Apparently Bill's been campaigning a little too hard for his third term - I mean, his wife's first term. Either that or he was so inspired by this MLK Day speech that he thought he might like to have a dream of his own...
Thanks to my sis for bringing this to my attention!
Breaking news from The Onion:
Bill Clinton: 'Screw It, I'm Running For President'
CHARLESTON, SC—After spending two months accompanying his wife, Hillary, on the campaign trail, former president Bill Clinton announced Monday that he is joining the 2008 presidential race, saying he "could no longer resist the urge."
"My fellow Americans, I am sick and tired of not being president," said Clinton, introducing his wife at a "Hillary '08" rally. "For seven agonizing years, I have sat idly by as others experienced the joys of campaigning, debating, and interacting with the people of this great nation, and I simply cannot take it anymore. I have to be president again. I have to."
"Damn, this feels good," Clinton told supporters as he shook hands in Charleston Monday.
He continued, "It is with a great sense of relief that I say to all of you today, 'Screw it. I'm in.'"
In a show of respect, Clinton then completed his introduction of Hillary Clinton, calling her a "wonderful wife and worthy political adversary," and warmly shook her hand as she approached the podium. A clearly shocked Mrs. Clinton got halfway through her speech about the nation's obligation to its children before walking briskly offstage.
A spokesman for Sen. Clinton's campaign had no comment.
"No longer will I have to endure watching candidates like Hillary Clinton engaging in single-pump handshakes with voters, as I use every last ounce of restraint not to shout out, 'No! Warm double-clasp! Warm double-clasp!'" Clinton said. "America deserves someone who can do it right."
While the announcement has come as a surprise to many, Beltway observers said it was not completely unexpected, citing footage from a recent Democratic debate that showed Clinton fidgeting in his seat, gripping the arms of his chair, and repeatedly glancing at all the television cameras while rapidly tapping his right foot. Analysts also noted one debate in which Clinton mouthed responses to all the moderator's questions while making hand gestures to himself.
Clinton told reporters Tuesday that seeing so many "Clinton '08" posters "really got [him] thinking," and said that the fact that he was already wearing a suit, and smiling and waving on the campaign trail was an added motivator.
"From signing healthcare reform legislation, to working with politicians from across the aisle, to brokering international peace treaties with foreign dignitaries, I goddamn love being president," Clinton said. "For too long has this nation been deprived of a Bill Clinton presidency, and for too long have I been deprived of being president. Now I get to experience all these wonderful things again myself."
"And the applause," Clinton added. "I look forward to the endless roar of applause perhaps most of all."
Since his announcement two days ago, Clinton has raised a staggering $550 million. He has also surged in national polls, rising from a mere 2 percent prior to his candidacy to a commanding 94 percent, ahead of former front-runners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who are now tied with 3 percent each. John Edwards withdrew from the race Tuesday, saying only, "I am not worthy."
Although some have pointed out that it is unconstitutional for Clinton to run for a third term in office, he has silenced most critics by urging voters "not to worry about the Constitution for now" and assuring them he will address those legal issues immediately after regaining control of the White House.
"All I am asking of the American people is four more years," Clinton said at a fundraiser Tuesday where tens of thousands of South Carolinians gathered to stare in gape-jawed wonderment at the former president. "Well, maybe eight. Actually, you know what, definitely eight. Eight more years."
Thus far, the response among voters has been positive.
"I love Bill Clinton," said Orangeburg, SC resident Marsha Demarais. "God, he was just so great as president. Can we just make him president again right now?"
Clinton also noted that, if elected, the timing would be perfect for his family, as his wife has recently expressed a desire to move back to the D.C. area.
I have to be honest. I'm not diggin' Bill's vibe right about now. While I appreciate his attack-dog instinct to protect his wife's campaign, he's just looking old and bitter. I'm disappointed, because I was really groovin' with the cool elder statesman thing he had going on before the campaign heated up: raising money for tsunami victims, fighting global AIDS, good stuff. Now he's taking petty jabs at Obama's campaign. It doesn't seem like the most suitable thing for "America's first black president" to be doing...
