Is Bill Clinton saying he will not campaign for Obama?

[NJmaverick]

Sure sounds like that is what he is saying.:grr: When I think of all the online arguments I got into, defending the man....


ABC News' Sarah Amos Reports: Speaking to a crowd in Milbank, SD former President Bill Clinton admitted that today could be the last time he has such an active role in presidential politics.

"I want to say also that this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind. I thought I was out of politics, 'til Hillary decided to run. But it has been, one of the greatest honors of my life to go around and campaign for her for president," said Clinton as he began his speech.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/bill-clinton-th.html

[leftofcool]

1. Gee, he might just be tired, ya know

Not everything is about Obama

[NJmaverick]

Bet he woudln't be tired, if his wife had won

there is no excuse for him not to give it his all, to ensure there is a Democrat in the White House. It's not about them, it's about the Country and its future.

[Deep13]

20. Ah, he doesn't owe us or O. anything.

I'd like to see you after three national campaigns and bypass surgery be ready to do one more.

[NJmaverick]

25. Right, the Democrats didn't help him get elected President twice

and didn't take a lot of bumps and bruising for sticking by him, instead of letting him get booted from office.

[Deep13]

48. So you think a public office is a kind of personal reward for a candidate?

The presidency is a public service for us, not a favor for him. You are painting an innaccurate view of the situation. (Big surprise there.)

[NJmaverick]

50. Bill got help from the party, just like he is supposed to RETURN

the favor and help the next person. It's shameful how selfish he is being.

[leftofcool]

53. So he can be compared to McCarthy again by the Obama endorsers?

Why should he help at all?

[Deep13]

61. It is pretty clear that neither O. nor the party want his help.

And I repeat he has no duty to give it.

[NJmaverick]

63. How is it clear that Obama and the Democratic party

Doesn't want him working to help get Obama elected?

[Raineyb]

92. Interesting

Because he seemed to think that a good number of us voters owed his wife our votes.

Me thinks the former President is sulking. It's not becoming.

Regards

[leftofcool]

31. So according to you, he can not have some rest time

before he starts to campaign for Obama?

[NJmaverick]

35. If he was just going to rest, why did he say that this was his last day?

It's not an issue of resting, it's an issue of him doing his best to keep another republican from gaining the White House.

[leftofcool]

42. Well, let's see, he has been called a racist, an asshole,

an adulterer, someone here mentioned pedophile, he was compared to Mccarthy by an Obama endorser, his wife was compared to David Duke and on and on.........Now, if you were Bill Clinton, would you campaign for Obama?

[NJmaverick]

52. He still owes the party for sticking by him, when it would have been easier

to boot him and replace him with Al Gore.

[leftofcool]

56. Owes?

Exactly what does he owe the Democratic Party, the MSM, the bloggers from KOS and Huffpo, the anti Clinton crowd, and or anyone else who has called him names?

[NJmaverick]

59. He owes them EVERYTHING. They stood by him during his scandels

he OWES MoveOn.org the mother of all apologies, since they were created to defend him. Remember it would have been much easier to let Clinton be impeached and let Al Gore take over. Instead the party stood by him. On top of that, almost every group you mentioned had been a die hard Clinton supporter, until he turned on one of their own.

[Window]

57. LOL! They gave as good as they got...maybe more so.

[cbayer]

2. No. But you go ahead and hear it anyway you want. nt.

[scheming daemons]

3. If so... then F him.... no speaking slot at the convention for you, Bubba....

[CatnHat]

49. say's who?? exactly

you and the Obama camp?? Think not. How arrogant to think Obama and his surrogates have all the say. Not.

[onehandle]

4. No.

You're stretching in your accusation.

[JVS]

5. Maybe he can't figure out a way to compare McCain to Jesse Jackson

[Toucano]

6. No, no, no

"...of this kind..." = Presidential Primary.

He didn't get involved in 2000 or 2004 primaries, but did campaign in 2004 general for Kerry. He was only in this primary because his wife was a candidate.

EDIT:

From the vitriol expressed by "Democrats" on this board, he does not appear welcomed to campaign for Obama

[NJmaverick]

What about the "out of politics" remark?

[Toucano]

33. From 2001 until the primary started he was "out of politics".

But still did fundraisers for other candidates and the Democratic Party.

