Oprah, Bill Clinton Provide Star Power

Washington Post: Looming Showdown Between Talk Show Host And Former President In Iowa

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Anne E. Kornblut.

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Both are legendary communicators, perhaps the two greatest in their generation. Both helped build an ethic of empathy, turning the public confession into a rite of passage. Both are world-renowned -- one for being a former president, the other for a TV show usually identified just by her first name.

And now, Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are set to square off, in Iowa, campaigning for their favorite candidates.

The looming showdown between Clinton (who arrives here on Tuesday to campaign for his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton) and Winfrey (who appears in two weeks to campaign for Sen. Barack Obama), besides marking a rare collision of talent and fame on the campaign trail, is a sign of just how competitive the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses have become, especially when it comes to attracting female voters.

"They are perfect closers for this campaign that is becoming a nail-biter," said Donna Brazile, a consultant to Democratic candidate Al Gore in 2000 who is neutral in this race.

Winfrey's appearance, announced by the Obama campaign on Monday, is significant on several fronts. The talk show host had never endorsed a presidential candidate. More important, Winfrey -- ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the most powerful voices in public life, the host of the top-ranked television talk show for more than two decades with a track record of moving millions of books on her suggestion alone -- is arguably the only person capable of countering Hillary Clinton's most empathetic surrogate.

The Clinton campaign, which has been engaged in an increasingly nasty war of words with Obama, seemed almost respectful when asked about Winfrey's appearance. "We're fans, and we think it's great that she is participating in the process," Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said. "Everyone has wonderful supporters. We are proud of ours, but at the end of the day voters will determine which candidate has the strength and experience to make change happen on Day One."

Eric Schultz, a spokesman for former senator John Edwards, who is in a three-way tie with Clinton and Obama in the caucuses here, said: "John Edwards's 80-page 'Plan to Build One America' may not show up on Oprah's Book Club anytime soon, but we think voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will value the specifics in that book just as much as a visit from any big celebrities."

But the Edwards campaign is not above sending its own celebrities in search of female voters. The campaign recently dispatched a group of women -- ranging from his daughter Cate and abortion rights activist Kate Michelman to singer Bonnie Raitt -- onto the trail, where his campaign frequently boasts of 1,500 named female supporters in Iowa alone.

Clinton has put gender at the center of her candidacy and almost always surrounds herself with women, both prominent and not, on the campaign trail; traveling here on Sunday, she put Christie Vilsack, the well-known wife of the former governor, in view of the cameras as she talked to reporters. On Monday, the campaign announced that Susan Lynch, the wife of New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, will be among her supporters.

She also has the support of the advocacy group Emily's List, which announced a statewide drive to turn out female voters for Clinton. The announcement asserted that, in 2004, "more than 80 percent of active Democratic women did not attend" the caucuses, and that so far this year, that same pocket of women -- the ones less likely to attend on caucus night -- "give the greatest margin of support" to Clinton.

That is in keeping with the Clinton campaign's view that it will perform well if it can turn out people, particularly women, who did not participate last time or who have never participated. Still, Obama is running about even in Iowa with Clinton among women, according to the most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll. At the national level, Clinton has greater support from women.

Michelle Obama, the candidate's wife, is also planning swings through Iowa on Wednesday and Thursday, further proof that he is ceding no ground to Clinton when it comes to female voters.

The appearance of the former president comes on the heels of an increasingly heated debate over how much credit Clinton can claim for having served as first lady. In an interview with ABC that was slated to air Monday night, Obama made his most dismissive comments to date about Clinton's efforts to count those years as "experience."

"I think the fact of the matter is that Senator Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of the Clinton presidency as her own, except for the stuff that didn't work out, in which case she says she has nothing to do with it," Obama said. "There is no doubt that Bill Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues, in the same way that I would consult with Michelle if there were issues," Obama said. "On the other had, I don't think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a United States senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I've done."

[allunknowing]

O__O big surprise here.

Who would''ve guessed a dem would oppose a war Bush started...

