Bill Clinton: "I'll Do Whatever They Want"

The New York Observer reports:

Bill Clinton said he'd do "whatever they want" with respect to the vetting process and information he'd have to disclose to the Obama administration to help Hillary Clinton become Obama's secretary of state.

Standing on stage and signing autographs after a ceremony to rename the Triborough Bridge after the late Robert F. Kennedy, Clinton was asked about the vetting process.

"Whatever they want. This is a deal between Senator--" he corrected himself, "President-elect [Obama] and Hillary," Clinton said. "You should talk to them. I'll do whatever they want."

That jibes with reports this morning that the former President had offered "several concessions" as part of the vetting process.

Comments

[biotechwoman]

The issue is not whether Bill had sex or affairs..or whatever. Most people could care less. He was a remarkable president. But, enough is enough. We've had a Bush-Clinton-Bush Dynasty going on for the past 20 years!!! The current youth vote has never seen anyone in power besides a Bush or a Clinton.

I voted for Obama, not only because he is the most intelligent, capable leader America has had in 40++ years...but because he can END this dyNASTY! Sorry Hilary---but you've been up there with the rest of them playing the inside beltway game too long. Get rid of all of them!

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

It is "like throwing the baby out with the bathwater" to want to throw away any experience of a successful 2-term democratic president, because the only other presidents in memory have the name of Clinton and Bush.

Yes....Throw out the Bush's. But keep the Clintons out of your housecleaning. They were the one bright spot in the last 28 years of Republican rule.

[NotMcCain]

Why doesn't anyone mention what a fantastic COMPLIMENT Obama is paying Hillary?

It's not just a high-profile position. It's THE person he's going to be relying heavily on -- during war time-- to represent him (and us) in many difficult situations (and trusting her to do it consistently with his wishes, giving him opportunity to concentrate on our collapsing economy).

He. Trusts. Her.

That's just amazing to me. And --whether she takes it or not--a huge compliment that no one seems to be talking about.

[Crozier]

IN THE OPINION OF MANY OF HIS SUPPORTERS..


HE.IS.A.FO­OL.TO.TRUS­T.THEM

(There is no such thing as just Hillary ....former First Lady and US senator...she is the wife of the 42nd President of the United States of America......and he is not just " a spouse." By the end of the hiring of his new administration, all Clinton administration second-stringers will be first-stringers.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Clinton won the Cold War- and kept the Middle East peaceful. Why would you not want them helping you with foreign policy?

I think the last 18 years of Republican Smears have actually fooled the left into believing in them.

[dajay]

"IN THE OPINION OF MANY OF HIS SUPPORTERS"

I guess Obama isn't listening to his hate monger supporters.

[Grulg]

Exactly. I think she's pretty danged good myself, it's a Very good sign that Obama's got everyone's best interests at heart here. He's going for the best talent around, and the Clintonistas-suck it people-are the best you could ask for.

You know I'm right.

You know it's true.

[partyofone]

No one mentions Obama because its About the Clintons.... forever and always. If Hillary becomes SoS, she and Bill will create more drama in the nation and the world than we can imagine, distracting the Obama administration from what it must do.

[AngelaQuattrano]

Maybe she can finally get that divorce she earned so long ago as part of the deal.

[orangepetal]

Why should she divorce him? Maybe they are extremely happy together. What an obnoxious attitude.

[partyofone]

Now that's funny.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Yes... People who advocate for divorce after 30+ years show that they have no respect for marriage vows or the reality of life. Or toughing it out with someone even when things don't go so well.... A lot of people call that love, but most of these "they should be divorced" people apparently think that love is only for those who have no "or worse" in their lives.

[Tweet]

What Hillary Clinton is doing now is identical to what she did after Obama won the nomination - dragged out her acquiescence to keep the cameras on her. That is NOT what we need in a Secretary of State. Who but Hillary would dare to keep the next president waiting? How much contempt will Obama take?

The thing's already an issue, and I'm sure Obama is regretting it. I'm sure he expected Hillary to be thinking about the country instead of herself - something she has never quite been able to do. The extension of the offer was a bad mistake. But it's time to cut the losses.

Obama needs to tell Clinton that she has until tomorrow at midnight to say yes or no. After that, the offer is withdrawn.

And God, I hope she dithers past midnight.

[Crozier]

A PERFECT DREAM.....­UNFORTUNAT­ELY WE WILL BOTH WAKE UP WITH HILLARY AT STATE DEPARTMENT AND JOE IN THE SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIR.....WITH MOST OF HIS SUPPORTERS ANGRY AS HECK....

[OCaptainMercaptan]

Uh, the offer isn't even formally on the table yet. Who's to say that there aren't dozens more cases of negotiations and thinkings-over behind closed doors?

[sclucie]

I am not a Cinton fan - but I honestly think that their associations are so complex that it is unrealistic to vet her in a few days - Bill has business associations going back more than a decade and all over the world.

