July 2, 2009
Posted: 03:40 PM ET

From
Former President Bill Clinton is set to attend a fundraiser for Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
Former President Bill Clinton is set to attend a fundraiser for Rep. Carolyn Maloney.

(CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton will attend a fundraiser for a congresswoman from New York City who's challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in next year's Democratic primary.

The fundraiser is for Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Her campaign's chief strategist, Joe Trippi, tells CNN that Maloney has made her decision to run against Gillibrand and will soon formally announce her Senate bid.

Gillibrand, a former congresswoman from upstate New York, was named by Gov. David Paterson in January to succeed Hillary Clinton.

The White House has been hoping to prevent a primary fight next year in New York by trying to clear the field for Gillibrand. Steve Israel, another congressman from New York who was considering a run against Gillibrand, decided against such a bid after lobbying by the White House.

Former President Clinton has not made an endorsement in the race, but his appearance at a Maloney fundraiser will raise some eyebrows. Clinton also attended a fundraiser for Gillibrand earlier this year.

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Filed under: Bill Clinton • Carolyn Maloney • Kirsten Gillibrand


June 15, 2009
Posted: 08:16 PM ET

From

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday officially named former U.S. President Bill Clinton as special envoy to Haiti.

The position calls for Clinton to work to create jobs and access to basic services for the people of Haiti.

"All I want to do is help the Haitians take over control of their own destiny," Clinton said.


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Filed under: Bill Clinton • Haiti • United Nations


May 28, 2009
Posted: 09:12 PM ET

From
In an article in an upcoming issue of New York Times Magazine, former President Clinton discusses his wife's new role as the country's top diplomat.
In an article in an upcoming issue of New York Times Magazine, former President Clinton discusses his wife's new role as the country's top diplomat.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Bill Clinton's campaign-year resentment of President Obama is a thing of the past, according to a lengthy profile of the former president in Sunday's New York Times Magazine — but he hasn't quite come to terms with the Kennedy family's decision to back Obama over Hillary Clinton during the primary season.

Clinton reportedly has yet to make his peace with Sen. Ted Kennedy and the Massachusetts senator's niece, Caroline, over their high-profile endorsements of Barack Obama during the primaries.

The Times, also citing unnamed sources, says Clinton harbors hard feelings toward New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who held several posts in the Clinton administration but who chose to endorse Obama instead of Hillary Clinton.

The former president has adjusted to his wife's new role on the international stage. "She used to look forward to me coming home from wherever I've been," Clinton says in the magazine article. "Now I'm afraid I'll be second fiddle to whatever world leader she's just met.

Later, he added: "… We've reversed roles."

Clinton also made clear that his vast network of global contacts and knowledge of world affairs is always available to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "'If she asks, I tell her what I think,'" the former president says in the profile. "And if there's something that's going on that I feel that I have particular knowledge of, I say that.'"

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Bill Richardson • Caroline Kennedy • Hillary Clinton • Popular Posts • Ted Kennedy


May 19, 2009
Posted: 12:55 PM ET
Bill Clinton has been named the United Nations special envoy to Haiti.
Bill Clinton has been named the United Nations special envoy to Haiti.

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton has been named U.N. special envoy to Haiti, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

"I am confident that President Clinton will bring energy, dynamism and focus to the task of mobilizing international support for Haiti's economic recovery and reconstruction," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

The United Nations said that Clinton will help Haitian authorities "jump-start sustainable social and economic development."

"He will focus attention on the importance of new partnerships and efforts among the private sector, civil society, and donors, as well as strengthen local capacity, and create a more stable and prosperous future for the children of Haiti."

During his presidency, Clinton had been engaged in helping the impoverished Caribbean nation rebuild. Haiti, which the United Nations says is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been badly hit by rising food and oil prices, devastating storms, and ongoing political instability.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • United Nations


May 18, 2009
Posted: 06:44 PM ET

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) — Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has been tapped as a United Nations special envoy to Haiti, U.N. officials confirmed on Monday.

An official announcement will be made Tuesday on the selection of the two-term president, officials said.

Full story

Filed under: Bill Clinton • United Nations


May 14, 2009
Posted: 12:05 PM ET

From
Bill Clinton is campaigning in Virginia for his friend Terry McAuliffe.
Bill Clinton is campaigning in Virginia for his friend Terry McAuliffe.

(CNN) – Bill Clinton is happy he can still dabble in the world of politics, even if Hillary Clinton can't.

Clinton said as much while campaigning in Norfolk on Thursday for his friend Terry McAuliffe, who is seeking the Virginia governorship.

"All of you know that we're very close friends," Clinton said of McAuliffe before the Virginia crowd. "All of you know that he did a great deal for me and our family."

