Make HuffPost Your HomePage
Get Email Alerts
TX: Bill Clinton Takes Aim At Obama
"I was told from time to time I could give a pretty good speech," Bill Clinton says. "I once spoke to a million people, in Accra, Ghana, a million. . . ." He is aggrieved. "I spoke to over a 100,000 people at the Brandenburg Gate. I was the first president to ever speak, after the end of the Cold War, on the eastern side of the Brandenburg Gate. I spoke to a 100,000 people in the streets of Ukraine, 75,000 in Romania. I know the importance of words and inspiration." Clinton is fifty minutes into his remarks at Steven Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas when he gets sidetracked. He's just said, "I will tell you how Hillary defines success. It was always the way I kept score." But we will have to wait for the scorekeeping while he engages the specter of Barack Obama.
It's Friday night in Nacogdoches, where a throng of (mostly) students has squeezed into the upstairs rally room of the Student Center. From early morning, former President Clinton has been working his way down through the piney woods of East Texas. At breakfast time, he opened a campaign office for his wife in Texarkana; later he spoke in Longview and Tyler. Now he's in Nacogdoches, running late. It will be 9 PM before he leaves here, in torrential rain, and he still has Lufkin, home to Texas Bible College, to go. Even though the Republicans control these East Texas state senate districts (nos. 1, 2 and 3, all with four delegates apiece to award in the Democratic primary), the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination is gathering here, in an often-overlooked corner of the state.
Bill Clinton's aside on the subject of his speechifying is an implicit, likely unintended, admission that whatever he's been doing for almost an hour, it hasn't added up to a political speech. It's hard to capture the tenor of his remarks. Clinton alternately adopts the tone of high school teacher, when he delves into a lengthy but simplified explanation of the meaning of "subprime mortgage," and the problem-solved approach of home products' salesman, when he says "that's [health insurance problems] all gone now, we're all gonna be covered."
Terrie Gonzalez, the managing editor of the Cherokeean/Herald (the oldest newspaper in Texas) in nearby Rusk, has challenged me to a bet on how many times Bill Clinton will use the word "solutions." The skepticism behind her wager flavors the crowd's response to Clinton. This has been a friendly but not completely respectful group. There have been a few catcalls. The room is packed; the room is hot; the room is restive. This is the Clinton Campaign "on a shoestring"--without the advance team, the organized cadre of local volunteers, the tablers and the handlers, the local supporters whipping up applause from the corners that usually so perfectly construct a Clinton event. Earlier, as I ducked under the press rope, a Secret Service agent asked me, "don't you people sign in anymore?" He was genial, but frazzled. The reason campaign rallies typically begin with musical entertainment and a roster of speakers is manifest when Bill Clinton abruptly steps onto the podium, his arrival signaled only by the turned-up volume of "Taking Care of Business." He has to stand there, his mouth opening and closing, working a smile, while an Hispanic congressman from South Texas, who never identifies himself, makes a few disjointed remarks.
Bill Clinton moves right away into outrageousness. "Our competitors believe, that even if Hillary wins the popular vote [in Texas] they can get half the delegates and upset the popular vote, because most of her supporters work for a living and have to worry about what their kids are gonna do at night--and will not come out to vote at that caucus." Clinton urges supporters to caucus, first and last in his remarks. Clearly, the Texas caucus gnaws at the campaign. Furthermore, this passive-aggressiveness surfaces again.
"You have one candidate who has made the explicit argument that the only way we can change America is to move into a post-partisan future, and therefore we have to eliminate from consideration for the presidency anybody who made good things happen in the 90's, or stop bad things from happening this decade. The better people did--it doesn't matter how much good you did, we have to get rid of you because you had to fight to make something good happen. And you had to fight to stop something bad from happening. And if you fought, you made somebody mad; you're cut up; we got to give you a gold watch and retire you because you can't possibly make a contribution to America's future. We just have to turn over a new leaf. It's actually an advantage not to have any experience, because then you've never made anybody mad. That is the explicit argument." These are Bill Clinton's words in Nacogdoches.
