Bill: 'I’m pretty chilled out'
Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:17 AM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Bill Clinton said this morning that it was "maybe inevitable" that he'd become the center of attention in the Democratic race.
Clinton visited the capital city's famous Lizard's Thicket, starting a tour of the Palmetto State leading up to Saturday's Democratic primary. Taking questions after making the rounds to greet patrons, Clinton was asked about becoming a focal point.
"I thought it was maybe inevitable," he said. "But I think that there was nothing specific said that I said which was inaccurate. I try to be very careful what I say and not use too many adjectives."
He also defended his role in his wife's campaign. "I'm a good surrogate for her because, except for Chelsea, [I] know her better than anyone else personally," he said.
Asked if he felt like Obama was running against him, he responded, "I thought he was running against me in Nevada for a while when he said Republicans had most of the new ideas, challenged the conventional wisdom of the '90s. I thought we challenged the conventional wisdom of the '90s."
Clinton repeated his statement that there's "not a nickel's worth of difference" in Obama's and Clinton's voting record on Iraq, and said that Obama didn’t dispute it when Hillary recalled his '04 statement that he agreed with Bush on Iraq.
"But this is all just politics," he said. "John Edwards was right when he said that ... voters want to hear the issues."
Asked about Rep. Jim Clyburn's saying he needs to chill out, Clinton said: "I'm pretty chilled out," adding the his impression after talking to Clyburn was that he heard only one side of the story.
Clinton's party ordered two omelets, pancakes and some grits. Clinton had a veggie omelet. "He's eating healthy," said John Isenhower, general manager of the restaurant. They left a $30 tip on a $40 tab.