In the caucus aftermath jabber on CNN last night, I heard a commentator say he saw a look of devastation on Bill's face as Hilary gave her concession speech. Now reports are saying he's not even talking about Iowa and evading the subject of politics altogether. Hmmm.
I don't know if Bill is bummed or not, but I'm feeling downright apathetic toward the whole thing. Obama won
Iowa. Yay! I like Obama. In fact, I probably prefer him as a candidate. I've said before that I worry about Hilary's electability. Honestly, the main reason Hilary interests me is because of Bill. But even that is more a gag for this blog than a real desire to have him back in the White House.
I'm just not that into it and I'm ashamed of that. I have been passionate about every presidential election since 1984. What's wrong with me?
Maybe if I still lived in Iowa, I would be more engaged. All the caucus hype brought back fond memories of my one and only Iowa caucus experience in 2000. My friends David and Ali have posted inspiring reflections on their caucus experiences last night. I don't know...
I'm starting to feel jaded and old. I just can't get into promises and visions of change. To quote Ecclesiastes, I feel like there is nothing new under the sun - it is all chasing after wind. And it's really windy out there. I guess it will be a little gusty until November. Maybe at some point I'll take off my windbreaker...if I start to smell something new in the breeze.
I was pleased to read that Bill stopped by the Hamburg Inn in Iowa City this morning, an old favorite from my days in IC. I'm sure other Dems have stopped by in the past, but it's Ronald Reagan who bears a booth with his name on it there (I've sat near but not in that booth, of course). According to the article, Bill enjoyed home fries and a swiss cheese, tomato and green pepper omelet. Maybe it's his new health kick, but I would have gone for a cheeseburger if I were him, even if it was early in the morning! Mmm mmm, greasy good!
For a good chuckle, read Dan Myer's post on button wars. I especially like what he did with this old dubya sticker...
I can't imagine ever having this kind of leverage (or using it), but I've got to hand it to Hill & Bill...
Times Online reports:
September 26, 2007
Hillary and Bill Clinton show muscle as cover boy Bill gets a negative story dumped
Tim Reid in Washington
Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign forced a magazine to drop a negative story about her by threatening to cut off the publication’s access to the former President Bill Clinton, it emerged yesterday.
The ruthless response to GQ magazine, and its decision to bow to the ultimatum, reflects the enormous leverage Mr Clinton brings to his wife’s White House bid at a time when her quest for the Democratic nomination appears more formidable than ever.
The magazine, which is due to have Mr Clinton on its cover for its December issue, was told that the former President would no longer cooperate unless it pulled an article it was about to publish detailing infighting and tensions within Mrs Clinton’s campaign.
Despite protests at the magazine, the article was duly sidelined, according to a respected US political website. In an e-mail statement to The Times, Jim Nelson, the Editor of GQ, said: “I don’t really get into the inner workings of the magazine, but I can tell you that, yes, we did kill a Hillary piece. We kill pieces all the time for a variety of reasons.” He refused to elaborate.
The move by the Clinton campaign provides a graphic example of the be-hind-the-scenes hardball tactics it employs in keeping the New York senator’s relentlessly disciplined presidential bid on track and on message, and the power that she and her husband have in shaping how her White House bid is perceived.
On Sunday Mrs Clinton pulled off the rare feat of appearing on all five Sunday-morning political talk shows, a privilege the networks are unlikely to afford her rivals. Her lead in the national Democratic polls over her nearest rival, Barack Obama, is so big – almost 20 per cent – that pundits are now asking not if she can win the nomination, but if she can be stopped.
President Bush also thinks that she will win the nomination, it emerged yesterday, and has even indicated in private that he believes she will succeed him. White House aides, on Mr Bush’s instructions, have been privately briefing her – and other Democrat presidential candidates – about Iraq in case she wins the election next November. They have been urging her not to commit to an immediate withdrawal if she takes office in January 2009, because Mr Bush wants his successor – Democrat or Republican – to be able to continue prosecuting the war after he leaves the Oval Office.
Although Mr Bush often says that he will not handicap elections, he told the author of a new biography about him that Mrs Clinton has “got a great national presence, and this is becoming a national primary”. In an off-the-record session with broadcast journalists just over a week ago, Mr Bush, according to those in the room, gave the impression that he thought she would win the presidency and that he had been thinking about how to turn Iraq over to her.
