Bill Clinton "Just Can't Help Himself"

Politico's Mike Allen Says Former President's Remarks Reflect Frustration Over Hillary's White House Run

(CBS)  Former President Bill Clinton again overshadowed his presidential candidate-wife with remarks on the campaign trail which, rather than clear the air over Hillary Clinton's statements on Bosnia, only seemed to muddy the waters.

In Indiana Thursday, President Clinton said Sen. Clinton has "misstated" the circumstances of her arrival in Bosnia under sniper fire - a comment that was quickly refuted by a CBS News video of her 1996 trip - but suggested that the brouhaha over her remarks (by the media and her opponents) was exaggerated. "You would have thought, you know, that she'd robbed a bank the way they carried on about this."

But the former president's defense of his wife - that she had made the comment late at night after long hours of campaigning - was itself refuted by CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod, who showed the New York Senator making her remarks early one morning after a day of rest.

Now the question being asked is, with Hillary's Bosnia comments having long died down (the Senator has even joked about it several times), why would the former president raise the matter again, and make inaccurate points in doing so?

"You can hear both Republicans and Democrats say about President Clinton, which has been said so many times before, 'He just can't help himself,'" Politico columnist Mike Allen told Early Show anchor Debbye Turner.

Allen likened the feeling within the Clinton campaign to the famous "Saturday Night Live" skit during the 1988 presidential race, "where Michael Dukakis said about George Bush's father, 'I can't believe I'm losing to this guy.'

"I think that this reflects extreme frustration inside the Clinton family, inside the Clinton campaign, about the trajectory of this race."

"When you are supporting someone you love, you really do take it very much to heart," Sen. Clinton said during a recent appearance on "The Tonight Show." "I've told him, 'Okay, honey, that's all right. We don't have to get excited about it.' So he's doing a great job for me, but he does get a little carried away sometimes."

Allen said it sounded as if Hillary is distancing herself from Bill.

"It looks like she's saying, 'Honey, cool it, shut up, chill out.' These comments have just raised issues that hurt her, such as his earlier remarks that hurt her with black voters. And he and Chelsea Clinton are out very hard campaigning hard for her, but this keeps coming up.

"Some even wonder if there's a perverse psychology where he's trying to undermine her campaign. I don't think that's right, because her election would help his legacy, make him a much bigger historic figure. But as your correspondents can tell you, he's been pulled way back from the press. There aren't cameras on rope lines anymore. They try to keep him quiet.

"But he goes out and boom, has a whole different story than what the campaign wanted."

A year and a half ago, with Hillary Clinton seen as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, Bill Clinton was seen as her campaign's strongest weapon. And now?

"People talked about the mixed blessing of Bill Clinton," Allen said. "He had always looked like an unalloyed asset. He reminded Democrats, many Americans of a better time, [and is] one of the greatest political strategists who has ever lived in America. But instead he's just turned out to be a distraction. So yes, indeed, you will see less of him.

"He's such a contrast to Chelsea Clinton, their daughter, who has done more than 100 question-and-answers at colleges, most of them on camera, with not one flub."

[rowdytexan2]

Keep telling it like it is Bill! The little shill will hang himself eventually. The more people see of him the better!

[payasyougo]

Bill, Hillary and Jimmy - rewriting history as they see fit.

[hawksprings]

''Bill Clinton "Just Can''t Help Himself"''

Isn''t that the line teenage boys use on girls?

I bet Bill could help himself if the intern''s dad walked in.

[xlib]

Ah, bubba, I sure hope those cardiac meds aren''t affecting you the way they can sometimes. Know what I mean there slick??? Sometimes they do have an affect on both brains.

[hadenufff]

Pathological liars like billy and hitlery can''t help themselves. They are so delusional and egotistical that it''s sad that they are even allowed in public. They should both be put in straight jackets and locked away in padded rooms somewhere.

[jockh]

Hillarys problem is that voters know how easily the Clintons lie.

Misspeaking is one thing, repeating something over and over makes it a FLAT LIE !!
The Clintons simply cannot help themselves; they tell a big lie when a small lie will do. And they tell a small lie when the truth will do. After training from Bill, Hillary can lie out of both sides of her mouth at the same time even when there''s no particular reason to.

Look at the trouble the country is in because of the lies of President Bush so God help America if the world famous misspeaking Clintons get elected.

[truth-hurts]

IT''S NOT ABOUT BITTERNESS OBAMA.

ITS WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT SMALL TOWNS, RURAL AMERICA, THE WORKING CLASS, GUNS AND RELIGION.!

[jockh]

Hillary is NOT a liar.

I must admit that as a parent, it is all too easy to confuse a hug from a little girl with the terror of running from sniper bullets.

[truth-hurts]

he remarks Obama made about working class America are condescending and reveals that he thinks he''s better than us!!!

[schwarzzennegger]

Bill Clinton is another Eliot Spitzer. Publicly he professes to support his wife and help her get elected. On a psychological level he is self destructive and destructive to her as well. It is not unlike his escapades in the White House when he severely damaged himself and his legacy, essentially destroyed the chances of the next 2 Democratic candidates, and humiliated his supportive wife in the eyes of the world. He is obviously angry and has issues.. and evidently hasn''t gotten better in his years out of office. He should get out of the limelight and seek counseling. The prospect of him being set free again in the White House worries many, and seriously diminishes Hillary''s chances both in the primary and general elections. If her judgement were as good as what she professes it to be, she should have known all this, and left him long ago. She would do much better standing on her own two feet.

[richardmm-2009]

Bill''s beginning to sound as ''dumb'' as Obama - if he''s going to talk shouldn''t he have advisers? C''mon Bill - I''m hopin for Hillary - keep it together man!

And yes I''d rather have a person that mispeaks or distorts (Clinton) rather than someone who actively hates and is a bigot(Obummer)

[laneykehel]

Personally, I LOVED it when Bill Clinton told the press that they don''t want to report what Americans are really concerned about. He''s dead right there or he SHOULD be. We should be worried more about whether we will have jobs in the next four years, whether this war will continue ad infinitum, and whether the food supply will be safe. And the media should be more attuned to what we are concerned about.

[cbsblogger]

If Hillary lies on the campaign trail when she is "tired" what is she going to do and tell the people when the phone rings at 3AM in the Whitehouse.

[watcher269-2009]

COM''ON BIASED CBS - why don''t you report ALL the FLIP-FLOP McCain''isms?

Becuase YOU''RE BIASSED!

McSham can''t get a story straight either - and yet you don''t report that!

CBS NEWS - for your straight talk - Republican, straight talk that is!

CBS News == The Communservative Broadcasting Network!

[lorinkundert]

Bill is Hillary''s worst enemy in this election, when someone says they "Misspoke" there is no such thing, they simply lied and got caught at it.

[hillsangels1]

For many years the media has made quite a living off of the Clintons and their constant negative coverage does seem to provoke and evoke frustration from the former President, but I would ask, who wouldn''t be? If this was your wife, your child, and your legacy constantly being attacked, what would you do? The media has indeed been biased in their scrutiny and while they continue to treat Obama with kid gloves, they show no such reservation with anyone from the Clinton family. It is indeed frustrating to even watch let alone be subject to. I can''t imaging how that must feel, and to CBS I would say maybe Clinton can''t help himself, but you and the other media haven''t seemed to be able to help yourselves either.

[libra127]

If her judgement were as good as what she professes it to be, she should have known all this, and left him long ago.

Posted by aspiritguide at 11:00 AM : Apr 12, 2008

ONLY if all she cared about was POLITICS. That she has managed to keep her marriage intact in spite of all that''s happened shows great strength of character. She and Bill produced a wonderful daughter and appear to have a strong and loving marriage. She has fought for her family and she is fighting for the Presidency. She deserves to win.

[libra127]

he''''s an over-the-top kinda guy, which is why those who like him, love him, and those who don''''t, hate him. it''''s why he was a terrific president and an incredible *ss who''''s penchant for big mouthed women put us all through h*ll while delivering the country from recession to growth and took us from the red into the black. no wonder why he''s paid so much money just to show up and talk - he fascinates people!

Posted by ccfsdca at 11:39 AM : Apr 12, 2008

Interesting analysis, ccfsdca. I agree, except I would say it was Ken Starr and his gang that "put us through h*ll" rather than B. Clinton.

[b-easy63]

A PARABLE:

There was once a pilgrim walking up a mountain who encountered a poisonous snake. The snake begged the man to carry him as he too wanted to get to the to the top of the mountain. Of course the man said no, as he knew the snake could bite him and he would die. The snake continued to beg and promised not to bite the man. Feeling sorry for the snake and having a trusting nature, the pilgrim finally agreed and picked the snake up allowing it to nestle on his chest. He was scared at first, but as the journey progressed, the snake kept his word and did not bite him.

He would continually check to the comfort of the snake, who assured the man, that everything was fine. Finally they reached the top of the mountain. The man told the snake and the snake bit the man. Shocked, the man cried out "But I did what you asked and you promised you would not bite me" To which the snake replied before he slithered away: "You knew what I was when you picked me up"

HRC: Whitewater, Monica, NAFTA, CAFTA, Bosnia lies, Ins. continual Lies, 800K for Columbia, Smear campaigning, unpaid debts, infighting and shabby campaign,questionable ties and tactics.

Bush: liar, smear campaigner, poor businessman, questionable ties and tactics, bail outs...

You know what they are --when you vote for them.

[randynason]

Mr Mega-Ego should do what most women in the past have been told: look pretty, smile and shut up. Does Bill has a self-destructive leaning? After the Lewinsky scandal, one would think that he would know better than to: open mouth and insert foot. That guy just doesn''t seem to learn very well.

[veteran72]

Ron Paul''s beginning to look a whole lot more appealing to the American Retardds right now.....

[glock4me]

Bill Clinton can''t help himself!?!? Is this what passes for news at CBS?

[truth-hurts]

Obama says SMALL TOWN PEOPLE

CLING TO GUNS AND RELIGION.

I''ll tell you something more

about small town people...

They don''t forget!!

Bye Bye Obama, You''ll never
get yourself out of this one.

For the Whole Story go to HuffingtonPost.com

[creeper00]

Hillary Clinton must love Bill a lot to put up with the things he''s done.

[rowdytexan2]

he''''''''s an over-the-top kinda guy, which is why those who like him, love him, and those who don''''''''t, hate him. it''''''''s why he was a terrific president and an incredible *ss who''''''''s penchant for big mouthed women put us all through h*ll while delivering the country from recession to growth and took us from the red into the black. no wonder why he''''s paid so much money just to show up and talk - he fascinates people!

Posted by ccfsdca at 11:39 AM : Apr 12, 2008

Interesting analysis, ccfsdca. I agree, except I would say it was Ken Starr and his gang that "put us through h*ll" rather than B. Clinton.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by libra127 at 12:13 PM : Apr 12, 2008

Well said, and worth repeating!

Even after Ken Starr pulled the nation through his krap, Bill Clinton still has the highest approval rate!

[husein_pasha]

You are writing with very high speed. I`m leaving

[felliniquilt]

I see the Clintons unable to admit mistakes. What has changed?

[luigi999-2009]

BOTH Clinton''s are disgusting liars and some fools lap it up.

[rowdytexan2]

There was once a pilgrim walking up a mountain who encountered a poisonous snake. The snake begged the man to carry him as he too wanted to get to the to the top of the mountain. Of course the man said no, as he knew the snake could bite him and he would die. The snake continued to beg and promised not to bite the man. Feeling sorry for the snake and having a trusting nature, the pilgrim finally agreed and picked the snake up allowing it to nestle on his chest. He was scared at first, but as the journey progressed, the snake kept his word and did not bite him.

He would continually check to the comfort of the snake, who assured the man, that everything was fine. Finally they reached the top of the mountain. The man told the snake and the snake bit the man. Shocked, the man cried out "But I did what you asked and you promised you would not bite me" To which the snake replied before he slithered away: "You knew what I was when you picked me up"

B-easy, you telling your life story again?

[rjfindiana]

Americans need to wake up and pay attention. The Clintons have a LONG documented history of complete misrepresentation, half-truths, questionable dealings and business connections, moral failings and more. Accuracy and truthfulness is a moving target for them and we ought to understand, by now, that they don''t even try to aim for it. What are you supporting and voting for?

[rjfindiana]

Americans need to wake up and pay attention. The Clintons have a LONG documented history of complete misrepresentation, half-truths, questionable dealings and business connections, moral failings and more. Accuracy and truthfulness is a moving target for them and we ought to understand, by now, that they don''t even try to aim for it. What are you supporting and voting for?

[rjfindiana]

Americans need to wake up and pay attention. The Clintons have a LONG documented history of complete misrepresentation, half-truths, questionable dealings and business connections, moral failings and more. Accuracy and truthfulness is a moving target for them and we ought to understand, by now, that they don''t even try to aim for it. What are you supporting and voting for?

[soupman1951]

THE CLINTON''S & THE TRUTH ARE STRANGERS !!!!!!!!!!!

[nancy971]

BARACKY: THE MOVIE. "In connection with the upcoming Pennsylvania Primary, Hillary Clinton recently compared herself to Rocky Balboa. We beg to differ..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyhIBXNfqMA

[jack3213]

OBAMA IS NOT QUALIFIED NOR IS CLINTON TO CHANGE ANYTHING, THE DEMOCRATIC CHOICES ARE ONES WHERE PEOPLE ARE OBVIOUSLLY CLINGING JUST TO HAVE CHANGE- NOT FOR SUBSTANCE- THAT CAN BRING ABOUT REAL CHANGE. DENIAL CAN BE DANGEROUS.MCCAIN 2008

[prinzowhales]

truth-hurts--Or, CBS has a small article on this site with this quote:

"Referring to residents of small towns in Pennsylvania, Obama told a small group of fundraisers in San Francisco earlier this week that %u201Cit''s not surprising they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren''t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." This guy is insane.

lulu.com...OBAMA: THE POST-MODERN COUP, THE MAKING OF A MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE by Webster Tarpley is just coming out...his show is on now at genesis communications network...Channel 3. He notes that this is part and parcel of the same kind of Soros funded operation as was seen in the color-coded revolutions elsewhere in the world. Get ready folks...this man will NOT be president.

[rowdytexan2]

Americans need to wake up and pay attention. The Clintons have a LONG documented history of complete misrepresentation, half-truths, questionable dealings and business connections, moral failings and more. Accuracy and truthfulness is a moving target for them and we ought to understand, by now, that they don''''t even try to aim for it. What are you supporting and voting for?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by rjfindiana at 01:22 PM : Apr 12, 2008

Obama has an even longer history, and he''s just getting started!

Just say NO to Obama the Scammer!

[prinzowhales]

Put a coin in the slot in the back of this clockwork candidate''s head, and it will deliver a pretty speech...let it ad lib, however...and suddenly the bats are all circling his belfry, visible to all.

Rockefeller is backing him...Soros is backing him... Lester Crown is backing him...half of the Pritzker family...Trilateral Commission...Skull & Bones...the CFR....these are the people behind this fakir.

Webster reports that Obama is purging the ranks of the anti-war and impeachment people.

These people are the scum of the earth.

[prinzowhales]

There are three vile and contemptible candidates of the mainstrea...there is no lesser of three evils...each has its own soul-destroying toxin...like specialized scorpions which will destroy the nation.

Obama is the friend of a terrorist bomber. Who murdered the youth pastor at Wright''s Church this past Christmas, reported--like Obama--to be gay?

[decapitate4u]

When they televised my head being taken off by a sword they were sending a message of condemning America. When they showed Obamas pastor on TV he was condemning America. Is there any difference?

Where is the united states of America? Our pledge to this country I guess has gone out the door? Will we let the likes of Farahkhan, Wright, Obama and Sharpton run our country? Maybe they will teach children in school that white people keep down blacks.

Who will we allow to run our country? A racist? A Liar? or a prisoner of war validated?

[tbweb]

Bill Clinton "Just Can''t Help Himself"

Bill''s women have been saying that for years, but nobody ever listened to them, claiming Bill is an animal behind closed doors, touching them everywhere when no one is looking! Maybe the truth is somewhere in the middle, but in any case Bill is well liked and protected and many also claim the women chase Bill, not the other way around, there may be a lot of truth to that too!

[donlb-2009]

The truth about the economy is that the country under Pres. Bill Clinton enjoyed the first surplus in 55 years. The last surplus occurred in circa 1947. Regardless of the skeletons in her closet(and we all have them), Sen. Hillary Clinton is an excellent candidate, and worthy of being President of the United States of America.

[rjudy3]

Allen is from Politico , a very anti-Clinton rag. I absolutely agree with Bill and who would''nt defend their wife ! Listen to that airhead of a wife Obama has, why does''nt the media jump on her like they do the former two-term president.
Message to Pres Clinton, keep saying what your saying, its reaching the audience that the Obamanuts are terrified of, "angry, bitter, working class, WHITE MALE"!!

