It is not often you see Democrats or Republicans praise an opposing party member's policy unless there is some political benefit on that specific day. Bill Clinton praises Obama and McCain on energy and commenters on liberal blogs react.
The New York Times' The Caucus reports that Bill Clinton spoke at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas and said, "Obviously, I favor Senator Obama’s energy positions, and Democrats have been by and large the more forward-leaning actors. But John McCain has the best record of any Republican running for president on the energy issue and on climate change.” I’m very encouraged about where the presidential rhetoric is in this campaign.”
This type of bipartisan praise probably wouldn't have stood out so much if it weren't for the reactions over it in the progressive blogosphere and the comment sections.
For example, peacetrain from Democratic Underground reported the statement and the comment sections went from "oh no not again'" to "Clinton's think McCain would be a better president than O. They Said That," with the followup comment saying Clinton was deliberately trying to undermine Barack Obama.
The conversation went downhill from some people there with one commenter asking why Senator Clinton's should be kissing Senator Obama's ass?
The conflict seems to be occurring between Clinton supporters and Obama supporters, as evidence by the comment section over at Huffington Post.
The three newest comments at this moment bear that out with Soundfury saying, "B i ll doesn't give a fck about jmac's energy plan. He doesn't even believe his own statement. He just wants jmc to win so that h can try again in 2012. So he drops hints and inuendo and insult.
I will never, ever vote for h after this blatant display of treachery and disloyalty."
Justobserve agrees with soundfury by stating, "I wonder whether Bill Clinton remembers the time he won with 43% votes in 1992? Could he have won if a Democrat ex-president had praised his Republican opponent instead of working for Bill's win when voters had doubt of an unknown governor from Arkansas? If Bill doesn't love himself so much, he would have worked for Obama to help him win this time as Bill had gone through the same doubt. But instead, Bill is working to undermine Obama whenever possible. It's clear Bill doesn't want anyone to make history just like himself. Poor soul!"
Then the Hillary supporters start with Joeinvt saying, "Bill continues to get vilified. Imagine if he had said the following at any point.
"I would have to think about it (i.e., supporting Clinton) if she is the nominee."
Michelle Obama, Feb. 4, 2008."
On and on it goes with the original statement by Bill Clinton taking a back seat to arguing between Obama and Clinton supporters.
This is representative of each liberal blog I have visited that has reported Clinton's statement, with the last one being on the Barack Obama website itself, with the writer titling their piece "Bill Clinton Praises McCain On Energy," listing the Huffpo URL and saying just one sentence:
Bill, for the love of God stop it
What none of them focus on is that Clinton did say he favored Obama's policy. Somehow that portion, although reported, didn't make it to the headlines nor was it acknowledged in the discussions.
Unity in the Democratic Party? Not so much.
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