Mrs Clinton’s lead in national polls, and similarly big leads over Mr Obama in the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina, means that the contest in the first nominating state of Iowa has become crucial.
With Mrs Clinton succeeding in making her nomination look almost inevitable, her rivals are expected to be more aggressive and critical in a Democratic debate tomorrow night in New Hampshire, aware that time is running out to derail her.
As mentioned before, Over the Rhine released their newest album today. I've been enjoying my freshly downloaded version from iTunes this morning. One song in particular caught my attention, especially in light of this blog's title. Speaking of which, you'll notice to the right that I've added a daily Bill Clinton quote feature as a well as a countdown ticker to the 2009 inauguration day, which, of course, will feature Our Hero's return to the White House as First Man. Despite my reservations about Hilary, I'm finding that the only interesting thing about the 2008 election for me, so far, is getting Bill back in the West Wing. All in fun!
Here are the lyrics for that song I was mentioning (listen here):
If A Song Could Be President
If a song could be president
We’d hum on Election Day
The gospel choir would start to sway
And we’d all have a part to play
The first lady would free her hips
Pull a microphone to her lips
Break our hearts with Rhythm and Blues
Steve Earle would anchor the news
We’d vote for a melody
Pass it around on an MP3
All our best foreign policy
Would be built on harmony
If a song could be president
We’d fly a jukebox to the moon
All our founding fathers’ 45’s
Lightnin’ Hopkins and Patsy Cline
If a song could be president
If a song could be president
We could all add another verse
Life would teach us to rehearse
Till we found a key change
Break out of this minor key
Half-truths and hypocrisy
We wouldn’t need an underachiever-in-chief
If a song could be president
We’d make Neil Young a Senator
Even though he came from Canada
Emmylou would be Ambassador
World leaders would listen to her
They would show us where our country went wrong
Strum their guitars on the White House lawn
John Prine would run the FBI
All the criminals would laugh and cry
If a song could be president
I had a good time at my hometown 4th of July parade this afternoon. I always enjoy my old high school marching band (brings back memories of marching in wool uniforms in 90-degree heat!), seeing a few old friends, watching the parade with a bunch of good folks from my parents' church. This year I got a good chuckle out of the Geek Squad's banner, "We don't need a marching band, we were the marching band!" Micah liked their big balloon version of their car. Having spent the morning wallowing in a bit of personal Funk of July, it was a spirit lifting experience.
But now I realize I missed my chance to see Bill & Hill for (almost) free. Little did I know that the dynamic duo were walking in Clear Lake, Iowa's parade. Clear Lake is a relatively painless 2.5 hour trip down I-35 from here. Aside from the cost of gas (not insubstantial), it would have been a great chance to get close to The Man. Oh well. I did have an enthusiastic wave exchange with our own Representative Keith Ellison as he rode through Richfield this afternoon. Made me nostalgic for the good ol' days when our dearly missed Paul Wellstone jogged his way through the parade, shaking our hands and hugging us. Loved those big green stickers and that bus...
As a fan of both The Sopranos and Bill Clinton, this video spoof from Hillary's campaign is pure bliss:
I particularly appreciate the cameo by Vince Curatola, aka Johnny "Sack" Sacramoni on The Sopranos.
For a mere $150 smackers, I could see the Billster at the Minneapolis Convention Center on June 18th. Of course, that's just for a general admission seat, though it does include lunch. However, for $1,500 I could get "Gold Seating" that includes a front row seat, lunch, and a PHOTO with the man. Of course, I have neither amount, so I will have to sit it out at home.
The event is sponsored by The Power Within. "The Power Within produces motivational and training programs for the general public and corporations: full-day inspirational, motivational and entertaining events with the power to ignite your spirit!" I generally have neither the inclination nor the stomach for motivational speakers ("...in a VAN down by the RIVER!"). The fire is perpetually lit under my arse, so added inspiration is not required.
But for Bill, I might be able to endure a little motivational hooey. Perhaps I'll have to take up a collection...
Now if we could just get Bill to do something about the Middle East!
