Bill Clinton has evolved into Obama's Mr. Fix-It

[Beacool]

By Philip Rucker and Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, May 28, 2010

After Barack Obama won the White House, he and his aides wrestled for weeks over what to do about Bill Clinton if his wife joined the administration. They worried that the irrepressible former president might overshadow Hillary Rodham Clinton, or even Obama himself. That didn't happen. Now, 18 months later, he has become indispensable in a way the new president probably did not anticipate.

Clinton has become the "Michael Clayton" of the Obama White House, a roving, always on-call fixer who lends his political skills to help Obama and the Democrats in tough situations. Clinton is campaigning and raising money in places where Obama is less (or less than) welcome. And, as was revealed Friday, he has been an intermediary on sensitive, off-the-grid conversations with candidates such as Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), whom he tried -- on behalf of the White House -- to talk out of running for the Senate.

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Republicans have taken notice, suggesting that Clinton might play a bigger role this cycle than Obama. "President Obama spends his days in the Oval Office, but it appears, more and more, that he has no idea how to use it," said GOP strategist Kevin Madden. "Bill Clinton isn't in the Oval Office these days, but he knows how to use the presidency."

Clinton's relationship with Obama was strained through much of the 2008 campaign, but things between them improved when Obama appointed Hillary Rodham Clinton secretary of state. Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, a former Clinton aide and confidant, helped ease the tension. Clinton and Obama have appeared together at least 11 times since Obama's inauguration, including on Thursday, when the two lunched at the White House.

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Sestak's eyes lit up on the Capitol steps Friday as he recalled his bond with Clinton. When Sestak's 5-year-old daughter Alexandra was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Clinton called him. "Is that the president?" she asked. "Can I talk to him?"

"He literally talked to her for five minutes," Sestak recalled.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/28/AR2010052805251.html?hpid=topnews

It has become a habit here to trash Clinton on a regular basis, but the last paragraph is what makes Bill the "Big Dawg". He is a caring man, no doubt flawed, but a good person nonetheless.

:-)

[Arkana]

1. Bill misses the scene, I think.

No matter what difficulties the office brought him, I think he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

[ProSense]

8. He is never

going to disappear from the scene, but it's interesting how all it takes to validate Obama's Presidency for some is mentioning that Bill Clinton did something.

[jenmito]

15. It's VERY interesting

indeed. ;)

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

41. The age-old suggestion that blacks cannot be successful on their own without the white man's

validation. So unfair. So incredibly racist.

[jenmito]

42. Didn't you know that Obama NEEDS Bill Clinton to be

successful? Sad that some really believe that Clinton=Good and Obama=Bad. The same people are angry Obama won the election saying it "wasn't his time-it was HILLARY'S time." :eyes:

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

48. NAFTA, DADT, DOMA, Deregulatory policies affecting the media, repeal of Glass-Steagall

These are all Clinton policies. Interesting that people on this forum give him a pass for these actions. But when it comes to Obama, he must undo all the damage that his predecessors created, or they'll take their ball and go home.

Ever heard of the "black tax"? The stakes are high. The goal posts are constantly being moved farther and farther out. This president will never succeed given the insurmountable challenges he faces, the double standards placed at his feet, and oh, yeah...he must overcome ALL these challenges within his first year or two, else...they'll take their ball and go home.

Amazing. There's no hope for this country. :(

[karynnj]

27. True

and there are an never ending stream of articles that show the nostalgia of some reporters for the Clintons. Here, he takes one small event, that was not successful in its mission and which would have been better NOT to have occurred, and labeled Clinton as Obama's "Mr fix it. What did he fix here? Sestak continued his pursuit of the case and the intercession became political fodder for the right.

As to campaigning in PA and AR, Clinton is a big name in the Democratic party and can get people out. This can't hurt and in PA, it was great that he did this. It was for the party not just for Obama. As to Arkansas, it diminishes Clinton to imply that his endorsement of Lincoln, who he likely knew in her earlier career, was just following President Obama.

As to fixing things, I am left with one thing he actually fixed for Obama - he got the two reporters back from NK. There are many things that Bill Clinton though his foundation has done - including his work in Haiti and his work getting medicines distributed in Africa. That, not being Mr Fix it for Obama is what Bill Clinton has seemed to focus on.

