Oy, Bill Clinton

I get what he was going for, I think — he knows it would seem disingenuous for Bill Clinton to pretend he was rah-rah about Barack Obama from the beginning, knows that in order to be credible he needs to build a bridge from his former dismissal of Obama as the lightweight challenger to his wife and his legacy to his whole-hearted endorsement of Obama for the presidency. I also get that he's trying to give thoughtful answers here, to bring his understanding of the political world as a whole to bear here, and that he quite rightly has noted that it's not the people who love Obama already who he has to worry about. I also get that he's already endorsed Barack Obama, plenty of times, particularly in a big happy speech in Denver where he swore up and down to a group of cheering Democrats that "Barack Obama is ready to lead America and to restore American leadership in the world" and "Barack Obama is ready to honor the oath, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States" and "Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States."

But still, it is REALLY unfortunate that Clinton gave such a lukewarm endorsement of Obama yesterday on "Meet The Press" even while he enthused about how great John McCain was — right on the heels of a "Saturday Night Live" spoof of him giving a lukewarm endorsement of Obama yesterday on "Meet The Press" even while he enthused about how great John McCain was.

From "Meet The Press":

MR. BROKAW: Would you use the same words for him that you have used for Senator McCain, that you admire him and that you think he's a good...

PRES. CLINTON: I certainly...

MR. BROKAW: ...and that he's a great man?

PRES. CLINTON: What I mean by saying that about McCain is, you know, most people would've been broken by what he went through. Oh, we would've been happy just to give him an "atta boy" and a medal and let him wander through life. I, I think his greatness is that he keeps trying to come back to service without ever asking people to cut him any slack or feel sorry for him or any of that stuff because he was a POW. But I, I genuinely, you know, I am developing a really good relationship with Senator Obama and I certainly admire him. And I know he saw and imagined the way this thing could develop, this political year and this, and this economic situation in a way that is left him in a position of leadership that he's in now. And I think that the rest of us should admire that. That's a big part of leadership, being able to sense, as well as see the future.

MR. BROKAW: But I get the sense that you think that he has the potential for greatness, but he's not yet arrived at that station.

PRES. CLINTON: Well, he would probably agree with that.

Story continues below

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SNL:

CLINTON (played by Darrell Hammond): Barack Obama is the only democratic nominee for president!

SETH MYERS: That doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement.

CLINTON: I don't think I could be any more clear. I belong to the Democratic party. Barack Obama is also in the Democratic party. I'm not a party wrecker...I love parties!

MYERS: So you support Barack Obama for President of the United States.

CLINTON: Let me just lay it out: I support Barack Obama...is something I've heard from people all over this country. What this country needs is change - come January, we cannot have the same president.

MYERS: Well, it would be a change whether it was Obama or McCain.

CLINTON: That's right! I didn't even think of that!... But I'm not here to bash John McCain...just because he's a Republican or a war hero or a great friend who's hilarious or cool.

I will say it again: Oy.

What is especially painful here is that SNL aired before MTP, but MTP was taped before SNL. In other words, Clinton couldn't change it following that SNL sketch — but what it does mean that he should definitely have seen it coming. It's been a big week for news, but one item that didn't get lost in the bailout/debate drama/Couric-Palin interview shuffle was Clinton's appearance on Letterman Monday — followed by Chris Rock. Chris Rock wryly observed that Clinton reeeeaaally didn't seem like he wanted to endorse Obama. It was a clip that dominated the internet the next day, so much so that when Jon Stewart told his studio audience the next night that Clinton was his guest, he made a joke about the Chris Rock appearance and the entire audience laughed. Then he asked Clinton about it. So, really, there was no reason for Clinton not to know, at the very least, how it was playing.

Now one can argue that Clinton stuck to his guns the whole way through, asserting his support for Obama clearly, saying tha yes, he'd do anything the Obama campaign asked him to do, but acknowledging that Obama had grown and learned over the campaign process so as to allow him to reconcile current support with past derision One can also parse through what he said at various stops along the way, and point out his clearly-stated endorsement. It's just that when you surround the clearly-stated endorsement with lukewarm, hedging language topped off with praise for the honor, story, selfless sacrifice and "greatness" of your guy's opponent, then, well, it doesn't look good.

