Posted on 09/17/2005 5:44:05 PM PDT by blam
No longer centre stage, but Clinton leaves them calling for more
By Philip Sherwell in New York
(Filed: 18/09/2005)
If there was any doubt that Bill Clinton still elicits the adoration of women, Barbra Streisand was on hand last week to squash it.
As the former president laid out his agenda for world change from a podium flanked by Tony Blair, Condoleezza Rice and King Abdullah of Jordan, the singer-actress emitted a series of gentle but disconcerting squeals of approval, interspersed with admiring sighs.
Bill Clinton and Tony Bennett
Hers was typical of the audience reaction at launch of the modestly named Clinton Global Initiative in New York.
Streisand and her husband, the actor James Brolin, had sat down next to The Sunday Telegraph at the glitzy gathering of international leaders, old White House allies, business chiefs, showbiz celebrities and Third World campaigners, aimed at solving the world's most pressing problems.
In fact, they made more concrete progress than the United Nations summit held just across town. Mr Clinton required all participants to contribute time or money to one of four "critical challenges" - poverty, religious conflict, climate change and good governance. Sir Tom Hunter, a Scottish entrepreneur turned philanthropist, made one of the biggest donations: $100 million (£55 million).
Streisand, a prominent Hollywood liberal, was thrilled. "This is such a great idea," she said. "I think Bill's great and he's doing such an important thing here." Mr Clinton has taken post-presidential activism to new levels. In addition to the Global Initiative, he has raised money for the victims of the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina and overseen other aid projects funded by his foundation. So impressed was Streisand that she suggested America change the Constitution to allow him to run again for the White House.
Mr Clinton returned the compliment later, at a reception in the Nobu restaurant. "Barbara is a great woman and good friend," he said. "She was also fantastic to my mother. She met her at my inauguration in 1993 and when she heard she was ill, she called her and invited her to her show in Las Vegas."
Former Clinton cabinet ministers and staffers rubbed shoulders with 40 heads of government, several prominent Republicans and the Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, who sang the former president's praises as he discussed the role of religion in conflicts.
But the greatest beneficiary of the praise and of the high profile for the Clinton brand may prove to be his wife, who as the junior senator for New York state joined a discussion of climate change.
If Streisand's dream of a Clinton return to the White House comes true, it will be Hillary who leads the way - with her husband as the first First Gentleman.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
So impressed was Streisand that she suggested America change the Constitution to allow him to run again for the White House.
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The epitome of the Loons of the Left. Fools, idiots and morons...shielded from reality by money.
Hey where is the barf alert?
Since Bubba and Barbra are BOTH mentioned this should be a DOUBLE BARF alert!!!
It would be a better idea to change the Constitution so that the Clinton presidency is eliminated from the history books and no one even remotely related to or named Clinton can serve in Washington ever again.
I wonder why there's no mention in this gushing article of Tony Blair's statements denying the effectiveness of the Kyoto Treaty on so-called global warming and saying more evidence of man-made warming is required?
yeah, babs, go get the white-out and a permanent marker .... ugh
Mr Clinton is coming to my city and I wouldn't pay a nickel to go and see him. I can't understand the adulation at all.
Barbara Bush came for a dinner to fund literacy programs but it was too $pricey to attend, unfortunately. If President George W. Bush or Governor Jeb Bush came, I would definitely move heaven and earth to attend.
Ditto.
LOL. Look at the types Clinton is making squeal. BS.
"the singer-actress emitted a series of gentle but disconcerting squeals of approval, interspersed with admiring sighs."
...
Streisand is a vapid drama queen. The reason she's so good at singing and squealing is because it's the only part of her brain functioning.
You owe me a keyboard that puke ain't comin out brother
No, it's more like one of those flu episodes where you're sick you don't know which end to point to the toilet.
did you get my message last night?
Barbra is HORRIBLE. Thank goodness no one over forty knows who she is.
LOL... looks like Babs is wearing a giant KISS from Clinton.
If Streisand's dream of a Clinton return to the White House comes true, it will be Hillary who leads the way - with her husband as the first First Gentleman.
Shouldn't this be, "first Cuckold"?
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