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Bill Clinton sees disrespect on the campaign trail! Seriously?


Bill Clinton Has 'Never Seen a Candidate Treated So Disrespectfully Just for Running' Email Share var addthis_pub = 'abcnews';

May 25, 2008 2:25 PM

ABC News' Sarah Amos reports: Former President Bill Clinton in South Dakota today delivered a harsh critique of how his wife has been treated during her presidential bid, telling the crowd that he has "never seen a candidate treated so disrespectfully just for running," and that, "she will win the general election if you nominate her. They're just trying to make sure you don't."

Clinton spent more than six minutes calmly discussing what he called a "frantic effort to push her out" of this race, saying that no one asked Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson or Gary Hart to end their presidential campaigns early. 

Clinton also spoke against bullying superdelegates to make up their minds, saying, "I cant believe it. It is just frantic the way they are trying to push and pressure and bully all these superdelegates to come out. 'Oh, this is so terrible: The people they want her. Oh, this is so terrible: She is winning the general election, and he is not. Oh my goodness, we have to cover this up.'"

Speaking to a crowd of about 200 in Fort Thompson, S.D., Clinton seemed slightly subdued during his 30-minute speech, which largely focused on the issues important to the Native American community.  As he wrapped up his remarks, a woman in the audience asked him a question about voting for Hillary Clinton. 

"If you vote for her and she does well in Montana and she does well in Puerto Rico, when this is over she will be ahead in the popular vote," Clinton said. "And they're trying to get her to cry uncle before the Democratic Party has to decide what to do in Florida and Michigan because they are claiming that it only takes 2029 votes on the first ballot to win, and it takes a lot more than that if you put Florida and Michigan back in. Well, they will have to unless we want to lose the election. I mean, look, so there is that that is going on."

The former president was strong in his assertion that his wife has the best chance to win against Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, arguing that many electoral map predictions have his wife winning more electoral votes than Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., the Democratic frontrunner, in a general election.

"She is winning the general election today and he is not, according to all the evidence," Clinton said. "And I have never seen anything like it. I have never seen a candidate treated so disrespectfully just for running. Her only position was, "Look, if I lose I'll be a good team player. We will all try to win but let's let everybody vote and count every vote.'"

Clinton also strongly criticized the media, saying that ever since Iowa they have been against his wife, making him feel as though he was living in a "fun house."  As he concluded his thoughts on how this election has been handled, he again went back to the media's choice of coverage. 

"If you notice, there hasn't been a lot of publicity on these polls I just told you about," Clinton said. "It is the first time you've heard it? Why do you think that is? Why do you think?  Don't you think if the polls were the reverse and he was winning the electoral college against Sen. McCain and Hillary was losing it, it would be blasted on every television station? You would know it wouldn't you? It wouldn't be a little secret. And there is another Electoral College poll that I saw yesterday had her over 300 electoral votes, yeah. She will win the general election is you nominate her. They're just trying to make sure you don't."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/05/bill-clinton-ha.html
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A few weeks ago he was saying to anyone who would listen that people who do not want to play the game should never suit up; politics is rough, get used to it. Now he wants to whine like someone stole his segway. This couple needs to get out of politics. They are too dirty for America, and that is saying a lot! Perhaps they can go take over some 3rd world country or something


44 Comments

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I'm recommending this post, JDW, because you kept your personal feelings out of it, for the most part, and let Clinton put his own foot in his mouth.

I'm also recommending it because it's a great find.

I'm also recommending it because it needs to be seen.

So, if I could, I'd give you three recommendations.

Great job.


HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN EASILY LOBBY YOUR SUPER DELEGATES ALL AT ONCE.

http://www.lobbydelegates.com/

begging allowed.

P.S. This site really does get your email to the delegate. I've written to the ones in my state and I've gotten a reply from each office. Of course, just an automatic reply, but eventually, it will add up and hopefully our voices will be heard.

If this kind of trash talking goes on much longer (from Bill AND from us!) these Dems. will not have a party to call home.

