Bill Clinton Stuns California Superdelegates
[Guest post by DRJ]
If I didn’t know it already, I’d suspect that things were going badly for Hillary’s campaign after this SFGate report of Bill Clinton’s recent meltdown in California:
“The Bill Clinton who met privately with California’s superdelegates at last weekend’s state convention was a far cry from the congenial former president who afterward publicly urged fellow Democrats to “chill out” over the race between his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Barack Obama.
In fact, before his speech Clinton had one of his famous meltdowns Sunday, blasting away at former presidential contender Bill Richardson for having endorsed Obama, the media and the entire nomination process.
“It was one of the worst political meetings I have ever attended,” one superdelegate said.
According to those at the meeting, Clinton – who flew in from Chicago with bags under his eyes – was classic old Bill at first, charming and making small talk with the 15 or so delegates who gathered in a room behind the convention stage.
But as the group moved together for the perfunctory photo, Rachel Binah, a former Richardson delegate who now supports Hillary Clinton, told Bill how “sorry” she was to have heard former Clinton campaign manager James Carville call Richardson a “Judas” for backing Obama.
It was as if someone pulled the pin from a grenade.
“Five times to my face (Richardson) said that he would never do that,” a red-faced, finger-pointing Clinton erupted.
The former president then went on a tirade that ran from the media’s unfair treatment of Hillary to questions about the fairness of the votes in state caucuses that voted for Obama. It ended with him asking delegates to imagine what the reaction would be if Obama was trailing by just 1 percent and people were telling him to drop out.
“It was very, very intense,” said one attendee. “Not at all like the Bill of earlier campaigns.”
When he finally wound down, Bill was asked what message he wanted the delegates to take away from the meeting. At that point, a much calmer Clinton outlined his message of party unity.
“It was kind of strange later when he took the stage and told everyone to ‘chill out,’ ” one delegate told us.
“We couldn’t help but think he was also talking to himself.””
He’s tired, and endless travel and public speaking have got to be wearing. Still, this sounds like something more – something personal. I think Bill Clinton is grappling with the end of their dream to go back to the White House.
— DRJ
Kind of reminds you of a star athlete or entertainer trying to make a comeback and realizing that the adoring fans they once thought they owned have moved on to today’s new young sensation.
JVW (0b3fa7) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:32 ami just hope that Hillary runs all the way to the convention, fights it out there, and if denied, takes it into courtrooms all across the country.
/we’re gonna need a lot more popcorn. %-)
redc1c4 (a877b7) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:39 amThis is just more of Bill’s utter lack of character coming through.
SPQR (26be8b) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:45 amApparently Dem party members knew all along what Bill & Hil’s true character was, denial notwithstanding, but wanted the ego-massage that went with the facade.
Obama is just a newer, trendier masseur whose supporters also know all about him. Fashion is so fickle.
ras (fc54bb) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:54 amBTW, it’s not just losing that rankles Bill; it’s that the little people now betray him the way he used to betray the little people. He knows what that means.
ras (fc54bb) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:56 amWith apologies to Kipling:
The Tigress of Tuzla
She awoke from a day in the jungle — from a dream that she came under fire;
From a hostile and faceless avenger, from the friends she used to admire.
As the hunter that feared not the landscape, for she blended so well in the trees —
As the hunted she lost all her cover, and now would be brought to her knees.
For the strength of hunter is knowledge, and the strength of the facts turn on whim.
And you sink when their wind turns against you, with their wind at your back’s when you swim.
She awoke from a dream of her memory, feeling all of her cover bereft
Dazed and confused and unsteady, she can’t tell her right from her left.
Noone came to salvage the Tigress, noone came to salve wounds away
She awoke in a bed of her making, and there alone is where she must lay
Karma found the Tigress of Tuzla, near a sign saying Do Not Disturb
Dazed and confused and denying, that she had been kicked to the curb
Once a princess of action, prim preening, so regal, described as unflawed
Still fighting the demons inside her, now hunted, pathetic, declawed.
If you live by the law of the jungle, if you leave all honor behind
cfbleachers (4040c7) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:57 amYou will die by the law of the jungle, with your lies and their lies intertwined.
