Obama and Clinton fundraiser.

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**AustonT**

Remember when things were good and right in the world and Bill was as critical of Barack as the rest of us? Well, fine I do at least. Apparently Bill has been asked to do 3 fund raisers for Barry so far.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/04/us-usa-campaign-obama-clinton-idUSBRE85316520120604

President Barack Obama enlisted Bill Clinton to campaign alongside him in New York on Monday, tapping the popular ex-president's star power to rake in re-election funds from wealthy Wall Street investors and Broadway show-business elite.

The two men teamed up for the first time since Clinton put Obama's campaign on the defensive last week when he became the most prominent Democrat to disavow their attacks on Republican challenger Mitt Romney's record as a private equity executive.

But there was no sign of discord as Obama and Clinton put up a show of unity in New York, kicking off a night of fundraising that included a dinner with big-money donors, a gala at the ritzy Waldorf Astoria hotel and a star-studded "Barack on Broadway" concert. The events raised more than $3.5 million.

Clinton, white-haired and slimmed down from his White House years, told a reception hosted by billionaire hedge fund manager Marc Lasry that Obama must "win this election and win it unambiguously."

"The alternative would be, in my opinion, calamitous for our country and the world," Clinton said as the two presidents stood shoulder to shoulder in a living room of a luxury home in a swank Upper East Side neighborhood.

Obama and Clinton have had a sometimes strained relationship since the former Illinois senator beat the former president's wife Hillary Clinton, now secretary of state, in a bitter race for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

But Clinton remains a figure deeply admired by most Democrats, and Obama's aides believe his support could be pivotal for pulling in campaign money and selling independent voters on the president's economic plans.

Clinton oversaw one of the most prosperous economic times in recent U.S. history and was the last president to balance the federal budget, something Democrats are keen to remind Americans of before the November 6 election.

At Lasry's luxurious Manhattan home, where diners paid $40,000 a plate, Clinton accused Romney of wanting to pursue "wrong-headed" economic policies and linked the Republican's focus on budget austerity to crisis-hit Europe.

Obama reminded the well-heeled audience that Clinton had presided over "one of the greatest booms that we've seen ... Everybody did well."

He avoided some of the anti-business rhetoric that his campaign has used recently, casting himself as a friend of free enterprise, but asserted that Republicans had adopted a policy of market "absolutism."

Obama, neck-and-neck with Romney in the polls, could use all the help he can muster after dismal jobs numbers last Friday underscored the weakness of the economy and the challenge he faces as he tries to convince voters to give him a second term. The U.S. jobless rate ticked up to 8.2 percent in May.

Clinton's fundraising prowess is also seen as more important than ever as Obama's advisers grow increasingly concerned that his campaign-money advantage as sitting president could be undercut by outside conservative groups spending big to attack his record.

Romney was scheduled at a private fundraiser in Portland, Oregon, before heading to raise money in Seattle, Washington. Both states are widely seen as sure wins for Obama in the November election.

CLINTON OFF-MESSAGE?

What the White House may not have counted on from Clinton was his habit of speaking his mind - even when that means going off-message from the Obama campaign.

Clinton, in a CNN interview last week, praised Romney for a "sterling business career" and expressed misgivings about the Obama campaign's strategy of attacking his role at Bain Capital where he made his fortune.

Several other Democratic politicians have also raised questions whether the Bain-related broadsides against Romney backfire with voters by coming across as anti-free enterprise.

In the CNN interview, Clinton - the last Democrat to serve two terms - made clear, however, his belief that Obama was best-suited to the presidency and predicted he would win re-election.

Romney has staked his claim to the presidency by playing up his experience at Bain. But Obama's aides have sought to cast his business record as that of a job-cutting corporate raider and have recently broadened their criticism to his time as Massachusetts governor.

Obama has angered some corporate executives with what they see as anti-business rhetoric, but that has not deterred him from courting Wall Street for campaign contributions.

Their next stop was rally of about 500 supporters at the Waldorf Astoria where Jon Bon Jovi was due to perform, with ticket prices starting at $2,500.

And their evening in New York was set to end with Obama and Clinton onstage at a $250-a-seat concert fundraiser at the 1,700-seat New Amsterdam Theatre, home of Disney's "Mary Poppins."

Obama and Clinton were due to appear together with a number of Broadway stars, including James Earl Jones, Stockard Channing, Patti LuPone, Angela Lansbury, Mandy Patinkin and Neil Patrick Harris.

Republicans have mocked Obama for his cozy ties with the show-business set. He will fly to Los Angeles for a fundraising dinner with gay and lesbian supporters later this week and will return to New York on June 14 to headline an event hosted by "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker.

It was Obama's second time sharing the fundraising spotlight with Clinton during the 2012 campaign. The two teamed up in April for an appearance in McLean, Virginia, where they raised more than $2 million.

**Ouze**

Shrug, Bill's a good fundraiser and a pragmatic guy. You can not particularly like the coach but still be a team player right?

**AustonT**

Ouze wrote:Shrug, Bill's a good fundraiser and a pragmatic guy. You can not particularly like the coach but still be a team player right?

I actually liked it when he challenged Barry inside the party, he probably still does behind closed doors. I like Bill a great deal more than I ever did Barry. He's like the Babe Ruth of politics.

Called that gak at 16.

**streamdragon**

To be fair, if term limits were removed I'm sure ole Bill would be elected again pretty quickly.

**biccat**

AustonT wrote:Remember when things were good and right in the world and Bill was as critical of Barack as the rest of us? Well, fine I do at least. Apparently Bill has been asked to do 3 fund raisers for Barry so far.

Meh, who cares? It's a Democrat being duplicitous. Only Republicans are held to account for their principles.

I do find it funny how Republican presidents step into the background after they're out of office, yet Democrat presidents keep trying to push themselves into the limelight.

streamdragon wrote:To be fair, if term limits were removed I'm sure ole Bill would be elected again pretty quickly.

Pretty unlikely.

**MeanGreenStompa**

biccat wrote:I am unable to say anything positive about anyone or anything that is not in the republican party, such is my partisan bias and inability to see further than the end of my own nose.

**biccat**

MeanGreenStompa wrote:
biccat wrote:I am unable to say anything positive about anyone or anything that is not in the republican party, such is my partisan bias and inability to see further than the end of my own nose.

Frankly, I don't care about Clinton supporting Obama. It's sort of the thing you expect him to do.

That doesn't change the fact that Clinton is a lying POS. Possibly a rapist.

Plus, I've got an image to maintain. I say bad things about Democrats, Frazzled talks about weiner dogs, BrassScorpion links to Bill Maher every week, and M...I'll stop before I get myself in trouble.

**Frazzled**

streamdragon wrote:To be fair, if term limits were removed I'm sure ole Bill would be elected again pretty quickly.

He wouldn't make it past the primary. His wife (and he) didn't in the last go round. We don't tolerate no moderates.

**MeanGreenStompa**

biccat wrote:
MeanGreenStompa wrote:
biccat wrote:I am unable to say anything positive about anyone or anything that is not in the republican party, such is my partisan bias and inability to see further than the end of my own nose.

Frankly, I don't care about Clinton supporting Obama. It's sort of the thing you expect him to do.

That doesn't change the fact that Clinton is a lying POS. Possibly a rapist.

Plus, I've got an image to maintain. I say bad things about Democrats, Frazzled talks about weiner dogs, BrassScorpion links to Bill Maher every week, and M...I'll stop before I get myself in trouble.

Someone should mail you more tinfoil, you're in need of a bigger hat.

**streamdragon**

Frazzled wrote:
streamdragon wrote:To be fair, if term limits were removed I'm sure ole Bill would be elected again pretty quickly.

He wouldn't make it past the primary. His wife (and he) didn't in the last go round. We don't tolerate no moderates.

Wait wait wait... did Frazz just admit to being a Democrat??

**biccat**

MeanGreenStompa wrote:Someone should mail you more tinfoil, you're in need of a bigger hat.

We're down to personal insults now? I'd expected to get to at least page 2.

**MeanGreenStompa**

biccat wrote:
MeanGreenStompa wrote:Someone should mail you more tinfoil, you're in need of a bigger hat.

We're down to personal insults now? I'd expected to get to at least page 2.

The Clinton rape allegations by Broadwick were even dismissed by Fox News as bogus, turning a spurned affair of 20 years prior into a rape allegation to settle an old score.

Also, passive aggressive more old son.

**biccat**

MeanGreenStompa wrote:The Clinton rape allegations by Broadwick were even dismissed by Fox News as bogus, turning a spurned affair of 20 years prior into a rape allegation to settle an old score.

Everyone keeps telling me that Fox News lies and shouldn't be trusted as a source. In the interest of fair play, I'll accede to that request.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:Also, passive aggressive more old son.

I'm not even sure you know what you're typing at this point.

**MeanGreenStompa**

biccat wrote:
MeanGreenStompa wrote:The Clinton rape allegations by Broadwick were even dismissed by Fox News as bogus, turning a spurned affair of 20 years prior into a rape allegation to settle an old score.

Everyone keeps telling me that Fox News lies and shouldn't be trusted as a source. In the interest of fair play, I'll accede to that request.

I'll hold you to that...

biccat wrote:

MeanGreenStompa wrote:Also, passive aggressive more old son.

I'm not even sure you know what you're typing at this point.

Your lack of surety is, given your posting history, entirely understandable.

**biccat**

MeanGreenStompa wrote:Your lack of surety is, given your posting history, entirely understandable.

Your commentary in this thread is not.

Is it fething non sequitur day or something? Did I miss a memo?

**Ouze**

biccat wrote:I do find it funny how Republican presidents step into the background after they're out of office, yet Democrat presidents keep trying to push themselves into the limelight.

Do you really actually believe that? I find it hard to believe you really believe that. I mean, sure, you could do a google search, but do you need to? It would have to show such blinding ignorance to pretend that was true.

**Frazzled**

Ouze wrote:
biccat wrote:I do find it funny how Republican presidents step into the background after they're out of office, yet Democrat presidents keep trying to push themselves into the limelight.

Do you really actually believe that? I find it hard to believe you really believe that. I mean, sure, you could do a google search, but do you need to? It would have to show such blinding ignorance to pretend that was true.

Other than charity events the Bush's are never heard from. Reagan had medical issues and was in the running with TBone for oldest mammal on the planet. Same to same for Ford. Nixon was busy rehabilitating his image. Eisenhower. He retired being one of the Greatest of the Greatest Generation.

**Ahtman**

Let's not forget all the work Bush I and Clinton did together. Hell, they have a fund named after them.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Frazzled wrote:Other than charity events the Bush's are never heard from.

Bush I did help a bit with Bush II's campaign. Outside of him there weren't really any Republican ex-presidents that could help out. Same with Obama and Clinton. I guess there is Carter but nobody wants him anywhere near anything.

**biccat**

Ouze wrote:
biccat wrote:I do find it funny how Republican presidents step into the background after they're out of office, yet Democrat presidents keep trying to push themselves into the limelight.

Do you really actually believe that? I find it hard to believe you really believe that. I mean, sure, you could do a google search, but do you need to? It would have to show such blinding ignorance to pretend that was true.

If Clinton were only endorsing Obama, you might have a point. But he's not, so you don't.

I'll give you Ford. He sent some money to and had dinner with a no-name candidate in northeast Pennsylvania in the '80s. Nice catch.

**Ouze**

Well, I'm not saying that they shouldn't be active after the presidency. I would suggest they not criticize the sitting president while in office - that's just a classless thing to do, and I respect W for his policy on this.

My point was that no reasonable person who is even passingly familiar with modern politics could seriously believe that what was posted was actually true.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Is the metric for "stepping into the shadows" non-inclusive of endorsements? I'd argue that's moving the goalposts but even so I'm confident I can find examples of former Republican presidents actively campaigning on behalf of someone else.

But I'm going to bed now and will revisit this when I get to work.

**Frazzled**

Historically former Presidents did not actively campaign. they might endorse the next contender from their party (often), and might even campaign with them in the main event (less common) but they usually refrained from commenting on actions of presidents that followed them, especially while those later Presidents in power. Carter was the first in my memory that did this. Clinto did for a awhile but stopped.

**Ouze**

Well, no matter who does it, it's the douche thing to do. The only real thing the President has the power to do, outside of wars, is be America's cheerleader; and being crapped on publicly by a former head cheerleader tarnishes the office and by extension, the country.

**Frazzled**

Agreed.

Outside of charity events, and writing their memoirs, they should shut up.

Except for Teddy of course, who should have just stuck to wrestling rhinos and defeating the molemen. Can't keep the Tedster quiet.

**ShumaGorath**

biccat wrote:
AustonT wrote:Remember when things were good and right in the world and Bill was as critical of Barack as the rest of us? Well, fine I do at least. Apparently Bill has been asked to do 3 fund raisers for Barry so far.

Meh, who cares? It's a Democrat being duplicitous. Only Republicans are held to account for their principles.

I do find it funny how Republican presidents step into the background after they're out of office, yet Democrat presidents keep trying to push themselves into the limelight.

Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms. Hell, Raegans now had more say in modern political elections then he ever did while he was alive. How's that gak classier than this?

**Frazzled**

ShumaGorath wrote:Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms.

What nonsense are you talking about? When?

**biccat**

It's true, I kicked over a rock at lunch. All of a sudden BAM! A thousand points of light.

I was able to fend him off with a piece of broccoli.

**ShumaGorath**

Frazzled wrote:
ShumaGorath wrote:Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms.

What nonsense are you talking about? When?

When what?

**AustonT**

Frazzled wrote:
streamdragon wrote:To be fair, if term limits were removed I'm sure ole Bill would be elected again pretty quickly.

He wouldn't make it past the primary. His wife (and he) didn't in the last go round. We don't tolerate no moderates.

I think you underestimate Bill Frazz. I actually agree that term limits aside Clinton could probably be elected back into office. Hillary may bear his name but she is not the man herself, he has a unique charisma that voters love. TBH I'm a little suprised he never turned around and ran to be a Senator. Granted he doesn't have to but he reminds me a lot of Cicero. He could ruminate to the Senate about how awesome it was when he was Consul...er President. Anyway, I don't think the days of moderates in either party are over.

Ouze wrote:
biccat wrote:I do find it funny how Republican presidents step into the background after they're out of office, yet Democrat presidents keep trying to push themselves into the limelight.

Do you really actually believe that? I find it hard to believe you really believe that. I mean, sure, you could do a google search, but do you need to? It would have to show such blinding ignorance to pretend that was true.

Erm, step into the background is a pretty fair description of what most presidents including Bill have done. Yes he is helping out Obama, which to me is really a sign of how desperate the DNC sees the coming election as. Nixon may have been in the background but he was supposedly a close adviser to Clinton, and I guess they became friends. IIRC Clinton gave a eulogy at Nixon's funeral. I think there is a difference between stepping back and disappearing. These are still influential, powerful men; accustomed to power and recognition. They don't just disappear; none of them. And Bill basically became a celebrity AND a politician before he even left office.

**Frazzled**

biccat wrote:It's true, I kicked over a rock at lunch. All of a sudden BAM! A thousand points of light.

I was able to fend him off with a piece of broccoli.

Did any secret service agents dive on the broccoli to protect him?
"I'm the President of the United States. I don't have to eat broccoli."

Automatically Appended Next Post:

ShumaGorath wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
ShumaGorath wrote:Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms.

What nonsense are you talking about? When?

When what?

Wow you can't figure you own post from a few minutes ago? I'll refresh your recollection. You typed:

ShumaGorath wrote:Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms.

**ShumaGorath**

Frazzled wrote:
biccat wrote:It's true, I kicked over a rock at lunch. All of a sudden BAM! A thousand points of light.

I was able to fend him off with a piece of broccoli.

Did any secret service agents dive on the broccoli to protect him?
"I'm the President of the United States. I don't have to eat broccoli."

Automatically Appended Next Post:

ShumaGorath wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
ShumaGorath wrote:Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms.

What nonsense are you talking about? When?

When what?

Wow you can't figure you own post from a few minutes ago? I'll refresh your recollection. You typed:

ShumaGorath wrote:Bush Sr is all over the place, you can't turn over a rock without finding him there. Where do you get gak like this? There aren't a lot of living republican presidents to speak up these days, Bush .Jr certain won't since he's still considered toxic by his own party, but it's not like the republican ex presidents are comparatively quiet wen they're given platforms.

I implied several things in that post frazzled. Pick one, don't just throw out incomplete sentences and act indignant. You're a grown up, use big boy words. Do better.