HE'S BACK: Bill Clinton's Campaign Remarks

The New York Times reports that a top aide to Barack Obama accused former President Bill Clinton of employing "divisive attacks" to promote his wife's candidacy:

As Senator Barack Obama folded his arms and looked on, one of his leading military advisers forcefully defended Mr. Obama's patriotism here Saturday and accused former President Bill Clinton of trying to employ "divisive attacks" to promote his wife's presidential candidacy.

Mr. Clinton, in a speech to voters in North Carolina on Friday, said "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."

At a town meeting here Saturday, retired Air Force Gen. Merrill A. McPeak, who is a co-chairman of Mr. Obama's campaign, read the quote from Mr. Clinton. A few members of the audience gasped and hissed at the former president's words.

"Let me say first, we will have such an election this year because both Barack Obama and John McCain are great patriots who love this country and are devoted to it -- so is Hillary Clinton," General McPeak said, speaking over loud applause. "Any suggestion to the contrary is flat wrong."

Mr. Obama, on his first trip to Oregon before the state's primary on May 13, did not address the comments from Mr. Clinton. He stood a few feet away from the retired general as he made his remarks before a crowd of more than 1,500 people in a Medford community center.

Keep reading the New York Times report.

The Clinton campaign has reined in the former president in the past after he made other similarly divisive remarks, including:

Calling Obama's Iraq War claims a "fairy tale":

"Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen," Clinton had said in accusing Obama of distorting his stance on the war.

Telling Charlie Rose that a vote for Obama would be like "rolling the dice":

In a hard-changing interview with Charlie Rose tonight, Bill Clinton said Americans who are prepared to choose someone with less experience, are prepared to "roll the dice" about the future of America. "It's less predictable, isn't it? When is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service before he's running?"

"What do you want to do -- whether you think it matters that, I mean, in theory, no experience matters," Clinton said. "In theory, we could find someone who is a gifted television commentators and let them run. They'd have only one year less experience in national politics..."

Comments

[RichLiberal]

Bill Clinton's remark have been all on target and address the truth, which is why the Obama campaign is so quick to smear our ex-President by labeling him as racist and McCarthyist. The behavior of the Obama campaign seriously risks permanently fracturing the Democratic Party into the Kennedy wing and the Clinton wing.

Obama is clearly a Kennedy stooge elevated for the sole purpose of destroying Hillary Clinton's run for the Presidency. The Obama campaign, itself has purposely used race to divide the party and has dishonored the legacy of MLK. This is the price Kennedy is willing to pay to restore his family's lost legacy.

If this is successful, the Democrats who support the Clintons may very well find the need to form a new centrist party based primarily from the big blue states which overwhelmingly voted for Clinton in the primaries, and will take the Senators and Congressman along with them and join w like-minded Republicans in a totally new centrist party comprised of existing elected officials.

I might add that the motivation for this move is simple:

It's the economy, Stupid !

Someone who knows what they are doing needs to dig us out of the hole that Bush has driven us into. Obama has no record of doing anything on a national scale except stirring up this racial tension within the Democratic Party as a vehicle to restore Kennedy as head of the Party. It will not work. The Party will self-destruct before this occurs in the interest of the well-being of its constituents who want the country run on an economic basis not an emotional feel-good basis.

The time to start building this coalition is right now. A good place to start is among the Democratic Congressman whose districts voted for Hillary. Many, if not all of them, are Super-Delegates, so they are all together and talking anyway. A second pillar is the business executives whose businesses blossomed and boomed during the 1992-2000 Clinton economy, many of which are the backbone of the current economy. The final pillar, of course, is the working men and women in these Congressional Districts who want the country run be responsible capable people with a proven track record.

Get Real !

[EngLobo]

RichLiberal, this is exactly the point which everyone seems to miss because of all the Kennedy & Kerry smoke and the Oprah mirrors.

[DakotaMinnesota]

I can't believe you're actually advocating a division in this country's progressive party because of the candidacy of Barack Obama.

[SickOfSpin]

RichLiberal--Again, with the use of the "Obama campaign" quick to smear our ex-president...how about if you acknowledge that the "smear" came from Bill Clinton's Air Force Chief of Staff, a Republican who is co-chair of the Obama campaign--not an underling who doesn't know any better.

[soxypirate]

First of all, a little context would go a long way, and I'm not sure why the Clinton camp hasn't released the full speech, or at least a longer version of the quote in order to clear the air (if, in fact that would clear the air). But here are some things to consider before we accuse Bill of Obama-bashing, if you're looking to give him the benefit of a doubt:

1. He doesn't ever actually mention Obama.

2. He is speaking to a group of veterans.

3. Hillary would be running in the hypothetical general election (hence, "would be") against another veteran (John McCain).

