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Bill Clinton Promises No Matter the Outcome, His Family Will Stand Behind the Nominee
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ShareMay 11, 2008 10:54 AM
ABC News' Sarah Amos reports: Speaking on behalf of his wife at the annual Truman Dinner in Billings, Mont., Saturday, former President Bill Clinton assured the crowd that no matter the outcome of the Democratic nomination, his family and Hillary's supporters would firmly stand behind the party's nominee.
"I also wanna say, on instructions, I've been a Democrat all my life," he said. "And I've been working in these campaigns since I was a young man. I remember what it was like in 1980, when the people who didn't win tore our party up. And I'm here to tell ya that however these last states come out, my candidates, our family and our supporters will be here to get a victory in November for the Democrats. It is too important. We've got to turn this country around. And we will do it."
The crowd rose in a standing ovation at the sentiment.
It was a different and much more party-focused tone than Clinton has been using on the trail since last Tuesday's primaries in Indiana and North Carolina. Clinton seemed very happy to be in Montana, meeting with local tribal leaders before his remarks, and sharing stories with the crowd about the last time he rode a horse in Billings.
Clinton, who was the final speaker at Montana Democratic Party's dinner tonight, spent just under an hour talking to the crowd about the usual array of issues he addresses while campaigning for Hillary. At the beginning of his speech, Clinton also joked with the crowd that this was the "darndest election I was ever in in my life."
Since the room was full of Democrats -- what few there are in Montana -- Clinton went on to use the moment to poke a little fun at the Republicans, saying, "We have gotten more votes, gotten more money raised, gotten more people involved of all ages in this primary than anything I have ever seen. And I think that part of the reason, really, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the president and his allies in Congress for that. Because, you know, these guys were saying all these crazy things for decades, but the Democrats were always there to backstop them and keep 'em for just putting 'em off the edge until 2001 -- when for the first time after listening to this for decades they actually got to see what it would be like if the Republicans were in control of both the White House and both houses of the Congress. And low and behold, they actually meant what they were saying all those years. And they just drove the truck off the cliff."
While Clinton may have been the biggest name on the bill, Sen. Barack Obama had an equally passionate surrogate speak on his behalf. Gov. David Freudenthal of Wyoming urged the crowd to vote for Obama in their upcoming primary because he was the candidate who was there before anyone thought that part of the country would matter.
"He and his people were in this region before it mattered because it mattered to them and it mattered to his campaign, Freudenthal said. "If it mattered to him to be here before our votes counted, then we should make sure that when you have your primary that your votes are there to be counted for Barack Obama."
Many in the risers cheered, stomped their feet and waved Obama signs.
Freudenthal also gave credit to Sen. Hillary Clinton, saying nothing should be taken away from her in this campaign. Yet he also took a subtle dig at the way some people have courted superdelegates, like himself, during the course of this campaign season.
"I also believe that the tone of the campaign makes a difference. As a superdelegate, I am approached by one campaign saying, 'You owe this to the past. You have an obligation. You have an obligation.' What I really have is not an obligation to the past, but the right to invest my vote in the future of America. This country cannot define what happens in 2009 by a romanticized version of what happened in the 1990's. This country has to wrestle with an incredibly difficult challenges. We have to end the gridlock in Washington. We have to look forward, and we have to make the difference."
May 11, 2008 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (54)
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Well his family may support Obama, but I won't .. and I know millions of other Hillary supporters won't either...
Posted by: Lookup | May 11, 2008 12:44:33 PM
I am a 50yr old white voter; my wife and I usually votes for the Republican party for the last 20 years. After these 8 years of bad leadership i have no faith in the republican party, and my wife and I are voting Obama.
Posted by: Dan | May 11, 2008 12:50:00 PM
This is truly silly. Black folk have been with the democrats through thick and thin. In fact, the one democratic candidate, B. Clinton, to win an election in the last twenty some odd years is often called "the first black president." Further, we have always blindly voted for the democratic candidate. For this, we have been ridiculed by Republicans as being stupid, mindless and absent of morality. Now, we are facing the same accusations from within our party. What would you have us to do? Certainly, no one gives us credit for being a thinking people. Likewise, no one wants us to think. "Lord give us a sign."
Posted by: Campbell | May 11, 2008 12:56:45 PM
The Commander guy ... you're an idiot
Posted by: Ron | May 11, 2008 12:58:16 PM
BTW: If Cindy McCain (#2) won't trust John McCain with her money, why should we?
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | May 11, 2008 1:15:23 PM
I would vote for Obama if he was white, black, purple whatever - this man is the future of America and I am so proud of him and the people who have chosen to support him. From GW to this - thank you!!! We do FINALLY have something to be proud of.
