Bill keeps up Florida, Michigan talk

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 1:34 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
OWENSBORO, KY -- Bill Clinton continued his attacks on the Democratic Party for not seating delegates in Florida and Michigan, and accused Obama of violating an agreement by advertising in Florida via national cable television.

"Nobody quarrels with their right to discipline them," Clinton said at a rally at Kentucky Wesleyan University, his first of five stops in the state today. "They made a decision they did not have to make. And do you seriously believe, if the votes had been the other way, that they would have made the same decision?"

Bill Clinton said his wife followed the rules in Florida after the party said not to campaign or advertise there after the state moved its primary before Super Tuesday.

"Her opponent, now seeking to disembody Florida, buys national cable television and says 'Oh, I'm sorry it got into Florida, but I had to buy national cable television.'" Clinton said. "Nobody buys national television for any reason, there is no conceivable reason to do it other than to advertise. And I believe there was also some television in south Georgia."

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Comments

Bill Clinton said his wife followed the rules in Florida after the party said not to campaign or advertise there after the state moved its primary before Super Tuesday.

Buuuuut it's ok to break the rules when Hillary is behind to get the delegates seated, even though she signed a pledge? The hypocrisy is astounding, and you failed to mention it MSNBC.

Ridiculous (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:39 PM)

Oh, Bill...still trying blame it on Obama. I suggest we go by your campaign manager's rules when he was the DNC Chair-Fl and Mich count as half a vote. It's only fair isn't it?

BobW Mendon, NY (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:39 PM)

It's not the first time for you Bill, but democrats are ruining our reputation around the world. Now the UN's human rights investigator will visit the United States this month to probe racism.

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:39 PM)

So what exactly is the argument?

Listen, even though it was initially agreed that FL and MI would not count, we know think that it should. Everyone should wait, or "chill out," until the DNC rules and bylaws committee meets. But until then, this will be the only purpose and main talking point for why she should stay in the race.

Clinton, we are waiting already. They will be sat, leave it alone.

T (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:40 PM)

It's sad. This guy was once a highly respected leader and world figure. Now look at what he's become -- a hatchet man for his wife's political ambitions.

This is why Obama should not even begin to consider inviting the Clintons to share the ticket with him.

Howard, NYC (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

Bill Clinton = attack dog.

We were just saying how his wife (the candidate) was running more positive ads.

It makes me wonder more what I have thought all along...why does he seem to want to get into the White House real bad and just what role would he play under a HRC presidency? It always made me somewhat nervous. He seems to want it more than her, at times. Guilt?

Lisa in New Britain, CT Inspired by Obama! (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

Is anyone listening to Bill any more. My goodness can someone tell him to please leave the stage! I almost can't believe I voted for him twice

Ed, Renton WA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

Blah, Blah, Blah...this is SO tired!

Lemmy (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

Bill, you disingenuous ass!! The decision was made well before there were any numbers! In fact, at the time the decision was made, Hillary was "inevitible", and so you didn't give a rat's ass about Florida. Only when Hillary's strategic errors became apparent, did your campaign begin to worry about the DNC decision!

I voted for you twice, and defended you during Monica, now PLEASE GO AWAY!

Mark R., South Montrose, PA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

"And do you seriously believe, if the votes had been the other way, that they would have made the same decision?"

-------------------------------------------------

Go ask Harold Ickes. He works for your wife's campaign.

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

Bill Clinton is an utter embarassment to the Democratic Party. He's like uncle that no one wanted at the family reunion...but somehow he managed to shop up anyway.

Trin, Frederick, MD (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:41 PM)

Sad that at this point Hillary has more dignity on the trail than her husband, a former president has.

JPB, SLC, UT (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:42 PM)

President Clinton, how about following the rules your wife signed that FL and MI will not be seated. In addition, Harold Ickles, campaign manager, is a member of the rule committee who voted to strip the delegates of FL and MI. Terry McAullife, national chariman of the clinton campaign, also threaten to strip 50% of the delegates in MI when carl levin express the desire of MI to move up the primary. Terry states that "the rules are the rules." The rules of the DNC is to strip 50% of the delegates and assign any more penalities for not following the rules of when to hold primaries. Since you state the rules are important, you must follow them and agree to strip at least 50% of the delagates in MI and FL. Rules are rules as stated by Terry McAullife.

voter (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:42 PM)

Siiiiigh.........Bill, give it up. Obama has nothing to do with Fl not being counted.

ID, GA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:42 PM)

Looks like this guy did not get the memo that the primary season is over. We have moved on to the general election.

Get over it, Bill Clinton!

TheDonald (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:42 PM)

Sounds like the Clintons want Florida to vote against Obama. Hillary in 2012???