I don't think his definition of "out of politics" is sitting at home with the newspaper.

But if I'm wrong, it's probably because the Obama campaign would rather not use him which is perfectly legitimate.

[NJmaverick]

36. fund raising = collecting political capital (favors)

there is a difference between doing all you can for the Dems and doing stuff for one's self.

[Toucano]

46. That fundraising gets democrats elected.

If I assume you're working to get democrats elected, what's in it for you?

Are you doing that only out of your own self-interest?

If a popular political figure sends out a fundraising letter for an unknown congressional candidate and that candidate is elected that's good for all of us, no?

[greguganus]

7. That would be good for Obama. Bill might "accidentally" slip up. n/t

[quantass]

8. Not a surprise ... i wasnt counting on the Clintons in the GE

[BlooInBloo]

11. Yup.

[TahitiNut]

12. Neither was Al Gore.

:grr:

[Arkansas Granny]

47. I have always been under the impression that Al Gore was trying to distance

himself from Bill Clinton and that's why Clinton did not campaign heavily for Gore.

:shrug:

[leftofcool]

51. Exactly

That was a big mistake on Gore's part

[Toucano]

58. Maybe not Gore, but at least his "handlers" RE: Donna

[Tyler Durden]

66. Another genius move by Ms Brazille.

So tell me again why she still has a job with DNC? The Gore faux pas should have gotten her permanently shitcanned.

[NJmaverick]

14. delete

wrong post

[CatnHat]

9. Good

After the total disrepect of him and his wife--I wouldn't blame President Clinton at all.

[NJmaverick]

16. So even though the Democratic party helped him win two elections

he owes the party nothing? nice:sarcasm:

[CatnHat]

45. It's the other

way around--Clinton did wonders for the democratic party--and this is the Clinton's payback. I'm with Bill Clinton--screw it.

[NJmaverick]

55. and when the party stuck by him, during his scandels?

when it would have been easier to boot him and replace him with Gore?

[CatnHat]

62. wrong again--

it was the voters who stuck by Pres. Clinton--the voters pressured the their elected officials in doing the right thing. Grow up.

[NJmaverick]

65. Oh the Democrats in congress didn't have a vote on this issue

it's funny that someone telling me to "grow up" has less than a grade schooler's grasp of our Nation's history and political system.:eyes:

[Raineyb]

93. The disrespect came from the Clintons

Or is insulting voting blocs now considered acceptable behavior?

Regards

[jpertello]

10. Jesus Christ On a Cracker, Bill!

"I want to say also that this may be the last day I'm ever involved in a campaign of this kind."

God! I hope so! It's been a nightmare for us all! Do us all a favor Bill and retire from politics.

[grantcart]

13. I think he is reacting to the Vanity Fair article and just wants to get out of the spotlight

I guess Dee Dee Myers is of the Christmas Card list too.

[Deep13]

15. According to O. fans, he's damaged goods anyway.

Why would you want him to campaign? Anyway, he campaigned for Kerry and Hillary and it didn't do them any good.

[NJmaverick]

18. Hillary wouldn't have gotten as close as she did, if it weren't for Bill

He was mending from heart surgery, for much of Kerry's campaign (if I recall correctly).

[Deep13]

44. From what I was reading here from O. fans, he was driving people away.

And recovery from heart surgery means he lived, not that he is good as new.

[Yukari Yakumo]

17. At this point, do we really want his help? {nt}

uguu

[NJmaverick]

21. Well he sure can help to sway the Hillary supporters

couldn't he?

[jenmito]

19. I think you're reading too much into it. I think he's just saying his wife's campaign will be over

tomorrow. For his legacy, both he and Hillary will pretend to "campaign their hearts out" for Obama.

[Fovea]

22. I can't tell for sure.

But if that is the case, it would mean a serious loss of prestige for a man who relies on prestige for his livelihood.

This scorched earth campaign by the Clintons has put them in a all or nothing situation. What if it is nothing?

What if the Clintons lose it all? The effects will ripple out through the whole DLC third way organization.

Blue Dogism is on the wane. Primarily because a lot of voters tire of the corporate line, in the midst of a depression.

One of two people is going, by need to bhe the next FDR.

I cannot shake the feeling that Obama is the better of the two to restore the new and fair deals to the American people.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

38. You Are Confusing The DLC And The Blue Dogs

The Blue Dogs are economic populists...The DLC are economic neo-liberals...