Thanks LisB. As long as the story gets out, I am satisfied :)

Six rec's so far...and counting. :)

The thing that gets me is that they are never really called out on this nonsense. They contradict themselves on a daily basis and the press pretends that nothing has taken place. Hillary has perfected the victim role to the point that all she need to do is point at Barack and say "it wasn't me, it was him. So what if I am on video saying it, it was still his fault," and the press swallows it whole.

He's turned into a real pussy this primary. A shame.

Also a shame to see a former president continually lie on the campaign trail... oh wait, he's always done that.

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That man's done lost his mind.

I perceive you are a beautiful woman with a Big Heart!!! I wish with all my heart that the good Lord would make more just like you.May you do good in all that you strive for.By the way I a 48yr old White Male.Been Republican all my life but will vote Democrat this time around!!!
Never since Ronald Reagan have I heard anybody speak so elequintly like Obama has.Lets win this thing shall we!!!

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I think that what is driving Bill is that he doesn't want to deal with Hillary once she is out! I am serious. She will be hell to live with, and with time on her hands, and what will he do when he needs to "get away?"

Several years ago at a Tom Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa, Clinton told the attendees that you can support anyone you want in a primary, but when the people have spoken, you should support the party's nominee. His exact words were "fall in love, then fall in line."

He can deny it all he wants, but the party has spoken. Obama is the nominee. Now it is time for Clinton to fall in line. Nobody is falling in love with Hillary any more.

I started to say "it never ceases to amaze me the depths to which these people will sink." But I couldn't say that. Because I am amazed... appalled... galled... incensed... pissed off... angered... and so much more.

It's official. The Clintons are dead. to. me.

I almost softened even after the "A" incident because she looked so miserable and I didn't believe she meant she wanted him hurt, but after today with her campaign blaming Obama for her gaffe and now this...

This continuous lying to instill hatred for Obama in her supporters is beyond anything I can stomach. The hatred for Obama that I read on some message boards is a direct result of the talking points coming from her, Bill and her campaign.

They are despicable. They are indeed trying to cause him to lose in November. They know she will not be the nominee and there is no reason for this.

I think he might have been going for sympathy, figuring it worked in New Hampshire (which still amazes me).

Your comments proves the President's point but they will take the fight to the convention floor.

Whine on whiners.

The goat is everywhere, bleat bleat.

So President Clinton hates his wife?

Your comment proves my point.

What are YOU doing over here? You're supposed to stay at Election Central.

I'm afraid we are a 3rd world country now that we have had our dictator installed by a (supreme court) junta.

Pleasure is all mine, Mr.President.

What happened to "politics is a combat sport"?

This was Bill back in March, just before the "kitchen sink" strategy was announced.

For the full video:
http://www.youtube.com/...

"If a politician doesn't want to get beat up he shouldn't run for office"

snip

"Let's just saddle up and have an argument," he continued. "What's the matter with that? That's what America's about, right?

Pretty much akin to "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." Which was from Hillary herself.

The ironic thing is that just a sentence or two before, Bill lamented how it must be okay to pick on a woman.

I don't know how they can reconcile the opposing attack/victim modes. Really takes alot of nerve to play both roles simultaneously!

I'm recommending this post, JDW, because you kept your personal feelings out of it...

Yeah. I noticed that too.

They are too dirty for America...

Welcome to the Obama Circle Jerk...The Show That Never Ends.

HRC is not being treated disrespectfully for staying in the race, in fact she's being treated better than she has treated many others over her political career, and in this campaign in particular.

Sadly, the Clintons have become a pair of noisy and irritating daschunds that are a destructive part of the American political household. Call animal control.

As an owner of two doxies, I am offended. Unlike the Clintons, my dashunds are loyal and appreciative.

Ok then, the Clintons can be noisy and irritating mongrels...

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On behalf of mongrels everywhere, PLEASE stop with the insults!

They are more like cats, if you ask me.....

You sound bitter.

He has never seen a candidate treated so disrespectfully wtf!?! WTF! YOU KNOW WHAT... I'm done. I'm exhausted. Liz Trotta is on FOX joking about a U.S Senator with two young daughters being assassinated and Bill Clinton is claiming HIS wife is the victim!?

I'm done.

