Matthew Yglesias » Thought of the Day

Sep 25th, 2008 at 9:20 am

Thought of the Day

It sure was nice of Bill Clinton to put important national concerns above petty partisanship by agreeing to host a John McCain campaign speech and help the GOP nominee burnish his bipartisan credentials. You might think a former President would be so committed to an axe-grinding agenda that he couldn’t see the big picture. But not Bill — he puts country first, not some personal agenda. Oh what’s that you say? His wife ran for the Democratic nomination and lost? Think that might be relevant?

Comments
80

80 Responses to “Thought of the Day”

JH Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am
If Obama wins, he needs to push these people as far to the margins of the Democratic party as he can get them.
Petey Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:30 am
“If Obama wins, he needs to push these people as far to the margins of the Democratic party as he can get them.”

Of course, the whole fucking problem with Obama is that he’s likely to indeed push Democrats to the margins if he’s elected.

That’s what his campaign has been about, and it’s likely what his administration would be about.
Why oh why Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Bill Clinton endorsed Obama fully with one of the best speeches of the DNC, and he will campaign for the man who beat his wife. I don’t know what more you expect him to do, tatoo CHANGE on his forehead? Stop being so paranoid.

And why not detail what the Clinton Global Initiative does? It seems more useful than trying to find cynical calculations behind whatever Bill or Hillary do.

If Obama loses to a candidate as clueless as McCain in a Democratic year, it won’t be Clinton’s fault.
Petey Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:34 am
“Bill Clinton endorsed Obama fully with one of the best speeches of the DNC, and he will campaign for the man who beat his wife. I don’t know what more you expect him to do, tatoo CHANGE on his forehead? Stop being so paranoid.”

Like Andrew Sullivan and Marty Peretz, Matt’s party is the anti-Clintons, not the Democrats.

Matt spent the entire primary season bashing Democrats from the right, and I don’t know why anyone expects him to stop now.

His battle cry is “Post-Partisanship Now, Post-Partisanship Tomorrow, Post-Partisanship Forever!”
El Cid Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I am pro-Democrat and generally anti-Clinton. All things in moderation. Shut up, Petey.
Steve LaBonne Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:36 am
You’ve got that ass-backwards, troll. Bill Clinton’s political party of one is Bill Clinton.
kforceone Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Why at #3 – CUT IT OUT. You and I both know the Clinton’s WANT Obama to LOSE. The thing is there is nothing wrong with that. Clinton wants to be PRESIDENT. If Obama wins that NEVER HAPPENS. She wants it bad enough that she’s willing for the country and all of her 18 MILLION voters to suffer worst than they have over the last 8 years. That’s her perogative.

As for beating McCain in a Dem year…it seems only Chris Matthews is unafraid to articulate why this thing is so close, the rest of you pretend like you don’t know but you really do.

Against all of this Obama will win, and our country will be better off!

k1
VoR Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Bill Clinton doesn’t need to be pushed to the margins – he needs (after trial and conviction, of course) to be hanged by the neck until dead as a war criminal.

Petey,

I hope you get a particularly painful and fast acting form of cancer and die quickly, you piece of shit.
Rich Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Clinton has done more for Obama than Al Gore. Give it a rest.
El Cid Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Jeesh, VoR. I’d just be okay with Petey being more sane, and maybe not being 100% continually wrong about each and every absolutist prediction he makes. I don’t think he needs to die of cancer.
right Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:42 am
In my mind, the number one reason to vote for Barack Obama is that it will save us from an inevitable Hillary Clinton presidency from 2012-2016.
lfv Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:42 am
kforceone Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Why at #3 – CUT IT OUT. You and I both know the Clinton’s WANT Obama to LOSE. The thing is there is nothing wrong with that. Clinton wants to be PRESIDENT. If Obama wins that NEVER HAPPENS. She wants it bad enough that she’s willing for the country and all of her 18 MILLION voters to suffer worst than they have over the last 8 years.

