"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

[LOL123]

DemocraticRN- Hillary was there upping the meds for Bill....LOL

[DemocraticRN]

I don't like Obama either because of what the Republicans AND the Obama campaign are doing to Hillary Clinton after what she did for David Axelrod and his family and what he is now doing to her. Please read the complete article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/magazine/01axelrod.t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all
Published: April 1, 2007
It was January 1999, President Clinton’s impeachment trial was just beginning in the Senate and Hillary Clinton was scheduled to speak at the foundation’s fund-raiser in Chicago. Despite all the fuss back in Washington, Clinton kept the appointment. She spent hours that day in the epilepsy ward at Rush Presbyterian hospital, visiting children hooked up to machines by electrodes so that doctors might diagram their seizure activity and decide which portion of the brain to remove. At the hospital, a local reporter pressed her about the trial in Washington, asked her about that woman. At the organization’s reception at the Drake Hotel that evening, Clinton stood backstage looking over her remarks, figuring out where to insert anecdotes about the kids. “She couldn’t stop talking about what she had seen,” Susan Axelrod recalled. Later, at Hillary Clinton’s behest, the National Institutes of Health convened a conference on finding a cure for epilepsy. Susan Axelrod told me it was “one of the most important things anyone has done for epilepsy.” And this is how politics works: David Axelrod is now dedicated to derailing this woman’s career.

[DemocraticRN]

I have to reply to my own post.

Are these the actions of a Bitch, Witch, etc. that Obama supporters call Hillary Clinton? Have any of you considered that she might really be something other than what the Republicans and Pregressives tell you she is? I can see why the Republicans want to trash and bash the Clintons, but why do the Obama supporters join them? If Senator Obama is really so wonderful, why do you have to belittle Senator Clinton to get him elected?

[going2ireland]

There has been no "belittling" Hillary. Simply bringing forth the facts that she is a liar and that she won't do squat for the common folks if she were to get into office.

If you want to define belittle as simply stating the truth, so be it.

[clintfatigue]

I do not belittle Senator Clinton, but I am furious at her for staging a Rove-style campaign against Obama. And here's a big lie: Hillary claims she is ahead in the popular vote but she is including two states she agreed not to count, thereby breaking her own rules. And, in one of those states, Obama wasn't even on the ballot. How can you Clinton supporters turn such a blind eye to the psychodrama campaign of Hillary's?

[missjabez]

Clinton is the one who does the belittling. I have been very offended by her condescension towards him, as though he's a presumptuous schoolboy. She has spent the last couple of months trying to destroy him, trying to smear him as Muslim and then an elitist. I don't know why she doesn't say he's the antichrist. It sounds like you're riding the "Clinton Is a Victim" train.

[musselmanm]

The Republicans, at least many of them are now coming out in public supporting Hillary. Does that give you a clue whom they do not wish to run against in November?

[Nobuks]

Belittling? Please cite the public statement made by Barack about Hillary's supporters. Please, please post it. I really need to see this! When you have her making disparaging statement about his supporters, states won, caucus system, well are we who are not bound by campaign conditions supposed to just stand idly by and take it? Is this what annoys you? That we respond when called down upon? This from the candidate herself?

[nellie]

That article reminded me of why I loved Bill Clinton so much. Now I don't know what to think. I have been so impressed (and not in a good way) by the mean-spiritedness of their campaign against Obama, it doesn't surprise me to learn that Clinton dislikes Obama. I would be an interesting psychological study, since they have similar backgrounds and similar successes. Single moms, less than stellar dads, childhoods in poverty, getting to the best schools on merit, developing great communication skills. They both even married strong, outspoken women. (Although when asked if she would ever run for president, Michelle said, "never!")

Yet they strike me as very different people. Obama seems proud of his humble beginnings where with Clinton, I'm not so sure. But I don't want to psychoanalyze. Let's leave it at, I'm not surprised.

[clintfatigue]

Bill Clinton is jealous of Obama. He wishs he could be Obama.

This whole Clinton thing reminds me of the scene in Disney's Snow White where the evil step-mother asks the magic mirror who the fairest in the land is. When she discovers that Snow White is fairest, she tries everything in her power to destroy her. So many paralells to the Clinton's and their campaign.

[TrialDate]

Clinton doesnt like Obama, because he's afraid that the Obama Administration will prosecute his as well as Bush Administration.

[Betrayedcitizen]

I'm getting to dislike Obama...his wife ...and his (yuk) pastor (I saw this ugly racist on CNN tonight ranting and screaming like a Hitler)..

