Bill Clinton said former president George H.W. Bush will help fix damage done to America's reputation by his son, George W. Bush.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton said Monday that the first thing his wife Hillary will do when she reaches the White House is dispatch him and his predecessor, President George H.W. Bush, on an around-the-world mission to repair the damage done to America's reputation by the current president - Bush's son, George W. Bush.
"Well, the first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again," Clinton said in response to a question from a supporter about what his wife's "number one priority" would be as president.
A spokesman for the George H. W. Bush said Tuesday afternoon the former president supports his son's foreign policy and has "never discussed an ‘around-the-world-mission’ with either former President Bill Clinton or Sen. Clinton." (Click here for the full statement)
Clinton and the elder Bush, rivals in the 1992 presidential election, have grown chummy in recent years, often traveling and appearing at public events together. In 2005, they started a charity to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
UPDATE: The Republican National Committee issued this statement in response to Clinton's comments:
"In 2009, a Republican president will be working with our friends and allies abroad to continue to keep our nation safe," said RNC spokesman Danny Diaz. "The American people expect our leaders - both current and former - to present serious solutions to the very real challenges confronting our nation."
– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby
From CNN Politics
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RE: the comment by Mr. Wilson.
These people don't think we are stupid. They KNOW we are stupid. They bank on it. If the vast majority of Americans weren't stupid, none of these people could be elected. The best think to ever happen to Politics was C-SPAN. You see what muppents our elected "leaders" are with cameras on them. Good lord, think of what it was like in 1978?!?. If Americans actually made an intelligent decision instead of letting the media force feed them opinions, we might make some progress.
In other words, Bill, Hillary will depend on her hacks, pollsters and advisors to 'lead' for her, which is what she's always done.
"America is open for buisness again" more like back up for sale.
"For example, what has happend to the Clinton surplus under Bush?"
Umm, gee, I don't know, Marshal...could it have been some major catastrophic event that happened about 6 years ago? Oh wait, that was Bush's fault, too. Despite what you people refuse to listen to or beleive, the economy has done remarkably well despite everything that has happened in the past 6 years (news you will never hear despite the actual numbers! Look them up yourself!). And I know that this will be news to you all since you won't hear it on CNN or MSNBC, but despite of all this, this administration has succeeded in paying down our national dept!!! (GASP!!) I know, you would never know it otherwise, but that means you would actually have step outside of your liberal wonderlands and look for news from other sources instead of taking everything the aforementioned networks are feeding you! Oh, and I don't expect CNN to post this. Have a great day!
Ol' Slick must be back on the coke if he thinks '41 will fly around the world trashing '43. This is a highly debatable DNC/Moveon.Org talking point anyway. Those who buy into the simple-minded idea that the world hates us because of '43 really need to provide some solid evidence. If it’s third-world dictatorships (whose “elections” were certified by Jimmy Carter), radical Islamic states who vote in the UN and want Israel wiped from the Earth, or one of the few backward countries still clinging to communism who hate us, I’m pretty much Ok with that. Remember, France used to be the go-to example for Democrats when trying to “prove” this idea, that is until the French people, in their wisdom, democratically elected pro-America, pro-West, pro-Bush Nicolas Sarkozy to be their president. Tell you what, if Slick’s words are true, then obviously we can just shut down the INS and save the taxpayers some money. After all, no one would choose to move to place that they hate. Right? Think it through, just because you might hate your President doesn’t mean that the world hates your country.
The Hillary campaign would do itself a favor by putting a muzzle on Bill and hiding him in a closet somewhere. But, then, I never thought Hillary was ever all that bright to begin with.
Go Bill! And George H. W. Bush wasn't that bad a president, not as great as William Clinton, but not miserable like his son... I think this wouldn't be a bad idea, but what's the point exactly.
Didn't we see the Louisanna National Guard roll into New Orleans 3 days after it flooded?
Posted By therealist : December 18, 2007 9:48 am
And that's good?!? The severity of the storm was known, there were evacuation orders in effect. The NG should have been there or at least on alert status BEFORE the storm even hit.
Oh, of course, "Narcism", or in Bubba's case, "NARCISM".
