Bill Clinton: Obama will win, and I'm supporting him vigorously
To Democrats fretting that Barack Obama isn't running away with the election, former President Bill Clinton has a message: Chill out, the race was always going to be close.
"I think, first of all, presidential elections, a lot of voting is cultural and identity-based," he said in an interview to air tonight on CNN's "Larry King Live." If you go back through the whole 20th century, we've only had one landslide elections, Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, where both candidates didn't get at least 39 or 40 percent of the vote. That is, the typical race was 40-40, 20 percent could go either way. Then you got to the 1968 election and all of those upheavals 40 years ago. And after that, the Republican base got to be about 45 percent, ours was about 40 percent.
"That's why it was so hard for Democrats to win the White House for a long time. Sometime in my second term it started evening up. And then we had a couple of races where the bases were about 45 and 45.
If you go into a race where you're going to get 45 percent of the vote, then those races are going to look close until the end," he added.
"But what I've always thought would happen here is that because of the condition of the economy, because of the demographics of America growing more diverse, younger, more open to the diversity of the Democratic Party, and because Senator Obama is, I think, not only charismatic, but really smart and a very disciplined candidate who has handled himself, I think, by and large remarkably well, I've always thought that in the end he would come out ahead.
Clinton said while he's been busy lately working for his foundation in Africa, he's ready now to vigorously campaign for Obama. And he rejected criticism that he and his wife, Hillary Clinton, haven't campaigned for Obama forcefully enough.
"Well, if you look at the speech I gave in Denver and the speech Hillary gave, I think it would be hard to question the depth of our feeling and the fact that we gave good reasons for why we were supporting Senator Obama and Senator Biden.
"You know, I also would like to say that if you look at what Hillary has done, she has already done more for him, notwithstanding the unusual circumstances of this primary, than any runner up has in a nominating process in 40 years. I think you can argue that she has done more than all other runner-ups have in the Democratic Party in 40 years. We have been quite clear on this. We're not party-wreckers, and we believe that the country needs to take a different course.
"Now some of them, as we all know, are so enthralled, as all of our strongest supporters are, that they don't think you're for them unless you're dumping on somebody else. I personally think that is not a good strategy to win this election.
"That is, everybody wants Hillary or me or, for that matter, Senator Obama or Senator Biden just to say bad things about Senator McCain or Governor Palin. Those people are already for us.
"We've got to go get some votes here of people who voted for Hillary in the primary and are undecided, or people who didn't vote in the primary."
The real Bill CLinton didn't speak last night and the VIEW and the VIEWER caught off guard.Ha! ha! you naughty women are so stupid and I mean the liberal ones not including Hassellback.See Bill fool you guys in believing what he said but you didn't notice Bills body language,and it simply saying noway Hussein.
Bill, people lost their life savings, their own homes for guys named McCain Keating out of Arizona,”
It's good to hear you say Obama' s and get ready to get busy to get busy to campaign.
Obama/Biden
I remember the days when politicians of both parties treated each other respectfully and would fight the issues and not each other. Bill and Hillary are basically old-style politicians and I admire them for not getting down into the mud. Too bad others think it's okay to demonize their opponents. If we really want to have a change in Washington, we need to make politics more civil.
skmj, you're a complete blithering idiot. It makes sense that your grammar is atrocious. You're a ill-informed half-ass American who gets their news from The View. What should we expect you to think, you illiterate moron?
The proof is in the pudding. There is no question that Bill Clinton is a sort of masterful politician, and there is also no question that he and Hillary can help the Obama-Biden ticket by vigorously and aggressively campaigning for Obama over the next 40-odd days. If they don't, then they will appear as totally self-centered party breakers. That would not help Hillary if she chose to run again in 2012.
I'd also have to agree that for a former president to be "dumping" on McCain well... that would be beneath his station IMHO. OTH, he doesn't have to compliment McCain at all, and Hillary's push should be for the women and the working class folks in a big way.
