Tonight's Real Debate: Obama Vs. Bill Clinton?

By: David L Miller
Topics: Bill Clinton

(CBS/AP)

If the headlines inspire the questions at tonight's Democratic debate in South Carolina, expect former President Bill Clinton to come up nearly as often as Hillary Clinton, the one who's actually a candidate.

Bill Clinton's actions, both during his administration and on the campaign trail on behalf of Hillary, have become a central point of contention in the Democratic race, and Obama recently added fuel to the fire when he suggested that Clinton failed to "change the trajectory" of the country while president, but Ronald Reagan did.

An angrier, edgier side of the president "from a place called Hope" has emerged in recent weeks, starting with his comment just before the New Hamsphire primary comparing Obama's views on Iraq – or his whole campaign, depending on who you listen to – to a "fairy tale." The former president has also accused Obama's campaign and its supporters of dirty tricks ahead of Nevada's caucuses, and in general, the man known as "Big Dog" has taken on the role of attack dog for his wife's campaign.

Tonight's debate will likely keep the Clintons vs. Obama story in the headlines for at least a few more days, barring a "burying the hatchet" moment like we saw at the previous debate that brought an effective end to a racially charged back-and-forth over the role of Martin Luther King Jr. and Lyndon Johnson in the passage of civil rights legislation.

But such peacemaking is unlikely, given Obama's comments today on Bill Clinton's aggressive posture. Speaking to ABC News, the Illinois senator said Clinton "has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that I think is pretty troubling," and said he would "directly confront Bill Clinton when he's making statements that are not factually accurate."

It's hard to prognosticate how the battle will play out. Obama has cut into Hillary Clinton's support among black voters, who are key to his hopes of winning South Carolina's Saturday primary, the last before Super Tuesday. But Bill Clinton is still beloved by many in the African American community – taking him on could be a bridge too far for Obama. However, Clinton's original "fairy tale" comment outraged many prominent African Americans – keeping that in the media might hurt Hillary Clinton among black voters. That doesn't even take into account the Feb. 5 contests, where "Clinton fatigue" – or desires for a Clinton restoration – could be a factor. If voters see an angry Bill Clinton as an unpresidential Bill Clinton, Obama might benefit.

While the principals involved seem to be spoiling for a fight, much of the Democratic establishment seems to want it over with. Newsweek's Jonathan Alter notes that one of the party's elder statesmen, Sen. Edward Kennedy, and Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, a former Clinton aide who helped orchestrate the Democratic takeover of Congress in 2006, have both leaned on the former president to tone down his rhetoric. Influential South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn has also called for an end to hostilities.

Tonight's debate should be a pivotal moment for a dispute that, so far, has done nothing but escalate. Bill Clinton won't be on the debate stage, but his presence will undoubtedly be felt.

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by annie174 January 22, 2008 11:10 PM EST: I was going to browse Topics on this page.Unfortunately,John Edwards was not listed under topics..Seems a bit unfair to me as all 5 Republicans were listed & 1 or 2 of them haven''t even won a third place vote...Shame on such unfair coverage of political season..Remember, Edward beat Clinton in Iowa & finished 3rd in other 2 races in field of 8 democratic candidate..I bet no-one can remember the other candidates names as all the news is about Clinton/Obama.; Reply to this comment


by annie174 January 22, 2008 11:06 PM EST: I was going to browse Topics on this page.Unfortunately,John Edwards was not listed under topics..Seems a bit unfair to me as all 5 Republicans were listed & 1 or 2 of them haven''t even won a third place vote...Shame on such unfair coverage of political season..Remember, Edward beat Clinton in Iowa & finished 3rd in other 2 races in field of 8 democratic candidate..I bet no-one can remember the other candidates names as all the news is about Clinton/Obama.; Reply to this comment


by voter69 January 22, 2008 5:07 PM EST: Who cares? I did not watch the debate because Dennis Kucinich was excluded. Without him the debate becomes a he said she said bickering contest between Clinton and Obama and the public ends up hearing nothing at all on their so-called universal health plans, Iraq/Iran war stances, GAY marriage stances, the NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO nightmare, repeal of the USA Patriot act and IMPEACHMENT.

