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Bill Clinton: Willing to Shake Every Hand in Texas
February 23, 2008 10:48 PM
ABC News' Sarah Amos reports: Bill Clinton is a man on a mission today. For those keeping score, the former President beat all the actual candidates in number of events today, holding six across the western half of Texas. His message for voters has been brief and focused almost entirely on the reasons why his wife Hillary is the best Democratic candidate.
At one of four rallies he attended in El Paso this afternoon, Clinton did take a break from singing his wife's praises just long enough to point out that this election isn't all about inspiration and hope often associated with her opponent, Barack Obama.
"In order to be a good president you got to define what you hope for and how you are going to be able to keep faith for Americans by turning hopes into realities in other peoples lives," Clinton told a crowd in an El Paso parking lot. Of course, he was also quick to point out that his hometown is a place called Hope and how his candidacy was one of hope, sending a bit of a mixed message to the crowd.
Clinton also took an opportunity to take offense at those who say past experience or involvement in political fights is a negative. "I never thought, I never thought, that public service didn't matter. I never believed that what you had done in your past life was irrelevant to what kind of president you would be. I never disrespected people because they had served and cooperated when they could, but fought for you when they could, too. Once in a while you got to fight for people if you want them to get a fair deal and have a brighter future."
Clinton began the day in Corpus Christi and then headed up to Killeen, before rounding out the day with a jammed schedule in El Paso.
As the importance of Texas and Ohio becomes clearer by the day, Hillary Clinton's campaign obviously sees the former president's rock star status (especially among the Hispanic community) as one of their strongest assets. The usually verbose Clinton has been talking for just 10 or 15 minutes at many events, focusing heavily on the importance of early voting and participating in both the primary and the caucus.
Clinton has become extremely detailed in his plea for voter turnout.
"If you vote early or you vote on March the 4th in the popular election, 65 percent of the delegates will be selected to the national convention. But 35 percent of the delegates for the national convention will be selected Tuesday night, March 4, at 8000 Percent Convention all across this state," Clinton told the crowd in Killeen this morning, adding, "The doors open at 7 and they close at 7:15. It would be tragic if Hillary were to win this election in the daytime and somebody were to come in at night and take it away."
Clinton has also been choosing to spend a majority of his time shaking hands and signing posters -- something that seems to resonate with the crowds as much as any speech does. Last night at an event in Corpus Christi, Clinton caused a mob scene that lasted over an hour. While today's crowd was a bit more controlled, the excitement in the air was the same.
And that excitement is what the Clinton campaign will need to carry them through the next week and a half of campaigning. So instead of heading back East early in the week for fundraising, as originally planned, the former president will make a quick two-day trip to Ohio, and then it is right back to Texas. If Clinton could, he would shake the hand of every Democrat in Texas before March 4 -- and if he has it his way, he just might.
February 23, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (35)
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No third term for Bill Clinton, you have done what you have to do and we thank you for that, but America is not a dynastic country, that is Saudi-Arabia and Dubai. He should accept the fact that her wife lost and they should work with Obama to build a strong Democartic, independant and republican coalition to win in November by beating McCain as a drum. Change is necessary if US has to compete against China, India and Japan.
Posted by: BKMC | Feb 23, 2008 11:11:03 PM
Where does that man get so much energy?
Posted by: Wil | Feb 23, 2008 11:23:12 PM
What the heck does '8000 percent convention' mean?
