Posts with the tag 'Bill Clinton'
Not at all surprising:
As Chinese authorities have clamped down on unrest in Tibet and jailed dissidents in advance of the 2008 Olympics, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has taken a strong public stance, calling for restraint in Tibet and urging President Bush to boycott the Olympics opening ceremonies in Beijing.
But her recent stern comments on China’s internal crackdown collide with former President Bill Clinton’s fundraising relationship with a Chinese Internet company accused of collaborating with the mainland government’s censorship of the Web. Last month, the firm, Alibaba Inc., carried a government-issued “most wanted” posting on its Yahoo China homepage, urging viewers to provide information on Tibetan activists suspected of stirring recent riots.
Alibaba, which took over Yahoo’s China operation in 2005 as part of a billion-dollar deal with the U.S.-based search engine, arranged for the former president to speak to a conference of Internet executives in Hangzhou in September 2005. Instead of taking his standard speaking fees, which have ranged from $100,000 to $400,000, Clinton accepted an unspecified private donation from Alibaba to his international charity, the William J. Clinton Foundation.
The former president’s charity has raised more than $500 million over the last decade and has been lauded for its roles in disaster response, AIDS prevention and Third World medical and poverty relief. But his reliance on influential foreign donors and his foundation’s refusal to release its list of donors have led to repeated questions about the sources and transparency of his fundraising…
Sorry, but there’s only one thing to say about this - the shady donations are merely a calculation by foreign interests that they may be buying influence in a future Clinton Administration. This is just the corrupt nature of the Clinton, Inc. beast - or do you think this is all new stuff? Questionable fundraising and Clinton go together like Mafia and Don. While Democrats spend their time wondering if Cheney - who has divested himself entirely from Halliburton - is working for Halliburton’s benefit, no Democrat seems to want to know if various Chinese and other foreign elements own the Clintons body and soul.
This nauseating greed for money and power on display in the actions of the Clintons, coupled with the way Democrats refuse to condemn it, illustrates the depths to which the Democratic party has fallen. As my Dad points out, the corrupt city bosses of Democratic history at least did some things for their cities - and most of them died broke; these days, senior Democrats are determined to live very well, indeed, and don’t question to closely about who is writing the checks, or what they might demand later on.
Tags: Bill Clinton, China, Hilly Clinton, illegal donations, Tibet
April 13th, 2008
Well, as anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock knows by now, New York’s Democratic governor Eliot Spitzer finally got a taste of his own medicine. At first, I really wasn’t going to post on this, thinking that it’s New York’s problem with which to deal; but what I really found noteworthy in terms of national politics is the relative silence of a national candidate for POTUS, namely one Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Herself a longstanding party on the receiving end of marital infidelity, Hillary could have done herself and the women’s movement a lot of good by coming out full bore at the outset of this scandal by decrying Spitzer’s actions.
But once again, as was the case of her reactions (or lack thereof) to the multiple indiscretions perpetrated by her husband, Hillary remains silent. And for the same reason. Knowing full well that a divorce from Bill Clinton would be a divorce from her ever gaining the power she so desired; Hillary is no doubt likewise conflicted regarding the severing of ties to Eliot Spitzer.
For Spitzer, aside from being a scumbag, is also a democrat Super Delegate. Committed to voting for Hillary.
And truth be told, the Clintons, being the quintessential Machiavellians that they are, have never been ones to allow nefarious backgrounds to get in the way of their stated objectives.
So if the causes of feminism, and of women being treated as objects once again have to take a back seat to Hillary’s presidential aspirations, so be it.
The end, after all, justifies the means.
UPDATES, by Matt Margolis: Spitzer to resign tomorrow?
Gov. Eliot Spitzer is set to resign Wednesday, sources tell CBS 2 HD political reporter Marcia Kramer, but insiders say he’s going to use the resignation as a bargaining chip to cut a deal with federal prosecutors and he won’t step down until that happens. The talks have been going on since Tuesday morning.
The governor’s fate rests in the hands of two people: U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia and Michele Hirshman, the head of his legal defense team. The deal they cut will determine Spitzer’s future.
Criminal law experts say Spitzer will definitely have to resign the governorship and that what’s involved in the deal is key.
The Associated Press reports “Spitzer’s running tab for the trysts could have been as high as $80,000.”
Robert Stacy McCain has more…
Tags: Bill Clinton, Eliot Spitzer, Hillary Clinton
March 11th, 2008
For once, I’m on Bill Clinton’s side in an argument - From MSNBC:
CANTON, OH — Robert Holeman came to Timken High School here today with a message to deliver to Bill Clinton. He did — and he said the former president wasn’t happy about it.
Clinton spoke to a capacity crowd in this Northeast Ohio town, the third of five events today in the Buckeye State. He told voters that the contest was “the power of speeches against the promise of solutions by a world-class change maker.”
