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Bill Clinton Endorses Obama Amid Announcement He’ll Play “Big” Campaign Role

June 24th, 2008
By JOE GANDELMAN, Editor-In-Chief

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What a difference a few (political) days makes. Several days ago Reuters reported that former President Bill Clinton smilingly — and pointedly — didn’t answer when pressed by reporters whether he’d endorse Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Barack Obama. But things happen and change in politics.

Perhaps the Reuters report raised some eyebrows (and perhaps some voices) in Democratic party elite circles: today it was announced Bill Clinton supported Obama.

But if came in a weird way: through a spokesman. And varying journalists saw exactly what Bill Clinton Bill Clinton’s spokesman said differently.

For instance, the Boston Globe (like many) saw it as an endorsement:

Former President Bill Clinton, who has been noticeably reticent in his backing for Barack Obama, is finally voicing his endorsement.

The Associated Press is reporting today that Clinton, through spokesman Matt McKenna, is saying that he is “committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president.”


The Washington Post’s The Trail made it sound a lot less like Clinton saying it than his spokespeople saying it for him — as if Bill Clinton was doing the political equivalent of be forced to take two teaspoons of nasty-tasting cough syrup:

Former Pres. Bill Clinton has not made any public statements supporting Sen. Barack Obama since the end of the Democratic nomination battle — making him one of the last prominent Democrats in the country not to declare his hearty desire to campaign for the presumptive nominee. Still, Clinton officials say his support is obvious.

And, indeed, the fact that Clinton did not himself make any announcement suggests he still is angry over the primary campaign and the way he was portrayed by the Obama camp as playing the race card. The only problem for Bill Clinton: many blogs, columnists and reporters reached the same conclusion, and they weren’t being assigned or supervised by David Axelrod.

Bill Clinton’s endorsement/backing (choose your word) was immediately followed by the Obama campaign touting the former President’s big upcoming role in the general election campaign. Writes L.A. Times’ Top of the Ticket’s Andrew Malcolm:

A campaign spokesman for Sen. Barack Obama today told a reporter that ex-President Bill Clinton will play a “big role” in the upcoming general election campaign.

This could be the usual unity hoo-haa leading up to Friday’s joint Obama-Hillary Clinton appearance in, of all places, Unity, N.H. This, after their joint appearance in Washington Thursday before many of her top fundraisers.

Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki did not reveal to Bloomberg reporter Kristin Jensen how the campaign might use the former president.

“A unified Democratic Party is going to be a powerful force for change this year, and we’re confident President Clinton will play a big role in that,” Psaki said.

Malcolm wonders how it’s going to happen that the American public will suddenly see a joyous Bill Clinton campaigning for Obama.

Most likely: Clinton will go through the motions but be as joyful as someone undergoing a root canal.

Without anesthetic.

As his toenails are being pulled out.

Malcolm again:

Bill Clinton has been largely silent since the primaries’ end, mentioning Obama only in passing in a recent Miami speech. Hillary Clinton said all the right things in her “I-give-up” speech and has held conference calls urging supporters to switch to the freshman Illinois senator.

But a number of Clinton’s longtime supporters like Haim Saban have opted out of the “Now we’re helping Obama” effort.

And Bill is gonna have to be a whole lot more disciplined out there on the wild rodeo speaking stumps mouthing the message of his wife’s vanquisher than he was speaking on behalf of his own spouse.

Malcolm also raises the question of how the Obama crowd will control Bill Clinton, who this year seemed to have a penchant for sucking up all the media air and becoming a big — not always positive — news story.

True, Bill Clinton can be out there, giving speeches for the Obama campaign and forcing himself to smile.

But will it be change you can believe in?



This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 5:31 pm and is filed under Bill Clinton, Newsweek Blogitics, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, 2008 Elections, Democrats, Politics. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Viewing 7 Comments

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    • v
    The Clintons and obama are saying all the nice things to put on a front.
    Bill Clinton despises Obama and I would think the feeling is mutual.
    I think Obama goaded Clinton in Nevada with his Reagan remarks and downplaying Clinton's influence as it was his weak spot. It set Bill off who retaliated by his SC games.
    It was a tit for tat. Bill is pissed because he let Obama get to him in the political game.
    But, I think personally Bill has a deep jealousy of Obama. He sees himself older and out of the spotlight. And carries his less then stellar legacy with him.
    Obama is young, Bill's age when he was elected, and more charismatic and brilliant. But, Obama doesn't have the flaws of Bill.
    There was a drama of older man out of his prime seeing the younger one - more polished and smarter - taking over. The Clintons controlled the party for 20 years and were the royalty of democrats. Suddenly, overnight, this young guy is now in control of the party. It's his era now.
    The rookie usurped the master. And so, bill carries alot resentment.
    Bill also knows that unlike other democrats, Obama doesn't need him. Obama can do just fine, and probably better without Bill around. Besides, Bill carries no coattails and has never been able to help anyone but, himself get elected.
    Lots of psycho drama going on.
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    I think this is really all part of Hilary's brilliance - her way of getting back at Obama. There is little dispute that Bill did nothing to help her campaign. He was a source of constant embrarrassment to her. There are many that believe it was Bill's influence and blunders that cost her the nomination.

    Now she is sending him to "help" Obama. Right.

    I see it as her playing the game of looking nice and playing the part of loyal supporter all the while knowing that sending Bill will do nothing but hurt her former rival. It's a great move on her part.

    And Obama is stuck - he can't refuse Bill's help without looking bad - so he is stuck with the proverbial white elephant.

    Bravo, Senator Clinton, bravo.
    • ^
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    Ah yes, bravo Hillary for continuing to do what she can to torpedo her parties best chance of winning back the White House.
    Way to go!
    If Obama is smart, he will regulate Bill to playing sax with the band.
    • ^
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    You seem to think that her goal is a Democrat in the White House - but that was only true if that Democrat was her. Since it won't be, she will work subtly to torpedo his campaign - ergo enter Bill Clinton.

    She is not worried about her party's best chance - she wants to be able to say to the party leadership after Obama fails, "See, I told you I was the best choice. Next time you'll listen."

    That is the only way she has a shot in 2012.
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    Well...good luck with that goal, then , Hillary...we'll see just how successful she will be. Hopefully enough voters can see thru her. And if not, then we get (once again) what we deserve.
    • ^
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    I don't think that'd be a sign of Hillary's brilliance. More like destructive egotism.
    • ^
    • v
    Exactly ChrisWWW - the Clintons are very destructive and will wipe out whatever obstacles they have to in order to achieve their goals. Barak would be a complete fool to appoint her as his running mate. If he does, he should really watch his back.
 
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