Bill Clinton In ABC News Interview: "I Am Not A Racist"

Washinton Post:

Former president Bill Clinton has been trying to keep his political opinions in check in order to turn back to his international work.

Still, he got a little testy in an interview Sunday with ABC's Kate Snow, telling her he is "not a racist" even as he avoided delving into specifics about what happened in the Democratic presidential primary. The interview, taped in a quick stop in Liberia, will air Monday on "Good Morning America."

Read the whole story: Washinton Post

Comments

[tenilla]

On April 10, 2008, in two different stump speeches, Bill Clinton mocked Barack Obama with these
remarks: "vote for me; I don't rob banks." "Vote for me; I don't steal cars."

When Mayhill Fowler's "elitist" story broke late afternoon on April 11, all cable news coverage of
these remarks stopped. Doesn't matter. Bill Clinton said these things. I was a Bill Clinton
Apologist until his first racist remarks in January. He can insist in every interview he gives until
one of us dies that he is not a racist, but he has lost me forever and I am not even black.

[Justsaynodeal]

"On April 10, 2008, in two different stump speeches, Bill Clinton mocked Barack Obama with these remarks: "vote for me; I don't rob banks." "Vote for me; I don't steal cars."

Was he quoting BO or paraphrasing things BO said at his rallies?

[repearwo]

One thing that I do not think that people are aware of is how words evoke things that are not specifically associated with that word or words. Bill Clinton, however, is not one of those people.

Until we can talk about people, being no more aware of their race or ethic origin than we are aware of their hair color, height, or weight, words that contrast races or ethnic origins will have heightened power.

That said, we as fallible humans, still hold biases as to height, weight and hair color - not to mention the other biggie gender and sexual orientation. Lets face it we are still a pretty prejudiced lot.

[lisak2008]

Yes you are.

[MorallyChallenged]

And you're not? We all are; it's just a matter of degrees. There are many, Bill Clinton included, who recognize the failings of humans but who work to overcome them.

[clearthinker2008]

Some white people will never admit someone they like is a racist. They make all types of excuses for them because if they admit that the person is a racist they have to ask themselves why or even if it's still OK to like a racist. Bill Clinton didn't do one thing for me that he didn't do for all Americans, and as far as I'm concerned he sold out all our jobs to "free trade deals." I owe him nothing. Telling people in WV that Barack wasn't like "us" is racist. Keep putting lipstick on a pig.

[Denni]

Racist? No. Opportunist? Most likely. The problem is that it's now hard for me to believe the man has any principles he believes in because so much of what he's done in the past is 'for sale' in the current moment.

[ggmome]

Learned behavior, acceptable in most of your circles is what's on trial here. Most racists were taught their beliefs in the arms of those who love them most. It is nurtured into their social life, as a way of life. It has always been home schooled into impressionable minds, by those same people who protect, love and feed their young. It has become a 'way of life' for a good percentage of the population. Its the acceptable behavior to more than that. While being taught, the most important theory is imparted, 'always denouce' it and 'disclaim' it, and you will be forgiven. Racism 100!

If you deny any of the above, read it again, and think! Which part applies to you?

[KiwisCanFly]

In other words Bill would rather talk about himself and his plea against an unwarranted 'racist' accusation that I don't recall Obama personally calling him. I recall a lot of pundits parsing Bill’s ill considered comment(s).
Instead of addressing any issues showing support for Obama‘s (and the Dems) stance(s), Bill addresses the issue of himself and race baiting. Snidely timing it perfectly so that this distraction nonsense will continue to dominate the news.
Real magnanimous of u Bill Clinton!

[harriscrl3]

This is what is called distraction and someoen still havent given the memo to Bill its OVER its NOT ABOUT YOU!!

Thankfully Obama isnt even paying him any attention. He basically just said I'd like him to camapign for me but other than that he's ignored him. That must be getting under his skin considering he is a diva that love attention.

Carol

[KiwisCanFly]

renatam and harriscrl3

"me thinks Bill protest too much"!

[renatam]

Note -- the triangulation STRATEGY is to go overseas -- in Africa -- and make this statement the same week McCain and his Rovian Strategists are making "...what happened to the Clinton Campaign and Bill Clinton...­" the JUSTIFICATION for their racist ads based upon a statement Senator Obama made many times to supporters to know what to expect from Republicans --that did NOT call John McCain a racist.

Very clever, Bill. DNC wake up. Hillary Clinton, when your supporters want to know why you didn't win and/or get the VP nod -- look no further than your husband, whose actions STILL are compromising the Party and its Nominee -- and consequently, the American people. New Yorkers, take note.

