Bill & Barack: Smoking Buddies?
EmailFROM GUEST-BLOGGER RICK KLEIN, from ABC’s The Note.
Bill Clinton and Barack Obama came down on different sides of the 1996 federal welfare-reform bill — and, of course, of a certain presidential primary 12 years later.
But maybe they have more in common than they realize.
Looking at old transcripts of debate in the Illinois state senate, a colleague turns up this nugget in the midst of a speech by state senator Barack Obama — a speech where Obama said he “probably would not have supported the federal [welfare] legislation” signed by President Clinton.
“I was outside late at night. I confess I was smoking a cigar; my wife doesn’t let smoke inside,” Obama said.
Obama has quit his cigarette habit. But might stogies be on the menu when 42 and the would-be 44 break bread?
– Rick Klein
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
If Obama is smart he will not let him into his champaign…..
Posted by: i | July 1, 2008, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
I think that the true earning ticket it is Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. His help is going to make sparks.
Posted by: Allain Jules | July 1, 2008, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
i: I agree with you, I also agree with Clark about his comment on McCain. Go Clark, someone needed to say it. Just because he is a war POW does not qualify him to be president or someone who will protect us from another attack. I am sick of that also, here we go again….tell November we are going to be under attack and in the orange. Lies and Fear games. I will never vote for McCain, I will take my chances on Obama on day one to protect the US and its boarders.
Posted by: becky | July 1, 2008, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
The way the McCain campaign has handled this Clark issue is very telling. The fact that the campaign, knowing that clearly Clark is speaking for himself, is willing to waste 2 days (and counting)discussing this issue, having conference call after conference call,a nd surrogates after surrogates on TV hows, beating this issue to death while their candidate is on a so-called very “important” foreign trip, tells me that this campaign is desperate. They are desperate and incompetent, and are clearly not willing to campaign on the issues. They are desperately lookign for traction, and their desperation is so evident, it seeps through the very pores of the skin of this campaign.
Posted by: Kevin | July 1, 2008, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
becky, at least you stated that correctly… with Obama you certainly are “taking your chances”. He’s weak and inexperienced. And the despots of the world are salivating for him to be POTUS. Think about it.
Posted by: HoosierSue | July 1, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
As OldMan pointed out many blogs ago: Obama is in it to win. Because he needs the centrists, he has to pull away from the hard left wingers he courted in the primary fights and embrace the very people he was fighting: the Clintonistas.
I give him credit for political realism.
It’s an object lesson in mainstream politics for the kids who were suckered into the “Movement” hype. Hopefully they are starting to understand why change is so hard to come by.
Colonel Hugh Pickering: Have you NO morals, man?
Alfred P. Doolittle: Nah. Nah, can’t afford ‘em, guv’nor. Neither could you, if you was as poor as me.
Posted by: len | July 1, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
BECKY
have to agree i wonder what color we will be in sept or oct probably orange so looking foward to the bin laden tapes to start in the fall remember that will help john mccain win ANOTHER TERRIOSIT ATTACK nothing like using the fear card bush 2004 all over again!!!
Posted by: ANGIE | July 1, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
I give BHO one point for being a cigar smoker. The score is not -1324 to +1. See how open-minded I am!
Posted by: S | July 1, 2008, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
if bill and hill are smart they will stay away from that looser
Posted by: JR | July 1, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
And the despots of the world are salivating for him to be POTUS. Think about it.
Posted by: HoosierSue | Jul 1, 2008 2:51:26 PM
HoosierSue – Ok, we give up. Please share your insider knowledge into exactly why you think any – name any example of your choice – “despot” would salivate for BHO to be President.
We’re waiting.
Posted by: Al | July 1, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
AI I will answer for you Any of our enemies, since they will be able to walk all over us again!! like under Carter!!
Posted by: spock | July 1, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
If you have a Brain dont vote for John McCain!!
OBAMA 08′
Posted by: Matt G | July 1, 2008, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
John McCain = Bush 3RD Term
Barrack Obama = President of the United States in 2009
The choice is Clear!
OBAMA 08′
Posted by: Matt.G | July 1, 2008, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Does Obama hollow out his cigars?
Posted by: geevill | July 1, 2008, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
HoosierSue
Not to mention those of us who are voting for him.
