Did Bill Clinton attack McCain as unstable?
posted at 12:07 pm on July 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
Jeffrey Goldberg wonders whether Bill Clinton has decided to pick up on the Democratic whisperings about John McCain’s temperament. At an appearance last night, Clinton suddenly launched a broadside against POWs, implying that their anger can suddenly erupt irrationally:
Bill Clinton is speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, and he said just now, apropos of almost nothing (actually, during a long peroration on Nelson Mandela): “Every living soul on this planet has some highly-justified anger. Everyone. If you know anybody who was a P.O.W. for any time, they can be going on for years and all of a sudden something will happen that will trigger all those bad memories.”
Not too subtle.
Did Clinton decide to join the Democratic bandwagon and start attacking McCain through his military experience? As Goldberg says, it’s not very subtle to suddenly, and apparently by changing the subject, start talking about rage and triggers in POWs. And as Goldberg notes, Clinton rarely says anything by accident in public.
On the other hand, it’s not even clear that Bill has decided to jump on the Obama bandwagon, at least not yet. Goldberg also says that Clinton never mentioned Obama at all, and actively avoided the subject. That doesn’t sound like an enthusiastic surrogate, and if he doesn’t have any stomach for promoting Obama, why would he cheap-shot McCain in this fashion?
I’m inclined to think that Clinton made these comments with a purpose. Regardless of whether he likes Barack Obama — and so far, the evidence says he doesn’t — he may have decided that torpedoing McCain serves other purposes. With his reputation as a loose cannon firmly established in this cycle, he may also have concluded that he can get away with it more than his wife could, or other Democratic officeholders could.
I wonder how former POWs feel about a former Commander in Chief insinuating that they are all dangerous time bombs, just waiting for the right trigger to explode?
Update: Watch the video here.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
How would he know about POW’s. The chicken went overseas to avoid the draft. What a BUFFOOOOON!!!
dalec on July 6, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Besides, BJ is known for his temper tantrums , that’s when he’s not ducking lamps and ashtrays.
dalec on July 6, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Why?
Because he can keep the lefty pot stirred causing more embarrassment for Obama. Bill knows it. He is supporting Obama by lifting him up with his dagger(no pun intended).
Limerick on July 6, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I have enough “bad memories” from Bill Clinton’s administration…”triggered” every time I see him.
JetBoy on July 6, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Did he say it with a red face and swollen neck veins while jabbing his finger at the camera?
a capella on July 6, 2008 at 12:17 PM
The funniest part was where he had to say that Nelson Mandela had special abiliites and attributes, and therefore wasn’t prone to being a nut job like McCain is– this because the POW Mandela was in the audience. Howl!
JiangxiDad on July 6, 2008 at 12:20 PM
He’s right. It’d be awful if, for example, a President sudden went stark raving mad and started having a fellatio-fest with an intern.
whitetop on July 6, 2008 at 12:21 PM
He’s going to be as good for Obama as he was for his wife.
AbaddonsReign on July 6, 2008 at 12:22 PM
+1
If anyone is prone to fits of rage and actually putting hands on those who have spurred their anger it’s Bill Clinton.
Beto Ochoa on July 6, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Chill out, Bill. Collect your thoughts. Have a cigar…
Bugler on July 6, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Speaking of unstable.
Terrye on July 6, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Oh man. I didn’t realize what he was up to. Now I’m laughing at how dumb I was. He’s working for McCain. LMAO!
JiangxiDad on July 6, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Is draft dodging in the same territory as being a prisoner of war?
DAT60A3 on July 6, 2008 at 12:31 PM
So is McCain going to do the Georgebushian thing and just say “tut tut” ? Some patriots with stature in this country should take on Billy Blythe as their own personal project. Every time Blythe opens his mouth he should be savaged. Every piece of dirt that the MSM ignores should be laid out in public time and time again.
Bush has done little to defend himself for the last eight years, much less take on the Donks. I don’t understand it. Why should I waste my time and energy and money supporting someone like McCain when he appears to be doing what Bush does. He sticks his hand across the aisle to do compromise with the Donks and pulls it back after it has been bloodied by a shiv. Once or twice ought to be enough of being stabbed in the hand.