David Gergen, a former advisor to several Presidents including Bill Clinton -- and a Southerner -- called the subliminal messaging "uppity" and stated yesterday morning on ABC's This Week -- ...we GET the message."

So do we, Bill.

Since we GET it, stop protesting it and move on to some other strategy to derail Senator Obama. Old tired canned racism doesn't work. Condescension doesn't work. Putting Barack in photos w/blond babes doesn't work (talk about kettles, Bill Clinton and John McCain). At least entertain us, Bill.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

People should really, really look at Bill's actual record with regard to r a c e.
It aint that good. He had an actual opportunity to really support an AA and chose to go the other way by attepmting to marginalize him.

That's exactly what Pat B. said they should do. Pat B. approved Bill's actions. That is saying something.

[CommittedDem]

This is nonsense! You wanted Bill to prove that he was not a racist by supporting Obama over his own wife??

[zanngra]

Is Bill Clinton is trying to fan the flames of the current race talk back here? It fits in with the repubs mantra, Obama used the race card during the primary and we're not going to let him get away with it this time. If I we're Obama I would not let Bill Clinton anywhere near the campaign trail, he can't be trusted.

[MorallyChallenged]

People who believe Bill Clinton is a racist are simply pissing in the wind. What fools these mortals be.

[bellecloche]

I don't think you're a racist, Bill, but you do look mighty defensive and bitter about the issue. Either it means your hurt pride won't let you get over it, or you still haven't mended fences with your other Democratic colleagues who said you were burning bridges with the African-American community. Maybe if you put in some real effort into proving your dedication to fence-mending (starting off with some real, public big-kid apologies, along the lines of "I never meant to insult, but I am so very sorry to anyone who was...") your conscience would be a little clearer and you wouldn't feel compelled answer a question that wasn't even asked.

[NoahVail]

He's not a racist, but he knows how to appeal to them. Also, I am not sure that he is a Democrat, as I understand the term. If being a Democrat means that you are slightly less fascist than the Republicans, then we need a 3rd party.

[AguynamedWayne]

A certain politician and his campaign actively "pushed" the racist story line about the Clintons, and we all know who that was: Obama.

which is sadly ironic. Can anyone name a politician that has done more to help advance the issues concerning African Americans (and Africans in general for that matter) more that Bill Clinton has?

[barackobama4prez]

He's given jobs to Blacks....­big deal...so has B u s h.

[Justsaynodeal]

The blacks have short memories. I think it is really OK for the blacks to support B0 out of pride.....­......., but they really didn't have to destroy the C's to inflate B0's worth. I had a friend, who supported Hillary, and then after B0's win is all those red states+ those with big black populations, she was able to say to me, "I am supporting B0 because it looks like he has a chance to win." We continue to be very good friends, and because we are friends, we don't discuss the election. I understand very well why she changed to B0. She was very honest about it, but she didn't feel the need to bash the C's to justify her switch. She honestly said, "He has a chance to win," and I understood the pride she felt.

[neve]

Well, yes. Maxine Waters, Mickey Leland, John Conyers, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, John Lewis. Do I really need to go on?

[renatam]

This is more Mark Penn and Mandy Grunwald SPIN and should stop. Bill Clinton did his JOB. AAs supported him during IMPEACHMENT and were largely responsible for its not succeeding as his base of support. AAs are taxpayers and have a right to expect the President to work for their and the interests of ALL Americans.

Why is this conversation around the Clintons always about what someody OWES them??? This is very expensive PR SPIN, paid for by Americans during Election cycles -- and the debts keep piling up for these PR firms to rack up the bills.

Americans don't OWE Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton OWES Americans for giving him another chance when he didn't deserve one.

[Justsaynodeal]

This is the first comment on this article that says anything good about BC. I assumed sekoff was out in full force and hadn't bothered to write a thoughtful comment...­..meaning one that just doesn't come off the top of my head directly to my mouth like so many flip things said on this post. As for me, I am waiting for the book which will come out after the GE.

[Ides]

I'm officially labeling "ridiculous" any comment that a person is not racist just because he plays on the racist instincts of voters. In that case it doesn't matter whether or not he's a racist, he might as well be one.

[BEHM777]

For the record, I do not believe that Big Bad Bill is or ever was a racist. However, being a Southerner, he KNEW full well what buttons to push. The man may have been careless at times, but he is NOT stupid, not at all.

It is his own fault that he even has to defend himself in this way. He needs to man up and own it.

BEHusseinM777

[betthefarm]

Yeah, Bill Clinton's not a racist ... as far as I know.
But is he is racist ... as far as I know.
Bill Clinton does not draw the line at engaging in racism for personal gain ... as far as I know.

[Justsaynodeal]

Really cutesy!