Bill Clinton: "I Kind Of Like To See Barack And Hillary Fight"

WASHINGTON — Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton argued on Tuesday that Barack Obama's frustration with losing prompted him to look for a fight in their latest debate. Obama said his rival and her husband, former President Clinton, were distorting his record.

"I think it's very clear that Senator Clinton ... and the president have been spending the last month attacking me in ways that are not accurate," Obama told reporters in a conference call shortly after she lashed out at him in a bitter exchange that carried over from Monday night's debate.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, Hillary Clinton belittled Obama's line of debate criticism against her as "rehearsed points."

"I think what we saw last night was that he's very frustrated," she said. "I believe that the events of the last 10 or so days, the outcome of New Hampshire and Nevada, have apparently convinced him to adopt a different strategy."

Former President Clinton said Tuesday he enjoyed the bickering.

"I know you think it's crazy, but I kind of like to see Barack and Hillary fight," Bill Clinton told a mostly white crowd of about 300 at a black church in Greenville, S.C. "They're flesh and blood people and they have their differences _ let them have it."

Asked whether he thought his legacy among blacks would be harmed by challenging Obama, Clinton said he wasn't standing in Obama's way but rather advocating for his wife.

"I think it would be just as much a change, some people think more, to have the first woman president than to have the first African-American president," Bill Clinton said.

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In the debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the two leading Democrats argued bitterly and in personal terms over issues such as Iraq and Bill Clinton's role in the campaign.

"He clearly came last night looking for a fight. He was determined and launched right in," Hillary Clinton said. "And I thought it was important to set the record straight."

She restated her argument that Obama was unwilling to answer hard questions about his record, including his opposition to the Iraq war, his support for military budgets and his "present" votes as a member of the Illinois Legislature.

Obama countered that this was all part of Clinton's strategy.

"Senator Clinton announced while we were still in Iowa that this was going to be her strategy and called it the fun part of campaigning. And, you know, I don't think it's the fun part to fudge the truth," he said. "The necessary part of this campaign is to make sure that we're getting accurate information to voters about people's respective records."

The bickering brought new calls for calm from former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, running third among Democratic contenders. "There was a lot of squabbling," Edwards told reporters in a conference call Tuesday. "While Senator Clinton and Senator Obama were hurling charges and countercharges at each other, I was thinking, `I'm John Edwards and I represent the grown-up wing of the Democratic Party.'"

During an economic speech in Greenville, S.C., Obama accused Clinton of taking politically expedient positions inconsistent with her record. The Illinois senator put an unflattering twist on her contention that she is the candidate most ready to be president from the first day.

"We can't afford a president whose positions change with the politics of the moment. We need a president who knows that being ready on Day One means getting it right from Day One," Obama said as he received the only standing ovation of his speech.

The New York senator defended her husband's aggressive criticism of Obama. She said it did not contradict the former president's role as senior statesman and party leader.

"I can tell you that never crossed our minds. That's not how we think," she said. "It has absolutely nothing to do with a unified Democratic Party around a nominee and a full support for whoever our Democratic president will be. That is just the way it works."

The Obama campaign began a "truth squad" in South Carolina to respond to negative criticism. Involved in the effort was former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota.

People in South Carolina "don't want to see this backbiting, bitter give-and-take that we're beginning to see more and more of, especially from the Clinton campaign. It's wrong. everybody knows it's wrong and it's got to stop," Daschle told reporters on a conference call. "Ultimately, it's going to divide us. And it's going to have a huge effect, a lasting effect if it doesn't stop soon."

Asked about Bill Clinton's actions, Daschle said, "It's not presidential. It's not in keeping with the image of a former president."

Hillary Clinton, in her comments with reporters, rejected the notion she had used patronizing or racially charged language against Obama. She has called him, among other things, a "talented" and "young African-American man."

Clinton traveled to Salinas, Calif., to accept the backing of the United Farm Workers Union, which represents a heavily Hispanic work force. It is active in 10 states and represents 27,000 farm workers.

Clinton won Nevada's presidential caucuses Saturday in part because of a strong showing among Hispanic voters _ a central part of her strategy to win several states holding contests Feb. 5, including California, Arizona and New Mexico.

___

Associated Press writers Nedra Pickler and Mike Baker in South Carolina and Ann Sanner in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[andyboy]

So Bill. It would be just as historic and funky fresh if a white lady who just happens to be your wife beat out a black man eh?

So white America (who like to sit around in "black" churches for some reason) can retain their progressive liberal props and still vote for whitey. Thanks.

That's a great reason to vote for Hillary.

And then there's those big changes she's going to make. To the decor of the White House. I wonder how many gazillion she'll blow on the new drapes?

[ObamaEdwards]

The Clintons are using the GOP strategies that were used on them, against a fellow Democrat. They are political robots. They amuse pundits and Republicans with this mud slinging and lying and spinning. But they are damaging the election, because they don't care about the nation, only their own careers.

[dukeman]

Bill Clinton should shut his mouth. This was advice Monica should have taken too.

[Aquarius52]

How truly sad that the ex President should take such joy in the infighting which he has largely orchestrated. Politics should not be blood sport like dog fighting; it's about people's lives and about public service, making the country better.

The Clintons' relationship is VERY dysfunctional anyway. Bill has a lifetime of extramarital dalliances. Hillary ignores it as much as possible, then acts like a victim and gets indignant when it's pointed out by third parties. I would guess they have very violent arguments and get off on all the yelling and fighting. Those close to the couple ALWAYS commnet on Hillary's penchant for wrath and fighting. It's certainly familiar and fun to the Clintons, but not to "normal" people.

