Prominent Democrats are upset with the aggressive role that Bill Clinton is playing in the 2008 campaign, a role they believe is inappropriate for a former president and the titular head of the Democratic Party. In recent weeks, Sen. Edward Kennedy and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, both currently neutral in the Democratic contest, have told their old friend heatedly on the phone that he needs to change his tone and stop attacking Sen. Barack Obama, according to two sources familiar with the conversations who asked for anonymity because of their sensitive nature. Clinton, Kennedy and Emanuel all declined to comment.
On balance, aides to both Bill and Hillary still see Bill as a huge net plus in fund-raising, attracting large crowds and providing a megaphone to raise doubts about Obama””even if some of those doubts are distortions. But there’s concern that in hatcheting the Illinois senator and losing his temper with the news media (last week he thrashed a San Francisco TV reporter for asking about a lawsuit filed by Clinton-backing teachers union members to limit the number of Nevada caucuses), Clinton is drawing down his political capital and harming his role as a global statesman. “This is excruciating,” says a member of the Clintons’ circle, who asked for anonymity. “But the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s worth it to tarnish himself a bit now to win the presidency.”
Thankfully some folks are stepping in to say enough. Act like a human being with some self-respect, rather than a hollow politician.
I said to my wife several days ago, “He needs to shut up” and work quietly off camera.
2 LOL…. Bill Clinton being quiet!
There is an historical precedent to this episode though: how Theo Roosevelt split the Republican party enabling Wilson to win in 1912. Former presidents should revel in their pensions and the nation’s gratitude.
[blockquote]Clinton is … harming his role as a global statesman…
“It’s worth it to tarnish himself a bit now to win the presidency.”[/blockquote]
There are moments, reading the blogs, when one is caught between a strong urge to vomit and an impulse to roll about on the floor giggling helplessly.
Expecting Bill Clinton to “pipe down” is futile; he has no shame.
But we found a solution. Beginning in 1997, after he wagged his finger in our faces & lied about “that woman, Miss Lewinsky”, Mr Clinton was banned in the Wilfred household. Any time he appeared on TV, we pressed the “mute” button, or changed the channel. Same with the radio, off it went, or to another station. We would listen to what reporters said that he said, but never again to his voice directly.
And we were happier for it. Plus, we didn’t have to explain as many embarassing things to the children.
Bill won’t back down. He wants back in the White House. It is the Clintons’ style to do whatever it takes to win.
A conservative pundit cynically remarked that Bill’s emotional explosions occur right before primaries or caucuses to fire up Hillary’s voters. He suggested, therefore, that we can expect another one on January 25
It seems that many Democrats have not absorbed the fact that Bill Clinton avoided formal charges of perjury and obstruction of justice through a plea bargain and an agreement to a disbarment on the eve of leaving office. Why he is not treated as “disgraced former President Clinton” is hard to understand.
Bill Clinton is the best friend both Obama and the Republican Candidates have in this election.
Did Hillary say to William – Nice doggie! now eat your handout, lie down in the corner, and SHUT UP!!
Harvey,
no, she said, “If you want us in the White House again, BEHAVE and BE QUIET!”