JonRoss on July 6, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Not only do Democrats make the absolutely worst Presidents, they also make the absolutely worst ex-Presidents.
Let’s not give Obambi the chance to be noxious, idiotic ex-President.
NoDonkey on July 6, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Priceless. Simply priceless.
As much as Wesley Clark endorsing Kerry for being in vietnam for 4 months, and then saying that McCain isn’t fit to be president, but Barack Obama is.
Absolutely amazing, democrats are.
wise_man on July 6, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Couldn’t they find a flag that wasn’t wrinkled? It’s kind of fitting for the guy standing in front of it, but also a bit disrespectful of the only thing in that picture worthy of respect.
Hening on July 6, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Ever hear of the male mid-life crisis? It’s a time of re-evaluating life’s purpose, questioning what you’ve accomplished, of agrowing dissatisfaction with the choices and goals of the first half of life, for putting some dreams away permanently, accepting what is, acknowledging aging, and measuring time as being from impending death, as opposed to from birth.
Clinton and guys like him don’t ever get through this phase successfully. They age, but don’t mature. Carter is another example. (It’s not clear if Bambi will succumb or succeed.) In any event, that’s what makes these guys troublesome for society, just as they are for their families, and even for themselves.
It’s just a crying shame that two former Presidents of the United States are not at peace. One would think they’d be amongst the happiest and proudest of men. But there are so many disgruntled senior politicians–Gore comes to mind, along with even McCain. It’s a real epidemic of immaturity among our governing class.
JiangxiDad on July 6, 2008 at 12:49 PM
I always thought Bill was a bit unstable.
It was how I rationalized his decision to leave his DNA on a cheap blue Gap dress worn by a highly unattractive intern, amongst other things.
Maybe he was a POW.
Ares on July 6, 2008 at 12:50 PM
That was just a stupid comment which adds nothing to the national debate. Typical for Billy Jeff. Isn’t there a nice retirement ranch with a high fence that we can put Dem ex-presidents on????
HawaiiLwyr on July 6, 2008 at 12:56 PM
First Wesley Clark and now Bill Clinton? Is there a strategy involved here?
How long before Obama’s poll numbers begin to drop?
Bill may be ,at best, a reluctant “supporter” of Obama and everyone knows that attacking McCain’s war record is a non-starter with the electorate.
Hillary to the rescue no doubt.
Nelsa on July 6, 2008 at 12:59 PM
hmm..methinks Bill Clinton has more anger issues than John McCain. Who is he trying to kid?
becki51758 on July 6, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Based on my observations of BJ over the years, I believe serial sexual predators have a more difficult time controlling themselves than just about anyone else.
David in ATL on July 6, 2008 at 1:06 PM
“Did Clinton decide to join the Democratic bandwagon and start attacking McCain through his military experience?”
Maybe, but maybe Bill was thinking he should watch what he says about Nelson Mandela since he may trigger something in Mandela’s memories of his 27 years in prison, causing him to explode in justifiable anger.
I’m just glad POW’s can have something clear in their past which makes the anger justifiable, considering that Old Faithful here, has, what, not inhaling in the UK as a memory for erupting what seems like every day on the campaign trail now?
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Billy ain’t backin’ Obama until the ENTIRE Clinton campaign debt is paid. You don’t stand between a Clinton and MONEY.
GarandFan on July 6, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I`m thinking maybe Bubba was secretly a P.O.W. He seems to be triggered into rage quite easily these days.
ThePrez on July 6, 2008 at 1:29 PM
From watching video (4:30 mark) I think all BJ did was compare McCain to Mandela… which, in his mind, highest praise.
Hell, that might get him in trouble with loon left.
Shivas Irons on July 6, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Feeeeling the pain of defeat. : )
Texyank on July 6, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Hey, maybe that Vanity Fair article was right after all, and Billy’s heart surgery really did cause damage to his brain. It seems to be as good an explanation as any other for the nutty way he’s been behaving lately.
AZCoyote on July 6, 2008 at 1:40 PM
[Shivas Irons on July 6, 2008 at 1:31 PM]
I’d agree with that. And isn’t highly-justified anger, um, justifiable? Or, will the left admit that their constant state of anger at just about anything which occurs or exists with which they disagree is not justified and they should come back when they learn to control their temper?