[mudrose-2009]

Now, with the Clinton Doctrine advocating regime change in Iraq, he opposed it from the beginning. It''s amazing what hind-sight can do, don''t you think? And oh yes, this "he shouldn''t have made all that money", an obvious reference to the Bush tax cuts, while he was overseas pitching to the Arabs, et al like another Jimmy Carter against the U.S. really makes a lot of sense too. This guy first and foremost isn''t running for office. He only makes us see Red all over again everytime he opens his big fat mouth and his reference to the troops just makes one want to throw up since he did nothing to support the military all those years in office. Like me today, with these run off sentences, this man just keeps shooting his stupid mouth off. Hey, Bill, we don''t give a *** what you think and are you runing for Office? If not, why don''t you just sit down and shut your yap.

[mbcsmith]

LIBS are so funny. Does Billdo really think the public is gullible enough to forget all his hawkish comments about Iraq & Saddam Hussein? Belly up to the Kool-aid LIBS, it''s free.

[gkc99]

Difference between the Clintons and Obama?--Obama really did oppose the invasion of Iraq.

Clinton the Bill was much like a Repug in many ways--anti-working people, pro-globalization, big supporter of H1B visas to train the Chinese and Hindus how to take our jobs and businesses back to their countries (along with Dem. Sen. Feinstein of Cal.). It''s not surprising he supported Bushit. Give him credit for realizing Bushit is as phony as a $3 bill. But he''s a late-comer to Obama''s position.

[mbcsmith]

In a June 2004 article in Time magazine, Clinton also suggested that he would have acted the same way Bush did.

"So, you''re sitting there as president, you''re reeling in the aftermath of (Sept. 11), so, yeah, you want to go get (Usama) bin Laden and do Afghanistan and all that. But you also have to say, ''Well, my first responsibility now is to try everything possible to make sure that this terrorist network and other terrorist networks cannot reach chemical and biological weapons or small amounts of fissile material. I''ve got to do that.'' That''s why I supported the Iraq thing," he is quoted telling the magazine

[homespunlady]

In the meantime....George''s transfer of wealth to the ultra wealthy while bankrupting the dwindling Middle class has caused ANOTHER rat to desert his "ship" of State.


From another article about George''s "economic Adviser QUITTING:

"Among other issues, Hubbard has been deeply involved in the debate over the State Children''s Health Insurance Program and Bush''s proposal for a major shift in tax policy to, for the first time, treat health insurance costs as taxable income."

***!!!! If it isn''t BAD ENOUGH that the people have been financially raped by WAR shenanigans - WHEN did the sodomy of TAXING HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS happen??

[antoniof123]

I like Bill Clinton and Hillary was doing her job. We the American people have not forgotten how we were lied into this war. While Hillary did vote to go she was doing the will of her voters in the state. So please save your division issues for the right wing we are tired of it.

We the people know why this war was started it was vanity and oil.

[excoachken]

If only he was talking to Hillary at the time instead of talking about it with us now.

[mbcsmith]

***!!!! If it isn''''t BAD ENOUGH that the people have been financially raped by WAR shenanigans - WHEN did the sodomy of TAXING HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS happen??





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Posted by homespunlady at 09:20 AM : Nov 28, 2007

During the Clinton Administration. Owners of more than 5% of a closely held company are taxed on health insurance paid by the company.

[mbcsmith]

While Hillary did vote to go she was doing the will of her voters in the state. So please save your division issues for the right wing we are tired of it.

We the people know why this war was started it was vanity and oil.


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Posted by antoniof123 at 09:21 AM : Nov 28, 2007

The LIBS are in deep denial about the role of Billdo and Hilldog over Iraq. Now that the surge is working, it won''t be long until they are in favor of it again. Flip-flop, flip-flop. flip-flop...

[xlib]

It is amazing how you lemmings have such short memories, absolutely amazing. As for the idiot screaming the tired "Bush lied", prove it!!!

