"He Doesn't Like Obama"

The New Yorker:

The New Yorker profiles the role of Bill Clinton and his rivalry with Barack Obama:

When Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign was launched, in January, 2007, her supporters feared that Bill would overshadow her, as he had when they both spoke at the funeral of Coretta Scott King, a year earlier. Now the constant fear is that he will embarrass her. When he makes news, it is rarely a good day for his spouse. Whether he was publicly comparing Barack Obama's primary victory in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson's campaigns in the eighties or privately, and apoplectically, complaining that Bill Richardson broke his word by endorsing Obama, every story has seemed to reinforce an image of Clinton as a sort of ill-tempered coot driven a little mad by Obama's success. "I think this campaign has enraged him," the adviser told me. "He doesn't like Obama." In private conversations, he has been dismissive of his wife's rival. James Clyburn, an African-American congressman from South Carolina, told me that Clinton called him in the middle of the night after Obama won that state's primary and raged at him for fifty minutes. "It's pretty widespread now that African-Americans have lost a whole lot of respect for Bill Clinton," Clyburn said.

Read the whole article.

Read the whole story: The New Yorker

Comments

[VisiteDeVoltaire]

The writer, Ryan Lizza, makes a good point. Bill should have talked more about Hillary in a stump speech rather than so much about himself. The electorate deserves to know all about her outstanding record which qualifies her for the presidency. He could have said:

1. Hillary empowered George W Bush to invade Iraq

2. Hillary voted for the Bankruptcy Act which will haunt you in your despair

3. Hillary voted for the Military Commissions Act which helped eliminate Habeas Corpus and Posse Comitatus which undermines your freedoms as Americans

4. Hillary recently promised to genocide an entire nation, not in defense of you but of another country on the other side of the globe with your tax dollars

5. Hillary helped bust unions working for Rose Law

6. Hillary sat on the board of WalMart, the originator of cradle to the grave minimum wage and 38 hour work weeks to avoid paying benefits

Why didn't he bring up these fine examples of her leadership to show her outstanding record as a defender of the American way?

[westcoastsc]

Amen.

[Tebbiki]

Well said!

[iwgagolf]

Bill does not like Obama (who cares?) I don't like Bill and I get to vote! He is such a disappointment, we now see the real Bill Clinton.

[Bibbo]

The democratic rep. Clair Mc Caskill captured the essence of Bill Clintons character when she said on( I think it was meet the press) Bill Clinton was a great leader in the 90's I just dont want him to ever be alone with my daughter. How is it that somebody who has enabled this guy to be alone with many other peoples daughters portrays herself as "caring"about the welfare of those who are not able to take care of themselves? THe true character emerges when the lights are out and you think nobody is looking. Bill and Hillary have remained together for so long because they are more alike than they are different.

[Dennim]

You are correct, Bibbo. Hillary was an enabler.

Her ambition meant more than the wrongs her husband committed against the country, his administration, his daughter or his victims of abuse/harassment. She aided and abetted his specious explanations until he could no longer deceive. Hillary then turned herself into a victim. There were victims but she was not one.

Sure there were willing participants in his bad behavior, as well, but the descriptions of his victims and Hillary's diatribes against the women were outrageous. It's unbelievable many women of my generation support Hillary . How could they have lived through the 90s and not witnessed her many appearances on her husban's behalf? How they didn't read any written account of her words against the women with whom Bill had liaisons or worse,,,is utterly mind boggling.

The Clintons cannot be allowed back in the White House. I and many other citizens are desperate to end the nearly sixteen years of deceit and scandal! The next administration must keep focus on the major issues facing this country; they cannot be diverted or the public distracted by one scandal following another! Enough!

[Azjhutch]

Claire is being a butthead! Does she even have a daughter? Shame on her for not backing Hillary.