"Hillary and I love him," Clinton continued. "And now that President Obama has given her a job that requires that she not ever participate in politics as long as she's Secretary of State, I'm the only one that can say that we love him."

Filed under: Bill Clinton


Posted: 10:02 AM ET

From

HERNDON, Virginia (CNN) – Bill Clinton jokingly laughed off a question Wednesday about former Vice President Dick Cheney and his recent claims that the country is less safe under the Obama administration.

"I wish him well," Clinton told CNN while greeting voters after a campaign stop with Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. "It's over," he added, apparently a reference to the Bush administration.

"But I do hope he gets some more target practice before he goes out again," Clinton said with a grin before moving along the ropeline.

The former president was alluding, of course, to Cheney's infamous 2006 hunting accident in which he mistakenly fired birdshot into the face of a campaign contributor during a South Texas quail hunt.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Terry McAuliffe


Posted: 05:00 AM ET

From
Bill Clinton is helping former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe campaign for governor in Virginia.
Bill Clinton is helping former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe campaign for governor in Virginia.

HERNDON, Virginia (CNN) – To hear Bill Clinton tell it, Terry McAuliffe is destined to become the 71st governor of the commonwealth of Virginia.

“He was born to lead at this moment,” Clinton said of McAuliffe at a campaign rally in northern Virginia on Wednesday. It was the former president’s third appearance on behalf of his friend and longtime political ally, who is now in the final weeks of a tough three-way primary battle for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

The winner of that contest will face Republican Bob McDonnell, the state’s former attorney general, in the general election.

Clinton praised McAuliffe from all angles, making sure to plug the former Democratic National Committee chairman’s apparent mastery of Virginia issues. McAuliffe has struggled with the perception that he’s a newcomer to Virginia politics, while his two Democratic rivals have labored in the trenches of state government for more than a decade.

The former president even said that if every child were raised as McAuliffe’s five children were, “this country would have about half the problems it’s got.”

Clinton and McAuliffe made their pitch to about 200 voters at a park in the northern Virginia town of Herndon, standing on a stage just downwind of a ripe-smelling pig sty. They held a second, larger rally later in the day a few miles away in the Washington suburb of Annandale.

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Filed under: Bill Clinton • Bob McDonnell • Terry McAuliffe • Virginia


May 13, 2009
Posted: 06:01 PM ET

From

HERNDON, Virginia (CNN) – Bill Clinton jokingly laughed off a question Wednesday about former Vice President Dick Cheney and his recent claims that the country is less safe under the Obama administration.

"I wish him well," Clinton told CNN while greeting voters after a campaign stop with Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. "It's over," he added, apparently a reference to the Bush administration.

"But I do hope he gets some more target practice before he goes out again," Clinton said with a grin before moving along the ropeline.

The former president was alluding, of course, to Cheney's infamous 2006 hunting accident in which he mistakenly fired birdshot into the face of a campaign contributor during a South Texas quail hunt.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Dick Cheney • Extra • Popular Posts


April 22, 2009
Posted: 11:00 AM ET

From
Clinton will hit the campaign trail again.
Clinton will hit the campaign trail again.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton is wading into Virginia’s Democratic primary for governor on behalf of his friend and long time political ally Terry McAuliffe.

McAuliffe's campaign announced Wednesday that Clinton will campaign alongside the Democratic contender on Monday in Richmond and Roanoke. It will mark the first time that the 42nd president has actively stumped for McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman- turned gubernatorial candidate.

McAuliffe is locked in a contentious three-way primary battle with state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former House member Brian Moran.

The winner of that contest will face Republican Bob McDonnell in the general election.

McAuliffe makes no apologies for the kind of political firepower he’s bringing to the 2009 governor’s race, arguably the most-watched contest in this off-year election cycle. Of the $4.2 million he raised during the first three months of 2009, more than 80 percent of it came from out-of-state donors, many of whom McAuliffe knows from his years of involvement in national Democratic politics.

Clinton himself gave McAuliffe’s campaign a check for $10,000 in January.

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Filed under: Bill Clinton • Terry McAuliffe • Virginia


March 11, 2009
Posted: 06:58 PM ET

From
Former President Clinton told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta that he was concerned when he noticed his hands sometimes shake.  Watch the entire interview Thursday night on Larry King Live.
Former President Clinton told CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta that he was concerned when he noticed his hands sometimes shake. Watch the entire interview Thursday night on Larry King Live.

(CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton got personal in a wide-ranging interview with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who is filing in for Larry King on Wednesday's Larry King Live.