There is nothing wrong with her wanting her supporters to suffer?
Why oh why Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:45 am
What is it about 8 years of growth, peace, reduced debt and increased social justice that drive so-called Democrats crazy? Bill Clinton has earned the respect of all liberals, something Obama has not yet (he just had the potential to do so).

You and I both know the Clinton’s WANT Obama to LOSE.

Lay off your CAPS and watch the DNC speeches of both; they sure are hiding this well. What kind of telepathic power lets you know what they really thing?
Rob Mac Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I thought the right-wing anti-Clinton conspiracy theorists had all retired after the primary season. How pathetic.

Matt, perhaps you don’t realize that Clinton’s Global Initiative is a non-partisan group. Obama will be speaking as well. What is so freakin’ evil about that? Clinton has explained that he’ll start a vigorous campaign schedule in the final four weeks and go where Obama asks him to go and do what Obama asks him to do.

I’m not thrilled about Clinton’s recent above it all pronouncements either. But you don’t have to turn him into some sort of sociopathic monster over this.

Bill and Hillary are both campaigning for Obama. Where was Bill Bradley in 2000? Where was Tsongas in 1992? The fact is, Hillary has done much more for Obama than pertty much any primary oponent you could ever name.

Tell me, anti-Clinton nutballs, did Hillary and Bill also sandbag Kerry in 2004 so that 2008 would be left open for Hillary?
ed Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Chris Rock and I agree on this matter.
right Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Clinton has done more for Obama than Al Gore. Give it a rest.

This is a false comparison. Clinton is in a position to do much, much more than Al Gore is.
sjw Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am
my my, aren’t we nasty this morning …

ok, Bill gave a great speech in favor of Obama at the DNC. But note that this morning Clinton defended McCain’s decision to put off the debate. Haven’t you heard of a politian’s wanting to have it both ways? If Obama wins, the Clintons win. If Obama loses, they also win. So the Clintons try to make both happen.
El Cid Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I think the Clintons are doing, as noted above, a lot more than other prominent Democrats for Obama, and beyond that, are probably doing as much as they can personally stomache. I don’t think they like Obama, not at all, so if that indeed is true, I don’t want them out there being made uncomfortable and having that show. Al Gore’s thing is the various anti-GW initiatives, Bill Clinton’s thing is the CGI.

I’d rather have Hillary out there explaining how she will push through a national health care program after having given some trillion-ish dollars to Wall Street, under President Obama.
cleek Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
and with that, Petey joins the likes of Chris Ford and SLC in the pie factory. congrats, troll.
Petey Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I’m sorry. I’ll go crawl back under my rock now.
cleek Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
but i thought McPOW suspended his campaign? i guess the crisis doesn’t really start until this afternoon.
Delicious Pundit Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Bill also has to go to rich people and ask for money for his charities, so I think he feels he should burnish his Republican cred. I don’t mind it so much, myself; it’s not like it’s uncharacteristic — he governed like a 60s liberal Republican, after all.

Hillary, on the other hand, seems to be doing everything you’d want, especially considering that it has to be pretty bitter.
nukev Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Matt- I think that all this Clinton hating is ridiculous and juvenile. He was the best president in my lifetime. His initiative is labeled as bi-partisan for Christ sake. He has and continues to campaign for Obama. If you think he doesn’t praise Obama enough or hate McCain enough I think you should start every post with something like: “Obama is a God and McCain loves Bin Laden” to prove your bonafides. WTF?
Don Williams Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Re why oh why’s comment “Bill Clinton endorsed Obama fully with one of the best speeches of the DNC, and he will campaign for the man who beat his wife. ”
————–
Bill Clinton has just said on Larry King that he will campaign for Obama “after the Jewish Holidays”. Ref: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1024235.html

I think he’s referring to Hanukkah (Dec 21 -Dec 29).
DJ Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:09 am
You know, this criticism of Clinton would resonate more with me, were it not for the fact that this is exactly the kinda stuff Obama would approve of.

