Chris Rock Disses Bill Clinton For Tepid Obama Support

If you happened to catch The View this afternoon, you likely marveled at Bill Clinton's ability to call the 2008 election for Barack Obama without actually suggesting that Obama, as a candidate, had any particular quality that would enable the win, which would instead come about through a confluence of happy electoral accidents. The former president, let us say, is nothing if not consistent in his sense of party loyalty, where party=the party in his pants.

Apparently, Bill Clinton managed to be even more of an undermining douche coy about his support for the Democratic nominee on tonight's iteration of The Late Show With David Letterman, because something inspired his fellow guest, comedian Chris Rock, to remark, "Boy, is it me or he didn't want to say the name Barack Obama?" From there, Rock went into a lengthy harangue about Hillary Clinton ("I love Hillary, but she lost...The Patriots got a lot of points, too, but they lost"), before finally referring to Sarah Palin's Alaska as "Road Warrior with snow."

Looks like someone's not going to be playing any Clinton Global Initiative benefits anytime soon!

[WATCH.]

Comments

[sharonh]

Put Chris Rock and Madonna together and what have you got? Two irrelevant loudmouths.

[Marketingal]

Pretty hilarious according to most of the comments in this thread.

[dct1999]

Better Rock and Madonna than Chuck Norris and the short Baldwin brother. Talk about irrelevant!

[jeanthedream]

I thought Chris Rock was so right on. I saw Bill Clinton on The View and he did everything he could to avoid saying Barack Obama's name. It was strange and my immediate feeling was, wow, he would rather McCain-Palin get in so Hillary can run in 2012? That really irritates me. Who needs him going on all these talk shows if he is not going to support the democratic candidate. He is doing more damage than good, which as we know, he is good at. I want a brillant black man as the next president of the United States. Not only because he is the best candidate, but because he is a great role model for all the children in this country. I'm really disappointed in the way the Clintons have conducted themselves this year. Unite us, don't divide us.

P.S. I'm from NY and my 4 brothers and 2 sisters and 82 year old mother all voted for Barack Obama in the primary and will do so on November 4th.

[dct1999]

Your mom is what's up!

[brooklyncitizen]

by your ignorant standards....

that Chris is FUNNIE!!! I especially liked the dead moose-Palin vs. dead dog- Vick comment.

[lagumbo]

It seems that Hillary has accepted her lose of the nomination, but Bubba just can't get over it. I sometimes think it is not so much Hillary's lose as the canidate, but Bubba's lose as the head of the democratic party. He reminders me of Jesse Jackson, can't seem to give up the reign. I have lose a lot of respect for Bill Clinton, and I don't think he could ever gain my respect back.

[oldfart1]

Hillary is really working hard for Obama, and she is his only chance to carry Ohio. With smart-ass friends like Chris Rock, Obama can very well lose this election, but Chris is interested only in showing off his "sharp" (??????) wit.

This is not the time to shoot off your mouth. If he can't do better than this, he should find some other line of work.

[dct1999]

That is his line of work you out of touch whack job.

He is not in the business of making nice with politicians, he is in the business of political humor. Social commentary means telling hard truths in a comical way.

What is with some of you people?

[liberalsrheros]

truth, rock didn't hear the interview any better than you did. screaming something in a high voice repeatedly is not comic genius or social commentary or irreverent. especially when it doesn't match the facts. watch the clinton interview again for facts.

[oldfart1]

So he can do anything he wants? Is he working for McCain? It sure sounds like it.

[craigary]

Yeah but as pointed out in another new HP post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-slansky-/a-note-to-bill-clinton_b_128755.html) Rock makes a point about Bill Clinton. He's not doing much for Obama and he really should be. He owes it to us, frankly.

[MsBrina]

Me thinks, some of you so called progressive, aren't as progressive as you would like to think you are.

Bill Clinton is not in Sen. Obama's corner and I for one, will not pretend that he is. Chris Rock was absolutely correct.

[notthistime]

oh please - Chris said he loves Hillary. But Chris Rock called it like he saw it.

I saw it the same way but you know what? I am not mad at Bill. He wanted his wife to win and he needs some time to get over it. Nothing against Barack. I can understand that.

I also know that Hillary is working her heart out for Obama and Biden. We all see that and we are proud of it.

[lisak2008]

Hillary is Sen. Obama's "only chance to carry Ohio." Really? Isn't that the state during the primaries where Rush Lim b nuts was really pushing his Operation Chaos? Please let go of your Hillabot talking points. We need to focus on defeating Sen. Mc Insane as a unified front!

[rationalthought1]

Bill is obviously trying NOT to energize support for Obama. How could anyone, after this week, not recognize that Bill's hoping Obama loses. This is the height of selfishness - the rest of us can endure another four years of neo con rule so that the Clinton's can satisfy their ambitions. I'm from New York, and I haven't been that impressed with Hillary's enthusiasm either since the convention (when both Clinton's had to shine out of their own self-interest). Whether Barack wins or not, I will be supporting other candidates in the future than the Clinton brand (of course, not Republicans - I won't go there). Maybe they'll change - I certainly hope so - this election is too important for ambition to trump the good of the country. I really thought the Clintons were bigger than this.