From their side of the conference call-cum-email war for the media, the Obama Campaign has jumped all over a slightly different version of these remarks that Bill Clinton made earlier in the day. More important, of course, is the reaction of the folks in Nacogdoches, who respond with nervous laughter. As Texas state senator Kirk Watson (endorsing Obama) said in a conference call the day before, "We need to shoot straight down here." Probably everybody in the room knows that Bill Clinton is not shooting straight; but nobody is going to call him out. That's not why people came. Bill Clinton is a celebrity, and this may be the only chance Texans here will ever have to see him in the flesh.
And so Clinton talks on, making foreign policy proposals that differ somewhat from his wife's positions (example: the only force the U.S. needs to keep in Iraq is "a small force with special forces capability up in the Kurdish area where everybody is getting along"), revisiting his administration's accomplishments and burnishing Hillary's resume. In fact, Bill Clinton superbly catalogs his wife's impressive record of community service. But then he wanders into another backhanded attack on Barack Obama:
"So, this is my thinking, based on my own life experience, with the argument being made by her opponent. I think it matters if you've made positive changes in people's lives, over a long period of time, in many different settings, as long as you've always been a change agent. Experience is not worth a flip if you're just warming a seat. If you're just standin' there and doin' nothin' it's utterly worthless, I agree. But if you've been a change agent, if you've changed other people's lives for the better over and over and over again in all kinds of different settings, that does count for something."
What will the people of Nacogdoches take away from this performance? That he showed up for them. And that's the important thing--not his swipes at "her opponent"--to keep in mind. If just for a day, Bill Clinton has put East Texas on the map and thereby validated something in its citizens' lives. People will not remember that for a moment they thought he was slightly pathetic and diminished in stature. Bill Clinton is our modern-day Sitting Bull, replaying old victories for the bleachers in a new kind of Wild West Show.
Terrie Gonzalez of the Cherokeean/Herald won the bet on "solutions" (seven times). "I've never understood why this part of Texas is so Republican," she said. She didn't have to finish the remark--because it's so poor. Indeed the drive up Highway 59 from Houston to Nacogdoches is a window on the rural poverty John Edwards campaigned to end. Beyond the picturesque--men selling shrimp and catfish and comb honey by the side of the road--are miles of century-old clapboard houses, listing on their foundations and coming apart at the seams, but still inhabited. "You know," Terrie Gonzalez said, "a lot of people up here, and I'm embarrassed to say this, won't vote for a black man." She paused. "But then a lot of people won't vote for a woman either." She nodded in the direction of her husband, who had been taking photographs for their newspaper. "We own the local radio station, too--and it's only 2500 watts, but the Obama Campaign has already been calling to ask about ad rates."
Comments for this post are now closed
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
I choose to believe that Barack is essentially a decent person. I also believe that Hillary is also, essentially, a decent person. I hope I'm right.
If Hillary loses it will be because of Bill. Not that it's either of their faults. It's just the way it is.
Before you write a blog. Have your facts straight. If you are commenting on articles written/or stated on the media, follow up and
do your research. There is so much garbage out there it is hard to read between the lines. 90% of the blogs written sound like they were
posted by someone with no more than a 3rd grade education. It is saidthat all the black votes are coming from the "better educated
blacks", with college a college degree. WRONG, there are not that may blacks with college degrees. Most blacks voting are low income,
uneducated, poor, gehto raised, and voting only because you have a black presidential canditate. Compare the number of blacks that
voted 4, and 8 years ago. The media knows that and is not quite ready to discuss this issue. Know the facts. Know who you are voting for.
Keep AMERICA great. Carry on Hillary and RIDE 4 AMERICA. DO NOT LET THE MEDIA PICK OUR NEXT PRESIDENT.
Terrie Gonzalez of the Cherokeean/Herald won the bet on "solutions" (seven times). "I've never understood why this part of Texas is so Republican," she said. She didn't have to finish the remark--because it's so poor.
This continues to be the 64K question that goes to explain a large portion of America. As Gonzalez goes on to explain they won't vote for a black or a woman, as if they have been helped by a wealthy white man from Waco, TX over the last 7 years. When people choose to scapegoat folks who aren't in power over their lives and persist in believing that they are going to get something from not changing those in the seats of power they deserve what they get.
