Do the Clintons Really Want Obama to Win?
Amid all this year’s psychodramas about gender, race and age, consider the conflict in the heart and soul of the 42nd President of the United States as he looks back at his past and ahead to his place in history.
This week Bill Clinton gave Barack Obama lunch in his Harlem office, a promise to do “whatever I’m asked” in the campaign and a prediction that Obama “will win and win handily” in November.
But nothing is simple in Clintonland. The day before, the former President had another visitor, billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife, head of the “vast right wing conspiracy” that had financed his impeachment. They talked cozily about doing good in the world, just as Hillary had met with the editorial board of Scaife’s Pittsburgh newspaper and won their endorsement in this year’s primary.
Since there are no permanent friends or enemies in the Clintons’ lives (ask Bill Richardson), their support of Obama requires close parsing.
Without his own marital melodrama, there would be little reason to doubt Clinton’s sincerity about seeing Obama as a logical heir to his and JFK’s Democratic legacies. But the bruising primary season and Hillary Clinton’s future hopes can’t be left out of the equation.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
29 Responses to “Do the Clintons Really Want Obama to Win?”
I imagine they're torn like the rest of us.
On the one hand they know, instinctively, that Obama is not up to the job. And in the short four years he'll be in office, he won't have time to get a grip on our country's worsening issues by the day.
On the other hand they know, instinctively, that McLame not only has no intentions of righting the Titanic, he will be operating on archaic GOP agendas that have been the direct cause of our demise as it is. It would be like shooting a torpedo in the Titanic, just for good measure.
So the best any of us can hope for, due to stupid and harmful decisions made by the DNC putting a weak and fragile candidate up for the cause of “making history” vs a strong and viable candidate sure to win for the cause of “winning” (not to mention making history), we have to hope that Obama can lean on Biden to limp us through the next four years with a democratic Congress keeping the real tabs on issues. Largely I'd imagine the real power will sit with Biden and Nancy Pelosi.
Then of course at the end of that four years we can handily and quickly slide Clinton into the position she should have had four years earlier. I can only hope our country, as we know it, will still be intact by then. It will be up to Congress either way. The Oval Office is going to be the laughing stock of the world either way..
Good job DNC and all you starry-eyed fools who erroneously elevated Obama to the status of “the second coming of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”. You are directly responsible for any damage that occurs as a result of your actions.
Well, Obama did beat Hillary in the primaries. There would have been backlash from the Obama supporters if the DNC had insisted on making her the nominee- despite the primary results.
Obama is NOT a weak candidate. Period. Get over the primaries already. The Clinton supporters act just like the Clintons. Holding grudges and waiting for revenge. I for one want this country out from under the grip of the previous influnces of the past 20 years and another Clinton in the White House just wouldn't do.
I just want the country to get out from under the last 8 years. If we don't keep the focus on that, we deserve McCain-Palin,who will provide a military response to international conflicts, an ultraconservative SCOTUS, and no real investment in America or Americans.
“There would have been backlash from the Obama supporters if the DNC had insisted on making her the nominee- despite the primary results.”~ kritt
*******
No, there wouldn't. The DNC knew full well that Obama supporters would never get behind McLame. They did know, beforehand as well, that many middle-grounders who supported Hillary never would back Obama and were at risk to defect to McCain.
The numbers spelled a simple win: nominate Hillary and she'd win handily. Nominate Obama and it would be a fight all the way and an unsure outcome.
Also, the primaries did not determine the nomination. The nomination and vote at the convention did. Hillary was neck and neck with Obama to the very end in the primaries and “pledged” delegates meant nothing at all. The DNC could've used its considerable influence and urged those superdelegates to reconsider by the convention…which of course it did not…
And it supports my theory that several DNC bigwigs who are pro-life are “democrats” in name only and swear their allegiance privately to another party.
All of it boils down to a weak democratic candidate and a sure win for McCain if he keeps the poll numbers climbing in his favor. At this stage, if Hillary was his opponent, he would be hanging his head in shame at those numbers and we would all be on easy street for a win.
A win. You do realize this race is all about getting our candidate to win? So why did we pick the weaker of the two. (see opening argument in the first paragraph)
I do think there is doubt of how much they want him to win, for the reasons stated.
I have always wondered how much they really helped Kerry in 2004.
It is possible to campaign in just the right areas to look like you are helping without really hitting the key areas. Reagan did it to Ford in 76, Kennedy to Carter in 80 and so on.
I do think there is doubt of how much they want him to win, for the reasons stated.
I have always wondered how much they really helped Kerry in 2004.
It is possible to campaign in just the right areas to look like you are helping without really hitting the key areas. Reagan did it to Ford in 76, Kennedy to Carter in 80 and so on.
Rumors have been circulating that Bill C's limo has a bumper sticker that reads,
“nOBAMA…..keep THE CHANGE!”
Rumors have been circulating that Bill C's limo has a bumper sticker that reads,
“nOBAMA…..keep THE CHANGE!”
Silhouette : “On the one hand they know, instinctively, that Obama is not up to the job.”
So you can read the minds of the Clintons now??? There is no reason to believe there is any truth to your comment. Looks like just more (how much is left?) residual bitterness about your candidate losing the primary.
