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Subscribe to RSSFormer President Bill Clinton is joining forces again with President Barak Obama and holding a series of New York fundraisers. Politico's Roger Simon discusses.
NEW YORK - After earning headlines for becoming the latest Democrat to speak positively of Mitt Romney's history in the private sector, Bill Clinton made clear exactly whose side he's on when he hit the Big Apple on Monday for three joint fundraising appearances with President Barack Obama.
Electing the Republican nominee would be "calamitous for our country and the world" Clinton said at a reception in private home where tickets went for $40,000. And at the New Amsterdam Theatre near Times Square, he said: "I don't think it's important to re-elect the president, I think it's essential to re-elect the president."
The trip came less than a week after Clinton drew headlines for becoming the most prominent Democrat to undercut the president's attacks against Romney for his time at Bain Capital. In an interview on CNN last Thursday, the former president said Romney "had a sterling business career" and described his time as an executive at a private equity firm as "good work."
And while Clinton did not walk back any of his earlier remarks, he found plenty of other ways to build a case against the former Massachusetts governor.
"They tell you how terrible this health care bill is," Clinton said of Republicans. "It's hard for them, since Gov. Romney's finest act as governor was to sign a bill with an individual mandate in it, which he has now renounced."
Clinton introduced the president at all three appearances here. Obama asked for his donors support in what he acknowledged will be a tight race, all the while maintaining that he stands for the same issues he did during his 2008 run.
"The only reason that this is going to be a close election is because people are still hurting," the president said at the theatre.
But it is a slip of the tongue at the last event that may garner the most attention from the day trip. "We are not going back to a set of politics that say you're on you're own. And that's essentially the theory of the other side. You know, George Romney," Obama said, referring to the Republican nominee's father before quickly correcting himself.
Both Romney and Obama have been working furiously to raise cash in an election that will have plenty of money influencing it aside from what the candidates rake in. Speaking before the crowd that paid at least $250 to hear a concert and two presidents, Obama addressed the role outside groups will play in this year's election.
"Sometimes when thing are tough, you just say, well you know what, I'll just keep trying something until something works. And that's compounded by $500 million in Super PAC negative ads that are going to be run over the course of the next five months," he said. "And they'll try to feed on those fears and those anxieties and that frustrations. That's basically the argument the other side is making. They're not offering anything new, they're just saying 'Things are tough right now and it's Obama's fault.' That pretty much sums it up. There's no vision for the future there."
Still, any drop in enthusiasm from his base was hard to decipher.
"I still believe in you," Obama said to the theatre crowd that interrupted him multiple times with standing ovations. "I hope you still believe in me...when people ask you what this campaign is about, tell them it's still about hope, it's still about change."
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That's better then OBAMA being a DISASTER
The disaster was George W.
Shrugged off warnings of 9/11, launched wrong war in Iraq, let Bin Laden escape capture and failed to pursue him, collasolly failed in the Katrina response, presided over the worst economic collapse since the depression, posted the worst job creation record in decades etc, etc...
Obama policies saved the banks, state economies and the attendant jobs, the U.S. auto industry, ressurected and doubled the market strength, resourced the Gulf recovery, generated 4 million jobs, ended the $1 billion dollar a week misadventure in Iraq, scheduled the exit from the $2 billion dollar a week war in Afghanistan, exacted justice on Ghaddafi, Bin Laden and more than 25 other Al Quieda Leftinents and yes, passed the first necessary step to reform of health care (our largest single expenditure category and largest vulnerability) to future sustainability. And introduced common sense reforms on the out of control wild-eyed financial sector speculators.
Romney would have pursued none of these Obama initiatives (except the healthcare) and is otherwise committed to the same financially lax policies of the George W. Bush disaster we just witnessed. Chase bank just flirted with a return to past practice and lost $2 Billion (fortunately, this was their own money because of the Obama constraints). Where will the bail out come from when Mitt turns them lose again?
MSDNC sugarcoated version from this article: Electing the Republican nominee would be "calamitous for our country and the world" Clinton said at a reception in private home where tickets went for $40,000.
The truth about the private home MSDNC doesn't want to publicize: The Presidents began their joint fundraising appearances Monday at a home of hedge fund executive Mark Lasry followed by the fundraising gala.
Doesn't look good for the Big O to be running around with those evil banker types since most of his brain dead supporters aren't aware that Wall St is a democratic stronghold.
