Bill Clinton Not Happy With Convention Speech Topic

Politico:

As Democrats arrived here Sunday for a convention intended to promote party unity, mistrust and resentments continued to boil among top associates of presumptive nominee Barack Obama and his defeated rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

One flashpoint is the assigned speech topic for former president Bill Clinton, who is scheduled to speak Wednesday night, when the convention theme is "Securing America's Future." The night's speakers will argue that Obama would be a more effective commander in chief than his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.).

The former president is disappointed, associates said, because he is eager to speak about the economy and more broadly about Democratic ideas -- emphasizing the contrast between the Bush years and his own record in the 1990s.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[Mitchell4A]

People please consider how much you are being played by the media and the McCain camp. Do the Clintons and Obamas love one another, no. Do they recognize it is to their political advantage to play ball at this point, yes. A harmonious convention just doesn't sell the way one with conflict does. But we don't want a good show. We want to win in November. (See the comment about from drzoon)

"Media Hype and Election Polls (or the sky is falling)"
http://msa4.wordpress.com/

[Actionmac]

EXCELLENT POINT...

[StillIRise]

I agree Mitchell. I was listening to someone on MSNBC say that much of this controversy, especially concerning the anticiapted PUMA disruption, has been manufactured. I also notice that when the MSM is talking about the Hillary supporters who are not supporting Obama, they are will working within no more than 25%, whereas the other 75% who ARE supporting Obama are not getting very much press. Whatever personal feelings Hillary and Bill may have toward Obama, or vice versa, both sides realize how important it is to show unity at this convention. The Clintons also know that any sign of disunity on their part will hurt them, not only in the present time but in the foreseeable future. I still have some misgivings or anxieties, but I want to believe that this convention will be everything I hope for, and the beginning of our victory in the fall.

[hudsuckerproxy]

Exactly. A show of unity at the convention is essential. Any lingering tensions between the Obama/Clinton factions should be worked out AFTER the election. Right now there is no more important priority than winning.

[Pepper14]

How stupid do you think voters are. They know that the Clinton's can't stand Obama. Who is going to believe anything they say? Dems are lying to the voters with all this BS.

[BardEric]

AFTER the election is too late, sorry. We need all the votes we can muster BEFORE November. Since you and I can agree that the priority is winning, maybe you can at least re-evaluate the potential positives of getting this out of the parties system (sooner rather than later )some renewed consideration?

[UnknownSoldier]

Hillary Clinton needs to come out and Reject and Denounce the PUMAs. It will end this whole circus.

Media: Sen. Clinton what do you make of your supporters who will vote for McC-Ain?
HRC: I REJECT & DENOUNCE them.

Six little words ends this whole thing about the PUMAs

The Media is Biased against Dems, andt he PUMAs are the new Swiftboaters

[Daps]

"Hillary Clinton needs to come out and Reject and Denounce the PUMAs. It will end this whole circus. "

Yep. She's so interested in paying off her debt that she'll destroy her and her husband's legacy in the process.

[EarthToZoey]

Joint statement from the Obama and Clinton camps:

"We understand that some in the news media are more interested in reporting the rumor of controversy than the fact of unity. The fact is that our teams are working closely to ensure a successful convention and will continue to do so. Senator and President Clinton fully support the Obama/Biden ticket and look forward to addressing the convention and the nation on the urgency of victory this Fall. Anyone saying anything else doesn't know what they're talking about. Period." 

...but so many just love the rumors!

[hudsuckerproxy]

And no one loves the rumors more than Team McCain and the Rethugs (for obvious reasons).

[BigLib]

A "joint statement"?

Oh yeah. Things are swell.

[newhouse1]

Jefferson gave us, well, constitutional bearings. Roosevelt gave us the New Deal depression rescue, and defeat of Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, Imperialist Japan. Kennedy provided the courage of idealism and strength of pride and purpose (Ask not what your country can do for you... and, let's go to the moon, seriously). Nutty Reagan gave us, well, he gave us the GOP character that has endured to this day.
Bill Clinton? Not so fast admirers!
Nice job on the economy (thanks Laura Tyson from UC Berkeley who Obama should have on speed dial right now) at the expense of losing Congress in 1994 and ensuing 12 years, had no downstream elections coattails in either 1992 or 1996 election cycles, only won 43% and 49.2% of popular votes in cycles, failed on signature issue of our time, then and now... universal health care, and was 1st president since Lincoln's successor in 1868 to be impeached. All the adoration simply because Democrats stayed cohesive enough to muster 43% and 49% interest in getting Bill elected does not a great president make. Not even close. His ego is way out of proportion to the facts, and his Monica legacy is disgraceful by any objective measure. He needs to say nice things about Obama, wave, smile, and do a few lip bites, and take his butt back to his seat.

