The Barack and Billy beatdown

By Michelle Malkin  •  January 21, 2008 09:00 AM

Update: Vid here.

***
Barack Obama takes on Billy Boy. What else is there for conservatives to do but sit back and enjoy the fight? What shade of purple will Clinton be turning today?

Sen. Barack Obama says he’s ready to confront former President Bill Clinton, calling his advocacy on behalf of his wife’s presidential campaign, “troubling.”

In an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts “Good Morning America” today Obama, D-Ill., directly engaged the former democratic president on a series of issues.

“You know the former president, who I think all of us have a lot of regard for, has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that I think is pretty troubling,” Obama said during his first morning television interview since coming in second in Nevada. “He continues to make statements that are not supported by the facts — whether it’s about my record of opposition to the war in Iraq or our approach to organizing in Las Vegas.

“This has become a habit, and one of the things that we’re going to have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he’s making statements that are not factually accurate,” Obama added.

Obama apparently was referring to Clinton’s comment that it was a “fairy tale” that Obama has consistently opposed the Iraq war from the start, and that Nevada union officials backing Obama were strong-arming members into caucusing for Obama.

Bill Clinton took on Obama’s record on Iraq at a Dartmouth College event days before the New Hampshire primary, saying it was wrong Obama was able to trumpet superior judgment on Iraq by claiming he had been against the war from the start.

“Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen,” Bill Clinton said.

Bill Clinton was making the case that Obama — just like Sen. Hillary Clinton — had voted to fund the war since he’s been in office.

Obama said the former president has taken his campaigning on his wife’s behalf too far.

“I understand him wanting to promote his wife’s candidacy,” Obama said. “She’s got a record that she can run on. But I think it’s important that we try to maintain some — you know, level of honesty and candor during the course of the campaign. If we don’t, then we feed the cynicism that has led so many Americans to be turned off to politics.”

Juliette at Baldilocks calls it “The Great Identity Politics War:”

The remarkable thing about the statements as a tactic is this: it changes the nature of this war–a war called the 2008 Democrat nomination process, but is one that may be dubbed the Great Identity Politics War when we look back on it.

Obama has–wisely–changed to a more vulnerable target. No longer does the battle pit Man against Woman–one in which the woman is perceived to be the underdog even if the man is black and the woman is white. Now it’s Black Man against White Man–and you know who the alleged underdog is in this battle.

Just remember the nature of Identity Politics Wars; the “weaker” opponent is always the victor.

Unless it’s moderated by a schoolmarm, tonight’s South Carolina/Congressional Black Caucus/CNN Democrat debate should be better than pay-per-view boxing.

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Trackbacks

  1. Bloodthirsty Liberal » In the Heat of the Fight
  2. Don Surber » Blog Archive » Crazy aunt 2008
  3. Barack Obama “Troubled” Over Former (Co-First-Black) President Clinton’s Support Of Former (Co-First-Black) President Wife For Third Term
  4. Obama Plans To Answer Bill Clinton's "Troubling" Attacks - The Moderate Voice - Domestic and international news analysis, irreverent comments, original reporting, and popular culture features from across the political spectrum.
  5. Its a Democratic Smack Down … Barack Obama Vs. Bill & Hillary Clinton … Who exactly is the Candidate, Bill or Hillary? | Scared Monkeys

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Comments


  1. #222823
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am, MDH3 said:

    ooh baby. Good, good stuff. Hee hee.

  2. #222824
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am, ajmontana said:

    Unless it’s moderated by a schoolmarm, tonight’s South Carolina/Congressional Black Caucus/CNN Democrat debate should be better than pay-per-view boxing.

    after the last love-in do you really think it will be this way? then again boxing isnt what it used to be.

  3. #222827
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am, apostle53 said:

    I hope Obama goes for the throat on HRC tonight, asking Oink to explain her husband’s attacks and whether or not she agrees with Boink.

  4. #222828
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:10 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Unless it’s moderated by a schoolmarm, tonight’s South Carolina/Congressional Black Caucus/CNN Democrat debate should be better than pay-per-view boxing.

    But it’s still politics… I need a vacation.

  5. #222829
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:11 am, DougT said:

    The Hill could do the rope-a-dope and pretend that her husband’s comments are a non-issue in an attempt to drive BO to an emotional outburst.

    Or it could turn into one of those Flintstones boxing matches where the fighters take turns clubbing each other over the head.

