By Leonard Doyle in Washington
Could it be that Bill is causing trouble for Obama or does he not know there's an election on? The old pro who knows a thing or two about "redneck" culture has been singing the praises of Sarah Palin. More seriously he's warning Democrats not to underestimate the Killa from Wasilla. Bill has zeroed in on her visceral cultural appeal to the guns, god and anti-gays crowd.
From an interview with CNBC:
MARIA BARTIROMO: Were you surprised by the Palin bounce for the McCain campaign?
PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: No, she's a-- she's an instinctively-- effective candidate. And with a compelling story. And-- and I think it was exciting to some-- that-- that she was a woman. It was exciting that she was from Alaska. It was exciting that she's sort of like the person she is. And she grew up in a-- came up in a political culture and a religious culture that is probably well to the right of the American center. But, she didn't basically define herself in those terms. She's basically said, "Look, this is where I'm from. I'm not gonna impose this on you. This is what I wanna do that I think we can all be a part of." So, she handled herself very well. So, I-- no, I wasn't surprised. I think that-- you know, I disagree with them on a lot of these issues. And that's why aside from party affiliation, that's why I would be for Senator Obama and Senator Biden anyway. But-- but, I think she-- I-- I get why she's done so well. She-- she's-- it's a mistake to underestimate her. She's got good in-- sorry-- intuitive skills. They're significant.
Hi to all of you, I'm begginer here. I'm very glad for being a part of such outstanding community. Cya. :)
Posted by: knissappy | 19 October 2009 at 04:58 AM
When Bill Clinton calls a widely-accepted-as-attractive woman 'exciting' THREE TIMES ... well, we all know what he REALLY means !!
Unfortunately, as a fellow Democrat, I have to agree with him (shame, I know!)
Posted by: Dave | 22 September 2008 at 01:25 AM
Bill Clinton is a smart man and this is a fair and intelligent assessment by one politician of the political strengths of another. It only causes trouble for Obama in the sense that reports such as this serve to highlight the fact that any sentiment apart from rapt adoration of The One is regarded by the candidate and his fellow travelers in the media as rank insubordination, and racism into the bargain.
Posted by: Andrew Pandap | 21 September 2008 at 04:52 PM
"And that's why aside from party affiliation, that's why I WOULD be for Senator Obama and Senator Biden anyway." (My emphasis.)
Posted by: Nicholas | 20 September 2008 at 10:09 PM
In the last three months of a presidential campaign, the masses hang onto every variation of every last word spoken by prominent persons expected by people to make a difference in influencing election outcomes. The news hounds and the pundits run 24 hour analytical labs on meanings and insinuations in political rhetoric. Small wonder that "lipstick on a pig" said by Senator Obama blew like an ICBM. So why wonder what praising of Palin's strengths and qualities by Bubba Clinton would do to Obama? Bubba Clinton likely contributed to undermining his wife's chances of winning the democratic nomination to a point she was cringing whenever he spoke. You are talking about McCain going senile; I would say Bill Clinton needs to be in that club. The guy is dangerous to his friends and family, to say the least!
Posted by: Gus | 20 September 2008 at 02:52 PM
I don't see anything in Clinton's statement to suggest he's trying to undermine Obama, or that he finds Palin appealing. He is merely observing that it would be wrong to dismiss Palin as a lightweight - something Obama himself has been careful not to do.
Posted by: Tariq | 19 September 2008 at 08:17 PM