Bill Clinton speaks out for Barack Obama. Well, sort of

When we last saw the last Democratic ex-president of the United States, he was really, really getting ready to go out and campaign for this very ambitious young fellow from Illinois who with his Windy City crowd beat the ex-president's wife out of her rightfully inherited White House.

No hard feelings though, not among fellow Democrats. Not even when the winner didn't pick the near-winner as his female running mate, leaving an opening the size of Alaska for the Republican presidential nominee to pick a female running mate and shake the whole race up real good.

The Democratic ex-president made the wannabe Democratic president come up to his Harlem office last week to have lunch, all friendly like.

The ex-president made a prediction about Nov. 4 on-camera: "I predict that Sen. Obama will win and win handily."

That sound bite got wide play, as it was meant to because it was short and to the point. Also, the ex-president and the ex-president's wife don't want anyone to be able to say they caused the wannabe president's defeat come November, which is exactly four years from when they intend to win the White House themselves for good.

And although no one actually saw the two men shake hands at that friendly luncheon last week, their aides assured the media that everything went really well. So it must be true.

Now, it's one week later. And the ex-president tore himself away from still preparing to go out and campaign for the kid long enough to go on CNBC because ...

... several hundred people a day watch that channel and it's a good opportunity to not yet be out on the road campaigning.

Maria Bartiromo, who's one of the best broadcast financial reporters going, asked the ex-president about the neck-and-neck presidential race. We're going to do something a little unusual now. We're going to print the ex-president's entire reply for a reason.

These guys are professional talkers. They know precisely what they are doing and saying with every word. Last week the ex-president was clear and concise on purpose. This week not so, on purpose. See if you can find an endorsement in here from the ex-president, a sound bite or relevant point that would actually help Obama, or is it merely a verbal wandering and pro forma party prediction that no one can criticize:

"Well, the latest polls had Senator Obama up a little bit. And I think every -- I -- I think partly that's a function of the current distress, economic distress because I think the more people worry about the current set of circumstances, the more likely they are to change parties. I have always said that I thought Senator Obama would win this election because two thirds of the American people are having trouble paying their bills.

"And because of Democratic registration is up and Republican registration is flat. And because he has  offered some very specific and sensible economic reforms and health care reforms. And as I said, I've never concealed my admiration and affection for Senator McCain. I think he's a great man. But, I think on the issues that matter to our future, the Obama/Biden team is, is more right. That's what I believe. And I believe they're gonna win.

"But, I think that -- it will be competitive until the end. And our side has to work hard. But, I think what -- what typically happens in these elections if you look throughout American history when the country's in a fix and you know where we're going is not sustainable, then there is typically a breakthrough. The biggest example of that was in 1860 when Abraham Lincoln was elected. The Republican party had only been in existence for four [sic] years.

"But, both the old-Whig party and the Democratic party had proved unable to resolve the dilemma of how to hold the Union together and stop the spread of slavery. So, they both had different approaches. Neither one were workin'.  So, the public said, 'OK, if we can't sustain this, we'll make a change.' That's what I think. Now, I think that the -- the people said, 'Well, they had the Congress and the White House for six of the last eight years. We're in trouble. We liked Senator McCain. We recognize he's a little bit of a different kind of Republican. But, we're gonna make a change.' And I think that's where they'll be and I think that you'll see a victory for Obama and Biden.

"But, I don't think you'll see it clearly. Barring some unforeseen development like in -- something happens in the debates we don't know about. I -- I -- I -- it may not be apparent in the polls until last week or two of the election. But, I believe that it will be apparent on election day. I think that -- I think Senator Obama will win this election."

This week no "win handily." This week no crisp sound bite. This week the election is seven days closer. This week still no ex-president on the trail for the wannabe.

And that, folks, is no accident.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credits: Associated Press (top); CNN (bottom).

