Bill Clinton ‘very sorry’ for veering off message on Bush tax cuts

[KoKo]

Source: Yahoo News--The Ticket

Bill Clinton ‘very sorry’ for veering off message on Bush tax cuts
By Laura E. Davis | The Ticket – 4 hrs ago

Former President Bill Clinton apologized on Thursday for making comments this week that appeared to be at odds with President Barack Obama's position on extending the Bush tax cuts.

VIDEO AT WEBSITE IN ADOBE FLASH

"I'm very sorry about what happened," Clinton said in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I thought something had to be done on the 'fiscal cliff' before the election. Apparently nothing has to be done until the first of the year."

He said he stands with Obama on the issue.

Talking to CNBC on Tuesday, Clinton seemed to suggest that he thinks the Bush tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year, should be temporarily extended. Obama is opposed to the extension, a point his press secretary emphasized to reporters on Wednesday after Republicans seized on Clinton's comments.

"We should not extend—and he will not extend—the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of the American people. It's bad policy, it's bad for the economy, it's bad for our fiscal picture," Jay Carney said aboard Air Force One.

Clinton, who campaigned for his wife, Hillary, when she was competing against Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary battle, defended himself when Blitzer brought up the fact that Clinton's critics are charging that he's undermining Obama's re-election effort with his comments.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/bill-clinton-says-very-sorry-veering-off-message-221251575.html


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/bill-clinton-says-very-sorry-veering-off-message-221251575.html

---

What is going on with Bill Clinton?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

1. He expressed what he really thought. That's it. n/t

[KoKo]

2. If you watch or read the Mainstream Corporate Wall St. Financial sites...they are with Clinton

though. I'm sad to see he's with the Ryan/Corporatist crowd wanting to extend the Bush Tax Cuts forever.

Why would he do that? Any idea?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. I agree. I don't trust Bill Clinton. I think he admitted what he really thought and is in lockstep

with Republicans and the 1%. However, I seem to be of the minority opinion on this.

[snot]

16. Agreed. Among other things, he signed the repeal of Glass-Steagall,

which put taxpayers on the hook for banks' speculative losses and has been a major contributing cause of financial instability.

[Beacool]

21. That law was passed by an overwhelming majority of votes and was veto proof.

[2banon]

30. Yeah, it was veto proof alright

How it could it not be veto proof? The Repeal of Glass Steigle was urged on by President Clinton himself and with the exception of Senator Dorgan, the corrupt Senators stood to gain/profit mightly and of course were only to eager to oblige. weird how all of that is never discussed.

As regard this current faux pas, Clinton was just being honest about where his interest really is... trying to walk that back now is as rediculous as it is laughable.

[appal_jack]

37. Clinton has been rotten from the start.

There's a reason why Clinton never delved further into or prosecuted Iran Contra as it should have been: he was complicit. The airport used to export arms to the Nicaraguan Contras, and import cocaine was Mena, in Arkansas. The idea that Arkansas' governor at the time (Clinton) had no knowledge of these activities is simply ludicrous.

http://whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/MENA/walsh_gets_evidence.html

http://whatreallyhappened.com/RANCHO/POLITICS/MENA/mena.php

I know that 'What Really Happpened' is considered a conspiracy / nutter site by some, but the first link is just an Arkansas Gazette article. The second link is a little more full of ads & nuttery, but also has some good audio, quotes, and even some scans of Ollie North's handwritten notes. Definitely worth a look for anyone wondering about why, whenever the chips are down, Clinton has sided with the Bush-istas and the corporate/right-wing/DLC bullshit side of the Democratic Party.

Learn from history or repeat it.

-app

[DonCoquixote]

3. OK Bill

Apology accepted, but be careful in the future please.

[flamingdem]

19. This is the point, he made a sincere correction

nt

[SunSeeker]

4. Sounds passive-aggressive?

Bill seemed like he lost his mojo during Hillary's campaign, resorting to lashing out at Obama. He ended up sounding mean and desperate, which is so unlike he usual style. And I don't think he ever got over Hillary losing. But he has never been a true progressive dem anyway, not when he pushed welfare "reform" and "free trade" deals that killed manufacturing jobs, not to mention de-regulating Wall Street.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

6. Exactly!!

[snappyturtle]

7. Amen....exactly! nt

[Beacool]

22. Obama was his wife's opponent.

Of course he was going to lash out at Obama. What do you think that Obama and his campaign were doing to Hillary, sending her roses perchance?