When Gupta raised the issue of Clinton’s trademark finger wag, the former president interrupted the neurosurgeon.

“Sometimes it shakes,” Clinton said. “See, it’s a little shake,” he added as he lifted both hands, “but no shake here. I’ve been tested for it, I don’t have Parkinson’s.”

Clinton told Gupta he was “quite concerned” when he noticed his hands were shaking sometimes. “Because if I had Parkinson’s, I wanted to know so I could prepare. And I had it tested and the doctor said ‘no,’ he says it’s just a normal aging phenomenon.”

During the interview Clinton also discussed health care reform; stem cell research; and President Obama’s ambitious agenda on health care, energy, and education.

Watch Clinton and Gupta on CNN’s Larry King Live Thursday beginning at 9 pm Eastern time.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Larry King Live • Sanjay Gupta


February 23, 2009
Posted: 05:37 PM ET

From
Sen. Gillibrand announced Monday that former Pres. Bill Clinton will appear at a fundraiser next month for her 2010 re-election bid.  Gillibrand replaced Hillary Clinton in the Senate.
Sen. Gillibrand announced Monday that former Pres. Bill Clinton will appear at a fundraiser next month for her 2010 re-election bid. Gillibrand replaced Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

(CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton will headline a fundraiser for his wife’s Senate successor in New York City next month, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced Monday.

“Both Secretary of State Clinton and President Clinton embody the type of leadership I hope to bring to the State of New York,” said Gillibrand, in a message to supporters. “[A]nd President Clinton's willingness to show his early support for my candidacy could not mean more to me.”

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy of Long Island has been mentioned as a possible challenger to Gillibrand in a 2010 Democratic primary race. Rep. Peter King, a Republican from Nassau County, may seek to represent the GOP in the general election contest.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Kirsten Gillibrand


February 20, 2009
Posted: 06:11 PM ET
Bill Clinton enjoys pet cat Socks in this 1993 file photo.
Bill Clinton enjoys pet cat Socks in this 1993 file photo.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Socks, who reigned as first cat in former President Clinton’s White House, was put to sleep on Friday morning.

After suffering from mouth cancer, Socks was euthanized at Three Notch Veterinary Clinic in Hollywood, Maryland. Betty Currie, Clinton’s former personal secretary, had been taking care of the cat since her boss left the White House.

Socks was born in 1989 and would have turned 20 this spring.

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Filed under: Bill Clinton • Hillary Clinton


February 18, 2009
Posted: 04:00 AM ET
Bill Clinton talked politics and more with CNN's Larry King on Tuesday night.
Bill Clinton talked politics and more with CNN's Larry King on Tuesday night.

(CNN) — CNN's Larry King talked with former President Bill Clinton on Tuesday night at the William Jefferson Clinton Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In a wide-ranging interview, King talked with Clinton about the stimulus bill, the auto bailout, President Barack Obama's BlackBerry, Chelsea Clinton's future, Sarah Palin and more.

The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity:

Larry King: The stimulus bill passed today [Tuesday]. The president signed it in Denver. Is it going to work?

Bill Clinton: I think it will do what it's designed to do. And I think it's important that the American people understand what it's designed to do.

It's supposed to do three things.

Full story

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Larry King Live


February 16, 2009
Posted: 11:00 AM ET
CNN

Clinton told Roberts GOP critics of Obama were on “automatic”

(CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton told CNN Monday President Obama can probably expect about a year of public support for his economic policies, and predicted that the economy would likely recover within two years or less.

“The public, I believe, will support him at least for a year in trying to work these things out,” he told American Morning’s John Roberts. “And he's been very straightforward in saying it might take as much as two years for the economy to really get in gear again. My instinct is it will happen a little quicker than that.”

Clinton tore into Republicans for their unified opposition to Obama’s stimulus legislation: “Those guys [Republicans] are on automatic… you punch a button, and they give you the answer they give you.”

Watch Clinton's criticism of the GOP

“Well, first of all, he has reached across [the aisle], and it takes two to tango,” he said. “I find it amazing that the Republicans who doubled the debt of the country in eight years and produced no new jobs doing it, gave us an economic record that was totally bereft of any productive result are now criticizing him for spending money. You know, I'm a fiscal conservative, I balanced the budget, I ran surpluses. If I were in his position today, I would be doing what he's doing.”

Clinton said political factors would eventually force some Republican lawmakers to support the president’s policies. “Here’s what I think will happen,” said Clinton. “I think that, as we go along, if the American people stick with him and if he begins to have good results, then I think more and more Republicans will cooperate with him because they will see that he's right or because he carried their states or for any number of reasons.”

