MyFoxPhilly

So the former President has made another comment ripe for inquiry and interpretation. After waxing poetic about the friendship his wife and Senator McCain apparently share, and then musing about a potential general election fight between them, he had this to say (to a group comprised mainly of veterans) during a visit in Charlotte, North Carolina:

“I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country, and people could actually ask themselves who is right on these issues, instead of all this other stuff that always seems to intrude itself on our politics.”

Considering the timing of this remark—in the midst of Barack Obama’s attempt to sufficiently disassociate himself from his seemingly unpatriotic pastor—Bill’s comments strike some as a low blow meant to try to throw Obama, yet again, under the Democratic bus. But Bill’s spokesperson said no no no, these people have it all wrong, and explained it like this:

“Actually, as is indicated by the quote itself, President Clinton was talking about the need to talk about issues, rather than falsely questioning any candidate’s patriotism. He was lamenting that these kind of distractions ‘always seem to intrude’ on political campaigns. This is consistent with his criticism of the ‘politics of personal destruction’ which dates back 16 years.”

So here go my questions (and my apologies in advance for asking so many… I’m in a curious and unrestrained mood at the moment during which my typing is trying desperately to keep up!):

-How do you interpret Bill Clinton’s remarks? Do they cause either Bill or Hillary Clinton to lose credibility or affection in your eyes?

-Now that the dust has settled some on Obama’s Pennsylvania speech, do you think he was able to adequately answer the questions posed to him about his connection to Wright’s rhetorical excesses, or has he lost the support and/or respect you afforded him prior? (Or did the speech merely serve to confirm your feelings about Obama’s character, whether positive or negative?)

-Do you think the current Democratic stalemate—and ensuing bitterness between Clinton and Obama—is ultimately going to be destructive to the Democratic Party as a whole, and beneficial to McCain in the general election?

One last thing… Just as an FYI, I’ve decided not to vote in this general election. I heard an interview with General Patraeus recently during which he said he doesn’t vote because he thinks it’s important to his job function that he remain as neutral as he can. When I heard that, I thought it made a lot of sense… This is the first presidential election during which I’m working as a journalist; I think that knowing I’m not voting is going to allow me to feel as agenda-free as possible. So rest easy knowing I’m all ears… not mouth…

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Bill Clinton's Mouth and Other Sorrows

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