    But I’m betting on Barry skirting the subject, hinting at the large pale spectre of the former president’s involvement, and seeing a switch thrown in the Bellower’s psyche. High-toned fireworks ensue and–poof!–just like a manic Iowa scream, a campaign effectively comes to an end.

  6. #222834
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:16 am, ajmontana said:

    I expect the same old rants…I’m going to do this,blah blah blah BS. and dont forget “change”

  7. #222835
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:16 am, Boomer said:

    I would love nothing more than to see some bare knuckle politics for a change on the Democrat side. I have a feeling it is going to be another kumbaya love fest while the remaining 3 candidates tell us how they are going to give us nothing but spare change to live on once they and a Democrat lead Congress get a hold of our wallets.

  8. #222837
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:18 am, Tennessee Dave said:

    Let’s get ready to rumble!

    “Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen,” Bill Clinton said.

    I think this refers to the whole Democrat Party.
    Look at it this way:
    Bill – Fairy Godfather
    Hill – Wicked Witch
    Barack – Good Hunter
    Jimmy – Evil Stepfather.
    …and you could go on and on.

    What we don’t have is a prince and princess, but abound with alot of prima donnas.

  9. #222839
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:22 am, Milwaukee Mike said:

    I think I now understand why Edwards is still in the race.

  10. #222848
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:27 am, gayle said:

    We all know what Hillary’s response to this will be;

    “I have no control over what my husband says. He has his own opinions.”

    (yeah, she’d be right…no control.)

    Not her fault. How dare anyone imply otherwise.

  11. #222849
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:30 am, jungatheart said:

    I suspect Obama felt differently about Bill’s lies when Bill was President. Like every other Democrat, lies are okay when they serve them and bad when they don’t.

  12. #222853
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:32 am, madchef said:

    I’m thinking that this one may be a slugfest. Obambi’s lost momentum to the Shrill having lost the last 2 rounds, and every time the Beast backs him into a corner her tag team partner,Big Bubba hits him with a chair. Look for lots of ducking of Q’s while jabbering and dancing. This one may go 12 rounds.

  13. #222856
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:39 am, Dr. Lead Based Paint said:

    The Democrat “debate” will not feature any opportunity for Obama HUSSEIN to do any damage to the communist wife of the philanderer.

    Nothing that involves the Clintons happens by accident. Their plot (as usual) is a carefully scripted choreographed sham designed to accomplish specific objectives.

  14. #222861
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am, navywife91 said:

    I suspect Obama felt differently about Bill’s lies when Bill was President. Like every other Democrat, lies are okay when they serve them and bad when they don’t.

    I agree. These people have what my mom calls “selective memory”. I believe some Dems think that when they lie it’s ok because they are the ones who really care.

  15. #222863
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:44 am, mngirl said:

    I hope Obambi grew some gonads and comes out swinging tonite, instead of those wimpy kumbaya moments from the NBC debate.

    8 PM ET on CNN tonite

  16. #222865
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:45 am, navywife91 said:

    Look for lots of ducking of Q’s while jabbering and dancing.

    Isn’t that every debate? :)

    Everytime I think of the Dems last debate it makes me think of that Barney song my girls used to love:

    I love you
    You love me
    We’re a happy family
    With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you
    Won’t you say you love me too.

    AAAAGGGGHHHH!

  17. #222870
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:50 am, Marshall Russ said:

    Plenty of whining from both sides here. Bubba is boiling over with anger because this little upstart is sucking up all the oxygen in the room and the money that was supposed to go to his “third term”.

  18. #222873
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:52 am, ajmontana said:

    Holy Carp Navywife!
    It took me years to get that song out of my memory banks.thanks alot! ugh! :shock:

  19. #222874
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:54 am, brooklyn red said:

    Well maybe the spin will be; “They are BOTH victims of a vast right wing conspiracy to pit minorities against women”.

    And I wonder who they will blame?

  20. #222875
    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:55 am, WORK949 said:

    30 pieces of silver:

    I need a “vacation” from this stuff, too.

    Good one.

    The “debate” rhetoric is so very damned mind-numbing and inane (I guess it’s supposed to be that way for maximum effect) – Orwell got it right –

    “Four legs good, two legs bad”………..baahh-aah-aah-aah-aah

  21. #222880
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:02 am, navywife91 said:

    Sorry, aj!

    I have a feeling that I’ve doomed myself to humming it all. day. long. :(

    I just felt that Kumbaya didn’t do that debate justice. :)

  22. #222888
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am, DesertLover said:

    Billy Boy is all upset because someone is getting in the way of HIS 3rd term …

    Say what you will … if she gets elected he will in fact be the President again behind the scenes … anyone that doesn’t believe that has not been paying attention for all these years …

    That is the real reason she ran for the Senate after they left DC … the object was always to get him back in the White House …

    Has it not struck anyone else as odd that literally every president has left office and moved back to where he came from and lowered their profile … not these 2 … they immediately move to the highly liberal-Dem city of New York so they can take advantage of his still strong coattails to get her elected by the sheep there to be in position for this run at regaining power …

  23. #222894
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:20 am, Mister P said:

    Obama HUSSEIN

    Personally I prefer the Teddy Kennedy quote “Osama Obama” :-)

  24. #222895
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:24 am, Lan Astaslem said:

    Obambi:

    You know the former president, who I think all of us have a lot of regard for, has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that I think is pretty troubling

    BJ (turning mauve):

    You talkin’ to me?

    Obambi:

    He continues to make statements that are not supported by the facts — whether it’s about my record of opposition to the war in Iraq or our approach to organizing in Las Vegas.

    BJ (turning purple, veins pulsing):

    Hey! Mr. Fancy-pants fairy tale boy! You callin’ me a liar?!

    Obambi:

    This has become a habit, and one of the things that we’re going to have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he’s making statements that are not factually accurate

    BJ (full-on fushcia):

    You wanna piece of me? You wanna piece of me?!?! You…. gurgle… gak!!!!… ::head explodes::

    Who says fairy tales are better than real life? :-)

  25. #222896
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:24 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Work949,
    I mean I understand all the fervor but it’s everywhere. It helps if I picture myself on a beach (preferably in the Caribbean) sipping a Bahama Mama or something. :-)

  26. #222901
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:31 am, mike volpe said:

    I have always felt the trouble the Clinton’s have with Barack is that on policy there is little difference.

    Thus, it all comes down to style and personality. That is why he has become such a threat because he has a lot more of both of those things.

    Obama is a lot more vulnerable in the general election when his policy positions can be contrasted with the opponent, unlike now, when they are arguing over who’s health care plan is more socialized or who can get troops out of Iraq quicker. The Clintons frankly have little to attack Obama on because the Dem electorate isn’t buying the inexperience bit, one reason is because Hillary isn’t that much more experienced. It will be different in the general if he gets there.

    Here is how I analyzed Barack Obama.

  27. #222908
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:38 am, cwdancer said:

    Said it before, will say it again. If Obama keeps the heat on the Clintons at the level he is, he’d best stay out of small planes, parks, train tracks and get rid of all small handguns. The Clintons have already proved several times over they will stop at nothing to achieve the goal. If they can’t smear them badly enough, well…..

    Re-read “Bloodsport” – it’s just scary.

  28. #222912
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am, The Raging Republican said:

    Unless it’s moderated by a schoolmarm, tonight’s South Carolina/Congressional Black Caucus/CNN Democrat debate should be better than pay-per-view boxing.

    I think its a pretty safe bet that you will see some serious pandering tonight.

  29. #222916
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:51 am, gandolphxx said:

    As many have noted this morning, this seems to be all about ‘BJ’s third term’ – it would be fun to have him on the stage at the debate.

  30. #222921
    On January 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am, mngirl said:

    ….‘BJ’s third term’ – it would be fun to have him on the stage at the debate.

    Oh, one better, lets have a “spouse” debate; I suspect that Michelle Obama might wipe the floor with Billy Boy.

  31. #222934
    On January 21st, 2008 at 11:14 am, gollumclone said:

    Even if Hillary loses her cool, won’t that make her “more real” to the double standard feminazis and engender even more blindered loyalty? A uppity black pushed her buttons? You saw that some women are outraged because Oprah came out for Hussein Obambi instead of her Inevitableness. Worse case outcome Hillary= Chavez/Mugambe wreaking havoc on capitalism with her socialist it takes a village income redistribution BS. Of course the Clintons are doing more than ok since leaving WH.
    I do wonder what effect a Bill Clinton myocardial infarction brought on by Obama charges would have on the race? Even MORE sympathy for the witch?