“a red-faced, finger-pointing Clinton erupted.”
Someone really should tell Bill that every time he does this, people immediately think back to that one time on national television when he looked us dead in the eye…
Heh.
Dana (fba430) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:57 amDoes this not remind anyone else of Juanita Broaddrick episode? When he calmed down after the alleged rape, he allegedly told her “you better put some ice on that.” And now the Dems are acting surprised when:
What was it that “the Reverend” Wright once said about “chickens coming home to roost?”
driver (faae10) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:03 amHey Dems: YOU better put some ice on that.
He’s not being betrayed, his wife is a shitty fucking candidate. If anything, she’s betraying him. With her shittiness.
Levi (76ef55) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:34 amBetter put some ice on that, Levi, and chill out.
driver (faae10) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:37 amWell, Levi…
If Barack and Hillary have the same talking points, and follow the same scripts, and believe in the same things…
Doesn’t that make him a shitty fucking candidate too???
Just wondering….
reff (bff229) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:37 amBarack isn’t anything like Hillary. But don’t worry, I don’t expect someone from a perspective as confused as your own to see the differences between my perspective’s candidates. We’re all just indistinguishable extreme-left pinko commies to you, aren’t we?
Levi (76ef55) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:43 amI think the reasons why the Clintonoids are so hot at Bill Richardson is because they’ve kept him employed for years when his presence was not warranted.
When you review his resume, it looks impressive, but when you examine his performance, he’s been a failure as a bureaucrat throughout his career. At the UN and at the Energy Dept., he was a joke. Remember that a hard drive with nuke secrets disappeared and reappeared just like Hillary’s Rose Law files. This came after he promised that what happened with Wen Ho Lee would never happen under his watch.
What made him so valuable is that he’s one of the guys that made the Clinton Admin “look like America” because he’s Hispanic, which, because his surname is Anglo, he NEVER lets us forget.
He was doing his usual suck-up bit, giving relief to Hillary when she waffled on Eliot Mess’ licenses for illegals plan. He looked like he was angling (again) for the VP position. But when things got bad for Hill, he switched teams, eliminating any possibility of snagging Hispanic voters by naming him her running mate.
I have no sympathy for the Clintons, but face it — no matter where you stand, when a guy does that to you, it’s gotta hurt.
L.N. Smithee (e1f2bf) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:45 amYou’ve got a way with words, Levi. Four-letter ones.
L.N. Smithee (e1f2bf) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:48 amLevi wrote: Barack isn’t anything like Hillary.
The more the dude parses his language to avoid admitting obvious untruths, B.O. reveals himself to be more like Bill.
L.N. Smithee (e1f2bf) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:49 amObvious untruths, like what, pray tell? This 1996 questionnaire about abortion? Whether or not he pays attention to his pastor in church?
THESE ARE THE ISSUES OF EARTH-SHATTERING IMPORTANCE!
Levi (76ef55) — 4/2/2008 @ 10:55 amIt is all about judgment, right Levi? Baracky has the best judgment. He told me. Except when he sits there for 20 years listening to God Damn American and hating on some whiteys. And except those moments where he lies about things rather than admit his uber-liberal positions.
JD (75f5c3) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:02 amListening to somebody talk shows good judgment, I think. Nothing wrong with gathering information, nothing wrong with hearing another viewpoint. That’s how smart people get smarter.
Also, what’s he lied about exactly? I still don’t get the story about abortion from 1996, is that what you’re talking about?
Levi (76ef55) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:12 amDon’t worry, trolls. After Obama loses the election you can still claim moral superiority with the full bonus of not having to prove it. This is your optimal outcome and you know it. Enjoy.
ras (fc54bb) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:13 amBill is just upset at Hillary’s lack of talent. Although she lies as often as he does she doesn’t do it nearly so well. So we see a once great party reduced to a choice between a member of a racist cult and a professional liar. Have fun Democrats.
Ken Hahn (7742d5) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:23 amGo do your own homework, or read the post DRJ did on it, Levi. We could explain it to you, but you would not pay attention anyway.
