Rendell says it may be time for Bill Clinton to 'get over it'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/26/art.rendell.gi.jpg caption=" Rendell says it may be time for Bill Clinton to move on."](CNN) - Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a longtime backer of both Bill and Hillary Clinton, said Thursday it's time for the former president to move on if he is still upset about his wife's loss to Barack Obama in the prolonged Democratic primary.
Rendell, whose ardent support of Clinton proved critical in her decisive Pennsylvania win in April, said he's not sure if Bill Clinton is still upset with the ultimate result, but made clear he thinks it’s time for the former president to rally behind the party's presumptive presidential nominee.
Watch: Rendell on Clinton's exit
"Bill's my friend. If that is true the way he feels, he's got to shake it off, get over it, get back in the game and help elect Senator Obama," Rendell said on MSNBC.
"Like everybody else, [he] has to listen to Hillary," Rendell also said. "And Hillary said it best - there's no sense in looking back and wasting any energy."
The former president has come under criticism for remaining conspicuously silent with regards to his support of Obama, even more than two weeks after his wife formally ended her campaign bid. Bill Clinton's office finally released a short statement earlier this week saying the former president is "is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president of the United States."
But the former president, who was at times sharply critical of Obama during the campaign season, has yet to make any public declaration of support - which has fueled speculation he remains upset with the primary result. Bill Clinton, according to some reports, is specifically upset with Obama's criticisms of his administration over the course of the campaign and the media's treatment of his wife.
Watch: Obama, Clintons: Hard feelings?
But Obama said earlier this week he is confident both Clintons will be enthusiastic supporters as the general election campaign heats up.
“They’re going to want to campaign actively on behalf of the Democratic ticket,” he told CNN earlier this week. “I am going to need them.”
Well, I think this is ridiculous. I'm not over it. If you truly believe one candidate is more qualified than another, how do you change that? Until Bill Clinton can give whole-hearted support, it is better that he not give half-hearted support. All of the ugliness was not on the Clinton side. I thought Obama was rather arrogant and dismissive, and I really don't care for his wife at all. I think I'll sit it out.
Looks like Hillary is finally taking the high road. I guess her ego is not quite as humungously large as Bill's.
You gotta love Rendell. I do. He keeps with the rules of the game.
Yeah Bill Get over it!
The super-delegates are trying to force-feed their candidate on the Democrats ... and it will not work.
I fail to see how Bill Clinton can help Obama. After all of the horrible things he and Hillary said about Obama I would think ANYTHING they say good about Obama will have ZERO credibility.
I am sure the Clintons will shower Obama with support but I would have more respect for them ( I have none these days) If they just pouted at home and stayed silent.
Any reasonably rational person knows it is all just to help themselves in yet another selfish act.
Hillary runs again in 2012 so long as Obama loses this time, and we should not pretend differently.
On policy questions and the fundamentals of the democratic party, Senators Clinton and Obama (and President Clinton himself) were pretty much in agreement. If Senator Clinton's supporters decide to vote for Senator McCain, then obviously they do not support the values of the democractic party and what's worse, their vote boils down to race, just like President Clinton set it up to be (and let us not forget that it was Senator Clinton who reminded us after West VA that she is in the best position to get the "white" vote)
FactCheck June 26th, 2008 11:36 am ET
Well said! Bills's ego is being deflated and he can't handle it.
oil rules,
It's called politics, Huckabee thought McCain was also unqualified but now is sucking up to him harder to a Vacuum for the VP slot. Bill keeps dragging his reputation on the line by remaining bitter. It was clear that Bill was more critical and condensending to Obama in the primary race, painting him as a candidate for Blacks only. Everyone says what they have to say to win the election. You just pick the candidate that agrees with most of the views. Obama views and Hillary's are the same roughly 95% of the time. That is why democrats that vote for McCain truly have a different agenda or are just misguided. (note I did not say racist, but that could go under a different agenda.)
I also agree with you , governor, but you are dealing with a narcissist , and this is how narcissists behave.