What the Clinton's can say is the truth... that the current financial crisis has been brought on by poor legislation like Phil Gramm's deregulation bill in 1999, and the across the board support of it by ALL Republicans. But regardless of how they do it, what they need to do is to get into everyone's face via TV , Radio, and Print, and repeat the message over and over
America will never forgive John McCain for saying that "The economy is fundamentally sound" while Wall Street crumbled around him.
Bill knows you can't win by not criticizing the opposition.
I am disappointed that, during the primary, he hit HARD (that was Bill!), and now he wants to play softball with the REPUGS.
He lambasted Obama everyday during the primaries (and that was fine), but NOW it is time to bring out the big guns, Bill.
We know you've got 'em, too.
We saw Chris Rock. Clinton you lie. She lies. You don't get 2012 either. Maybe you get cabinet jobs in McCain presidency. Except there isn't going to be one. As long as the voting machines work.
Bill Clinton (in case you don't remember) is one of the most accomplished liars in United States political history.
"Didn't inhale" "Didn't have sex with that woman" and NOW "Vigorously supporting Obama!"
Yeah Slick Willy, When Pigs With Lipstick FLY!
McCain-Palin 2008
The Dem Party was in shock because OB was still did not lead even if all the map of america favor of OB. The Elist party leader didn't blame themself for chosing the wrong person but blame HRC. American are very smart, very clear becausethey don't want a teen president at the mess time.
# 4 Moi,
Are you referring to yourself then you're the moron I'm not the candidate.You need piss in the bowl not on yourself.You just as ignorant like your liberal friends.
The Dem Party was in shock because OB was still did not lead even if all the map of america favor of OB. The Elist party leader didn't blame themself for chosing the wrong person but blame HRC. American are very smart, very clear becausethey don't want a teen president at the mess time.
skmj, since when does someone's name have anything to do with what kind of person they are fundamentally. You need to be informed if you are going to espouse what you think are facts to the rest of the intelligent people reading the articles and comments on this site. Why spread hate, why not just say good things about your candidate?!
During the taping of tonight's show, Letterman told the audience that McCain had called him personally to apologize for standing him up and said he was rushing to the airport to get back to Washington. The late-night host called McCain “an honest-to-God hero,” and questioned why he needed to halt his campaign. Couldn’t his running mate, Sarah Palin, take over while he was in Washington? Letterman asked.
“I’m more than a little disappointed by John’s behavior,” he said. “Is he suspending the campaign. because there’s an economic crisis or his poll numbers are sliding?” “You don’t suspend your campaign,” Letterman added. “Do you suspend your campaign? No, because that makes me think, well, you know, maybe there will be other things down the road if he’s in the White House, he could just suspend being president. I mean, we've got a guy like that now!” And guess who would replace him?
Things got worse for McCain when Letterman, in the midst of interviewing substitute guest Keith Olbermann, learned that the GOP candidate was actually still in New York, about five blocks away at the CBS News headquarters, sitting down for a last-minute exclusive interview with Katie Couric.
Incredulous, Letterman interrupted his chat with Olbermann to show the audience a live shot on the internal CBS news feed of McCain getting touched up by a makeup artist as he waited to talk to Couric. “He doesn’t seem to be racing to the airport, does he?” Letterman said, shouting at the television monitor: “Hey John, Do you need a ride to the airport?”
Elitist party. Hmmm. Let's see. My wife and I got 7 seven homes and when asked I cannot recall the exact number. I spent over $500 on shoes and my wife spent thousands of dollar on jewelry and dress. Does that sound familiar to the average American? The average american can hardly pays for one home.
Moreover, I have 13 cars and some exotic foreign ones. The average american has an old beat up chevy or ford....
Is this wealthy family, a republican or Democrat.... Not sure? Let's check on the candidates.