Hillary said after Iowa that "the fight" is the best part of campaigning. Even as she yelled at Obama she chortled to Wolf Blitzer "we are just warming up". She was practically orgasmic with glee during the fight with Obama. That's not strength; that's dysfunction!

The Clintons certainly see Obama's "fairy tale" as standing in their way to another stint in the White House. But they should not view this campaign as just another game. The party and the country deserve better.

[Marioth]

McCain will be the next president.

The country, if faced with the Bush/Clinton Barony, will choose the (alleged) straight- shooter McCain. Hillary's net negatives assure this.

Ditto, Obama, and it won't even be close, as the country is faced with No XP vs. Scads of XP. Now, if Obama had a miltary record...but he doesn't and McCain is an American hero.

Ergo, the choice for dems is which candidate they want to fight the Good Fight. Obama is the natural. The Clintons are utterly fake. Better to go down on principle.

Unless someone manages to unseat Bill Clinton. The record is certainly there for him to dry up and go away. A more manufactured victim you will not find. But there exists a relationship between the timidity of attacking both the Clintons and Bush/Cheney in any meaningful way.

And the name of that relationship is "identity."

Prepare for 4 more years of it, at least.

Pax,
M.

ps. Obama talking about Reagan...it reminds us of the difficulty in having an intellectual conversation with a country that, by and large, not only remains stupid, but wallows cheerfully in its own idiocy.

[apresdeluge]

I repeat, the Obama supporters sound just like Sean Hannity with their Clinton bashing. Stand by your man but don't belittle yourselves with the hate speak. "White trailer trash" is hardly a term I would expect from people who choose to follow a "uniter for change". It demeans the whole Democratic party.

[Ndw]

He's so kinky!

[SuburbanMalcontent]

I am a Democrat and I refuse to vote for Clinton. But I'm not going to vote Republican either. I'll vote third party or none at all. Just because someone is a Democrat doesn't guarantee my vote anymore. See, I'm tired of holding my nose and voting for a candidate to just become a part of the problem, not fix it. for an example see: 2004 & 2006 elections.

[Bobleblah1]

For a former president, Bill Clinton is showing no class what so ever.

Just stop and put into context what he's doing right now.
Not even Caligula(GHWB)would be doing this.
Its just unbecoming of a former president.

I know its his wife but damn! Have some class.

[parisianese]

Hi, I'm looking from France at your presidential. How do you allow the foul play of 2 against 1 in the Dem campaign? Too sad that american people get trapped by this Cionton machine, you don't have any law to impeach this old man poison your future and the future of the world with? It's so ugly to see this old nasty man attack the democracy for his family business. Please don't let them do it !

[naturesway]

The Clinton haters come here as "democrats" vowing to go republican in November if Hillary is the nominee. I think I smell someone who voted for W... Look where that got us.

You are not a Dem anyway. Save the false indignation.

All I ever read from these losers are blatant attacks with NO factual support for any of the lies they scream.

What our former President says is the truth. Why shouldn't each Candidate be vetted? What is Obama trying to hide? He usually doesn't even answer the charges with facts. He just whines and complains.
I want to hear his explanation for the hundreds of "present" votes in ILL. Yes, Mr Obama, please do explain those.
Or, if you are our anti-war hero, why did you then vote for every...yes, every war funding bill?
If you are running on that platform of the smartest in regard to the war...tell us what you have voted that will end it?

Waiting.....

ZZZZZZZZZ

[Give Peace A Chance]

Someone flash a thong at dirty old man Clinton. He has completely lost it. We need to get him distracted so we can have a real election about real issues.

[Sitco]

Thomas Jefferson once said, “A politician looks forward only to the next election. A statesman looks forward to the next generation.”

Obama merits Jefferson’s “statesman” designation as indicated in this excerpt from his Iowa victory speech, “… years from now, when we've made the changes we believe in; when more families can afford to see a doctor; when our children …-inherit a planet that's a little cleaner and safer; when the world sees America differently, and America sees itself as a nation less divided and more united…”

Not many would argue Hillary Clinton and her husband are politicians. Barack Obama is an easy target for the Clinton political team because he speaks of far reaching promises that can’t be measured and contrasted (to Bill Clinton’s and George Bush’s terms) as precisely as Hillary Clinton insists upon. Her promise is to re-order tattered Washington based on her experience (as former co-President?) and the success of her husband’s Presidency.

[EspressoAtNoon]

Obama should turn the tables on the Clinton ploy to throw him off message. They have Bill (who generates tons of press wherever he goes) as the pit bull, while Hillary conveniently disappears from the radar. She's not even in South Carolina campaigning.

Obama's surrogates should start attacking Bill directly (not Hillary). They should start posing questions about NAFTA, selling pardons, etc.. to Bill directly in the press. And then ask the viewers/readers: "do you really want this guy's wife to be President?". That's right, refer to Hillary as "Bill's wife" since that's the role she's currently playing.

In other words marginalize Hillary as the person who's not even running (since she's not, clearly she's riding Bill's coat tails at the moment). Focus on Bill and always end it by asking "do you want this guy who would sell pardons to Marc Rich to ensure his wife gets to be President?".

[DeniseT]

If Hillary wins the nomination it won't be because she is the best candidate, it won't be because she is just what American needs right now. It will be because she is the better cut-throat politician. She can "Out-Ruthless" everyone. Just look at the political sharks she has surrounded herself with (Wolfson, Penn, Bubba). Bear in mind that these people aren't interested in what's best for us - they are only interested in winning - at any cost.

Too bad for her that she isn't counting on the fact that there is alot of people who aren't going to drink the Clinton kool-aid anymore. I'm a democrat who will vote republican if she is on the ballot. There are alot like me.
By November there will be even more. Someone should try polling that scenario.

Anyway, I'm not giving the keys to the White House to someone who behaves like a female Karl Rove.