- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
Bill Stumps For Hillary in N.C.; Makes No Mention of Richardson
Email
ShareMarch 21, 2008 3:28 PM
ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: Former president Bill Clinton became the first Clinton of the Democratic primary election to visit North Carolina Friday, speaking to about 80 veterans and their families at a VFW hall in Charlotte, NC.
Clinton was nearly an hour late for the invite-only, stopping at a restaurant across the street to have a garden burger and talk with patrons. Seeming a bit more tired than usual, Clinton gave a short speech focused heavily on veteran's rights and the economy.
Clinton made the argument that come November, his wife is not only more electable, but that a general election race between soon-to-be Republican nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., would not get caught up in the "other stuff" that takes over elections.
"I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country and people could actually asks themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics," Clinton said.
Clinton also continued to play up Hillary's chance to win the popular vote come June.
"She would be the best for veterans, the best commander and chief the best for the economy and is the most electable. If North Carolina votes for her, she will end up this process with more popular votes and I believe she will be the nominee of the party and the next president. It is all up to you," said Clinton.
When asked about the "other stuff" Clinton was referring to, Bill Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna told ABC News: "President Clinton was talking about the need to talk about issues, rather than falsely questioning any candidate's patriotism." He was lamenting that these kind of distractions "always seems to intrude" on political campaigns. This, McKenna said, is consistent with his criticism of the "politics of personal destruction," which dates back 16 years.
Clinton made no mention today of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's endorsement of Obama today, who said that despite his long friendship with the Clinton's he believed Obama's candidacy was historic, and touted his 2002 opposition to the Iraq war, and said it's time Democrats stop fighting amongst themselves and join together to fight McCain. Richardson served as Secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration.
March 21, 2008 in Bush, George W., Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (91)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Well said Bill Clinton! We need to focus on the issues that matter to all Americans. When Hillary Clinton locks up the nomination at the convention, we can have a real election.
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 21, 2008 3:35:10 PM
Since when is a female candidacy not historic?
Posted by: LOM | Mar 21, 2008 3:35:55 PM
She is done. She can't win.
It is over!
Barack is the nominee!
Get used to it!
Posted by: LStewart | Mar 21, 2008 3:40:29 PM
He has made statements to both being potentially historic. Perhaps the reporter here thought it was not relevant? (sic)
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 21, 2008 3:40:57 PM
She can win. Both candidates need the support of the superdelegates to push them over the 2,025 threshold. Since Bill Richardson reinforced the fact that supers can vote their independent judgment, no one should be upset when they vote overwhelmingly for Clinton.
Clinton will be the nominee--this race has become about electability and Obama just saw that slip away. The party elders know how the GE will play out and can't risk losing the White House again.
Get used to that.
Posted by: LOM | Mar 21, 2008 3:43:53 PM
Barack Obama shares a commonality with our previous presidents: white male.
I fail to see how a woman president is any less historic, if anything, it is far more historic. The United States is behind the curve on this...many other countries have/had female leaders. What is the country afraid of?
I shouldn't be surprised. Sexism runs rampant in corporate America and it would be naive to think that gender could possibly transcend this election.
Posted by: LOM | Mar 21, 2008 3:47:22 PM
"The other stuff" is Obama's trademark. He personifies the other stuff--racially specious and divisive blather that shifts our attention from more salient matters.
Hillary 08
Posted by: Emily | Mar 21, 2008 3:48:02 PM
An hour late, speaking to veterans, stopping for a burgar. Historic? Really showing his respect I am sure.
Posted by: Thinking | Mar 21, 2008 3:48:18 PM
By "all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics" was he referring to his affair with Monica Lewinsky, and his subsequent lies about it to a Grand Jury? Just askin', because the thought of having this sack of trash back in the West Wing seems like it sure would undermine Hillary's electability.
Posted by: balthus | Mar 21, 2008 3:49:25 PM
I find it very telling that NC polls show a statistical tie between Obama and Clinton now. Obama had previously been projected strong in NC because of the black voting bloc there. I think more emphasis should be placed on NC's tendency to support candidates with strong military backing. Perhaps that has more impact in NC. With Murtha's endorsement after so many flag officers stood behind Senator Clinton, it does not surprise me actually.
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 21, 2008 3:49:40 PM
"Clinton made no mention of ... Richardson's endorsement of Obama".
Why the hell WOULD he mention it? Since when do the candidates or their surrogates go around rattling their opponents' endorsements?
Posted by: Biggdawg | Mar 21, 2008 3:51:54 PM
Biggdawg -- So true! Common sense really. Duh. Must be a slow news day.
Posted by: LOM | Mar 21, 2008 3:53:07 PM
Bill Clinton is historically late for events. While I dont know the reason why, I can see the possibility that security measures would be taken to ensure his safety. For all we know, the delays are intentional for that reason. The military community as well as the Dc community is used to this and I dont see it as a sign of disrespect.
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 21, 2008 3:54:18 PM
oh LOM here is more fun... Forbes has a new delegate calculator to play with LOL I wonder what they base it on.
Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 21, 2008 3:56:44 PM
Well, it was a garden burger -- can't have any of his favorite Big Macs because it might appear he's favoring their "close Friend," John "Bush3" McCain!!!
Hillary can win ONLY by stealing the election! We will have a democratic candidate who loves America and cares about the issues -- Barack Obama.
Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!
Posted by: Jackt51 | Mar 21, 2008 4:06:00 PM
Obama doesnt have any resort but to turn negative now. On the stump, he looks like he has been hit with a 5 yr jail sentence.....Camera dont lie
Posted by: MattOhio | Mar 21, 2008 4:07:21 PM
Well, if Barack wins because enough superdelegates voted for him, then I guess he will have stolen it too base on your logic.
Posted by: LOM | Mar 21, 2008 4:07:30 PM
Hillary is such a strong candidate. If Obama were not a "bargainer" (steele) people will be able to find out what they are getting with Obama. It is rather awful to see Dean goof up on the MI and FL votes. She would have won hands down. Obama does not even come close to her strengths in tenacity, knowledge, hard work.
Posted by: Voter | Mar 21, 2008 4:08:31 PM
Yep, he's gone negative. There goes his credibility. He's just like all of the other politicians.
Posted by: LOM | Mar 21, 2008 4:09:11 PM
Well someone has to stick to the message, Hillary just doesn't know what it is.
Posted by: Thinking | Mar 21, 2008 4:09:34 PM
Post a comment
