Bill Clinton: Don't 'Overly Parse' McCain Request to Delay Debate

[trickblue]

Link (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/bill-clinton-do.html)

Bill Clinton: Don't 'Overly Parse' McCain Request to Delay Debate
September 25, 2008 8:26 AM

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: Former President Bill Clinton defended Sen. John McCain's request to delay the first presidential debate, saying McCain did it in "good faith" and pushed organizers to reserve time for economy talk during the debate if the Friday plans move forward.

Appearing on Good Morning America Thursday, Clinton told ABC News' Chris Cuomo that McCain's push to postpone the debate would only be a good political move if both candidates agreed. McCain announced on Wednesday that he would "suspend" his presidential campaign to come to Washington to help negotiate a financial bailout bill

"We know he didn't do it because he's afraid because Sen. McCain wanted more debates," Clinton said, adding that he was "encouraged" by the joint statement from McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.

"You can put it off a few days the problem is it's hard to reschedule those things," Clinton said, "I presume he did that in good faith since I know he wanted -- I remember he asked for more debates to go all around the country and so I don't think we ought to overly parse that."

If the debate moves forward as planned for Friday night, Clinton says "they should be able to talk about this some of the debate because it is a security issue."

The former president thought Bush's address Wednesday night on the economic crisis had a "positive reaction".

"I thought it was the clearest statement of why we're in the fix we're in, at least what the nature of it is and why some national action is needed," Clinton said.

He said that both Democrats and Republicans "should move as quickly as they can" on the president's economic rescue plan but that both parties "want to know exactly how this $700 billion is going to be invested..to stabilize the system."

President Bush's bipartisan meeting on the economic crisis will take place at 4pm at the White House, both Obama and McCain will be in attendance.

[canters]

He just cannot bring himself to get too excited about Barry. He could have been a Democrat here and blasted McCain.

[Doomsday101]

Well at least one Democrat understand McCain reasoning and understanding of the importance of this crisis. Obama does not get it evidently a 700 Billion dollar bailout is not that important

[canters]

I cannot help but think he wants Barry to lose so he and Hillary can have another shot in 2012.

[Doomsday101]

I cannot help but think he wants Barry to lose so he and Hillary can have another shot in 2012.

I don't think he cares for Obama but it is surprising that he wants Hillary shot in 2012. :lmao:

[canters]

I don't think he cares for Obama but it is surprising that he wants Hillary shot in 2012. :lmao:


Be careful, the Secret Service reads this site. ;)

[bootsy]

I cannot help but think he wants Barry to lose so he and Hillary can have another shot in 2012.
Who cares, Barack already took down the Clintons. He doesn't need them to win this election. Contrary to popular belief. Other than the convention, Barack has been ignoring these fools anyway He came out of nowhere to beat them. Let the Clintons continue to cry.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Who cares, Barack already took down the Clintons. He doesn't need them to win this election. Contrary to popular belief. Other than the convention, Barack has been ignoring these fools anyway He came out of nowhere to beat them. Let the Clintons continue to cry.

I think that this is a mistake. I believe that when it's all said and done with, the Democratic Party will need to stick together if they are going to win. If you don't have the support of the Clintons, who are very influencial in the Dem Party, you may see votes loyal to the Clintons go the way of McCain or an Independant. That would not be good for the Dems.

[bootsy]

I think that this is a mistake. I believe that when it's all said and done with, the Democratic Party will need to stick together if they are going to win. If you don't have the support of the Clintons, who are very influencial in the Dem Party, you may see votes loyal to the Clintons go the way of McCain or an Independant. That would not be good for the Dems.
I doubt it. Barack has established himself with voters and the Democratic base enough to win this election without the Clintons. He isn't shutting out the Clintons but he is using them just enough to get the necessary votes.

[ConcordCowboy]

Wait a minute.

Lets rip Clinton a new A Hole for the last 16 years but now use him to defend McCain.

Oh the hilarity.

:lmao2:

Remember he thought it was good idea too to get a BJ in the Oval Office.

:laugh2:

[ABQCOWBOY]

I doubt it. Barack has established himself with voters and the Democratic base enough to win this election without the Clintons. He isn't shutting out the Clintons but he is using them just enough to get the necessary votes.


I don't know that this is a fact. I think that much remains to be seen. I believe that it would be unwise to allienate the Clintons. They are too powerful within the Democratic Party.

[Doomsday101]

Wait a minute.

Lets rip Clinton a new A Hole for the last 16 years but now use him to defend McCain.

Oh the hilarity.

:lmao2:

Remember he thought it was good idea too to get a BJ in the Oval Office.

:laugh2:

Never said he was a great president only a democrat who understand why McCain has made the choice he did. The voter will determine if McCain was right in postponing this debate or not but in Clintons view it is understandable. I don't expect most rank in file Democrat to congradulate McCain and if the shoe was on the other foot I doubt Democrat would be upset with Obama for postponing and returning to Washington. Both men made their choices and will live with them for good or bad

[canters]

Bill wants Palin's phone #,,,trust me.

Kiss this Sarah.