While the Clintons may be somewhat conflicted, they are also smart enough to know they have much more to gain by seeing a democrat victory this November than a defeat.
Silhouette : “On the one hand they know, instinctively, that Obama is not up to the job.”
So you can read the minds of the Clintons now??? There is no reason to believe there is any truth to your comment. Looks like just more (how much is left?) residual bitterness about your candidate losing the primary.
While the Clintons may be somewhat conflicted, they are also smart enough to know they have much more to gain by seeing a democrat victory this November than a defeat.
I started my post with “I imagine”.. Did you miss that part?
This was a query as to what we think the Clintons are thinking..
Speculation is implied.
I started my post with “I imagine”.. Did you miss that part?
This was a query as to what we think the Clintons are thinking..
Speculation is implied.
Sil- Obama supporters wouldn't have had to vote GOP- all they would have had to do was stay home. Also, the party was split neatly in half, and there was already a lot of resentment against the Clintons and their role in the 2000 loss within the party,.
The Democrats picked Obama fair and square, and if they don't want to lose yet another election they need to get behind their ticket. If they voted on issues they would realize that Sarah Palin is no more like Hillary Clinton than Obama is like Alan Keyes. Just because Palin is a woman doesn't mean she would be good for women- especially the working class women who supported Clinton.
Sil- Obama supporters wouldn't have had to vote GOP- all they would have had to do was stay home. Also, the party was split neatly in half, and there was already a lot of resentment against the Clintons and their role in the 2000 loss within the party,.
The Democrats picked Obama fair and square, and if they don't want to lose yet another election they need to get behind their ticket. If they voted on issues they would realize that Sarah Palin is no more like Hillary Clinton than Obama is like Alan Keyes. Just because Palin is a woman doesn't mean she would be good for women- especially the working class women who supported Clinton.
Patrick E: I have always wondered how much they really helped Kerry in 2004.
Well, there was the little matter of Bill's quadruple bypass. That kinda put the kibosh on Kerry. Personally, I think that to the extent the Clinton's aren't seen as helping Obama to the best of their ability (and Obama loses), Hillary is toast in the future. And I think they realize that. I mean think about it: if the Clintons are perceived as coming up short on that score, Obama supporters are not likely to look very kindly on her come 2012. Also, she would no longer be looked on as “inevitable”, like she was this time around. And that would certainly open up the field. Names that come immediately to my mind are Kathleen Sebelius, Claire McCaskill, Mark Warner, and Sheldon Whitehouse. The Dems have a bunch of pretty formidable up-and-comers.
It's possible the Clintons won't be able to get their mojo working for Obama. But if they fail in that, my guess is Hillary's toast as far as her presidential aspirations are concerned.
Patrick E: I have always wondered how much they really helped Kerry in 2004.
Well, there was the little matter of Bill's quadruple bypass. That kinda put the kibosh on Kerry. Personally, I think that to the extent the Clinton's aren't seen as helping Obama to the best of their ability (and Obama loses), Hillary is toast in the future. And I think they realize that. I mean think about it: if the Clintons are perceived as coming up short on that score, Obama supporters are not likely to look very kindly on her come 2012. Also, she would no longer be looked on as “inevitable”, like she was this time around. And that would certainly open up the field. Names that come immediately to my mind are Kathleen Sebelius, Claire McCaskill, Mark Warner, and Sheldon Whitehouse. The Dems have a bunch of pretty formidable up-and-comers.
It's possible the Clintons won't be able to get their mojo working for Obama. But if they fail in that, my guess is Hillary's toast as far as her presidential aspirations are concerned.
I don't see this as a Scylla and Charybdis dilemma for the Clintons. Campaigning all out on the issues is the best thing they can do for party, country, Obama, AND Hilary's chances in 2012. Going “after Palin” in what might be perceived a sexist fashion might indeed hurt Hilary four years from now, but it's not going to help Obama now either. Granted, there's sometimes a tough line to be drawn between being too negative and making a fair point about what is, after all, the need to choose the best people, not just or even mostly, the best policies (we can't be sure what the issues will be three years from now). But I don't think the judgment where to draw that line really differs depending on whether your perspective is what's best for party as opposed to what's best for Hilary.
I don't see this as a Scylla and Charybdis dilemma for the Clintons. Campaigning all out on the issues is the best thing they can do for party, country, Obama, AND Hilary's chances in 2012. Going “after Palin” in what might be perceived a sexist fashion might indeed hurt Hilary four years from now, but it's not going to help Obama now either. Granted, there's sometimes a tough line to be drawn between being too negative and making a fair point about what is, after all, the need to choose the best people, not just or even mostly, the best policies (we can't be sure what the issues will be three years from now). But I don't think the judgment where to draw that line really differs depending on whether your perspective is what's best for party as opposed to what's best for Hilary.
“Sil- Obama supporters wouldn't have had to vote GOP- all they would have had to do was stay home”~ kritt
*******
No, there's one thing they hate more than Hillary (assuming they hated her….not the impression I got with most who voted for Obama…just narrowly beating out Hillary in their mind for “their candidate”.). They hate the idea of 8 more years.