[abby4ever]

From The New Yorker piece: But, most of all, Bill Clinton talked about Bill Clinton:
"The headquarters of my foundation is in Harlem. . . . My Presidential library and school of public service are in Arkansas. . . . I try to save this generation of children from the epidemic of childhood obesity. . . . I am working on rebuilding the Katrina area in New Orleans. . . . I have major global-warming projects in cities all around America. . . . Most of the time I am out in America on the streets. . . . "
Me, me, me.

[dollars2donuts]

I noticed that too, everything was "I, I, I, me, me, me, I did this, I accomplished that, yadda, yadda"....­.

*yawn* Dollar Bill you are boring us. We get, you were prez, the world has moved on.

[willowbarcelona]

Former President Clinton and Senator Clinton show how dated they are in their behaviors and outlooks. The "all about me" generation is really quite over, especially with gas prices at $3.85 in my town.

Someone needs to tell them that Brown v. Education and the 1960s are over too. They couldn't make Senator Obama the "black candidate" and pin on him an almost "you're trying to get into the classroom before your time attitude." It was a false premise to begin with as his maternal branch of his family is entirely white.

And despite their best efforts with Ayers, they cannot turn him into a '60s radical and pin the excesses of the '60s on him as well. These two triggers of the Republicans: "Southern strategy" and "'60's radical" just aren't working for them. Why? Because they and Mark Penn never had a Plan B after Super Tuesday and, more important, because they and their team have no new political ideas that are relevant to the 21st century.

Sadly, Senator Clinton could have used her historical context that is so much of a part of her to its best effect as an excellent nominee to a potentially vacate Supreme Court seat. Still, were she to bow out in June and thoroughly embrace an Obama candidacy (unless she takes that McCain VP slot), her best work could be ahead of her on the Supreme Court Bench,.

[thetiger1974]

Bill is mad at Barack because Bill is not the First Black President anymore. HAHAHAHA. With out the black love he had, really how many other ethnic groups adorned this man in over 75% of its population. Your legacy is SHOT bud. Once you go black you cant go back hahahaha

[neoconscums]

Bill cannot understand what is happening to him so he is lashing out at everyone even those who invested so much emotional, physical and financial capital in his campaign for the presidency. What the hell happened, Bill?

[thetiger1974]

I think I read somewhere that Barack told Bill "You can get the finger, the middle" HAHAHAHA dont be so mad

[dollars2donuts]

Hahaha I don't think so

[dollars2donuts]

"People like you are voting for HIllary in every state in this country"

People like you. Very interesting and revealing comment, Dollar Bill.

And I notice Jim Clyburn has been attacked all weekend by bigots saying "how dare you (AA's) try to blackmail us, that's it I'm voting for HIllary, Obama just lost my vote, blah blah blah". But none of those irate people commented on the fact that Bill was screaming on the phone with Clyburn screaming at him for FIFTY MINUTES. I wish I could be privy to what he said, that's a long time to scream and whine at somebody, no? The most dispicable thing about Billary's campaign is how extremely divisive they have been throughout the primary, causing all kinds of rifts in the Dem Party. I remember how earlier on, one of the first things they said was that Hispanics don't vote for black candidates, which historically is patently false, but it created anger among blacks and a lot of mistrust between the two groups. Then Bill especially, plus their priceless surrogates, ran around insulting black people about once a week. Then you've got them running around saying he can't win, blue collar whites won't vote for him, etc. and "people like you" is emblematic of this slice & dice the electorate, very divisive thinking. If nothing else, their legacy from this primary will be a very fractured Democratic party, with AA's especially losing trust in it

[abby4ever]

Yes, they are dividing the party---why, then, do the party leaders not take them aside and tell them them to stop it? What are party leaders FOR??? Surely one of their main tasks is to keep the party as united as possible?

[messstower]

It is no longer the DNC the party is now The Humpty Dumpty Party--

NEVER TO BE PUT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN! Thank you Bill and Hill.