And this morning on "Meet the Press" — thanks to the previous week, and especially to SNL, it didn't look good.

The sad thing is, not only will this "Clinton doesn't support Obama" meme continue to fly around, it has and will distract not only from the insight he has to offer, but it has and will distract from the Clinton Global Initiative, which effects real change for good. Clinton noted that it's hard for Americans to care about Africa when they're distracted by not being able to pay the bills — but it's also hard when they're distracted by yet another Clinton drama. In this case, it was one that was easily anticipated, and avoided.

Good thing we're dealing with a man who has an endless supply of political lives. Let's hope, for Obama's sake, that he won't need to dip into his own reserve come November.

******************

"Meet The Press"

SNL - "Weekend Update":

Comments

[mayhem4masses]

I"m a huge advocate for Bill Clinton, I thought he was a fine president and in spite of his awkward final years in office, he still managed to leave with a 65% approval ratting, a huge difference in comparison to what Bush will leave with, a historically low 19%. However, the Clinton administration is over, and Hillary and Bill should stay out of this race. When John McCain tries to run for a third try in 2012 (provided he"s not dead) then have at it Clinton"s. Let us not forget that Hillary is no Bill, not by a long shot, her charm is almost non-existent in comparison to his.

[partyofone]

Bill Clinton has become a reviled figure for many Americans who once admired him. He forfeited the opportunity to become a senior statesman by selling his influence to the highest bidders for personal financial gain at the nation's expense. He abdicated his responsibility as a former president and leader of his party to conduct a mean-spiritied, self-interested, dishonest, damaging campaign against a Democratic candidate whose only offense has been aspiring to lead and challenging Mrs. Bill Clinton for the presidency.

Bill Clinton will go down in history as the president who had an affair with an intern, lied under oath, got Impeached, sold influence to become a mega millionaire, tried his best to prevent Barack Obama from becoming president, and FAILED. Great job, Bill.

[redsongia]

Whatever. Love Bill. Always will, no matter what.

[partyofone]

get over him monica, he used you.

[PT6]

I agree! HOWEVER, he Changed in FLORIDA!

He was ON MESSAGE! FANTASTIC! IS JUST WHAT OBAMA NEEDS!

We need this BILL CLINTON TO TALK EVERYWHERE!

[partyofone]

Bill Clinton didn't help Hillary, and Obama doesn't need him. Bill Clinton is history.

[MeLuvHillary]

Bill knows what he's talkin about. However, every BO supporter is too consumed by what they want him to say instead of focusing on what he IS saying and the advice he's giving. As if they know better than he how to win the presidency. He is the only Democratic President in modern history to beat the Repubs TWICE. Your not going to win the election if Bill shamelessly professing his love for Obama. Even if he did, WHO AMONG YOU WOULD BELIEVE IT? *He probably knows that* Don't seek his adoration, seek his counsel. But hey, he"s just crazy, old, racist, Bill Cliton. What does he know?

I know pelenty of people (former Hillary voters, independents, non-primary voters) who don't want to hear about why O is the best thing since crucified Jesus. We heard that during the entire primary. I know these people, and they just shut down when they hear it. They are not particularly inclined to vote for him, so Bill is making the case for why they HAVE to. To reach us he's appealing to the mission, not the man. Let him do his thing. Be grateful for the votes, unless you don"t need them. Geez.

[partyofone]

Most people just want both Bill and Hillary to go away. Obama is doing fine without them.

[Wigelah]

This is a classic opportunity to make it all better. Let's see what happens.

[partyofone]

What? The only reason the Clintons would support Obama is if they see it in their own self interest. They don't care about the Democratic party or the nation, just gaining more influence to sell.

[barkanomics]

The Clintons seem to get along with Republicans very well. It's surprising, though, how Billy-Bob is sticking with McCain even when many Republicans are bailing on him. It's so Lieberman-esque.

