Wednesday in Elon, North Carolina, talking to a group three-thousand strong, Bill Clinton offers a window into Clinton family thinking on the race for the Democratic nomination. "When we started this election, all the pundits--who are normally wrong, by the way--said Hillary can win the primary [sic], she can't win the general election. That has been conventional wisdom for fifteen months.
"We were having dinner earlier in this election, and I said, 'You know I always disagree with them [pundits] and you know sometimes I'm wrong, too--but I think it's dead wrong. I think you're gonna have a hard time getting nominated. But if you win, you'll be elected President by a good strong margin because people will see you're the best qualified person. . . .
"So I think you should do something to help yourself get through the hard times. Ask yourself right now--right now--if you are lucky enough to be elected President, how can you tell when it's over if you did a good job. Now think about this. . . ."
After wandering for awhile in a description of his Foundation's work, Bill Clinton continues.
"This is the answer she gave. She said, 'I think if the people were to elect me and I got to serve, I would believe I had been faithful to the American people if I could say three things. One. That people are much better off than when I started. Two. That people have a much brighter future than when I started. Three. The country is coming together instead of being torn apart.'"
Aside from the fact that this conversation sounds more like an excerpt from the HBO John Adams miniseries than any real marital chitchat in Chappaqua or Georgetown, Bill Clinton's remarks do illuminate the Clinton mindset, something that has certainly been confounding the press of late. Why is Hillary Clinton still in the race when she has no chance of winning? Waxing prolix in Elon, the ex-President tells us why.
First of all, the nomination battle is writing exactly the narrative Bill predicted to Hillary. His having foreseen her struggle validates it. Secondly, the Bill-Hillary conversation reveals how easily the former First Couple can imagine being in the White House again. Not only that--but over a meal they were already looking back on an Administration that had yet to occur. Their getting so far ahead of themselves is a fascinating glimpse into how power can shape vision--not always to good effect.
Stumping in North Carolina, Bill Clinton speaks again and again, with example after example, of his wife's being the best qualified for the job. The Clintons truly do believe she is best-qualified, and for that reason, as well, she has not conceded to Barack Obama. Furthermore, both Clintons seem to have found a second--or is that a third?--wind as the nomination contest goes forward. In short, somewhat oblivious to what is going on around them, they are having a ball.
Coming to North Carolina and finding myself following Bill Clinton on the trail yet again , I haven't shared the Clinton merriment. Like the rest of the press, who have been tolling the bell of gloom and doom for Democrats ever since Pennsylvania was called by ten points for Hillary Clinton, I have wanted closure to this seemingly never-ending race. I'm not sure why the politicos and pundits are calling for an endgame when observing whatever happens, one way or another, is our raison d'etre. But driving into Elon College, North Carolina, I am not a happy newshound. (Elon University is in the town of Elon College--try finding that on your GPS.) I have caught the Pennsylvania press cold; I have just walked out of a Charlotte beauty salon looking like Elsa Lanchester.
But the minute I reach Elon, my spirits rise. Here is yet another lovely American college town I would never have seen if not for the campaign. The university courtyard and its Fonville Fountain before which Bill Clinton is to speak are beautiful. The yard is jammed with students. Around the periphery of the press enclosure are gathered the older citizens of Alamance County. Inside the enclosure, the university's journalism students are learning on the job. Their earnestness, excitement and attention to detail are infectious. The amiable but raucous crowd has been standing since 2 PM and now it's 4:30. A journalism student intones for the camera, "Senator Clinton has said she will meet him anytime anyplace. Why will Senator Obama not debate her?" Young Hillaryites in the crowd wear stickers saying "HOPE-ing for a Debate." The press and the rest of the country may be sick of debates, but clearly that is not the feeling in the Tar Heel State. It's North Carolina's turn, and Democrats here want every minute in the limelight that the preceding contests have had. This waiting in line and the subsequent satisfaction upon being called on is a group feeling of which both the Clinton and Obama campaigns are well aware. It's one reason the Florida/Michigan conundrum continues to bedevil.