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Comments

[Amritbhaskar]

Yes!thank U becuse we need to discover this! That we woe respect to the femenin, and we must show it ,and this is where man no matter how well meaning,his true colors come out!The unconsious according to the wise ones is nine times stronger than the conscious mind...!you can talk until the cows come home but ones actuality surfaces as soon as it find room to ...that´s where we are, and Sent. Obama is no different!He would have had his chance had the femenin been included in this ticket `mind!´Woemen don´t need this places anymore to show they are equal to man!We are not equals never been and perhaps as evolution has it, will never be...some,small ,some large,some different altogether ...Right now´Over me´!!

[Manolete]

How could the Clintons support Barack when we all know that:

OBAMA FRACTURED AND DIVIDED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHEN HE REJECTED THE CHOICE OF 18 MILLION DEMOCRATS and instead of choosing Hillary Clinton for VP, he chose an old Washington politician Joe Biden, and by this grave mistake in choice, negated the flag of "change" Obama had been waiving and replaced it with the flag of "more of the same".
On the other side, THE MAVERICK STOLE THE MANTRA OF CHANGE FROM BARACK WHEN HE SELECTED A WOMAN REFORMER FOR VP, who has gained the respect of the State she governs as well as of the nation governors.
THE MCCAIN/PALIN TICKET HAS GIVEN HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF AMERICA TO ALL THE 18 MILLION FORMER HILLARY SUPPORTERS who now have a very compelling reason to vote for the republican ticket, as a way to put their country first by electing a president that has the qualifications, experience and love for our country and at the same time elect a woman to the White House as equal partners in governance and leadership of our country.
Country First!

DEMOCRATS FOR MCCAIN/PALIN!

[SueP]

Meanwhile, some PUMA types (or pretend PUMA= actually Repubs) are posting all over, reminding voters that Hillary can't run in 2012 if Obama wins and presumably goes for a second term in office. As if the Democrats will forgive Hillary and Bill for letting Team Obama down in 2008 and Hillary automatically coronated in 2012? Unbelievable.

There is a serious lack of true patriotism among these so-called Hillary 2012 people. And if Bill's secretly in their corner, shame on him. If they cared about the direction of this country AT ALL, they wouldn't be so complacent about putting somebody like McCain (and then, Palin) in the White House. The situation in this country is dire. No time for petty politics.

[Logan T]

When will the media give the Clintons a break? Bill and Hillary are supporting Obama as much as they can, of course Bill rigorously campaigned on the road for Hillary because she is his WIFE. He is transitioning back into his old life before the primary started, he has his organization and his own agenda. Obama is the nominee, Obama can only be blamed for his own loss, but God help us that won't happen.

[Michael]

PN, as evidenced by your post, people that use all caps are IDIOTS.

[carl c]

The Clinton's are still bitter and hoping Obama loses so Hillary can have her shot against Palin in 2012. They're only interested in themselves, not in what's best for our country. Bill optimizes narcissism and Hillary is his protege. They're democrats in name only.

[Name]

Sucks to be on the losing side for the first time in eight years doesn't it?

[mental midgets]

Love the moronic Obama-bots who are mental 3-year-olds who think Obama is some magical fairytale creature who would get in office and make everything rosy.

Obama screwed this country and destroyed the Dem party when he couldn't get past his own ego by making Clinton VP.

Instead he appoints Biden who couldn't get elected because Obama doesn't know what he's doing and needs someone else to run things

His penis is too small to have chosen the real winner and leader - Clinton.

Yawn, just another misogynist and empty suit.
No way should Obama be Prez

[nicole]

Hillary Supporters need to realize that he is the nominee because he earned the nomination and won it fairly. Bitterness will cost the Democrats the election just like complacency cost Gore the 2000 race. Remember, all those Democrats who said there was no difference between Gore and Bush and either stayed home or voted for Nader.
Hillary should have won the nomination. She was the favorite. She had the background and ties . But Obama ran a strong campaign and organized and gathered small donations, which totaled millions. Had obama picked her for the VP it would have been political suicided. First, it would have motivated the Republican base more than Palin has. I have never come across a group that the Republicans despise more, albeit undeservedly so. Also, the media and Republicans would have had a field day asking Obama and Clinton about all the statements Clinton made about Obama.

