Bill Clinton: He's really, really glad to see John McCain

John McCain, in suspending his presidential campaign to (eventually) head back to Washington from New York to help the push for a financial rescue plan, may have nixed a planned appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" and cancelled a chat with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

But McCain wasn't about to snub his old friend, Bill Clinton, this morning. And the ex-president, for all his expressions of support for Barack Obama and predictions of victory in November for his fellow Democrat, continues to give the impression he's definitrely hedging his bets.

McCain kept his promise to address the annual meeting in the Big Apple of the Clinton Global Initiative, founded to fight malaria, global warming, poverty and other ills that know no borders. McCain's wife, Cindy, and his running mate, Sarah Palin, came along to lend support.

The Times' Bob Drogin also was there, and he reports, that Clinton was effusive in his introduction, saying he was "personally profoundly honored" and "profoundly grateful" that McCain showed up.

Obama, he noted less warmly, would speak to the group later by satellite feed from Florida, where he's been encamped for prep sessions for the Friday debate that may or may not take place.

Clinton, for all his kind words he lavished on McCain, did throw the Republican a curve ball.

Afrer his introduction, Clinton picked up a sheaf of papers as he left the podium. As McCain arrived at that perch, he looked down and suddenly appeared anxious.

By then, Clinton was on his way back to the podium, waving papers in his hand.

"I took his speech," he said, laughing.

"What kind of host is that?" McCain joked back. He grinned broadly as he unfolded the pages, adding, "I almost gave one of the most extemporaneous speeches of my political career."

Not really. The paper copy was just a backup. McCain read his speech from a Teleprompter.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[CJ]

Bill Clinton you are responsible for Gore losing,,therefore you are responsible for Bush and the Iraq war to some extent. GROW UP and stop playing cheap political trics old man or go take a vacation! We will never forgive you if Obama losese and McCain/Palin gets into office because you can't stop your childish political games when the country is hurting. McCain is an opportunistic liar.

[Scrooge aka Obama]

Despite beeing flush with hundreds of millions,the Chicago Scrooge will not lift one finger to help Hillary.Bill
is absolutely justified to prefer a McCain win and will see
to it that it happens. Bill knows what is best for the country and the free world and unlike Obama is a true
patriot.

[French Officialf]

McCoward

[Joy Ford]

It is abundantly clear that Bill would like nothing more than to see Obama lose this election so he and his wife can say "see I told you so." To that end he will do whatever is in his power to help facilitate that outcome. He and his wife are both reprehensible.

[Michelle]

I have always loved Slick Willy. Thank you Bill for publically snubbing Obama, we know you really want the right man for the job- and that man is John McCain. COUNTRY FIRST!!!

[George Christie]

Looks to me that John McCain is just scared to debate with Obama. My, how convenient that this fiscal crisis arose when it did/ Watch for Palin to cancel next.

[KidCharlatan]

Deborah Harry wrote: "I was one of those Hillary voters who switched to McCain/Palin."

Then you have betrayed the very ideals for which Hillary stands.

[Curly]

Obama does not give a speech with out a telaprompter.

[Tom]

I'm not sure why so many people are dogging Bill Clinton. The event was non political, it was for his charity that combats malaria, global warming , poverty, etc...This foundation does a lot of good things for some very poor people and has nothing to do with being a member of a specific political party. Be informed don't be a sheep.

[Lucy]

Most of the Obama supporters on this blog are quite irrational. People seem to make up their mind about what they ideal dream candidate is and imagine Obama is just like that. He is just another human being, he is not God, he is not THAT smart, he is not THAT brilliant. Look at him rationally, he can make mistakes. If every Obama supporter thinks he can do no wrong and he is God like, their support is irrational. Bill and Hillary do not like Obama, for a variety of reasons. Why should they pretend they like him? Why should every democrat like Obama, is he God? Not even everyone like or believe in God! Is Obama even better than God? Chill, Bill, Hillary and I have our own reasons for not liking Obama.

[Greg]

I'm afraid that John McCain was an Attack Pilot,not a Fighter Pilot. Any Fighter Pilot will tell you of the difference as well as any Attack Pilot. Fighter Pilots make movies, Attack Pilots make history!

[Andrew O.]

I'm not a big fan of former President Bill Clinton, but since leaving office there have been many moments when he has made me proud. In his interview with Larry King (taped Tuesday), he showed the kind of level-headedness that has been sorely missing from most of the political spin and analysis. Regarding the present financial crisis he said: "First of all, we should all be humble here. No one knows for sure what all the answers are. No one knows for sure what is going to work. No one knows for sure whether any of us who were in positions of responsibilities in the past could have done something we didn't do to change the outcome of this."

Bill Clinton knows that the crisis has been slowly building from the time of his administration. The mess we're in is a bi-partisan mess. It is happening on a Republican administration watch, but has Democratic Party fingerprints and DNA all over it.

