Posted on 09/27/2009 9:51:00 PM PDT by kingattax
Former President Bill Clinton said Sunday that Republican attacks have hurt President Barack Obama and the congressional Democrats, but he doesn’t expect a repeat of the 1994 Republican takeover in next year’s midterm elections.
During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Clinton said, “There’s no way they can make it that bad.”
“No. 1, the country is more diverse and more interested in positive action,” Clinton said. “No. 2, they’ve [the American public] seen this movie before, because they had eight years under President [George W.] Bush when the Republicans finally had the whole government, and they know the results were bad. And— No. 3 —the Democrats haven’t taken on the gun lobby like I did, and they took 15 of our members out. So I don’t think — it’ll be, whatever happens, it’ll be manageable for the president.”
While Clinton came into office with a Democratic majority in 1992, Republicans romped to huge political victories in ’94, winning a majority in the House for the first time in 40 years. Throughout the rest of his years in office, Clinton faced a Republican congressional leadership that mistrusted and disliked him, helping to lead to his 1998 impeachment for the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
On another matter, Clinton said that business leaders have told him that the country’s health care system has to be reformed because the cost of medical care and insurance “is killing America economically.”
“Look what’s happened in the last several years,” he said. “Corporate profits are up. The cost of health care has gone up three times the rate of inflation. And wages are flat. Median income, before the economic collapse, after inflation, was $2,000 a year lower than it was the day I left office. Why? Because ... first, we haven’t created enough jobs. But, secondly, all the money that could have gone to wage increases is going to pay the employer portion of employees’ health insurance.”
Clinton is just as out of touch with middle america now as he was in 1994... ‘10 is sizing up to be a bloodbath for the dems, provided the R’s don’t screw it up and decide to play their typical go along to get along horsecrap.
The only question is whether the Republicans will find the leadership to take advantage of the situation. In 1994, Newt did it singlehandedly, dragging the Senate RINOs with him. He created an agenda, got everyone to sign off on it, and it resonated with the people. Republicans are all over the place now, and are like a herd of cats.
By 1012 she will look like Helen Thomas. Ewe, I just made my self puke. No pics needed.
And what were Slick's predictions prior to the voting in 1994? Did he call that one correctly?
I hope someone is saving all of these predictions so that we can play them back on Victory Night 2010!
Wait I thought the Dems got control in 06 and things quickly went downhill from there.
It's a mixed bag. The House was split almost exactly in 1993, as it is now. The Dems now enjoy a four or five seat advantage in the Senate than they did back then.
Two big difference surround Clinton himself. Clinton was only elected with 43% of the vote, which just amplified some of the mistakes he made early on. Plus, Clinton's approval cratered to below 40% in mid-1993, then it rebounded through early '94 before finally falling off again just before the 1994 elections to under 40%, which sealed the victory for the GOP in the House.
Also, people forget that the GOP picked up the majority in the Senate as well, which is incredibly unlikely for the GOP next year - really, it's impossible. A 54 seat gain in the House is also unlikely, but not impossible I'd say all things considered, the GOP was in a better position in 93/94 than they are today.
I don't remember if was asked the question, let alone if he answered it. But, his approval was plummeting just before the '94 election - falling below 40%. He (and his advisers) knew it was going to be bad, but I believe a 54 seat advantage by the GOP was unforeseen by everyone, even the GOP.
There is going to be significant inflation next year due to all of this endless printing of money by Obama and his socialist brethren. Also, the Bush tax cuts expire next year and Obama sure as hell won’t extend or renew them.
Add into the mix the national security threat to the U.S. by Afghanistan, Iran, China, Pakistan, Venezuela, etc. and Obama’s weak response to our enemies, and the democrats will be screwed.
There will also be an attempt to pass an amnesty bill, cap and trade, etc. plus a ton of unforseen nonsense that will be foisted upon us by the Administration between now and November 2010. People will probably be rioting in the streets by Election Day.
Republicans should be poised to make huge gains if they can articulate a conservative alternative to the dems. It’s time to push aside the RINO’s.
The real point is, what he's saying now is nothing but political spin, and whatever he might have said in 1994 would have been nothing but political spin. He is not a source for objective predictions of what might happen in 2010.
So it’s confirmed then.
Oh, they impeached him because they didn't like or trust him. Not at all because he perjured himself and disgraced his office. Noooo...
If the Repubs say the right things and can convince the masses to trust to do it they can take advantage big time. Obama was our greatest gift he has blown the trust of the American people. Trust in a relationship is difficult to restore. The Repubs lost it and now Obama has squandered it as well. Opportunity is knocking again.
Clinton goes whistling past the trailer park.
We're looking for political analysis from a guy who doesn't remember the Dems retaking Congress in 2006?
But they won't realize this until they pay their taxes in April of 2011. This one will be too late.
Also, creating more jobs doesn't translate into higher median income, if most of those jobs are below the 'average'.
Bottom line: I can't for the life of me figure out why these people hate America? That they'd want to rip her guts out and replace it with a socialist police state?
