(CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton said former Vice President Dick Cheney was playing politics when he suggested Secretary of State Hillary Clinton run for president in 2012 against President Barack Obama.
“I'm very proud of her. And so I'm always gratified whenever anyone says anything nice about her. And I very much agree that she's done a good job,” Clinton, a Democrat, said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “But I also have a high regard for Vice President Cheney's political skills. And I think one of those great skills is sowing discord among the opposition.”
Cheney, a Republican, floated the idea during interviews to promote his memoir, “In My Time,” when he praised the former New York senator and encouraged a primary contest on the other side of the aisle.
But Clinton said his wife, who lost the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination to then-Sen. Obama, is committed to her position in the Obama administration and doing a “heck of a job.”
“I think he, by saying something nice about her and the way he did it, knew that it might cause a little trouble,” Clinton said. “I don’t want to help him succeed in his political strategy, but I admire the fact that he’s still out there hitting the ball.”
Cheney, who appeared on the CBS program after Clinton, said he was not trying to stir discord with his remarks.
“I just thought … that the Democrats ought to have as much fun on their side of the aisle as we’re having on our side in figuring out who is going to run,” Cheney said.
Hillary Clinton has repeatedly shot down speculation that she may run for elected office after four years at the State Department, despite a recent poll showing her as the most popular politician in the United States.
Bill Clinton said the polls are simply an example of the political climate.
“She’d be the first to tell you that, you know, the further you get out of the line of fire, the more popular you’re likely to be,” Clinton said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I don’t think you can take that seriously. She’s secretary of state, she’s not president.”
From CNN Politics
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All I know is you folk that are currently against the President had better really think long and hard about who you will get if his is not in office for the next four years. You think you got it hard now you just wait!!! Also, I think you better go behind the scenes and check out how he has really help our country. Some of you middle class folks are getting tax cuts right NOW!! So go do some research before you try and get him out, he is the best thing you got right now. Common man for the Everyday American!!!
Obama 2012!!
This is the man we should run for president. Clinton could make it all work. We made an exception for Roosevelt, why not Clinton? Say what you will, this is a great leader and we need one badly.
Don't worry everyone-Hillary will run, in 2016, when Obama's 2 terms are over
When you find Dick Cheney saying good things about you, run like your hair is on fire. The man is poison to the truth, honor and democracy.
Bill's right; Cheney's big skill is doing anything and everything to help defeat Democrats and elect Repos, it's the one thing that's truly always on his mind.
Dick Cheney is a war criminal and he belongs on trial in The Hague. There is nothing he can say that civilized human beings are required to listen to, and that includes you, Bill Clinton. This isn't a joking matter.
I agree with Bill Clinton. While I would love nothing more than to see a real liberal in the White House, primarying Obama is a trap. Republicans would want nothing more than for Democrats to primary a sitting president.
It does not matter who gets elected as a Democratic president. Conservatives always cause as much trouble leading up to treason to get back into power and Terry and four door smell the roses.
At this point, I am planning just to write in Hillary's name. If she wins, she'll have to accept. Obama has had enough on the job training and the Republican candidates are scary. It is time for a Clinton to come and clean up the mess again. Most Democrats should realize their mistake by now.
I see some folks didn't read the article before commenting. President Clinton isn't saying anything good about DIck Cheney. He's merely alluding to the fact that Cheney is a low-life political weasel and the only thing to admire about the vermin is his ability to be more dishonest than other politicians.
Democrats REALLY screwed up (and screwed the country as well) when they picked Obama over Hillary. Even though he won (so would have Hillary), he has set the Democrat party back 50 years. They suffered record loses in Nov. 2010, lost a district in a special election that has been Democrat for nearly 100 years, and will suffer another record loss in 2012 all compliments of Obama and his comardes Reid and Pelosi. His inexperience, lack of leadership, constant campaigning, constant demonization of businesses and constant class warfare have been an unmitigated disaster for the economy and this country. He is the MOST divisive President this country has ever seen.
His signature law, Obamacare, will be found unconstitutional and is opposed by a large majority of Americans. Our healthcare system may be fatally damaged as a result. He's added thousands of new rules and regs on businesses and then wonders why they won't hire. He's waged an illegal war in Libya, without Congressional approval or even notification, and should have been impeached. He's thrown Israel under the bus and now has emboldened the Palestinians to use the UN to get a country. His ONLY positive is that he made a no-brainer decision to go after Bin Laden in Pakistan.
2012 can't come soon enough. This country and the world is holding on by the fingernails.
Cheney just likes misery. He's been miserable most of his life. He failed out of college twice, then gave up.
Cheney is slime and always will be.
why isn't Cheney in jail where he belongs?
Obama is going to lose. So why not give hillary the chance to also make history. If he bows out the democrats will forever be grateful!
An outside voice that encourages the opposition to do something. In this case, it is Cheney talking about the Democrats and Hillary Clinton. Why should we bother listening to Cheney?
Obama 2012. Clinton 2016 & 2020...
Dick Cheney is a war criminal who belongs in prison.
I agree, Cheney should be hauled before The Hague before his heart gives out for the 6th time.
The probability of electing a Democrat to the White House in 1912 would be significantly enhanced if Obama would step aside and let Hillary run. Obama's chances of winning re-election are problematical, at best. The $64 thousand question: Is Obama willing to put his political ambition aside for the sake of the party and the country? I doubt it. As far as Cheney is concerned, he is an astute politician, but he has the morals of a snake.
Mr Chaney should be "sowing discord" in the cell block of a federal prison.
Hillary supporters knew that she was ready, seasoned, prepared and able to work across the aisle. Obama just wasn't ready and most are seeing now they they jumped on the bandwagon way too soon.
And I will never forget how Obama just flicked Hillary off his shoulder.
Madam secretary's age will become a factor in 2016. Her best bet is now but only if obama bows out. That will be historical but it will unite the democratic party and will serve as a call to the republican party to strengthen its field which can only benefit the country.
Wait - Cheney has a skill?
I'm not getting all my memos!
What is Clinton smoking this time?