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Is Bill Clinton Still the Most Brillant Politician in US Politics?
I have no idea. During the primaries, the Bill Clinton I saw was quick to anger and pointing that big finger of his everytime it seemed that he wasn't succeeding in getting across whatever point he was trying to make.
Lately it has become a favorite pastime of the media, and the rest of us, watching Bill make the media circuit and waiting for him to mention Obama's name, or even just say something nice about him.
But today Bill appeared before a crowd in Florida and began (I think) to go on the offensive for Obama. From the article now up on Huffington Post:
Former President Bill Clinton revved up a crowd on behalf of Barack Obama in Florida Wednesday, his first since the Democratic convention. And though he repeated his mantra that Democrats don't have to "say one bad word" about their Republican opponents to win the election, Clinton actually snuck in a dig against Sarah Palin.
"So he's got a better philosophy. He's got better answers. He's got a better understanding, and better advisers on these complex economic matters. He's got a better vice presidential partner," Clinton said to a crescendo of applause.
So now I find myself asking: Is Bill Clinton a master of playing the expectations game? Has it been his plan all along to make multiple appearances on the talk show circuit and elsewhere, and to hold back on giving us his opinion of Obama? Is there a game plan in place where you get everyone's ear tuned in to your every utterance, just to build the suspense, and then when it's time to make that first campaign stop, the media and the public are now hanging on to your every word because they think you have it in for Obama?
Or am I just hoping that the Clinton's are over their selfish, "us first" mentality, and are now ready to swallow their pride and do what is best for the Democratic Party and the people of the United States?
I still have no idea.
Comments (12)
Yes.
He is Obama's October surprise to win Florida.
McCain will use Crist to counter.
October 1, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crist is no match for Clinton.
i.e. Palin isn't even in the same league as HRC!
McCain has few (if any?) that could take on Obama & 'Friends' and prevail in any campaign arena.
October 1, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the video clip posted with the article, Bill Clinton actually utters the name "Barack Obama."
'Bout time!
October 1, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look, this is all very simple. The expectations stuff is just nonsense.
The only time Bill has been in campaign mode was at the convention, and his speech there on behalf of Barack was superb. His appearances on TV were Bill acting as a pundit. He was giving interviews on behalf of the Global initiative and taking the stance of observer.
Now he is back in campaign mode and there is no reason to think he will be anything but brilliant. If he is not great then he destroys his brand--all the silliness about 2012 intrigue is just dumb.
Now, the question is whether it matters. Is he going to convince undecideds, or energize the base, or just populate the poltiosphere with new and interesting arguments on behalf of Obama?
My guess is that to the extent he is influential will be that the way he phrases arguments will make it's way into the general media mix and be a net positive for Obama.
October 1, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the Clinton haters don't seem to get is that Bill is actually MORE effective at bringing independents and moderate Republicans and reluctant blue collar Dems on board because he hasn't been out there 100% cheerleading for Obama.
He's been playing it even-handed on TV, looking statesmanlike, which lends him more credibility with the folks who don't worship Obama but might actually agree with Obama's policies. They would've tuned him out a long time ago if he'd been rah-rah Obama every day.
October 1, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
How would you know who Bill appeals to? You are making that up. The idea that former democratic president isn't 100% behind the democratic nominee makes no sense.
October 1, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know who he appeals to based on the anecdotal evidence of friends, neighbors and family members in all the categories I named who voted for Bill Clinton but were planning to vote for McCain this time. Now they're leaning towards Obama based in part on Clinton's support for him.
You said: >>>The idea that former democratic president isn't 100% behind the democratic nominee makes no sense.
I didn't say he's not 100% behind Obama - I said he hasn't been 100% cheerleader, mindlessly reciting talking points with glazed eyes like some of you seem to want. Every single time he's been questioned, he has said he supports Obama. In every single speech or interview, he's supported Obama.
Just because he hasn't been on his knees worshipping at the altar of Obama, the MSM and the Obamabots here have been trying to spin him as anti-Obama. He's not. He never has been. Even during the primary, he said Obama was a good candidate, just not as good as Hillary. And he was right about that.
So have at it - you can really go to town on me now.
October 1, 2008 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
When Kerry spoke for Obama, his ratings went down.
Bill speaks for Obama and his ratings go up.
Pretty simple.
October 1, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the deal with Bill Clinton: he wants Obama to win the Presidency in November. He's still angry that Hillary lost and Obama questioned his legacy.
He's conflicted. He can argue for Obama's candidacy one day, take a dig at Obama the next day, and be sincere both times.
This I like/I don't like Obama dynamic is going to go on for the remainder of the campaign. Get used to it and be glad he's campaigning for Obama, because his efforts overall are still a plus.
October 1, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are a lot of us out here who feel a lot like Bill does. I was a Hillary supporter and resented the way Bill were treated by the Obama campaign. I don't like Obama very much. But I support him and I'll vote for him.
Bill appeals to voters like me - and there are a lot of us. His support, even with reservations, helps Obama.
Like a lot of us, Clinton puts the party and what he believes is good for America ahead of his personal feelings, including justified anger and resentment.
October 1, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
astral66 is apparently not a fan of the Clintons judging by the biased comments. I do not know many politicians who are as selfless as the Clintons. The democratic party who turned on Hillary are now using her to promote Obama who she knows is not presidential material. With the sleazy democratic leaders of Pelosi, Dean, Brazile, and Reid among others who selected the nominee, any real democrat would not stand by and watch those less than honorable persons run the party into the ground. If you think voting for Obama is not demeaning the democratic party and this country, I have plenty of material not posted by the MSM that should curl your toes. He is not only incompetent to be president but downright dangerous for this country. The Clinton hating democrats have robbed us of the only person competent to see the nation through these trying times. I would be surprised if you were not one of those persons who when interviewed could not give one positive reason for voting for Obama.
October 1, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know who said it but someone put it perfectly. The difference between Obama and Clinton is that Clinton is a master of the political game and the best politician of a generation. Obama is a once in a generation leader, a Reagan/Kennedy so to speak.
October 1, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
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