[Old time Dem]

Obama must see how problematic she will be at every turn.

It's time to cut his losses with this idea and find an SOS who will be enthusiastic about the job.

[RadhaColalurver]

Yay! Let's rush into things! That has never wronged us before!

[1Marcia1]

I am shocked, horrified, and depressed at this incessant Clinton bashing. This was all started by the Repulicans in the 1990s, after Bill "stole" the White House from Bush41. The Republican hate and smear campaign started immediately, with one unsubstantiated allegation after another. You Clinton haters have all bought into the Republican smear campaign. Well done! Now you hate the Clintons more than the Republicans, who have just had 8 long years to ruin the country and the world. This is totally sickening. Why don't you focus your anger where it belongs. Bill and Hillary are hardworking, loyal Democrats, who are ambitious (what poitician isn't - the Chicago-trained pol Obama?) but sincere and giving of their time and energy for others. What is this crap about their sinister motives. How do you know? And how are they worse than any other politician? You are holding them to an impossible and unfair standard. ESPECIALLY Hillary. You speak of drama, but you Clinton haters are creating it. SHAME!!!

Bill is a philanderer, but that is none of our business. He's not perfect, but he's been punished for it - the end. Is this the born-again family values hour? Shame on you for disparaging these brilliant, hard-working, loyal Dems. Obama understands this, and you don't. STOP THIS NOW! Hillary is brilliant and will give her all in this new position, even if it may not be the best thing for her personally.

What is it that you're afraid of really?

[Crozier]

IT IS NOT ABOUT S.E.X. - WITH BILL, IT IS ABOUT HIS POLICIES....CENTER RIGHT AND NEO-LIBERAL VIEWS ON NAFTA WITHOUT GUARANTEES, IT WAS ABOUT "WELFARE REFORM" WHILE PADDING THE POCKETS OF BUSINESSMEN EXPORTING JOBS , IT WAS REMOVING THE FDR CONTROLS, IT WAS ABOUT DOMA AND DADT.....CLINTON WAS THE BEST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT EVER......AND THAT IS WHY THEY - THE REAL ONES - HATED HIM.

[orangepetal]

Why are 'they' the real ones ?

[sclucie]

Well, speaking only for me, here's a couple of very big things I'm afraiad of: 1) Clinton sent Bernard Schwartz to China, with his secretary of commerce in 94. In 96 and after, Schwartz donated millions to the Clintons. In 2004, his company was convicted of selling satellite secrets to the Chinese. In the 08 primaries, he once again donated huge amounts to Hillary. 2) Bill's refusal during the primaries, to disclose the names of his donors 3) The Clinton's reputation for ruthlessness - including Hillary's statement that she would "obliterate Iran" to win votes in Philly suburbs. 4) A Secretary of State whose foreign policy experience, to paraphrase Hillary, is that "she once gave a speech." I don't hate her - and I hope she works on healthcare and I think she can make a real difference. I just hope that someone more qualified is put in this position. Not a corporate lawyer who voted for the war with Iraq.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

As for China, our trade policy with China in the 90's was a lot better than it was in the last 8 years. I couldn't imagine anyone being more in China's pocket than Bush has been. We've lost many manufacturing jobs- including manufacturing components of vital military components- as American companies move their manufacturing to China. I have heard Hillary talk about this thre@t to American Security many times, but no one else has said a word about it- most of all Bush.

It seems like the Clintons at least understand the threat to our country from the economic b@tt/es with China. Bush has not understood this at all, and it's not Obama's field of expertise either.

[dajay]

I am sorry but I fail to believe that these Clinton haters here, who are all Obama supporters, are true Democrats.

The only ones who hated the CLintons as much as these fools and talked about them in this way were Republicans.

I am just not buying it.

[moveover]

The American public spoke loud and clear about their thoughts about the Clintons during the primary process. I would think Obama would understand that better then anyone else.

[Crozier]

THANK YOU, AND YOU WOULD THINK SO, WOULDN'T YOU?

[Atlas Scruggs]

Actually, as I recall it was a pretty damn close primary, or did I just imagine that? In other words, almost half the voters wanted her as their President. Personally, I'd prefer Richardson for SoS, but apparently he has been vetted and found lacking. I certainly have no problem with Ms Clinton in the post, so long as she can follow the directives of her Chief Executive. As I strongly suspect she will.

[partyofone]

She called Obama unqualified, naive, reckless on foreign policy? Just politics? Will other nations understand, or will they see division where they should see unity?

Terrible idea. HIllary as SoS is a terrible risk with lots of possible costs, and no clear benefit.

[pennaguy]

Yeah, the 17+ million people who voted for HRC in the primaries. Tons of folks hate her.

Knock off the HRC bashing. She's smart, assertive, and quite competent. I trusted BO enough to vote for him on Nov. 4, and I trust his judgment on this one.

