When Bill Clinton made claims that Obama was strictly an “establishment” candidate last January, it was expected; the man was his wife’s current opponent (1). But after the democratic community, including President Clinton’s wife, rounded together in support of their chance to regain the white house, Clinton’s statements continued with a bit of a shock.
When speaking in a forum with foreign leaders, Clinton’s words entered an arena of disloyalty to his party:
"Suppose you're a voter, and you've got candidate X and candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything, but you don't think that candidate can deliver on anything at all. Candidate Y you agree with on about half the issues, but he can deliver. Which candidate are you going to vote for?" Clinton asked (2).
After realizing that his comments may be interpreted as a blow to Obama, he clarified that his remarks were unrelated to this election.
The David Letterman show shined a spotlight on this topic (3). On September 22, 2008, Clinton appeared with commentary proving halfhearted support. He refused to speak Obama’s name and danced around the topic of the democrats’ current nominee. Chris Rock followed the appearance and openly criticized Clinton:
“Is it me, or he [Clinton] didn’t want to say the name Barack Obama?”
On Saturday Night Live September 27, 2008, Weekend Update parodied Clinton’s feeble support. During the skit, Clinton avoids saying Obama’s name (like he did on Letterman) while speaking highly of his “buddy” John McCain (4).
The Democrats aren’t the only ones with unenthusiastic supporters. When Nancy Reagan walked into her driveway holding onto McCain’s arm, she pledged her support to McCain. During the 5-minute photo op, Reagan made one remark.
"Ronnie and I always waited until everything was decided and then we endorsed," Mrs. Reagan stated. “Well obviously this is the nominee of the party.”
McCain’s divorce put a strain on his relationship with the Reagans whose loyalty went to his first wife, Carol Shepp. Five weeks after McCain split from Shepp, he married a former cheerleader 17 years his junior. Nancy Reagan then hired Shepp as her press assistant (5) and helped find her a new home (6).
(1) http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-15-bill-clinton-nevada_N.htm
(2) http://www.nypost.com/seven/08272008/news/nationalnews/bubba_in_a_blabfest_boomerang_126293.htm
(3) http://blow.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/23/chris-rock-loudly-questions-bill-clintons-tepid-support-of-obama/?scp=1&sq=bill%20clinton%20obama%20support&st=cse
(4) http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/so-funny-its-true/?scp=2&sq=saturday%20night%20live&st=cse
(5) http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_john_mccain_cheat_on_his_first.html
(6) http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/11/nation/na-divorce11
David Letterman - Sept. 22, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
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