Come on, its a little hard to pick partisan fights on behalf of Mr. Bipartisan. I don’t know (or care) what Clinton’s motivations are, but you can’t expect people to be more loyal than the king.
Stevio Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Bill Clinton is a two-faced nut job. He and Hillary deserve each other. If Obama somehow wins this election w/o Clinton’s help, the first thing Obama should do is take Clinton’s President Portrait off the wall it is on in the White House and place it in one of the male visitor’s bathrooms, near the toilet paper dispenser…
Tyro Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Clinton’s main interest is promoting the Clinton Global Initiative. That means he has to have everyone like him. In short, there is more to be gained for the CGI by getting on everyone (including Republicans’) good side (even if that means an Obama loss) than there is to be gained for the CGI by going all out to help Obama win.
Njorl Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:25 am
“Bill gave a great speech in favor of Obama at the DNC. But note that this morning Clinton defended McCain’s decision to put off the debate. “

Hell, maybe he’s just trying to get McCain to follow through with it and thinks it would hurt McCain. As I used to say about Clinton; He’s a real bastard, but at least he’s our bastard … usually … I think.
DJ Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Oh, and just BTW, Matt had no problem appearing on Fox News undercutting the liberal consensus (voiced by himself) that Fox rigs the rules against liberals.
http://bigheaddc.com/2008/02/10/yglesias-faces-fox-y-cognitive-dissonance/
Neither did he have much problem giving credibility to the Megan McArdles when it suits him.

For that matter, Obama had no problem appearing on O’Reilly. Sure, it may have worked well for him and that’s fine. My point is simply that it’d be stupidly risky for anyone to take a strict partisan line on his behalf. I’m sure both Matt and Obama understand this very well. And yet Matt really expects Clinton to risk the Clinton Global Initiative, which is specifically meant to be bipartisan, in order to boost Obama? Puhleeze!
Rich Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Re #16 (the ironically self-titled Right): It’s not true that Clinton is in a position to do more than Gore. If you want to keep shifting the goalposts, you’ll lose your audience, for what it’s worth.
Flavio Paniagua Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Did you see his appearance on the Daily Show? It was all he could do to barely muster some paltry bits of praise for Obama, while basically saying “aw shucks” when Stewart kidded him about getting into the pres campaign and beating everyone hands down. What an egomaniac.
MS Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Weren’t Clintons the ones that made triangulation a common word in politics, and were associated with DLC, “Third Way”, welfare reform, etc? Now suddenly Clintons are the heart and soul of the Democratic party? What am I missing here?
strasmangelo jones Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:40 am
What makes Petey’s pro-Clinton blowhardery particularly hilarious is that a year ago he was blustering authoritatively about why the Clintons could never be trusted, ever ever ever, and how they believed in nothing but themselves, and that’s why we needed to nominate John Edwards – or, failing that, Barack Obama, who Petey claimed he would happily support against Clinton should Edwards drop out. Petey has reversed and contradicted himself many, many times over the years, and the only thing that’s stayed the same is his tone of absolute certainty.
Aleks Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hillary is an ex-president’s wife? Well I’ll be, somehow she never mention — wait a second, WTF, she LOST?????
Ryan Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Obama is also speaking at this event…
right Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 10:57 am
It’s not true that Clinton is in a position to do more than Gore. If you want to keep shifting the goalposts, you’ll lose your audience, for what it’s worth.

I’m not sure what you mean by the goalpost comment, but Clinton has much higher standing and name recognition as a former President, who has more or less remained above the partisan fray for eight years. Al Gore could be doing more than he is right now too, but (a) has decided to stake out some slightly crazy positions on global warming that Obama would need to gently distance himself from if he were to, say, go on the stump with big Al, and (b) sort of blew his wad on Dean in 04, to no avail (to say the least).
Bill Clinton Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:06 am
As I wait for Hillary’s next presidential bid, I can’t help but wonder: Where da white women at?
David B. Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I thought John McCain suspended his campaign?
strasmangelo jones Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Al Gore … has decided to stake out some slightly crazy positions on global warming

Like that global warming exists, and that it’s a big deal? Oh, that crazy man!
Dave Weigel Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Speaking as a bit more of an outsider… it IS awfully striking because Bill Clinton shed his post-partisan, elder statesman clothes for about a year – intensively so for 6 months – and barnstormed the country making an argument for his family returning to the White House. He was doing 5,6 events a day in the clutch. Remember how sunburned his face was during the North Carolina/Indiana primary night speech? That’s because he was outside all day making political speeches.