There is, therefore, an automatic connection for the VFW's with McCain that they would not have with Hillary. Thus, the comparison between Hillary and McCain is one to show VFW's what they should do in that hypothetical election is to vote for the candidate "who is right on these issues".

Now, it's clearly logical to say that Bill was implying that Hillary would in fact be the candidate "who is right on these issues" and that McCain is wrong, because his hypothetical is about Hillary and McCain, and he is obviously for Hillary. But I feel like it is a stretch (though not altogether illogical) to say that Bill thinks that Obama does not love America or that he is wrong on the issues, and given the lack of context it is certainly not deductive.

Clinton's camp came out with this statement: "Actually, as is indicated by the quote itself, President Clinton was talking about the need to talk about issues, rather than falsely questioning any candidate’s patriotism."

It's probably NOT a stretch, then, to believe that Clinton was saying that Obama, who has been constantly bombarded with questions of his patriotism (for stuff like not wearing a flag-pin on his lapel) would create so many distractions that people would not be able to ask themselves "who is right on theses issues".

But is that, itself, calling Obama's patriotism, love for America, or stance on the issues into question? No. At most he is saying "right or wrong, people question Obama's patriotism", which is true. So Bill is talking about electability not his personal view of Obama.

[soxypirate]

But before Obamamaniacs pop their top over that, let me remind you that another Obama aide recently said about Clinton:

She is not seen as trustworthy by the American people. She has consistently in this campaign engaged in political calculation to mislead voters….It will nearly be impossible to win a general election if more than half the electorate thinks you're untrustworthy. If Sen. Clinton wants to have a discussion about electability and vetting, we're happy to have it. She would be a deeply flawed nominee. There are character issues here that will cause us real problems in the fall.

Is Obama's camp saying that Clinton is actually untrustworthy, or are they saying that America's view of Clinton as untrustworthy would be a problem in the general election? Actually, in this example I think that they are saying both, and if they think that Clinton's character issues will cause problems, wait until the Republicans get to use this kind of stuff against her in the general election!

If McCain's camp were to use Clinton's quote against Obama in a general election, Obama could simply say "Well, Bill Clinton was talking about distractions that exist and that are a result of a false impression of me as unpatriotic, and he did not say that he agreed with that impression."

Now how does Hillary respond to an Obama camp quote that she misleads voters and would be a deeply flawed candidate?

And which of these campaigns is truly dividing the party?

[Jaxxon]

Well, Hillary wanted a slugfest and now she's got one. Too bad she loses either way.

[nk007]

soxypirate,

I don't know if you are a lawyer or not; but if you are, criminals should look you up because you can spin their crime to make them look so innocent. I suppose you came from the same legal camp as Bill Clinton, so it depends on what "is" means! When Bill Clinton, after dismissing Hillary's opponent (who by the way, if you listen to Bill's speech, has no name); then goes to say, how wonderful it would be to have a race between Sen. McCain and Hillary, both of whom love the country so much, and have done so much for the country, does not mean he is questioning the loyalty and service of the third candidate, ( the one who is nameless, but whom every one knows) simply boils down to "character issues," that are not named, insults our intelligence. Could it be that your "character issues," in light of Bill 's emphasis on "love of country" and "service of country," are euphemisms for disloyalty, (or may be hate of country) and lack of service, for the unnamed third candidate? Why can't Bill Clinton treat us as adults? Why can't he come out and say what he means so that there would be no need for people like you to try to spin it for him? Bill repeatedly refers to Sen. Obama as "Hillary's opponent." No name! No recognition of his position as a United States Senator! And, yet he always has some kind and laudatory words to say about Senator McCain. How revealing! You ask "which of these campaigns is truly dividing the party?" My answer: The campaign that has repeatedly lavished praises on the Republican nominee while mocking and denigrating a potential Democratic nominee! I am sure that as a defender of Bill Clinton,( who repeatedly talks about the nameless Hillary's opponent) you know the campaign I am referring to.

[unsolved999]

Actually, given the tenor of the attacks on Obama because of his pastor, Reverend Wright. And the Clinton bloggers who keep harping on how detestable the Reverend Wright is, I don't think anybody misinterpreted Bill Clinton's meaning or what he meant to say, especially to this audience of veterans. But I do think they were hoping to get a pass because it was Bill. I think that Obama and the admirals message was required to say that they were not going to let these "under the radar" statements go unchallenged.

The trick now is to actually get the lies that Hillary has promoted of being against NAFTA and the whole Bosnia fiction get covered by the MSM who has so far given her a total pass on these total fabrications. And to actually force the Clinton folks to provide their tax returns and Clinton Library donors.