Maybe they could start with apologizing to Lieberman.
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Ya think?
drjohn on July 6, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Character Assassination - the basket into which the Democrat eggs have fallen.
Let’s see how that works out.
October ad: “Don’t vote for McCain, he might STAB YOU!” (Cue music from the movie “Halloween.”)
Merovign on July 6, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Bill Clinton doing anything for the Obama campaign is a nail into its coffin, every time.
They need to lock him up, close to where they shoved Michelle O, lately. Howver, they can’t, and that’s the beauty.
Heh, so did Ghandi…the Dalai Lama…bla, bla, bla…
Tell us about yourself, you little out-of-control narcissist.
Instability is indignant.
Entelechy on July 6, 2008 at 2:40 PM
William Jefferson Clinton, former Impeached President, Serial Womanizer, and now Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Expert. What a bastard…
CapitalistPig on July 6, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Why swipe at McCain? Well, BHO is not yet the Democrat’s candidate. If Hillary takes on the rules committee at the convention over the Michigan / Florida debacle to overturn their decision, she could pull off a nomination. Furthermore, the ’supers’ can change their vote at any time, up until casting it. As we continue to show how unfit Obama is, and the ’supers’ get skittish, we could yet wind up with a Hillary candidacy.
ss396 on July 6, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Unstable is the Wizard of “Is” wagging the finger at America while saying:
“Now I want you to listen to me because I’m only going to say this once. I did not have sex with that woman… Miss Lewinsky.”
Followed shortly thereafter by claiming vast Right Wing conspiracy, followed by redefining sex and blaming Linda Tripp, followed by saying “it’s only about sex”, followed by “censure and move on” followed by “it depends upon what the meaning of ‘is’ is.”
It becomes more clear every day why Slick refused to release his medical records particularly the psychiatric sections.
viking01 on July 6, 2008 at 2:56 PM
I think you’re overreacting.
Listen to to earlier part of what he says, noting how Mandela disciplined himself to let-go of the hatred, anger and fear. In mentioning that a POW could relive his anger and ’snap’, his purpose was to note Mandela’s strength. It was not a slight intended for McCain or any other POW.
James OK on July 6, 2008 at 3:19 PM
[James OK on July 6, 2008 at 3:19 PM]
Nice point, well said.
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 3:43 PM
It seems to me that the more Bill takes on McCain in terms too harsh for general-election voters, the less often the Obamans will deploy him. Bill and Hillary want to be accepted as having endorsed Obama, but they wont go over the middle into double-coverage for him.
But it was a blunder for Bill to use McCain’s POW status as a hook for an attack so soon after the Clark remarks and other slurs before that.
A notoriously rage-prone ex-President who dodged the draft tarring McCain with an unstable temperment due to POW treatment? Doesnt work.
Clinton, (who does not want to spend the next four months praising Obama to state fair crowds), knows this. So he goes off on McCain, and earns a double shift in the Obama penalty box that will keep Bill off the hustings until after Labor Day. I wont even be surprised if Bill finds a way to be in Africa somewhere during the final month of the election.
Mike D. on July 6, 2008 at 3:52 PM
At some point someone ought to note that St. Mandela was a terrorist.
Ares on July 6, 2008 at 3:53 PM
How would this draft dodging, cowardly, disgraced piece of crap know anything about McCain’s Service and suffering. He’d better stick with his wormy little buddy, Clark.
rplat on July 6, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Bill himself does this, and he was smoking pot all the way through Vietnam.
It's Vintage, Duh on July 6, 2008 at 4:00 PM
I watched the video ready to be outraged by a swipe at veteran’s or POW’s in general. But it’s not there.
Hog Wild on July 6, 2008 at 4:26 PM
I was wondering if someone would mention this. Terrorist and repackaged Nobel Peace Prize winner sorta like Yasser Arafat. Pretty much the same thing nowadays.
viking01 on July 6, 2008 at 4:27 PM
[Ares on July 6, 2008 at 3:53 PM]
Point noted, though I did know it.
But is James OK’s point not still good and well said?
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 4:29 PM
And sorta not like Arafat, too. Actually a lot not like Arafat. I think even the far left might have raised an eyebrow if Bush had said the problem with Iraq was all the Arafats were dead.