[ConcordCowboy]

Never said he was a great president only a democrat who understand why McCain has made the choice he did. The voter will determine if McCain was right in postponing this debate or not but in Clintons view it is understandable. I don't expect most rank in file Democrat to congradulate McCain and if the shoe was on the other foot I doubt Democrat would be upset with Obama for postponing and returning to Washington. Both men made their choices and will live with them for good or bad

You can think what you want.

I was just laughing at you using Clinton to defend McCain.

It's comical.

I'm sure even you can see that.

[Doomsday101]

You can think what you want.

I was just laughing at you using Clinton to defend McCain.

It's comical.

I'm sure even you can see that.

Hell I'm not defending him only stating what other democrats refuse to say unless it was Obama who was going to postpone the debate for the same reasons then I'm positive we would hear how Obama was heading back to Washington to do his job as a US Senator

[trickblue]

You can think what you want.

I was just laughing at you using Clinton to defend McCain.

It's comical.

I'm sure even you can see that.

It goes both ways when a member of an opposite party goes against one of their own...

IIRC the same thing was going on last week over some comments by Republican Chuck Hagel...

[ConcordCowboy]

Hell I'm not defending him only stating what other democrats refuse to say unless it was Obama who was going to postpone the debate for the same reasons then I'm positive we would hear how Obama was heading back to Washington to do his job as a US Senator

I can't speak for all Democrats...but I refuse to give him credit for this because I think he did it for purely political reasons as his poll numbers were tanking.

If something happened like a terror attack that would help McCain (they've admitted that) and Obama tried to call off the debate knowing full well that it was going to kill him...there would be a howling from the right that would be deafening.

[ConcordCowboy]

It goes both ways when a member of an opposite party goes against one of their own...

IIRC the same thing was going on last week over some comments by Republican Chuck Hagel...

True...but Clinton is on another level.

He was the Anti- to the right before Obama.

:D

[trickblue]

True...but Clinton is on another level.

He was the Anti- to the right before Obama.

:D

Get it right...

Clinton was Satan... Obama is the Anti- ... :D

[ConcordCowboy]

Get it right...

Clinton was Satan... Obama is the Anti- ... :D

:laugh2:

[peplaw06]

You can think what you want.

I was just laughing at you using Clinton to defend McCain.

It's comical.

I'm sure even you can see that.No one's "using" Clinton to defend McCain. Clinton is defending McCain. You think the GOP got Bill to do this?

It's all much ado about nothing IMO.

People assume he's trying to dodge debates, that's ridiculous. No presidential candidate is going to dodge debates. He just asked for a postponement. And if the reports are to be believed, the problems with the economy aren't going away overnight, so next week he'll still face questions on that right?

But this is no different from all the other attempts at finding that gotcha moment the Dems have been trying like hell to find.

[MilesAustinforMVP]

I don't think people realize this but the financial mess we are in is partly Clinton's fault. He worked with the Republican Congress in '99 to pass the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to deregulate the financial markets.

I don't know how Clinton can continue to call himself a Democrat after the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), welfare reform, and deregulation. He can go screw himself for all I care.

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't know how Clinton can continue to call himself a Democrat after the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), welfare reform, and deregulation. He can go screw himself for all I care.


This is an inaccurate statement. Clinton actually threatened to Veto that bill unless it was restructered. The intent of that bill was far from what was actually passed. Clinton porkbellied it in exchange for passing it into law.

[Doomsday101]

I don't think people realize this but the financial mess we are in is partly Clinton's fault. He worked with the Republican Congress in '99 to pass the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to deregulate the financial markets.

I don't know how Clinton can continue to call himself a Democrat after the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), welfare reform, and deregulation. He can go screw himself for all I care.

So welfare did not need to be reformed?

[MilesAustinforMVP]

This is an inaccurate statement. Clinton actually threatened to Veto that bill unless it was restructered. The intent of that bill was far from what was actually passed. Clinton porkbellied it in exchange for passing it into law.

Actually no. He just got Community Redevelopment Act to piggy back on that bill. The Gramm Leach Bliley Act itself was pretty much unchanged.

[ConcordCowboy]

No one's "using" Clinton to defend McCain. Clinton is defending McCain. You think the GOP got Bill to do this?

It's all much ado about nothing IMO.

People assume he's trying to dodge debates, that's ridiculous. No presidential candidate is going to dodge debates. He just asked for a postponement. And if the reports are to be believed, the problems with the economy aren't going away overnight, so next week he'll still face questions on that right?

But this is no different from all the other attempts at finding that gotcha moment the Dems have been trying like hell to find.

This article was posted here to show that hey look...even Clinton is defending McCain...

As a way of defending McCain.

I obviously don't think the GOP got Clinton to do this...but to act like people aren't going to use this as an defense of McCain as in hey...the former top man of the Democratic Party and President of the U.S. is saying that McCain did they right thing in asking for a debate postponement is naive.

It's just like when Bush finally admitted to Global Warming.

People on the left said hey look even Bush says Global Warming is real now as a defense of their position.

When they have ripped him for years.

Hell I'm sure I did it.

It's comical. Both ways.