Ms. Gonzalez notes that she is embarrassed to note that these voters are bias, she shouldn't however be more embarrassed than they are to want to remain mired in ignorance and racism. If they want to live in sub-standard housing and believe voting republican is the way to go, more power to them!!
An exdellent article by Mayhill Fowler on W.
Clinton in TX. There should be no surprise that each candidate should attack the other in
a close campaign.
Comments that mock this time-worn process are
meaningless. I doubt either Lincoln or Douglas
were "hands-off" in their debates despite the
total lack of "You-Tube"!!
"Universal health care" is currently interpreted as "universal coverage by a private
health insurance company" to that company's profit. We need UNIVERSAL HEALTH, not universal
private coverage.
Correction of a previous comment of mine: All
health legislation in the House of
Representatives MUST originate in the House
Energy and Commerce Committee. I gave the name of the Chairperson of "the E and C" Committee
incorrectly. The Chairperson is John Dingle
of MI (Dearborn). He is the "Dean" of the House
(not "Speaker") or longest continuing serving.
He has been in the House for 52 years and counting. Of course there are subcommittees and
the House Ways and Means Committee is crucial for financing. These people don't do "grass roots" work in their respective committees. Their decisions affect all our "roots". No candidate is advocating "UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE" (eg"Medicare for All"). The health insurance companies are laughing all the way to the bank. Citizens will go without health care.
Next Congress, we must go back to a Congress
with larger Democratic majorities to make our
points again and again.
The Hill-Billy does know the importance of words. Just ask the Grand Jury he lied to. What about his speech that included. It depends on what you defination of "is" is. And what about "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." OH YEAH he has a gift for words.
I think the Hillary camp would use Duct Tape over his mouth if they really want to win. He talks more about himself than Her Hillaryship. He really misses being a headliner.
It is a good thing he plays the sax cuz he hates second fiddle.
I dont think the Dems can afford this kind of in-fighting..........but i would like to see the Clintons reward the black vote who supported them all these years by behaving graciously and trust that the people they led can fulfill changes that they could not get done in their time. mimimalizing Obamas accomplishments and insinuating his lack of experience is a very divisive tactic that is hurting more than helping.
ndnndpendent:
Oh yeah--I get it. The Clintons should do the "gracious" thing and just roll over and hand the nomination to your candidate, because you say so. Yeah, how "gracious" that would be. By the way, Obama IS inexperienced. If you've been taken in by his hype, it only means you know little about law school, the legal profession, local politics, national politics, and most of all Obama himself. Good luck to Obama if he pulls out the nomination and has to face the REAL competition. It won't cut the mustard then to whine about how the other side is being tough and slinging a little mud ("Wah-wah-wah! It's just not fair, Mommy! They're being mean to me!"). And good luck to America should Obama actually win the presidency and suddenly have to make good on all his empty rhetoric. Fortunately, after a short 4 years of him tripping over his own feet, Clinton still won't be too old to do like Teddy Kennedy did in '80 and run against her own party's incumbent president. She'll do what Teddy couldn't, however, and win the 2012 nomination and go on to win it all and set history right. We've had 8 years of crap--we can stand 4 more.
To the record-breaking, 94-"I"-in-10-minutes Bill Clinton and those who flock with him, I have something to say to you:
"The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say "I." And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say "I." They don't think "I." They think "we"; they think "team." They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done."
Hello, Bill, wasn't it you who was trying to disenfranchise Nevada casino workers from caucusing in casinos because the Culinary Workers Union endorsed Obama?
Texans set up their own rules for their crazy primary/caucus system - don't accuse Obama of setting the rules - he's just playing by them unlike the Billary's who think they are above the law in everything they do.
It is obvious this person is a Barack Obama person writing this article; as if they were merely making an observance, they might note that all campaigns are fought for ...it is a natural thing to take aim at someone who doesn't offer universal health care ..etc debates are normal and so is shouting....and questioning the other candidate on his lack of experience or something he has never done.... Since when do we totally ignore that a candidate is inexperienced, and hasn't particularly changed much of anything at all..perhaps because he was only sworn in Jan 2005 and only able to vote as of 2005. Which makes his comment about voting against the war from the beginning nothing less than null and void. Do you think the media is afraid to question Barack Obama's credentials and experience. Are we lowering our standards that it's ok to bash Clinton on just about everything, but it is hands off, and no experience necessary for an african american male candidate?
