I shook Bill Clinton's hand today.

[Emit]

He delivered an intelligent, reasoned and persuasive argument as to why Hillary is the best candidate.

He made no outlandish comments; no faux pas.

He looked good. Healthy, refreshed and strong.

He talked quite a bit about Hillary's health care plan, weaning ourselves from oil dependency, and renewable energy, particularly in relation to her proposed plan creating jobs. He also discussed her economic plan, issues related to the mortgage loan crisis, national debt, foreign policy, Iraq and Iran. He spoke to her 35 years of experience, giving specific examples as it relates to the criticism of her as 'status quo' (my interpretation, not his words).

I remain undecided -- and he was definitely talking to undecideds, from the tone of his speech. There were many of us in the audience by show of hands.

I have until next Saturday to decide. I'm hoping to catch Edwards this Wednesday - I'd like to hear him in person. All in all, at a minimum, I am now leaning toward Clinton over Obama.

:hide:

[pampango]

1. Nice post.

Obama and Hillary are 1a and 1b with me, but you post was a nice first hand account.

[MichiganVote]

2. Incoming!

[ronnykmarshall]

7. See #3

I didn't take long.

[book_worm]

10. What's wrong with asking if he has had a chance to see Obama yet?

it was just a simple question and didn't think it was talking down to the OP. In fact, states clearly that he is not saying that Hillary may not be the right person for him (or her).

[ronnykmarshall]

20. "can temporarily overwhelm rational thinking"

Sounds like a lecture to me.

[MH1]

34. I deleted that

it didn't come out the way I intended.

The op at least answered based on the meaning of my words, not reading some assumed slight into them. I did appreciate that.

[ronnykmarshall]

37. That's cool!

I'm bad at posting first and saying DOH! later!
:toast:

[MH1]

35. Never mind. You understood what I intended,

but some are coming from an entirely different frame of mind.

Done.

[MichiganVote]

11. :) No kidding!

[MH1]

3. delete

evidently poorly written.

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Oh my god.

:eyes:


WOW! That's the way to win support. Talking down to someone.

[Emit]

28. Water off a duck's back. I let that one go.

I'm quite a rational thinker, no matter who the celebrity is standing in front of me. My choice of Hillary over Obama has been in the making for some time, and attending Clinton's event today had little bearing on that decision.

edited typo

[MH1]

32. sorry you read it that way.

It was not my intent, I was just curious as to the poster's plans.

Sheesh.

[Emit]

16. I should've mentioned in the OP that I will try to see Obama, too.

I wanted to see all of them -- missed Hillary, and Edwards and Obama's events interfere with my work schedule. I'll make a concerted effort to go to all of the events that I can before next weekend. Ironically, it was my Republican spouse who literally kicked me out the door today to see Clinton.

[MH1]

30. Thanks for the sane response.

I hope you didn't think I was "talking down" to you, as the other poster implied. That was not my intent.

I just know the feeling when you meet an incredibly powerful and charismatic person for the first time.

But I did forget, and let me say it now - congratulations on meeting Bill Clinton! I've seen him speak, and yes, he is powerful.

[Emit]

40. I think your post had credible basis for criticism, though.

Voting for a candidate shouldn't be based solely on shaking a powerful politician's hand, and if that's the impression I made in the OP, I should be questioned for that. No problem.

[Cooley Hurd]

4. I've had the pleasure of meeting with the Big Dog...

It, also, was a brief handshake, but it was AN HONOR to interact with one of the best Presidents of the 20th Century!:thumbsup:

[cynatnite]

5. Cool!

I told my teenager we're making a real effort to see all three top candidates this year. You're very lucky!

[MannyGoldstein]

8. The Father Of Outsourced Torture!

The first president to institutionalize torture in US policy, through his pioneering of extraordinary rendition. And the force behind serious offshoring of jobs.

A swell fellow.

[NewHampster]

12. What planet did you say you came from? nt

[MannyGoldstein]

14. Do You Have A Specific Issue?

Or just flailing about?

