Bill Clinton's Half-Hearted Endorsement

For the first time since his wife's departure from the Democratic primary race, Bill Clinton has spoken out in support of Barack Obama.

His spokesman, Matt McKenna, released the following statement early on Tuesday:

"President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next President of the United States."

The one-sentence statement is certainly something less than the full-throated endorsement Mr Obama must have hoped for. It comes just days before Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton will embrace in Unity, New Hampshire – their first public appearance together since the end of their primary battle just weeks ago.

Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic notes that sources say Mr Clinton still has some leftover bad feelings toward Mr Obama, who he thinks ran what was "essentially an anti-Clinton candidacy," where he tried to position himself as the fresh-faced alternative to Clinton-era politics.

Additionally, Mr Clinton feels like the Obama campaign went "out of its way to portray the former president as a racist" during the primaries. The same sources note, however, that Mr Clinton doesn't want to sit out of this election and would be willing to bury the hatchet in a private meeting with Mr Obama.

It looks like they won't get their chance on Friday though. The Obama campaign says the former president won't be attending the event in New Hampshire.

Comments

[JOHN CHUCKMAN, TORONTO]

Obama undoubtedly counts himself as fortunate in this.

Just look at what Bill's warm support did for Hillary.

Reports on the Internet say she may at long last divorce this sleazy man.

[Coco Pazzo]

What is particularly striking about Clinton's 27 words is how the substance is so similar to the comment of President Bush when McCain visited the White House for the official endorsement (March 5, 2008):

"You know, look -- I mean, as I told you, you know, if he wants me to show up, I will.

If he wants me to say, you know, "I'm not for him," I will. Whatever he wants me to do, I want him to win.

And, you know, I don't know where. I mean..."

[JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, Ca]

The "Clinton Era" of American politics is
at long last (Whew...) over.

And, everybody else on the planet gets it,
except for Bill Clinton.

He continues to be, even in his dotage, a
spoiled, whiny, mama's boy, stamping his
tassled loafer and trembling his lower lip
when he doesn't get his own way.

How pathetically sad...

[DanielSalaman]

They just look like two enemies who have become friends after a laborious and an exhausting fight. After all for the Clintons it has been proven to be, a very costly affair indeed. The first priority of the Democrats now, it should be the defeat of the Republican J.McCainn. With this opportunity i will like to wish B.Obama a successful and a glorious VICTORY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

[thomas]

Obama should be begging President Clinton's forgiveness after what his campaign did to him!!

[Ace]

Obama made himself some powerful enemies when it got so nasty with the Clintons. He will regret it.

He may think he knows it all and he does - Chicago style but Washington is the big time and they are the experts. The Obama arrogance will be his downfall and Hillary will get to play a woman's very favorite card.

"I told you so"

[Limsit]

I am a Hillary supporter, and I will NEVER vote for Obama after all he did to her. Go McCain! And there are MANY of us out here.

[MarsnVenus]

Oh for... Thomas, really... how melodramatic. Bill's a big boy. He gambled, he wagged his finger and his tongue a little too much, he stuck his nose out there in fits of desperation, and he got it slapped. Let's hope he's mature enough to eventually get over it. Meanwhile Barack Obama is running for President of the United States. I don't think he has time to stop and kiss Bill's boo-boo.

[JOHN CHUCKMAN, TORONTO]

LIMSIT, may I suggest some professional help?

[Arizona Dem]

We will remember on the 4th of November! _Democrat for McCain.

[Barbara-USA]

Re; post by Ace-
what on earth did Obama do to Hillary that she wouldn`t have done to him had the shoe been on the other foot? It`s called POLITICS dear, time for you and all your friends to get over it. Young America wants change and its their turn, the older generation of Americans had their chance last election and screwed it up .

[Miande]

Well, Bill failed to uphold his pact with Hillary that each could get to play President, so,
naturally, he blames Obama. His misfortune is a blessing to the United States.

[JOHN CHUCKMAN, TORONTO]

I hadn't realized how angry Bill Clinton is. This article is revealing:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2211812/Bill-Clinton-says-Barack-Obama-must-'kiss-my-ass'-for-his-support.html

[ken wortelhock]

So Bill says that Obama can "Kiss his Ass"
for support.
I thought that that was his modus operandi.
Looking back, he should reflect : "It was the economy with the truth, Stupid!"