Bill Clinton Rallies Texas Diehards, Continues to Question Process
AUSTIN, Texas—Bill Clinton told a crowd gathered in glorious sunshine here yesterday that his wife’s candidacy represented “change you can rely on.”
The former president also complained, as his wife started to fall behind in the polls, about the rules governing the Democratic contest in this state.
“The election process you’ve got takes the cake,” he told the crowd, citing the unusual combination of early voting, a primary and then caucuses on the evening of polling day.
Obama has consistently beaten Hillary Clinton in caucus states and the former first lady’s campaign is concerned that she could win the popular vote here but fail to gain a significant boost in delegates if Obama performs strongly at the evening gatherings.
The former president put it more provocatively than that, however. He asserted that members of the Obama campaign “believe they can come in that night and take the delegates away. Are you going to let that happen?”
Clinton drew a medium-sized crowd, numbering around 400, to the rally at Austin Community College. While many audience members were clearly confirmed supporters—including a woman wearing a T-shirt bearing the legend “Hillary 44”—occasional chants of “Obama” could be heard during the warm-up speeches.
One proxy for the Clinton campaign, former State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, jabbed at Obama, saying, “We cannot have on-the-job training in the White House.” Another introductory speaker, Margaret Gomez, a county precinct commissioner, drew a mixed reaction from the crowd when she recalled her father’s advice to stand up for herself.
“You don’t let a nice cute guy take your place [in the line],” she said, “especially if he’s going to whisper sweet nothings in your ear.”
Clinton avoided any kind of similar attack lines, though he defended his wife’s health care plan, insisting that “contrary to some of the things her opponent has said, it will not be unaffordable for anyone.” He also characterized Obama’s appeal in a way that seemed to reference his own presidency as much as his wife’s candidacy.
He argued that “one of” the candidates “says, ‘You should vote for me because I embody change ... because I was not involved in the heroic struggles with the far right of the Republican Party in the 1990's to make good things happen.”
Clinton also engaged in the kind of folksy rapport at which he is so famously adept. After a reference to last night’s debate in Ohio drew a supportive shout from an audience member, Clinton replied with a broad smile, “She did rock. Yeah, she was good last night.” And, discussing aspirations for greater energy efficiency, he included a reference to a Texan hero: “We’ll be on the road again. Willie Nelson’ll have something to sing about again.”
Clinton lingered for almost an hour after his speech ended, working a rope line and speaking with local dignitaries. His visit seemed to boost the morale of some supporters.
Retired schoolteacher Pearl Watson of Austin said she had already cast her vote for the former first lady but was encouraged that the former president “gave such a good representation of what Mrs. Clinton stands for.”
Other supporters, though equally complimentary about Bill Clinton, were not sanguine about his wife’s chances in the Lone Star State.
“My optimism is not very high,” 22-year-old Veronica Chidester, also of Austin, said. “He [Obama] beats us all the time in the caucuses.”
Chidester added that “people don’t want to take that extra step” of attending caucuses to show their support for the former first lady.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.5
- 41.7
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 32.7
- +23.0
- McCain
- 52.4
- 34.7
- +17.7
BILL IS QUESTIONNING THE PROCESS? He doesn't get it --- the process is called 'democarcy-in action.'
P.S. What does "Hillary 44" stand for? her hat size!
============================================================
No, it's her I.Q.
A few things in this article worth a comment:
"The former president also complained, as his wife started to fall behind in the polls, about the rules governing the Democratic contest in this state."
- Losers (ie Clinton) complain and make excuses. Winners (ie Obama) take on challenges.
"Clinton drew a medium-sized crowd, numbering around 400, to the rally at Austin Community College."
- The Clinton campaign has crowds of 400 at community colleges. The Obama campaign packs sports arenas with 15,000+.
"One proxy for the Clinton campaign, former State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos jabbed at Obama, saying, 'We cannot have on-the-job training in the White House.'"