At about 4:00 o'clock EDT this afternoon, Clinton went on CNBC and told his interviewer that the U.S. was already in a recession and that the Bush tax cuts should definitely be extended. Well now....along with Biden....the community organizer now has to deal with Slick Willy. With support like that, Romney may, just may... want to call in that curtain maker for some new WH measurements.
BrentOC...all you lack is the truth and facts:
In 1992, 10 million Americans were unemployed, the country faced record deficits, and poverty and welfare rolls were growing. Family incomes were losing ground to inflation and jobs were being created at the slowest rate since the Great Depression.
Since President Clinton and Vice President Gore took office, economic growth has averaged 4.0 percent per year, compared to average growth of 2.8 percent during the Reagan-Bush years. The economy has grown for 116 consecutive months, the most in history.
The economy created more than 22.5 million jobs in less than eight years—the most jobs ever created under a single administration, and more than were created in the previous 12 years. Of the total new jobs, 20.7 million, or 92 percent, are in the private sector.
Sorry to pop your bubble
Today, the USA killed the #2 man in Al Qaeda, thereby virtually dealing them a death blow. This president has taken out Osama bin Laden, and the #2 Al Qaeda figure, Qadaffi, ended the war in Iraq, all on his watch.
Point your crooked fingers Republicans, I expect you all to go into denial and have Romney take the credit, like he did for GM, and for creating 50,000 jobs at Staples (part-time, no benefits)
Mitt Romney accused President Barack Obama of sitting on the government's 26 percent stake in General Motors in order to avoid an embarrassing financial loss before Election Day. In an interview with the Detroit News.
Now, remember, this is the same flip-flop Romney who took credit for saving GM!
Bill, Bill, Bill, you really, really need to get laid!
Be willing to bet he gets some way more often than other guys his age.
No Brent, when Romney said it, it was a direct response to a question regarding a flip-flop on the issue.
He said one thing, the reporter challenged it, and Mitt made the statement, "I stand by what I said, whatever it was." Try to deal in truth Brent, it would be a welcome change.
I believe the Clintons are on the same side as conservatives this time. Anyone with half a brain knows Slick Willy wants an Obama defeat to give his wife a chance in 2016, possibly her last chance. If by some miracle Obama wins in November, the next four years will be economic disaster, leaving Hillary or any Democrat with no chance to win in 2016.
Another Republican name-caller heard from
Have fantasies very often, Road Warrior?
An election-year Democratic measure designed to ensure that women don't face pay discrimination was blocked Tuesday by Republicans who complained that the bill was politically inspired and would reward trial lawyers at the expense of employers.
The motion, which needed 60 votes to succeed, got only 52, not one from a Republican.to
President Obama issued a statement criticizing Republicans for putting "partisan politics ahead of American women and families."
Once again, the Republican claim to be "pro-women" is a lie.
You act as if this were news.
If you have paid any attention ALL the right-wing buffoonery candidates vowed to wreck the economy and deepen the class warfare being waged against the American people.
Where the hell have you been the last 35 years? Obviously NOT here in the Oligarchy.
So, you are claiming exclusive rights to post?
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. The Business of America is Business ... Not Government ...
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. Please read the US Constitution and the Federalist Papers ... they might help
You should take your own advice.
Government is all that makes America different from everywhere else. Forget that and....GAME OVER.
What a Bimbo this guy is, he never misses an opportunity to prostitute himself for a lousy soapbox. He is totally incapable of apprehending the one thing that might give him one ounce of dignity, silent obscurity !
Well, sure. Unlike W and Cheney. They can't travel to many countries because they might be arrested as war criminals. Clinton gets a hero's welcome. Of course, he did get a blow job. I would be willing to bet that no Republican ever got a blow job. If they did, they ran home to tell their wives. Like, say, Giuliani. Or Noot.
Hey, Tax the Rich....your mom have any living children? You are brain-dead
Dear Friends:
I hope Bill Cllinton gets this message. What took you so long?
If you think this is dangerous, you should see the ballot in California, if you can read all of it. Then English is the language of the USA. Must be a citizen to vote and English to become a citizen. Couldn't tell by the ballot. Is it over yet?