[thisandthat1]

Uh Ohhhhhh! Looks like Bill and Hillary need to spend a little bit more time coordinating their lies!

[mudrose-2009]

It is amazing how you lemmings have such short memories, absolutely amazing. As for the idiot screaming the tired "Bush lied", prove it!!!
Posted by Xlib

They can''t. All they have is a tired old broad and her big mouth husband lying through their teeth that not even the courts would touch. The "Bush lied" mantra is a pacifier to keep the base quiet and happy. Like Pewlosi actually does anything American, for example not bringing a bill to the floor to require aliens speak English. Actually she doesn''t want her illegals who work her vineyard to speak English so she can pay them in pennies and they don''t have a clue what their coinage translates to. And Bush lies. Hahahahha.

[homespunlady]

During the Clinton Administration. Owners of more than 5% of a closely held company are taxed on health insurance paid by the company.
Posted by mbcsmith at 09:29 AM : Nov 28, 2007

Hmm... The statement was that Health insurance COSTS were proposed to be taxed.
That is quite different than a PERK (paid by the company benefit) given to an OWNER of a company.

Perks have been used in the past to hide and shift compensation to a more more financially favorable return to the receiver (such as lower or NO tax benefits).
IF it meant FREE stays at overpriced spa "rehab centers" and over the top elective surgeries that the wealthy take as a benefit and then "write off" as "health care" then I could see taxing it.

In your case, the recent spending sprees by mega-church leaders would be excusable as a "cost of doing business". Whether they''re morally acceptable is something different.

[mbcsmith]

Posted by homespunlady at 10:01 AM : Nov 28, 2007

Health insurance premiums ARE costs. If you are suggesting that a payment to your doctor will be somehow taxable, you are not rowing with both oars.

[homespunlady]

From what I see, there''s lying ALL around in BOTH political parties. Guess that''s now called politics.

I''m down to preferring Paul and Kucinich (both still long shots but Paul''s climbing in the polls) simply due to being in search of a somewhat HONEST potential leader of this country. The rest have ALL been proven to be ACES at deception.

[skyk-2009]

Health insurance premiums ARE costs. If you are suggesting that a payment to your doctor will be somehow taxable, you are not rowing with both oars.


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Posted by mbcsmith at 10:06 AM : Nov 28, 2007
+ report abuse

I''ve come to the conclusion that not only do you NeoCon''s think you are superior to everyone else, you can''t READ!! If you didn''t have these programed groups and their talking heads to TELL you what "Liberals" stand for every day you''d be totally lost.

[jhodny]

The Washington Post should identify a commentary piece. If this is a news report, the Post should leave out the commentary and give the straight report. Where is it''s journalistic integrety? Readers, beware.

[mudrose-2009]

I''''m down to preferring Paul and Kucinich (both still long shots but Paul''''s climbing in the polls) simply due to being in search of a somewhat HONEST potential leader of this country. The rest have ALL been proven to be ACES at deception.

Posted by homespunlady

Yeah, I guess we can make the one who sees UFO''s President and the other against war the Vice President. This way if we are attacked by outer spacers, we''ll just let them take over.

[dogsoul]

THAT is an unmitigated lie - and everyone, even liberals know it...

Of course, he''s always cleverly stopped juuuuust short of specifically saying it being the consumate politician - and let''s not forget, this IS the guy who can question the meaning of IS itself...

shameless

[mudrose-2009]

I''''ve come to the conclusion that not only do you NeoCon''''s think you are superior to everyone else, you can''''t READ!! If you didn''''t have these programed groups and their talking heads to TELL you what "Liberals" stand for every day you''''d be totally lost.
Posted by skyk

We don''t need a road map dearie. We certainly know what Liberals stand for and we hope they get lost.

[samael2014]

How "free" can our press be if they constantly couch the the premise of the invasion of Iraq as if the U.N. doesn''t exist, the U.N. inspectors never existed and the fact that the sociopathic Decider George Bush and Tony Blair did not in fact, like the "Free" American press, give a ***, and invaded in direct violation of international law, the same Nuremberg principles on which Nazi war criminals have been indicted?