Posted by: Paul | Feb 23, 2008 11:43:02 PM
Third term for Bill Clinton, you say!Bill Clinton will always be known as one of our most successful presidents. If we had him as president for three terms, we would not be in the mess we are in. He knows the hard work that Hillary has done in all of his campaigns and how she has worked just as hard as he to be successful. He might even say that her intellect is greater than his. If her entire life has been geared to serving others and making others' lives better, and she has a passion to do this, why should she not be qualified to serve? Our history books are filled with the names of the Roosevelt family, the Adams family, the Bush family. No one questioned the incongruity of both father Bush and son Bush serving as President. Where is the logic? The success of Bill Clinton could certainly be echoed by Hillary Clinton. She is certainly more tuned in and prepared to lead than George W. Bush was. I hope that Bill can reach and influence the voters to vote for Hillary, because she is the most prepared and capable candidate running. You can stack up as many sound bites as you wish for Obama, and the total cannot convince me that he is prepared. I do not see any evidence that Obama can build a coalition with Democrats and Republicans to get Democratic legislation passed. He is floating on a lot of hot air and little substance.
Go Bill, fire up the crowds!
Posted by: georgia | Feb 24, 2008 12:31:45 AM
She will shake every hand in Texas? What does she want from me? My vote? Sorry, it's not for sale. As a matter of fact, I will personally pay her $3 to leave me alone. With the way she is mismanaging campaign funds, she might just need $3 from me, from you, from an illegal immigrant, to pay back the $5 million she loaned her own campaign with 1. some interest rate!
Posted by: TK | Feb 24, 2008 12:46:58 AM
Enough of the negative on with the positive.Mr Clinton is saying either or when that is not the case He is the one with all the hot air.The Clinton years were not all that good,Bush had to clean up after them and the mess they left. Yes we Can Obama/08 Mr Clinton just wants another 4 or 8 years in the oval officeAfter what hillary has said about anyone saying anything about her daughter or her husband do any of you really think Bill Clinton would not be in the middle of thing if she even won??
Posted by: hmm | Feb 24, 2008 1:37:52 AM
Yeah!
Bad Boy Bill is back. Don't count this guy out. He's a politician's politician. He's in the top 10 Presidents of all time. Bush will go down in history as the worst than worst of all time... we need to invent a new word for that...Bush is so bad that he's bushiebad. Bill ain't bushiebad. He's bad boy good, like Texans like. I am from Texas, I know Texans, and this thing ain't over until it's over. There's many-a Texan that will be proud to shake Bill's hand and pull the lever for Hillary. You just sit back on your spurs and watch.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Feb 24, 2008 1:38:58 AM
There is a rule in the law called the rule against perpetuity (or something like that). Anyway, it says you must leave your estate to a life in being plus 21 years. I say we need a similar rule to maintain a democracy rather than a monarchial familial line of leadership. We should pass a law that specifically prohibits the immediate family members (Sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and husbands and wives) of any living President to run for that office during his/her lifetime PLUS 21 years. Can we start this movement now with a blog petition???
Posted by: shelgirl | Feb 24, 2008 2:55:16 AM
I am cracking up . Still tearing Clinton a new one every chance you get. You Obama fans have no idea how much you will FAIL in the general election. Both Clintons grinning and supporting obama is NOT going to convince Clinton's supporters of the obvious. Obama is an empty suit. We will be voting for Mc Cain. You Obama freaks just wont GET that.
Posted by: tomdavie | Feb 24, 2008 4:18:23 AM
We should all be watching Texas Latino vote very closely. This will not only have a big impact on Texas primary but will give an insight into presidential election. If the exit poll shows that they voted against Obama because he is black then democrats should think twice before nominating Obama. In California Latinos and Asians make up 39% of population. If this group favors McCain over Obama, democrats will loose California and therefore the general election.
Posted by: Satish | Feb 24, 2008 5:03:25 AM
Bill Clinton contributed little to this country other than scandal and deceit. He reaped a huge windfall from the Reagan peace dividend - a dividend his policies would never have come close to achieving - and overspent it, seriously weakening our military in the process. Why do you suppose the Chinese military made a $500,000 contribution to his election campaign? Who is paying him off now? No suprise that the "sooner rather than later (meaning 'never') Clintons still haven't released their tax returns. No third term for that slimeball.