What exactly is this list of complaints Bill Clinton intends to discuss, in private, with Obama? Sounds scary. What gives him the right to dictate the Rules of Engagement According to the Clintons and grill our Democratic nominee? This is Obama’s Presidential candidacy. Bill appears to be confused. He is not the President anymore and Hillary is no longer running. They are relevant, but only to the degree to which they need to bring the Party together. To that end, Bill’s public displeasure with Obama is obviously harmful not helpful. It’s that divisive thing again. They can’t stop putting themselves before the greater cause. Maybe Michelle Obama should arrange a private talk with Hillary to discuss how “miffed” she is at her. The bottom line is that it’s destructive, it’s counterproductive, it’s all for show and, as always, it’s all about the Clintons. I wonder. Will a red-faced Bill rely on his signature style of finger pointing and arm twisting to make his case? Will refreshments be served? I would love to be a fly on the wall. Or, would I?
Give the man a break, I support Barack and I believe President Clinton will support Barack when he is ready.
Rendell is a straight shooter. But, he is speaking the party line. He has always toed the democratic party line. However, President Bill Clinton is a great leader because he sometimes bucked the left. He is a man who truely knows where America's heart is. When he feels Obama needs him and if at that time he is convinced Obama cann lead, ok. But if at that time the former leader of the free world does not believe this arrogant and pompous man is not ready then in good concious he should not throw is full wieght behind a man not ready mentally or emotionally to be president. Obama would like to brush off is problems. When you are the President everybody's problem is your problem. A man that would throw is own grandmother under the bus is not mature enough to handle the pressures of the presidency.
Those supporters (so called supporters) who say they will vote for McCain are not true Democrats. Some are Republicans trying to turn other Democrats against Obama. The Republicans tried to ruin Bill Clinton and now they are trying to do the same to Obama. They will not succeed and Bill and Obama will work it out. Of course they threw some punches but that is politics and both of them and Hillary too are very strong willed individuals. They will all work it out for the good of the country.
Can someone please give a specific example of how Hillary was mistreated by the media?
I agree completely! Bill Clinton needs to move on, and help Obama get elected!
I don't care who supports Obama or not; I'm still going to vote for Obama. I'm a die hard Obama fan. Should I say more? I don't think so.
Bill will vote for Mccain like any other sensible American.
For goodness' sake, leave Bill Clinton alone. Granted that he made some really stupid racial comments that hurt his wife dearly; that he became very combative, and sometimes rude to journalists; any man who loves his wife and fights for her interest would have done the same, especially when Bill Clinton, in my opinion, owes a graet deal to this good woman.
It is natural for him to feel bruised at such a loss. But he is no devil. He is a true Democrat, one of the most successful in modern times. Let's not forget that he won two elections in succession, a feat that no Democrat can boast of. He took this country from one Bush who had in it a recession, albeit briefly; he balanced the budget and gave it to another Bush with a surplus - a surplus that has been irresponsibly squandered through a misguided and unnecessary war.
Senator Obama himself has said that he needs Bill Clinton to turn this country aound for the better. Bill Clinton will come around. But give him a break, and let him heal in his own time.
Yeah, Bill should not get involved.
Let Bob the Builder helps Barack instead.
After all he copied Bob's theme song:
Bob the Builder...Can we fix it!....YES WE CAN! VERO POSSUMUS!
Bob the Builder...Can we build it...YES WE CAN! VERO POSUMMUS!
So much for so-called inspiring leader.
For the sake of his legacy, Bill has to come out fighting. Delivering anything less than a win will be hard to recover from. If Obama wins and he is seen as being a big help, not only will Bill be seen as one of the best Presidents ever but also as the guy who put away personal feelings to benefit country…boosting his legacy beyond what it already was. Good Luck Mr. President 🙂
4 letters for you all:
PUMA
You get over Rendall-We won't!
I agree with the Gov. – however it's the media that's stirring crap up!
Just because Bill hasn't moved at their speed to get behind Obama doesn't mean he won't!!!
The media loves being in the loop and when not they make things up like rumors! Bill is out of the country for now anyway...
When him and Obama come together... watch – it will be big news and will be on TV and it will be in a state that we need to win!
Why do you Obama supporters care if Bill endorses Obama or not?
According to you lot, the only two term Democratic President in the last 50 years is a divisive, angry racist and doesn't deserve your respect.
Why would you want his support?
Bill Clinton already has enough power in this world. Why are we giving him more? I don't care if he publically supports Obama or not. Obama is going to win SO big this Novemeber, Bill Clinton will be long forgotten.