 10:50:14 PM
you wait and see....its just a matter of time before obama reverses his stance on a policy/plan that will affect YOU
Posted by: chris | Jul 2, 2008 5:15:16 PM
hey spock
you need to do some thorough research on nccain experience----has a few good north vietnemese buddys.
Posted by: rodney | Jul 1, 2008 5:55:24 PM
becky
check on records of when mccain was prisoner of war----and what two of his fellow captives faced upon release-----mccain is a false hero.--we need more people doing research on the truth....you will be shocked
Posted by: rodney | Jul 1, 2008 5:49:13 PM
He still smokes. No wonder he wants national healthcare. Loser...
Posted by: Irish Gal | Jul 1, 2008 5:28:21 PM
I cannot believe ABC missed a chance to slam Al Gore on this. Obama + Clinton + Cigars = Tobacco. Al Gore's Daddy used to grow tobacco on the farm in Tennessee. It is about as relevant a connection to 2008 as mentioning Al Gore in connection with revelations that key McCain campaign adviser once lobbied for Occidental Petroleum. Oh, I'm sorry, the blog post did not mention that key McCain aides also lobbied for tobacco interests as well as oil.
Posted by: Ricky | Jul 1, 2008 4:51:37 PM
Boneheaded, from Chicago
Indeed! You really can fool some of the people all of the time!
Posted by: S | Jul 1, 2008 4:46:37 PM
BO is a smart phony, who only fools fools.
Posted by: Boneheaded, from Chicago | Jul 1, 2008 4:44:44 PM
'Obama said he “probably would not have supported the federal [welfare] legislation” signed by President Clinton'.
There goes his favorite word again: probably. No wonder his favorite voting stance is: present.
Posted by: rw | Jul 1, 2008 4:39:40 PM
If Obama is smart he will not let him into his champaign.....
Posted by: i | Jul 1, 2008 2:34:51 PM
--------------------------------
Well he is not smart. OBama looked stupid next to Hillary last Friday she had to SPLAIN things to him. Obama will look even worse next to Bill. It actually doesn't take much to make him look stupid. He flips himself stupid every day! HE NEEDS SERIOUS HELP.
Posted by: HP Boston | Jul 1, 2008 4:22:22 PM
John McCain's Camp is scared of Bill Clinton, i would too if i was a Republican this year.
Bad Year for Republicans.
Bad Year for Gearge W.Bush
Bad Year for John McSame
Posted by: Matt.G | Jul 1, 2008 4:03:27 PM
matt you go vote for Obama in 09!!
Obama = Carter 2nd term = 10$ a gallon gas - starvation = rationing = Gore becoming rich = 1 billion dead = say good bye
Posted by: spock | Jul 1, 2008 3:51:10 PM
John McCain = George W.Bush
Would you want another 4 years of these 2?
The choice is Clear!
OBAMA 08'
Posted by: Matt.G | Jul 1, 2008 3:50:50 PM
Funny - People want to take chances on Obama to protect us, knowing well that McCain will be able to protect us!!
I do not like taking chances with our children's lives, this is not American Idol.
Clark questions McCains experience, well at least McCain has experience to question, Obama has NONE what so ever!!
Obama spoke at terrorist rallies, His wife set up rallies for a terrorist to speak at, what else do we need to know.
Obama is bad for the country!!
You people do not get it Osama releases those tapes to get people to vote lib not Republican, see in Spain they attacked and the people cowardly vote in the libs.
There is a lot to fear out there!!
So lets stop playing the race card and get real answers to real solutions!!
I would prefer another Pres. bush, this way I know we will be safer, But McCain will do even though he is far from Pres. Bush!!
Pres. Bush solved the terrorist problem according to you libs so thank him, since you think there is nothing to fear anymore!!
Posted by: spock | Jul 1, 2008 3:49:24 PM
HoosierSue
Not to mention those of us who are voting for him.
Posted by: roxanne | Jul 1, 2008 3:49:06 PM
Does Obama hollow out his cigars?
Posted by: geevill | Jul 1, 2008 3:48:08 PM
John McCain = Bush 3RD Term
Barrack Obama = President of the United States in 2009
The choice is Clear!
OBAMA 08'
Posted by: Matt.G | Jul 1, 2008 3:47:12 PM
If you have a Brain dont vote for John McCain!!
OBAMA 08'
Posted by: Matt G | Jul 1, 2008 3:44:11 PM
AI I will answer for you Any of our enemies, since they will be able to walk all over us again!! like under Carter!!
Posted by: spock | Jul 1, 2008 3:42:26 PM
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