Throughout the event, as Clinton made his case for his wife, Holeman’s dissenting voice could be heard. At times he simply shouted Obama’s name. When Clinton would set up a sure applause line, Holeman could be heard heckling. As soon as Clinton finished speaking, the Canton native made a beeline to the ropeline to give Clinton a piece of his mind.
“I asked the president to please stop the bickering between the campaigns,” Holeman said in an interview afterwards. “All this name calling is like the bully in the yard. He can’t get his way, he can’t get nothing done.” Holeman said he thought Clinton was “gasping for air.”
“This is the last hurrah. After March 4, Hillary Clinton will be out of the race for good, and Obama will take the commanding lead,” he said. “She should back him with her delegates immediately. That’s what I’m asking them to do.”
Holeman said that Clinton responded by saying Obama came after him first. Holeman also described Clinton’s reaction to him as “irate.”
“I think he even hit me in the face with his hand,” he said. “He did give me a little pop. It was okay, because I understand his tenacity for his wife.” Clinton did engage Holeman for a few minutes, at times pointing directly at him. It was unclear whether he did make physical contact, however.
Holeman said he did support Bill Clinton during his campaigns, but that now the country wants a “new perspective.” “I think the president’s trying hoodwink us, bamboozle us, put us back in the okie doke,” he said. “He had eight years to do what he was supposed to do. All the things he said that she’s gonna do, he had the same authority that he wants her to have. Now if one Clinton, the male Clinton can’t get it done, how is Ms. Clinton [going to].”
Several Clinton supporters who saw the exchange came up to Holeman after to — shall we say delicately — express their disapproval for his actions. More negativity, Holeman said. “Hillary Clinton has started the most negative campaign I have ever seen, other than what the Republicans can launch,” he said. “I think we need to come together on those issues.”
There is a level of obtuseness in this not frequently reached by members of the human species.
Holeman wants the bickering to stop - so, he goes to a Clinton rally and bickers with the speaker.
Holeman is convinced that Obama will all but wrap it up on March 4th - even though, mathematically, there’s no way for Obama to do that.
Holeman says he “thinks” President Clinton might have struck his face - I don’t know about you, but when someone strikes me in the face, I’m pretty sure if it happened or not.
Holeman supported Clinton in the past - but is now worried that Clinton might be trying to bamboozle him.
Holeman’s logic - if male Clinton couldn’t do it, then female Clinton can’t do it.
Holeman says that only GOPers can be worse than Hillary Clinton.
Holeman says that Obama and this nearly-GOP-level-nasty Hillary should come together.
Where have we seen this level of discourse from Democrats? Every dratted day, right here on Blogs for Victory. Trust me, boys and girls, I now entirely sympathise with Bill Clinton and wish him the best - and he has my prayers that he’ll be able to remain patient with such people.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, hecklers, Hillary Clinton, Idiot-o-crats
February 18th, 2008
I mean, seriously, who advocates (publicly) for the slowing down of the economy?
Former President Bill Clinton was in Denver, Colorado, stumping for his wife yesterday.
In a long, and interesting speech, he characterized what the U.S. and other industrialized nations need to do to combat global warming this way: “We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emissions ’cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren.”
At a time that the nation is worried about a recession is that really the characterization his wife would want him making? “Slow down our economy”?
It’s pretty sad that a strong economy takes the backseat to fighting so-called global warming. Clinton’s explanation for his comments was pretty weak as well. I believe, however, that this attitude is not shared by a majority of our representatives in Congress. There’s a reason why the Senate overwhelmingly rejected the Kyoto Protocol — because it was obvious that the treaty would have devastated our economy. But, then again… that was before Bush was elected, before Al Gore made global warming the Democrats’ number one issue… Perhaps Democrats are much more likely to appease radical environmental special interests…
Tags: Al Gore, Bill Clinton, global warming
January 31st, 2008
I feel that I have to revive the debate over the Clinton brand following Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama.
First, let me say that the endorsement itself will probably have little impact. Last I heard, Hillary Clinton was leading in the polls in Massachusetts, and I’m not seeing Teddy’s endorsement swaying things back in Obama’s favor.
The real significance of the endorsement has to do with the implications of the endorsement within the party. For whatever reason, Senator Kennedy is a respected member of the Democratic Party. Unlike Kerry, who also endorsed Obama, he’s got no more potential climbs up the ladder, so it’s less like there was some political calculation behind the endorsement… that being the case, what does this say about the Democratic Party and their support for the Clintons? Let’s face it, this isn’t just about Hillary, it’s about Bill, too. And for Ted Kennedy to shun the Clintons is a big thing.
