Bill Clinton: Palin Appealing, Why Attack Her?

NEW YORK — Bill Clinton said Monday he understands why Sarah Palin is popular in the heartland: because people relate to her.

"I come from Arkansas, I get why she's hot out there," Clinton said. "Why she's doing well."

Speaking to reporters before his Clinton Global Initiative meeting, the former president described Palin's appeal by adding, "People look at her, and they say, 'All those kids. Something that happens in everybody's family. I'm glad she loves her daughter and she's not ashamed of her. Glad that girl's going around with her boyfriend. Glad they're going to get married.'"

Clinton said voters would think, "I like that little Down syndrome kid. One of them lives down the street. They're wonderful children. They're wonderful people. And I like the idea that this guy does those long-distance races. Stayed in the race for 500 miles with a broken arm. My kind of guy."

Palin, the governor of Alaska, became an overnight star when Republican presidential candidate John McCain tapped her for his running mate. Her family, including her Down syndrome baby, Trig, her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, and her husband, Todd, four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, have garnered intense media interest.

"I get this," Clinton said. "My view is ... why say, ever, anything bad about a person? Why don't we like them and celebrate them and be happy for her elevation to the ticket? And just say that she was a good choice for him and we disagree with them?"

The global initiative, a project of Clinton's foundation, will hold its four-day annual meeting in Manhattan starting Tuesday.

After that, Clinton said he will be busy campaigning for the Democratic ticket of Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

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On the Net: http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org

Comments

[keepacoolhead]

You wonder why Bill Clinton finds Sarah Palin APPEALING???

[MyFatCat]

I've got to differ with a lot of folks here.

I think Clinton's comments are a form of truly elegant skewering.

1. He's answered the question about why Sarah Palin was popular.
2. He's described the audience she appeals to.
3. He's left himself in a morally unimpeachable position regarding her--his comments won't be dismissed, and they are true...BUT

think carefully. McCain was glad to have his Pretty Woman, and thoughtful Republicans are having to ask themselves harder questions than Katie Couric ever has. Naturally, this is good for Democrats.

Confusion to the enemy.

[PLDChicago]

Bill Clinton is so over.

[Finchy13]

FOR A MAN WHO HAS A BRILLIANT MIND - TOO BAD HE STILL ONLY THINKS WITH HIS D x x K!!!

[Roxanna]

This Man is Unreal.... He needs to go shut himself in a closet and come out after November 5th.

He can't shut up and he systematically attempts to undermine Obama! It is so obvious.

[annschneider1]

Gee Bill, Then why did you have so many bad things to say about Obama during the primary? Are you saying it's ok to lie during the primary? What is that all about. You are quickly losing credibility and looking pretty sleazy, something I NEVER thought I would say about you despite the fact that you treated your wonderful wife so poorly. It is time to grow up. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you are saying good things about Palin. She has that factor that seems to entrance you. How low can you stoop??

[research]

Bill, defending your lying thieving GOP friends is not helping Obama,

Why can't you learn to operate like the GOP do, in one sense:
They may be friendly with you on the weekend fishing trip, but they will not hesitate to smear you mercilessly on Monday.

We Liberal use the TRUTH, but we must not be gentle with tyrants.

[HedgeApple]

Scrutinizing a candidate's credentials for public office, especially the second-most powerful position in the country is NOT an attack.

Holding her up to less scrutiny than any of the other candidates received is wrong. If she was being nominated to fill a vacancy in the V.P.'s office, she would not pass the confirmation process. This election WILL be about issues, not who has the most compelling life story or who we would like to go have a beer with.

Is Bill trying to sabotage Barack's chances?

[tschlak]

>>Is Bill trying to sabotage Barack's chances?

Ummm... y'think??

[CrzyRussell]

Going after her family is not proper. If Michelle Obama is off limits why is this despicable behavior acceptable when it applies to the Palin family? Morals don't go out the window when the person being attacked is of a different political party.

These personal , vile attacks only hurt the credibility of the party and of those who participate in it.

What would MLK or JFK say about this?

Stick to the issues and leave her family alone.

[Roxanna]

CrzyRussell... Michele Obama is Not, Repeat Is Not running for V.P. as Sarah is

[pilgrim7]

He's not stupid. He knows exactly what he is doing. It's called sellout.

[mhutch47]

I don't think Bill's trying to sabotage Barack's chances...I think he's just trying to hit dat. I could be wrong though.

[Vern58]

Mr. President,
I fully realize you're still in a bit of a funk over your loosing control of the Party apparatus, but can you do the rest of us a favor? Please stop these subrosa endorsements for the other guys?
We would all appreciate it.

[MrWinky]

She is appealing and why attack anybody?


Don't remember him feeling that way about Obama in the primary, must be a new philosophy.

[batguano]

In this case, we ARE voting for a vice prez. John's health IS an issue to take seriously. Were Sarah Palin to become prez, she would have to rely on her "advisors" due to her utter lack of qualifications, education or understanding of world affairs....and, as we have seen, they are the Neocons, AIPAC, Joe Lieberman, and who knows who else. THEY will call the shots. If you thought we had a simpleton tool who did as he was told....or "advised".....manipulated.......over the last 8 years, that is nuthin to what we might expect from the "holy roller" Palin and her entourage.

I have always believed that the very popular and honorable late Republican Senator from Pennsylvania, John Heinz, would have been in line for the presidency as a Republican candidate (the last real Republican possibly) had he not been killed in a small plane crash........you know, like Senator Paul Wellstone.......and HE, not Geo W Bush would have been elected....and history would have been VERY different. As we can see by the operation of small planes in Iraq, Afganistan and Pakistan by people sitting in Texas, the technology to control planes is easy..........

If I were John McCain, I would be very leery of those around me and not get into any "small planes" if elected.........enter President Palin..........and her Neocon warmonger advisors.

[AnAverageAmerican]

Is Bill ever going to get over the fact that he no longer as access to the White House? Is he ever going to come to terms with the fact that it is not Hillary's time, it is Barack's time?

Give it up Bill. Either support your party or go home!

Peace.

Obama/Biden/We the People 08

[jmpurser]

Wow! A Clinton parroting GOP talking points! Who could have seen that coming. Okay, we all did.

The democrats are not "attacking Palin" or her mother hood or her family. They're attacking her positions, history, policies, and qualifications.

And Bill Clinton knows that.

[cbates]

I think many people will not be happy with this woman no matter what side she is on. For me, I think we should know the truth about the trooper gate, and other political going on so we will know what to expect if she and Mr. McMock make it to the white house. Even though there is night and day differences between the two tickets we Americans deserve to know what we will get if the opposition win. So as Obama said long ago let the woman's family alone. If there is things going on in the family that doesn't fit our social norm as a society then we should know that as well. I believe people will do pretty much anything for money.

[blog4um]

"Bill praised Palin at his Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York and will receive her there on Thursday. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/opinion/24dowd.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&ref=opinion&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

[pilgrim7]

"On "The View," he said he understood that some women might vote for Palin on the basis of gender, even if it was against their economic interest.

"You can"t tell someone else that the ground on which they make their voting decision is irrational," he said primly."

Unbelievable coming from a former Democratic president!

[Cakey4814]

Setup for HIllary; you can vote for her just because she's a woman if you want too!!