If these people aren't humiliated beyond belief in 2010 there may be little reason to have elections in 2012. I hope and pray my fellow Americans won't let me down.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
I really wish people would stop printing these propaganda pieces from Politico and I have no clue why their articles are being posted here every single day. Multiple articles every single day. Nobody gives a care what lie Bill Clinton is telling when his lips are moving. I’m getting really frustrated with the constant posting of articles from Politico. I don’t get it. I don’t know how people are finding these articles or why this constant stream of propaganda has suddenly appeared here, nor what purpose there is in posting this new avalanche of propaganda from Politico.
I just don’t get it. Somebody, please make it stop. What is next? A constant stream of Salon, MoveON and DU?
“Now, everybody’s gotta calm down here. This whole thing is a fairy tale”.
Ooooh, Bill! You are so prescient! /s
I certainly hope not. The "Republican Revolution" was a farce and a disaster. It is what helped to get us where we are today.
These people are so far removed from everyday life it’s unbelievable. I was reading today how far Carolyn Maloney has come. Remember her? She came to Congress on the body of her dead husband who was shot down by a madman on the Long Island Railroad in the 1970’s...the 1970’s! She ran on an anti-gun platform. Well, folks, she’s still there today but she’s moved up ...married to a billionaire or something...He died...that’s why I was reading a story about her. They become part of a another class..another world. Not the one we live in.
“Republicans are all over the place now, and are like a herd of cats.”
Really?...So when are they going to come out of hiding?...
I hope they crush the Dimrats in 2010 but i just wish there were some strong leaders like Newt to light the fires now, and the afterburners in 2010...Boy do they need some strong vocal leaders ! McCain does not count..Palin is in there slugging away and i hope she can motivate the Reps to run, to vote, and get a Rep majority back in both houses..
What’s that called again? Oh, yeah: “Whistling past the graveyard.”
I am so pleased we are mostly supporting the GOP...
we must not let the Obot when by deviding us over trivel points we disagree, and rally around the big things... our faith in our neighbors, yes, that will grow our nation. We can and will secure the funders constitution for our children. Individuals in truths and faith must help all of us...no handout, hardwork will win us all the world God has promised us! Stop, and call the atheist marxist out of our government and out lives!
The difference is that in 1994 the Republican Congress seemed to know what to do. The current ‘leadership’ seems a bit discontent.
Unfortunately, majority of them blame Bush for what happen with the economy, hence, for what happen to them. The thing is there is no strong alternative view from either the Republicans or conservatives regarding the cause of the recession. Everyone seem to accept 'the greed of wall street and the free-market ideology that doesn't require monitor the greedy's behaviors' as the cause. If that's the case, they probably want to elect more Democrats to congress.
Maybe he is right. Maybe it’ll be worse for Hussein. :)
I think that the GOP is well positioned to make similar gains to 94 this time, given that the damage being done by Obama is far worse than what Clinton was doing in his first year, and the effects have not manifested themselves yet. By fall of 2010, I would not be surprised to see a huge backlash against that at least give the GOP the House. They only need around 40 seats there. The Senate may be a tougher nut to crack, but if they make it close they at least are in a position to be a road block.
I think it is going to take a national leader outside the GOP to lead the way. Whether it is Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh or even Sarah Palin, someone needs to create an organization with an agenda and a game plan, and then get individual conservative lawmakers to sign on. When it gets a head of steam, RINOs will be begging to jump on the bandwagon. Then the tricky part will be holding them to it.
Really?...So when are they going to come out of hiding?...
I do not think that you understand what I meant. Republicans are all over the place on the issues, not geographically. You have the David Brooks, David Frums' and the McCains, and they think they are the party. Then you have the base, and the Sarah Palins, Jim DeMints, etc.
They are like a herd of cats, in that they are leaderless and impossible for anyone to organize.
I do not suggest that they are hiding.
Clinton, or any other Democrat official would NEVER admit to thinking the Party would take a heavy hit next year. To get a real sense of how bad it may be all you need do is force yourself to listen to Chris Matthews on the subject. When drooling partisans like Matthews are admitting they are likely to get their asses kicked next year, the seriousness of the position the libs find themselves in becomes apparent.
I don’t think he’s too far off. It’s been 15 years since the ‘94 take-back of congress. Demographics have long since favored democrats with every socialist/3rd world ignoramous allowed to enter our nation. If obumble shoves amesty down the nation’s throat, who knows how many more illegals will suddenly be able to vote to sustain their hand-outs? Clinton just knows the plan, and so far it’s working.
Republicans saved Clintoon. He was crashing himself and the Demonrat party. Republican Governors, legislatures and Congress saved America. They should have let the Demonrat policies go through to prove what they were, but now we are paying for the myth having gotten us this far to a Kalifornia-esque Grey Davis and Demonrat control results on the national stage. Demonrats destroy everything and are doing a great job in proving what they truly are right now. Clintoon was just as bad as 0bama, but was saved by that takeover. And we know Republicans barely had control and when they did at least things in the country were good rather than when the Demonrats took Congress in 2006, but he is speaking relying on ignorance to sell his BS.
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