Tensions Boil Between Obama-Clinton Camps

Politico: As Convention Begins, Mistrust And Resentments Continue Between Associates Of The Former Democratic Rivals

(The Politico)  This story was written by John F. Harris and Mike Allen.

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As Democrats arrived here Sunday for a convention intended to promote party unity, mistrust and resentments continued to boil among top associates of presumptive nominee Barack Obama and his defeated rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

One flashpoint is the assigned speech topic for former president Bill Clinton, who is scheduled to speak Wednesday night, when the convention theme is “Securing America’s Future.” The night’s speakers will argue that Obama would be a more effective commander in chief than his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.).

The former president is disappointed, associates said, because he is eager to speak about the economy and more broadly about Democratic ideas - emphasizing the contrast between the Bush years and his own record in the 1990s.

This is an especially sore point for Bill Clinton, people close to him say, because among many grievances he has about the campaign Obama waged against his wife is a belief that the candidate poor-mouthed the political and policy successes of his two terms.

Some senior Democrats close to Obama, meanwhile, made clear in not-for-attribution comments that they were equally irked at the Clinton operation. Nearly three months after Hillary Clinton conceded defeat in the nomination contest, these Obama partisans complained, her team continues to act like she and Bill Clinton hold leverage.

After a period earlier this month when the two sides were working collegially over strategy, scheduling, and other convention logistics, things turned scratchy again in recent days.

Some senior Obama supporters are irritated at how they perceive the Clintons fanned - or at a minimum failed to douse - stories that she was not even vetted as a possible vice presidential nominee. This is because she told Obama she preferred not to go through the rigorous process of document production unless she was really a serious contender, an Obama associate noted.

One senior Obama supporter said the Clinton associates negotiating on her behalf act like “Japanese soldiers in the South Pacific still fighting after the war is over.”

A prominent Obama backer said some of Clinton’s lieutentants negotiating with the Obama team are “bitter enders” who presume that, rather than the Clintons reconciling themselves to Obama’s victory, it is up to Obama to accommodate them.

In fact, some senior veterans of Clinton’s presidential campaign do believe this.

“He has not fully reconciled,” said one political operative close to the Clintons, “and he has not demonstrated that he accepts the Clintons and the Clinton wing of the party.”

While the Clintons have a relatively easy job in Denver - to deliver gracious speeches and accept what are likely to be loud cheers from their supporters - it is “Obama who has the heavy lifting” this week, this aide said.

This is because large numbers of Clinton backers - 30 percent in a recent ABC/Washington Post poll - are still not backing Obama over McCain.

The peevishness on both sides and the volume of behind-the-scenes catcalls are noteworthy because both the Clinton and Obama teams had resolved in pre-convention talks that it was overwhelmingly in the interests of both sides to get along.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton dimissed the chatter about Bill Clinton’s speech time and subject as meaningless scuttlebutt.

"This is the sort of story cooked up just to feed cable producers. Not an issue,” Burton said.

But it is an issue to some people in the Clinton orbit - precisely because they know how closely every public word from either Bill Clinton or Hillary Clinton will be scrutinized.

While Bill Clinton remains angry about how he and his wife were treated by both Obama backers and the news media - and he is particularlyresentful at what he sees as unfair allegations that he tried to exploit racial divisions for political advantage - he has made the decision that he will put forward a positive face for Obama’s benefit at Denver.

It is harder to do that when the topic is foreign policy and national security, which lends itself to restrained, rather than boisterous, partisan rhetoric.

“That puts him in a terrible bind, because you can’t give a ringing endorsement when you’re talking about foreign policy,” a longtime Clinton adviser said. “Obviously, the hard thing to talk about with Obama is commander in chief, of all his many talents.

“You don’t rah-rah about commander in chief. You rah-rah about hope and change and a new party and all that. So no matter what he does, somebody will find fault with it.”

Hillary Clinton, who associates said seems more at peace with the results of the nomination battle than her husband, is treating her speech preparation as an all-hands-on-deck exercise, bringing back longtime aides who worked with her during the White House years and in her Senate office.

Jim Kennedy, a veteran Clinton press hand and now an executive at Sony studios, was recalled to work on a speech draft, as was former White House speechwriter Lissa Muscatine, according to Clinton associates.

Many of Hillary Clinton’s negotiations with the Obama team, aides said, have been led by former White House lawyer Cheryl Mills - a fiercely loyal associate of the Clintons who is known for her relentless and sometimes combative advocacy on their behalf.

Another longtime associate, former White House chief of staff John Podesta, said he has little doubt that Hillary Clinton will easily meet her political challenge in Denver. He predicted that her supporters will “blow the roof” off the convention center with cheers for her, and that she will in turn make a rousing appeal for Obama.

Podesta, the founder of the liberal Center for American Progress think tank, said Bill Clinton’s challenge is harder. “I think he’s got a high bar because he needs to show enthusiasm, and the press will be looking for any stray remark as a sign that he doesn’t fully support” the Obama campaign, Podesta said, adding, “It’s a bar he’ll get over.”

Paul Begala, a former operative who has spoken to both Clintons in recent weeks, agreed. He said the former president, whatever mixed feelings remain from the primaries, will work to elect Obama because, “It’s killing him to watch what has happened over the past eight years. It’s been torture to watch the slow unraveling of so much of what his administration achieved.”

[vastr-wcon]

.
The main event of the Dem Convention, Hillary''s speech, is now over. The remaining bureaucratic/administrative minutia are best ignored by all Americans that believe in democracy.

Just as the clear winner of the popular vote in 2000 was Al Gore, the clear winner of the popular vote in the Dem primaries was Hillary. Just as Gore was denied his rightful victory by manipulations and un-democratic procedure, so too was Hillary gored.

Time has not healed the result of the 2000 debacle. In fact, the thief of that election is now regarded as the WORST ever by the overwhelming majority of Americans and people of the entire world. The same will occur with the Dem primaries of 2007/2008. History will eventually label "sweetie" hussein, and his equally unethical side-kick Plagiarist-Joe, as the WORST - regardless of what happens subsequently in 2008 and beyond.

Americans do not like cheaters. The stench of his action in hijacking the nomination is permanently attached to hussein. Plagiarist-Joe should steal a word other than "clean" to describe him.

/

[trrrorislam3]

Obama''s DNC Message: I''m Like You

NO YOU ARE NOT,,,

HUSSEIN SAYS AMERICANS MUST LEARN SPANISH,,,

ummmm it is the DEMONIC-RATS that want to grant amnesty to illegals,,, including HUSSEIN,,,

HUSSEINs solution for illegals is to grant them amnesty and have americans learn SPANISH,,,

words out of his own mouth,,,

Barack Obama: Your Children Should Learn To Speak Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZprtPat1Vk

Obama to America--Learn Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7srmHLclw

[greekman777]

I''M JUST AN ORDINARY CONCERNED CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.THE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING SUCH A TERRIBLE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND I WILL TRY TO BRING THIER MESSAGE TO THE POLITICAL POWERS. I AM SO ANGRY, AND SO IS THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY WE ARE WASTING ON THE WAR TO IMPROVE
OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND OUR HEALTHCARE.

ENOUGH OF THE FORECLOSURES THAT ARE OCCURING IN OUR COUNTRY.
I ALSO BELIEVE THAT OUTSOURCING HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
OUR CITIZENS OUR OUT OF WORK BECAUSE MOST OF THEIR JOBS
ARE BEING OUTSOURCED.
THIS KEEPS THE PEOPLE OF THE U.SA OUT OF WORK, AND NOT NOT
INSURED.

GAS PRICES ARE HURTING ALL THE COMMON PEOPLE.

AT THIS RATE THERE WILL BE ONLY THE WELATHY RICH, AND THE POOR.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MIDDLE CLASS??

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR GREATEST ASSETS, AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THEIR FUTURE.


VISIT MY WEB SITE

BUSTED-LIKE-A-RAT.ORG .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZsBXrFgo2I



LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE FEELING THE PAIN OF THIS ECONOMY THAT IS DESTROYING LIVES.
THE COUNTRY IS IN SUCH ECONOMIC DISTRESS. WE NEED TO UNITE AS A NATION AND TELL OUR GOVERNMENT WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WE WON''T PUT UP WITH IT.

[tbweb]

Democrats should ask Americans the same question former Pres. Reagan asked Americans and vote based on the answer! Who to vote for is not complicated, if you are better off than you were 4 years ago, or 8 years ago, vote for the Republican, if you are `NOT` better off than you were 4 years ago or 8 years ago, vote for the Democrat! Why aren`t the Republicans asking this question this time around? Answer: Republicans know they can`t!!

[soetorolies]

Here''s a clip of MEchelle saying she isn''t sure if she would support Hillary if she got the nomination:

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/08/25/michelle-replay-i-would-have-to-think-about-voting-for-hillary/

I guess her chickens are comin home to roost!!

[juless5]

Sen. McCain said today: %u201CI am going to campaign in all thirteen colonies. My campaign will employ all the latest technology: the telegraph; the carrier pigeon as well as the pony express. John Adams showed me how to use all this new-fangled stuff - we were best buds.%u201D

[juless5]

McCain graduated from the US Naval Academy 894th in a class of 899. He wrecked five jets before they finally got rid of him. Obviously he is not the brightest bulb on the tree. He was shot down by an out-of-date Soviet missile by men with no experience in anti-aircraft warfare because he did not follow the rules of evasion taught in flight school. Let''s just say the man has only one oar in the water.

He disses three out of every five people on the face of the earth by referring to all Asians as %u201CGooks.%u201D He said: %u201CI hate ***** and always will.%u201C He may be viewed as a %u201Chero,%u201D but I don%u2019t think being shot down qualifies him for the job of president. And I don%u2019t think he%u2019ll do much for American - Asian relations should America scrue up and elect this clown.

McCain%u2019s flight instructor: %u201COne of the worst students I ever had.%u201D

freedomunderground.org/view.php?v=3&t=3&aid=25070

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3RoC4qOPjWk

[vnveteran72]

Posted by vnveteran72 at 05:49 PM : Aug 25, 2008
+ report abuse
boy are you ignorant. the politico is one of the few magazines that they post from that tend to be neutral and the reports your are discarding out of hand why I haven''t a clue. Maybe because you don''t want top hear bad news. I have heard that Obama is haveing difficulty getting woman voters usually one segment that dems dominate. It may be for the reasons noted above and that Hillary supporters aren''''t going to support him because they agree with hillary''''s assesment that Obama doesn''''t have the experience to be president.


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Posted by alanrobisch2 at 07:33 PM : Aug 25, 2008
report abuse

I have no doubt you "Heard" any of the things you contend. Listening to Faux Nooz and Limpdickkk consistantly gives many Dimbulbs the illusion of listening to actual facts.
Your contention that Politico is "Neutral" says it all. Hilaaaaaaaaaarious.
(By the by, Einstein, my post was referencing the content of the Reich Wingnut Posts, not the Politico Hack "Story". It is not my Ignorance that''s showcased here, look in a mirror.....LMMFAO)

[broncfan1661]

Obama threw Hillary and Bill under the bus just like he did his Grandma and his brother George. Who''''s next? Old ''''Smokey Joe" better keep his wits about him or he will end up under the bus too. Posted by NavVet2 at 06:29 PM
________________________________

Yeah, especially if he calls him Barak America again. LMAO

[juless5]

Obama will never get the 30% of Hillary voters.

Posted by bec67 at 05:37 PM : Aug 25, 2008
________________________

Seems like a mixed bag to me: wishful thinking and the bitterness of a sore loser.

[alanrobisch]

It''''s always heartening to see so many Neocon Panty Wetters spreading lies and trying (unsuccessfully) to spread their Fantasy Wet Dream of Democratic Party fracturing. It''''s all over, Scumbags. The days of Shrub, Pappy, and the Neocon Nazi Fascist Dictatorship that you love, are DONE!!!
Wet your Panties and then go sit in the corner and ****.
Don''''t worry, we''''ll call you if we need a good laugh...
ROLMMFAO


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Posted by vnveteran72 at 05:49 PM : Aug 25, 2008
+ report abuse
boy are you ignorant. the politico is one of the few magazines that they post from that tend to be neutral and the reports your are discarding out of hand why I haven''t a clue. Maybe because you don''t want top hear bad news. I have heard that Obama is haveing difficulty getting woman voters usually one segment that dems dominate. It may be for the reasons noted above and that Hillary supporters aren''t going to support him because they agree with hillary''s assesment that Obama doesn''t have the experience to be president.

[zerato-2009]

Posted by NavVet2 at 06:29 PM : Aug 25, 2008


Mcsames bus has had a few under it. The cincinati DJ, phil gramm, the lobbyist that worked on his campaign in the primaries, charlie black, his mom,

[ragnar30066]

Hillary was held down and ........ by the New York news media she thought were her allies, and her husband wasn''t treated much more gracefully. Why shouldn''t they and their supporters be a little irritated by the people who haven''t even said "Excuse me" yet, and continue to be arrogant and rude.

[navvet2]

Oh, I forgot the dear old Rev Wright. Is he under the bus or in the East River? Funny, he just vanished without a word.

[navvet2]

Obama threw Hillary and Bill under the bus just like he did his Grandma and his brother George. Who''s next? Old ''Smokey Joe" better keep his wits about him or he will end up under the bus too.

[zerato-2009]

I think the lawsuite is going to bring alot out.
Posted by jackDems

It will cost the Plaintiff a lot of money when the Judge throws it out as frivolous. The judge hates the court to be cluttered by frivolous political suits

[zerato-2009]

Although Bush and McCain have the same position on, war in Iraq, war in Afghanistan, the %u201Csurge%u201C, talking to Iran, talking to Korea, pro bush tax cuts, failed economic policy, anti GI bill, no Child health care, no health care, immigration, privatizing social security, Columbia free trade, Nafta, Pakistan, offshore drilling, torture, fisa bill, no minimum wage increase, no energy policy, anti pro choice judges, Bush doctrine (attack a country that hasn''t attacked you), no diplomacy for Venezuela and Cuba, do nothing Israel policy, nuclear power, 4 billion dollar fence with Mexico, foreign ownership of ports, no oil policy, mortgage deregulation and amnesty for illegal immigrant, they are not the same. Right ????

[vnveteran72]

It''s always heartening to see so many Neocon Panty Wetters spreading lies and trying (unsuccessfully) to spread their Fantasy Wet Dream of Democratic Party fracturing. It''s all over, Scumbags. The days of Shrub, Pappy, and the Neocon Nazi Fascist Dictatorship that you love, are DONE!!!
Wet your Panties and then go sit in the corner and ****.
Don''t worry, we''ll call you if we need a good laugh...
ROLMMFAO

[pepperwood2]

Now who does this sound like?? This is all about me. Wheeeeeee this is fun, I''m just warming up. Show me the money!

[bec67]

Obama will never get the 30% of Hillary voters. Obama had his chance to unify the party and select Hillary. He chose to go with Biden who only received 9000 votes in 3 states. He can''t have much of a brain to trade 9000 votes for 18,000,000. McCain 08