[oldfart1]

A lot of Obamaites are worried (and with good reason) that he will lose this election, which any other Demo could have won, so they are already looking for someone to blame. Instead of blaming the Clintons, they should be kissing the hem of Hillary's skirt - she will probably save the day for him yet.

Will they even thank her? No way. Talk about ungrateful! Obamaites are so full of themselves.

[FaceYourFears]

You are on some serious stuff!!!!!!

[dct1999]

Any democrat except Hillary because she was guaranteed to lose over 25% of the black vote. She will never, ever be POTUS and she has only herself and her husband to blame.

[L3ftofC3nter]

Why does he need to kiss her skirt? He's already paying for the massive debt she accumulated during the primaries. If anyone has kissing up to do I would say it's......­......well you get my drift.

[bluesjones63]

IF Obama loses the 2008 election, the "After Action Report" MUST include:

1. COVERT/OVERT RACISM
2. POWER OF REPEATED "BIG LIES"
3. IMPACT OF PATERNALISM
4. ROLE OF MSM

[zoozey]

Boy, wouldn't we be having fun with Hillary as our candidate now! Just think how fun it would be, on top of everything else the neocons had planned to hurl at Hillary--wouldn't it have been fun to have had to defend the fact that Bill is the one who signed onto de-regulation of the financial industry back in '99, that helped along this "little" mess we find our country in now. Do you REALLY, sincerely, believe that Karl Rove wouldn't have been salivating to get hold of her????

Care to venture a guess at how we Dems would be defedning THAT little ditty right now???

Just STOP with all the IF only we had another candidate crap! Stop it already. I am so sick of people demeaning Obama when he won the nomination. Deal with it.

[Carver42]

It is really disappointing to see both Clinton's support for Obama. They clearly want to have another chance to win in 2012.

I have been a big Clinton fan, and I am really disappointed!

[notthistime]

oh please. Hillary is doing a wonderful job.

[dct1999]

Of what, being the gracious loser? LMAO.

[abigail1]

it's true, she is. She was on Morning Joe this morning and was really, really great.

[luvobama]

You have never been a democrat and you have never supported the Clintons.

You are a typical republican li ar.

It's tiresome.

Own your brand.

[partyofone]

Many loyal Democrats and thinking independents are sick of the Clintons. It is a GOOD thing for Obama that the Clintons are not vocally supporting him or campaining for him. They would alienate for more voters than they would win.

But oh how I wish they would just shut up and disappear, and let the nation move forward.

[partyofone]

alienate far*

[MsBrina]

If he or she is a Repub., what a pitty. However, the statement was on point.

[dct1999]

You are 100% right.

The Dixiecrat and the Goldwater Girl have praised McCain to the hilt, but are still unable to display any genuine enthusiasm for the democratic nominee. They are still incensed that Hillary will not be POTUS, they can't believed that Obama came from out of nowhere and defeated the "inevitable" candidate.

Moral: don't count your chickens before they hatch

[meechl1]

I agree with you and with Chris Rock. I don't think Bill Clinton's support of Obama is genuine. I believe it would be more beneficial to the Clintons if McCain wins, continues the ruin of the country (which will happen if he wins) so then Hillary can run and try and save it. They are strategic people. It's sad though because I loved Bill Clinton. Oh well!

[EuroRant1]

Maybe I live far from America ... but if Obama loses in 2008 ... Do you really think he is going to stay home say "Oh well ... I guess I can't run in 2012"

America will be so "bleeped"-up ... that most will be saying "Oh my God ... what have we done. Barack we are ready now." Hillary in 2012 is a pipe-dream people, it will not happen. If you think that Obama is going to do an Al Gore or John Kerry in 2012 ... you are trully mad.

[Cliffd]

He (Obama) should have taken a little more time before trying for the top job. It would have been in our best interests to have held him back. Now he will be belabored with this bail out of Wall Street, and will not be able to shine as much as he could have.

As for the Clintons, they will be in politics till the end. No bad mouthing will be able to erase the good they have done for this country.

[notthistime]

Hi Jason - here is the entire clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG_2GnFpTf8

[ta007]

Shut your dumb mouth up Chris Rock!

Clinton said he was going to support Obama with Biden in Pennsylvania and he mentioned that he campaigned for him also with Hillary on The View.

Chris Rock should shut his mouth before he ruins the campaign for Obama with his racial crap.
He is an example of why people are biased towards black people and a reason why the bubba vote exists.

This black racial crap has to stop and everyone act as Americans like we are supposed too, and it starts with people of all color speaking out against this crap.

Again, shut your dumb mouth up Chris Rock.

[Cowboylove]

Bill Clinton has been so tepid with his support it would be better if he just stayed home.

