The Republic has been saved! Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have finally exchanged pleasantries … by phone, at least. The man who insisted that he could meet Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hugo Chavez without preconditions certainly took his time speaking with the former leader of his own party after clinching the nomination. After speaking for a whopping 20 minutes, Clinton’s spokesman said he’s “looking forward” to campaigning for Obama:
“President Clinton had a very good conversation with Senator Obama today. He renewed his offer to do whatever he can to ensure Senator Obama is our next President.
“President Clinton continues to be impressed by Senator Obama and the campaign he has run, and looks forward to campaigning for and with him in the months to come. The President believes that Senator Obama has been a great inspiration for millions of people around the country, and he knows that he will bring the change America needs as our next President.”
It’s probably a little churlish to parse this statement, but with the Clintons, what choice do we have? The part that amuses me most is where Clinton “continues to be impressed” with the campaign Obama has run. Really? I thought the entire reason Obama had to call Clinton and not the other way around was because Bill was so miffed at the way Obama treated the Clintons. “Renewing” his offer also sounds like the status quo ante still exists.
According to the Telegraph report this weekend, Bill wants to be treated like an elder statesman, a sherpa who can guide young Obama through the treacheries of national politics. He also wants his tucchus smooched. Twenty minutes hardly seems satisfactory on either count, but then again, perhaps 20 minutes with the Obamessiah can work miracles even with a Clinton. I’m betting on another round of sulking.
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