Although, I certainly wouldn''t make the same claims or opinions as Clinton, saying "I supported the president when he asked for authority to stand up against weapons of mass destruction in Iraq", is pretty clearly a comment in reference to asking for authority on the pretense that weapons of mass destruction did in fact exist, neither of which was due process of law within the U.N. allowed to pursue.

It is in fact the "free" press in America that seems to have a nuanced view of objectivity, fairness and accuracy. We didn''t elect these people to protect our democracy or represent the Constitutional definition of a free press, and they have clearly taken advantage of our lack of vigilance instead becoming a disease on what is vitally important to our democracy and America''s severely deteriorated respectability in the global community. Clearly it''s way past time for credible change to protect what the Constitution guarantees as free press.

[skyk-2009]

The LIBS are in deep denial about the role of Billdo and Hilldog over Iraq. Now that the surge is working, it won''''t be long until they are in favor of it again. Flip-flop, flip-flop. flip-flop...


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Posted by mbcsmith at 09:35 AM : Nov 28, 2007
+ report abuse

YOU think the surge is working? Maybe you need to come visit us on THIS planet there Sparky. LOL The surge isn''t working and has little chance of doing so. The Cleric who plans on running things in Iraq after we are either bankrupt or our Military doesn''t function anymore, pulled his people off the streets MONTHS ago. It was a smart move to, given that our troops are going AWOL in record Numbers and they are killing themselves again at a record rate. They already control the Southern Part of the country so what would give anyone the belief that the surge is working. I have seen NO evidence that this Cleric is willing in any way to compromise his position. It just amazes me, as a Veteran, how you fools can keep this up. I mean MOST intelligent people have understood Iraq for some time now, the lies and all. What''s with you folks?

[skyk-2009]

We don''''t need a road map dearie. We certainly know what Liberals stand for and we hope they get lost.


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Posted by mudrose at 10:14 AM : Nov 28, 2007
+ report abuse

How''s that? You losers amaze me completely. I''ve studied the history of this nation for over 30 years, taught it for over 20, and how you people can come out with completely STUPID statements like this is beyond me. Liberals CREATED this nation... ALL our great leaders are liberals. Every right you have was because of a Liberal and BOTH our World War''s were lead by Liberals. Maybe a night class in American History would help? With you maybe you should start at 6th grade level.

[mudrose-2009]

Clinton lied about a blowwjob. But you right wing hacks lie every time your lips move.
Posted by frankly6

The "lie mantra", the "lie mantra", the "lie mantra". The liars lie and then they lie that the others lie while they lie about their lies and accuse others of lying while they lie.

[homespunlady]

Health insurance premiums ARE costs. If you are suggesting that a payment to your doctor will be somehow taxable, you are not rowing with both oars.

Posted by mbcsmith at 10:06 AM : Nov 28, 2007

Let''s make this SIMPLER. A premium PAID by the company YOU OWN and then shifted to YOU (free of charge) IS COMPENSATION (payment in kind).
It IS a BENEFIT - NOT A COST to you. Taxing COSTS was what I was questioning.
Shifting what you are getting as a benefit and calling it a cost doesn''t make it a cost it just misnames it in an attempt to hide profits.

[Razzl]

But you didn''t have the guts to say anything when it mattered, did you Bill? If you had spoken up in ''03 Democrats in Congress might have found their nerve to oppose the war. I guess "triangulation" doesn''t work when you don''t hold the reins of power? The reason we''re here today is because Gore and the members of your administration learned all the wrong lessons from your leadership. (Don''t get me wrong, I think you did important things during your time, but the moral cowardice of your leadership style led us into the bad place we''ve arrived at today)...

[mbcsmith]

Posted by homespunlady at 10:20 AM : Nov 28, 2007

There are no current proposals in Congress to tax costs, and I follow it closely.

[meshoogany]

I guess your constituent is your interrogator.

I don''t know how anybody can look at peace and prosperity and say: "Your fault, Mister." Especially after this president.

[meshoogany]

I think we''re just like that guy in that old Paul Newman movie about the pool shark. I think america just likes to lose. "Peckkkertracks".. of all things to bring down a nation over. "Ethics" "Morality" "Fundamentalism".. its like that Bible saying that says something like "careful getting rid of the demon.. you make way fer 7 more."

[mcvet]

But you didn''''t have the guts to say anything when it mattered, did you Bill? If you had spoken up in ''''03 Democrats in Congress might have found their nerve to oppose the war. I guess "triangulation" doesn''''t work when you don''''t hold the reins of power? The reason we''''re here today is because Gore and the members of your administration learned all the wrong lessons from your leadership. (Don''''t get me wrong, I think you did important things during your time, but the moral cowardice of your leadership style led us into the bad place we''''ve arrived at today)...


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Posted by razzl at 10:22 AM : Nov 28, 2007
+ report abuse

As a Veteran I listened to all that was said about this War and how we got into it. Bill Clinton was VERY specific and VERY open when Bush was lying to everyone to start this war. He said it right out there when Bush wanted to attack when the inspectors hadn''t finished. Let''s be honest if we can''t do anything else. Clinton WOULD not have attacked a nation that had no weapons and who did not pose a threat to us. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[meshoogany]

It''ll be written in the ancient artifacts that the bee scientists and archaeologists collect that mankind was destroyed because he chose to be. Because he chose to be..

[mcvet]

The "lie mantra", the "lie mantra", the "lie mantra". The liars lie and then they lie that the others lie while they lie about their lies and accuse others of lying while they lie.


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Posted by mudrose at 10:19 AM : Nov 28, 2007
+ report abuse
Wow! Mud your response is mind boggling! Let me guess... YOU went to your Nazi Youth Rally last night? ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush!!

[meshoogany]

"Bzzz bz.." *Translation*: {He got bored.)

"Bz bzzz bz?" (He got bored? How do ya mean?)

"Bzz.. bz bz." (He chose the exclusive over the last of his nobility.)

[meshoogany]

"Bz bzzz bz bz.. bz." (My girlfriend did that to me I''d sting her.)

[mbcsmith]

As a Veteran I listened to all that was said about this War and how we got into it. Bill Clinton was VERY specific and VERY open when Bush was lying to everyone to start this war. He said it right out there when Bush wanted to attack when the inspectors hadn''''t finished. Let''''s be honest if we can''''t do anything else. Clinton WOULD not have attacked a nation that had no weapons and who did not pose a threat to us. Sieg Heil Bush!!


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Posted by MCVet at 10:29 AM : Nov 28, 2007

In a June 2004 article in Time magazine, Clinton also suggested that he would have acted the same way Bush did.

"So, you''''re sitting there as president, you''''re reeling in the aftermath of (Sept. 11), so, yeah, you want to go get (Usama) bin Laden and do Afghanistan and all that. But you also have to say, ''''Well, my first responsibility now is to try everything possible to make sure that this terrorist network and other terrorist networks cannot reach chemical and biological weapons or small amounts of fissile material. I''''ve got to do that.'''' That''''s why I supported the Iraq thing," he is quoted telling the magazine.
SIEG HEIL CLINTON!

[meshoogany]

They hate talent, see.. They''re jealous of it. And they bring it down because they''re jealous of it. And they''ll abandon all their own ethics to do it.. all their own morality. The rule makers, not the rule followers.. because they can''t stand talent.

[meshoogany]

Thats what gambling is.. the tabloid vicariousness and jealousy of what others are good at.

[realpatriot1]

I was against it before I was for it. Oh yeah, I didn''t inhale.

[blazercoach1]

And I guess since they weren''t MADE to give the money to the military they can''t find it in themselves to DONATE the money to military families or military supportive causes, huh?

I think it says alot about people who complain that they weren''t FORCED to be generous.......