[RomeoinFl]

The people who find reasons and justifications to support prejudice and racism are as bad as the racist. I hear a few dumb black people say this or do that, so all blk people are ____. I hear stupid white people... so all white people are ____. That is ignorant! Chris is a comedian who is brutally honest about Clinton's appearance because I saw it live and thought that exact same thing. When he was talking about going to PA, he was talking about his admiration for Joe Biden, not Obama.

[PADebbie]

No keep it up Chris! This is about Race for you Dems. you are the RAC..I...S..T PARTY!

[luvobama]

Have another drink. You are not making any sense.

[dct1999]

And you are the illiterate poster.

[PennP]

Better read Bill's praise of Palin. Clinton is not supporting Obama.

[Dave24]

He's a comedian, shmuck. And even though he stretches it a little, he does have a point.

[abigail1]

I am going to make a lot of people mad, but who cares what Bill Clinton says? Hillary is the Clinton that matters now and she has been doing the press rounds the last few days and has been very good. She deflects questions of the primary or VP spot or Sarah Palin with class, speaks about the economy well, and is very assertive with her support for Barack Obama.
All that said, Chris Rock was hilarious.

[arizonawonder]

Stop it. Just stop it. Bill Clinton was great. I’m an Obama supporter but we are losing it for the dems. Bill and Hillary have done nothing but work hard for Obama since she conceded and it is always characterized as “not enough.” Did you not hear Bill slather praise all over Obama over and over again and loud enough at the Den. Convention? And this from two people who were allowed to be called racist from our camp. You’re lucky they show up at all. Bill has good instincts and they probably tell him if he comes out braying like a love sic pup about a candidate who he argued a few months ago, was not experienced or qualified enough to be leader of the free world, then making a classy conversation is the best thing he can do to be authentic. Chris Rock is like many us, (Obama supporters that is) is arrogant and always complaining about a lack of this or that. Rock’s too ignorant to understand a seasoned pro making a nuanced point to a part of the electorate that has yet to climb on board. Looking as if he’s too enthusiastic is tin-eared and will come off false to those mid-class rural voters. But leave it to Rock,and this writer and other whiners to pitch a bad game after a home run.

[dct1999]

Amazingly stupid.

Chris Rock is a political comic. He gets paid (a lot) to do social commentary and irreverent humor. What exactly did you expect him to say?

This is similar to the time when Imus dissed the Clintons, and the event where Colbert slammed Bush (except Rock wasn't hired by his target).

You people have absolutely no understanding of the connection between topical humor and politics.

It seems that you are the one who is ignorant, and ill informed.

Unbelievable.

[GypsyRose]

I totally agree with your assessment.

[abigail1]

I didn't say anything bad about Bill Clinton, I didn't even say he wasn't doing enough, I just said I didn't care. did you mean to reply to someone else?
Sorry but I don't care what Bill Clinton has to say and you can rant as much as you want, you aren't going to make me. His speech at the convention was good, and I am glad he gave it, but sorry, I would much rather hear from people who are actually in a position to do something about this economic crisis, like Senator Clinton, among others, than the guy who signed the bills that deregulated banks and kept Alan Greenspan in charge of the Fed and got us into this giant mess.
Chris Rock is a comedian, and, sure, he complains a lot, but it's funny. It is not meant to be insightful commentary or convince people to vote one way or another, it's supposed to be funny.
lighten up!

[bobbysgurl]

Chris Rock isn't the ignorant one. What other whiners are you talking about?

[FaceYourFears]

did you read abigail's comment?

[Tinkeraw]

Chris Rock is right on.

[MsYellowDog]

If this is an example of Clinton being enthusiastic about a candidate,no wonder Gore and Kerry went without him in their campaigns.

[FaceYourFears]

"should a scandal break"

[FaceYourFears]

I don't even trust BC when he says that Sen O will win. If a should a scandal break before the election, Bill will be able to say well he would have won had it not been for the Oct surprise (that I assisted the Mc cain campaign with).

[NoOona]

He actually said that much on the view. He said that barring any unforseen circumstances, Obama will win. I am not sure why he can't show more support towards Obama. He used to be a good liar, what happened?

Women for Obama08

[dct1999]

He has suffered a devastating political loss for the first time in over 20 years. A person's true character is revealed when they have suffered a defeat. Clinton has shown himself to be an angry, petty, classless man. Sad.

[PADebbie]

All the Dems are good liars......don't give up hope sweety.......but don't hold your breath on Obama........he is going down down down! :-D

[Fanorkle]

Clinton doesn't want Obama to win, no matter what he says. McCain would fail in one year let alone four years.Then he can get Hillary elected and he'll be back in federal houesing.

[partyofone]

The Clintons have alienated much of America. They are history. Hillary will be lucky if she can get re-elected to the Senate in 2012.

[jlgcox]

What lies? Please be specific? I know you cannot!

[Buddhabman]

Chris Rock is insane. :-) That cat is funny.