Bill Clinton announces AIDS drug deals
By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Former President Bill Clinton announced agreements with drug companies Tuesday to lower the price in the developing world of AIDS drugs resistant to initial treatments and to make a once-a-day AIDS pill available for less than $1 a day.
The drugs to battle so-called "second-line" anti-retrovirals are needed by patients who develop a resistance to first-line treatment and currently cost 10 times as much, Clinton said. Nearly half a million patients will require these drugs by 2010.
Clinton's foundation negotiated agreements with generic drug makers Cipla Ltd. and Matrix Laboratories Ltd. that he said would generate an average savings of 25 percent in low-income countries and 50 percent in middle-income countries.
Clinton also announced a reduced price for a once-daily first-line AIDS pill that combines the drugs tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz.
He said the new price of $339 per patient per year would be 45 percent lower than the current rate available to low-income countries and 67 percent less than the price available to many middle-income countries
The Clinton Foundation's activities are being financed by UNITAID, an organization formed by France and 19 other nations that have earmarked a small portion of their airline tax revenues for
HIV/AIDS programs in developing countries.
UNITAID will provide the foundation with more than $100 million to buy second-line medicines for 27 countries through 2008.
"Every person living with HIV deserves access to the most effective medicines, and UNITAID aims to ensure that these are affordable for all developing countries," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, chairman of UNITAID's board, said in a statement.
Since starting its HIV/AIDS Initiative in 2002, the Clinton Foundation has worked with 25 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia to set up AIDS treatment and prevention programs.
The foundation also provides access to lower-priced AIDS drugs in 65 countries. Some 650,000 people are now receiving AIDS drugs purchased through the Clinton Foundation.
Clinton said Cipla and Matrix collaborated with the foundation to lower production costs in part by securing lower prices for raw materials.
Don't know if you caught it, but Hillary tossed out a tantilizing thought in her campaign this week: Bill as worldwide ambassador. The mere idea of Bill out there feeling the world's pain, brokering peace and hugging babies in worn-torn lands is almost too thrilling to bear.
But though I've never tried to hide my deep and abiding affection for Bill, I must allow my intellect to overcome my heart in this matter. I stand fast on this conviction: endorsing Hillary as the Democratic candidate for President in 2008 would be a big, big mistake. Have no doubt, this is very, very hard for me to say. After all, I quite proudly sported a "Vote for Hillary's Husband" t-shirt in 1992. But the truth is she's polarizing, seems ingenuine, and, let's face it, the Clinton I Era left some pretty serious baggage to bear.
On the other hand, I'm not sure who to suggest at this point. Obama seems like a good bet, if he can grow into his political britches. John Edwards? Ummmm....haircuts? Too tough to call.
Our Hero turned 60 yesterday. Despite his personal and policy shortcomings, I've got nothin' but love for Prez #42. Miss ya, Bill!
The young men with whom I spend 40 hours/week use the above phrase to deride and chide one another, often times resulting in violent altercations. The term is the modern-day equivalent of the "chicken shit" of yesteryear. Some have even shot guns at others in rival gangs/cliques over having been called "soft as hell." The sheer lack of maturity, conscience, and perspective that might lead to the wielding of deadly weapons over such name-calling is not only frightening and sickening, it's unbelievably real. I've drilled guys with questions like, "Did you really shoot at them because they called you soft?" and "Did they do or say anything else?" and "Really, you shot at someone for calling you soft as hell? Really?" All to which I receive one answer, in unison, "Yeah. 'course I did, Ms. Shannon. What do you think?" Obviously, what I think is irrelevant.
Wow.
Well, it seems that maturity and perspective are not only lacking among today's urban youth. Despite having had six years to establish its own track record on tough negotiations with North Korea, today the Bush Administration felt it necessary to lob a "Clinton was soft as hell with Kim Jong Il" volley into the fray. It's good to see our leaders setting such a fine example for the young people of today...
The Democratic party is going to need more than a candidate for the 2008 Presidential election.
Recent media hype over the likes of Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, along with political commentary on NPR and personal conversations with friends have driven this point to the forefront of my mind. I wonder why it doesn't seem to be affecting the powers-that-be in the party?