JD (75f5c3) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:30 amI have read a piece about the Richardson endorsement that says he was really pi**ed about getting caught up in the Monica scandal and this is his revenge. Remember they got her a job at the UN and Richardson called her himself at home to tell her she had the job. Then she decided she didn’t want it and he found himself embroiled in the coverup. He has been waiting to pay Clinton back and got it finally. Bill is really still steamed about anything to do with Monica.
Craig Venter, who decoded the human genome, was a friend of Bill and sat with him and Hillary at those New Year’s parties they used to have. Then, at a program on DNA, an FBI agent gave a long lecture on how they found Bill’s DNA on that famous dress. Venter was sponsoring the talk and didn’t actually say anything but found his access to government support and the announcement that Clinton and Blair gave about the human genome was suddenly diminished to almost zero. He couldn’t understand what happened until somebody told him how pi**ed Clinton was about the DNA talk using the dress.
Richardson is just getting some payback.
Mike K (6d4fc3) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:39 amExactly how stupid are democrats anyway that they could possibly be “stunned” by a Bill Clinton meltdown, or by Hillary Clinton lying her face off?
What sentient being did not realize a very long time ago what these people are?
Federal Dog (1404a2) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:43 amI did read it, I read a bunch of the comments, I still don’t get it. I have the ability to admit when I don’t understand something. At best, that Politico article is really poorly written, maybe I just need it explained to me in another way?
But from the get-go, it strikes me as totally unimportant that Barack can’t remember exactly what he wrote on some random form 12 years ago. I mean this guy is trying to become the leader of the world, and he’s got idiots asking him about meaningless paperwork snafus from 1996. This is yet another non-story, unless I’m missing something? Am I missing something?
(projected response from JD: Maybe a few brain cells! hahaha!)
Levi (76ef55) — 4/2/2008 @ 11:46 amUgh,
paul from fl (47918a) — 4/2/2008 @ 12:38 pmthis whole thing is like a train wreck. You don’t want to, but you have to watch.
Some random form, some random policy interview, some random spiritual adviser, some random economic adviser…
Some Random Candidate, ’08!
Change You Won’t Remember!
Pablo (99243e) — 4/2/2008 @ 1:26 pmLevi…
“…We’re all just indistinguishable extreme-left pinko commies to you, aren’t we?”
Those that are, are!
Another Drew (f9dd2c) — 4/2/2008 @ 2:57 pmIt would be too good to be true, but maybe even the Dems are realizing that Bill and Hillary Clinton are nothing but a couple of self-absorbed low-lifes.
fouse, gary c (7b7c7c) — 4/2/2008 @ 3:49 pmLevi wrote: I mean this guy is trying to become the leader of the world, and he’s got idiots asking him about meaningless paperwork snafus from 1996. This is yet another non-story, unless I’m missing something? Am I missing something?
Yes. The meaning of the word “snafu.”
If this is “normal” for B.O., he’s got no right being anywhere near this job.
L.N. Smithee (d1de1b) — 4/2/2008 @ 4:27 pmSelf-serving and colossally self-centered, Bill hears the door closing on his last hopes for the “Co-Presidency” that will let him wash out his “legacy”.
It must tear him to shreds as he hears the rumblings of history name him “Slick Willy, the Panatela President”, recall his impeachment, the sordid intern ‘doin’s’ and his demand to know what the definition of “is” is.
He woulda been a contender, he coulda done things to try to overshadow his disasters.
Doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, and if this isn’t the behavior of a desperate, drowning man… what is?
Anon 1:50 (8f0cbc) — 4/2/2008 @ 4:39 pmLevi…
Yes, Hillary and Barack do have the same basic beliefs, and are proposing the same basic philosophical policies and programs for their platforms. A basic difference would be in dealing with Iraq, and possibly with Israel and Palestine, but, overall, they are the same.
Why do you have a problem with a conservative seeing exactly that? Both are leftists, more Marsist and Facist (meaning government control of private business) than capitalist. They both believe the government is the end all/cure all for the problems of the nation. They both want to raise every tax I already pay, and take an even higher portion of my income than they already do, and expect me to be happy about that.
