Outwardly, they put on a show of unity but privately, the Obamas and Clintons, the two power couples of the Democratic Party, loathe each other. I hate that man Obama more than any man Ive ever met, more than any man who ever lived, Bill Clinton said to friends on one occasion, adding he would never forgive Obama for suggesting he was a racist during the 2008 campaign. The feeling is mutual. Obama made excuses not to talk to Bill, while the first lady privately sniped about Hillary.
On most evenings, Michelle Obama and her trusted adviser, Valerie Jarrett, met in a quiet corner of the White House residence. Theyd usually open a bottle of Chardonnay, catch up on news about Sasha and Malia, and gossip about people who gave them heartburn. Their favorite bête noire was Hillary Clinton, whom they nicknamed Hildebeest, after the menacing and shaggy-maned gnu that roams the Serengeti. Michelle could be president The animosity came to a head in the run-up to the 2012 election, when Obamas inner circle insisted he needed the former presidents support to win.
Obama finally telephoned Bill Clinton in September 2011 and invited him out for a round of golf. Im not going to enjoy this, Bill told Hillary when they gathered with a group of friends and political associates at Whitehaven, their neo-Georgian home on Embassy Row in Washington, DC. Ive had two successors since I left the White House Bush and Obama and Ive heard more from Bush, asking for my advice, than Ive heard from Obama. I have no relationship with the president none whatsoever, Clinton said. I really cant stand the way Obama always seems to be hectoring when he talks to me, Clinton added, according to someone who was present at the gathering and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Sometimes we just stare at each other. Its pretty damn awkward. Now we both have favors to ask each other, and its going to be very unpleasant. But Ive got to get this guy to owe me and to be on our side.
During the golf game, Clinton didnt waste any time reminding Obama that as president, he had presided over eight years of prosperity, while Obama had been unable to dig the country out of the longest financial doldrums since the Great Depression. Bill got into it right away, said a Clinton family friend. He told Obama, Hillary and I are gearing up for a run in 2016. He said Hillary would be the most qualified, most experienced candidate, perhaps in history. His reference to Hillarys experience made Obama wince, since it was clearly a shot at his lack of experience when he ran for president. And so Bill continued to talk about Hillarys qualifications . . . and the coming campaign in 2016.
But Barack didnt bite. He changed the subject several times. Then suddenly, Barack said something that took Bill by complete surprise. He said, You know, Michelle would make a great presidential candidate, too. Bill was speechless. Was Barack comparing Michelles qualifications to Hillarys? Bill said that if he hadnt been on a mission to strike a deal with Barack, he might have stormed off the golf course then and there. BlackBerry snub Bill Clinton would go on to campaign for Obama in 2012, but he felt betrayed when the president seemed to waver when it came to a 2016 endorsement of Hillary.
Obama attempted to smooth things over with a joint 60 Minutes interview with Hillary, and later a private dinner for the two couples at the White House. And so, on March 1, 2013 the very day that the $85 billion in budget cuts known as the sequester went into effect the Clintons slipped unnoticed into the White House and sat down for dinner with the Obamas in the Residence. Typically, once Obama decided to do something (for example, the surge in Afghanistan), he immediately had second thoughts, and his behavior during dinner degenerated from moody to grumpy to bad-tempered.
After the obligatory greetings and small talk about family, Obama asked Bill what he thought about the sequester: Would it turn out to be a political plus for him? Bill went into a long and boring lecture about the issue. To change the subject, Hillary asked Michelle if it was true, as she had heard, that the first lady was thinking about running for the Senate from Illinois. Michelle said that she was warming to the idea, though she had yet to make up her mind. Bill shot Hillary a look of incredulity.
Bill then moved the conversation to Obamas vaunted 2012 campaign organization. He told Obama that it would be a good idea to fold the organization, along with all its digital and social-media bells and whistles, into the Democratic National Committee. Obamas only response was a disparaging smile. You have to use your organization to aid the candidate in 2016, Bill pressed Obama. Really? Obama replied in a tone of undisguised sarcasm.
The two men went back and forth over the subject of where the money for Obamas campaign organization had come from and how to allocate funds for the 2016 presidential election. Bill raised his voice. So did Obama. As Bill Clinton went on about his managerial experience, Obama began playing with his BlackBerry under the table, making it plain that he wasnt paying attention to anything Clinton had to say. He was intentionally snubbing Clinton.
Others around the table noticed Obama thumbing his BlackBerry, and the atmosphere turned even colder than before. Hillary changed the subject again. Are you glad you wont have to campaign again? she asked Obama. You dont seem to enjoy it. For a guy who doesnt like it, Obama replied tartly, Ive done pretty well. Well, Bill said, adding his two cents, I was glad to pitch in and help get you re-elected. There was another long pause. Finally, Obama turned to Bill and said, sotto voce, Thanks. After the dinner, and once the Clintons had been ushered out of the family quarters, Obama shook his head and said, Thats why I never invite that guy over. Obamas Mini-Me Lately, Bill Clinton has become convinced that Obama wont endorse Hillary in 2016.
During a gathering at Whitehaven, guests overheard Bill talking to his daughter, Chelsea, about whether the president would back Joe Biden. Recently, Ive been hearing a different scenario from state committeemen, Clinton said. They say hes looking for a candidate whos just like him. Someone relatively unknown. Someone with a fresh face. Hes convinced himself hes been a brilliant president, and wants to clone himself to find his Mini-Me. Hes hunting for someone to succeed him, and he believes the American people dont want to vote for someone whos been around for a long time. He thinks that your mother and I are what he calls so 20th century. Hes looking for another Barack Obama.
Excerpted from Blood Feud: The Clintons vs. the Obamas by Edward Klein, out this week from Regnery Publishing. NewYorkTimes.com And even if he does have more dirt on the Clintons, the Clintons have more dirt on the obumas so which ever way you look at it, pardon is the only way she and Barky can escape from their dirty deeds...
Thank you, my computer says one thing and then does another...thanks FRiend...