Bill's Tirade In Private Meeting Stuns Superdelegates

"The Bill Clinton who met privately with California's superdelegates at last weekend's state convention was a far cry from the congenial former president who afterward publicly urged fellow Democrats to 'chill out' over the race between his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Barack Obama," the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

"It was one of the worst political meetings I have ever attended," one superdelegate said.

According to those at the meeting, Clinton - who flew in from Chicago with bags under his eyes - was classic old Bill at first, charming and making small talk with the 15 or so delegates who gathered in a room behind the convention stage.

But as the group moved together for the perfunctory photo, Rachel Binah, a former Richardson delegate who now supports Hillary Clinton, told Bill how "sorry" she was to have heard former Clinton campaign manager James Carville call Richardson a "Judas" for backing Obama.

It was as if someone pulled the pin from a grenade.

"Five times to my face (Richardson) said that he would never do that," a red-faced, finger-pointing Clinton erupted.

The former president then went on a tirade that ran from the media's unfair treatment of Hillary to questions about the fairness of the votes in state caucuses that voted for Obama. It ended with him asking delegates to imagine what the reaction would be if Obama was trailing by just 1 percent and people were telling him to drop out.

Comments

[shelleybear]

So, "Don" Clinton is pissed because he couldn't buy Richardson's support.
Let me tell you, Bill Richardson had better be careful lest he wake-up to find a horses head on his bed.
That "Slick Willy".
What a jerk!

[Bozwellian]

Am somewhat surprised someone has not suggested to have that finger amputated or taped or some such...Eve­rytime Bill starts jabbing it, all are reminded of that view of him jabbing it at the audience declaring how he did not have sexual relations with that woman and , uh, ALL know what that outcome brought , indictment for lying under oath, impeachment, even loss of HIS law license.
The Clintons are upset that their best laid plans have been laid asunder by the upstart from Illinois who they did NOT take any too serious in the beginning so were slow to kneecap him early on. They actually figured he would provide just a bit of color to the showboated INEVITIBLE nomination they so arrogantly presumed was theirs !!!
Unfortunately, there're yet those willing to go along indulging the Clintons with visions of a return to the WH...Some are of the fem gender who want Hillary to be their representaive avenger to ALL gender inequities so many have experienced, some are actually true racistically inclined but savvy enough NOT to admit publicly/o­utrightly/­etc.....so­me are nostagic for the good time portions they had during the first Clinton terms and after these Bushler/Cheney'd years of reign , would like a return even thou most KNOW not AL was ALL that good due to Bill in both regards of good/bad portions and so willingly figure Ok w/ Hillary as Bil would be there to "guide/adv­ise/overse­e/etc....

[natasyenehc]

Hilary just can not handle the pressure - whatever nonsensical crap ads they put out, or whatever bull she'll cook up about the accomplishments and dangerous roles she has taken up on behalf of the sitting president at the time.

Obama on the other hand, takes the attacks from Clinton, handles the pressure, and even in defeat (from some of the primaries he lost) he comes out a winner - all the time everytime. Now that's what I want in a president.

Not some whinning, complanin', incompetent ******

[jomira]

Obama handled the pressure so well that he had to take a vacation.

[cameoz]

You know, whenever business is blah and the phone's not ringing, I head out of town. Invariably, I'll get a call for work while I'm on my way out of town. Vacations are wonderful for recharging the batteries. I don't trust people who DON'T take vacations. The Europeans have it so right. 6 - 12 weeks a year. Sweet!

[wolfi101]

He took the vacation, because he had already dealt with the threats and didn't need to address them further. (He is entitled to a couple days he and there to relax, is he not?)

[chlllfactor]

Senator Obama has two small daughters who were on Easter break. He chose to spend two-and-a-half days with them and have some family time. And, you have a problem with that? Apparently, you are not a family man!

[lokywoky]

And this from someone who probably sides with the "family values" party?

Well, I call spending some quality time with his kids REAL family values, unlike all the other bigotted, racist, misogynist, homophobic and _________(fill in the blank) screaming done by the GOP and its minions that passes for family values on that side of the fence.

Family values indeed

[RThM]

Personally, I'm completely suspect of people who don't take vacations or work seven days a week. Everyone needs time for rest, thought and reflection. People that don't want you to think they're working 24/7 but they're often too physically and mentally strung along to perform at their best. And at least he didn't have to take an opinion poll or run it by a focus group to find the vacation spot that will be perceived as the most "president­ial..."

[madnana]

I'm glad Obama took a vacation. He has small children who he is not willing to totally sacrifice on the altar of his ambition.
As far as Hillary handling stress- she can't even handle Bill.