[rury]

39. If Clinton is indeed President Obama's "Mr. Fix-It"

I suggest that Barack replace this ogre immediately in order to prevent him from causing trouble.
Clinton is doing good work with his foundation and he should stick to that enterprise and leave politics alone.

[Beacool]

17. Yes, he has always said that he loved being president.

Furthermore, he most likely would have gotten reelected to a third term if it had been legally possible for him to run again.

:D

[JohnnyLib2]

2. There is much to learn from the Big Dawg.

And I'm sorry my rec was canceled out immediately.

[Beacool]

16. Oh don't worry, that's par for the course.

If I post a thread, or if it relates to a Clinton, the usual crowd comes to unrec it. Funny how childish they are, I have yet to unrec any post. Freedom of speech and all that jazz.......

;-)

[volvoblue]

44. I don't think people are upset with clintons but

with the suggestion that Obama cannot be a president himself and needs to be led around by Clinton.
The whole thing about how Bill Clinton is somehow some puppetmaster rather then just a big brother figure who may give advice or who can help in some cases.

[rury]

40. The most important lesson to learn from the Big Dawg

is what NOT to do in most situations.

[MadBadger]

3. I Strongly Disagree with Kevin Madden. But that isnt a Surprise

[Bitwit1234]

4. And I for one think this country is better with him in it.

He, unlike, republican presidents, loved this country and tried to the best of his ability to help ALL CITIZENS. Just like Obama is trying to do.

[brentspeak]

7. Clinton gave us NAFTA and the start of Wall Street deregulation

He's also campaigning on behalf of Blanche Lincoln and http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/28/bill-clinton-praises-lincoln-claims-unions-trying-to-manipulate-voters-to-%E2%80%98terrify%E2%80%9D-dems/?fbid=-_hOl3EJ7cp">smearing labor unions simultaneously.

Strange way to show one's "love" for the country.

[ShortnFiery]

18. +1

[Beacool]

19. And he continues to do so.

Bill made enough money through his paid speeches and book to retire and have a very comfortable life. Instead, despite his heart problems, he has dedicated his life to helping people throughout the world via his two foundations and now as Haiti's UN envoy.

So, IMHO, the left can go stick it as much as the right when it comes to bashing Bill. He does more in a week to help others than most people do in a lifetime.

:-)

[stevedeshazer]

5. I see nothing wrong with that at all.

Now if Bill could swim down about a mile into the Gulf and plug his enormous ego into that gushing hole in the ground, maybe we could repeal NAFTA and GATT.

No offense, but BC is part of the problem.

[Beacool]

9. I see, for some around here Bill is the left's favorite whipping boy no matter what he does.

Color me surprised!!!

:eyes:

[stevedeshazer]

20. To be clear, my favorite whipping boy is the nearest Republican.

To be fair, I think President Clinton is right on this.

I can't ignore the past, though.

[Fire1]

26. Sound familiar? Same applies to POTUS. n/t

[karynnj]

29. No matter what he does?

Here, this article uses the Sestak fiasco to proclaim Clinton as Obama's "Mr Fix it". They then continue to support that theory by listing his endorsements. I actually think that demeans Clinton. His endorsements - whether Coakley (in the primary), Lincoln (in the primary) or the PA Democrat in the general election are his own. In the first, it should be noted that Obama and the big MA Democrats (Kerry and Patrick) stayed neutral, so this was Clinton on his own, which is why it wasn't mentioned.

I would agree with your complaint if this were an article on his work in Haiti or his foundation's work on global health. (He and Gates did a great job explaining what they thought needed to be done on global health at this SFRC hearing - http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/20100310_2/

[CakeGrrl]

21. +1

Funny how some who vilify Obama seem to give Clinton not only a pass but their adoration despite what happened under his watch.

[ProSense]

6. They wrote an article titled "Bill Clinton has evolved into Obama's Mr. Fix-It"

based on the Sestak story and Blanche Lincoln?

How absurd.

[Beacool]

11. You bashing a Clinton?

How absurd.........