- This is an incredibly worn out argument against Obama and for Clinton. Is there some sort of "How To Be President" manual somewhere we've not heard about? How does one get experience at being president before becoming one?
I think we elected GWB and allowed him to have "on the job training" in the White House.
That worked out well.
Q: "How does one get experience at being president before becoming one?"
A: One doesn't. There is simply no other job experience that is commensurate with being POTUS. The difference lies with the individual. One person may not be as efficacious in their governance as another.
Addendum: "I think we elected GWB and allowed him to have "on the job training." in the White House.
GWB was not elected as POTUS. He was appointed by the Supreme Court.
To Alohilani ~
VERY GOOD POINTS!!!
Hey renatam:
Unlike the crass troll that complained about the frequency of your posts, I, for one, enjoy your posts. Don't stop.
Mahalo, RocketScience!
MEDIA AND REPORTER,
STOP YOUR ATTACKS TO HILLARY.
YOU SHOULD BE INVESTIGATING OBAMA IN STEAD.
YOU ARE NOT ONLY ATTACKING MS. CLINTON YOU ATTACKING YOUR OWN COUNTRY.
BECAUSE ALL YOUR DISRESPECTFUL ACTIONS, NOT ONLY DISRESPECTFUL BUT, DESTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS AGAINST HILLARY.
WE THAT BELIEVE ON HER AND HER FIGHT FOR BETTER PROGRAMS, HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
REPORTERS I KNOW THIS IS YOUR WAY OF LIVING. BUT DESTROYING SOMEONE’S REPUTATION MAKES YOU FEEL A GOOD REPORTER?
IF YOU DO NOT LIKE MS. CLINTON DO NOT ATTACK HER.
CHANGE:
SURE OBAMA IS BRAINWASHING EVERYBODY THAT BELIEVE ON HIM.
IF YOU CONTINUE SUPPORTING HIM, LATER ON YOU WILL BE SORRY.
OPEN YOUR MINDS.
HE IS AN ACTIVIST, WITH A NICE WORDS. THAT’S ALL.
HE WILL DESTROY EVERYONES AMERICAN DREAM.
THE WORLD DO NOT WANT TO MAKE BUSINESS WITH HIM DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND.
WE NEED THE ECONOMY IF HE GETS TO THE WHITE HOUSE NO BODY WILL DO BUSINESS WITH HIM.
BESIDES THAT WE HAVE NOT CLEAR JET HIS PRACTICES MUSLIM RELIGION.
ON THE OTHER HAND HE WILL INCREASE THE WALFAIR TO THOSE DO NOT LIKE TO WORK.
AND WHO WILL BE PAYING FOR THAT. WE WILL THE WORKING PEOPLE.
NO TO OBAMA
EXCUSE MY OPINION
MEDIA AND REPORTERS
DO YOU REALLY THINK WE ARE STUPID IGNORANT PEOPLE?
YOU ARE LIKE A VULTURE ON SURVEILLANCE TO ATTACK MS. CLINTON CONSTANTLY.
I LIKE TO SEE AT LEAST ONE HONEST REPORTER TO GIVE HER A CREDIT.
DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHTS TO DESTROY ANYBODY’S REPUTATION? WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.
CAN SOMEBODY BE PARTIAL ON THIS ELECTION AND STOP YOUR WORSHIP TO OBAMA?
MEDIA AND REPORTERS:
DO YOU REALLY THINK WE ARE STUPID IGNORANT PEOPLE?
YOU ARE LIKE A VULTURE ON SURVEILLANCE TO ATTACK MS. CLINTON CONSTANTLY.
CAN SOMEBODY BE PARTIAL ON THIS ELECTION AND STOP YOUR WORSHIP TO OBAMA?
HUSAIN OBAMA, PROBABLE HAS PREPARED THE COOL-AID FOR ALL OF YOU.