Whomever you are supporting in the present presidential campaign... don't look for the one who is pointing his finger (What's so difficult or heroic about that?). Look for the one who is able to acknowledge his own party's contribution to the present crisis. If your candidate is unable to tell the truth now, he will not tell you the truth when he is in office either.

Oh and believe me, if I were poised to take over chairmanship of a huge enterprise and it were about to take a decision that would have a long-term serious impact on my future executive position … I would most certainly be there to make sure the decision was the right one.

[Bill Clinton]

Hillary and myself will put the country first instead of a party.

We will campaign next month to elect whoever is the best for the country.

[Obama supporter who likes Bill]

Clinton is an elderstatesman. It is his right to embrace McCain. As his career winds down he may feel he is beyond politics.

Washington was his career and his life. I support Obama but I must admit, Mccain has a good sense of humor. He does not have the judgment and temperment to run the country but he is a likable guy. So let two old friends put politics aside without the rest of the party going into a prissy-fit.

What 's next. Get mad at Clinton is he shakes Bush's hand. He has not endorsed McCain. Clinton has endorsed Obama and from his comments, Clinton is out of the hard-line politics games. This is Clintons last go round. Let him leave a good impression on both friend and foe. He fought a tough fight on Hillary's behalf and maybe now he's toning himself down and looking at the bigger picture. Clinton is just as valuable to the Obama as he has ever been. Relax.

OBAMA 08

[thomas wong]

McCain is truly the candidate of "change." He proves it every time he makes a stand on any topic in the morning and changes it in the afternoon.

[Gaias Child]

Clearly John McCain has made some promises to the Clintons that we may never seen materialize unless McCain ascends to the presidency. Then we'll see Clinton face or faces in the cabinet. I'm betting she wants Department of State to elevate her international profile while she waits for McCain to toddle off into retirement or heaven. Otherwise, why would big Bill behave in this fawning way with his subtle denials of Obama's candidacy? Revenge? Jealousy? A toast to unbridled unashamed narcissism in public life.

[Catherine T.]

To those of you that think Obama supporters think that he is God, how ridiculous! What you can't stand is that Obama supporters finally see a chance for America to gain back the respect that it once had because President Obama will really act on the premise of the Golden Rule. You know, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, not attacking another country just because you think they might not like you, and also not trying to take over other countries or influence them to become just like the "good ole US. Wake up people-Eight More Years, Totally Unacceptable. We Actually Need Barak Obama.

[Bobo4bush]

Hillary,
Your own party is sick of you. Leave the Dark side(dems).
Come over to the Good side(rep's).
We'll be happy to have you as our candidate in 2012!

Republican Hillary Clinton 2012!

[ash]

Why attack Bill Clinton for bringing awareness to altruistic causes and acting as a civilized host? When he and President Bush Sr. worked together on tsunami relief did we condemn him for siding with George W. Bush?

[dbc]

Obama was in Florida holed up and preparing for the debate? During one of the most significant Congressional actions in the history of this country?
What an impressive leader. A man who is willing to take great personal risk. No thank you.

[Billi Mattson]

MCCAIN STATEMENT ON CO-SPONSORSHIP OF THE FEDERAL HOUSING ENTERPRISE REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2005

"For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - known as government sponsored entities or GSEs - and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. OFHEO's report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO's report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay."

http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=C97D478F-F460-4253-B2EC-8D9FBCAFF20C

[Michelle M]

Oh, you sniveling Obamabots. You think the Clintons owe you something. Hillary has done more for Obama than any candidate ever has, while he's done nothing for her but break his word. I only marvel that Bill will trouble to speak to him. With a Blagojevich indictment as breaking news today, I really hope "The One" is soon making license plates. Do you honestly think President Clinton cares what you think?

[Kat]

Hey John, (Re: C.C. Lee)

Exactly where did you get your statistics that "the majority of blacks are voting by the color of one's skin, not on character and experience. Now who is the racist?"

C.C. Lee wrote about his opinion, you're making up generalizations with no basis in fact to support your claim of reverse racism. I'm just surprised you didn't start your statement with the classic line "I'm not a racist, but..."

[lisa]

I lost a lot of respect for Bill Clinton today.
I thought he was honorable enough to put Hillary's loss behind him and stand up for his party....
What a loser...

[Russell4America]

It's not wonder people think Americans are stupid. All people need do is read posts such as those shamelessly displayed here which support John McCain. Anyone who supports McCain is ignorant and certainly does not put country first. McCain's dismal voting record certainly cannot be the reason people support McCain -- McCain consistently voted against our troops, our veterans, our economy (and look how that turned out), women's issues, the environment, etc. etc. etc. McCain's criminal involvement in the Keating Five also causes one to question how anyone could possibly support a candidate whose career includes siding with the criminal involved in the S&L crisis in 1989, and against the American people who lost their life savings because of it. So, it does cause one to wonder how it's possible anyone could support McCain who claim to put country first. It would seem to me that these McCain supporters put the republican party first, or their bigotry first, because they can't possibly put country first and support John McCain. I put country first, so I'm voting for Obama.