I don't like the Clintons and the Bushes.....and of course the McCains.

Most people I talk to agree.

We're screwed!

[going2ireland]

Not many people you do like, huh?

Let's see, you don't like the Clintons, you don't like the Bushes, you don't like the McCains, you don't like Obama, you don't like Michelle, you don't like Rev. Wright.

Just WHO do you like???

I think you need a little adjustment.

[ThomasMc]

"he's afraid that the Obama Administration will prosecute his as well as Bush Administration."

BS. Obama has already declared that he won't even prosecute Cheney for lying us into war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Obama is just another tool of the filthy rich, no better than Hillary or McCain. I can't stand any of them.

[soot]

Its all about Bill and Hill...

[lafrance]

Bill may not like obama but, I don't like either Bill or Hillary - and I'm a democrat.
and a woman.
These two grifters have long overstayed their welcome and have become a drain and a joke at the same time.
Their desperation is simply embarrassing to see of an expresident and first lady. They honestly lack any class or dignity.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

Well, I don't know why this sorry excuse for an article is posted with the headline it was given. Pretty tragic, even for the HuffnPuff.

[Betrayedcitizen]

Well said.........

[going2ireland]

Is there no truth to the headlined?

In case you were not aware of it, since Hillary has chosen to play dirty, Huffpo has chosen to stand in defense of Obama. Get used to it or leave Huffpo.

[Nobuks]

Maybe because that other low level blog is carrying the same article (NYT).

[AfroLatina21]

I think I know the real reason why Bill doesn't like Obama and it's not because Obama is beating his wife.
It's because Obama is taking his limelight. Remember now Bill has been the shining star of the Democratic party for about 16 years now, and here comes a young fresh faced senator everyone seems to like. If Obama is elected president and after he serves his term he will be paid just as much if not more for speaking engagements just like Bill is now and that's going to cut into Bill's pocket book. Not many people are going to pay Bill millions of dollars for speaking engagements anymore when more people will be interested in Obama.

Now that's just my opinion, it might be far fetched.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

They are both Leos, with Leo egos. Of course they would have a hard time sharing a room together....Bill represents a two term presidency during the rise of Newt's morale majority, with a 67% approval rating despite being impeached for BJ's in the oval office (because that never happened in that room before!)

Obama represents a real time version of what he was back in 92'...just running against his wife.

[going2ireland]

Well thought opinion - could well be true.

[kravitz]

"President Clinton has spoken before of the racial bigotry he saw in his Southern boyhood and has made lessening that division a theme of his Presidency. His press office said today that the seven-member body's first goal was to help him "articulate the President's vision of racial reconciliation."

Asked whether the President believed that the fundamental conclusion of the Kerner Commission - that America is a country of two societies, one black and one white, separate and unequal - was still valid after three decades, Ms. Mathews replied, "I think that he would say that we have made some progress but that there is still a long way to go."

June 13, 1997 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E0D9143FF930A25755C0A961958260&scp=1&sq=june+13%2C+1997%2C+Clinton+Names+7+to+Race+Relations+Panel&st=nyt

"Could there be a subliminal message now in talking tough to foreigners? Is Barack Obama somehow one of them? Patriotic lapel pins are in and substantive discussions about America and the world are not." http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080512/crossette

[MikeMidCity]

Bill is afraid that Barack is going to outshine him and his DINO Administration with some real Democratic Ideas.

Piss off Bill, you are so last century.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

Michael Jackson: We are the world, we are the children, we are the one's who make a brighter day, Vote Obama
There's a choice we're making, for Hope and Change and stuff

Michael and Diana Ross: Perhaps he'll make a good v.p
vote Hillary

Dionne Warwick: Send them money
so they can run more ads

Warwick and Nelson: Obama outspent Hillary, by a factor of three

Al jarreau: So we all must lend a helping hand, and blog with glee

Chorus: He is the one, he has two children
He needs help to be our nominee
to beat Hillary

Michael Jackson: When she's down and out, and there seems no hope at all

Huey Lewis: Hillary won the state of PA, thanks to Ren-dall

The democrats are split in two
they dont' know what to do
It's true, they haven't got a clue
shit's on your shoe

[missjabez]

Keep your day job.

[margi]

Apparently Rush Limbaugh has launched "operation chaos" asking reppublicans to vote for Hillary in the upcoming primaries , this is a disgrace . I think it is time for the DNC to step in and choose their nominee Barack Obama.
HRC is in cahoot with the right wing , they are about to destroy the democratic party.