Most members of a political party would say that it’s more important to barnstorm and make political arguments in the final weeks of a general election than it is in, oh, let’s say, state primaries that won’t have an impact on who the party nominates. But not Clinton. In the final stretch he’s rediscovering his 2001-2006 “elder statesman” suit and praising the Republican candidate as much as he’s praising the Democrat, if not more. See the Good Morning America interview where he thinks McCain is blowing up the debates “in good faith?” This as the Republican who’s allegedly on his way to Washington dithers and speaks at Clinton’s conference?

Exit question: Let’s say Barack Obama loses and Hillary Clinton runs in 2012 against President McCain. Does anyone think Bill will remain an elder statesman, making sober arguments about what a good man McCain is, and refusing to hit the trail for his wife?
The Pop View Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:17 am
While I do think there are examples of Clinton being wishy-washy about Obama and revealing his conviction that Hillary still deserved to win, I don’t think having McCain speak at the Initiative is a very good example of this.

That said, this Chris Rock takedown was pretty good.
tor Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Sportsfans, check out memeorandum – Bill did it to Obama AGAIN! He gave McCain the oppty to look noble and bipartisan.

Clinton hatred is rational – Bill, two times in two days, undercut Obama. Just as telling is McCain trying to reschedule the postponed presidential debate on … the day the VP debate was supposed to occur!

Chris Rock nailed Bill the first time, now Bill’s omissions are glaringly obvious. Bill’s a jerk, period. Narcissist who is actively undermining Obama every public chance he gets.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/bill-clinton-do.html
Andrew Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I dunno. I find the continual bitching about the Clintons from Democrats and progressives baffling, in the same way I regard the devotion of many on the Right to Creationism baffling.

Obama won the nomination. Hillary Clinton campaigned hard for the nomination, with the support of her husband. She lost. She didn’t pursue a scorched earth strategy, as many gleefully predicted she would. She came to the convention, both Clintons fulsomely endorsed Obama, and have put themselves substantially at his disposal. I was reading this site during the cmapaign, and was a little surprised more wasn’t made of the attempts to join together.

I understand the Clintons being hate figures to the Right – I remember being astounded by the vehemence with which they were detested in 1992. But to see the snark and bad mouthing from the Left in 2008 is just weird, and, at least to me, a bit silly.
Marc Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
We are criticizing a very specific set of behavior from Bill Clinton, and the people who are jerking their knees are those defending him. Notice that Matt didn’t criticize Hillary – because she hasn’t been making childish public statements undercutting the nominee. Bill is. At this point it’s gotten pretty obvious. All that Bill has to do is to make the token statements of support that are expected from a former Democratic president for the Democratic nominee. Oh – and don’t provide a platform for the GOP candidate a month before the election. He’s pouting in public and should know better.
Peter K. Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Bill Clinton helping out McCain and the Republicans. Big surprise.

Imagine if it was Bush running for President and Clinton gave him a forum and a chance to be “bipartisan” right before the election. People would go nuts.

During the ’90s Bill coopted a lot of the deregulation rhetoric and policies favored by the business right, thereby gaining their favor and campaign contributions. This led in part to the current financial crisis.

Doesn’t matter what Clinton does, McCain will still lose.
michael Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Matt just lost me as a fan of this blog. I’ve been following his blog since Tapped. But dissing Bill Clinton for not being a rabid partisan pandering to Matt’s bias is pathetic.

