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Bill Clinton: Hillary Never Wanted to be Obama's VP
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ShareSeptember 22, 2008 1:37 PM
ABC News' Russell Goldman Reports: Despite saying she would accept the offer to be vice president, Hillary Clinton never really wanted to be Barack Obama's running mate, her husband former President Bill Clinton told ABC's The View.
"Not really, she didn't," Clinton said in response to a question from host Barbara Walters about whether Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. wanted to join her one-time opponent on the Democratic ticket.
In June, soon after conceding the primary to Obama, Sen. Clinton told New York lawmakers that she would accept the veep slot if it was offered.
"I'm open to it,' she told other New York lawmakers at the time.
President Clinton told The View that had Obama chosen his wife instead of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden it would have been "the best politically," and that his wife would have likely taken the job though she didn't want it.
"It's a very personal decision who should be vice president. I like Sen. Biden a lot. I think he was a good choice. [Hillary Clinton] would have been the best politically at least in the short run because of her enormous support in the country," he said.
President Clinton said Sen. Clinton would have felt duty-bound to accept the offer, but that she enjoys being a senator.
"She said, 'if [Obama] asks, I'll do it, because it's my duty.’ She loves being a senator for New York and has more freedom to develop her positions on the issues and her things," the former president said.
Clinton said he believed sexism played a role in Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential bid and said he understood why people allow aspects of their identity – including race and gender – cloud their judgment when selecting a candidate to vote for.
"There is some [sexism] but a lot it is almost subconscious, that makes it more insidious," he said. "Do I think there was some of it in the election? I do."
Clinton said he believed Obama would win the presidency, but spoke admiringly of Republican contender Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Clinton called Obama a "good man" and "smart candidate," whose chances were shored up by a larger and more diverse party than the Republicans. "I'll be surprised if he doesn't [win.]"
Clinton said McCain was instrumental his administration's normalizing relations with Vietnam and said he had proven his worth to the American people.
"The American people, for good and sufficient reasons, admire him," Clinton said of McCain. "He's given something in life the rest of us can't match."
September 22, 2008 in Clinton, Bill, Clinton, Hillary, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (474)
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Obama showed very good judgment by not selecting Hillary Clinton for VP. If he had she would be stabbing him in the back right now along with Bill.
I still receive emails from the 'Hillary for President' campaign asking for donations.
If the situation were reversed, Hillary would have been able to trust Obama to get behind her with his full support.
Hillary will never have another chance, even if for some reason she tried to run in 2012. Too many people have seen that the Clintons have thrown Obama under the bus, just as they did to Kerry in 2004. (to make sure 2008 was clear for a Hillary run).
I really believe that they have allowed the country to be pulled into a Republican sinkhole, because of their personal ambitions.
Posted by: Truth Matters | Sep 22, 2008 2:23:10 PM
Probably because Bill and Barbara Walters did it
Posted by: Quietone | Sep 22, 2008 2:23:57 PM
Why the View? It has lots of viewers, predominately women. Bill has something to say, and we might expect he will be showing up a lot more between now and November. Seems he has an agenda...
Posted by: NonAffiliated | Sep 22, 2008 2:24:34 PM
My god! Why aren't those nasty liberal women attacking him as they did John McCain, cry the masses. You'd almost think he wasn't running for the highest office in the nation. You might even think he's not running for anything whatsoever. Twits.
Posted by: TRBoston | Sep 22, 2008 2:24:59 PM
I too hope Obama wins. But if Bill thinks I don't see through his little game, he is a idiot. She likes being a Senator, my as*, she got no other choice. The deck is out of cards, and she is out of luck. She is washed up and so is he. People say he ain't been the same since his heart surgery, she has only "her man" to blame for his problems.
Posted by: SD | Sep 22, 2008 2:25:57 PM
Bill isn't helping Obama cause at all. Eventhough his comments are carefully crafted, a 5th grader can listen and tell he is not a supporter.
Since he insists he has no interest in politics any more, how about if the MSM stops giving him so much air time. McCain doesn't need any help from the DEMs. There are enough racist people in America willing to help him destroy what's left of the United States without the most popular former DEM President's help.
It's likely that Bill isn't a racist, he's just made that Obama got the nod instead of Hillary. Still, it would just be better if he SHUT UP until after Nov. 4th.
Bill needs to help out the people who voted for him and that wasn't John McCain or the Republicans. It was DEMOCRATS. He owes us that...
Posted by: MD | Sep 22, 2008 2:28:41 PM
Bill and Hillary's have no other aganeda but to do what Bill and Hillary need to do to satisfy their own needs and only their own needs..That has been their only agenda..Hillary does nto give a C R A P about the good people of NY or for that matter, the good people of Amereica..It's all about her..If you don't see that, well , you must be deaf , dumb and dumber !!!
