okay, this is either bad reporting, or my WTF? moment of the day

[Lerkfish]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/29/clinton-hesitant-to-call-obama-a-great-man-2/

Clinton hesitant to call Obama a 'great man'

(CNN)– Former President Bill Clinton was hesitant to characterize Barack Obama as a "great man" Sunday, a phrase he had no qualms using last week to describe Obama's rival John McCain.

....


Clinton said he and Obama are developing a "really good relationship," and the Democratic nominee has the potential for greatness. Explaining, he said Obama has many personal accomplishments, but none that exemplify his greatness to the country.

"When he becomes president, he'll be doing things for the American people and for the world and he is-and the greatness will then become apparent because of the good he'll do…That's what I very much believe is going to happen."

---------------
erm...

this is either stuff taken out of context, or something that makes me go "WTF?"

[grannie4peace]

1. he is being an ass

[BklynChick]

2. I watched the whole interview. As much as I don't like Bill these days, he was really ok. He said

the first time he ever had a chance to really sit down and talk to him personally one-on-one was last week in Harlem. The first time ever. Tom Brokaw was really trying to get him to say something lukewarm or downright negative about Obama and he really didn't. This quote was taken out of context. I'm sick of Bill Clinton, but I'm way more sick of the MSM trying to goad him into saying stuff.

[Lerkfish]

6. I wondered if that wasn't part of it.

[daa]

3. Delete please

[daa]

4. So what exactly has he done GREAT???

Is this some elder statesman I don't know about? who heard of him before last year?

[stillcool]

7. John McCain? ..

[Yes We Did]

12. Well...

awe forget it... Not getting baited by your sour grapes.

[rurallib]

5. I am beginning to wonder if Clinton wants to be the last Democratic President

[NYC_SKP]

8. Lower your expectations. You expect too much from Bill Clinton.

I don't like Bill, never did, and I never trusted him, either.

I don't expect anything from Bill.

And he never disappoints.

[islandmkl]

9. Dear Bill: I realize it has been several years, and a lot of water has passed under the bridges...

please try to remember 1991 and reflect on the Governor of Arkansas. How 'great' was he, then? Did John McCain seem 'great' in your mind, then? Maybe you mean to declare that McCain has, in his life, made 'great sacrifices' in service to this nation. That does not qualify him as 'great'.

If you are casting the attribute of 'great' around, possibly you can provide some definition and qualification, just to keep us all properly informed, especially when comparing candidates for the most important position on earth. I am sure you are fully aware of the amount of support you offer any candidate you endorse. I am also sure you are fully aware of the impact of not only what you say, but what you don't say.

You are really making it stretch, this 'endorsement' and 'support' of yours. I know, I know...what are you supposed to do?...what do we want of you?

I want you to HELP Barack Obama become the next President of the United States. Bill, you should have realized by now that HELPING is not the same as NOT HURTING...

We are at a crossroads, maybe THE crossroads...and this bus may only stop once. We all want you on the bus with us...hell, you may need to drive. We expect a lot from you, and we deserve those expectations to be met. You have the power, the POWER that many of us provided you to achieve YOUR expectations...

It is time you gave something back to us...and something back to this country.

Help Barack become President.

-islandmkl

[Sulawesi]

10. People need to watch the interview...Clinton was candid, lucid, and I agreed with him...

The CNN headline is ridiculous...

[polmaven]

18. Watch the interview?

Now THERE'S a novel idea! What fun would THAT be? :rofl:

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Clinton is choosing his words carefully in order to reach the undecided voters

and disgruntled republicans who could be persuaded to vote for Obama. To do this, he needs to appear as though he is not slamming McCain or being too enthusiastic about Obama since that would just turn them off and they wouldn't listen to Obama's stance on the issues. Clinton may be able to appeal to these people when others cannot since he is still regarded favorably by more than half of the population according to some national polls.

http://www.pollingreport.com/clinton1.htm

As far as I've seen, the interviews that have been cited here on DU were given to highlight his Global Initiative meeting, not his involvement with Obama's campaign. I know it sounds as though he is lukewarm in his support, but I am sure that when he makes actual campaign appearances for Obama that his demeanor will be a completely different.

[jberryhill]

13. I'm surprised that folks on DU don't understand that...

The remaining days in this campaign are not about preaching to the choir.

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I think many of them are just caught up in the excitement of their own support for Obama

and they can't understand any Democrat that doesn't show the same level of enthusiasm. That's all I can figure.

[chupacabranation]

15. I think I agree w/you on this. Do you all really think Bill wants a Republican in office?

Clinton is enthusiastic enough about the Democratic ticket and as unenthused about the Republican viewpoint as someone could be, I think. I watched him give a speech at, I believe the University of Arkansas? A few years ago. It was the most touching speech I've ever watched, and it was about how saddened he was by the direction of the Bush Administration. That he "did all he could."

I think he may indeed have a personal connection to McCain, but make no mistake, I have no doubt that he DOESN'T want the Republicans in power in the Oval Office.

He may have a personal grudge against Obama for beating Hillary but even if that's motivating his behavior...I believe his behavior is motivated by even larger considerations.

[EstimatedProphet]

14. BILL CLINTON IS A MONSTER THAT IS TRYING TO DESTROY THE WORLD!

Or so I heard

[polmaven]

20. Absolutely right!

I heard it too!....WJC is about to bring the end times to us, because he wants to be the one to lead the Rapture!

[ecstatic]

16. The best defense I've heard for Clinton's behavior has come from Paul Begala

about how Clinton is now heading the bipartisan Global Initiative, yada yada, and has to sort of stay neutral now. That has quieted down some of my immense irritation for now. I hope it's true and that Clinton isn't being this way for sinister reasons (i.e., 2012 run).

[rvablue]

19. I have an idea

why don't you be in charge of reposting this every single day so that we can continously pick the scab on this subject. **SARCASM**
maybe you just weren't here last week and this weekend, but there have been dozens of posts exactly like this already.

[Lerkfish]

21. haven't been posting this weekend, sorry

and the story was posted this morning on CNN.

I offered the possibility that the story was reported incorrectly.

other than that, not sure why you're attacking me for posting it.