Saturday, March 22, 2008

Bill Clinton Can't Help Himself

During the Lewinsky days, the word "compulsive" was often applied to Bill Clinton's behavior, and the former President seems intent on reviving memories of the disappointment even his most ardent admirers felt back then.

Now, stumping for his wife in North Carolina after being chastened for his South Carolina comments comparing Barack Obama to Jesse Jackson, here he is doing a little McCarthyesque turn to pile on her opponent's Jeremiah Wright problem by suggesting Obama is something less than a true patriot.

"I think it would be a great thing," Clinton said yesterday, "if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country. 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."

What can this man be thinking? Has he been watching too many screenings of "Primary Colors?" Is he so devoted to winning at all costs that nothing else matters? Or is he so jealous of Obama's appeal as a moral figure that he can't help trying to tear him down?

It would be a "great thing," Mr. President, if you would just put a cork on it before you start making George W. Bush look like a figure of probity.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bill must be trying his hand at "dynamic juxtaposition." Jeremiah Wright's running for president! Careful Bill, you'll hurt yourself.

Liza said...

Bill Clinton is a jackass, I just don't know any other way to respond to his outrageous behavior throughout these elections.

R. S. Abrinaud said...

Living as I do in Japan, it's interesting to watch the various reports coming out of the States regarding the election. Reports about Hillary's actions and those of Obama paint both candidates in firm chiaroscuro. While Obama comes across as a mature, honest and dignified statesman, Hillary and Bill look more and more like the playground bullies in kindergarten.

I should also point out that McCain barely registers on the radar. Most of my Japanese colleagues respond with a, "Who?", when I mention him.

Larry Jones said...

I've seen the clip several times now, and I just don't think he said anything even obliquely about Obama. Bloggers are clambering on the "Bill-and-Hillary-will-do-anything-to-win" bandwagon. I've always said that Hillary shouldn't run, because people hate her so much, but given the ammunition they could be using, I think they've been quite restrained.

For the record, I was an Edwards supporter, and now that he's gone I have not switched to Clinton.