Posted by: Sinecure | Feb 24, 2008 6:07:26 AM
Bill Clinton is can do whatever he wants but shaking hands doesn't mean his wife will be a good president. In fact her little outbusrt yesterday demonsrates that she doesn't have the demeanor we need in a president. She scares me.
Posted by: Janet | Feb 24, 2008 7:35:19 AM
You have to have Billy-Boy credit.........he never gives up
Posted by: Vectorpedia (Rick) | Feb 24, 2008 8:04:58 AM
Obama didn't compare himself to the great people you mentioned in your post. The media and people around him did!! The reason is because they haven't seen anyone inspire so many people to 1.Come out to rallies in such huge numbers 2. Huge Voter turn out.
I am not American but for God sake, its people like you who claim you will vote McCain if Obama wins that annoy me.
The Democratic Party has made history by presenting two very good candidates into the race that happen to be a woman and an African American and both have very good plans and experience.
Whatever the outcome is, if you claim to be a true democrat then you support who the nominee is!!
Its democratics like you the Republicans are looking for!! If Hilary doesn't win then we will vote McCain.
Well what that would do is just put another Bush in office!!
People around the world want to see change in America!! Not presidents that don't hesitate to start a war with no substantial evidence!!
Posted by: Kofiharr | Feb 24, 2008 8:34:06 AM
"Kofiharr"
I don't have to support the democrat's nominee. I can write in Senator Clinton's name.
Posted by: J | Feb 24, 2008 9:13:01 AM
Let me clarify my statement. Senator Obama IS NOT the nominee yet. Will you Obama backers support Senator Clinton if she is the nominee. This election is NOT OVER YET!
Posted by: J | Feb 24, 2008 9:21:02 AM
Bill is not running for President so Hillary should be the person shaking everybody's hands in Texas today... however, she is now in New Orleans asking the black community to forgive her husband for Bill's comments...so Hillary, once again continues to clean after Bill.
The Clinton's campaign has been marked by "attacks" and then by having to say "sorry" -- that is not presidential.
Though I did not vote for Obama, he seems to be the choice.
Posted by: GLO | Feb 24, 2008 9:38:07 AM
Bill & Hilary Clinton are not trustworthy. Barack Obama is integer.
Barack Obama’s dream is—Bring about real change, change that we believe in. His passion for change is the pillar of his Personal Brand. Parts of his speeches: “America is a land of big dreamers and big hopes. It is this hope that has sustained us through revolution and civil war, depression and world war, a struggle for civil and social rights and the brink of nuclear crisis. And it is because our dreamers dreamed that we have emerged from each challenge more united, more prosperous, and more admired than before…….The true test of the American ideal is whether we’re able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them. Whether chance of birth or circumstance decides life’s big winners and losers, or whether we build a community where, at the very least, everyone has a chance to work hard, get ahead, and reach their dreams….Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek…. I don’t want to settle for anything less than real change, fundamental change - change we need - change that we can believe in. It’s change that I’ve been fighting for over two decades ago. Because those dreams - American dreams - are worth fighting for”..
Posted by: Rodney Wayne | Feb 24, 2008 9:53:52 AM
Just how many of you Obama backers will actually do anything to make this country better? Will you go out into your community and lend a helping hand? I doubt it most people are centered on what's in it for them and it's all about me.
Obama isn't going to change squat. I guess you can trust a guy that has lifted lines, lifted ideas from other candidates and sent out deceptive mailings. What does that teach our children? That teaches them that it's ok to cheat your way to your goals.
Posted by: J | Feb 24, 2008 10:08:40 AM
all you people say hillary dont have the conpasion to be the president , if you say the debate you would say other wise the closing speech said it all all obama could say is about him self yes he had it tough but what hillary said says it all does matter how tough my life get it dont get any tough then other american lives get, she cares and that sppech shows it ,plus obma dont belive in have heath care for everyone and his speech show it, plus obama is a flip flopper you oabma fans are just to blind to se that
Posted by: ernie | Feb 24, 2008 11:35:17 AM
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