[MilesAustinforMVP]

So welfare did not need to be reformed?

No it didn't. Poor people don't have any power in Congress that is why most of their programs get the shaft, like what Medicaid is experiencing now.

[Doomsday101]

No it didn't. Poor people don't have any power in Congress that is why most of their programs get the shaft, like what Medicaid is experiencing now.

So welfare and it's abuses that were taking place in it did not need to be fixed? As for poor people not having power they have as much as you and I unless the law changed and poor people are not allowed to vote.

[trickblue]

This article was posted here to show that hey look...even Clinton is defending McCain...

As a way of defending McCain.

I obviously don't think the GOP got Clinton to do this...but to act like people aren't going to use this as an defense of McCain as in hey...the former top man of the Democratic Party and President of the U.S. is saying that McCain did they right thing in asking for a debate postponement is naive.

It's just like when Bush finally admitted to Global Warming.

People on the left said hey look even Bush says Global Warming is real now as a defense of their position.

When they have ripped him for years.

Hell I'm sure I did it.

It's comical. Both ways.

Glad you knew my intentions... :rolleyes:

Now... here's what they really were.

A leading Democrat is saying not to blow this out of proportion for political gain when the economy of our country is at stake...

I could care less which leading Democrat said it...

[MilesAustinforMVP]

So welfare and it's abuses that were taking place in it did not need to be fixed? As for poor people not having power they have as much as you and I unless the law changed and poor people are not allowed to vote.

Welfare wasn't nearly the problem some people made it out to be. It wasn't perfect, but then again nothing is. It is a good program though.

Politics is all about money and who is contributing to which candidate. How many people do you think living on minimum wage are contributing thousands of dollars to political candidates? I'll answer that for you: none.

[ConcordCowboy]

Glad you knew my intentions... :rolleyes:

Now... here's what they really were.

A leading Democrat is saying not to blow this out of proportion for political gain when the economy of our country is at stake...

I could care less which leading Democrat said it...

Me thinks thou doest protest too much.

[Doomsday101]

Welfare wasn't nearly the problem some people made it out to be. It wasn't perfect, but then again nothing is. It is a good program though.

Politics is all about money and who is contributing to which candidate. How many people do you think living on minimum wage are contributing thousands of dollars to political candidates? I'll answer that for you: none.

BS Welfare had many problems with it and abuse was a major problem with it. Welfare is suppose to be a helping hand not a way of life and it is a cop out to say that people are incapable of helping themselves and must spend their entire life on it. I have no issue of helping those who need a helping hand but I refuse to help those who choose not to help themselves and expect other to take care of them for the rest of their lives. As for power they have as much as I do at the ballot box, so you can sing your poor little me to someone else. I grew up with parents who were forced to live in government housing and I watched my dad pulling 2 jobs and going back to school, it was not easy for him but he did what he had to do and there are many others just like them

[trickblue]

Me thinks thou doest protest too much.

Naaahhh... I just thought I would clarify my intentions rather than someone else doing it for me... ;)

[ConcordCowboy]

Naaahhh... I just thought I would clarify my intentions rather than someone else doing it for me... ;)

Come out of the closet man!

:D

[trickblue]

Come out of the closet man!

:D

You guys on the left have a heydey interpreting what others think... McCain, Bush...

I was just explaining myself. I wasn't a "Clinton Hater" although I didn't like a lot of what he did...

I have never been in a closet to come out of btw... ;)

[ConcordCowboy]

You guys on the left have a heydey interpreting what others think... McCain, Bush...

I was just explaining myself. I wasn't a "Clinton Hater" although I didn't like a lot of what he did...

I have never been in a closet to come out of btw... ;)

It's a special talent...takes years of seeing throught the BS.

;)

[ABQCOWBOY]

Actually no. He just got Community Redevelopment Act to piggy back on that bill. The Gramm Leach Bliley Act itself was pretty much unchanged.


No, this is false. That Bill, in it's original state, was not ratified. Clinton threatened to Veto the Bill so an accord was struck, the bill was brought before, what is called, a conference committee to hammer out an agreement on the differences in the bill. The Senate, Rep. majority passed the original bill, as originally proposed. However, the House, Dem. majority did not. The bill was changed and added onto and only then was it signed by Clinton and passed into law.

The Redevelopment Act you are refering to, I am not familiar with. If you are referring to to Community Reinvestment Act, that was not part of this Bill. That Bill had been passed years earlier, also by Bill Clinton and a Democratic Majority in the Senate and House.



Community reinvestment act

[jrumann59]

Welfare wasn't nearly the problem some people made it out to be. It wasn't perfect, but then again nothing is. It is a good program though.

Politics is all about money and who is contributing to which candidate. How many people do you think living on minimum wage are contributing thousands of dollars to political candidates? I'll answer that for you: none.

Are you on welfare? Let see I live near some pretty "poor" areas in and around Baltimore City and the "low" income state and city run housing projects and 50% of the cars in those lots are worth more than my car and my wife's car put together, and our gross household income is over 100K a year. Welfare nears to be reformed into more a workfare program then a free handout for people that are too lazy, or too loose to work.