The local Hillary organizer revs up the crowd. "Who's the next President of the United States?" O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A! the students shout. Not surprisingly, most are Obama supporters, but they are curious enough to hear Bill Clinton to wait several hours for him. And Spring Fever's in the air. When Clinton finally appears, frat boys hoot "Bi-ill! Bi-ill! Bi-ill!" But these are mostly Southerners, and as such they've been taught good manners; they are generally respectful, if mostly inattentive, to ex-President Clinton. It's a shame about the woolgathering, because Clinton gives the best speech I've heard from him on the stump--a speech that he tailors exactly to the lives and experiences of the young people before him. The win in Pennsylvania has re-energized and re-focused Bill Clinton. He displays none of the inner disdain for his audience that he had for Hispanics in Texas. Clearly, he regards the North Carolina students as his peers.
Bill Clinton begins with a memory of '92. "On the last bus tour, we had a magnificent rally on this campus and I'll remember it all my life." Admiring the scene, Clinton says, "I wish I could go back to school." Bill Clinton and I are exactly of an age, so I appreciate where he's coming from. The students, however, are not so much into reminiscence. Nor are they much into hearing about the future consequences of so many of their generation living to 100, not even when Clinton gets into how bio-tech will be the century's next wave of new jobs after green energy. He talks with force and clarity about the relationship of fiscal policy and trade, but nobody's taking notes. In short, for these students Bill Clinton is a bit of an old fart.
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Coming Tomorrow: Bill knows how to talk to ordinary folk!
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How much does the Clinton campaign pay you to write these advertisements?
1st off all I am independed - i have not decided who i am going to vote for but i do no if they do not let
Flordia and Michigan vote again and let those people be heard i think it is wrong and i will not vote for either OBAMA nor HILIARY - how can you tell people we cannot accept your vote and then go in the primary in November and expect for those people to vote for you.
I wonder if there ever is cozy marital chit chat with this couple. Do they ever dare to be alone together?
Bill Clinton knows how to talk to ordinary folks but apparently he have trouble speaking to African Americans. I guess we are just not ordinary folks. I cannot believe how the Clintons have duped people do you seriously think that most Americans aer going to put this guy back in the office or anywhere near the white house. They will come out in droves to make sure that doesnt happen and I wouldnt count on the AA vote if I were him.
Carol
I use to be a big BC fan back in the 90s but he is not the Bill i thought he was and maybe that is because of HRC and him spending too much time with that (sort )of a women. I just cant abide her at this point. I think they both have become so intent on winning at any cost they are no longer human. I put them in the same leage as their biggest and creepest suporter Carvel and his wife the most inhuman women i have ever incountered.. How can anyone call the Clintons anything but republicians they are now living examples of absolute power = absolute evil.
I use to believe they were tolerent of all races but no more they are like most old white rich men who put greed before humanity and just want _POWER at any cost! I am ashamed to be in the same demographic (white middle age women) as the ones who voted for HRC the only diffrence is I have a masters degree in social work and maybe that makes me intellegent enough not to buy the HRC BULL and think for myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you are kidding Ms Fowler -- aren't you?
Bill and Hillary Clinton NEVER thought this nomination was going to be a struggle - they thought they were inevitable.
That's why they had NO strategy after Feb 5th, that's why they blew almost $100m dollars on lavish hotels, consultants & (as metaphor) a ton of donuts- , that's why they did NOT build organizations in the Caucus States etc etc
The entire premise of your article is inaccuate - except for the last line
Because while the Elon students/audience are trying to pay tuition & deal with reality - it is former President William Jefferson Clinton attempting to rewrite history --
Tha man can't remember who he pardoned - but he remembers word for word a conversation he & the little woman had?
I am among the millions who is embassed/upset by my support ofl Bill Clinton's trials & tribulations in the'90's--
Bill and Hillary Clinton are giving the entire democratic party a big flip off--- the younger people, college educated & african american constituency's see this very clearly
the less uneducated, the fearful & older population longing for something that cannot happen - to turn the clock back - are propelling her futile march toward defeat.
I am firmly convinced this is about 2012 for the Clintons.
Someone needs to tell them that our collective memory will be more accurate than theirs - the Clintons will never be back in the White House & will be remember as the people
"I think if the people were to elect me and I got to serve, I would believe I had been faithful to the American people if I could say three things...
She has already embraced the republican party, by pandering fear instead of faith. By lying and misrepresenting her accomplishments, while changing the rules, taking credit for positive things from her husband's administration and denouncing the bad. WE DO NOT NEED A FIGHTER, OR A CHEATER, OR A LIAR. WE NEED A LEADER.