[EosBlue]

Long way from 17 million to around 65 million that Obama got in the General. If you don't believe a lot of people don't like the Clintons, you're living in a dream world.

Bill NEVER received 50% of the vote in either of his 2 Presidential elections. Look it up.

Re Hillary's 17 million votes, Ross Perot got 19.7 million votes in '92 and came in 3rd.

http://www­.100bestwe­bsites.org­/alt/evmap­s/electora­l-maps.htm

[partyofone]

What's your point. Obama beat Hillary in the primary, won the nomination and then was elected president by 64 million Americans or more, very few of whom were among Hillary's bitter 17million.

Hillary's campaign was a disaster, confused, conflicted, lacking coherence and clear vision and leadership. The constant drumbeat that she DESERVES respect and a major appointment is BOGUS.

If Obama wants to risk his presidency to reach out to the dishonest Clintons to repair Hillary's battered image, he has the political capital and populatrity to do it. But why? The cost will be great.



W

[nccp1870]

"I'll do whatever they want." Since when? Bill has never anything but what he wants, and this case is no different. He's "negotiating" over what he will reveal about his finances, etc with a high power legal team working to do what he wants, not what the situation requires of all families with members being considered for high appointed office. Vetting is not negotiation. There is a list of things to be revealed and that's it. Once again, we have to do everything the Clinton way. You can believe that will only be the beginning.

There is no more lockstep job than Secretary of State. It is a high class service job.....the Secretary of State subsumes his or her ambitions and opinions to those of the the boss. Poor Hillary, is she always going to be the underling of some powerful man? It will be too bad if she goes for this, just when she has developed a voice and persona of her own. Maybe she isn't quite as strong a woman as we thought.

[partyofone]

All of Obama's vetters are former staffers for Bill Clinton. Conflict of interest even in the investigation of conflictof interest. Where are their loyalties? Does Obama really trust them?

[partyofone]

ENOUGH of the Clinton drama. Isn't all of this fuss sufficient evidence that Hillary and Bill will be constant drama.

[OCaptainMercaptan]

I disagree.

We have in office now about the lamest of ducks we've ever seen. A country ready for change, and the media wanting to deliver evidence of change.

For all the "leaks," we still don't have a clear picture of how the cabinet will look. The public is dying for information, and the media is happy to deliver.

This "drama" is largely a fabrication, which you are happy to perpetuate.

[Crozier]

I CAN ALWAYS RELY UPON YOU FOR PREDICTABLE SPIN

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

Good post. I agree.

[dajay]

Then Obama shouldn't have considered her for the position.

[poochytown]

Good old Bill... promise 'em anything...

[Yermammy]

Ahhh.. I see now! This is the classic three card monty! Barack and Hillary agree to make it SEEM like she's getting vetted, meanwhile Bill Richardson is waiting in the wings, ready to accept the highly esteemed and valued SOS position! Afterwards, Hillary will return to the Senate and group hug John McCain and Joe Leiberman, and they'll just laugh and laugh! Hillary will finally face her demons and change her party affiliation to Republican, and everything will be right upon the earth.
The Bill Richardson part is nonfiction.

[kellygrrrl]

who did he borrow the specs from?

[dct1999]

Santa Claus?

[EosBlue]

Same outfit that makes Sarah's.

[Rondo]

thats great bill just dont release those monica vids on youtube

[MyrtleJune]

Okay then, Bill..... just go away. Please. You've done enough. You and your lovely wife both...... done enough. Please go away now and take alllllllll­llllllllll­llllllllll­llllllllll­llllllllll­llllllllll­llllll your drama with you. Please just let us MOVE ON!!! We voted to MOVE ON!! Could be PLEEEEEEEEASE be allowed to DO THAT! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh.

ENOUGH!!!

[ZimboDude]

Please stop judging Hillary, she is competent, accomplished, qualified and ready to be SOS.

[Crozier]

HEART HILLARY HEART BILL HEART HILLARY OBAMA, WHO'S HE?

[motherfather]

No she is not. She is a junoir senator and not a good one either.

[Yermammy]

Nu-ugh.

[partyofone]

I think you just judged her, postiviely. I judge her very differently, as dishonest, diivisive, self serving, and plagued with poor judgment. Your opinion and my opinon.

[Crozier]

kudos.

[dct1999]

I do not like the Clintons, and I hope Hillary is not named SOS.

But I don't understand why some people are so panicked by the thought of her in Obama's cabinet. He will be the POTUS, and the SOS will be implementing his policies. If she doesn't do what he tells her to do then she will be forced out of her job.

Obama is younger, smarter and more powerful than Hillary. He beat her in the primaries because he is a much better thinker and politician than she is.

[Crozier]

YOU LOST ME IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE, AFTER THE FIRST SENTENCE,.,.

[dct1999]

So.