Which makes them both shitty fucking candidates, right???
But, before you go, do, pray tell, tell all of us the absolutely subtle differences in the two candidates that makes either of them so much better than the other….
If you dare….
reff (59b2ad) — 4/2/2008 @ 9:01 pmBefore George W. run the first time I told everyone who’d listen what a mess we’d end up in! All to no avail! When he ran the second time I repeated my concerns but my fellow citizens just had to have more of him. Now look where we are. Bogged down in Iraq with trillions in debt, 4000 lives of our nations finest now gone, gas and food prices through the roof and eight months of Bush to go!
Lee (fd9234) — 4/3/2008 @ 2:18 amNow I am begging my fellow-citizens not to fall for the smooth talk of Obama. If you think this eight years was bad…watch out if he gets the white house!
The one thing that is certain to come with age is experience. I have listened to political lies for decades and I know what I’m talking about. If Obama or McCain gets elected we might as well turn out the lights because we are done for! Please America wake up…vote Hillary! Can we remember when America was meeting budgets and paying down the government debt? It was only eight years ago. Is our memory that short?
We can have this prosperity again if the citizens left to vote will vote Hillary!
Lee, that bubble burst…
Hillary has proposed billions in higher spending, and won’t renew the tax cuts, which will lower governmental income…
It won’t be prosperity….
reff (bff229) — 4/3/2008 @ 6:01 amI’m no fan of BC’s, but if Richardson really did look him in the eye and tell him 5 times he wouldn’t endorse Obama then he had good reason to flip out.
Of course, BC was notorious for his ability to lie right to your face.
spongeworthy (9b4e06) — 4/3/2008 @ 6:26 amlook at this website and tell me obama tells the truth http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6619.shtml
teresa (08c6e1) — 4/3/2008 @ 9:34 ami aslo feel richardson betrayed lintons. i also think the good ole democrat boys(and I mean old)are needing to retire.we all will regret if obama is the nominee,america will be taken over by the michelle obam’s and rev wright,once again the whitey’s(as blacks call us)will be 2nd class citizens.
I have to defend Bill Clinton on this one. I mean come on people grow a brain for a few moments. Bill Clinton sits and watches the super bowl game with Richardson who taunts Bill with false promises? The media has been unfair to Hillary Clinton and we all know this! If this was your buddy stabbing you in the back and attacks on your spouse, be real most of you would of blew a cork along time ago. In my opinion Richardson is a Judas coward who thinks he is reliving some biblical era and now wants a few gold coins tossed at him. If my bible study recalls, didn’t Judas go out and hang himself after what he had done so horribly to his mentor? Bill Clinton was Richardson’s mentor and Richardson would still be that cowboy trying to rodeo up attention. If Richardson ever gets re-elected in the future for any political office, then there is diffenately something wrong with the American public. America has become to wishy washy with their emotions like guys similar to Richardson who has given yet another example of double tongue standards. I’ll be the first one to come foreward and pull Richardson’s knife out of the Clinton’s back. Friends like Richardson who needs enemies? Like they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Unfortuately Bill Clinton misunderstood the words “close” and “closer” meant when it came to Richardson! Bill should of been reminding himself what “closer” actually meant to Richardson! Richardson treated the Clintons like a mushroom, kept them in the dark than fed them crap. The Clintons should NOT be willing to get into a wrestling match with a “pig” (Richardson). The both of them will get dirty and the pig (Richardson) likes it too well. OINK OINK Richardson! When a pig squeals it’s telling on himself!
nattyis (cc150f) — 4/3/2008 @ 10:55 pmDITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO TO This comment below: They are cheating big time…example…..The Michigan VOTE MANY OF US HERE IN MICHIGAN WILL VOTE REPEUBLICAN IF SENATOR Clinton IS NOT THE Presidential NOMINEE… WAIT AND SEE!!!!!!!!!!!
i just hope that Hillary runs all the way to the convention, fights it out there, and if denied, takes it into courtrooms all across the country.
UPSET IN MICHIGAN (a71360) — 4/4/2008 @ 11:38 am