Posted By David, Minneapolis : December 18, 2007 9:49 am
First of all, it's narcissism, secondly you're not even close with your definition. You really come off looking quite foolish.
Oh, of course, "Narcism", or in Bubba's case, "NARCISM".
Posted By David, Minneapolis : December 18, 2007 9:49 am
Hillary is a huge change from Bush II
Posted By Marshal Phillips, Wichita, Kansas : December 18, 2007 9:53 am
No, actually she's not.
Who is running for President Bill or Hillary? There is a reason that we have term limitations and a reason we only have one person elected President.
The Clinton years were not that great people. And they were filled with one stupid drama after another. Enough already.
It's the first line that's so funny.
All these men are Bilderbergs who want control of you.
If what Bill C. says is true, he just blew it
How can he expect a father to attack his own son and support that kind of nonsense talk anyway? Enough of the Bush and Clinton crap. Hillary already was co-president. She shouldn't even be taken seriously as a candidate. What kind of a wacko insists on being a leader when half of the country is disgusted with her conniving ways and insincere BS?
IT'S HIGH TIME FOR A CHANGE. Obama, Paul, Giuliani – anybody new. No more old school nonsense.
I doubt President H.W. Bush is that chummy with that he would agree with a direct slap in the face toward his son. I do not see the need for the former co-president Clinton to travel on behalf of America. Our image is fine. We don't need the help of a sexual predator to give our country a "good" name. He gave us a name in 1998 in China and it was not one of respect.
Clinton is now going over the top. Hillary is already tarnished goods and won't be elected. He is now ruining his own reputation. Yeah right, W's Dad is going to come up and denigrate his son publicly before he leaves office. Get a grip, Bill. Your wife is headed back to the Senate where she belongs.
America should not be worried about image.......it's safety we are concerned about and Hillary can't make up her mind on ANYTHING let alone security..............
If only we could all live in a country without a Bush, Clinton, OR Kennedy in charge......*SIGH*
Great! It would be even better if they stayed on a permanent world tour, never to return.
Chelsea could do a better job than her mom.
Too many people are looking this at the surface and thinking that the Bush's are chummy with the Clintons. While both George H.W.and George W. and Bill Clinton are "bonesmen", the Bushes are doing what they can behind the scenes to "prop" up Hillary. This is because she is very polarizing and would be just the thing to energize the base and everyone else who hates Hillary to vote against her in the general election.
Funny they didnt mention Carter or Teddy
Hillary will win, because the stupid American middle class voter will reward her and her husband for sending their jobs to Communist China.
They re-elected Bill and George W. Bush.
I rest my case about the middle class being stupid!
(Begin sarcasm)
@Margo: Pfft, of course Hillary is being hated on cause she's a woman. I mean, seriously, what do you think? America's ONLY had 50-60 years of getting over the fact that women can do stuff too, I mean it's gotta take AT LEAST 1000 to realize this fact; it's so hard to believe. Hillary has great politics; y'know, the whole double-speaking herself and complaining when people gang up on her cause she's a woman (and not cause she was winning in the polls or had bad politics, cause that could NEVER happen to a Clinton), and now she's gonna send her hubby out around the world just cause she can. Seriously, what more can you ask in a president? She'll be awesome!
(End sarcasm)
I'm so glad I'm not an American...if I was, though, I'd probably vote Obama (not paying enough attention to the Republicans to decide who I like on their side)
Where does CNN come up with this stuff. CNN, you get a clue. I am positive Bush Sr. did not agree to this deal.
But "truth" and "Clinton" are oximorons. CNN looks stupid for even giving this story legitmacy of anykind.
Can Bill and Hillary tell us and explain why almost a million people in Rwanda were butchered when he was president.He did not do anything to stop the killing that went for over 100 days.We need a president who act,not look the other way.
I don't think Bill is being all that presumptious here in saying what Hillary would do if she were elected president, being that the article says he was responding to the question of what her number one priority would be if elected president.
HELP!!! Go Barack!!
it is time for a CHANGE – not the same old politics as usual – the next thing will be CHEALSEA running – AMERICA deserves much much better – OBAMA 2008
Read the RNC comment again. They are indicating there will be a Republican president in 2009, not that one of their X-presidents will be doing this.
That said, I am rooting for Hillary. We need her.