Posted by: Quietone | Sep 22, 2008 2:30:05 PM
John - That rape kit news is old, and you are misinformed on top of that. By the way, tens of thousands waited in oppressive heat yesterday to see, and hear Sarah Palin in Florida. I just love how, you and the other obama nuthuggers are so zeroed in on the veepee pick of the Repub ticket. Also,,, you better hope that the real truths about Barcak Obama, or is it Barry Soetero dont come to light soon.
Posted by: Badger | Sep 22, 2008 2:31:02 PM
I'm with you President Clinton, Sen. McCain would make a great president.
I voted for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, but I will not vote Obama.
Posted by: NielPA | Sep 22, 2008 2:37:00 PM
I do not thing for one second this election hinges on whether or not the Clintons give their blessing to any one candidate. Hillary showed her lack of character during the primary, her willingness to say anything to the get the nod (quite similar to the republicans tactics), and it didn't work. People who are for Obama, did not and do not look to the Clintons for approval. The pick of Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate energized two bases: (1) the republicans, and (2) the Hillary supporters who recognized immediately that Palin was no Hillary, and that Palin represented everything that's anti-women. Obama will win. Thank God, because this country needs Obama. He is the right man for the job right now.
Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Sep 22, 2008 2:37:05 PM
I never wanted her to be VP either. The thing is, Hillary should be the PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE right now. We shouldn't have to wait for 2012, but, if that's what it takes!!
Posted by: Scott | Sep 22, 2008 2:37:05 PM
If those Clinton losers even think Hillary has a chance in 2012 if McCain wins, they have another thing coming!
Every democrat for Obama right now, will make absolutely sure she never makes it out of the first contest in Iowa in one piece, let alone win the Democratic primaries!
Bill better get out there and start campaigning his A** off for Obama right now or Hillary might not even be re-elected to the Senate in 2010!!!!
Posted by: Davis | Sep 22, 2008 2:38:21 PM
I have always liked and supported Bill Clinton previously, but he seriously needs to just shut up or start supporting the Democratic party with dignity and effectiveness. If his sour grapes cost the Democrats the election, I will not forgive him, or ever vote for Hillary again as I did in the past. I don't care what his personal relationship is with John McCain, he sold out to the far right and to his party's corrupt interests long ago and is not fit or equipped to lead this country at this important time in history. I have watched the past eight years with horror and disgust, and he should be ashamed for the part he is playing to weaken America's chances for a better outcome in 2008.
Posted by: iamwomaninMI | Sep 22, 2008 2:38:33 PM
I just wished Obama would have offered the VP to Hillary--so she COULD HAVE TURN IT DOWN.
Posted by: NielPA | Sep 22, 2008 2:39:30 PM
have any of you bothered to check these girls out? and there background on education. May shock you that these girls except for a few try to preach that they know whats best. most of them got lucky to get movie or comedy rolls and now they are experts on what I need. I have tried to watch this show and have determined that it is a comedy show. Mainly when that fat mouthed rosie was on it. That alone proves its stupid.
Posted by: Jim Rod | Sep 22, 2008 2:40:00 PM
John,
Since when is the governor of a state responsible for reducing rapes? Criminals will be criminals regardless of who is governor. Blame the rapists for not decreasing the number of rapes, not Palin. In addition, I would like a source for your stats. In addition, Palin did not advocate the 'Born Alive Infant Protection Act' like Obama did. Don't run from the truth.
Posted by: mm | Sep 22, 2008 2:42:38 PM
Clinton wants John McCain to win! All normal Americans do. Yeeehaw!
Obama & team must be seething over this non-endorsement of him.
Hillary Clinton could have stopped her pal Lynn Forester de Rothschild from endorsing McCain and she DIDN'T.
That tells you all you need to know!
Posted by: No Obama | Sep 22, 2008 2:42:45 PM
Joe Biden never wanted to be vice president either. He had previously stated that he had more "power" as a Senator that VP.
He stated numerous time "NO I DO NOT WANT TO BE VP EVER...."
Posted by: susie | Sep 22, 2008 2:43:48 PM
geevil:
Yes, I'm surprised, CNN actually has it on their "Political Ticker" column.
Wonder when ABC will pick up the story?
And let's see how many will make Palin out to be the criminal rather than the hacker.
Posted by: SandyB | Sep 22, 2008 2:44:27 PM
Exactly who's side is Bill Clinton on? Did I just not hear him say it's ok to vote for Mccain/Palin regardless of real issues?
The Clinton are playing the old 1 step forward, 2 steps back trick. Does her majesty lady De Rothschild come to mind. (Please, she’s calling Obama an elitist???)
It's ok Hill/Bill, Obama supporters will wait patiently for 2012. Payback is going to be a real bitch, we promise you.
I cant wait until after the election and Obama tells everyone what's really going on behind the scenes.
Posted by: sue | Sep 22, 2008 2:46:15 PM
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