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.”
From CNN Politics
- Untitled
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- One of the 'CITGO 6' sues CITGO for $100M in damages
- Shift in San Francisco politics serves as warning from Asian American voters to Democrats in 2024
- How Xi and Putin's new friendship could test the US
- 'This is ridiculous': Congress and White House careen toward default deadline as standoff grows
The Clintons will give "lip-service" support to Obama – but they are counting on McCain winning in '08 – so Hillary can win in 2012!
My feelings are that if Bill doesn't honestly & truly support BO and can't get past his present feelings, he will probably be more of a detriment to Obama than a help. Half-hearted support will probably be very apparent both in his speach and expressions.
It's Hillary's support that matters at this point. If Bill managed as may gaffes as he did supporting his wife I can only imagine what gems would come out of his mouth supporting Obama.
Just because I haven't been able to say this in a ticker update before comments are disabled:
What is it with you Hillary supporters that are refusing to get behind Obama unless he puts her on the ticket? Aren't we all Democrats? Aren't we all sick of eight years of idiotic policies by the GOP that have done nothing but ruin our country?
Don't get me wrong, I'd be glad if they were on the same ticket, and I would have been happy with Hillary as the candidate (for the most part). The fact remains that those Democrats who refuse to support Obama without Clinton, or would vote for McCain over a democrat are either:
1) Appear racist.
2) To modify a used idea, DINOs (Democrats in name only).
I hope he does not endorse Obama. After running against him, how can you endorse Barack?. The hypocrisy in politics
Well Said!
Bill needs to look at how he is going to go down in history.
Oh Hillary! If only you had used your message of the last month of the primaries instead of that mess you started off with. I (Republican Vet) would have actually voted for you and I would certainly have wanted you as VP.
But to make it all better, here's all you have to do. DIVORCE BILL! No woman, should have to live with the public humiliation that your husband caused you in the White House. Nor should she have to deal with the fact that your "husband" may have single handedly caused you to lose the primary. Divorce him and not only will I support you as VP, but I will agressively support and campaign for you in 2016 (That is unless Colin Powell runs, I am still a republican).
I agree with the Governor! Stop crying Bill you lost. And stop making demands about wanting to "air your grievences." Obama didn't play the race card on you , YOU brought it up first. YOU ruined your legacy within the black community. Your actions now are showing your true colors.
I fear Bill is still much more concerned about enhancing his diminishing legacy and position in the Party, and once again having a direct line to the Presidency than he is about what is best for the Democratic Party.
I believe that Bill still feels he should be "King" of the party and deeply resents seeing someone else take that spot. He clearly felt he was running for re-election through his wife....and loved all of the attention he was getting.
Sad......
It's play me or trade me time for bill, It's get in the game or ride the bench which is it Bill we need you baby !! come on this is the big dance ! and you got to be on the starting five so lets suck it up and play!!!!!!!! (YES OBAMA CAN ) !!!!!!!
I am still a Hillary supporter. No matter what she or her husband say, I WILL NOT vote for someone who is not competent to run our country!
Just how would all you "holier than thou's" react when you have been constantly criticized, crucified, etc., by obama and his mean-spirited supporters?
Sometimes it takes a little while to turn the other cheek.
Neither one of the Clintons owe Obama anything. It's that simple. The DNC didn't want or need them before so they shouldn't be worrying where they are and what they are doing now.
DNC should've think about it before allow Mr.PRIMADONA< ARROGANT OBAMA had insulted The BEST PRESIDENT of now days: CLINTON!
He is not an yo-yo!!!!
NO ; IS IT NOT TIME!!!
Bill can only be upset with himself and his imbracing of the GLOBALIST AGENDA that came back to bite him.The outsourcing of jobs,Nafta and underhanded deals with China and India are what lost her the election,not Obama.
It is time for the Clinton political machine to realize this is not the United States of Clinton and it is the United States of America. For Mr.Clinton to be upset about criticism of his campaign, there is a very short memory there. How about all his criticisms of previous democrats and how they managed in the White House, Congress and the Senate. The Clintons need to realize this country belongs to the people and not to them. Unfortunately, due to that type of politics, is the reason why this country is heading down the wrong path. What the Clintons need to realize is that decisions made on his watch have definitely have an adverse impact on the country and its citizens today. The Clintons need to move on with their lives as citizens of the United States and not owners of the United States.
Just who needs Bill around?
His power may be strong with the Democratic Party faithful–but the vast majority of us despise his abuse of power to seduce and dispose of women at his whim–and then not being held accountable for it.
He's a scum...who happened to have been made President.
He remains a scum.
As a former President, Clinton deserves the respect to let him do what he wants to do in regard to anyone else's campaigns. If he wants to go out on the campaign trail, he can do so. If he wants to play the role of elder statesman and sit in the background doling out advice behind closed doors, he's free to do that as well.
I'm a supporter of Obama, but calling people out for not supporting your candidate enough is silly. If Clinton decides to campaign, they should thank him for his support and take what they can get. If he decides to stay at home and watch Sportscenter all day, they should respect that as well and stop trying to drum up false controversy. There's no question Bill supports the Democratic ticket, and trying to suggest otherwise is absurd.
After Obama's derogatory and hate filled name calling campaign against the Clintons, I think they are entitled to get over it whenever they please.
president clinton don't ever have to get over it if he chooses not to
Obama was ugly to both of them I do not think he has to support him
i will never vote for obama and I have voted every year.
Bill Clinton has a reason to be upset over the media's treatment of his wife! Obama is a media made man.
Hey, it gives the media something to talk about. I'm sure as a good democrat Bill Clinton will get on the band wagon to support Obama.
However, some of us Clinton supporters are compelled to support Obama. Obama has never really answered why he was a member of a black liberation church for 20 years and how it was that he never heard Rev. Wright's sermons of hate and racism. I have no problem with his race or religion, however, I do have a problem with someone whose core values appear to be very different from mine . . .to say nothing of his inexperience and lack of judgment and honesty!
I agree.
Bubba, the party needs you. Many of us were loyal to you during the impeachment. We sent money; we defended you til the cows came home.
Obama has won now. We need you to step up, and fulfill the roll a former Democratic president should fulfill. Your legacy will not be ruined if you can do this.
hahahaha...I knew Bill was angry and upset.
How can Hillary convince her 18 millions of supporters to support Obama when her husband won't listen to her?
Once again, the party dictates what all must do. Sorry DNC and sorry Governor Rendell, but if Bill Clinton chooses to sit back and not get "with the program" it is his perogative. Perhaps Bill, along with several million others of us who supported Hillary, don't really think Obama is right for the job.