[NewHampster]

22. Just defending our only 2 term dem in memory

No president is perfect and we do not need to help the rethugs with their research, right or wrong.

[Emit]

24. And thanks to you MannyGoldstein

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2473516#2473627

I was kept aware of that in the back of my mind during the entire event (among other unfavorable things related to both Bill and Hillary, mind you). ;)

[MannyGoldstein]

44. Yow! Good Memory!

They are a very unsavory pair, working hard to push the agenda to the right - torture, executing retarded people, etc.

[Emit]

45. I wanted so badly to ask him a question about NAFTA

But, they never got to me. I'm still not sure what I would have asked, exactly, on the subject -- I was trying hard to channel DU at the moment that I had my hand raised. If he called on me and I couldn't manage a decent question on NAFTA, I was going to ask if he felt that, despite the fact that Bill thought Edwards was not a contender (his name was only mentioned a few times and Bill definitely made this out ot be an Obama v. Clinton only race), John Edwards was helping to drive the debate, given Edwards' stellar performance in the NH debates, or something to that effect.

edit typos

[kelligesq]

27. MANNY, you say that all over these threads. Do you have any links, URLs of established news proving?

?
If so please post them here.

[NewHampster]

33. Maybe Manny is really named Karl

[MannyGoldstein]

43. Sure

Outsourced torture:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/02/14/050214fa_fact6
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/10/30/061030ta_talk_mayer

Feel free to do your own work on outsourcing jobs - NAFTA, China, etc.

[leftchick]

48. I thought everyone knew about this!

at least progressives should.

[leftchick]

47. Yes Indeed

I hope the OP washed the blood off. :puke:

[NewHampster]

9. Fun to get all the attention isn't it

We in NH miss them

[Emit]

19. I was floored by the easy access, frankly.

I was called last night and invited before it was announced on the news. I thought for sure I'd encounter so many crowds or, as with Kerry/Edwards, those nasty security guards with the dark glasses that tend to push folks back.

[NewHampster]

23. Bill travels with a nice group of SS

Try joking with them next time.

[Emit]

26. The only reason I shook his hand is because one of his SS grabbed me by the elbow

nicely, ushered me into the path of the President, and said, "Go ahead."

edit typo

[NewHampster]

31. Yep they are nice guys

me edit typo too

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. Have you washed it since?

I kid. I kid the President.

:-)

[book_worm]

15. Clinton is very persausive and Hillary's best asset in my opinion

on the campaign trail. I've seen him in person in '92 and '96 and there is nobody better in politics.

[Deja Q]

17. And he said all that because she isn't his wife who was behind him those 8 years*

* apart from the moments when he had the time to play "Snatch the cigar" with Monica...

Vote on their records. Not what comes out of their mouths. Or at least listen to them and ask them what's changed for them to think differently now when compared to when they made the contradictory statement.

And I say that for ANY candidate. Not just Clinton.

What did he say was her economic plan? I haven't heard it. Been too busy making sardonic and futile comments on discussion forums...

And maybe she genuinely is a good candidate. Most of what I've been reading came off of DU, which means I need to get my ass out and do my own research too.

[NewHampster]

21. That was Friday's speech

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20080112-9999-1n12clinton.html

• In her address, Clinton called for a five-part plan that would:
  
  
• Establish a $30 billion emergency housing crisis fund to help states and cities cope with the effects of growing foreclosures.
  
  
• Freeze subprime mortgage rates for five years and impose a 90-day moratorium on subprime foreclosures.
  
  
• Provide $25 billion in emergency energy assistance for families facing soaring heating bills in cold-weather regions.
  
  
• Speed up $5 billion in investments in energy efficient and alternative energy technology.
  
  
• Extend unemployment insurance by $10 billion.

[CTyankee]

29. She said that on MTP this morning. It was one of her better moments.

I also liked her plan for Iraq withdrawal. Very measured but with specifics, showing she had consulted people with military expertise. How JFK of her, looking at problems from all sides. Worked during the Cuban Missile Crisis...

