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Hillary 2012 Watch

September 29, 2008 7:03 AM

Wherein former President Bill Clinton calls Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a "great man" and refuses to say the same about the man who defeated his wife in the Democratic primaries, from Meet the Press yesterday:

MR. BROKAW: You know, we like to keep track of records here on MEET THE PRESS, as you're well aware of. We looked at this interview that Tim did with you a year ago at the Clinton Initiative--Global Initiative, and at that time you predicted that John McCain would be the Republican nominee, at a time when a lot of people thought he was...

PRES. CLINTON: He was dead.

MR. BROKAW: ...toast, in political terms. But you said as well, at that time, "I've disagreed with him, but I have admired him." And then to Maria Bartiromo last week you said, "I have never concealed my admiration and affection for Senator McCain. I think he's a great man. But I think on the issues, that matter to our future, the Obama-Biden team is more right."

PRES. CLINTON: I do believe that. I think Senator Obama has shown a remarkable ability to learn and grow in this campaign. He always was highly intelligent and always a very good politician. He, he got the change--the fundamental change in, in the calendar of this Democratic primary process of which we were engaged, his energy program kept getting better through the campaign, his healthcare program kept getting better. I, I, I think what you want in a president at a time like this is somebody with good instincts who generally starts in a right position and then just keeps getting better and that's what he's done.

MR. BROKAW: Would you use the same words for him that you have used for Senator McCain, that you admire him and that you think he's a good...

PRES. CLINTON: I certainly...

MR. BROKAW: ...and that he's a great man?

PRES. CLINTON: Well, I don't, look, I had my first conversation with him in my entire life in Harlem.

MR. BROKAW: You had never talked to him before that meeting.

PRES. CLINTON: No, I'd talked to him, but always in passing. I did a fundraiser for him when he ran for the Senate in 2004. I saw him briefly at Senator Kennedy's 75th birthday party. I had always, you know, I always--Hillary's the one who told me to go help him. She said, "This guy's got real skills. He's got almost unlimited potential." And I--she--so I did and I've always thought he was a really commanding presence. What I mean by saying that about McCain is, you know, most people would've been broken by what he went through. Oh, we would've been happy just to give him an "atta boy" and a medal and let him wander through life. I, I think his greatness is that he keeps trying to come back to service without ever asking people to cut him any slack or feel sorry for him or any of that stuff because he was a POW. But I, I genuinely, you know, I am developing a really good relationship with Senator Obama and I certainly admire him. And I know he saw and imagined the way this thing could develop, this political year and this, and this economic situation in a way that is left him in a position of leadership that he's in now. And I think that the rest of us should admire that. That's a big part of leadership, being able to sense, as well as see the future.

MR. BROKAW: But I get the sense that you think that he has the potential for greatness, but he's not yet arrived at that station.

PRES. CLINTON: Well, he would probably agree with that. I mean, he was, you know, until he was in the State Senate until 2005 and then he began a campaign for president, which is, in all probability, will be successful, and those are very great accomplishments. But those are personal accomplishments. When he becomes president, he'll be doing things for the American people and for the world and he is--and the greatness will then become apparent because of the good he'll do. And I, I think that's what I very much believe is going to happen.

- jpt

September 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (49)

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Obama is not the country's future. He does not represent what this country stands for. He does not deserve to walk in the shadows of our great leaders. He does not stand for democracy or equality. Obama is about himself. He wants his place in history books -- let's please bury him there in defeat. Vote McCain-Palin in 2008.

Think, people, think. Do some research. Even Bill Clinton is stepping up to the plate to give voters some advice -- though it may be through gritted teeth. Listen. Obama is a socialist. He's a radical. He's a Marxist. He wants to take away our American dream. He wants to douse everything that America is.

More taxes. Less dreams. No future.

NO OBAMA!

Posted by: Heather | Sep 30, 2008 11:06:49 PM

President Clinton believes, as do MANY, that Hillary is BY FAR the best candidate for President, that she should at least be considering seriously another run in 2012. I don't see anything wrong with that in the least. Even after Barack Obama secured the nomination in Denver, President Clinton has still said (on Larry King very recently, I believe) that he thinks Hillary IS the best candidate, not "was" the best candidate in the primaries. And again, what is so wrong with him saying what he believes to be true? Why should he care more about helping Barack Obama if he knows in his heart that Hillary would be the far superior President?

Anyhow, Hillary and Jim Webb in 2012 would make a very fine ticket, I do believe!!

Posted by: Scott | Sep 30, 2008 4:33:43 PM

They say people don't know Obama! Well,get to know him by looking up The Obama File. There are at least 18 different titles to research about him.Then you'll know what he is Really Like & what He stands for. I won't have someone that corrupt as My President!

Posted by: Ann | Sep 30, 2008 1:44:30 PM

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WOULD YOU WANT A MAN TO RUN OUR COUNTRY THAT DOSENT
RESPECT OUR FLAG OR THE BIBLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW OBAMA IF HE WINS IS GOING TO BE SWORN IN IF WANT PUT HIS HAND ON THE AMERICAN BIBLE NOW IS THIS THE KIND OF MAN YOU WANT TO RUN OUR COUNTRY NO REPECT THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA

Posted by: sally | Sep 30, 2008 9:27:31 AM

Bill Clinton seemingly does not know Barak Hussein Obama and there are many questions we as a nation also have-

Who paid for his Harvard education?
Why did he sit under a racist pastor?
Why a friendship with Ayers,a terrorist?
Why involved in Kenyan elections?
Why does he support infanticide?

Posted by: Carol | Sep 30, 2008 8:28:15 AM

I don't understand why Obama is future? just because he is young?

The concepts of 'bail out','socialism', 'regulation' are nothing new. We've already known and seen those.

He will increase income tax, capital gain tax, corporate tax. Is that the change we want?

In my view, if corporate tax is increased, the result is: the business owner will increase merchandise price, deduct employee salary, reduce employee benefit, result in more out-sourcing in order to save cost, and cause losing more jobs.

Oh NO!

Posted by: golfgirlusa | Sep 30, 2008 12:49:12 AM

People, people, people!!! The nitty-gritty is that Obama has very dangerous views on foreign policy, and his economic platform is weak. We CANNOT negotiate with terrorists. We CANNOT leave Iraq until it is stable, or it will become a hotbed for terrorists. (Parts of it already are, which is why we're still there.) And has anybody noticed that the Democrat-controlled House AND Senate can't devise a bail-out plan that is good for America? That's because they got us into this mess! Oh, and by the way, in his short tenure as a United States Senator, Obama has voted 94 times to raise taxes, and not just on the wealthy. If you can afford to give Uncle Sam more of your hard-earned money than you already do, then vote for Obama.

Posted by: John | Sep 29, 2008 10:56:40 PM

those who truly wanted the best person to lead and protect their children and our troops actually voted for Senator Clinton

Posted by: chris | Sep 29, 2008 5:06:47 PM

Just remember one thing Hillary Clinton supporters:

If Obama/Biden manage to win this election, there will be no 2012 Presidential bid for Hillary Clinton.

If McCain/Palin manage to win this election, there will most likely be a 2012 Presidential bid for Hillary Clinton.

By the time 2016 rolls around, Hillary Clinton's chances to run again for President will be slim or none.

The choice is yours...


Anybody But Obama...

Posted by: Jayhawk | Sep 29, 2008 1:10:03 PM

I am sure we all know the truth about the feelings of Hilly and Billy. They are very bitter and bitter they are but at the same time, they both cannot be seen, heard, thought of or smell fighting against the Democratic party. One thing for sure is that we all saw the anxiety in Hilly and the desire to continue to fight. I perceived personally the desire in Hilly and Billy to continue to fight even after the superdelegates decided.
It was that decision that finally sent her to her rest. Rest in peace and let the next president (Obama) take us to the promise land for now. 2012 will be decided in 2012. But I don't think it will be Hilly and Billy on the stage in 2012. I really don't think so. It is over for Hilly and her aspiration for the white house.Ha!Ha!Ha.Monica lewisky..should assist Hilly and Billy's bid for 2012. I would vote Hilly if Billy permits Monica to share the politic bedstage. Ha!Ha

Posted by: Fred | Sep 29, 2008 1:03:22 PM

I wish someone would ask Bill if he has read Obama's books. If he has, it would be interesting to know what he thinks of them. If he has not, that would be interesting in another way.