I think Bill blaming everyone else for the fact Hillary's campaign fell short is eminently human. It's nonsense, of course, but they were so certain just 6 months ago that not only would she win, but that she would win convincingly, going away. And for good reason.

Because of Iraq, I had vowed years ago that I would never cast a ballot for Hilliary. I meant it, too. And like most outside her campaign, I sensed an appreciable unease among the democratic rank and file concerning her. But 6 months ago, I also thought she'd be the nominee.

There's no single reason why she won't be, of course. For all the ridiculous 'Obamamania' talk from her supporters, not even his indisputable political talents entirely account for it. But for Bill to acknowledge that rude truth will take time (assuming he ever really does). In the meanwhile, he'll remain stuck in a Nixonian snit. It won't do the party any good, but it won't hurt it much, either. As I've said for many moons, people are so goddamn sick of the GOP that the democratics could run Pulie Schorr in November and still win in a landslide.

I

I think six months of rehab for both of them is in order.

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I canvassed a local precinct for Scott Harper here in the IL burbs Saturday. Spoke to over 100 voters, mostly Dems but some vote switchers too. I only had 1 guy, a blatant racist tell me he wouldn't vote for Obama. One other couple, big Hillary supporters told me they were former Repubs and if she didn't get the nomination they were seriously thinking of going for McCain. It took less than five minutes for me to explain why that'd be a bad idea. They're still sore about Hillary losing but they know they'll get over it. There's not a dimes worth of difference on the issues between Obama and Clinton while there's a huge gulf between McCain and either one of them. They know better and they know it.

Since when are supposed "votes" in cherry-picked polls forecasting an event 6 months from now more valid than actual votes already cast?

Since they appeared to offer a glimmer of hope to the Clinton campaign, that's when. Any article, blog, poll or news item that suggests that Hillary wins the GE is a toe-hold to be loudly trumpeted by Bill and the Clinton coterie. Any such message in opposition transmitted by media (or electorate) is to be painted as delusional happy talk by a bunch of hypnotized, ignorant, woman hating Obama zombies incapable of rational thought.
The Clinton campaign sees in binary very much like GWB - you're with us or against us; you want to win or you're a loser. That purely dualistic view is one of the many major flaws with the campaign since it ignores countless subtle gradations of Dems in the party. Obama by contrast has paid respect to the wider divergence of individuals, thoughts and positions, and is therefore enjoying broader support. You'd think this had registered with the Clintons by now.

You have a very large head! I think Bill doesn't realize how much the world has changed since he campaigned in the early 1990s. We watched his presidency descend into impeachment, then we had the 2000 election fiasco, then 8 years of cynicism and ineptitude. We are a far more cynical and skeptical electorate than we were back in his day. After Karl Rove, our shit meters are pretty well used. The irony is that those of us who support Obama because we believe him are accused of "drinking the Koolaid." I think the Clintons really don't get the new dynamics.

Bill is losing his marbles.

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Anyone who sees that the world is against them and isn't even curious to see if it is something that they have done wrong is a very poor choice for President.

These are the type of people who bash others as "America Blamers" any time someone brings up that our foreign policy has at times caused more problems than benefits. It doesn't mean that we or Clinton deserves every attack that she has received but the idea that nothing is her fault is just ignorant of the truth.

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The Clintons are sore losers.
If they were in the White House again, the blame game would be going full speed !

The Torture Never Stops.... Frank Zappa

You know, I never really had a lot of respect for Hillary. But it makes me sad that my perception of Bill has changed so much during this primary. When this is all over, I won't ever think of him the same. The scales fall from the eyes...

Vast right wing conspiracy!

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Anyone else notice how Bill Clinton was, er, off message? He said, ""If you vote for her and she does well in Montana and she does well in Puerto Rico, when this is over she will be ahead in the popular vote"-----the operative phrase being 'when this is over, she will be ahead in the popular vote'.

I thought the entire Clinton camp was claiming that Hillary was already ahead in the popular vote..... 'more votes than anyone in history', etc.

Also, wasn't it Bill Clinton who said she had to win Texas?

I cannot figure out what the Clintons are trying to do at this point, unless it is to rack up sympathy voters and enough money to pay off debts.

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jdw

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