Obama is the Democratic nominee. We cannot afford to have four or eight more years of a Repbulican president. The well-being of too many depend on it.

[Riftkid]

What BHO and WJC have in common: They are both over-rated.

[Dave]

It's Hillary's not not Bill's continued endorsal that would possibly hold sway. Check out nomineecomparison.org (non-partisan) to see it all in a table in front of you and make your decision.

[mediahack]

Why would Bill gush over Obama after the Obama campaign suggested he was a racist during the primary fight with Hillary.
That racist accusation was cruel. And the Chicago thug is at it again calling McCain a racist against Hispanics.
Both racist accusations of these two men is entirely unfair and Obama knows it.

[Barry from WV]

I think you're right on the money. Clinton has yet to make any kind of strong endorsement or show of support for the Obama campaign. I think he's still upset over being portrayed as a racist over the "South Carolina" comment, as well as the fact that he and Hillary felt they were 'entitled'. I think he's playing a dangerous game but Bill Clinton likes to live dangerously. Unfortunately, the whole Democratic party potentially suffers as a result.

Hillary needs to face the fact that she likely will never be President. If Obama loses this election I don't see Hillary doing better in 2012. I think she does worse. And if Obama wins then he will an incumbent nominee in four years. That means Hillary wouldn't have another shot until she was at least 68 - and I just don't see her running for President at that age (McCain's age notwithstanding, of course).

[Jerry/Orlando]

The only doubt for Obama that I read in this piece is that of the author.

Clinton stated several times that he believes Obama will win, and his cautions offer no evidence that he believes, or wishes, anything contrary to that.

It is a very close race, and the very worst thing that could happen to Obama would be for his supporters to think his win was "in the bag".

It happens to NOT be in the bag, and if we remain cognizant of that and continue to work for his victory, the chances increase.

Keep up with the negativity, neo-cons. You're only helping.

[Minnesota Independent]

What they did NOT even mention from that CNBC interview was Bill's very flattering remarks about VP Sarah Palin. He softly acknowledged her personal views were right of the country's center, but commended her restrain that she does not force her personal views into public policy. He complimented her as articulate and praised her instincts, and intellect as well. Frankly, I felt he gave her an even handed, well considered appraisal if not a qualified endorsement. To me, this was an even bigger story than his luke warm embrace of Obama.

I've concluded that McCain and Palin really do have the chops to deliver in DC. Biden's record over a longer period than McCain's has produced less bi-partisan solutions. And Obama really has avoided taking tough stands via votes and/or bills/amendments.

Say what you want about some of the inflated claims about Palin's reforms, even her opponents have praised her in the past. It is sad that so many of them now feel compelled to retract or delete their past positive comments about her bi-partisan solutions simply because the national scope of her candidacy is bringing pressure from DNC to throw her under the bus and disavow their past praise.

In the end, I sleep a lot better knowing it will be McCain/Pailin in 08.

[Mrbuzzbri]

The Clintons do not want Obama to win. Hillary will try to run agian in 4 years, but if Obama is elected that would stand in her way. She and Bill will vote for McCain to preseve their own personal interest. They, as mentioned in the article are only trying to preseve themselves for the Democratic voter that will vote again in four years, for them it's hopefully for Hillary! A couple of real fakes dupping the Democratic party!
Vote republican and preserve our freedom!

[Willie in Kansas]