VOTERS:
THE WORSHIP FOR HUSAIN OBAMA, IS BEEN OBEOUS EVERYBODY IS BEEN BRAINWASH.
WAKE UP PEOPLE OF THE US BEFORE IS TO LATE.
NO FOR OBAMA
RocketScience, your observation about the 'experience argument' only serves to highlight how incredibly hidebound the Clinton camp is. In truth, no candidate has the experience to be president, but when Sen. Clinton chooses to brag about 35 years of nebulousness and mediocrity, she should not be surprised when people gravitate towards someone better. Sen. Clinton claims that Obama is naïve. When someone starts out with a 49% negative approval rating, AND begins dismissing half the electorate (including those citizens who voted for HER), who’s really being naïve here? And as for Bill saying “members of the Obama campaign believe they can come in that night and take the delegates away,” only someone with a sense of entitlement would say such drivel. The scent of manure is starting to make me gag.
Hope. Change. Pragmatism. Obama/Sebelius ‘08
Mahalo nui loa, Alohilani!
I agree completely with your argument(s). It is true that no one, no matter how seasoned a politician they are can ever truly be 100% prepared for assuming the office of POTUS.
For Hillary Clinton to tout this supposed 35 years of experience is perplexing at best. 35 years experience at what? Serving on corporate boards? Being the first lady of a small southern state? The nation? If we use time as an elected official as grounds for an experience argument, then Barack Obama has a better resume (ie, qualifications) by several years.
Indeed, Senator Clinton claims that Barack Obama is naïve, but she also hopes that we are as well. The sense of entitlement displayed by the Clintons is not only embarassing, it's shameful. Bill Clinton has acted like a dad who's mad that little Johnny hasn't gotten enough playing time in his little league baseball game; and Hillary has performed much like a middle management HR employee with an assignment that has placed her in over her head.
As I have said before, I want a president who can take ownership of his or her failures as well as successes, and not one who is constantly making excuses and placing blame elsewhere. Hillary Clinton has shown me no qualities that I consider to be presidential even in the slightest.
____________________________________
Political Analyst - info@katrinaalliance.org
The foundation....
Resolution Impeaching William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Resolved, That William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the United States Senate:
Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and of the people of the United States of America, against William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States of America, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article I
In his conduct while President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton, in violation of his constitutional oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has willfully corrupted and manipulated the judicial process of the United States for his personal gain and exoneration, impeding the administration of justice, in that:
On August 17, 1998, William Jefferson Clinton swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth before a Federal grand jury of the United States. Contrary to that oath, William Jefferson Clinton willfully provided perjurious, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury concerning one or more of the following: (1) the nature and details of his relationship with a subordinate Government employee; (2) prior perjurious, false and misleading testimony he gave in a Federal civil rights action brought against him; (3) prior false and misleading statements he allowed his attorney to make to a Federal judge in that civil rights action; and (4) his corrupt efforts to influence the testimony of witnesses and to impede the discovery of evidence in that civil rights action.
In doing this, William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed his trust as President and has acted in a manner subversive of the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.
Wherefore, William Jefferson Clinton, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.
If this were not so pathetic, it would be funny.
Both Bill and Hillary Clinton are lawyers. As is Harold Ickes.
Obviously, no one bothered to read Texas Election Law, before this campaign started.
It's been this way for a number of years.
Of course, for a number of years, voters and votes in Texas didn't matter.
Now that they do, the Clinton campaign wants to question, and possibly change the rules.
It is pathetic.
And, to Texas voters, and the Texas Democratic Party, it is insulting.
Ha! Now Yahoo!News just posted Clinton Inc. are going to challenge the TX voting rules! You CAN'T make this up. TX and OH, PLEASE TURN THE PAGE and repudiate these thugs.
So, according to Yahoo!News, Clinton Inc. are now going to CHALLENGE TEXAS VOTING RULES! Turn the page and repudiate this kind of desperate Campaigning. Voters should ask ourselves what have the Clintons promised their fat cat friends and the millions of dollars they just donated -- to take this kind of destructive, divisive course State by State???