Posted by: roxanne | July 1, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
Funny – People want to take chances on Obama to protect us, knowing well that McCain will be able to protect us!!
I do not like taking chances with our children’s lives, this is not American Idol.
Clark questions McCains experience, well at least McCain has experience to question, Obama has NONE what so ever!!
Obama spoke at terrorist rallies, His wife set up rallies for a terrorist to speak at, what else do we need to know.
Obama is bad for the country!!
You people do not get it Osama releases those tapes to get people to vote lib not Republican, see in Spain they attacked and the people cowardly vote in the libs.
There is a lot to fear out there!!
So lets stop playing the race card and get real answers to real solutions!!
I would prefer another Pres. bush, this way I know we will be safer, But McCain will do even though he is far from Pres. Bush!!
Pres. Bush solved the terrorist problem according to you libs so thank him, since you think there is nothing to fear anymore!!
Posted by: spock | July 1, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
John McCain = George W.Bush
Would you want another 4 years of these 2?
The choice is Clear!
OBAMA 08′
Posted by: Matt.G | July 1, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
matt you go vote for Obama in 09!!
Obama = Carter 2nd term = 10$ a gallon gas – starvation = rationing = Gore becoming rich = 1 billion dead = say good bye
Posted by: spock | July 1, 2008, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
John McCain’s Camp is scared of Bill Clinton, i would too if i was a Republican this year.
Bad Year for Republicans.
Bad Year for Gearge W.Bush
Bad Year for John McSame
Posted by: Matt.G | July 1, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
If Obama is smart he will not let him into his champaign…..
Posted by: i | Jul 1, 2008 2:34:51 PM
——————————–
Well he is not smart. OBama looked stupid next to Hillary last Friday she had to SPLAIN things to him. Obama will look even worse next to Bill. It actually doesn’t take much to make him look stupid. He flips himself stupid every day! HE NEEDS SERIOUS HELP.
Posted by: HP Boston | July 1, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
‘Obama said he “probably would not have supported the federal [welfare] legislation” signed by President Clinton’.
There goes his favorite word again: probably. No wonder his favorite voting stance is: present.
Posted by: rw | July 1, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
BO is a smart phony, who only fools fools.
Posted by: Boneheaded, from Chicago | July 1, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
Boneheaded, from Chicago
Indeed! You really can fool some of the people all of the time!
Posted by: S | July 1, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
I cannot believe ABC missed a chance to slam Al Gore on this. Obama + Clinton + Cigars = Tobacco. Al Gore’s Daddy used to grow tobacco on the farm in Tennessee. It is about as relevant a connection to 2008 as mentioning Al Gore in connection with revelations that key McCain campaign adviser once lobbied for Occidental Petroleum. Oh, I’m sorry, the blog post did not mention that key McCain aides also lobbied for tobacco interests as well as oil.
Posted by: Ricky | July 1, 2008, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
He still smokes. No wonder he wants national healthcare. Loser…
Posted by: Irish Gal | July 1, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
becky
check on records of when mccain was prisoner of war—-and what two of his fellow captives faced upon release—–mccain is a false hero.–we need more people doing research on the truth….you will be shocked
Posted by: rodney | July 1, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
hey spock
you need to do some thorough research on nccain experience—-has a few good north vietnemese buddys.
Posted by: rodney | July 1, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
you wait and see….its just a matter of time before obama reverses his stance on a policy/plan that will affect YOU
Posted by: chris | July 2, 2008, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
Matt G.
I ahree. The choice is clear – cowboy George is mere respectfull then coward borok.
Posted by: from boston | July 2, 2008, 10:50 pm 10:50 pm
i find this stuff kind of funny. mccain isn’t very right wing and obama is even less left wing. try comparing your country to others (ie stop being so self-centered) and you’ll see where the us really stands.
you guys are going on and on about ‘who will protect the nation from our enemies’ but whoever is sitting in the president’s office isn’t going to make that difference, like if there is another major terrorist attack or not. the president might be different but the structure/system in place is more or less the same.
please start thinking about real issues. like who is more willing to make the US more proactive in sending aid to people who are actually in need all over the world (and in the states too i guess) and solving conflicts.
Posted by: ianism | July 6, 2008, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm