Am I the only one that got the creeps from the President of the United AStates of America hiding behind Bill Clinton because liberals turned on Obama over the tax deal?Clinton visited Obama, presumably to talk about the tax deal Obama made with Republicans and the reactions his own Democratic party came out with afterward, calling him weak, cowardly and even hearing reports of one Democratic politician yelling "Fuck the President".
Surprised reporters got an unexpected press conference from the White House, by none other than Bill Clinton taking control of the conversation to plead Obama's case.
The first video below lifted from The Daily Caller, shows Obama handing the press conference over to Clinton and skips to the question answer session.. The second video (H/T Jim Treacher) is longer so I am adding it as well.
Like a child hiding behind daddy is the feel of the whole thing. Twilight Zone, Outer Limits type creepy.
A presidential press conference handed over to a former president while the sitting president heads out to an event with his wife. Just walking away and letting Clinton fight his battles for him.
Politics and Policy:
One reporter asked Clinton whether he enjoyed being at the podium without having to govern.
"I had a good time governing," Clinton said. "I am happy to be here. I suppose when the bullets are fired, they are unlikely at me. They're just ricocheting."
The appearance by the two presidents came out of nowhere; White House officials organized it about five minutes before the two men arrived at the podium.
The joint news conference allowed Obama to promote a high-profile Democratic endorsement of his tax deal but risked potentially unwelcome comparisons between the two presidents, particularly among members of the liberal Democratic base. Liberals who once complained about Clinton's penchant for deal-making with Republicans and, after the 1994 midterms, his move to the political center, could conclude that Obama is on the same path.
But the White House had clearly calculated that it was worth risking further liberal ire to win over the public. And after weeks of speculation about which president's example Obama would follow after his midterm "shellacking" -- with some guessing he might take the confrontational approach of Harry Truman -- it appeared clear which direction Obama intends to go.
ABC News:
President Obama today brought out former president and Democratic heavyweight Bill Clinton for an impromptu press conference to tout his tax cut deal with Republicans that has earned the ire of many liberal Democrats."The agreement, taken as a whole," Clinton said, "is, I believe, the best bipartisan agreement we can reach to help the largest number of Americans, and to maximize the chances that the economic recovery will accelerate and create more jobs, and to minimize the chances that it will slip back, which is what has happened in other financial collapses."
The payroll tax credit will "actually create a fair number of jobs," he added. "I expect it to lower the unemployment rate and keep us going."
Not saying Clinton didn't speak and handle the conference with his old usual charm, but there is just something odd about the whole setup.
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