After the election then the National Republican Party sent out a preprinted survey. No not about the ballot. It is the biggest Communist Propoganda I have ever seen. Then at the bottom it asks for donations for Mitt Romney. The proof that this election was fixed. It was printed several weeks ago and paid for by whom?
Think tanks for Romney you are butt heads! Put that in your return envelope! a photo or papers for rolling up cigarettes. There Butt Heads! This was a fixed election.
You will see! God Help us!
Send Millions of Mormons to missionary work. You are miss using tax dollars and food stamps and deductions and donations and home school at a cost and threat to this nation more than any other sector. We want the money back for this survey printing. It is illegal to print and say the type of questions and propaganda as on this paper is against our government. Romney your plan works only if the intellect and present government do not protect. Romney go where the sun does not shine.
The market is falling. I told you so.
Oh don't even talk about the economy......When Obama was the attorney for ACORN he sued the banks in Chicago for discriminating against people who could not afford to purchase a house. The courts awarded the Obama and crew with $2.1 Billion to give to 15 thousand people who could not afford to buy a home. So fifteen thousand people got loans on homes that they could not afford (Guess how many have defaulted on those loans?). Clinton who had Cuomo as head of Housing, told him that he wanted to continue this program to 5 million people. This allow millions of people to purchase homes they couldn't afford. (Remember the term: subprime loans?). Clinton believed that creating more home owners would stimulate the economy. So Freddie and Fannie packaged these worthless loans along with Wall Street and sold them to all unsuspecting investors and pension funds. Then Wall Street knowing they are worthless e.g. Goldman Sachs bet against the loans! They made billions from getting the fees up front when they packaged the loans and sold them and then they got it on the other end because they knew they were worthless and bet against the stock. All the while the Democrats were making the public think that they were so compassionate, (yet they were screwing everyone) which got them votes! On top of that, the Democrats got Harvey Pit to meet with Chris Dodd in 2001 and pass legislation that government officials and Wall Street executives can not be prosecuted if they knowingly mislead or deceive people in anything. (Remember in the eighties with the S&L debacle---those people went to jail and had to pay back the funds). Thanks to Clinton, Frank, Pitt and Dodd, they have insulated themselves from going to jail and paying back any of the funds! This is just another example of our legislative body not living to the laws, the Constitution, and the standards that they have you and I living up to.
What’s so concerning is that citizens like many of you voted for Obama who believes that government gives you liberty…and this administration continues to encroach on our freedoms.
People in California send a copy of the survey from the Republican Party to Obama and your senators on the Democrat and Independent side.
Butt heads have no clue this is a Free Democracy!
God Help Us! This is the worse election in the USA ever.
Would have to go a long way to beat the debacle of the stolen 2000 election high-jacked by the Bush brothers and those activist judges at SCOTUS which led to a presidency worse than Hoover's (he only brought on the Great Depression not the worst attack on the homeland and a mistaken 9 year war to boot.)
Before you place a check mark next to one of the two evils.....please remember one very important fact; If you believe that Obama is a closet Socialist trying to slowly destroy this country.....just try and imagine how he's going to be if re-elected knowing that he doesn't have to worry about another term! That's when the real disaster to America begins.
Slick Willie may be on to something here. Mitt Romney would be "calamitous for our country". Hmm interesting word "calamitous"! Mitt would be disastrous. Hmm, for whom? Me thinkest Mitt would be a President who caters to big business. In reality it is quite difficult for any President not to 'cater" to big business in a capitalistic society where money rules. Mitt has a long history of being pro big business. Now Slick Willie knows that the most difficult thing for any politician to do is to tell the truth. You know like " I did not have sex with that woman"! Most politicians possess a proclivity toward half truths like slew foot, satan, the devil, that wicked one. Mitt is a politician who professes to be a Mormon and therefore a person who is delusional with a proclivity to telling half truths, manufactured truths and nothing but the non-truth so help him Moroni.
Mitt's is the quintessential big business "dog" whose friends and acquaintances continue to manage the country by controlling wealth so that the haves continue to have and the have nots remain broke, busted, and disgusted. Say Mitt what saith thou in the Book of Mormon about unjust gain? How bout what it be sayin about oppressing the poor. Me thinkest thou readest the Book of Bain, or the Book of Brigham, and/or Books of English Law more!