Looks like a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Blogs used to be so much more interesting before they became professionalized partisan platforms.
Ginger Joe Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
but i thought McPOW suspended his campaign? i guess the crisis doesn’t really start until this afternoon.

This.

Between the Couric/Letterman debacle and that lil speech of his, McCain shows he doesn’t even have interest in lending credibility to his own lies anymore.
ben Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
But dissing Bill Clinton for not being a rabid partisan pandering to Matt’s bias is pathetic.

The most recent Democratic president is giving lukewarm and faint praise for the Democratic nominee, 40 days from the election. I’m offended by that, Matt is offended by that, and most folks with half a brain are offended by that. Obama is the only one standing in the way of 4 years of McCain and Bill is still too butt-hurt to help him. Fuck him.

Blogs used to be so much more interesting before they became professionalized partisan platforms.

Political blogs, almost by definition, are partisan in a way that other forms of media can’t be. I’m not sure which blogs you been reading if you’re offended by partisanship. Maybe you shouldn’t be reading any blogs if you find freakin’ Matt Yglesias offensive.

Get this man some smelling salts in case he gets the vapors.
stina Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
could someone please tell me again how it would be “inevitable” that clinton won the presidency in 2012 if obama lost this one? why would anyone who didn’t vote for hillary in the primaries in 2008 vote for her, and not obama (or jim webb!) in 2012?

i think we can all conclude that bill clinton would serve obama much better if he shut his mouth. i woke up this morning readin the WSJ enthustically quoting clinton’s insane praise of sarah palin. that does NOT help obama. if obama loses in november, a small part of the blame (definately not all of it, but a significant part) should be put on bill clinton. not for his lack of support of barack, but for his insane praise of two candidates (mccain, palin) who should be his political opposites.
toby Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I’m a Democrat but I have to paraphrase Chris Hitchens (talking about Jerry Falwell) when it comes to Bill Clinton: give him an enema and he will fit in a matchbox.
Yes, But Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
You and I both know the Clinton’s WANT Obama to LOSE. The thing is there is nothing wrong with that. Clinton wants to be PRESIDENT. If Obama wins that NEVER HAPPENS. She wants it bad enough that she’s willing for the country and all of her 18 MILLION voters to suffer worst than they have over the last 8 years. That’s her perogative.

Huh? Seems to me that if McCain wins, there’s no chance for a Democrat to take the WH for twelve years, maybe 16. Palin is a lock on the presidency in four years if she wants it – she probably won’t even have to campaign. I’m pretty sure Clinton is smart enough to know that.
Richard Steven Hack Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Where’s Hillary?

Other than a couple times I’ve seen her on the Google News page apparently doing some little campaign thing for Obama, she hasn’t done a FUCKING thing for him! Just as I TOLD you people she wouldn’t.

Meanwhile, Bill is helping McCain – and unbelievably, Palin (obviously hoping he gets a blowjob from her one day.)

Do I have to spell it out for you morons again?
Julene Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
OMG. This is ridiculous. Blame everyone but Obama. The Clintons don’t campaign enough. The Clintons talk too much. The Clintons need to talk more. The Clintons need to be here. Why on earth did the Clintons go there?

The best way out of this problem? Having the candidate discuss the issues. Too bad Obama isn’t on board for that. Must be the Clintons fault.
Another Chris Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Hey people…

The primary’s over!
Michael Newsom Says:
September 25th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Obama is such an arrogant ass, when he loses it will set our party back 20 years. Damn him and David Axelrod. 2 months from now no one will want to speak to them again. My God how could we make such a terrible mistake?
Ralf Says:
September 26th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
His performance on Letterman was pretty craven too.

He is still pissed at Obama and is being ultra-petty about it. He’s a sad caricature.
me Says:
September 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
okay, I took the Clinton has done more for Obama than Gore comment to mean Clinton has done more for Obama than Clinton did for Gore. but then I’m not voraciously pro or anti Clinton so maybe I don’t get it….
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Matt Yglesias

Thought of the Day

80 Responses to “Thought of the Day”

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