:7

[ProSense]

12. It's Obama's fault

:-(

[MadBadger]

24. Like that Kevin Madden quote wasnt your little shot at Obama

:eyes:

[CakeGrrl]

32. The OP is like clockwork

EVERY thread is an opportunity to:

1. Praise one or both Clintons;
2. Bash Obama (for beating Hillary)
3. Damn Michelle with faint praise or post a "concern" about what she's doing - a variant of #2.

Bank on it.

:)

[AtomicKitten]

34. Bingo. nt

[Maccagirl]

13. Exactly

Sestak and Lincoln are fubars-not fix-its. Of course they would quote a Repuke strategist...

[MH1]

28. and Critz and the health care bill

well those are items in the story anyway.

I have some issues with Clinton but I like the part in the story about the bond with Sestak.

Do you know that on Faux this morning one of those commentators was saying it made no sense for the WH to send Clinton to talk to Sestak? Either that commentator is a) an idiot, b) didn't do her job or c) was being deliberately obtuse. Given that it's Fox it could be any or all of the above. But for that talking point to work they need people to be unaware that there was a very good reason for Clinton to be the one to try to persuade Sestak. This article helps clear up the point.

[Jennicut]

10. I saw Larry King Live the other day with the Ling sisters and they had

nothing but praise for Bill Clinton. And Laura Ling just describing seeing Clinton there when he came to help get them out of North Korea...Bill does have flaws but he still can be a good man at times.

[Beacool]

14. I didn't see that interview, but I saw her talk about it on another interview.

They couldn't believe their eyes when the door opened and there he was, bigger than life, Bill Clinton. She said that they were so grateful that he had taken the time to come in person to get them and how fatherly he was to them.

:hi:

[Jennicut]

22. It was a very good interview, I had tears in my eyes just imagining it.

Laura said he was her rescuer-in-chief.

[Beacool]

25. Ahhhh, I'm going to have to look for it and watch it.

Have fun this weekend!!! I'm about to jump in the pool, it's a hot day in PA (I'm at a friend's house for the weekend).

:pals:

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[butterfly77]

23. Yes,Just mention his name..

and the RepubliCONS bowels get loose.

[applegrove]

30. Obama is not afraid of greatness. Good for him for using BC this way.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Phx_Dem]

35. I don't see what Clinton has "fixed," but I'm glad he around.

He's got alot of experience and he knows Washington.

[AtomicKitten]

36. LOL. nt

[Whisp]

37. tee hee. nt

funny stuff

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[volvoblue]

43. what silly mountain from anthill delusion from the Villagers.

give me a break. Of course, Clinton will help and give advice like most ex prez do. And more so with BC because
A - Hillary is in the Adm.
B - He has lived thru the hell of the media and the right, only he did not have anyone to help.

But, like most stuff in the media, they build up and make innuendo into fact.
Try to make a helping hand and big brother advice into Clinton the puppetmaster!!!!!

[jesus_of_suburbia]

45. I love the Big Dawg!

K&R!

[FrenchieCat]

46. Good! We need all fucking hands on board,

and I would advise that many of us do the same.

We either fight the bullshit enemy together,
or we will fall, separately and alone and out of power, period.

[JTFrog]

47. It has become a habit here to trash Obama on a regular basis.

But then I'm sure nobody noticed the cherry picked washingtonpost republican talking trashing points highlighted in the OP.

Republicans have taken notice, suggesting that Clinton might play a bigger role this cycle than Obama. "President Obama spends his days in the Oval Office, but it appears, more and more, that he has no idea how to use it," said GOP strategist Kevin Madden. "Bill Clinton isn't in the Oval Office these days, but he knows how to use the presidency."

What a fucking joke.

:eyes:

[KoKo]

49. Bill and Hillary saw OBAMA as VINDICATION of Bush II being Appointed by Supreme Court!

Bush II got to AVENGE HIS FATHER who was Thrown out on his Ass!

Hillary and Bill feel it's THEIR TIME. I can't fault them...given what they went through with the Ken Starr WITCH HUNT...but...WHY are they going to the RIGHT? WHY are Bill and Hillary giving EVERYTHING to the SAME FOLKS who WITCH HUNTED THEM in the VILEST MANOR?

WHY? :shrug: