To benefit his wife, Bill Clinton shamelessly promoted John McCain to the Independents in NH on MTP

[flpoljunkie]

And then there’s, there’s the sort of unknown, which is, can there be a surprise? And there’s only two potential surprises, I think. One is, John McCain, I think, has a second breath. And if the independents in New Hampshire decide to vote in the Republican Party instead of the Democratic Party, he could surprise. He’s a very fine man. He’s given a lot to this country. And, and I disagree with him strongly about Iraq, but I admire him. And any person would. And you just—a guy with—that’s got that kind of meat about him, even though he was poorly served by the people who spent all his money, you can’t count him out.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21065954/page/2/

(Yes, McCain would surprise, and this would be a real big help to Hillary in NH. And, you can bet the other campaigns noticed this from Bill Clinton, as well.)

[Apollo11]

1. Correct analysis

It doesn't take long to work out what Bill Clinton was thinking:
"Since we know that independents hate Hillary (and me too), we don't want them voting in the Democratic Primary."

[Captain Hilts]

2. That's not what polls say. nt

[AtomicKitten]

4. that does appear to be the rationale behind it

Heads up, America. I think we are about to test-drive the notion that anything goes in politics.

[Apollo11]

6. Hey AtomicKitten!

We need more Gore-Obama supporters like you here on DU! B-)

[AtomicKitten]

7. good morning!

I will have died and gone to heaven if given the chance to vote for Gore/Obama in 2008. :)

[reality based]

3. How are Republicans going to react to such warm words of praise for McCain

from President Clinton? This would be a kiss of political death for McCain it would seem to me. I doubt that a bunch of independents are waiting for Clinton's comments to decide which primary to vote in. If they are going to listen to him for advice they will vote for Hillary. Clinton may be trying to inoculate against a revival of McCain's candidacy which has shown some signs of a little more life lately. As Freddie of Hollywood fades, McCain (no longer an Episcopalian but a Baptist) could become the default religious rightwing hope against Ghooliani and Mitt.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Bill is not promoting McCain to the R's; he's trying to peel off Independents who might go to Obama

and thus, might cause Hillary to lose the New Hampshire primary.

[rinsd]

17. So Obama's NH campaign hinges on potential McCain voters.

How nice for a potential Democratic nominee.

:eyes:

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. Independents do not hate Clinton.

Your premise is faulty.

[Apollo11]

9. Well, maybe not every single one

But polls prove that a lot of them like Barack better than Hillary.

[wyldwolf]

10. Ever notice how some people just whine about political prowess?

[flpoljunkie]

11. Akin to the "political prowess" Hillary exhibited when she piled on John Kerry last fall?

The Clinton will say are all about power and will do or say anything to gain or keep it. And, what have they really accomplished with that power?

[wyldwolf]

13. "Piled on?"

:shrug:

So, you're contending Democrats can't express their opinion on another Democrat?

[Clintonista2]

12. If you have any political prowess, it just means you're not "progressive" enough

[zulchzulu]

14. K&R!

[sandnsea]

15. Interesting point

I wondered why he was talking about McCain who is obviousy dead.

[rinsd]

16. Umm winning elections involves getting out your base while depressing your opponents.

And Obama's base has to include independents since he doesn't have enough Democratic support whereas Hillary has strong Democratic support and while she will need independent votes her NH campaign does not hinge on them like Obama's does.

[Apollo11]

25. But in the general, Hillary would fire-up the Republicans' base

ALL Republicans FEAR another 8 years of the Bill & Hillary Show.

They will vote for anyone (Giuliani, Romney ...) if the alternative is Hillary in the Whitehouse.

That's why ALL the Republican candidates (plus Karl Rove and GWB) agree that the candidate they would most like to face in November 2008 is Hillary Clinton.

[geek tragedy]

18. He's the Super-Triangulator. eom

[flpoljunkie]

19. Thanks for the recommendations, guys, and thanks, Hilllary supporters for keeping this thread going.

[rinsd]

20. No problem. Seeing Obama supporters scared shitless of the word of the Big Dawg is quite amusing.

[flpoljunkie]

21. Like I said, thanks for keeping this thread kicked up.

Boo!

[jenmito]

22. K&R...

He's smooth, which is why it's so incredible that a "rookie" like Obama is still ahead of the Clintons in supporters and donations. :D He's running against TWO Clintons.

[illinoisprogressive]

23. why would Obama supporters be afraid of that old man, Bill.

[jmp]

24. Today McCain held his fire on Hillary.

Curious. :eyes:

Anyone else smell a couple of rats?