January 21st, 2008
10:20 PM ET
15 years ago
Clinton, Edwards hold private post-debate meeting
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) — What were they talking about?
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Edwards was silly, snaky and very forceful …Even so he was saying good stuff but his foundation is weak something is clearly missing under the heels of Edwards. I can not put it in words but it's obvious. Either Hillary or Edwards can overcome the Republican in November. Hillary needs to be broken and learn true wisdom that make one a true leader. Obama appears to be more honest. I am not White American or African American . This is my opinion. As a citizen of the United States and as a NPA …I will not ever vote for Edwards or Clinton. America is very emotional!
Go obama fired up ready to go.
It is my assumption that Hillary will ask John Edwards to be her running mate if she is the Democratic nominee for President solely to collect more votes.
What were they talking about? Getting rid of the black candidate who has strayed off the Democrat's plantation.
As Malcolm (up thread) says, she may be asking her to be his running mate. It is likely that she wants to avoid Edwards' supporters to end up being divided between herself and Obama. At any rate, her conversations with Edwards are probably aimed at garnering his share of the voters.
I've been watching from Canada, and so don't have much invested.
My impartial view is:
Obama – for the first time seems a little rattled, and throughout the debate still talked in generalizations, but for the most part talked well. I enjoyed that he was able to get some jabs in to Hillary, although at times it came across as defensive. His 'inspirational message' is now not new, and seems a little used, especially when not backed up by much nitty-gritty.
Clinton – seemed to be on her game, and was to the point, decisive and eloquent. She seemed to be able to talk about the facts, as she saw them, while deflecting jabs that came her way. She also managed to inject some much needed passion into her responses. She seemed the most comfortable up there.
Edwards – at first seemed a little unsure, and over the course of the debate stuck firmly to his mantra 'the mill-workers son'. But it's now way over used, and drew laughter after about the twelfth time. He could have used the time to get into the details of his candidacy, which he failed to do. He did eventually manage to get stuck in, which was good to see, but his attempt to 'stay above the fray', made him seem reticent, and a little like he was out of his league.
Final Analysis – While a lot of folks might think that the spats where un-presidential, it's just part of debating. After all it's much better to have the candidates interact under pressure than have a safe sterile environment. Obama didn't do badly, but despite some booing Clinton came off the most in control, the most on message and (surprisingly) the most passionate. It was her night.
I don't support any of the three in particular. Of course I'm interested in the race purely because the world should not have to endure another Republican.
Once the primary's are over the best thing the Democrats can do (one-way or another), is put forward a Clinton/Obama ticket. It would unite the party... and win the Whitehouse.
I knew it. Edwards is doing the old jump into VP spot so he can fail yet once again to get power.
Good ticket, it would get my vote for sure.
Hillary is being asked to be the Vise President.
Hillary was probably telling him the Vice President position has been taken, Bill has already accepted.
I would speculate that the meeting was to "draw the lines" on how far they would go in attacking (illustrating the differences in politicaleze) each other and the need to draw the lines so as to not hurt the party in the general election.
It was done to do what you're doing here. Speculating that there is no real riff between them. Hillary is just being her usual calculating self.
There was no offer. John Edwards would loose all credibility to campaign against her all this time accusing her of being in the pocket of special interest that he has fought against his entire life. Special interest that shut the mill down his father worked at while he was growing up. Speical interest that takes a front seat to the interest of the people. Naw, he wouldn't do anything as stupid as that.
He does that, Obama becomes the only choice out of three.
I am either going for Edwards or Hillary. I'd love them to be a pair.
I am very green when it comes to politics, but i can spot (BS) when i see it. Much the same way Bush (the 2nd coming) did in the 2004 election; Hillary seems to be playing a little dirty ( Mr.Clinton as well..suprisingly) and almost unfair, if you will. Saying that, i do realize that i am biased towards Obama, and uderstands that this has an overall effect on the opinions that i form from watching the debates. But when i hear her say things like "Barak is frustrated"; it makes me wonder..was that an orchestrated attack? Maybe not, and she was just calling him out (which she should do..i mean- it is a debate) but at some point common sense has to interveen. Deep down, i think hillary knows that barak is a more likeable person (and thats just the flat out truth) so she is pulling him into her realm, and extracting him from his. Good strategy, but a cheap way to win (in my puiny opinion) a presidential election. And for the life of me, how is it fair that Hillary can basically use her husbands savy as a go-between for the people who would have probably turned of by her..If she was actually was running BY HERSELF..but that doesnt seem to be the case. And is it just me, or has her focus on "change" completely different than the message she started out with??
When Hilary Clinton ran for the New York Senate, her oponent was a very nice man, who ran an honest campaign, unlike Hilary who did what she does best and ran the dirtiest campaign that I have ever seen, unfortunately the Americans love it.
I was always a strong supporter of Bill Clinton, and after reading his book was appauled with the treatment that he received from the Republicans. Not any more, I think his behaviour in this campaign has been appauling, he is treating Obama exactley the way he was treated and continually complaines about it in his book.
His remarks about Obama's statement on Ronald Regan is rediculous, has he forgotten that the person he admired the most was Richard Nixon, Nixon's very last letter was to Bill Clinton two days before he died.
I hope that the Democrates return to the White House, if they don't they can blame the Clintons, as the Republicans are looking like saints compared to their dirty politics. I would love to see Obama and Edwards in the Whitehouse, and you can guarantee it will be the cleanest campaign ever run, which will make a pleasent change.
There was only one future President in the Cnn debate.John Edwards was a great campaigner the last time he ran but he has become so angry and stuck in the mud this whole cycle.He would be a very good AG for President Hillary and when and if Obama grows up and shows some maturity in (8 yrs from now he might understand you can't whine and expect any respect.It is a campaign for the highest office in the land.
What was he thinking when he decided to run against an experienced Senator as Clinton and not withstand debate criticism over policy and records that is the name of the game young man!!
There was only one future President in the Cnn debate.John Edwards was a great campaigner the last time he ran but he has become so angry and stuck in the mud this whole cycle.He would be a very good AG for President Hillary and when and if Obama grows up and shows some maturity in (8 yrs from now he might understand you can't whine and expect any respect.It is a campaign for the highest office in the land.
What was he thinking when he decided to run against an experienced Senator as Clinton and not withstand debate criticism over policy and records that is the name of the game young man!!
The behavior of the former President of the United States has been shameful. He and Hillary personify dirty politics and selfish leadership. It astounds me that such a large number of people are sweep into their web of lies, deceit and self center power. It is sad that they use their intelligence, connections and experience to calculate, manipulate and destroy rather than to bring positive constructive light to America. If Hillary Clinton gets the Democratic nomination it will just be more of the same.