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Are you buying into Mandela’s claim that he was a “saboteur” instead of a terrorist? I’ll admit Mandela has better press than Yasser and a better tailor too.
viking01 on July 6, 2008 at 4:47 PM
[viking01 on July 6, 2008 at 4:47 PM]
No. I am buying into his actions after his release — the unity government of which a white SA’n was his deputy; the Peace and Reconciliation efforts; that he served, what, one term and stepped down rather than pursuing President for Life.
Could he have taken, did he consider, the path of Mugabe, who was only imprisoned for 6 years, and turn away? I don’t know, but the fact is he didn’t. What he did do is what is follow principles I approved of based on the reading of my principles.
Do I agree with him now on everything? No. I prefer to give people a break when I think they deserve it or especially when it outweighs the disadvantages of not doing so.
When I feel the need to never forget a person for his past actions no matter how much he did subsequently that I think is good, which I sometimes do, I stick to that Roman thug, St Paul. They are all the same.
Dusty on July 6, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Clinton’s volatile temper is at least as bad ad McCain’s.
aengus on July 6, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Yes. And their strategy is to do anything and everything in an attempt to keep people from voting for McCain. They’ll do and say anything with the hopes that as many odd ball crap of theirs will stick. This is their strategy.
wise_man on July 6, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Anyone wishing to see what Mandela hath wrought just drive by the SoWeTo township outside Jo-burg. Touring past with the pedal to the metal is recommended. SoWeTo was a mess before Nelson and Winnie “strike two” Mandela arrived on the scene but it’s, shall we say, squalor-enhanced since then. Consider that one of the major means of HIV transmission in SA is rape and it makes Winnie Mandela’s necklacing practices almost less medieval. The best way to know about what really goes on in SA is to travel there or hear about it from those who’ve left (fled) the country. Even the private security can’t keep the good neighborhoods safe all the time. Plus the locals have to leave the perimeter to get anything done. Our press keeps a blind eye faithfully for all this.
On the subject of temper: Investor’s Business Daily has a Leaders & Success article on Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne whose temper was legendary. He was Gen. Washington’s go-to man when he needed a critical battle won. Temper can be a good thing where applied honestly which of course rules out Billy Clinton.
viking01 on July 6, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Poor Billy Jeff, he knows whereof he speaks, NO, not having served honorably.
But he’s been a prisoner of his marriage for decades now and I’m sure he’s exploded quite a few times. Lesser men would crack
I love to hear BJ waxing eloquently on military men and women, after all, he’s seen countless war movies and watched a lot of military people march in parades.
originalpechanga on July 6, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Exactly what I’d expect from an ex-President who found unusual ways to keep his cigars moist.
TooTall on July 6, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Hilariously weird comment by the Clenis. Does he seriously want someone to put together a video of him blowing his top repeatedly over nothing, and generally behaving like the nutcase that he is?
Jaibones on July 6, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Clinton sould be one to talk about temperment….don’t wag that member in my face ever again you red-nosed, squinty-eyed, out-to-pasture hasbeen…
CynicalOptimist on July 7, 2008 at 2:20 AM
Funny - or NOT funny - my first reaction was to agree with Clinton, if he said it?
LORD HAVE MERCY - the GOP is in a mess.
jake-the-goose on July 7, 2008 at 8:28 AM
Hey Bill…you go “postal” every time someone challenges your lies and false recollections…and you never saw combat (no offense to my fellow Postal employees).
PatriotPete on July 7, 2008 at 10:34 AM
love the link jake…trolls on parade.
PatriotPete on July 7, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I think that Clinton was subconsciously thinking about Ken Starr. Clinton has been known for going into wild rages at the mere mention of Starr. As for POWS, the question to ask Clinton is: How would you know? Bill Clinton was at Oxford and Yale during the years in which the POWS were returning. Clinton never met a POW, never even met a soldier. Ever watch Clinton try to salute? It was pathetic. He couldn’t even give the boy scout salute. Maybe Clinton could be a Control agent and give Maxwell Smart the secret handshake. Better yet, Clinton and Max could try the cone of silence.
Larraby on July 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM
He’s trying out for an “Elmer Gantry” revival, ain’t he?
mojo on July 7, 2008 at 12:09 PM