[SuppersReady]

This is where it all started...­..Hillary was told by the media, the polls and just about everyone she was the going to be the nominee...­......They figured well we will go through motions up until Super Tuesday and by that time it will be done......­...Surpris­e!.....Now the claws come out and have been out since Super Tuesday. They just can't believe that she and Bill may not end up in the Whitehouse again.
Everytime I see her on television she looks angry, tired and upset. I feel both candiates want this nomination badly but the way the Clinton campaign has been reacting, they seem to be in do or die mode. I'm afraid she is going to have a nervous breakdown or Bill will just keel over from a sudden MI. Bill tells us to chill out? I think they need to look in the mirror. Obama may be stressed out but he is cool as a cucumber. I prefer the ladder....

[BlueAsh]

Bill Clinton got debarred, a fact that barely gets mentioned. He throws his weight around as if nothing had happened. What a shame!

[alieninvader]

What's "debarred"?

[cameoz]

I think they meant disbarred. Means he can't practice law no more. Not unless he gets "rebarred.­" (Ha, don't even know if that's possible)

[jwsub28]

I believe Bill Richardson when he said he didn't "promise" the Clintons his vote. When you look at the candidates Obama has a calmness and honesty about him.

When you look at Bill and Hillary you notice how frazzled they are, I think they are just pissed that she is losing and they felt like they were entitled to this. Excuse me, but you are NOT ENTITLED to anything.

By the way, where are your TAXES and your papers from the LIBRARY?? Still waiting for that to happen.

I also believe that Bill and Hillary Clinton promised US a "Rose Garden" when they were in the White House, we got Scandal and Impreachment hearings.

They need to leave the superdelegates alone, they are really desperate at this point.

Bill Clinton needs to "chill out "as he likes to tell us. He is the one that is embarrassing himself and our country.

Go Away, I'm sick of all this bullshit.

[nihilate]

bill was impeached. he was not convicted. lucky bill. unlucky al.

[pbfishtaco]

Can't wait for those tax returns to be published!

[drjay79]

he really needs medication

[skeptical1]

Don't go away angry.
Just go away.

[Trueheart]

.....Rache­l Binah, a former Richardson delegate who now supports Hillary Clinton, told Bill how "sorry" she was to have heard former Clinton campaign manager James Carville call Richardson a "Judas" for backing Obama.....­.

Rachel, Rachel, Rachel...t­hrew a little gasoline on the glowing embers, didn't you! Why would anyone be surprised at his reaction. Whatever did you expect him to do--suck it up and give you a phony smile? So what if he got red in the face and shouted? At least it's for real. And maybe it is called for once in a while. Anyway, he's not running for office (thank God). I'd be bull**** if Richardson assured me even 1x that he would not endorse, and then he did.

[SuppersReady]

I wonder if Rachel is still for Clinton? The Clinton's have shown that payback is a bitch. They will tear you up in the press and in person. The Clinton's are telling the elected delegates they can change thier minds, why can't the superdeleg­ates....oh yeah...rig­ht.....the­n they will lose......­.

[natasyenehc]

Ahhh..but Bill LIED.
Richardson has publicly stated he nver promised the Clinton anything. Not once, not five times.

Now is Bill calling the very respectable Gov. Richardson a LIAR ?

[Gasparilla]

Nope, what Richardson said was he did not give a promise to endorse Hillary. What Bill Clinton said was that Richardson did promise him he would not endorse Obama. Richardson did not deny that.

[nazgul]

One moment he asks us to chill out and just let 'em have a good, old-fashioned argument, as if it's not personal, as if we shouldn't take it personally, and the next minute he's red in the face because his superiority complex is not being affirmed. And there'll be hell pay if he isn't.

On related note the limits of Clinton superiority, over on Talking Points Memo, there's an excellent reader's blog that responds to a Clinton supporters question: "Do her critics really claim she's a racist? That BILL is a racist?"

Wasn't Bill, after all, the "first black president"?

Is the occasional race-baiting comment re: Jesse Jackson, Muslim waffling, Jeremiah Wright, Affirmative Action, etc. really racist or simply impersonal political strategy? Is pushing the Jeremiah Wright story through Richard Mellon Scaife's media channel to white PA voters really racism?

It's racism folks; after all, racism has always been, first and foremost, a strategy to gain a superior position.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/04/why-the-clintons-are-bigger-ra.php

[TRYKER]

Bill is getting a 2 for 1 reaction..­.first his wife being rejected and 2nd that even HE is being rejected. That wasn't something he even contemplated.
Sure maybe Hillary wouldn't win, but they surely wouldn't turn him away, so then she wins anyway. But to say NO to both, ouch that hurts.
And yes Bill, enough with your pointy finger, its getting obnoxious.

[SeagirlX]

I don't trust anyone who is a chameleon, changing their behavior radically from one emotion to the next. It hurts credibility and trust.

[b2008]

It is apparent that the Clintons are so desperate to win that they must have pulled some shady deals with corporate america or the mob that relies on their winning or possibly disappearing like that union boss who was never found. Bill acts like he's ready to kill somebody to win and Hitlary looks like she'll consider selling Chelsea if it could help her win. Good grief Charlie Brown, doesn't anybody see their desperation?

[ellenproudamerican]

There is a lot at stake b2008. We will all be speaking Chinese if we have 4 more years of Bush Policies, which McCain will surly bring. This is a scarry time, it is time to take off the gloves.

[KINOKO]

Wei, ni hao ma, Mei li? But seriously.­..just another example of this sickening "entitlement" thing these Clintons have going on. I wish they would just grow up and bow out already. Instead of worrying about mr. Richardson doing the right thing and backing Obama, how about HRC does the right thing and let's see those tax returns, so we can hurry up and get her indicted for that illegal $5 million campaign "donation"?

[wolfi101]

Actually, the entrance of China into the WTO (which really stepped up all of this US-China-World) mess was originally pushed by Bill Clinton during the latter part of his second term. Another little scandal-in­-the-makin­g, that rarely gets reported.

[TRYKER]

As long as you understand it, speaking Chinese is fine.

[CSE]

Judas - denied after five promises? Sounds more like Peter plus two. It is refreshing the metaphors don't make sense though.

Was it that Richardson promised not to endorse Obama - or did he promise not to endorse Obama early in order to let the two candidates campaign on their own without cluttering the race with emotional attachments to endorsements? Edwards and Gore could reasonably have a significant impact by endorsing either candidate - yet they seemingly agree to allow what the party and media see as party bloodletting.

I am in agreement with letting the fists fly. I don't honestly believe that a significant number of Democratic party faithful will cross over to vote for McCain. I believe that a consensus platform must be forged and that concessions must be made in order to create enough political capital to lead all Americans. The longer this goes - hopefully more will begin to understand the politics - the best course forward - and then determine which candidate selection would possess the greatest likelihood of actually making it happen. To like someone - and like their oratory and then believe they represent "hope" or "change" and then see solutions within the oratory seems a bit backward and emotionally hinged.

[shelleybear]

"Judas" my ass!
Can you see "Don Corleone" Clinton, and his earlier statement about GIVING Bill Richardson two cabinet posts, and "What does it take?!"
Well, Bill, I guess it takes a candidate who can do the job without cheating, whining, and breaking promises.

[VOTER]

Message to the Super Delegates- How to Survive Hillary and Bill

When your SURVIVAL from the attacks of the Bill and Hillary Team, is

doubtful. LIE TO THEM! TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR.

THEN DO THE RIGHT THING AND SUPPORT OBAMA.

You will only be doing what the Clintons totally understand and do themselves.

[ellenproudamerican]

I am beginning to think that anyone who wants to follow the Bush disaster is some kind of nut! I believe that if Richardson said he would support Clinton he should. I can see why the Clintons would be upset about that. I also think that strong willed people are what we need in the White House-especilly ones who at the end of the day care more about my family than their rich oil friends. Lets face it, if we had a canidate for for President (especilly under the circumstances) that was too easy going and unwilling to chanllenge the media and their opposition they would not be viewed as STRONG LEADERS. The Clintons, if nothing else can be said will be VERY STRONG LEADERS!

[KMan1]

The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” -Jim Rhon-

[rzan]

Do you really believe that lying and manipulating and playing to the basest of human emotions are signs of strength? I call these qualities signs of weakness.

[ellenproudamerican]

Unfortunatly lying and manipulation spells politics as usual. The question is will they be looking after the best interests of the American people and defending the Constitution? If we had a canidate who said the truth, we would not elect them because they would scare us. We like to believe that some people are perfect and never cheat on their spouses, but does that mean that they would not defend the Constitution? Will they lie to us to make money for themselves and their friends and send our kids to war? I never saw President Clinton hold hands with a Saudi Prince, did you? We now have a Trillion dollar debt largely to the Chinese- a communist country. That should scare you!

[Chatto]

Um, hello -- one of the reasons the Clintons don't want to release their financial records is because it's been rumored that Bill has plenty of rich oil friends!

[ellenproudamerican]

Well he did not make them richer when he was Pres. He brought a budget surplus, the economy was humming along and we were not spending 10 billion dollars a month on a war that CANNOT BE WON without political change.
Who do you hope the next President is thinking about when they make the decisions? You your family and the constitution of the US would be the right answer.