[SunSeeker]

24. He didn't do her any favors by lashing out.

He just embarrassed her. Major campaigning fail on his part. And not in keeping with his usual good natured style.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

27. Right on the money . . .

BC is the proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing.

[Happydayz]

8. Apology, not accepted from me and I'm sure many more dems

Get on message or go the hell away!! This election is too important for so called mistake and misspeaking. I say go away, because you aren't a good surrogate. Look what happened to your wife in 08, need I say more.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. You nailed it. Both Clintons need to retire from politics. . .

tbey are outstaying their welcome like the proverbial party guests who won't leave.

[Canuckistanian]

9. Does he have any consistent views on policy at all?

C'mon Bill. Tell us what you REALLY think.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

15. He likes Paul Ryan's plan. Got caught on tape praising it. That's what he really thinks! n/t

[Canuckistanian]

20. He does?

That's it. He's dead to me. Nobody could be that brain-dead and call themselves progressive.

[unkachuck]

10. "He said he stands with Obama on the issue."

....it's about time....if he ever wanted to see Hillary and Barack on the same stage in 2016....

[russspeakeasy]

11. I feel your pain Bill. Now, try to get it right. And shove your apology.

[tularetom]

12. He needs to STFU while his reputation is still partially intact

I think he may be experiencing the early stages of the dementia that sometimes affects those who have undergone bypass surgery.

It was apparent to this doctor as early as the 2008 presidential campaign.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2008other/080412clinton.htm

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Bill, time for you to leave the stage. And take Hillary with you.

[MrSlayer]

13. He should mention his own tax policy.

And what happened because of it.

[emilyg]

14. Bill has always been outspoken.

[IamK]

17. Bill was probably trying to get some Republican leg... I excuse him... n/t

[craigmatic]

18. Clinton still has a little resentment for the current POTUS. They both just need each other now.

I'm sure the concept of a political marriage of convience isn't new to Bill.

[Beacool]

23. Bill Clinton can say whatever he wants on any subject.

Obama needs him far more than he needs Obama. If the campaign doesn't like it, then too damn bad for them.

[MjolnirTime]

31. Nobody needs loose cannon. Especially a jealous one.

[Beacool]

33. Jealous of what, precisely?????

Clinton was a two term president who left office with very high approval ratings. Obama's are in the mid to upper 40s and, although not due to his own fault, is leading the country in very bad economic times.

[snooper2]

38. I knew you would show up :)

are you related in some way or?

[Beacool]

40. Clinton was a good president.

Are some of you related to Obama?

[spin]

25. Maybe Bill thinks that if Romney wins ...

after four years the voters will replace him with Hillary in a heartbeat.

He's probably still pissed that Obama beat Hillary in the Democratic primary the last time around. Hillary was supposed to be the first woman President and everyone knew it but Obama came out of nowhere and had all the charisma that she lacked.

I wonder if Hillary even wants to run. Bill probably has visions of a co-presidency with Hillary with him as First Man.

[Beacool]

34. Yeah, he could spew better platitudes.

"Hope and change", indeed.

[freshwest]

26. And Bain...

[woodsprite]

32. As my daddy would have said "Sorry doesn't cut it." n/t

[rayofreason]

35. crocodile tears. n/t

[marshall]

36. The apology is very ambiguous

He doesn't say "I was wrong" or "I didn't have all the information." His apology continues his contention that we are on a "fiscal cliff" and rather cynically opines that "apparently nothing has to be done until the first of the year." That definitely give the impression that he does not agree with the policy, but acknowledges that he understands that is Obama's position.

[sakabatou]

39. Just butt-out, Bill.

[GeorgeGist]

41. Narcissism

perhaps.

[Arugula Latte]

42. Zip it and keep your effin' trap shut, Bill.

[w4rma]

43. Does he think he's talking to dumbass conservatives with that apology?

Shut up Bill, you two faced liar.