Obama/anybody (except Clinton)'08
It would be a mistake to put Clinton on the ticket - she makes too many bad choices - her vote on Iraq, her decision to run an old-style Rovian campaign, gas tax "holiday" ... the list keeps growing.
Obama, please stand strong and pick someone else who is for the future.
Posted by: Anna B | May 11, 2008 2:21:10 PM
Also the Obama - Pelosi crowd should just rename themselves the Socialist Liberation Party.
There's nothing Democratic about it.
rd
Posted by: rd | May 11, 2008 2:22:43 PM
The worst thing that Obama could do is put Hillary on his ticket. Not only does the lady lack Integrity; but, it would be like conceeding to the lie that he cannot beat McCain without her. The American people are simply not interested in 4 more years of the Republicans. I am ready for that big mouth cowboy to go back to Texas!
Posted by: Vanessa L. Perry | May 11, 2008 2:24:40 PM
A , the only :O) IDIOT here is you ,you are one of the reasons there is so much hate in this country.,Get a life,,,,,If you are older hopefully you will learn if you have kids God bless them for you pass the hate to them .So sick of seeing all this hate it is a pity.
Posted by: older person | May 11, 2008 3:05:30 PM
IAM VERY SORRY MR CLINTON , IWAS SUPPORTING YOUR WIFE IF SHE LOST THE NOMINATION , I WILL VOTE FOR MAC.. OBAMA WILL NEVER NEVER BUT NEVER WILL HAVE MY VOTE AMEN..
Posted by: NENA | May 11, 2008 3:21:04 PM
If the Democrats were actually democratic they would deserve support but right now they are no different than the right.
Left wing nuts, right wing nuts. No difference.
America first, party second.
Posted by: pennsylvaniavoter | May 11, 2008 3:31:56 PM
I certainly hope that Hillary does not get close to the VP ticket. I think she should stay where she is or do other things. If she were near him, every bad move would be blamed on her. THe press would never stop takin shots at her and her husband.
I think Obama should stand on his own now for better or worse and show what he is made of.
Hillary and family will be attacked no matter what they do...if she make appearances to support him against Mccain, people will read negative into it...either say she is too negative for his "oh so positive image...so she is ruining it for him.." Or they will read some kind of insult to Obama in her speaches...
Hillary should stay away,,,but if she does that...she will be blamed...because that man can do no wrong....I hope we see him do well if he wins...but i won't be a part of that... I just don't like him or the people have been so obnoxious around him...the media etc..Just too obnoxious...and hateful....It is funny how they don't see themselves that way...
Posted by: voter.viewer2 | May 11, 2008 3:50:58 PM
Hmmm...Inexperienced candidate with charisma....sound familiar?
I will support Obama in November---and it's not to jump on the bandwagon...it's to show my support to the Democratic party. And THAT is the ONLY reason to vote for Obama.
Posted by: Victoria | May 11, 2008 4:42:49 PM
A,
Sorry, we are not to join you on Obama Express.
Just becareful what you wih for.
We stay away on your trip to.... and we stay home.
Posted by: blue Irish | May 11, 2008 5:11:41 PM
Rafraf,
It's because Michelle said she did not want her.
She said on one interview many months ago if Hillary is the nominee she has to think first if she would support her.
She is not a genuine person.
I'm glad they don't want Hillary becomes his VP.
It's a waste for Hillary to become his VP.
She can do the jobs better than him in everyway.
Posted by: blue Irish | May 11, 2008 5:17:42 PM
That's the good leader speech.
Love you Mr.Clinton.
Posted by: blue Irish | May 11, 2008 5:29:09 PM
No Obama Express for us since we are waiting to get onboard the Straight Talk Express! Sorry Bill, we are Americans first and truly do not believe that Obama is a good choice. Hillary-yes but Obama-no.
Posted by: Voter | May 11, 2008 5:37:43 PM
PA Voter,
As an English instructor, I notice you need some brushing up on paraphrasing.
Obama's values represent the disavowal of middle-classness?
Explain your reasoning for the rest of us.
Posted by: Gina | May 11, 2008 6:37:37 PM
I like Hillary but even if she is his VP I wouldn't vote for Obama.
Posted by: Kelly | May 11, 2008 8:01:04 PM
Gina: Just because I wont stand behind Obama doesn't mean I am just a Hillary fan. It means I beleive Hillary can do some of the things she talks about and that is why I like her. Otherwise Mccain is my choice. Why? Because I beleive he is an Okay candidate. I hate to say it, but I agree with Mitt Romney, "The white House is not an internship".
Posted by: Kelly | May 11, 2008 8:05:14 PM
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