[RichLiberal]

I'm with you, soxypirate. Here's a post of mine that I will add to yours:

Bill Clinton's remark have been all on target and address the truth, which is why the Obama campaign is so quick to smear our ex-President by labeling him as racist and McCarthyist. The behavior of the Obama campaign seriously risks permanently fracturing the Democratic Party into the Kennedy wing and the Clinton wing.

Obama is clearly a Kennedy stooge elevated for the sole purpose of destroying Hillary Clinton's run for the Presidency. The Obama campaign, itself has purposely used race to divide the party and has dishonored the legacy of MLK. This is the price Kennedy is willing to pay to restore his family's lost legacy.

If this is successful, the Democrats who support the Clintons may very well find the need to form a new centrist party based primarily from the big blue states which overwhelmingly voted for Clinton in the primaries, and will take the Senators and Congressman along with them and join w like-minded Republicans in a totally new centrist party comprised of existing elected officials.

I might add that the motivation for this move is simple:

It's the economy, Stupid !

Someone who knows what they are doing needs to dig us out of the hole that Bush has driven us into. Obama has no record of doing anything on a national scale except stirring up this racial tension within the Democratic Party as a vehicle to restore Kennedy as head of the Party. It will not work. The Party will self-destruct before this occurs in the interest of the well-being of its constituents who want the country run on an economic basis not an emotional feel-good basis.

The time to start building this coalition is right now. A good place to start is among the Democratic Congressman whose districts voted for Hillary. Many, if not all of them, are Super-Delegates, so they are all together and talking anyway. A second pillar is the business executives whose businesses blossomed and boomed during the 1992-2000 Clinton economy, many of which are the backbone of the current economy. The final pillar, of course, is the working men and women in these Congressional Districts who want the country run be responsible capable people with a proven track record.

Get Real !

[julescator]

Not so fast! Check out Rev. Manning from Harlem. He makes Rev. Wright look like Mary Poppins. This man is vile. The REV is a Black minister who absolutely hates OBAMA. He trashes OBama during his sermons and trashes his own congregation. Why should you care about this guy? He has a $300,000 earmark from HILLARY CLINTON. Now why haven't we heard about him. I heard this vile guy's tape on Hannity last week. Never did he mention that Clinton gave him $300,000. No wonder she is keeping her earmarks private and won't show them like Barack has. GO CHECK OUT THIS GUY. GOOGLE REV. MANNING.

[research]

better to google:

Rev. Manning Clinton

but you got the gist of it.

[nk007]

julescator:

Thank you so much for calling attention to the vile Rev.Manning. Unlike Dr. Wright who was critical of the government, Manning unleashed ugly personal attacks on Sen. Obama. Any one who listens to his attack on Obama's parents cannot mistake his racism! But you see a black person attacking another Black person- that is acceptable! Remember, (Rev?) Manning supports Hillary so he cannot be accused of racism. Do you really think the media are going to look into this "$300,000 earmark from HILLARY?" I doubt it. The least they could do is call on Sen. Clinton to denounce him, earmark or no earmark! You would also think that the outraged Clinton supporters ready to trash Sen. Obama for the out context -30 second propaganda snippets- of Dr. Wright's sermon would say something about Rev.? Manning.

[MENTAL]

.
When a candidate's theme song is uncle jeremiah's "God Da'mn America" that is considered unpatriotic by everyone except those left-wingers than constantly give hussein special treatment.

/.

[julescator]

FORGET REV. WRIGHT - GO CHECK OUT HILLARY'S GUY REV. MANNING IN HARLEM. HILLARY GAVE THE GUY A $300,000 EAR MARK. HE TRASHES OBAMA LIKE YOUR WOULDN'T BELIEVE. THIS WILL BE THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF MRS. CLINTON. WHAT A FAKE AND A LIAR. I KNEW WHEN WE STARTED TO PLAY THIS GAME OF ASSOCIATIONS - SHE WOULD LOSE!!!!!! GO LOOK AT THE HORSE SHE IS BACKING - ABSOLUTELY VILE STUFF.

[Meah]

Got a link?

[research]

Is the American Invasion and occupation of Iraq, Damnable?

[UTMark]

Yeah right, theme song. Perhaps you should get back on your meds, Mental.