Where did you get your info from? It appears that you are above the Clinton's doings. It is they who create the evil and expected nonsense to accommodate their losing in the polls and the elections. It is they who want the votes to go to Hil illegally. It matters not how she wins, as long as Bil gets back into the WH. It matters not how many tricks are turned and who gets abused so long as Hil gets more delegates. It is the Clinton Campaign who is the creator of low standards for bashing. It's hands off to the Clintons. They don't deserve anything in the political life anymore. Think about Monica.
This is sad...
With all of Obama's denouncing the Clinton's , (he likes to keep it as a two-some, but hey now, no disrespect to the Senator from New York) about "the age-old Democratic campaign machine that poor little Obama can barely hold onto his skinny-but-tough butt, he will bring us CHANGE, yes folks! Change, he is a grassroots fella, no big stuff from him, yada, yada, yada. ....
You could not have coined more priceless words about alot of this Obama political machine, anywhere in this country, where they have been, where they are going.
I quote you "This is the Clinton Campaign "on a shoestring"., without the advance team , the organized cadre of local volunteers, the tablers and the handlers" (what's a tabler or "handler?!" should I fear them?!)your quote ends this fine piece of news for our hungry minds with "We own the local-radio staion too. It's only 2500 watts but the Obama Campaign has already been calling to ask rates."
BTW, he's got an international, full floor + some space in a skyscraper that rivals ANY Washington office. It rivals ANY Washington office. But I guess his experiance from running this conglomeration qualifies him to run the Whitehouse as well. You guys kill me. Grassroots, my eye!
smustaro-- you're absolutely correct. These BO lovers are Hillarious! I live in San Antonio and BO recently opened his new offices here. One in yuppie-central and the other one in the Suburbs. This typifies the general tone and tenor of their campaign. Those uppity, college-educated, $50K+ Obama lovers just can't bring themselves to come to the working-class, "poor' side of town. However, tomorrow when BO comes to town, where is his rally? In the barrio! The pandering and hypocrisy is too much to handle sometimes, so I guess it's best to just laugh -- these children are hilarious. Well, break is over, gotta get back to my real-world, adult, responsible job. I'm just so thankful that there is still a Campaign like Hillary's that consists of working-class people who REALLY understand the realities of this country. And, who will work their tail off within the next few weeks to ensure that she wins HUGE IN TEXAS!!!
Do you know about the caste system? Middle class does not include Poor class who just might have a job. Obama represents you. Poor people go to college too. Hil said that she was from Mid Class, she was for the Mid Class and it will be by the Mid Class that she will be working for. This is not Poor People. Go Figure, why you never figured this out. It is the Obama folks that will work for you and keep your job in Tx, and not overseas. Remember NAPTA? Then you know it was Bil and Hil who are responsible for the jobs leaving America. Perhaps you may not care, but your children or grandchildren may care in the future. a vote for hil is a vote for Bush, Clinton, & McC legacy. Vote Obama and enjoy your own future.
The Clintons are unrepentent egomaniacs. I'm not the least bit interested in going through the ordeal of having those two back in the White House. It will be a nasty four years. Then the GOP will pop back and the Democratic Party will sit on the sidelines for a mighty long time.
Most Republicans would feel better if Bill just stayed home and shut up. And the Obama people would like him to disappear too.
funny, if Nancy Reagan had opted to make a run at the White House, do you think Ronald would have stayed home, just because the Democrats or the Bushes told him to do so? Ha.
Bill is a Democratic star and as such, is a polarizing agent for the Republican oil machine. Get over it. It's war. And all is fair.
Hillary was doing a lot better in the primaries when Bill was off the leash and barking at Obama.
These are desperate times for Hillary. I think perhaps she should give Bill a case of Red Bull and turn him loose on potential voters.
Ha ha ha ha haaaa! Humor is good!
The Clintons are making promises they will never keep just to get back in the White House again. He made a promise on Health Care and for 8 years never delivered. Now he is betting on the short term memory of Americans and is making the same phony promises again. Are we going to be that stupid to believe a person who has lied to us numerous times before?
Loading comments…
Posted February 17, 2008 | 04:48 PM (EST)