[Moka11]

No other candidate has had to bow, kiss butt, blow kisses, and basically perform almost perfectly than Barack Obama. Every word, remark, gesture, posture, body language, smile, frown, blink, etc has been amplified, magnified, and scrutinized.
He has been called an aloof, presumptuous, arrogant, lofty, inexperienced, exotic, unaccomplished celebrity who can only give a speech. All of these tags basically originated from Howard Wolfson, Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton.
Now Wolfson and Bill Clinton believe that Barack Obama need to show some respect to the "Big Dawg"?
I think Bill Clinton and Fox News "Contributor" Howard Wolfson are appearing a bit ...what's the word I'm thinking....er...uppity?. ...presumptuous?...arrogant?

[gotalife]

He is the President.

Honor him.

[SmootyBooty]

Crawled out from under the rock, eh?

[LABC]

that poor rock...

[Gould123]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeee It's trolls trying to stir up problem! Go away trolls! He's not upset at all!

[Mildmannered]

Bill Clinton is the current president?

[suzyhein]

do you honor Bu$h? honestly curious

[Obama08Supporter]

Bush is the President and he will not be speaking at the convention. Regardless if the story is true or not, this is Obama's show, not the Clintons. I am sure that Bill and Hill understands that already. The news media will spin anything to cause strife. Look what they did to this war! They sold it to America and we bought it.

Please don't let them do it to you again!

[msmaggie]

Bush is speaking at the R convention.

[PingMama]

Bush is speaking at the convention. It was announced several days ago.

[edwarvir]

This is about Bill Clintion , and who he thinks he is. He needs to
do what Senator O asks him to do or go the H away and stay

[msmaggie]

Interesting that so many people here have such negative things to say about the Clintons, they are so yesterday and have no place at Obama's convention yada yada yada. Strangely lacking is the logical next thought--if Obama has such terrific leadership skills and is so in tune w the Dem party, why is he allowing this to happen?

[macbabe]

respect for others who still love the Clinton's

[Nooneyouknow]

Yup; strokes for the millions of PUMAs who still love their Hillary-flavored Kool-Aid. I think the Clintons like getting drunk on power.

[msmaggie]

Well then he is a lot smarter than many of his supporters. He wants to kick the Clintons to the curb after the election, have at it. But til then, it's all about unity.

[SmootyBooty]

Hmmm. Now O is responsible for what goes on in that lizard brain of BC?

[msmaggie]

No. But I assume he is responsible for who is asked to speak at the convention and should have the stones to get BC and whoever to toe the line.

[Obama08Supporter]

Intelligence, confidence, and knowing that Clinton is a very valuable part of the DNC. This has nothing to do with be Obama not having leadership skills because every real leader knows that it takes teamwork to make things happen along with consideration for all involved. Obviously, you have lived a life of selfishness and continue to do so until this very day.

This no just about Obama, it is about us, including those that voted for and love the Clintons.

[msmaggie]

Hey there sparky: I admire O for showing real leadership, I am pointing out the holes in the arguments of those who feel the Clintons have no place at the convention.

Obviously, you have lived a life of poor education and reading comprehension skills and continue to do so until this very day.

How ex cathedra. (Bigs odds you get that reference..LOL)

[StillIRise]

No one "allows things to happen" with the Clintons! They just have a habit of bringing the drama along with them, no matter what the situation may be. All anyone can do is to try to "control" the Clintons as best as possible.

Nonetheless, this is the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL Convention, not Senator Obama's convention! While it's evident that he and his advisors are very involved in shaping the protocal, as they should be, the Democratic National Committee and the leadership of the Party are the ones running this show, and your attempt to use this to take one last dig at Obama before he receives the nomination is pretty transparent.

[msmaggie]

Well if transparent, you need to have your eyes checked. I am poking fun at the Obama crowd who feel everything O is just the berries and the Clintons are straight from the seventh circle of hell.

I am for Obama, but I am not a sycophant. And I recognize the cold geometry we have. Obama needs the Clintons more than they need him. For now. All this bravado that the Clintons should be stifled or exiled or whatever is nonsense. Assuming we want to win.

[edwarvir]

Senator O is giving them enough rope to hang their own selves. For years
I told my family and friends that Bill/Hill were racist, No No No they said to me
Now the whole world is looking and seeing just what a spoiled sports these
two people are and that their country is not first with them, not being fair is
not on their agenda if it doesn't spell ME. They have ruined their own careers.
Their falul alone. LOL

[poco767b]

Dear Bill, This is not about you, play the game or take your ball and go home.

[globality]

Why would you let Bill Clinton talk about securing our Future. He allowed Bin Laden to attack us multiple times and plan the 911 attacks without fear.

