MSNBC: READING BETWEEN BILL CLINTON LINES ABOUT OBAMA?

[DeepModem Mom]

READING BETWEEN BILL CLINTON LINES ABOUT OBAMA?
Posted: Friday, March 21, 2008
From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann

CHARLOTTE, NC -- At a small VFW hall in Charlotte, NC, today, former president Bill Clinton contemplated a McCain/Clinton general election matchup, saying that it would be one between "two people who loved this country" without "all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics."

"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," said the former president. "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."

In the wake of controversy over comments made by Barack Obama's former minister, Clinton's comments could be seen as an effort to draw attention to the issue of patriotism in a state with a high population of veterans.

The former president made the comments to less than 80 audience members at an invite-only event focused on veterans issues. The audience was subdued as Clinton gravely outlined a message of patriotism and honor for military service. The small sea of navy-blue VFW caps nodded along in agreement....

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/21/794670.aspx

[dkf]

1. I hate to bring this up, but didn't Clinton dodge the draft?

Gotta give him credit...the man has chutzpah.

[leftofcool]

3. No he joined the guard

but you keep quoting the RW spin on how he dodged the draft. Nice

[frazzled]

11. He did not join the guard (which isn't an issue for me) ...

but get your facts straight.

I never held it against Clinton that he didn't serve. In fact, I was impressed with that letter he wrote to his draft board. My husband didn't serve either (high draft number, never called, student at time); nor did my brother (C.O.), nor did anyone I know at the time (we were all privileged students, so to speak, at the time).

So I do not care that Bill Clinton didn't serve. He was still a patriot who loved his country. But he didn't join the National Guard. That was Bush, in case you didn't notice).

I am disturbed by this comment of his, however, that there are only two people who love their country in this race. That is not good. That truly disappoints me. I do not like the new Bill Clinton.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Yeah, I heard he was in the Texas Air National Guard... oh wait.

If you really hate bringing it up, the rest of us should help you out by making you really regret it.

This post should serve as a </credibility> tag.

[dkf]

13. Hey, I'm okay with dodging the Vietnam war. What a waste of life.

I just dislike it if you go on and on about military service like this.

[lumberjack_jeff]

16. He spent 8 years as commander in chief. His insights are of interest to veterans groups.

And he was a Democrat... you know, as in Democratic Underground?

Get on the damn bus.

[dkf]

17. I used to think that until I see his stupid comments like his latest

Argh.

Admit it, if he wants to destroy Obama and let McCain win, he isn't much of a Dem.

[leftofcool]

2. "could be"

or maybe he would just like to get back to the issues at hand and have everyone forget all the junk

[Oleladylib]

4. Love the fact that people read between the lines...whatacountry!

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. Given what they can find there, the lines must be really far apart.

Save paper! Use single line spacing!

[flor de jasmim]

5. Well, he DID say he was Hillary's hitman...

This is so undignified for a former President. I presume that one of the reasons we give the title "Mr. President" for life is that we presume that he becomes a statesman (later an "elder statesman") and merits recognition as such. For exhibiting behavior unbecoming a statesman he should be stripped of the title.

[pscot]

7. Sounds like the Big Dog is channeling

Trent Lott. Sad. Really sad.

[housewolf]

9. Wow, this really disses every single other Dem candidate now & in the recent past & elevates McCain

I'd love to see the surrounding text to that statement & see what the context is, but the phrase by itself... WOW. It's stunning in a bad way.

[stray cat]

10. About time we have a democrat who loves their country - is that the idea?

[wryter2000]

12. Sadly, I think that is the idea

I honestly hoped I'd seen the last of a Clinton elevating McCain over Obama.

[southern_belle]

14. Sounds like the Clinton's are McCain's

best supporters. :eyes:

[kevinmc]

15. Hate to tell ya, Bill ....... but ..........

Story behind the story: The Clinton myth
Politico

One big fact has largely been lost in the recent coverage of the Democratic presidential race: Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning.

Her own campaign acknowledges there is no way that she will finish ahead in pledged delegates. That means the only way she wins is if Democratic superdelegates are ready to risk a backlash of historic proportions from the party’s most reliable constituency.

Unless Clinton is able to at least win the primary popular vote — which also would take nothing less than an electoral miracle — and use that achievement to pressure superdelegates, she has only one scenario for victory. An African-American opponent and his backers would be told that, even though he won the contest with voters, the prize is going to someone else.

People who think that scenario is even remotely likely are living on another planet.

As it happens, many people inside Clinton’s campaign live right here on Earth. One important Clinton adviser estimated to Politico privately that she has no more than a 10 percent chance of winning her race against Barack Obama, an appraisal that was echoed by other operatives.

In other words: The notion of the Democratic contest being a dramatic cliffhanger is a game of make-believe..........

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=D1491726-3048-5C12-0099B6F95FDE6303