So, is this primary election causing a rift in the Democratic party? What happens if Hillary doesn’t get the nomination? What if she does? Discuss.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton
January 28th, 2008
In Democrat politics, there’s nothing hotter than the Clinton brand… At least, that’s the way it has been for a few years now… It seems that since Hillary has hit the campaign trail in her own quest for the presidency, we’ve seen significant damage to the Clinton brand. As Hillary and Obama get rough and dirty with each other, divisions in the Democratic Party have become significantly more apparent. Racial politics and gender politics have really taken their toll on the Democratic primary…
So, is the Clinton brand suffering from this race? How about if she loses the nomination? If brand has been damaged, is the damage permanent? Your thoughts.
UPDATE, by Mark Noonan: And if a grainy picture of Rumsfeld with Saddam means that Saddam was a client of the United States, then this very clear picture of Bill and Hillary with Tony Rezko must mean that Hillary helped Rezko out in every aspect of his life, especially the corrupt bits…
Tags: Bill Clinton, gender politics, Hillary Clinton, racial politics
January 25th, 2008
If Obama is your man, you do have to get around this sort of thing - from Political Punch:
Perhaps hoping to pivot away from her unusual comments criticizing Sen. Barack Obama by comparing him to Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered great speeches, and herself to President Lyndon Johnson, who actually passed civil rights laws (Read more on that HERE). Clinton said the following this evening in Salem, N.H.:
“Today Senator Obama used President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to criticize me,” she said, according to ABC News’ Eloise Harper. “Basically he compared himself to two of our greatest heroes saying, ‘Well, they gave great speeches.’ President Kennedy was in the Congress for 14 years. He was a war hero. He was a man of great accomplishments and readiness to be president. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. led a movement. He was gassed, he was beaten, he was jailed. And he gave a speech that was one of the most beautifully, profoundly important ever delivered in America.
“And then he worked with President Johnson to get the civil rights laws passed because the dream couldn’t be realize until finally it was legally permissible for people from all colors and backgrounds and races and ethnicities to be accepted as citizens.”
Of course, Hillary’s resume’ is a bit thin, too - but Obama’s is really non-existent. He’s only slightly more credible, pound for pound, than I am; or any random American is. A basic fact about Obama: He’s an attractive, intelligent man who speaks well. Outside of that, the only thing he has going for him is the fact that he’s a media star - he’s mostly famous for being famous. Other than being a black version of Regis Philbin, there’s not much there.
The paucity of accomplishment among the ranks of senior Democrats is demonstrative of the fact that marketing is the most important thing in Democratic politics. Its how you look, not what you do; its how you talk, not what you say - Hillary’s in there ’cause she’s a woman; Obama’s in there ’cause he’s a black man; Edwards is in there ’cause he’s a good looking Southerner. The three of them, together, don’t have a record of accomplishment to compare with, say, Bill Clinton, or even Jimmy Carter or Walter Mondale. Say what you will about Clinton, Carter and Mondale, at least they had a set of genuine accomplishments to their credit before they sought the highest office in our land. Each of the three leading Democrats are in their position because of the various calculations Democrats are making about what sort of Democrat might be able to attain 270 electoral votes.
We’ll see if the Democrats decide to think hard about this - Obama will look great as a Presidential candidate…but he’s going to have to actually run against a genuine GOP opponent who will want to win, and thus won’t let Obama off easy. Romney, Giuliani, Huckabee, McCain and Thompson have all been in positions where actual decisions have had to be made - they’ve had to put at least their careers at risk (and McCain his very life at risk) based upon decisions they’ve made. Obama has had to decide between paper and plastic at the supermarket and whether or not to tell his wife if that dress makes her look fat - admirable and honorable things for a middle-class husband to concern himself with, but not the sort of stuff with which Presidents are made.
UPDATE: And Bill Clinton made an excellent point about Ron Paul supporters.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul
January 8th, 2008
In his column today, Dick Morris reveals that Hillary Clinton flirted with the idea of running for governor of Arkansas in 1990…
Bill, determined to seek the presidency in ‘92, was weighing whether to run for another term as governor or to step down and seek the presidency as a private citizen. Key to his decision was whether Hillary could take his place, both to keep the seat warm for him should he lose the presidential race and to stop any unwanted revelations from surfacing while he was off campaigning.
But the polls I took at the Clintons’ behest found that voters saw Hillary merely as an extension of Bill, not as an independent political figure. Arkansans saw her possible candidacy for governor as an attempt to be a placeholder for her husband.
This says a lot of things about both Bill and Hillary Clinton. No matter how much Hillary tries to separate herself from Bill, they are a team. They can’t help thinking about taking the next climb up the political ladder without having something to fall back one. That’s why Hillary chose to run for the U.S. Senate in New York: a reliably blue state with a lot of electoral votes. The Clinton’s don’t care about the people they ask to elect them… they only care about power, be it gaining it or retaining it.
Tags: Bill Clinton, Dick Morris, Hillary Clinton
December 27th, 2007
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