[prinzowhales]

DonLB--If you ignore the skeletons in her closet, there is nothing significant about this woman...she''s for NAFTA, the war and new wars...her half-baked pro-Big Pharma medical plan from her husband''s administration...her support of open borders...she is just a shorter, dumpier McCain...nothing "excellent" about that....

[smashwl7]

CNN reported that superdelegates need to consider ''''bitter'''' remarks They also need to consider Hillary Clinton''''s campaign problems!

1st: It was staying with Bill for political gain even after the abuse of sexual indiscretions.

2nd: The war in Iraq vote!

3rd: Agreeing to sign up for the rules that were stated by the DNC in respect to Florida and Mich.

4th: Destroying the Democratic Party for her win at all cost policy.

5th: Slashing and Bashing Obama and then wanting him to be her running mate.

6th: Financial handling of campaign funds spent over 100 million during Iowa campaign.

7th: Lying about Bosnia and Sniper Fire.

8th: Not taking Obama serious as a contender for President,. She thought she had it in the bag from the beginning of her campaign.

9th: South American tarde issue with Mark Penn and her huband Bill Clinton.

10th: ONE MORE BIG ONE SHE DOES NOT PAY HER BILLS FROM HER CAMPAIGN FUNDS.


The GOP and McCain will use all of this if she wins the nomination. She has made herself very, very unelectable the way I see it. She has poor judgment that is the bottom line issue for Superdelegates to examine.

[smashwl7]

CNN reported that superdelegates need to consider ''''''''bitter'''''''' remarks They also need to consider Hillary Clinton''''''''s campaign problems!

1st: It was staying with Bill for political gain even after the abuse of sexual indiscretions.

2nd: The war in Iraq vote!

3rd: Agreeing to sign up for the rules that were stated by the DNC in respect to Florida and Mich.

4th: Destroying the Democratic Party for her win at all cost policy.

5th: Slashing and Bashing Obama and then wanting him to be her running mate.

6th: Financial handling of campaign funds spent over 100 million during Iowa campaign.

7th: Lying about Bosnia and Sniper Fire.

8th: Not taking Obama serious as a contender for President,. She thought she had it in the bag from the beginning of her campaign.

9th: South American tarde issue with Mark Penn and her huband Bill Clinton.

10th: ONE MORE BIG ONE SHE DOES NOT PAY HER BILLS FROM HER CAMPAIGN FUNDS.


The GOP and McCain will use all of this if she wins the nomination. She has made herself very, very unelectable the way I see it. She has poor judgment that is the bottom line issue for Superdelegates to examine.

[smashwl7]

CNN reported that superdelegates need to consider ''bitter'' remarks They also need to consider Hillary Clinton''s campaign problems!

1st: It was staying with Bill for political gain even after the abuse of sexual indiscretions.

2nd: The war in Iraq vote!

3rd: Agreeing to sign up for the rules that were stated by the DNC in respect to Florida and Mich.

4th: Destroying the Democratic Party for her win at all cost policy.

5th: Slashing and Bashing Obama and then wanting him to be her running mate.

6th: Financial handling of campaign funds spent over 100 million during Iowa campaign.

7th: Lying about Bosnia and Sniper Fire.

8th: Not taking Obama serious as a contender for President,. She thought she had it in the bag from the beginning of her campaign.

9th: South American tarde issue with Mark Penn and her huband Bill Clinton.

10th: ONE MORE BIG ONE SHE DOES NOT PAY HER BILLS FROM HER CAMPAIGN FUNDS.


The GOP and McCain will use all of this if she wins the nomination. She has made herself very, very unelectable the way I see it. She has poor judgment that is the bottom line issue for Superdelegates to examine.

[sinibaldi1]

A witty child in the dreamland.

There''s a witty
child where
a beautiful dreamland
presents the profile
of a delicate hedge,
over a feeling, in
the care of a
blackbird; and there''s
also that sunset,
the timid contour
of a glittering flame.

Francesco Sinibaldi

[zykracosmos]

You know most of us are going to vote Democrat this year, and we are virtually assured a Democratic president working with a Democratic Congress. But I''m just ready for Hillary and Obama to flip a coin.

[veteran72]

I''ll be voting for Ron Paul.
The rest of these people stink to high heaven of Bushco.