[emilyg]

23. No he's not.

Don't let that stop you.

[eleny]

24. True colors

[wvbygod]

26. Between vanity fair and the bile thrown his way from "democrats"

I would not hold it against him if he walked away with his head held high.

[leftofcool]

34. I wouldn't either

In fact, I think he should

[Toucano]

27. self-delete

Response to wrong post.

[AlabamaBrightBlueDot]

28. All things considered...

With the way Bill handled himself (and his temper) through the primary process it might be just as well.

[zulchzulu]

29. With the way he "helped" Hillary, I'd say it's a good thing he not campaign for Obama

If he wants to have us to beg for him to campaign, he can go elsewhere.

[DevonRex]

30. Maybe. I would not be surprised if he doesn't campaign for

Obama. I think he needs a rest, personally. He hasn't looked well. And he's made some pretty outlandish statements, so maybe it won't be a bad thing if he stays home.

[Orangepeel]

32. He's not going to campaign for Obama the way he campaigned for his wife

why would anyone expect him to? He'll most likely campaign for Obama, but no more than Kerry will or Edwards will. He's going to go back to his life.

Even if he won't campaign for Obama, which I doubt, this statement wouldn't mean that. He's certainly not saying he'll never campaign for any Democratic candidate again. Since being out of office, Clinton has campaigned for people at all levels. He even made a recorded phone call for the Orlando, FL mayoral race!

[high density]

37. Oh give us a break, we all know she (and he) will be back in 2012

In fact I could imagine her running against Obama even if he's an incumbent.

[leftynyc]

71. The last time I saw something that

selfish was Sen Kennedy running against Jimmy Carter.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

39. I hope he follows up with a promise not to do so.

[Arkansas Granny]

40. I would imagine that he is just referring to the end of the primary campaigns.

It has been apretty intense campaign for both candidates.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

41. Thank friggin gawd

He has hand held the Bushes and did no favor for Hillary.

Please Bill... Go and campaign for McCain. That IS what you have been doing all along... after all.

[Orangepeel]

43. It sounds like he doesn't think she'll be the VP candidate n/t

[barack the house]

54. He said "of this kind" to me progbably an admission they went too negative, than won't campaign.

[MilesColtrane]

60. He has an unspoken obligation to campaign for Obama.

It's the least he can do to partially pay back the party that helped get him elected. (and...ahem...in doing so made him a millionaire)

Don't forget, this is the party he kneecapped for 8 years because he couldn't keep his dick in his pants.

ex-Presidents obviously can't campaign for every single congressman running on the party ticket, but the Presidential campaign is a different matter entirely.

If Bill Clinton doesn't help get Obama elected, he can suck it for all I care.

[book_worm]

64. NO he means such a personal stake--it is his wife, afterall.

[dems_rightnow]

84. Thanks for some sanity

Dear Lord, the overreaction.

[damntexdem]

67. Hillary needs to campaign for Obama.

She can undo some of the wreckage she caused.

As for Bill, we're better off if he stays at home. Think of all the 'good' his campaign comments have done for Hillary -- the old magic is gone. But it was getting pretty old, anyway.

[Peacetrain]

68. Bill Clinton is a political animal..

and he loves the process.. he will campaign I am sure.. It is in his dna.. but it will not be like what he is doing now, for his wife..that is the kind of campaign he is talking about I am sure..with a family member running

[leftynyc]

69. Gee - I can't imagine why he'd

not want to campaign for people who called him a racist among other pearls. And frankly, I think you're looking to be insulted because I don't see anything there about him not campaigning for Sen Obama. In short, if he doesn't, you can thank people like yourself - he doesn't owe you a thing.

[NJmaverick]

74. Yes Bill owes all Dems plenty

We stuck by him, when he embarrassed us all with his stupid sex antics. We defended him, when the repukes went after him. Thanks to the Dems he was President and then a multi millionare. How on earty could you suggest he doesn't owe anything?

[leftynyc]

75. I said he doesn't owe YOU anything

And the dems in congress were only listening to their own constituents. Honestly, after calling him every name in the book, why would you WANT him to campaign for Sen Obama?

[NJmaverick]

77. Hey I am a Democrat and one that donated to him, in the past

so yes he OWES me just like any other Dem. I was one of his staunchest supporters, until he turned on a fellow Dem.

