Bill Clinton And Obama Still Strangers

NY Mag:

So the first and last episode of the Barack and Bill Show took place last night in Kissimmee, Florida, with some 35,000 regular people in attendance, along with an all-star roster of journos (Jake Tapper! Margaret Carlson! Adam Nagourney -- with his boss Bill Keller in tow!!!) shivering in the cold but pleased as hell to be there. ...

Yet the very sloppy-wetness of the two-way tongue bath made the whole thing seem a little forced. Clinton, naturally, was laboring mightily to ensure that not a single word or gesture would get him dinged (as he has been repeatedly in the past few months, and with good reason) for being anything less than 100 percent behind Obama. But beyond the histrionics, the substance of his speech was formulaic, a gussied-up set of cookie-cutter talking points. The four reasons he cited for supporting Obama -- his philosophy, his policies, his decision-making ability, and his capacity as a chief executive -- could have been applied to any nominee of his party; there wasn't a single warm personal anecdote or characterological insight (both specialties of Clinton's when he's speaking about someone he actually, you know, likes). As Clinton orated, Obama looked on with an expression that conveyed no greater satisfaction, let alone thrill, than if he were being endorsed by the mayor of Orlando. He grinned occasionally, but the million-megawatt smile that he unleashes when he's truly psyched was nowhere to be seen.

Read the whole story: NY Mag

Comments

[NotMcCain]

I love it that Obama doesn't kiss up to Bill (even though he -is- including more salutes to the good things "when Bill Cllinton was president").

And, he's not going to need his advice in the WH either. He can get the same advice from some allready around him--without the ego and payback expectations attached.

And he can get more -varied- input and reach decisions just fine without Bill.

Bill may be "pained", but I think it's because he's not being flattered enough. He can't be confused by it when the perfunctory nature of his "support" shines through All. The. Time. in this -truly- historic and special candidacy.

At this point, at least he's doing the best he can.

[vsign]

Night time rallies!


This has happened before.

ONCE UPON A TIME: A people elected a leader because they thought they could win with him. He seemed more powerful than he was because of new technologies. The microphone, radio and film made his voice seem more powerful than he was. Today there are new technologies that are influencing this election to propel an unprepared and untested candidate to the world stage in much the same way. These new technologies of the internet, 24 hour media sources, and the entertainment/advertising industries have intersected with our culture to create this moment in time.

This has all happened before.


Stop with the nighttime rallies!

[roch20]

I think this thing about Obama and Clinton "still strangers", it's all a big fat lie and a HOAX!!! The Media love creating enemies because must media channels (and we could argue the entire media) are own by republican millioners, and they'll use any excuse to create discomfort inside the public mind...!!!

[Samirah1368]

I'm glad Obama was able to get this far WITHOUT the Clintons. I thought we needed them to win. I was wrong. I thought we needed them to represent us. I was wrong. As a black american i thought they spoke for me. I was wrong. Goodbye Mr. Clinton...it has been nice too bad it didn't end that way

[trinity29]

I don't know who the author was watching but certainly it is not the same endorsement that I watched. I don't know if the author can be satisfied at all by any of Bill C lin ton's gestures of support because all of his gestures can be analyzed to identify some kind of hole or lack of enthusiasm if someone really wants to do so.

I found Bill's endorsement to be extremely strong and precisely to the point. He was trying to convince undecided voters and he offered strong political arguments. Now the idea that those points of support can be made of any other candidate and somehow those points of support were generic is ridiculous. No other candidate in recent history has been able to bring as many people together in the electorate as O ba ma and Bill acknowledged that. The author said that Bill didn't have warm anecdotal stories about O ba ma. Well Bill did. He mentioned what O ba ma was doing during the financial crisis and how O ba ma said don't tell me whats popular but tell me what is right for the American people and I will figure out how to sell it. Bill said thats what a President does and thats why O b am a will make a fine President.

My question to the author is this. Is there anything that Bill can do at this point that you would consider adequate in his endorsement of Obama?

[Academic]

Is this news? And have you nothing better to write about and, if so, on a blog medium that's supposed to be "liberal". I find it rather strange, bearing in mind all the negative ads and robocalls coming from the Republicans that you could be so monumentally stupid as to gratuitously give more ammunition to these people. Little wonder that the Democrats, with supporters like you, are such past masters at losing elections and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[trinity29]

while I have no disagreement with your argument I wonder why it is that you need to put Professor and Dr in the same line. Is that some form of narcissism to emphasize the importance of your opinion since you are a professor and also a dr which should one and the same. should people pay more attention to you because you are a professor dr?

[politicalminded]

Get your @$$e$ out and vote early. Stop complaining. You don't like something? This is the time to change it and change it for good. Remember "Opportunity lost can never be regained" I personally don't like this article. Bill will always be Bill, the guy just can't help himself. I'm always worried about the Bush Administration's last push to deregulate.

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

Thank you; the news is that YOUNG people are under performing at the polls. Where are they? Why are they proving the GOP right about them?

[jeffmojo]

Hillary is still waiting in the wings hoping she'll get that 3:00 am phone call!

[joeyp404]

Is anyone really surprised? O ran against Bill's presidency in the primaries. Now O is supposed to love him and vice versa?

[piper1233]

Its become obvious that Clinton can't do any better in supporting Obama because of his unresolved anger. What strikes me is Bill sending the not so coded message that Obama Knows nothing but is willing to learn. Everything Obama has acomplished during this election is discounted by Bill with his words and body language, then he lauches into self glorification mode. I cant continue to hate Bill, but things will never be the same between us.

[arvay]

I got the same feeling watching Bill in action here, and I think it happened in the middle of the night for a reason. Force, stilted, stiff, lecturing, non-credible.

My guess is Bill did this because Hillary threatened to divorce him and make a lot of very embarrassing things public if he didn't at least not undermine her political future.

[missjabez]

He was probably thinking of his own legacy, too.

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

LMAO, I caught that too.

[inkinwater]

That makes the ability of the democrats to forge alliances out of proud personalities more impressive. Despite personal amity between McCain and senior GOPers--Chuck Hagel for instance--they simply don't buy his policies.

[terkid]

I will never forget Bill's calculated turn-of-phrase at the convention...

" Barack Obama is the only MAN for the job! "

And, Bill's fighting words against him still ring faintly in my ears.

Now, that Obama's the winner-apparent, Bill's there (begrudgingly?) by his side.

But, at least Bill's there in body and words, if not totally in spirit.

I am sure there are Dems who feel Barack somehow hijacked this thing. ( Biden included??)

But, let's face it gang- Mr. Obama's slow, steady, upright fight is a wonder to behold.

He has changed the blueprint for campaigning in this country - hopefully forever.

[uheardme]

Bill didn't campaign for Kerry or Gore. Bill is a narcissist. He is frontrunning because he wants to be part of history. (crossing my fingers)


Hillary can do better.

[dawn2dusk]

This article is BS, I think Bill did great!

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

You can see the lack of support in clinton's face and in his gestures. It must really burn him to know he's not gonna be sleepign in the white house for 4 more years....I bet he misses that place.

Haven't seen him throughout almost the entire campaign...... so I guess all those assumptions about the clinton's were pretty much true.

Oh well. Barack can do it without him.

[planetjeffy]

Look he was at a rally at 11pm that the whole world saw. Bill did enough to deliver Florida. We don't need a love fest, just a nod of acceptance to reassure the older Florida voters. Besides, Mac can't attract that many for a week's worth or rallies.