Barack Obama... naaaaaaaaaaaa
John McCain, Oh no bingo Out of touch, elitist and fundamentaly wrong for the middle class.
SKMJ, people like you should be rehabilated. What a pity? A malfunctioning brain
I think the Clintons are doing a lot for Senator Obama but because of the nature of the primaries, they do need to step it up a bit for those "Hillary supporters" who are so mad and bitter that they are willing to turn their backs on everything their candidate stands for.
skmj, keep posting! I love your broken, grammatically incorrect comments. Nothing any of us could say could ever prove our points more than your disjointed, illiterate comments. You are the conservative spokesperson!
The fact of the matter is, Senator McCain has been fighting dirty and now he's dirty AND desperate. The world is finally noticing that the emperor and the emperoress have no clothes. The polls speak volumes and our next President IS going to be Senator Obama!
#10 - That should be "You're just as ignorant." Not "You just as ignorant."
See, this is what happens with programs like "No Child Left Behind".
Bill Clinton was a president he will not go after someone likethat. He told Larry King it is not the proper way to use a former Presidents time by asking him to bash McCain or Palin he is better than that. You people who don't see this are sheep in this world of deception fed to you by John McCain who just last week was against regulation and now is for it. He was against change until he stole Barack Obamas idea for that too. Then he took on this Maverick of the senate position and then that was disproved because it's ok to get earmarks if you are John McCain. Then he tells people he called Obama first yesterday and refused to talk then he called him back claiming he reached out first and I can't vote for a man whos ideas are all over the place lie this.You can't reinvent your self overnight and that is all there is to it. I was undecided but now I am going to Vote Obama and I am sure the people I tell to vote that way will do the same. A misinformed voter is the worst voter of all and that is what most of you people are and it is a shame that you could be so misinformed with all the truth right at your fingertips.
George Bush and Dick Cheney have screwed America and its citizens for Haliburton, Big Oil and Wall Street. I pray for Bush to eat his foolish laughter and Cheney to choke on his “SO’. People have died and are dying in a war based on"LIES". Our banks, businesses and housing markets are failing due to the Bush-Cheney doctrine on lining the pockets of big business at the expense of our inalienable rights, jobs, standard of living, education system (crazy No Child Left Behind which leaves many behind), our healthcare system, economy and unit in patriotism. We have been used, played, mocked and scorned by the current administration. Guess what everyone? It is not a color or race thing? It is a money and power thing. Recognize that WE ALL are hurting and suffering because of the last eight(8) unproductive and nearly self-destructive years. Former President Clinton and Senator Hilary Clinton can shut down this current presidential race by either supporting the Obama-Biden ticket whole-heartedly or just being quiet totally. Senator Obama has been above the fray, humble yet stern, and run a generally positive campaign. He has the right temperament, intelligence and fortitude to run this nation and get us back on track. For the last time I will say that Bill and Hilary Clinton are acting like immature, spoiled-brat haters who want to mess up “the game” for everybody because they did not get what they wanted. The truth is the American people have not gotten what we have wanted and deserved these past eight years. And, definitely the aged and silly McCain-Palin ticket will buy us a quick ticket to total disaster on all fronts. THEY ARE ON THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE and will carry us all with them if they win the White House. Bill and Hilary should get out of the way. White people, Black people, Hispanic people, Asian people, Native American people and all minorities are suffering and struggling through these tough times together. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL TO COME TOGETHER DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS and LIBERTARIANS who want serious change. It is not about peronalities, but what is good for American and the world. Bush-Cheney are NO GOOD. McCain-Palin are NO GOOD. Obama-Biden ALL Good. God bless.
All I can say is some of you are very cynical! Give
Bill hell, hate him or what ever, but there is one thing for me and he gave me some good years where I was not
counting down to my last penny...I could buy extras at the grocery store....I even bought an outfit or two to wear
once in a while..I have not been able to do that for a long
time now..and extras is something like mustard, pickles
or onion...Give the man a break...
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