[Emit]

42. Here, from post #41

He talked around all these points, adding detail here and there, and giving examples both nationally, globally and to our state, Nevada (we're one of the leading states where the subprime loan crisis has hit hard, having a number of record high foreclosures compared to other states).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2675554&mesg_id=2675841

[NewHampster]

18. Try to get to one of the meet and greet events

Kinda fun for me. :P

[William769]

25. K&R!

[ileus]

36. How cool was that.

[hfojvt]

38. What is her economic plan?

I heard she was gonna announce one, but I have not heard any specifics.

[Emit]

41. These recent links cover it better than I can

Bill pretty much stated what is covered here in these links-- the five point plan, I think he referred to it as -- except, in addressing Nevadans, of course, he used examples relating to our issues in regards to our state. He also tied it in to the oil crisis and dependency issues the US faces, and asked our audience why Nevada doesn't have plans to become energy independent in the near future, with all the wind and solar potentials we have here. He detailed the mortgage loan crisis and talked about debt owned by foreign countries.

Clinton unveiled her plan for a $70 to $100 billion stimulus package she believes will provide a needed jumpstart to the economy and help to prevent recession.

Clinton's five-part plan includes a $30-billion Emergency Housing Crisis Fund to help states counter the effects of home foreclosures. Clinton mentioned that, right now, 95,000 homes in California are in foreclosure. "This fund would give states and communities, it would give the mayor, it would give the speaker, it would give the lieutenant governor, it would give you resources to provide at risk families with desperately needed services, like financial counseling and legal assistance and help re-financing these unworkable, unaffordable loans," she said.

Clinton also re-issued her call for a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and a minimum five-year rate freeze on subprime mortages.

To combat heating prices, Clinton called for $25 billion in emergency energy assistance and the creation of investing in energy efficiency and alternative energy investments to create green jobs. This was a particularly popular proposal with the union audience in a facility that trains workers in green technology. Clinton added in the case her proposals weren't enough, she would call for a tax rebate for the working class.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/11/572486.aspx

The elements of the package, as described by the campaign:

— Establishing a $30 billion Emergency Housing Crisis Fund to assist states and cities in mitigating the effects of foreclosures: “Her $30 billion fund would provide immediate, time-limited resources to states, cities and community organizations to help prevent unnecessary foreclosures. States and communities could also use the funds to offset the costs associated with vacant properties by supporting efforts like community-level anti-blight programs and helping local housing authorities buy up vacant properties and rent them to working families.”

— Providing $25 billion in emergency energy assistance for families facing skyrocketing heating bills: “The grants will the purchasing power of energy assistance to where it was five years ago. And they will ensure that hardworking families and seniors on fixed incomes will not have to choose between heating their homes, putting food on the table or purchasing prescription drugs this winter.”

— Accelerating $5 billion in energy efficiency and alternative energy investments to jump-start green collar job growth: “The immediate actions that could be part of a 2008 stimulus could include a crash weatherization program to cut home energy costs by up to 20 percent this winter; expanded tax credits to encourage families and businesses to accelerate purchases of hybrids and other low-emission vehicles and to reduce energy costs by purchasing efficient appliances, new windows and other clean, efficient technologies; and acceleration of a Green Building Fund and green collar job training program to put tens of thousands of people to work making schools and other public buildings energy efficient.”

— Investing $10 billion in extending and broadening unemployment insurance for those who are struggling to find work: “By strengthening our unemployment insurance program and extending unemployment insurance for workers who are laid off for extended periods, this effort will empower more Americans to re-enter the labor market in good-paying jobs.”

All are new proposals. Clinton is billing it as a five-point plan, including this previously announced plan for mitigating the housing crisis: "Sen. Clinton has called for a 90-day moratorium on subprime foreclosures and an automatic rate freeze on subprime mortgages of at least five years or until servicers have converted the unworkable mortgages into loans families can afford."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/7842.html

edited to correct error

[hfojvt]

46. that's a really good plan. I like it, but she shouldn't have added the last line

"Clinton added in the case her proposals weren't enough, she would call for a tax rebate for the working class."