[nk007]

MENTAL:

You are wrong and ignorant for relying on a 30 second propaganda piece from the media. If you were really honest, and interested in the truth, you would listen to entire sermon to see how Rev. Wright, a former marine, who served this country, when most of your right wingers (the chicken hawks) had other things to do, used the expression "God Damn America!" But you see people like you are so busy trashing Obama that the truth really does not matter. What gets my skin boil is that most of you (that may not include you) who are ready to "lynch" Dr. Wright are arm chair patriots who never served the counter as he did. Nor do you know what it meant to be black person, serving to defend the freedom of a country that treated
(and still treats you) as a second citizen! People like you are nothing but false patriots! Love of country does necessarily mean being blind to the faults or evil deeds of the government! Listen to the entire sermons of Rev. Wright. May be you will overcome your mental ignorance!

[jericho4119]

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a Marine and a veteran. When his nation called for his service in war - he went.

As did those VFW members to whom the former president was speaking.

When our nation called out to Bill Clinton, he went overseas; when we called out to GWB, he joined his states' National Guard, another states' National Guard and then disappeared for 18 months (according to Army records); and when our nation called out to Dick Cheney, he sought and received five deferments - from a war he supported!

Who is the patriot here?

Who loves this country?

And who uses this country to enrich themselves?

[stateMachine]

Bill Clinton is sending an important message to the muslim world, or even just the world of people with muslim names, or for that matter people of color- regardless the sacrifices your ancestors made on behalf of this nation, or, rather, because of them, your patriotism, and thus natural citizenship, will always be in question, to an extent that, say, charming weightlifters from austria would never experience.

[Plank]

What country is Bill referring to? Kasakhstan?

[SickOfSpin]

Bill Clinton's wish-for-the-year, "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." is absolutely disgusting. With his statement, he clearly is insinuating that Barack Obama, one of the three candidates in this race, doesn't cross the patriotic threshold. For anyone who feels compelled to defend Mr. Bill, please don't bother. Neither Bill Clinton, nor his wife, make statements without considering the impact those statements will have upon voters. This is yet another example of the Clinton's unparalleled thirst for continuing the Clinton Dynasty and the unmitigated gall demonstrated by endorsing both the "experience" and the "patriotism" of the Republican candidate while blatantly ignoring the Democratic challenger. They have demonstrated time and again that in so doing they do not care one wit what damage is being done relative to the general election in November. Bill Clinton was the victim of these types of tactics apparently making him a master at employing them himself. It would seem that his experiences, being on the receiving end of these kinds of attacks, did nothing to establish a clear distaste for them. Sadly, he has shown us again, why so many voters have tired of politics. Rather than espousing his wife's virtues, he had to crawl under a rock and come out identifying the "strengths" of the Republican candidate, thinking that somehow the American voting block wouldn't be bright enough to notice...Mr. Bill, you are wrong, and your time has come and, unfortunately, gone. Please quit damaging the Democratic party by your escapades--either campaign for your wife with integrity or don't campaign at all. You've already done irreparable damage to your legacy--please reconsider future strategy before you do irreparable damage to our party.

[readerK]

SickOfSpin: I'm glad you seem to be sick of spin. But you cited a Bill Clinton quote as:"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." What exactly do you find objectionable about that statement?

[jrterrier]

Let me state the obvious. For Obama supporters who seem to have forgotten, Bill Clinton is the most beloved Democrat on the national stage. You continue to pound on him -- unjustly at that -- at your peril. A democrat cannot win the White House by antagonizing Bill Clinton's supporters.

So if you have any desire to win the presidency stop unjustly attacking him.

[LITU]

You only state the obvious if you live in a bubble. Bill Clinton was and is a liar. The fact that you don't mind shuffling behind him with your head bowed speaks volumes about your credibility.

"is the most beloved Democrat." Proof positive that "most" Democrats are gullible sheep just like "most" Republicans.

His wife has been caught with her pantsuit down. Her "experience" card is riddled with holes.

Don't get me wrong - I supported and continue to lean towards any of the one percenters who were forced out of the race early on. THEY were the only candidates of substance. But as is usual, this country doesn't want substantial leaders, it wants the status quo.

[jrterrier]

I'm an informed voter who votes in every election/primary. I'm not shuffling behind anyone with head bowed. But I repeat, keep on insulting Clinton and his supporters (yes, I support him because he is the only living President who ran our country successfully) and you will find yourself in a country run by a republican for another 4 years. This is not a threat. Just an observation. Rather than spew hateful insults, Obama and his followers better figure out how to persuade the large number of voters in CA, TX, FL, NJ, NY, MA, OH (and apparently in PA) who are voting for Hillary Clinton.

[Pammy1151]

Not anymore! Just read all these posts.