Chuck K, Buffalo, NY (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:43 PM)

Bill Clinton is becoming a disgrace (again) to the Democratic Party! Hillary is running positive ads in Kentucky and Oregon to convince them to vote for her while Bill Clinton is "arrogantly and dishonestly" accusing Obama of "disemboding Florida"?!?!

Why does Bill Clinton not just accuse the DNC of "disemboding Florida"? It would be truthful, but I was must be crazy to think that Bill Clinton is capable of telling the truth.

AJ, IL (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:43 PM)

Before anybody switches to McCain ...

McCain divorced his first wife on her proverbial sickbed (a la the GOP's Hypocrite in Chief, the despicable Newt Gingrich). What kind of supposed war hero divorces the woman who waited for him to return from the war, and concealed her own life-threatening car crash injuries for his benefit? McCain married his current millionaire heiress beer-distributor wife, 17 years his junior, one month after dumping Carol Shepp McCain, who, as Sen. McCain so gallantly put it, "was on crutches and had gained quite a bit of weight."

"In his book, The Nightingale's Song, Robert Timberg chronicled McCain's post-Vietnam military assignments and some of his "adulterous" behavior leading to his divorce from Carol and marriage to Cindy Hensley. "

"While Executive Officer and later as Squadron Commander McCain used his authority to arrange frequent flights that allowed him to carouse with subordinates and "engage in extra-marital affairs." Such behavior was a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice rules against adultery and fraternization with subordinates... "

You can read the whole sad story here.

http://www.usvetdsp.com/mcaindiv.htm

I don't know how any woman could vote for this two timer and still look in the mirror every morning.

This time, instead of voting against abortion and gay marriage, and for prayer and guns (these issues will never go away) -- vote for your wallet , vote for the economy, vote for the environment, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:44 PM)

Bill, I live in Montana.
If you think it would help, I can go door to door and lie to people in person. You know, incase this mass lying thing you're doing isn't panning out like you'd like.
I suspect it isn't.
Still, I'm sure you can count on patty,sd,ca's vote.
She's so crazy.

Obama '08

Jay, The Batcave (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:44 PM)

HI
Bill starting to be out of touch i guess hope HRC will tell him to stop and he is actually harting him sellf and the Clintons if you well more than any one else!!!

souzan, alexanria, va (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:44 PM)

What could possibly be the point to this line of campaigning? It is not Obama, it is us; American citizens whose states decided to play by the rules and hold contests on or after February 5th. We are the 48 states who should decide this election. 48 states full of democrats and voters who cannot be accused of illegally affecting the national race.

Hussein (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:44 PM)

Feh. Theres plenty of proof that Clinton camp indirectly campaigned in Florida too. This argument is moot.

Matt, Idaho (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:45 PM)

Supers need to put an end to this. Bill is intentionally trashing him so that he loses in the fall.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:45 PM)

I'm sorry, why is he still talking?

Nicky, New York, NY (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:45 PM)

Would this be the same agreement that the Clinton's want to violate by now seating Fl and MI??!!

Don't get me wrong, I too want to see FL and MI represented, but I also want the party rules to have some teeth, so we don't have all states hold primarys on Jan. 5th in a senseless effort to be "first".

Meanwhile, good ol Bill is back to stirring an empty pot...

Tony, GA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:46 PM)

Bill, get over it. Obama's the man! Party's over, the party's his.

bill, okla (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:46 PM)

The only Democrat to still publicly critic the nominee.....This is realy sad to see BILLY

IRL, PHILLY,PA. (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:46 PM)

Give up Bill. No one is listening to you or HRC. Time to face the music.

franki, wash, dc (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:47 PM)

Senator Obama ASKED the DNC before he bought the national ad, and was given permission by the DNC to run it. There was minimal spillover into FL.

Obama played by the rules, and now someone wants to change the rules to affect the outcome?

Not this time.

This time, instead of voting against abortion and gay marriage, and for prayer and guns (these issues will never go away) -- vote for your wallet , vote for the economy, vote for the environment, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:47 PM)

As another blogger recently stated:

Bill Clinton. The gift that keeps on giving.

Sorry Bill, but Bush is going to take over your spot once Obama has been named the nominee. You have undoubtably hurt whatever legacy you had in mind during this campaign with all your silly statements. I sure hope this makes things right for you with Hillary for the whole Monica deal because you've definitely gone overboard. That WAS the agreement, wasn't it? I'll stay if you help me campaign. As strong as she is, you'd think she'd unload you now once her campaign is over. Can't believe I actually defended you once.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:47 PM)

Why would someone advertise on national cable television? Because they were advertising for SUPER *freakin* TUESDAY! It is cheaper to do a national buy, than to buy in the 40+ media markets in those Super Tuesday states separately. And, I believe, Obama asked for (and received) permission from the DNC to do so PRIOR to making those buys. Hmmm, odd consept, eh? Ask for permission?