The former president also defended his record against critics who said government requirements had led to a wave of risky mortgages, saying that community banks that specialized in these kind of loans as opposed to riskier securities were doing well.

Filed under: Bill Clinton


January 29, 2009
Posted: 10:38 AM ET

From

DAVOS, Switzerland (CNN) — Former U.S. President Bill Clinton delivered an upbeat message Thursday amid the mood of economic gloom at the World Economic Forum, telling delegates, "This is still a good time to be alive."

Clinton admitted that the deepening impact of the financial meltdown, which is dominating the agenda at this year's meeting in Davos, had left many people frightened — but said the global scale of the crisis proved that the world's nations could no longer afford to turn their backs on one another.

"This financial crisis proves, as nothing else should or could, the fundamental fact that global interdependence is more important than anything else in the world today," Clinton said. "We cannot escape each other. Divorce is not an option."

Clinton, the husband of current U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, urged the current generation of international statesmen to rise to the leadership challenges posed by the financial collapse and climate change.

"This is not a time for denial or delay. Do something. Give people confidence by showing confidence," said Clinton, who served in the White House from 1993 to 2001. "Don't give up. Don't bet against yourself. Don't bet against your country. This is still a good time to be alive."

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Filed under: Bill Clinton


January 27, 2009
Posted: 09:40 AM ET

From
CNN

Watch Clinton and Bush 41 name their regrets as president.

(CNN) — Two former presidents reflected on their greatest regrets in office Monday, each looking back to issues that continue to plague the nation years later.

Former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton appeared together at a question-and-answer forum before the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans.

Asked his biggest regret after leaving office, Bush said he now wonders whether he should have tried to get Saddam Hussein to leave office at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991. He told the gathering, "I've thought a lot about it, but at the end of Desert Storm the question was should we have kind of kept going on that road to death and all this slaughter until Saddam Hussein showed up and laid his sword on the table, surrendered. And the common wisdom was he wouldn't do that."

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Filed under: Bill Clinton • George H.W. Bush


January 13, 2009
Posted: 12:01 PM ET

From

(CNN) — An aide to Bill Clinton says the former president is in Washington watching Hillary Clinton's Senate testimony with mother-in-law Dorothy Rodham, and the family will gather after the hearing is over.

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Hillary Clinton


January 6, 2009
Posted: 02:26 PM ET

From
Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton will meet with Barack Obama and President Bush for a private gathering in the Oval Office.
Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton will meet with Barack Obama and President Bush for a private gathering in the Oval Office.

(CNN) –- Talk about a power lunch. President Bush, President-elect Barack Obama and three living former presidents will meet in the Oval Office for a private gathering on Wednesday afternoon.

Former presidents Jimmy Carter, George Herbert Walker Bush and Bill Clinton will join Obama and Bush at the White House for lunch. Obama initially came up with the idea that all of the men get together after meeting with President Bush last month.

White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino said the current and former leaders will gather for a photo op in the Rose Garden, but that their conversation and meal will be private. She said she doesn’t know what they will talk about, but she said she’d love to be able to hear it.

“I'm sure all of us would love to be flies on the wall and listening to that conversation,” Perino said during Tuesday’s daily press briefing. “These are leaders who only understand what it's like to be in each others shoes and none of us can put ourselves in those shoes.”

Perino speculated that they will discuss what it’s like to raise children in the White House and how to protect them. She praised the Obamas for doing a good job with that so far and said they got their daughters to their first day of school on Monday “in good fashion.”

Perino said the last time all of the living presidents got together was in 1981, and called Wednesday’s meeting a “historic moment.”

Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Clinton • Dana Perino • Popular Posts • President Bush


January 2, 2009
Posted: 02:34 PM ET

From
CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from The Best Political Team.
CNN=Politics Daily is The Best Political Podcast from The Best Political Team.

(CNN) – Before President-elect Barack Obama can make a “change,” he will have to change his address. In the latest installment of CNN=Politics Daily, the Obamas are fresh from their vacation in Hawaii and are preparing to make their big move to the nation’s capital. So where will the next first-family stay before they move into the executive mansion? CNN’s Jim Acosta takes a look at their temporary residence, a said-to-be haunted hotel steeped in history.

With the country in the midst of an economic crisis and an embattled governor accused of selling his former Senate seat, what will the President-elect tackle first when he arrives in Washington? CNN’s Brianna Keilar has the latest.

Finally: Senator Bill Clinton? Could New York put in the former President as a place-holder with political clout until the public can vote in two-years on who should hold Hillary Clinton’s former Senate seat? CNN’s Deborah Feyerick takes a look at Clinton and other potential “seat-warmers.”

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Clinton • CNN=Politics Daily



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