[SickOfSpin]

jrterrier--"Bill Clinton is the most beloved Democrat on the national stage...You continue to pound on him--unjustly at that--at your perl." Please, I was a staunch Clinton supporter, through thick and thin. The operative word? W-A-S The Clinton's have demonstrated time and again throughout this campaign that integrity and a sense of responsibility to the party mean absolutely nothing to them. Pound on poor Bill at our peril? Excuse me while I take a moment to laugh...He has long since lost the position of "the most beloved Democrat on the national stage." His legacy has been significantly tarnished by his shenanigans and those of his wife As a FORMER Clinton supporter, I can now understand more fully the intense, vehement dislike of these two politicians. Their ambition-at-all-cost is without equal...

[GoreyFantod]

I'm NOT an Obama supporter, but I disagree with your assertion that, "Bill Clinton is the most beloved Democrat on the national stage." Many of us on the left supported him against the right-wing nonsense of the '90s on the basis of principle, not out of love or admiration for him. I think that's a big part of the problem with Bill and Hillary Clinton - they have long mistaken support for Democratic principles with support for them, personally. They defer to conservatives & ignore the Democratic base on issues, but demand support for their personal ambitions & failures.

I think you'll find no great love for Bill Clinton amongst supporters of Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Al Gore, John Kerry, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, etc. The Clintons have burned a lot of bridges on the left over the years, which is at least part of why Senator Obama is gaining support from people despite his being so close to Senator Clinton on the issues.

For me, Paul Wellstone is unquestionably my most beloved Democrat of recent years. As far as living Dems go, I'd say Russ Feingold, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore or Tom Harkin long before I'd say Bill Clinton.

[goldstategirl]

No - the most beloved Democrat award has been with Al Gore for quite some time now.

Frankly, prior to Bill's behavior in this election invoking tired political attack-shift-blame tactics and turning me off with the unconstitutional 3rd term references to a 2-fer presidency? I may have called it a tie, but no.

Al Gore.

[marykins123]

It's all about RULES. The same RULES that all candidates agreed on before the first ballot was cast. The DNC should find a 'fair' way, not a Clinton way, and seat MI and FL. Clinton will stay in this race until she and Bill feel that they have bloodied him up enough so he loses to McCain - WHY? - it's come down to 2012 for Clinton. She's tough all right, but she is not "smart" tough, she is "my way or the highway" tough - all about Hillary. Clinton's focus is to get McCain elected, McCain does not perform and won't be given a 2nd term - in steps Ms. Hillary to the nations rescue! Smiles, and says, "I told you so ;-)" The problem is with her lack of management ethics, she too will fail the first 4 years and only ONE term.
If the DNC doesn't step in soon and take Clinton down and out - they have lost Independents, African/Americans, and the youth vote for a generation....oh, I forgot, it's ALL about Hillary!

[englishprof]

I believe Mr. Clinton, at this point, should be off the radar screen. He's not worth paying any attention to.

[Independent voter]

bill clinton has gone from being a tragically mediocre president to a walking, talking fool.

I am so embarrassed that I ever voted for this evil, twisted, sick little man,

[jrterrier]

Have you listened to Bill Clinton recently? And I don't mean a sentence or two. If he were running in this election, he would beat everyone. He is a brilliant man, who knows how to get the job done.

[meanguy]

no, the left wing of the party is more interested in intellectual PC purity than winning an election...when was the last time a candidate this liberal actually won the presidency?

[josephjsalas]

McCain loves Iraq, Hillary loves S-E Europe, Bush is blowing kisses toward Colombia.

[TishiJo]

I am deeply disheartened at the number of times I defended Bill Clinton after his Monica Lewinsky fiasco only to observe his horrific behavior during this campaign. The idea that he is defending his wife, does not excuse blatant dishonesty and dishonorable remarks against a fellow Democrat that serve to harm the Democratic party. I will never look at Bill or Hillary Clinton the same again, and hope I never have to see them in the media again. I wish they would go away, and disappear. They have dishonored our party and our country.

[goldstategirl]

You don't say? Ha! Makes two of us.

A supreme disappointment. Very unstatesman-like. He and his wife are 2 of the most tone-deaf, dishonorable politicians on the map.

[azitiz]

Bill and Hill need to go back to Arkansas and retire. We don't need either of them any longer. I truly supported BC when he was prez, but between him and hill, they will mccain elected for sure. hill needs to stop this insanity and go can peaches or something. Go home - there you can vote for mccain in peace.

[lobear00]

There is one truth to Bill Clinton "he carrys his own Lie Detector, When he starts pointing that Index finger you know he's telling a "Lie. Lets not forget Hillary, when she has that smirk, of a smile she mimics' Bush. Truth be told the Clintons and the Bushes are joined at the hips.
Putting the Clintons back in the White House will only make matters much worse.