1. BETTER OFF: What people? You as a candidate express you won't hesitate to be involved in nuclear war? Better off how, Hillary? Economically injured by NAFTA? Low income families with wages garnished because they are forced to buy your health insurance? A man would have to work 14 years at minimum wage, to earn what Bill earns in one speech. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm That $800,000 he got for speaking on behalf of Columbian trade? Thats 54.9 years of work. A lifetime. Do you get that?
2. BRIGHTER FUTURE: Renewable energy. Ethanol you say? They could plant corn all over the planet and it wouldn't be enough. Now it is causing food shortages - globally. They are rationing Rice in Walmart, for God's sake. Renewable energy? Not enough.
3. BRING THE PEOPLE TOGETHER: You have already torn 1/2 of the country apart Hillary, as the absolute queen of division. Now you want to do it to the other have too. Great - McBush, McCain, McClinton, McHopeless
Mayhill Fowler - symbol of media without conscience. She and Rosen were just worried they were not getting enough credit. She twisted the context for her purpose. It's OK if we are deprived of a genuine leader who can help bring us back from the brink. We get more of the vapid, diabolical, soulless manipucrats that are killing this country for their own benefit. But Mayhill gets to go on more lovely trips around the country - so it is really OK.
Ms Fowler got to see the lovely Elon University Campus -- and look what we got from Ms Fowler?
Mayhill Fowler is no more a citizen-journalist than a proclaimed Barack Obama supporter--
She's a wealthy older woman whose 15 minutes are over
I sure hope she is proud of herself -
Dear Ms. Folwer,
Why should Senator Clinton concede to Senator Obama? Today is the beginning of the end for Senator Obama's candidacy as the phony person that he is and his baggage is finally catching up with him in the people's votes. Oops, I forgot that I must be a racist not to support Obama, or because I am a cat lady (I actually have a dog)!
you also wrote, "The local Hillary organizer revs up the crowd. "Who's the next President of the United States?" O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A! the students shout." I have seen these so called Obama supporters in rallies and have to say, they are not helping their candidate. We, as Clinton supporters don't do that in Obama rallies, or at least I don't! whatever happened to civility??
Mayhill Fowler . . . as someone who was at the SF event that you so sleazily and sensationally distorted, let me say that it's very hard to see your name without retching. I'll get over it, and fortunately for you our media is so thoroughly weak that really you don't rank among the worst at all. Take heart!
Well, that's 7 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
Kinoko:
Hillary was first lady for 8 years . I just can not stand her campain. No Grace.No Class.So shame!
Yuma, don't you mean "No Grace, No Class, NO Shame?" Ms Clinton is tearing the nations apart not bringing us together. All about craving power - she's already talking about bringing war on Iran and she's not even in office. I think she is Cheney's cousin. Give me someone for President who wants to negotiate and stop this nonsense in the World, not create more. Obama 08!!!!!!!
To: jammb, I am a woman and I really take your disgusting words to heart. I am not a sheep. I am a 50+ white woman and I will vote how I want to. The last time I looked we were not in Nazi Germany.
I wouldn't vote for Clinton , I wouldn't let my daughter around her. I wouldn't let my daughter around BILL. He will Screw anything with legs. She is only with him because she wanted to run for president, she calculated this for years. Do you have any brains?
Clinton did more harm to us in the 1990's you are delusional.
I agree with you Jwsub28. Take a look at the body language when Bill and Hillary are on stage together. I don't see that as a loving family. I see a man still paying the price for his screw up. She will never forgive him, but she will stay with him to reach her goals. Thats the same evil way she will run the country. Not the personality I want in the White House. And I do not want to see Bill roaming the halls again. It is about time we have a nice normal family in Washington. Obama 08!!!!!
GO AWAY FOWLER
Why would anyone throw their vote away, as a woman to a woman, because she's a woman. Isn't this a race for the best a President can bring for the people, all the people, not just women...how stupid. Obviously that is not doing your research, and critically calling for change...perhaps while she was / is Senator you could do that.. but all these women,,,,,,don't communicate their need's as a lawmaker. they wait until now and complain if they don't get a woman...ridiculous. Write to the Senator Ma'am? she can propose a bill now.
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Posted April 24, 2008 | 07:41 AM (EST)