Mitt you are a blind guide. Your goal is not to create jobs for Americans. Your goal is to have that awful negro evicted from the "White House!" Tell the truth baby! Tell us that white folks of your ilk ( and you sho is white) will band together to reach the goal of your common cause. Quite impressive that Liberty University a mis-educational bastion for the lily white american with a peppering of disillusioned negroes invited you to speak at commencement this year. How comical; I thought this so called Christian University viewed Momonism as a cult. We got to lay down those religious differences, down by the riverside, down by the riverside - please!
Vote for Obama! In your heart you know he's right!
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. If you plan to vote for BO ... you are part of the problem ...
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Romney is not Family Orientated because he does not have a family.
Romney does not have a family so how does he know the heart of the American family? The family is the foundation of America. Romney is finished as a Presidential hopeful for the simple fact that he does not have a family especially anyh children. He does not know the heart of the working class with children nor does he understand how his policies affect American's with families. Until Romney has children of his own he will never be able to relate to American families that are married and have children. But President Obama does who has a family and has tried to create jobs so that the American family can go on all the while Republicans like Boenher another Republican without a family continue to thwart attempts of President Obama to create jobs so that the American family can survive. Romney is not a family orientated president as he does not have a family other than his wife. President Obama on the other hand does have a family and knows how family life is effected without the benefit of job creation being president. President Obama knows family. Romney does not. Families are the foundation of America. President Obama is part of the Foundation because he is a family man. Romney is not because all he has is a wife.
The family is the foundation of America.
President Obama is part of that foundation because he understands the American family and its needs.
Mitt Romney does not understand the needs of family because he does not have a family so he does not know how to apply such experience learned in keeping America together during times of uncertainty.
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It would be calamitous for Clinton because he would lose his entre and status to the multi millions he is invited to oversee as unofficial ambassador to places such as Haiti.
no one can make a smart choice at the voting booth-doesn't matter if they are smart or not...because...the corpos never buy anything but bad and worse yet for us to choose from. we are doomed as long as we allow money to bring the candidates to the dance in the first place. -ken's wife.
It just goes to show that Americans really have short memories and that's why people like Bill Clinton can still get in front of a camera and talk BS with out any worry. Does anyone remember why Clinton was IMPEACHED? It was for lying to congress...PERJURY! So how can this schmuck be a credible character that gets up in front of the camera and claims Butt-head Obama is the man. What was his famous words he spoke? " I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
Think about this "I Did Not Have Sex With That Woman", this is the same guy who squandered a Presidency because he could not control Slick Willie. Calamitous, isn't that the result of "Hope and Change".
and obama hasn`t been "calamitous"?
g55rumpy... No, he has not, but thanks for asking.
If you think so, provide examples. If you can't, well then...
Frankly, I wish Clinton could run again.
Regardless, I'm not voting for Romney.
In fact, I believe Harding and a few other fellows have conclusively proven that mixing a business background and politics is even more disastrous than mixing a religious background and politics- and here's why.
Business and politics are unrelated venues- politics is about leadership, and involves meeting the needs of those who elected you and advancing your country as a unified entity.
Business is about making money- and frequently involves screwing those under you as hard as you possibly can to maximize your personal gain.
Religion is (or should be) about the next world, not this one- and seeking control of anything but yourself is beyond that venue.
You can't use religion as the platform for politics, because God has always been about freedom of choice- including the choice to extinguish your own existence forever if you choose to refuse salvation.
Politics requires control and must inevitably limit some freedoms for the sake of structure- which is why anarchy has never lasted as a form of government.
The real art of politics has always revolved around finding the balance points between charity and practicality, freedom and safety, and an over regulated economy incapable of growth and an unregulated economy capable of murder.
In short, the goals are far more complex and far more difficult- requiring an incisive, diligent, and educated mind.
Romney doesn't fit that bill.
He's a simpleton sock puppet for wealth willing to repudiate his own healthcare program for the sake of conforming to the expectations of his party.
I'm not going to apologize for being willing to vote for Obama again- nor am I going to apologize for my opinions regarding his moderate reactions to blatant obstructionism.
I believe he should have crucified the House on the alter of public opinion long ago.
What a bunch of liars those cozened TEA Party fools elected- they promised change and delivered a logjam.
Nice job- and speaking of jobs, thanks for killing every possible effort to create them in order to get Obama out after one term.
And...one term would appear to be what the TEA party's sock puppets are likely to get- if Americans prove capable of learning from their mistakes.