Don''t let the media stop YOUR questions from being answered! You are being duped into watching an expensive infomercial for the media''s choices for President. Demand that Kucinich remain in the debates or end up hearing more of the same bickering created by the press to sell headlines.; Reply to this comment


by fjstratford January 22, 2008 3:48 AM EST: Obama, don''t lie! You DID complement the republicans for being the party of ideas.

Here''s the proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HnLy3R2DDw

Now, try denying that!

Are these "republican ideas" the sort of "change" that you want to impose on the US of A? Im sorry but you can kiss your "republican ideas" goodbye!

Bill Clinton may have stretched the truth but you frickin lied honey!; Reply to this comment


by rn_ragan January 22, 2008 3:26 AM EST: I find it funny that Obama is a big man when he faces Bill Clintons wife, but not against the man that said this about him...he would lose Bill is a smarter mane than Obama. Hillary did the right thing even if the people in SC didn''t like what she said she was right Obama isn''t telling the truth about his record ,and all the News agenties are for Obama anyways.; Reply to this comment


by sjbj2322 January 22, 2008 3:10 AM EST: Truthfully I would love just once to see Hillary set back and really let Bill at Barack. Barack thinks he''s up to the challenge but he would find himself begging for release. Bill didn''t get where he got fighting the cause of civil rights as he did without taking on some pretty tough opponents. It''s one thing to take on the cause of civil rights because you conviently fit the mold; its quite another to do so when your a highly gifted and intelligent man and you do so cause its the right thing to do. Barack is not only not MLK or JFK - he''s no Bill Clinton.; Reply to this comment


by advocate101 January 22, 2008 1:04 AM EST: Hey- it''s politics;it''s ALL some-body''s "fairytale". But think of this: Isn''t it exciting to have three people representing groups who have historically been discriminated against in every way you can think of by government and society (until finally laws passed to protect them) as the viable candidates in the race for the White House! A female, an African American and a guy over 65- three groups of people representing the a large group of minorities that have had to endure the rear-end of democracy are finally able to sit in the front of the bus. AMEN AND THANKS DR. KING!!!; Reply to this comment


by shutupnvote January 21, 2008 8:34 PM EST: What crapola, last week when Senator Obama lost NH it was because the Clintons are racist this week it because Bill is a racist lying meanie not entitled to support his wife. The real problem here is Obama playing to a rabid hate bating press and not accepting reality that we are for Senator Clinton not him its not everyone elses fault. Come Feb its over.; Reply to this comment


by shutupnvote January 21, 2008 8:34 PM EST: What crapola, last week when Senator Obama lost NH it was because the Clintons are racist this week it because Bill is a racist lying meanie not entitled to support his wife. The real problem here is Obama playing to a rabid hate bating press and not accepting reality that we are for Senator Clinton not him its not everyone elses fault. Come Feb its over.; Reply to this comment


by elsylee28 January 21, 2008 8:30 PM EST: You guys should definately check out the blogsize Savage Politics at www.savagepolitics.com

Here is an excerpt from today''s article called "MLK and the Establishment''s Dream":

"Martin Luther King, Jr. was, by the standards of any reasonable human being, an impacting figure in American history. As a rabid organizer an advocate of African American rights, his exploits did influence public policy in Washington to the point of convincing important figures from the White Establishment to follow the long awaited current towards racial inclusion throughout the electoral process. Nevertheless, there is a sinister side to the Media%u2019s obsession with MLK and his legacy. Although history has had at its disposal many other Black heroes to choose from, American society (i.e. the Press and their sheep) had already decided to utilize King, Jr. as the picture-perfect illustration of what a revolutionary should be. And, even if we discount the %u201Ccloset%u201D datum which surround this historical figure, the fact that Boston University found, after a thorough investigation, that a third of his Doctoral dissertation had been plagiarized, or the lurid details about his sexual misconducts, or ..."
Find the rest of the article at www.savagepolitics.com; Reply to this comment