[leftynyc]

79. Good luck getting him to pay

up on that debt you feel he owes you.

[NJmaverick]

81. Now there is something we both can agree on

He is not the kind to pay his debts.

[Strawman]

70. Bill Clinton doesn't need to go around the country making stump speeches for Obama

Neither does Jimmy Carter. A nice convention speech will be fine. Obama is a different candidate, has his own identity and probably wouldn't want or expect that from Bill Clinton.

[NJmaverick]

73. It would be helpful for Bill to campaign for him in places like WV

KT, AK and AL. That is his stomping grounds and an area that Obama could use some assistance.

[Donkey_Punch_Dubya]

72. This thread is just sad, and I don't mean Bill

I wonder how many of the biggest haters of Bill Clinton here would say that his presidency was worse than Bush's. The true answer is that zero democrats out of more than a hundred million should ever say that, but the vicious hate for him lately rivals any hate for Bush I've ever seen from any democrats, so I bet at least 50 here would equate the two at best.

[cbayer]

76. Stick around. It gets worse.

You may not yet have seen a thread trashing Chelsea, but you will.

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[NJmaverick]

78. More like welcome to DU, for the second (maybe third) time

one of the Zombies for Hillary crowd.

[Tesha]

91. No, his Presidency wasn't worst than W's, it just *ENABLED* W to win.

And the travesty of the impeachment of Clinton *ENSURED*
that no matter how historically awful the next President
was, he would *NEVER, EVER* be impeached.

Well done, Willy, well done! "Mission Accomplished!"

Tesha

[OzarkDem]

80. If true, you can't blame him

[NJmaverick]

83. Why not? The party helped him get elected twice

stuck by him through his stupid sex scandals. Besides that, he should care about the best interests of the Country, at least you would like to think someone who was President loves his Country. A McCain Presidency would spell doom for our nation, and Bill is smart enough to know that.

[OzarkDem]

87. Because he has been attacked mercilessly by Obama's campaign

Never in recent history has a Dem candidate done such a hatchet job on a former president, especially one who is so widely admired and has done so much good for the party and its candidates.

Next time Obama should think twice before calling out his attack dogs on a former president whose help he wants to win the GE. Not a smart move on Obama's part.

[MS68]

97. That's about the tenth time you've said this..

The party helped him get elected twice and stood by him because he was an extremely popular president. Politicians don't do anything unless it's going to get them re-elected. If they hadn't stood by Bill, they probably would have had issues with their own elections because the people didn't want Bill impeached. The f'ing rightwing politicians did.

The intelligent American people didn't care that he spent five minutes getting a freakin blow job and the only reason he couldn't focus on his job was because the right wing was digging up anything they possibly could to bring him down. 70 million dollars of tax payer money to investigate White Water - a venture the Clinton's lost money on?

I'm surprised at the people on this board calling Clinton supporters republicans. Alot of the Obama supporters sound eerily familiar.....they seem to have a lot more in common with Newt and party if you ask me.

I still don't understand why the Clinton bashing. Obama has won - great! Talk about sore f'ing winners.

[kwenu]

82. Good. I'm perfectly fine with that.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

85. Hopefully. Don't let the sunset hit you in the ass.

[Cass]

86. BO supporters here have spent the last several months savagely ripping

Bill Clinton to shreds and you are outraged that he won't campaign for Obama? Why would you even want him to campaign for Obama? According to DU Bill Clinton is nothing but a POS who should be "purged" from the party.

:eyes:

[frylock]

88. probably anxious to get back on the road with his good buddy, poppy

don't let the door hit ya, ingrate.

[rucky]

89. I don't care who he doesn't campaign for

as long as he doesn't campaign.

[Raine]

90. After some of the stupid things he said while "helping"

Hillary I don't think I'd want him in Obama's campaign. Obama doesn't need that kind of trouble.

[billyoc]

94. It's hard for me to say, because I WANT him to say that so badly

I can hear it in my dreams. :rofl:

[stillcool]

95. Let's hope so..

he certainly didn't do his wife any favor with his campaigning style.

[shadowknows69]

96. Why does this fill me with even more hope

No offense Big Dog, but if your heart aint in it, and it won't be, you stand to do more harm than good.