We could've taken that one to the bank instead of the scenario we're facing now.
Again, poor strategy. Obama is not and will never be another Martin Luther King Jr.
That was just fantasy voting. And again, what comes of that collosal immaturity will have to be owned by its promoters.
“Sil- Obama supporters wouldn't have had to vote GOP- all they would have had to do was stay home”~ kritt
*******
No, there's one thing they hate more than Hillary (assuming they hated her….not the impression I got with most who voted for Obama…just narrowly beating out Hillary in their mind for “their candidate”.). They hate the idea of 8 more years.
We could've taken that one to the bank instead of the scenario we're facing now.
Again, poor strategy. Obama is not and will never be another Martin Luther King Jr.
That was just fantasy voting. And again, what comes of that collosal immaturity will have to be owned by its promoters.
Sil- there was plenty of rancor and bitterness in both camps. I think you are forgetting that Obama brought a lot of new voters — college kids and blacks to the table (the ones who were contributing online and going to his My Space page). As much as they wouldn't have wanted McCain, they would have seen Clinton's annointment as undemocratic. They feel as passionately about their candidate as the Clinton people did– and believed Clinton would be perpetuating more of the Bush/Clinton dynasty. IMO, they didn't think she represented the future– but the past.
I liked her too, but really was turned off by hearing again about her husband's antics (who I actually thought was a decent president outside of his personal behavior)
Sil- there was plenty of rancor and bitterness in both camps. I think you are forgetting that Obama brought a lot of new voters — college kids and blacks to the table (the ones who were contributing online and going to his My Space page). As much as they wouldn't have wanted McCain, they would have seen Clinton's annointment as undemocratic. They feel as passionately about their candidate as the Clinton people did– and believed Clinton would be perpetuating more of the Bush/Clinton dynasty. IMO, they didn't think she represented the future– but the past.
I liked her too, but really was turned off by hearing again about her husband's antics (who I actually thought was a decent president outside of his personal behavior)
I think the Clintons are in a box and they have to be careful however they go.
They desperately want to be elected and live in the White House again. But, they also are very aware of the precarious situation our country is in. Clinton was president and defender of caretaker of the country for 8 years. Seeing the situation our country is in and how bad things are, he also know with McCain, he will be controlled by Bushies and will carry those policies out.
he is very aware of the need to make sure a democrat, even if not his wife and maybe even derailing their ultimate asperations, is the most important and necessary thing that can be done for the country.
As selfish and self absorbed as Bill is, he knows how ignorant so many voters are and have been manipulated for 30 years to believe the silliness the republicans peddle to the gullible masses.
I think he has no choice but, to choose country and help Obama
I think the Clintons are in a box and they have to be careful however they go.
They desperately want to be elected and live in the White House again. But, they also are very aware of the precarious situation our country is in. Clinton was president and defender of caretaker of the country for 8 years. Seeing the situation our country is in and how bad things are, he also know with McCain, he will be controlled by Bushies and will carry those policies out.
he is very aware of the need to make sure a democrat, even if not his wife and maybe even derailing their ultimate asperations, is the most important and necessary thing that can be done for the country.
As selfish and self absorbed as Bill is, he knows how ignorant so many voters are and have been manipulated for 30 years to believe the silliness the republicans peddle to the gullible masses.
I think he has no choice but, to choose country and help Obama
He isn't always selfish- he's done a lot with his foundation, and put his party first in '06, when he showed Democrats they had to fight back to win. Plus, he does seem to care a lot about his family. But, his personal behavior is abominable.
He isn't always selfish- he's done a lot with his foundation, and put his party first in '06, when he showed Democrats they had to fight back to win. Plus, he does seem to care a lot about his family. But, his personal behavior is abominable.
“So the best any of us can hope for, due to stupid and harmful decisions made by the DNC putting a weak and fragile candidate up for the cause of “making history” vs a strong and viable candidate sure to win for the cause of “winning”"
Sil,
Gotta completely disagree with you there. I am a pure independent. I have voted both Republican and Democrat in state, local, and national elections. There was absolutely no way I would vote for Clinton.
I was a McCain fan.
I am voting for Obama absent something really surprising coming out in the debates. I think he is a uniquely gifted public servant, although his lack of experience does give me pause. What I like is his coolness under fire, especially compared to McCain who was a hot head. I like his ability to pull a divergent team together cohesively, especially compared to the complete insanity that was the Clinton campaign.
“So the best any of us can hope for, due to stupid and harmful decisions made by the DNC putting a weak and fragile candidate up for the cause of “making history” vs a strong and viable candidate sure to win for the cause of “winning”"
Sil,
Gotta completely disagree with you there. I am a pure independent. I have voted both Republican and Democrat in state, local, and national elections. There was absolutely no way I would vote for Clinton.
I was a McCain fan.
I am voting for Obama absent something really surprising coming out in the debates. I think he is a uniquely gifted public servant, although his lack of experience does give me pause. What I like is his coolness under fire, especially compared to McCain who was a hot head. I like his ability to pull a divergent team together cohesively, especially compared to the complete insanity that was the Clinton campaign.