[homespunlady]

Posted by mudrose at 10:12 AM : Nov 28, 2007

Yep, almost as good as having a President that crawls around on the Oval Office floor looking for WMDs under his desk as a JOKE that demeaned both himself and our nation.

In the meantime, Wells Fargo''s writing off well over a billion, our middle class is being foreclosed on by banks that are being bought up by "our friends" in the Middle East.
Our "friends" in China are busily providing lead to our children and reducing our pet (and people) population.

The Ultra-wealthy haven''t had it so good since the LAST ROBBER BARON Era and the treasury is rapidly emptying out to overseas locations.

Yep, an alcoholic, Vietnam dodging, silver spoon, Skull and Bones Frat-boy is JUST what this nation needed.

HOOAH!!!

Go join the military and wake up to reality before you insist OTHER people die for your insanity.

Flag waving HYPOCRITES that DON''T serve but insist others sacrifice themselves make me sick.

[mudrose-2009]

Part I

How''''s that? You losers amaze me completely. I''''ve studied the history of this nation for over 30 years, taught it for over 20, and how you people can come out with completely STUPID statements like this is beyond me. Liberals CREATED this nation... ALL our great leaders are liberals. Every right you have was because of a Liberal and BOTH our World War''''s were lead by Liberals. Maybe a night class in American History would help? With you maybe you should start at 6th grade level.
Posted by skyk

Our Founders were not liberals. They were revolutionaries. The founding fathers were not fighting for safety and security. Yes, they were separating themselves from a tyrannical government. No, it was not for safety and security. They fought not for safety, but for freedom.

In fact, the founders made a conscious decision to give up security for fundamental freedom. The founders decided the risk of death was less important than the acquisition of freedom. To them, the trade off was security for freedom, not freedom for security. The founders fought and gave their lives willingly to enshrine in a constitution certain freedoms that were more important than temporary security. Benjamin Franklin said it best:

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.

[notblue]

Bill sure has a short, clouded memory. He should have said, more correctly, that he was for it before he was against it. Wait a minute, didn''t some other Democrat say that??

"I did not have sexual relations with that women"- Bill Clinton

Bill is one totally believable politician! LOL!

[mudrose-2009]

Part II

Do I hear this from the cut and run liberals who would rather let the world settle it''s own affairs rather than stand for human rights? Do I hear from liberals the meaning of God and Country? That the Founders severed their shackles to an old world that deprived them of their right to worship as they pleased? Do LIberals recall that the Founders relied on their Creator for their rights to life, liberty and the pursuant of happiness. Do I hear from liberals the rights of parents to protect their children from abortionists, the right of parents to send their children to God-fearing schools? Give it a rest. Liberalism is a form of tyranny. Pretty soon you will exhort the rule of political correctness where anything one says will be a hate crime, because in the current liberal milieu, anything that opposes the social progressive agenda is out of step with the "anything goes" Herbert Marcuse "if it feels good do it" point of view. Ugh!

[mbcsmith]

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.




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Posted by mudrose at 10:47 AM : Nov 28, 2007

Huge difference between a liberal and a LIB.

[meshoogany]

Excellence needs its time to rest, muddy lady. Needs its vacation.. within the confines of a social society. So it can find itself again.. So it can see that life isn''t so hard. So it can breath again.. When you took away liberal generosities, you made everybody crazy.

[meshoogany]

You people are so judgmental you literally.. quite literally.. make people sick.

[meshoogany]

I''ve never been so disgusted at the spectator..

[meshoogany]

And all because a comedian doesn''t have a sense of humor.. Or a politician has got no god damned right in all creation to be a politician.. Or a doctor, wants to be a doctor never going to school. Or a teacher..

Its the war of the talented against the untalented.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by homespunlady

Well, Clintoid and company if you recall were utterly convinced that the Sadaam man had them. Gee, how quickly the lying left forgets what it''s dull, distempered leaders say and do.

"Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it". - James Madison

Huge difference between a liberal and a LIB.

Posted by mbcsmith

I just don''t see it any more.