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.”
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If he is not sure how Bill feels, why make the comment at all?
This is a useless piece of news about a useless statement.
A little public support Bill please.
Bill Clinton just needs to go away. A victim of his own ego, he hurt Hillary's campaign with his sense of entitlement and divisive comments. Many times I could not even believe this was the same man I voted for. Ride off into the sunset Bill, I don't want you campaigning For Obama and hurting his chances! Go away, please, just go away.
Make him pay WJC, as you said months ago: "The Obama campaign is a media perpetuated farse."
Media is to blame for this sort of push. Media had picked Obama long time ago, and they do not now want to fail at any cost or be wrong. So they go out and putting pressure on Bill Clinton to fall in line. As far as I am concerned, he does not have to. He can do what he pleases. Hillary has come out in full swing for support for obama, that's important.
By the way, CNN – Wolf, Jack, Gloria – they have been campaigning for obama for a very long time, and thrashing clintons in the process at every opportunity they get. Then there is this Martin – so called the part of best political team. I mean it's obvious his heart and mind is behind Obama, and he shouts his mouth all the time to sound reasonable. Stop the slimy talk.
Obama will need to win this thing on his own, and he can do it if he works smart and is careful.
Love the clintons though. Will always support them.
Bill isn't used to losing.
Bill isn't the only one who's upset by the way Hillary was treated. But, we do have to move on.
He can take all the time he needs to "get over it" privately, but as far as the public image and what has to be done, there's no time to waste pouting.
To: Enlightened.
He should have supported Hillary, just like all of the other super delegates (if he is one). They should have had to vote as their states did.
I hope Bill Clinton never supports Obama, Obama was selected by the DNC not elected.
Okay all you Obama fans-Obama is not entitled to Bill Clinton's support. Both Clintons have a right to speak when and if they so choose. Remember all those pastors you believe have the freedom of speech-that means they also have the freedom not to speak. You need to get over it. What is worse than a sore loser? Millions of sore winners.
I don't see why Bill Clinton has to do anything if he doesn't want to. It seems extremely arrogant for Democrats to insist on him sucking it up and supporting someone he obviously (and perhaps rightfully) despises.
That is kind of hard when Obama put down Bill Clinton's administration consistently. This is the first time I have ever seen a party and a candidate put down a president from their own party. Kind of sad.
Oh, so now they're going to try to FORCE Pres. Clinton to support a nominee he doesn't want to. That may happen, but you will never force me or millions of other HRC supporters to vote for Obama, and all of this further pressure on the Clintons only steels my resolve to sit this election out. The voters let the election farce continue last time and look at the catastrophe that has ensued. Well, I won't participate this time!
I agree with you Obama Supporter. Bill Clinton has been on the Democratic campaign trail, positively and negatively, trying to get Hillary elected. Bill Clinton definitely needs some down time, as well as Hillary to some degree.
Of course Bill Clinton is upset, Bill Clinton saw himself as the current leader in the Democratic Party. 'Forget Howard Dean! Forget Harry Reid! Forget Nancy Peloski!' that was Bill's thinking. Bill understands that everything politically that Hillary has achieved was due to him and his presidency.
In Bill's mind, Hillary is the nominee and he is the president. As great as a politician as Bill Clinton is, if the same type of 24/7 media coverage and video/audio footage was available in 1992, Bill Clinton would not have won.
Easy job in the world giving free advice to others
Hillary 08 or Mc Cain 08
i agree 100% with Enlightened Voter. I was upset with Rendell's almost sickening support of Hillary. Backing her is one thing but he was over the top. I lost a lot of respect for him but this makes up for it. I'm sure there will be those who say he's only looking for something from Obama...maybe so but still I've regained some respect for him. Wish other Hillary supporters could be as understanding. They seem to still be blaming everyone and everything for her loss and feel she had no part of it. I think the message they're sending out especially to young women is that if you lose, you have to whine and find someone to blame. i think that's unfortunate.
Enlightened Voter:
Arrogance is something that could describe Obama as well. He by no means won by a landslide.
It has not been that long since Hillary endorsed Obama. I have respect for Bill Cinton. He will endorse soon. The election is in November, not July. The Clinton years were great for America, despite some antics, as we all have heard. Obama was critical of the Clinton years, but now is speaking highly of it. Give Bill Clinton time.It isnot like Hillary lost a high school presidential election.
I'm a Barack supporter and I'm still a little miffed. I know I have to get over it, but I can understand Bill's feelings. I don't want to see him any more than he wants to be seen. The difference is, I don't need twenty-two million dollars, he does. So if I were him, I'd suck it up, and get out there for Barack, which is really for his wife's debt.
Politics is a b..........., huh Bill?
Enough of the royal treatment for Bill Clinton. Either he fully supports Obama or he retires from politics.
You know I'm an Obama supporter, and maybe it's me..isn't the media just a little rushy with the 'move on' thought...I mean this was a big loss for the Clintons...not only in political status ,but personal ego...this is very humbling..and puts both of them back into focus per say their roots of polotics..it's really, in a sense may even be a spiritual journey...so give them so space to move forward...I don't read this as hostility from fromer President Clinton or Sen. Clinton moving slow.....but a moment to regroup and bring clairty for them as individuals. Just a thought
Agreed, Bill is a democrat and should get ON BOARD
Bill and Hillary should be upfront and forthecoming about their support for the Democrats. What's up with them? Exhausted or not they should be doing more than they are now.
Democrats 2008 (Former Republican)
As a two term president, he can do whatever the hell he wants in my opinion. Since when is he obligated to publicly endorse Obama? He already endorsed him through a statement. Does he need to walk around with an Obama button now?
Rendell is ridiculous.