What the Democratic party needs is not a star to hitch it's wagon to (i.e. Obama or Clinton). Just the wagon would be a good start. For those of us who flock to the democrats out of deeply held values for progressive social justice policy (or whatever our issue might be), the lack of a cohesive, politically viable, and passionately-pursued policy platform is disheartening to say the least. Other than a reactionary stance to the current administration, the Dems have yet to present any real alternative; and let's be honest, the landscape of foreign policy HAS changed, national security IS an issue, but so are American jobs, education, immigration, poverty, and assorted other social issues traditionally trumpeted by the party. So, "where's the beef?!"
Continuing to react to and rebuff the current administration's policies might be the short-term strategy for mid-term elections in '06, though I see little hope in even that. But when it comes to '08, the Dems had better get their proverbial sh*t together. The alternative is another 4 years of following after the Republicans with a political pooper-scooper yelling, "This stinks!". Let's face it, that's getting a little tired...
Our namesake will be gracing this town with his presence on Saturday, November 5th. Who's comin' with me???
A conference I attended (and presented at - yikes!) in August had as it's theme the unintended consequences of social programs and policies, for better or for worse. So, something that was intended to be good and helpful can end up having unanticipated and/or unintended effects, sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Well, it appears that our dear namesake now has one such "unintended consequence" under his belt (sorry, bad pun) for his well-intentioned HIV-awareness campaign in China. From the LA Times:
"'Clinton,' 'Lewinsky' Brand Condoms Sold in China
By Mark Magnier, Times Staff Writer
BEIJING -- A new line of condoms is grabbing headlines in China even as its sparks a debate about trademark law and promotion campaigns. The products' brand names: "Clinton" and "Lewinsky."
The condoms are sold in boxes of 12, with the brand named after former President Bill Clinton priced at $3.70 and that of former White House intern Monica Lewinsky at $2.25.
Guangzhou Haojian Bioscience Co. said it registered both trademarks and is pricing the brands differently to reflect the higher quality of the Clinton line.
"We chose the name because we think Clinton is a symbol of success and a man of responsibility. And Lewinsky is a woman who dares to love and dares to hate," said Liu Wenhua, the company's general manager.
"We haven't told Clinton about this yet, but maybe you could help us find him," Liu added. "We'd like to tell him how respected he is in China, so we can boost his confidence and help his career."
Liu said he settled on the Clinton name after a year of research sparked by the news that the former president had been named to head an international initiative to combat HIV and AIDS. Some of the other names he considered and rejected included "First Night," "18 Years Old" and "I Miss You." They didn't have the same aura of respectability, he said."
Highlights:
Clinton condoms are "higher quality" than Lewinsky line (I don't want to begin to explicate the power/gender dynamics here...)
Clinton is a man who symbolizes success and responsibility (well, I guess even being tried for "high crimes and misdemeanors" before the Senate and Chief Justice of the most powerful nation on earth isn't all that damaging to one's reputation after all...)
Hopefully, the condom line will bolster Clinton's self-worth and career (hmmmmm....doesn't seem he's having much trouble here...)
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton sharply criticised George W. Bush for the Iraq War and the handling of Hurricane Katrina, and voiced alarm at the swelling US budget deficit.
Breaking with tradition under which US presidents mute criticisms of their successors, Clinton said the Bush administration had decided to invade Iraq "virtually alone and before UN inspections were completed, with no real urgency, no evidence that there were weapons of mass destruction."
The Iraq war diverted US attention from the war on terrorism "and undermined the support that we might have had," Bush said in an interview with an ABC's "This Week" programme.
Clinton said there had been a "heroic but so far unsuccessful" effort to put together an constitution that would be universally supported in Iraq.
The US strategy of trying to develop the Iraqi military and police so that they can cope without US support "I think is the best strategy. The problem is we may not have, in the short run, enough troops to do that," said Clinton.
On Hurricane Katrina, Clinton faulted the authorities' failure to evacuate New Orleans ahead of the storm's strike on August 29.
People with cars were able to heed the evacuation order, but many of those who were poor, disabled or elderly were left behind.
"If we really wanted to do it right, we would have had lots of buses lined up to take them out," Clinton.