  32. #222938
    On January 21st, 2008 at 11:17 am, Blind_Mule said:

    navywife91 said:

    I love you
    You love me
    We’re a happy family
    With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you
    Won’t you say you love me too.

    AAAAGGGGHHHH!

    Don’t ever do that to me again, I had flash back’s from BSS (Barney Stress Syndrome), I caught my self smothering a stuffed animal.:)

  33. #222946
    On January 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am, Blind_Mule said:

    This debate could be fun to watch, but I’m not sure I will. Let’s see if Bill respond’s. in …..1……2……3 Bwahahahaha. :)

  34. #222963
    On January 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am, corona said:

    Exactly – giving the pathetic state of boxing, a paint-drying competition would get more viewers.

  35. #222969
    On January 21st, 2008 at 11:52 am, Regulus said:

    On January 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am, navywife91 said:

    These people have what my mom calls “selective memory”. I believe some Dems think that when they lie it’s ok because they are the ones who really care.

    Well put as far as it goes; I’d tack on selective morality, situational ethics, optional regard for the truth and seeing laws as purely advisory as well.

    An arms-length relationship to logic, evidence, reason and even reality itself is the inevitable product of a belief system which believes that its “good intentions” justify any means.

  36. #222980
    On January 21st, 2008 at 12:02 pm, baldilocks said:

    Thanks for the link, Michelle, and I can see that the Schadenfraude is flowing freely. :-) Mine too.

  37. #222989
    On January 21st, 2008 at 12:07 pm, baldilocks said:

    Schadenfräude

  38. #223000
    On January 21st, 2008 at 12:19 pm, DBNinKY said:

    “Oh Oprah, where art thou?”

    I had such hopes that Obama would be our nation’s bulwark against Billary garnering a third term in the presidency, should the GOP err and nominate its least electable candidate (insert Huckabee’s name here), but after South Carolina, and with Hispanics coming out against him, I just don’t see any other states lining up behind him; in fact, I doubt he will even take Illinois.

    Unless Oprah and the Hollywood-than-thou folk break their reticence – and soon – the Obama wave will have been but a mere ripple in the Clintons’ otherwise smooth sail to receiving the Democrat nomination coronation.

    Now to be sure, I firmly believe Carl Rove is correct in stating that the Republican nominee can defeat the Clintons – after all, we’re right on health care, energy, the economy, immigration, and certainly security-military matters – but the question is will he?

    Will our nominee have the drive and fortitude it takes to win? Because remember, once Obama exits the campaign trail and Hillary becomes the Democrats’ official nominee, not only will our guy have the arduous task of taking on both Clintons, he will simultaneously be defending against a daily barrage of media attacks.

    The GOP has had the luxury of keeping Hillary tied up in battle with Obama for a good while now, but that time is coming to an end and soon the Clinton machine will be free to turn its full venom towards us!

    Thus, before Obama is routed from the nomination process, it is urgent the GOP coalesce around the single candidate who has best shown he has the fire in his belly to win against the Clintons – asap – while there is time to steel him against the oncoming storm of Clinton attack ads and introduce him to the public.

    But whether we take full advantage of this time of Hillary’s preoccupation to get behind our guy and properly bring him into public view or not, we must not abandon him to flail in the wind the way Oprah has done to her guy, Obama!

  39. #223194
    On January 21st, 2008 at 2:58 pm, navywife91 said:

    My appologies Blind mule and anyone else I’ve doomed to humming that annoying song for the remainder of the day/week.

    Please forgive me! :)

  40. #223211
    On January 21st, 2008 at 3:20 pm, AV8R said:

    Clearly a case of eruptile dysfunction.

  41. #223356
    On January 21st, 2008 at 5:47 pm, huggybear said:

    I suspect Obama felt differently about Bill’s lies when Bill was President. Like every other Democrat, lies are okay when they serve them and bad when they don’t.

    I suspect you are wrong. Clinton’s lies served no one but Clinton himself. Many, many Democrats feel the same, or they wouldn’t be supporting Obama [aka, Not Hillary].

  42. #223401
    On January 21st, 2008 at 6:54 pm, John Ansell said:

    “I did not fall asleep at the MLK Service, let me make it absolutely clear, I DID NOT FALL ASLEEP at that Service” Bill Clinton

    Later that Day Matt Drudge releases the video showing billy falling asleep.

    “I wasn’t asleep, I was resting my eyes. It depends on what your definition of sleep is.”

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