The Dead Guy (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:47 PM)

GRASPING AT STRAWS!
It is over Bill.Obama will be our next president..face the facts.But by all means drag the party down with your sinking ship...

How we have survived the current administration is beyond me! Oh yea that's right, over 4000 of our citizens HAVEN'T survived this administration!!!

PLEASE somebody tell Bush that he isn't welcome back here in Texas after Barack takes office! Maybe Bush and our pitiful Texas governor Perry can get a nice place together somewhere in Iraq...they can "stay the course" there after Obama sends our families HOME!

kristy,TX (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:49 PM)

It won't be soon enough that I don't see or hear the continued self-embarrassment by a person who was a pretty decent president. He should go sell insurance or something.

Michael Chicago (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:49 PM)

Hey Bill, if Florida was in Obama's favor, would yoou and Hillary give a rat's hiney about counting their vote? Thought not. No one is buying the BS you are selling anymore.

cmac, la, ca (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:49 PM)

Mr. Clinton,

I understand that you want to return to the White House and be the Associate President along with Mrs. Clinton. I also understand that you have this really odd idea in your head that MI and FL will allow that to happen.

Sir, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it just can't happen. Sir, in order for you to win this election you will have to devise a scheme to steal it.

I know that idea is not beyond your capabilities, and likely surprise no one if you were to do it, but please don't.

Just let it go sir, you have had your time. Just walk away.

http://www.politivine.com

Cory (SC) (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:49 PM)

Maybe you buy national television advertisement if you can afford it and if it will pay off even during a primary season because you expect to be the nominee and it's kind of a national campaign.

It would also seem to be a sensible economic choice because as you go into a "Super Tuesday" you have cable and satellite bringing it even to the most remote location, say in Alaska or Idaho.

I'm so tired of the whining about being outspent. So raise some money or use what you have and get over it. It seems to me in this case it's not like the Obamas have put in miliions of their own money like Romney so there doesn't seem to be an unfair advantage if you just have loyal supporters. We didn't hear this whining from candidates running against Ron Paul.

Mary OZ, San Antonio, TX (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:50 PM)

Cray baby cry

lino (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:50 PM)

This guy is PATHETIC; apparently he really cares about uniting the party--That's why he LIES to the voters of MI and FL. Once again you disgraceful excuse for an ex-president: Senator Obama DID NOT take away the delegates--the DNC did!!!

He's still lying to the American people!!! (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:51 PM)

Too little too late Bubba. You are not going to get your third term, or get to erase the historical summary of you as the President who thought with a body part other than his brain.

Bob from VA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:51 PM)

YAWN!!!! Can someone please tell Bill Clinton to stop flogging a dead horse. Enough already. It is up to the DNC and the people in Florida and Michigan. It is not for him, Hillary, Obama, or anyone else to decide.

We all know that Bill and Hillary are desperate for those votes so what's new?????

Oscar, Rio Vista CA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:51 PM)

If the media market in georgia spills in to Florida, does that mean that you can't adverise in georgia, how do you handicap someone for doing what they legally have the right to do. please explain this Bill.

fred dozier (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:51 PM)

slick,,,,do you really think anyone is still listening to your "good ol boy act"give it up bubba,You need to creep back to D,C and lobby for trade agreements with columbia,and fill your pockets, again I know it's been a tough couple of months

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

Shut up Clinton
Still trying to divide the party huh?
Go back to Arkansas
You are a self serving politician

Ron Seattle (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

Bill, Bill, Billy........a little revisionist history, no?

Gotta love him. I hope he works just as hard for Obama when the target is Grandpa McFart.

Joy for Obama, Virginia (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

Bill SHUT UP!! Quit it! Didn't you see what Bush just did?? We need you out there hitting him back. Stop this divisive crap already!

matthew, newark nj (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

Can someone please shut Bill ( I screwed my legacy up) Clinton.. It is apparent that Hillary didn't forward the memo to him or that he just ignored the memo and decided to work on his own agenda.. He has become a circus town attraction for these small towns that have never seen a celebrity (lol)..

Todd, NC (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

My question is, did she or didn't she sign an agreement stating that FL & MI wouldn't count? 4th and ten at the 50 yard line and they're asking for a fifth down? Way to change the rules Bill.

Nate, Lacey, WA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

Hillary was in the state of Florida during their election, campaigning. Barack Obama was not in the state, not campaigning.

N.E. BodybutHillary (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:52 PM)

Thanks for fighting for us Bill.

My friends and I will show up at any Obama rally and turn our backs when he is speaking.

Howard, FL (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:53 PM)

Well, seeing as how Obama's "national television" ads probably helped him win some of these other states, maybe Sen. Clinton should have made a buy...oh wait, she was too busy having a non-victory victory rally in Florida.

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 1:53 PM)

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