Posted by: tkd | Sep 29, 2008 11:48:19 AM

Obama a great man? Why?

Get out your hip boots.

Posted by: sam | Sep 29, 2008 11:46:02 AM

Since I learned that John and Cindy McCain are big contributors to the Clinton Global Financial Initiative, I no longer expect anything different than faint praise for Senator Obama. Bill sure knows how to suck up.

Posted by: Pamela Picard | Sep 29, 2008 11:31:37 AM

"You may not agree with him, and certainly there are legitimate policy debates, but if you don't "know" him you simply aren't paying attention."

Amen.

The persons who continue to say they don't "know enough" about Obama are the same ones who embraced Sarah Palin as the GOP savior.

I find it comical to watch many people extol Palin, whom they never heard of until recently, while continuing to say they simply don't know enough about Obama to trust him.

This line of argumentation is meant to obscure the real reason why they don't support Obama, whatever that reason may be.

Posted by: ChrisNBama | Sep 29, 2008 10:47:57 AM

I can agree with what Bill Clinton says about Obama. Are he and Hillary hoping he will lose so she can try again in 2012? Without a doubt! Unfortunately what they don't seem to understand is they will never be forgiven for undermining Obama and underming our chances this year. Hillary will not even be able to win the primarys in 2012. She will not be the Democratic Nominee.

Posted by: Truth Matters | Sep 29, 2008 10:38:31 AM

Voting for Obama, who nobody really knows, would truly be at this juncture in our history, a leap of faith.

Halli Casser-Jayne

==========

Voting for McCain and his continuation of Bush's economic and foreign policies would be like leaping off a cliff.

Obama's been in the national spotlight for several years now and on the campaign trail for the last two. His major policy positions and leadership style have been on public display. You may not agree with him, and certainly there are legitimate policy debates, but if you don't "know" him you simply aren't paying attention.

Posted by: Bruce | Sep 29, 2008 10:31:50 AM

It really comes off as if Bill is jealous of Obama. There hasn't been a democrat with as much charisma since Bill and I think it's ####### him off.

Posted by: BNA | Sep 29, 2008 10:19:55 AM

What ####### Bill Clinton off, and pundits alike...is the fact that Obama in reality doesnt need die hard support from him or his wife's supporters. He only needs about 70 percent. Which he clearly has. However, if Hillary wants to run for anything, ever, in the future; she'll need about 90% of Obama supporters, which of course wont be there if he loses. Even if she tries to run in 2012, she can't win unless he is VP, which he wont do. So, pretty much, as much as Bill is trying to be on the fence, he has to vouch for Barack. Wishful thinking that Bill will slip and say something crucial to hurt Obama...

Obama/Biden 08 and Beyond

Posted by: PoliticsAsUsual | Sep 29, 2008 10:12:47 AM

Thank God we won't have another Clinton in office. I'm tired of hearing how great of a President Clinton was. Did people forget already how he flat out lied to us, and how his "balanced budget" came about by robbing from social security?

Posted by: TJ | Sep 29, 2008 10:09:36 AM

People don't like Obama. I don't blame Clinton.

Dem for McCain/Palin

Posted by: Mark | Sep 29, 2008 8:01:10 AM

==========
So, those polls that show Obama up 50-43 are all lying? And the fact that most electoral vote projections now have Obama safely over 300 are wrong, too? And the fact that everytime McCain uttered the words "Sen. Obama doesn't understand" during the debate, live trackers among independents too a nose dive are irrelevant?

It's McCain that's turning people off.

Posted by: Bill | Sep 29, 2008 9:54:32 AM

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