Bill Clinton Backs Off Criticism Of Obama In New Book, 'Back To Work'

Former President Bill Clinton backed off a claim he made in his new book, Back To Work, to an audience at the New York Historical Society Tuesday.

In his book, which was also released Tuesday, Clinton suggests that President Barack Obama should have added an increase in the debt limit to legislation to extend the Bush tax cuts, which were set to expire at the end of 2010, to deprive Republicans of leverage as the GOP won control of the House of Representatives in November.

However, Clinton, according to Politico, received an email from National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling, who said the administration tried that, but Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) threatened to filibuster the whole package. Clinton did not think that was possible under Senate rules.

"I was wrong -- see that didn't hurt too bad," Clinton, who was interviewed by his daughter Chelsea, said.

Clinton's critique of the Obama administration is not new. Many liberal commentators criticized Obama for not including the raising of the debt ceiling in the Bush tax cuts deal, since the House was controlled by Democrats and the Democrats had a larger majority in the Senate.

National Journal White House correspondent Marc Ambinder asked Obama how the Bush tax cuts deal would affect Republicans' leverage in future negotiations over raising the debt ceiling in December 2010. "Nobody, Democrat or Republican, is willing to see the full faith and credit of the United States government collapse, that that would not be a good thing to happen," responded Obama.

Obama signed legislation increasing the debt ceiling in August, but it calls on a super committee in Congress to come up with spending cuts or else automatic triggers for spending cuts are enacted if that committee fails to agree.

Clinton, according to the New York Times, said of Obama at his 65th birthday party over the summer when the discussion turned to the debt crisis, "I'm really trying to help him, but he seems to have lost his narrative."

Comments

[kamact]

10:44 PM on 11/15/2011

Clinton has zero credability,...He deregulated banking and the commodities markets,...and is largely responsible for the Great Recession,...

[locnar69]

09:17 AM on 11/12/2011

Did we all forget about clinton?The bombings here and the M.E never mind all the nonsense in the oval office,and oh bin laden and all the chances to stop him

[Margaret Kennedy]

03:21 AM on 11/11/2011

hes the first pret following the legal system and not president only office not to follow what has gone before disappointing especially as he is israeli and cant balance books well done bill and george its too late for him to follow suit get rid

[Bluegirl85]

09:22 AM on 11/15/2011

What?..??

[Margaret Kennedy]

03:18 AM on 11/11/2011

hes the first pret to work with what has gone before disappointing well done bill and george its too late for him to follow suit get rid

[mcostello]

11:07 PM on 11/10/2011

BC: wrong!
Obama shouldn't have ever considered signing the Bush tax cuts...........crazy stupid.

[Dancing Wisdom]

11:01 PM on 11/10/2011

I LOVE this new book. It has practical suggestions on getting people back to work.
I was surprised how detailed and specific the suggestions are. I am so tired of both sides fighting against each other. The time is right for everyone to work, in cooperation with each other to improve things. The best part of the book, in my opinion, is the emphasis on GREEN TECHNOLOGY, and how it can work to improve both the economy and the environment. Read this book. Or, if you are busy like me...listen to it. I got mine at Premieraudiobooks.com as it has the cheapest price. But iTunes and amazon have it too. These ideas need a wider audience, as they seem so practical and workable. Clinton is giving an interview on Charlie Rose....that ought to be interesting.

[mcostello]

11:09 PM on 11/10/2011

hard to forget that he helped get us here. (I can't forgive NAFTA, but still light years ahead of GWB)

[trobts]

11:33 AM on 11/10/2011

' email from National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling, who said the administration tried that, but Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) threatened to filibuster the whole package. Clinton did not think that was possible under Senate rules. '

What gets me is WHY doesn't the PRESS cover this type of broadcast to the PUBLIC -- when and as it happens. The press just lets IMPORTANT INFO slide so the public can blame Pres Obama for everything. This is clearly only ONE item, in a long list, that the Republicans are ready to turn this country UPSIDE DOWN to get this President out of office. Don't tell me about researching and finding out all the nuances of how things go down -- the MEDIA is responsible to advise and alert the public on all the shenanigans.

[MajorDem]

11:06 AM on 11/10/2011

The republicans filibustering the deal to extend the Bush tax cuts if the debt ceiling limit were part of the deal.
Lets see, the GOP would allow the Bush tax cuts to expire while they block the deal -- good let them.
I thought democrats were opposed to extending the Bush tax cuts.

[Saxton]

10:58 AM on 11/10/2011

So Chelsea interviewed him, bet that was a tough round of questioning.

[sector1463]

10:23 AM on 11/10/2011

If that is true that Mitchell was ready to fillibuster, then Obama should have let the tax cuts expire!

[mcostello]

11:10 PM on 11/10/2011

Yup................except he is dirty now.

[emanafunk]

10:17 AM on 11/10/2011

Still Bill.

[bluefl]

10:05 AM on 11/10/2011

I have always liked the Bill Clinton. But if peeks into his new book are correct. I take real issue with his remarks on the housing crisis. His fix is folks under water with their mortgages just suck it up for the good of the country and let the banks foreclose and those families become lease tenents. What is wrong with this picture. Please after we have paid all these banks in the bail out ,just step aside on you devalued property and let the banks have more free moneyand continue with the largest wealth grab in history.And you wonder why there is OWS on the move.

[1differentdrummer]

09:31 AM on 11/10/2011

He was wrong about some things, like signing repeal of Glass-Steagel and NAFTA.

[Dustee]

10:09 AM on 11/10/2011

...and he want's to criticize somebody?

[jplanner]

08:50 AM on 11/10/2011

Fox covered Bills anti-Obama statements abundantly, triumphantly really. That is the network FYI with the LARGEST viewership in the country. How much do you want to bet that they WON"T cover this retraction so much??

[RepublicanDepression]

10:01 AM on 11/10/2011

LOL! Right!

[jplanner]

08:43 AM on 11/10/2011

Clinton should keep his mouth shut at this juncture, truth or not. We have an election coming up and the choice will likely be a far right candidate whose policies will likely kill Americans (I kid you not...those REpubs who say that a woman can't get an abortion if her life is in danger will in fact KILL WOMEN if they have their way...and also, the abrupt slashing of safety nets at this time WILL see malnourished children etc.) OR Obama, who now has only tempid support from his base.
Clinton, that base needs to turn out with enthusiasm. If they do not, Obama would loose and AMERICA will be lost! Put your ego back in its box for the good of the country, and keep your observations to yourself for now so you don't further alienate Progressives from Obama...the nation needs them to show up at the polls not stay home.
It's irresponsible of you to try to get attention with your "I know better, I told you so" comments. "he's lost his narrative". We don't need you to be RIGHT right now, Clinton. We need you to be quiet.