I'm a Democrat. Independent, free thinking, believing in the best is still to come. I'm not a Republican. Republicans are like the Borg on Star Trek TNG. One size fits all and we must all think alike, and if not, you're just weird. Republicans like to tell themselves what a great President Reagan was. Well, he wasn't so great, but did great things. Reagan destroyed the backbone of average workers ability to unionize. As a result, we have CEO's pocketing the wages of their workers when they move operations to China. Under Reagan many industrial companies were dismembered sold in pieces and jobs sent to third world countries. If you had AIDS it was God's punishment. Not so great. Bush had experience, Bush is an oilman, Bush was painted as the great uniter. The economy is having its Katrina this week. The response, stick tax payers with the bill. That is tax and steal. Once again, as much as people talk about Bush tax cuts, it has being really a tax shift. Shielding the mighty and wealthy from contributing to our country. The result tax at the pump, because the dollar today is more like the Mexican peso in value; so every time the dollar tumbles we have to pay more for crude oil. Someone pays for the rich not paying capital gains tax, the kids working at McDonald's. They will pay it today and for many years to come. Laisez faire in Wall Street has been a free for all, at the expense of every one else. The crisis could have been avoided if the SEC wouldn't have been asleep at the wheel. The SEC in this case acted the same way that Fema acted during Katrina, totally worthless. So, sure talk trash about Obama. The economy is in such bad shape and the problems facing our country so deep that whoever is going to be the next President is going to be a one termer. There is plenty of blame to go around. However, it was the Republicans who see no value in true service that have let to the melt downs on 9-11, Katrina, and now the collapse of the mortgage sector. Most of us would like to think that slavery never happened and that it shouldn't affect how blacks should see our country, that lying to go to war and have someone's kid die is not a big deal, and that big business and big religion always do what is right for our families. So, like the Borg the collective mind doesn't have much imagination and doesn't know where to draw the line. For all the negativity and fear mongering, I'm voting for Obama. He has been through what the average Jack and Diane have been through and understands them. No sound bites, not everything you want to hear. Experience, and awakenings are great, but they don't compensate for vision and judgment.

[kpaidl]

Obamas slogan should be "hey Im from Harvard, here to change the world" .... remember people if it sounds too good to be true...it usually is. Is obama running a campaign or should he perhaps go on the road as a traveling saleman? Oh thats right - he is -. In the beginning of all this I used to be excited about the guy and the possibility of him becoming president. But when it comes down to it ....he has an awful lot of people convinced (in my opinion) that voting in the first african american president is the first step on the "longest" road to change this country has ever seen. Am I really supposed to believe if this man wasn't african american he wouldve even made it half this far on his policies and fancy speeches alone? I guess so...... America has been for sale long enough . How much more does it take before we're the country in foreclosure? Maybe obama could some celebrity moola for that.

[Andreas]

I'm pretty sure that "I think on the issues that matter to our future, the Obama/Biden team is, is more right" is an endorsement.

[dennis]

The GOP is all about deregulation of financial firms (hating gays is a sneaky diversion--it's really about greed). They've been deregulating for decades. That is precisely the reason we're now so close to another Great Depression. If we manage to work our way out of this fix, the GOP will soon begin pushing deregulation again, and within a decade or so we'll be facing another looming financial catastrophe. Because greed is the underbelly of capitalism. If you don't manage it aggressively through smart, sensible regulation, it will bite you every time. The GOP does not look at this issue rationally but ideologically ("the glory of unfettered capitalism"). Because they're ideologues, they ignore the evidence. So they can't change.

John McCain has always pushed the self-defeating philosophy of Unfettered Capitalism. He helped get us into this mess, directly. He can't change, because he's an ideologue like his colleagues. If you're wondering where your retirement fund went, this is as far as you need to look.

[Kathy]

I think Obama is smart not to send Bill out campaigning. After all, Bill didn't exactly help Hillary with her campaign. Open mouth, insert foot...

[AC]

"The Democratic ex-president made the wannabe Democratic president.."

WANNABE? Is that the technical term for a presidential candidate? I think the only wannabe here is the author.

[Richard Edwards]

Bill Clinton is probably one of the most brilliant politician the democratic party had in a long time, he can see the writing on the wall and knows how close the party was to the White house and they messed it up by nominating a weaker candidate, only time will tell how the democrats lost this election by their own stupidity and poor judgment

[Teri B.]

What a stupid, pointless column. Surely you have SOMETHING worthwhile to fabricate. *rollseyes*

[J]

PN's comments look like those viagra adds you get in your spam mail... sounds like one too.

There is no chance McCain/Palin will win. McCain is too old and will die in office and Palin will run this country into the ground (in search of oil).