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Will The Clintons Endorse McCain?
Cross-posted to The Ward Report.
Speaking about a November match-up of Hillary and John McCain while campaigning in Charlotte, N.C.,
on Friday, Bill Clinton said, "I think it would be a great thing if we
had an election year where you had two people who loved this country
and were devoted to the interest of this country, and people could
actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all
this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics."
This
statement is of course outrageous and over the top. No more than any of
the other and frequent Clinton attacks on Obama's readiness to lead, be
Commander-in-chief, answering the phone at 3 AM, blah, blah, blah. (nor
more outrageous that suggestions of 'McCarthyism' which the Clintons
have themselves used to great effect.)
So
when will someone summon the courage to ask the Clintons the obvious
question:
Do you intend to endorse John McCain for President should you
not be the nominee?
Their answers would be much more informative
that the current tit for tat nonsense to which we are all being
subjected. And the follow-up questions would extremely entertaining.
Comments (7)
This has been answered by Hillary Clinton in just the right way and by Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, in just the wrong way.
In an enthusiastic, full throated way, Hillary and Bill Clinton have said more thanonce that whoever is the nominee will be supported by them and the Democratic party fully and completely.
Barack and Michelle have said just the opposite....they are the ones who threaten to take their ball and go home.
Frankly this diary is so ignorant and outrageous I think you should just delete it...you look like a fool for saying such things....but then it does exhibit the essential viciousness that seems through shine Obama's supporters.
March 24, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Strange, when I first heard Bill's comments I thought he was talking about the recent unpleasant between Hillary and Obama. Why is it that the Obama supporters are always on a hair trigger to assume offense when it's not at all clear any offense was intended?
March 24, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I first heard about his comments because of the Air Force guy's spin. I assume that he enjoyed the previous time that he was in the limelight and perhaps he wanted to get back in Obama's good graces. Nonetheless, my interpretation of Bill's remarks were that he looked forward to a race based on issues and not the diversions which were emplyed by Bush/Cheney/Rove during the previous two camapigns.
March 24, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Debcoop... why bother responding if you think this post is so horrendous?
I think Don is positing a much different question than you are "not answering."
The Clintons' flattery of McCain goes beyond "Senatorial courtesy" and could be considered an endorsement of his candidacy. To wit:
He has passed the C-I-C "threshhold" and the C-I-C "test" (two made-up standards that they have decided McCain, along with Hillary, has passed.
He is a "patriot" -- one of only two (apparently) in this race.
He is a "true American hero" (fair enough: he went to Nam, Bill dodged.)
He and Hillary are "great friends" (BFFs!).
He and Hillary voted the same on Iraq and Iran.
Did Bill mention that McCain and Hillary are great friends? Let me mention that again... Great Friends!
When Hillary reaches across the aisle, she's holding hands with McCain.
with McCain in the White House, Hillary could try once more in 2012 before retiring to Chappaqua.
Did anybody mention what great, good, fine, long-standing friends they are... and how they just admire him and respect him and his leadership... did they mention that?
March 24, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's name has been on some bills with McCain's, as has Russ Feingold's and Ted Kennedy. I'm sure either one of them would describe themselves as friends with Sen. McCain and for that matter, how could Obama be able to work with any Republicans, if he hates them with a passion?
As for whatever Hillary said about McCain's qualifications, as far as I know, it was one time or on one day and if it was a continuing theme, there'd be a lot of video and not just one clip of her mistake.
Personally, I'm sick of hearing about it. Obama's campaign has taken the stance that he's the frontrunner and he's focused mostly on John McCain, while those in the blogosphere seemed obsessed with Bill & Hill, lying in wait to pounce on their own interpretations of their every word.
March 24, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is over the top in my opinion. I can't see either Hillary or Barack turning their backs on the Democratic party. To ask Hillary if she plans to support McCain if she loses is, I guess, as legitimate a question as asking Obama if he plans to support McCain should he lose. But in neither case is this really a serious question to any observer who fails to don their hyperbolic lenses.
When the dust clears in November (or sooner, perhaps) Hillary and Barack will kiss and make up and join together to try to beat McCain. I just hope we haven't given up too much ground to personality cultists who will sit out the election or give it to McCain in spite. What a waste that would be!
March 24, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're all sick, Magister, of hearing the Clintons repeated (not one time) flattery of John McCain. Frankly, it's bizarre. When was the last time you saw a member of either party repeatedly flatter the opposition to the detriment of the members of one's own party. See Jade's comment here.
The Clintons have legitimate issues to pick with Obama and that's fine but it seems those issues are sinking ship Clinton so now they take the low road so often treaded by Republicans of attacking the loyalty of Obama.
Bill's latest attack that is the subject of this post doesn't even pass the laugh test. What exactly, Cartecay do you imagine to be the none offensive meaning of the former president's comments? Do you imagine he was dreamily thinking of how much McCain loves and is devoted to the US and then he thought, 'hey, Hillary loves this country too! How special is that? A Democrat who loves America as much as a Republican. This race will be unique!'
Please.
March 24, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
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