[CatLadyforObama]

For people who are so patriotic and wear flag pins, wouldn't you think something so basic to our American core values--like our voting system--would garner a little more respect? What a bunch of sorry a@@ hypocrites! But no surprise there...

[going2ireland]

Since this has been a well know fact that began in Texas and carried over into Ohio and PA, it really baffles me as to why the DNC has not stepped forward and said anything about this, or even made any effort to get the Feds involved in this. Voter fraud is nothing to laugh at.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

the other half of the story is that Obama received more republican votes than Hillary in Texas and Ohio. www.factcheck.org did a story on the myth of Limbaugh's over reaching power and influence on his flock of Republicans. It's sad that you proliferate the mininformation of the likes of Limbaugh. Now yer one of his little blogging minions, out there helping his crusade against Hillary.

[kravitz]

The president wants to look presidential. He has a foreign leader at his side and hopes the assembled reporters will focus on world affairs. Then someone asks about his sex life.

Is this any way to treat the leader of the world's most powerful nation?

August 4, 1997

[kravitz]

12/17/98

" So long as Saddam remains in power, he threatens the well-being of his people, the peace of his region, the security of the world. The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government . . . We will strengthen our engagement with the full range of Iraqi opposition forces and work with them effectively and prudently.
The decision to use force is never cost-free. Whenever American forces are placed in harm's way, we risk the loss of life . . . Heavy as they are, the costs of action must be weighed against the price of inaction. If Saddam defies the world, and we fail to respond, we will face a far greater threat in the future. Saddam will strike again at his neighbors. He will make war on his own people.
And mark my words, he will develop weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them. Because we're acting today, it is less likely that we will face these dangers in the future.
Let me close by addressing one other issue. Saddam Hussein and the other enemies of peace may have thought that the serious debate currently before the House of Representatives would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down.
But once more the United States has proven that although we are never eager to use force, when we must act in America's vital interests, we will do so."

[kravitz]

And neither is this... http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0DE4DE1E38F936A15750C0A96E958260&scp=1&sq=Maureen+Dowd%2C+Sinners+and+Spinners+on+the+Equator&st=nyt

"Mr. Jackson and Mr. Clinton make a fascinating pair. For a long time they circled each other uneasily, with occasional public flashes of hostility. But in that vertiginous weekend after the Monica story broke, when there was much grave talk about resignation and impeachment, Mr. Clinton reached out to Mr. Jackson, inviting him to watch the Super Bowl at the White House. Some jaded souls have wondered if the scalded Mr. Clinton had allowed Mr. Jackson to "pastor" him as a way to shore up his base and curry favor with blacks, who did, in the end, overwhelmingly stick with the President. Some jaded souls have wondered if a panicked White House needed Mr. Jackson, who is friendly with Betty Currie, to run interference on conflicting stories and help smooth over tense relations with the President's secretary after she suddenly disappeared and turned up as a cowering witness before Kenneth Starr's grand jury. "

more to come.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

Actually, to Mr Jacksons credit, perhaps it is because he could overcome their differences and over look whatever percieved slight, as a good Christian should, to come to the aid of our President, who was being impeached by an irresponsible Republican led congress with political motives to destroy the one democrat who managed to get elected twice despite all their efforts. Mr. Jackson showed great compassion and wisdom in providing counsel to someone in need.

[kravitz]

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407EED91339F931A25753C1A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print
"Bill Clinton is acting so Republican, he now thinks he's the foreign policy President."

"Jerry Della Femina, the ad executive... a Republican, thinks the Democrats are in trouble because they do not have a unique selling proposition. "The product has to stand for something," he said. "And Clinton stands for everything, therefore he stands for nothing. The Democrats are going the way of Burma Shave and Crisco -- products everyone loved and had in their homes. But they got old. They didn't have anything new to say about the product and after awhile they died." He says that Mr. Clinton has no secret ingredient: "You've tried him, and now you're shrugging your shoulders."

Mind you, this is not 2008.

more to come

[Gilda]

I've decided to change my mind!!
If Obama get the nomination, as he should, I will vote for him.
If Hillary steals the nomination, I will NOT vote for McCain but decline to vote period.
The very next day I will register as a Green Party member.
That should end my moral dilemma and deep conflicts over the election process.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

Well, Gilda, CHANGE is exactly what Obama promises
and I am happy you just experienced it
I guess change can go both ways.