[Justsaynodeal]

That is BS propaganda.

[tlgeiger62]

Hopefully there will be enough makeup on hand to try and hide that red face he gets when his blood pressure is rising to dangerous levels. A dead giveaway.

[drzoon]

look... i just talked to a bunch of my friends who are delegates from here (calif). The whole Clinton's thing just isn't real.

This morning the California and NY delegations had a meeting. Two of the largest delegations at the convention. And... two states that HRC carried. The word is... THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON with the Clinton's being out of control and causing problems. Nor are is there a problem with the delegates themselves.

As someone who used to be a news producer ... i can tell you that the only reporting that is going on is reporters answering the phone when the mc cain camp calls... and running with stories that are being feed to them. IF ANYTHING... we have a problem in this country with the quality of reporters we have now days.

we used to call it "receptionist" reporting. You just sit there and wait for someone to call you with "a" or "the" story.... and run with it like as if you had done the footwork.

and... just for the heck of it... breaking the story "first" who the VP pick was... is not "great" reporting. Getting it FIRST means you got it FIRST. That's all.

[PumaAnn]

Of course not. Wolfson is correct. She's behaved more forthrightly about unity than any other losing candidate in my lifetime. Granted, she had tremendous power, given the split. So it was incumbent upon her to do so. This was a unique year. She doesn't get credit for responding to that appropriately. When you lose by a lot, you can afford to take pot shots. She obviously can't.
Everything must be on the up-and-up.

[seanosul]

She gets a lot of credit for her work, however her PUMA supporters deliberately set out to undermine her though. Are you proud that PUMA claimed to have cleared all her debts and raised NOTHING as well as preventing her being on the ticket?

[suzyhein]

Curiously, i agree with you. It is media trying to find a story. The Clinton's have followed political protocol to a tee. Hillary has been nothing but dignified. Bill Clinton is a two-term democratic president who came in and stole GHWB's second term. He deserves our respect and I for one think he should be able to speak on whatever he pleases.

[suzyhein]

pumaann,

you've got a lot of O supporters on this thread and others who respect both Clintons. You have a lot to say about the O supporters but from where I sit, it looks like you are the one who goes around badmouthing us. I for one have tremendous respect for President Clinton, a two-term Democratic president who stole GHWB's second term. I honor him and I believe Hillary has conducted herself with dignity since the end of the primary. I think maybe you are the one who needs to move on:)

[beauwin]

Bill is going to talk about what he wants to and there is nothing BO can do about it but pull his speech! We all know BO isn't man enough to do that!!! WHAT A MAN??????? WHAT A LEADER????? LMFAO

[LABC]

You know, there is therapy for people like yourself who are not secure in their masculinity and feel the need to mock those who are. And you could also come out...

[beauwin]

Tell me LabC___ were you born an idiot or just worked on it for the past 60 years!

[max08]

Bill Clinton needs to get a grip.

[Gould123]

Come on guys! It's jus Repubs trying to stir up things!

[Grannysue]

Let's all hear a loud whine for Bill and Hill, poor things, how dare they not be in the spotlight, how dare people not vote his Wife in as the Candiate and want Obama instead, and how dare Democrates and Independents want to have a successful election and put a Democrat in the Wh.
Want some cheese with your Whine there Bill?

[Richardini]

I agree totally with this person. I thought tonight was supposed to be about Barack Obama but all I hear is the name Clinton. Something tells me that Miss Egotistical is going to foul up the convention. She is unable to conjugate the verb to lose in English. I keep hearing that Barack does not seem to be a Commander in Chief. Oh, so Bush had all that experience before he came to the White House. For all I can see, he was great on executions. He certainly could not cut it regarding foreign relations, geography or for that matter anything else. We now have the possibility of having a brilliant speaker, a man who offers hope to a nation mired in debt and war and we act as if he should be applying for a job as janitor in the White House. When will we ever learn? Obama will bring some class to the presidency. Bush did too...low class. Let this night belong to OBAMA. We know what the Clintons are about.

[soapington]

Isn't this story just a creation of the media, operating as usual on behalf of the Republican Party?

[PumaAnn]

Well, the media loves the drama. But this story actually came from the O camp.

Mistake.

Rookie mistake.

[soapington]

Thanks for your reply, but aren't you a Republican flack?

[Chillinout]

Wrong again, surrogates from the C linton camp and the O'bama camp were just on TV saying none of this is true.

Another right-wing planted story. The Repugs are desperate and they know the ONLY way the even have a snowball's chance in ____ is to divide the Dem party. Everything they do is to that end. Period.

[SmootyBooty]

B S

[savertime]

Comparable to the invasion of Iraq????

[gladys46]

Yes ... period!

[HoracePManure]

I really don't remember Billary being so needy.