Hillary “Explains” Why Hussein Would Suck As CIC But Be A-OK As VP
The Swamp:
by Mike Dorning
Does Hillary Clinton believe Barack Obama is good enough to be a heartbeat away from the presidency but still a second-rate choice for commander-in-chief?
As Clinton’s campaign simultaneously questions Obama’s readiness to be commander-in-chief and enthusiastically promotes him as a vice-presidential choice should she win the nomination, a Clinton surrogate this morning made the unusual argument that Obama is “qualified” to be a heartbeat away from the presidency but still falls far short of Clinton’s readiness for the job.
Tim Russert, moderator for “Meet the Press,” bored in on the seeming inconsistency in questioning Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, a surrogate who appeared on behalf of the Clinton campaign.
While the Clinton campaign’s recent rhetoric suggests that Obama may not meet the standard of readiness voters would expect in a commander-in-chief, Rendell argued that Obama is in fact “ready” for the job.
Still, according to Rendell, his candidate’s “dream” vice-presidential pick is “not nearly as ready as Hillary Clinton is, there’s no question about that.”
Here is the exchange:
RUSSERT: Would–do you think that Barack Obama would be acceptable as vice president?
RENDELL: Acceptable? I think it would be a dream to Democrats all over this country. Personally, for me, it would be a great ticket. I mean, I’m going to fight hard for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, whoever the candidate is. But put them together and I think it would give America a rare opportunity to experience something just incredibly wonderful.
RUSSERT: So, if you believe he’s acceptable as vice president, one heartbeat away from the presidency, you believe that Barack Obama is qualified to be commander in chief.
RENDELL: I think he’s qualified. I don’t think he’s as good a potential commander in chief right now as Hillary Clinton is. But I certainly think he’s qualified. And I will work my heart out for him if he’s our nominee, just as I know Tom will work his heart out for Senator Clinton if she’s our nominee.
RUSSERT: It–that seems to be in conflict with some things that you have said and what Hillary Clinton has said. On Wednesday you sent out a statement from the Clinton campaign that says, “We want a president who’s ready, not one we hope will one day be ready,” suggesting Barack Obama is not ready. Hillary Clinton said this on Monday. Let’s listen.
(Videotape)
CLINTON: I think that I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the White House. I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002.
(End videotape)
RUSSERT: And she went on to offer these observations about a threshold for commander in chief. Let’s listen.
(Videotape, Thursday)
CLINTON: I think it’s imperative that each of us be able to demonstrate we can cross the commander in chief threshold, and I believe that I’ve done that. Certainly Senator McCain has done that. And, and you’ll have to ask Senator Obama with respect to his candidacy.
(End videotape)
RUSSERT: So, Governor Rendell, if Barack Obama’s qualified to be vice president, he has crossed the commander in chief threshold. Correct?
RENDELL: Well, I, I think he’s ready. He’s not nearly as ready as Hillary Clinton is, there’s no question about that. But, look, make no mistake about it, he’s a talented, dynamic politician and, and a, and a good senator, and I think he would make a fine president. Again, is he as experienced and as ready as Hillary Clinton? Nobody is. Tim, I’ve been talking to Democratic candidates since 1980, and Hillary Clinton is the best-prepared candidate I’ve ever talked to. Far better prepared than Bill Clinton was in 1992.
RUSSERT: But if, in fact, there’s a possibility Obama may be the Democratic nominee, would it be better, in the interest of the Democratic Party, that the Clintons not suggest that he hasn’t passed the threshold to be commander in chief?
RENDELL: Well, sure. Look, there, there’s rhetoric in a campaign on all, on all sides, and I, I think the, the issue should be framed as ready compared to Hillary Clinton. And, and that’s the way I would frame the issue going forward. To me, there’s no contest. I don’t think–it’s not Barack Obama’s fault. I think almost any of the other candidates would have fallen into the same category, ready but not as ready as Hillary Clinton.
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
Jeezum crow, I’m so sick of these phoney shits and the idiot bastages who support them. Are there so few sane people left in this country that either one of them stands a snowball’s chance in Hell of being CIC?
March 9th, 2008 at 4:14 pmClinton/Obama, might it look like this — http://10ksnookers.blogspot.com/2008/03/clintonobama-ticket.html
March 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pmI can see why Clinton would want to bring Obama as VP along to try to sponge off of his popularity.
But if I were Obama, I would never bring Clinton along. Being the *only thing* between her and the Presidency, well, ask Vince Foster what happens to people who get in the Clinton’s way…
March 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm“And Senator Obama has a speech he gave back in 2002″….ROFL….wow…that says it right there. She gives her Republican opponent more credit than her Democrat competitor.
March 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm———————————————————
OH! MY! G-D!!!
No fucking WONDER I’m with the party whose symbol is the elephant … I just CAN’T seem to FORGET certain things!!!
WHO SAYS it’s “useless information”??!??
“Key Clinton Backer Says Some Whites “Not Ready” for a Black President”
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/election08/76867/
“Pennsylvania Governor says Whites Aren’t Ready to Vote for Obama … February 12, 2008″
http://mpinkeyes.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/pennsylvania-governor-says-whites-arent-ready-to-vote-for-obama/
March 9th, 2008 at 7:31 pm