[RadhaColalurver]

What I don't understand is why some people heavily eviscerate Bill Clinton for lauding McCain when if I remember correctly, Barack Obama said "I agree with John McCain" several times during the last debate. Where's the outrage there? The excuse I hear? "Obama is just being the nice guy he is?" So what? Does that mean that because Obama is magnanimous means that everyone around him must be vitriolic and virulent to make up for it? Look, I think we all need to grow up and concentrate on who the real enemy -- John McCain/that pageant queen from South Carolina (right?) and the House/Senate seats. If we spend energy rehashing a past, it will bring us little progress, and we shouldn't be surprised with poll drops. I want Obama to win as much as everyone else here does. But I don't think this is the right way.

[partyofone]

Obama was genuine in trying to forge common ground and unify the nation. Bill Clinton is bitter and trying to undermine Obama at every opportunity. No one who cares about the nation and its future has any patience left for the self-serving Clintons, their calculations and dishonesty.

[mahtofish]

We can only hope that Obama has half the success that Bill Clinton had as president. By almost every measure, Clinton's policies moved the country in a progressive direction.

If Clinton has had a positive relationship with McCain in the past, do you expect him to disavow that relationship now? Over and over, both Clintons have expressed their support of Obama in clear and strong terms.

Will Democrats never learn that it is unproductive to be divided. The same people who are criticizing the Clintons were probably advocating for Nader in past elections. We saw how that worked out.

[partyofone]

Now that is funny. Bill Clinton signed into law in 1999 the deregulation of the financial industry that has led to the currrent crisis. What are the corproations who have paid Bill Clinton mega millions in "speaking" and "consulting" fees since he left office? Any connection?

Everyone credits Bill Clinton with a period of economic prosperity that was a charade, a technology bubble that evaporated, and a Wall Street house of cards.

The Bush-Clinton-Bush era of politics deeply divided the nation into warring camps, created legislative grid-lock, proteced unchecked corporate profiteering, and made Bill Clinton a mega millionaire.

Obama will stand head and shoulders above Bill Clinton as president if he simply remains honest and inspires some unity to address the nation's challenges.

[VPMooseburger]

Bill Clinton also refuses to comment on my prospects as a VP. Neither will Obama.

I'm so gonna KICK ASS on Thursday. I hope they ask me about dinsoaurs. I'm gonna blow people's minds.

VP Mooseburger.

http://vpmooseburger.com

[hopefulinpa]

If Bill Clinton thinks McCain is a great man and would be a great leader than he is seriously impaired. He needs to shut up and go home if he continues to spout praises about McCain. I can see his legacy melting just like the economy.

[MyAudacity]

I think it is strategy, and until Obama complains we probably should let Bill do his thing.

[ReportThis]

Someone needs to accompany Bill behind the curtain to make sure he pulls the right lever.

[SKayum]

Without reading the other comments (because that usually doesn"t do much good on a Huffpo article about Clinton), I"d like to point out two things.

First, while I do find him humorous, I don"t know if I"d ever call Chris Rock "wry."

Second, I think that Clinton is genuinely trying to come to terms with Obama. But if he hasn"t yet, then he should stay home until he does. It doesn"t do anyone any good to watch him try. Those that would have criticized him for being a no show are the ones criticizing him now for not joining Obama Girl in song. So what difference would it really have made?

[partyofone]

If Bill Clinton is genuinely trying to do anything, it would be the first time.

[SKayum]

Cont"d

I get that he"s trying to bring in the undecideds and those who have fallen for the McCain/Palin scam, and he seems to understand, unlike some Dems, that those people need to be brought in with honey and not vinegar. This might work if he would just shut up about McCain, but maybe this shouldn"t be his job at all. Personally, I won"t hold him accountable either way. In choosing Obama in what might be considered defiance of the Clintons, I don"t see why this historical movement suddenly now needs Daddy"s approval. If you see the Clintons as part of Old Politics and you want to move away from them, well then, move away from them. From what I can tell, people don"t seem to know what they want from the Clintons. It seems that for now they want Bill Clinton to tell them what they want to hear and nothing else, but they also want what he says to be true. And boy, does that sound like a really bad relationship.