That's what Bush is gonna call for in his SOTU - tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts. It's not a good idea to give rhetorical ground in that battle. Especially since the DL fu$%ing C has already called for a stimulus package of tax cuts.

[Emit]

55. I see your point

and hadn't thought of that. Can't recall if Bill mentioned that line.

[HughMoran]

39. That's cool

I'm jealous - I've never met Bill and I missed him in NH. See as many candidates as you can - anything has to be better than getting your info from DU! :hi:

[Emit]

49. Too late to add this to the OP, but Bill also talked about verifiable voting in elections

In response to a question about what will stop Karl Rove et al. from stealing the election again, Clinton went into a long response about Hillary's work on The Count Every Vote Act of 2005 (never became law). He made an interesting comment about Chelsey calling him to say that she thought the polls were off in NH because all the undecided voters she had talked to were voting for Clinton on a 4 to 1 margin -- or something to that effect.

Anyway, he talked about the election process in India having more transparency because of the fact that their voting machines print out two paper trails.

Interesting. Just thought I'd add that in for anyone still following this.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

50. That's Awesome! I Would LOVE To Meet Him. Good For You, And Great Post!

Bill rocks :)

[mitchum]

51. During the 92 campaign, my wife, who was standing in front of me...

grabbed his wrist so that I could also slap hands with him. For just a second, you could see a look which was a combination of surprise, fear, and anger flash across his face. And then the smile came back.
Mrs mitchum quickly realized the unwiseness of her action.

[Emit]

52. I did something similar to Elizabeth Edwards in '04

I was pretty naive to all politics, and thought I could just walk right up to her and ask her a questions (what it really was was me wanting to tell her how Kerry and Edwards weren't hitting back hard enough, especially here in NV, because I was busting my butt walking door to door and I could tell from the discussions I was having with voters where -- I thought -- their messages weren't getting through) Anyway, it may have been my abrupt approach, but I had two SS men in front of me in seconds. I had even written something out on paper and asked if I could just hand it to her. No can do, I was told. :)

[mitchum]

53. Her Secret Service guards were apparently more attentive than the ones Clinton had at...

that same 92 stop.
I had a friend who was a DJ at the college radio station. This station had an incredible collection of station IDs recorded by many musicians and others (Allan Ginsburg, Wm S Burroughs, etc...)
Anyway...
after the event my friend approached Clinton with a tape recorder in hopes of getting him to record a station ID.
My friend who was burly, bearded,long-haired, and wearing an army jacket approached Clinton...with an electronic device!
And the SS made no move to stop him.
Of course, Clinton graciously recorded the station ID.
I remain dumbfounded to this day :)

[DFW]

54. I rode down to Washington with him last Friday

He was obviously interested in Hillary's success, but not at all
pushy, and not visibly bothered by the fact that I remain undecided.

I'll tell you this much, Hillary seems to be a lot smarter than many
of the people advising her. She should ditch some of them (NOT Ann Lewis!
Ann is a keeper) and get some new blood that listens to her, and not the
other way around. I think Obama and Edwards have done this to their benefit.

[Tellurian]

56. agree..

Ann Lewis is a keeper. Hillary needs a Bidenesque spokesman. Penn and Wolfson need to just do their jobs relying on a Pit Bull who will standfast on the media circuit and who won't back down giving an inch to the Obama and Edwards spin machines. I've been saying this for sometime now...

[Emit]

58. You got to ride with him?

Cool. May I ask under what circumstances?

[bvar22]

57. Did you check for your wallet after shaking his hand?

Trust, but verify.

[dkofos]

59. DId you thank him for NAFTA??

[Emit]

61. See post #45

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2675554&mesg_id=2675929

:)

[mnhtnbb]

60. I've heard Edwards twice in person. Be surprised to hear a very charismatic

guy speaking truth to power.

[Emit]

62. I've seen him several times

I look forward to it.

He and Elizabeth are great speakers.