[northcan]

It is sad...I agree with the first blogger, most media is afraid to bash the Clinton's, ever wonder why? Think about it. The largest Political machine in Washington­...afraid to stand up and discriminate Hillary or Bill Clinton. Huffington Post is one of few that lays it out for voter's to decide, voice their opinion, unbiased. Why? Many politicians have lost their jobs, ended up in jail, or not living anymore. I have studied this couple and their corruptian for twenty years, unbelievable. The media and supporters stay close to two very smart, but unstable, corrupt couple because of their fear and their own political ambitions. It really is a fractured party. Can you imagine Bill once again in the white house? Think about the scandals and corruption all over again. Who pays for it? The taxpayer.

Republicans are voting for Hillary. Why? They have all the dirt on her that will bury her. She thinks all these large states won....are democrats voting. Not so, Rush Limbaugh is helping her out by pushing republicans to change parties and vote for her....eve­ry state has seen crossover's in Hillary's favor. She also knows what their doing, she is the most conservative democrat in the centre, but she thinks she can beat McCain. Not so, with what they have on her. So, Obama they are afraid of. I know this stratagey sounds ridiculous, but fox news is broadcasting this continuously. Think about it? Hillary is unelectable on her own.

[flyguy14222]

Another non-story. Why is Obama afraid to debate for the voters yet to vote?

[vincealy]

The debate we need to see Bill and Hllary subject Columbian trade deal ; Bill and Hillary the importance of ethics in government moderator 'Monica Lewinski' .

[flyguy14222]

Nice avoidance of the question.

[sd4peace]

He's debated over 20 times 4 or 5 just the two ofthem. If the voters weren't paying attention this last YEAR, then too bad.

I'm sure he would have no problem with another debate if the last one by ABC hadn't been a 3 on 1 ambush.

[abby4ever]

Who said he's afraid? You assume too much. Maybe he's just sick and tired of being jerked around by Hillary.

[gwhizz]

He is afraid. This latest debate proposal was for a debate between the candidates only, no "moderator" to ask moronic questions.

There is no way Obama mumble bumble wants to expose himself to having to think on his feet and speak off-script.

[Senella]

How many debates does it take?

[IkeChicago]

The Republicans are running around pretending like they want to run against Obama, yet everything they are presently doing is in effect to help Hillary to win.
Pat Buchannan ------ Hillary is one tough lady, I like and respect her.
Joe Scrarborough------ Hillary is one tough lady, I like and respect her.
Bill Kristol --- Hillary is a fighter, I respect her.
Rush Limbaugh ----- Vote for Hillary.
Now we all know that these neocons would sooner douse Hillary with a bucket of piss, than hand her a glass of water. Judge for yourself, 6% of those who voted for Hillary in Pa. said that under no circumstance would they vote for her in the general election. The political pundits know it, Hillary Clinton knows it and the DNC knows it, but yet no one talks about it why, here is why they want to continue saying that Obama can't close the sale. Message to the RNC, if you want Obama, then let the Democratic nominating process alone and you'll get Obama. The Republican party and Hillary and Bill Clinton are on the same page here, they both are working to destroy Barack Obama, who would have tuuuunk it.

xxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxx­xxxxxxxxxx­xxx

. One little-noticed finding was that 6 percent of Clinton's own voters said that they would defect to John McCain in the fall against Clinton herself.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/24/AR2008042402978.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[dotmafia]

Anyone ever wonder why Bill Clinton was trolling around third world countries with George Bush Senior, making sure to get their photo ops while trying to appear concerned about the poor and destitute?

Anyone?

Why haven't the connections between the Bush's and Clinton's been more thoroughly explored and so-called "vetted" by the media?

I'm quite sure there have been many secret deals.

[Shashi0224]

I've been thinking that same thing.
There's something terribly wrong with this whole picture. The Clintons have a deal and that's why they didn't say anything negative all during the last 7 1/2 years of horror under the bush regime.
There's something terribly wrong with the Clintons. We lost the congress when Bill was Pres. He cost us the 2000 election due to his stupidity and lack of control and lies. And....now she's running to overturn the will of Democrats and the party may go along with it. A HUGE mistake for the United States and the world.
Very sad

[partyofone]

Bill is just the gift that keeps on giving. Keep talking and lyting Bill, all red-faced and finger -wagging. Soon you can go back to selling what influence you have left for international business men and trolling for interns.

[AdultFilmLegend]

"He Doesn't Like Obama"

This just in: water is wet.

[madkey]

The Republicans are doing everything they can not to run against Obama. I'ts clear they want Clinton. Karle Rowe writing letters to Obama. The media is ati Obama, all the comemtator are anit Obama. John Mccain gets a free pass and now Hillary Clinto is getting a free pass. Nobody talking about her involvemnent with Peter Paul and the lawsuite still in effect in California but I guess the Republicans are saving it for later. The truth is John Mccain is a weak Candidate, he's made a whole lot of mistakes and saying Obama doesn't understand economic when he admitted he didn't understand economics and a host of other blunders and contradictions. John Mccain is the Republicans worst enemy and they know it but they like to big Mccain up. A big bad Mccain is not who I've been seeing. I see an old man making alot of mistakes that the media never covers.

[BadChristian]

A pointing finger indicates hostility.­.. And you want us to be surprised that the man who went from the Kennedy thumb to the the wagging finger doesn't like Barack. SCOOP!

Bill is pointyest pol in modern history, AND for a guy with his morals... Barack seriously got under Bills skin. Obama must drive him almost as crazy as Hillary.

[Stillwaters]

America currently resides with Iraq because, purportedly, it seeks to introduce democracy. Democracy at it most basic ensures that all citizens are regarded as equal by the state. Recent polls indicate that 15% of the electorate will not elect a fellow American citizen because of his colour. I would guess that this figure is actually higher given a clear propensity of voters to provide statements that cast them in a good, though false light. How on earth can American send its forces into foreign nations on the basis of spreading democracy, based on an assumption that America is the greatest democracy in the world, with a God given right to export its values, when a sizeable core of its own citizens do not respect or care for a basic tenant of a democratic nation? I’m hearing something about ye who cast the first stone.

[qdog112]

Here here still waters. Canada or Europe?

[kl836]

Meaning what? US Americans are not capable of logical and critical thinking? Or my country right or wrong?

[finsfan13]

True Stillwaters. People do not realize the horrors of seeing your 3 year old son, your 6 year old daughter and your wife blown in half by an air raid in the name of "freedom". I do not believe in the new era of "air raids". Even the leader of Afghanistan was calling for us to please STOP THE BOMBING because we were destroying their country killing thousands of innocent civilians. Not good in my opinion. We have become arrogant bullies in the world today. I am all for protection and retaliation for attacks on our country but this whole "pre-emptive" slogan is a direct violation of international law. The Bush administration should be on trial for war crimes.

[KISSman]

Bill Clinton is jealous of Barack Obama. He got to the top without having to be a lying scumbag.

I love the fact that Obama will deny Bill another stay at the White House AND Bill's obligation to get Hillary the job of president so she can 'forgive' him for all he has done.

[partyofone]

It must be galling to the Clintons to realize how few Democrats and fewer Americans want them back. They thought the path to the White House would be strewn with rose petals,, just like America's welcome into Iraq.

Bill Clinton has become a reviled figure for many Americans who once admired him.
He has forfeited the opportunity to become a senior statesman by selling his influence to the highest bidders for personal financial gain at the nation's expense.

He has abidcated his responsibility as a former president and current leader of his party to conduct a mean-spiritied, self-interested, dishonest, damaging campaign against a Democratic candidate whose only offense has been aspiring to lead and challenging Mrs. Bill Clinton for the presidency.

Bill Clinton will go down in history as the president who had an affair with an intern, lied under oath, got Impeached, sold influence to become a mega millionaire, and tried his best to prevent Barack Obama from becoming president, ... and couldn't do it!

Great job, Bill.

[missjabez]

I think the Clintons are both jealous of Obama. They're also enraged that he has the nerve to try to take something they feel is rightfully theirs. Entitlement, anyone?

[Tropiholic]

yes yes yes!!!!