He agreed that some responsibility for this lay with the local and state authorities, but pointed the finger, without naming him, at the former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA boss Michael Brown quit in response to criticism of his handling of the Katrina disaster. He was viewed as a political appointee with no experience of disaster management or dealing with government officials.
"When James Lee Witt ran FEMA, because he had been both a local official and a federal official, he was always there early, and we always thought about that," Clinton said, referring to FEMA's head during his 1993-2001 presidency.
"But both of us came out of environments with a disproportionate number of poor people."
On the US budget, Clinton warned that the federal deficit may be coming untenable, driven by foreign wars, the post-hurricane recovery programme and tax cuts that benefitted just the richest one percent of the US population, himself included.
"What Americans need to understand is that ... every single day of the year, our government goes into the market and borrows money from other countries to finance Iraq, Afghanistan, Katrina, and our tax cuts," he said.
"We have never done this before. Never in the history of our republic have we ever financed a conflict, military conflict, by borrowing money from somewhere else."
Clinton added: "We depend on Japan, China, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Korea primarily to basically loan us money every day of the year to cover my tax cut and these conflicts and Katrina. I don't think it makes any sense."
Very important update regarding this blog's inspiration here.
A snippet to whet your appetite:
"Five years after his presidency, Clinton still thinks like a world leader. In some ways, it�s more complicated: He thinks like the leader of the world. While there�s no official means to be president of the planet, other than as U.N. secretary-general�a prospect constantly floated by Clinton supporters, though it�s practically impossible�he certainly seems to be trying hard to invent one. On September 15, the former president will be hosting the grandly titled Clinton Global Initiative, a conference timed to coincide with the World Summit at the U.N. The guest list features an impressive and eccentric mix of moguls, heads of state, and problem-solvers�from Sonia Gandhi to George Soros to Rupert Murdoch�who, after three days of panel-going and furious rubber-chicken consumption, are expected to sign pledges to do something about bettering the world" (from "Bill Clinton's Plan for World Domination" by Jennifer Senior).
Special thanks to my better half for alerting me to this update.
Bill Clinton to Have Scar Tissue Removed
�U.S. National - AP
By KAREN MATTHEWS, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Six months after undergoing heart bypass surgery, former President Clinton (news - web sites) will return to the hospital this week to have a rare buildup of fluid and scar tissue removed from his chest.
"I feel fine," Clinton said Tuesday in Washington, adding that he plans to play golf in Florida a day before the operation.
Doctors at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, where Clinton is scheduled to have the procedure on Thursday, said the surgery is low-risk.
During the procedure, known as a decortication, doctors will remove scar tissue that is pressing down on his left lung. The surgery will be done either through a small incision or with a video-assisted thorascope inserted between his ribs.
The former president said doctors discovered the condition during a recent X-ray, and he called the surgery a "routine sort of deal."
In an interview with Associated Press Television News, Clinton said he knew before he went with former President George H.W. Bush to tour tsunami-devastated areas last month that he would be having the surgery. Doctors told him he would not be able to fly after the surgery, so he scheduled it after he returned.
Clinton said he will play in a charity golf tournament for tsunami relief Wednesday with the elder Bush.
"I feel fine. I just had a little fluid buildup after my surgery," Clinton told APTN. "It's no big deal."
From the AP:
"Former President Clinton joined Kerry at a noontime rally in Philadelphia that drew tens of thousands. 'If this isn't good for my heart, I don't know what is,' Clinton said, looking thinner seven weeks after bypass surgery."
I miss you, Bill!
I've been asked: Do you really miss Bill Clinton? The answer: yes and no. See, it's less about Bill the person or the politician and more about Bill the era. More specifically, the era in my life - how I felt about the world and the prospects for good things to happen in it. Here is the first reason why I miss Bill Clinton:
The little people mattered.
Whether or not you feel that Bill effectively felt anyone's "pain" at least he talked about them. Last night I watched a few minutes of the BBC News on PBS and they interviewed some little old man in Pennsylvania about who he would be voting for in this November's election. He said somthing to this effect:
"I don't think either of these candidates actually give a damn about the American people."
And ain't that the truth, I mean, really??? I know some of y'all will take issue with me...so, bring it on!
