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
- Top US general says increased partnership between Iran, Russia, and China will make them 'problematic' for 'years to come'
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Fetterman to return to Senate week of April 17
- Untitled
- Jill Biden attends Nashville shooting vigil
- US citizens sponsoring family members join effort to defend immigration program in court
Now we know who kept Hillary in the primaries even after the whole world knew she'll not get the nomination. Hint-hint (B-I-L-L).
It’s not over for the Clintons. Bill Clinton is just more vocal while Hillary Clinton is simply more calculating; perhaps because she is the one who was defeated. The Democratic Party needs to monitor the Clintons very closely. The Clintons are going execute two important tasks in the coming months. Firstly, the Clintons are going to steal the nomination from Senator Obama. Hard-line Hillary Clinton loyalists are undoubtedly already working tirelessly on their own Willie Horton & Robert Kennedy Strategies; the latter which will surely awaken the rabid approval and support of her remaining voter base. Secondly, they are going to administer payback to all those individuals in the party who they feel abandoned them. They are not to be trusted, ever again.
Bill Clinton is the sad punchline to a joke who completely destroyed his reputation and his legacy through his childish and nutty behavior during Mrs. Clinton's presidential campaign.
It's just sad seeing how pathetic he has become.
You people have given the Clinton's such disrespect. Obama can only strive to be half the president Bill Clinton was. The Clinton name may have helped Hillary get recognized, however, she would have been a far superior President then Obama. As per the last 2 and now 3 elections, we have to choose the best of the Worst. One day we will get to choose a candidate who knows what they are doing.
Rendell hit the nail on the head...get over it . If Bill feels like being active in the campaigning thats fine. If not...thats ok too. While the Clintons have a broad support base, this election is based on change an moving forward. Their help would be welcome but I doubt if its a necessity at this point in time.
EXACTLY..
BARACK THE VOTE PEOPLE.................. 🙂
Keep the people of the USA first!
Lets WIN this thing!
The Obama team repeatedly called Bill C. a racist in response to legitimate criticisms Obama. The Obama team continues this pattern of pre-emptively playing the race card as a reaction to any/all criticisms of their under-qualified candidate. Thus, absent an explicit apology from Obama, neither Bill or Hillary should campaign for Obambi. Let him carry his own water. In fact, since they both know (and have implied) that McCain is far more qualified to be president, they should keep conspicuously silent as an expression of good will to the country and McCain. Let's keep in mind that having Rev. Wright or Farrakhan sleeping in the Lincoln Bedroom is not a very appealing thought to the average voter. Keep quiet Bill.
If I were Obama, I wouldn't pay her campaign debts, either. She never ended her campaign, only said she suspended it. If he were to pay off her debts, she could stab him in the back and start fund raising again and try to run as an independent. Leaving her $30 million in debt makes sure she will stay out of the race, where she belongs.
DON'T DO IT! LET HER PAY HER OWN BILLS!
Bill Clinton is very smart, so don't count him out but count on him. Obama is up in the polls over John McCain and Bill knows this could change so look for Bill Clinton when and if this happens. I'm sure the Republicans are very nervous about what a huge difference Bill Clinton will make and they want him out in the open now so they can make their battle plan. Bill Clinton is with democrats so I don't believe him to be in any way angry.
Bill can do what ever he likes – There is nothing written that says you must support someone you don't agree with – this do or die for the party is non sense. You vote for the person who you believe will do the best job.
I am sooooooooooooo sick of Bill and Hillary. They're mad........ they're upset..........they're going to throw themselves on the floor and hold their breath until they get what they want.
God I wish these people would crawl back under their rock – never to be seen again.
Maybe it's true that President Clinton is having a hard time getting over the defeat of his wife. But maybe it's equally true that Clinton really doesn't believe that Obama is qualified to be President.
McCain is right. When has Obama put his party or his country ahead of his own ambitions? I can't think of a time. All I see in Obama is one speech after another. I see no legislation with his name on it. I see no leadership by him on any serious issues of of the day.
Even his pastor and church of twenty years were thrown to the side when they threatened HIS candidacy. Obama knew and became friends with both Pfleger and Rezko and both were thrown under the bus. And of course there is public financing. Thrown aside as well. Anyone or anything that gets in his way is minimized and forgotten.
I have always admired Bill Clinton. I am sure that he will ultimately support Barack.
Bill just needs some time and space to reflect on how blessed his life has been. God has been tremendously good to him. He's a popular two-term president. His wife is a beloved senator from New York who has a limitless future. Bill Clinton will be back strong.
Bill....we love ya, man....and we love Hillary. But, Bill, this will seriously damage your legacy if you let your bruised ego get in the way.
Obviously it is the young Obama supporters on here because they have all bought into the tailored message by Obama's campaign about Clinton. Those of us that were there no a different man and will only continue to despise you people more as you criticize a person who did soooo many things for the less fortunate of this country. To continue to call him divisive bitter and entitled along with his wife is politics at its worst and does not reflect well on a candidate who continues to underhandedly smear while "taking the high road" it is old school politics and rather hypocritical.
They both (Hillary and Bill) need to get over it as their new boss is Obama. All you Hillary supporters need to get over it as well and get on board and help the party because Barak is your new boss. I am tired of hearing all the Obama is a sexest stuff. Let's move on and unite.
Why does the media love the Clinton's so.........much? It alway's
has something soooo positve to say about our GREATEST EX-
PRESIDENT!
President Clinton said he'll do whatever it takes to get Obama elected. What is it about those words that overyone does not understand?
YES – YOU WILL NEED THEM.....
AND TO SOME OF THE POSTERS HERE – NAME CALLING STILL LIKE "BILLYBOB" IS NOT HELPING HILLARY SUPPORTERS "GET IN LINE".
IF YOU DON'T THINK OBAMA NEEDS HILLARY SUPPORTERS, THEN FINE, CONTINUE TO BE IGNORANT, AND CONTINUE WITH THE NAME CALLING, AND CONTINUE WITH HATEFUL REMARKS, AND SEE WHO WINS IN NOVEMBER...
FactCheck has a point! His legacy has been tarnished by HIS OWN DOING! Barack Obama did not force him at gun point to diminism the importance of younger voters or to make the Jesse Jackson or "fairy tale" statements. Bill Clinton is NOT a racist. Bill Clinton has been embraced by the black community (including my own family) as one of our own, that's why he thinks he can say anything. He still cannot just say anything! Bill and Hillary WANT the Dems in control. I strongly believe that they will do whatever it takes to get Sen. Obama elected.
I'm sure Bill has moved on to better things to do then help BO!
He helped his Wife, but why would he feel the need to help BO, especially after the way he has treated by him and his supporters.
McCain 08
The Democrats can't get over anything.
They still whine about the 2000 and 2004 elections, for crying out loud!
Let's see: the guy who blamed Rush Limbaugh for the Oklahoma City bombing because he had a Republican Congress, blamed the Republican Congress for his own lying under oath, and claimed his 'not guilty' verdict regarding perjury was 'defending the Constitution' is now all of a sudden a selfish little snot with a vindictive streak?
Most of us saw this before Bill Clinton ever got elected. Its too bad that such wizardy of politics and such mid-life crisis acting out are found in the same underused mind.
I'll just take my ball and go home...wahhhh!!!!