Show us the DONOR RECORDS to the Library, the White House Records and the TAX RETURNS, Billary and stop changing the rules of engagement everywhere/anywhere to suit YOURSELVES and your friends.
TX and OH, we need you to not only vote for Mr. Obama...but resoundingly repudiate this kind of Campaigning after running a mismanaged Campaign. Mr. Obama is right. The PROCESS and how the Clintons and their surrogates have manipulated it -- and ditto, Bush Inc. -- needs to change. YOU can change it! Validate the previous 11 States and help us turn the page for a fresh start in the 21st Century.
Alohilani:
Thanks! Don't worry. I will continue to write my opinion. If Bill can speak, so can I! Thugs don't bother me after having planes fly over my head into the WTC. Let's turn the page on Clinton Inc. and ALL their surrogates, trying to control me like Hillary does during the debates! Mahalo!
Alohilani: By the way, there are two people posting under the handle renatam. Very clever of the Clinton crowd to manipulate the blogs like they do everyone/everything else! I am the one who is AGAINST Hillary Clinton and a key indicator it is me is I keep my comments focused on the politics of the matter -- not personal insults/assaults. Have fun Clinton folks! It's almost over -- for you! FYI. :-) r.
HILLARY’S FOOLS
UNELECTABLE NEO-LIBS HILLARY RUNS FOR PRESIDENT, TO SCAM A FORTUNE FROM HER VAST FOLLOWING OF FOOLS?
Quite frankly, the Texas Two Step was okay in the good ole days when we weren't single family households with a bunch of our kids homework to monitor, before we had to work 2 jobs, or before they began the night shift. Now, it means an extra trip to the precinct. It also means that a number of us away from Texas,serving our county or out of town because our work requires it: will lose our say so in the last step of the two step. Its as outdated as some of those old blue laws we had for years.
As for experience for a criteri for presidential candidate for the democratic party, Hillary has it. She probaby run the country while Bill did Monica. I remember the days the Clintons were in the white house. They were ohh, so much better than now. Hillary got plenty of training and has a husband that will be there to help her. Maybe it takes that family and not the village to get us out of the mess we are in. Do half of you people know they are burning our embassys. We need their intelligence,experience and compassion.
I worry about giving this job to the son of a white woman from Kansas and a man from Kenya..expecially in the fifties, white women from Kansas who married out of their status were truly thought to be ignorant white trash. This had to effect Obama pychologically. I could actually see him growing up in a world he could not identify with. I can see him hanging on to hope. His father leaves him at the age of two, his mother marries again,and this time it was a muslim. He lived his formative years in a foreign country with a white woman accepting black men into her life in a time it was spit at. Did he get that much attention? I worry he may be damaged goods with a lot of baggage we dems will hear about after the fact. I like to hear his speeches but he keeps saying he will provide free tuition free insurance and will not tax the elderly. Did he ever give a timeline for all of that. Could he make his prioriy to cut taxes on older citizens before he brings back our men from Iraaq. There aren't going to be any jobs for them, anyway. I wish we the people could hold them accountable to their promises.make them publicize their goals and agendas if they get the office. We could grade them quarterly as how well they are doing and just bring in someone else if they weren't doing the job they said they would. Well thats my FANTICY for change. GOD BLESS AMERICA.....PLEASE GUIDE US.
I hate Hillary too!! I want McCain, he's the best out of the three....he's just as liberal as Hussein Obama.
So funny to see the Clintons cry about media bias, the news media was always on their side and is still 90% run by Liberals with an obvious bias. Mrs Clinton has a deep seeded contempt for black people that she barely manages to hide. She sees blacks as inferior and in need of her welfare, food stamps and free housing. Such irony seeing her beaten by a black man and unable to trash him unless her own brand of labeling someone a racist or hater be used against her. LOL This is fun