Dick Morris: 'Clintons Want Bush Re-elected'

NewsMax.com ^ | 5/30/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The decision by Bill and Hillary Clinton to keep a high profile going into next year's presidential campaign amounts to a "conscious effort" by the former first couple to make sure that no Democrat wins the White House in 2004.

That's the stunning assessment from political strategist Dick Morris, who said Thursday that the Clintons actually want to see Bush re-elected so he can retire just when Mrs. Clinton is ready to run for the White House herself in 2008.

"There is a conscious effort going on by the Clintons to distract attention from the current field of candidates," Morris told nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity. "They do not want a Democrat to win in '04."

"They want Bush to be re-elected," the former Clinton adviser explained. "And that way they want Hillary to be able to run for an open seat."

"If Bush lost and a Democrat were elected, then obviously [Hillary] would have to support him in '08," he noted.

"She couldn't run until 2012. She'd be 65 years old and would have been out of office for 12 years. It's kind of hard at that point to keep the bloom on the rose and be able to run."

Morris said that Bill Clinton wants to maintain his role as spokesman for the Democratic Party so he can "trivialize and minimize the Democratic candidates" and thereby keep the Oval Office open for Hillary.

Another indication that the former first couple would like to see their own party defeated in the next presidential election, said Morris, is the fact that "[Clinton's] big fund-raising guns have not signed up with any of these other guys."

Democratic strategist Susan Estrich offered partial support for Morris' theory last week, complaining that the Clintons were actually hurting other Democratic presidential candidates with their high-profile antics.

"The Clintons suck up every bit of the available air," the one-time Dukakis campaign manager observed. "Nothing is left for anyone else. They are big, too big. That's the problem."

"The 2004 candidates need a chance to get some attention," she added. "Could somebody please tell [the Clintons] to shut up?"

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Bush Administration
Sen. Hillary Clinton

[exit82]

Clinton wants Bush re-elected.

So, the Sinkmeister and I finally agree on something.

[OpusatFR]

"They want Bush to be re-elected," the former Clinton adviser explained. "And that way they want Hillary to be able to run for an open seat."


Yeah, and if this is empire, I'm falling on my sword either way.

[exit82]

Note to Dick Morris: the bloom was NEVER on that rose.

[Brimack34]

Rush was saying this months ago. And I agree.

[Mears]

Makes sense to me. The Clinton's are superb strategists,if nothing else.

I cannot imagine,though,that she would get elected but I was stunned when she made it to the Senate,so I just have to hope that the majority of the voters in the US see her for what she is,a power hungry b****.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

To quote a really bad rock ballad and a poor excuse for a music making group, "Every rose has it's thorn"

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Morris said that Bill Clinton wants to maintain his role as spokesman for the Democratic Party so he can "trivialize and minimize the Democratic candidates"

"Minimize" and "trivialize" the the teensy, skittering likes of (say) Dean, or Mosley Braun, or Edwards?

Good lord... is that even remotely possible...? :)

[randog]

Bill wants to amend the Constitution to allow for more non-consecutive presidential terms. While we're at it, why don't we adjust the wording slightly to say, "...and Hildebeast can't be president, either."

[tet68]

"The Clintons suck up every bit of the available air,"

Now there is a statememt I can agree with.

[umgud]

Hillary can't wait until 08. She'll look for a draft in 04. This woman is getting uglier every day. By 08, she'll be to ugly to run.

[NEWwoman]

By 08, she'll be to ugly to run.

I recall Rush saying something like this - Politics is showbusiness for the ugly.

[Delta 21]

Could somebody please tell [the Clintons] to shut up?"

I have been screaming that for about 10 years now!!!

[I got the rope]

Is this the same Dick Morris that predicted she wouldn't run for the Senate.

Does anyone besides Hannity even listen to him?

[Liberal Classic]

In related news...

[firebrand]

Two words: Jeb Bush

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Ah, Hillary is running in 04.

[JusPasenThru]

Naah. She can manipulate the media well enough so that is not a problem. She'll put make-up on by the trowel for live appearances, and have master air-brushers (note her new bookcover) take care of any photo-ops. 2008 is her goal.

[stylin19a]

I agree..being a sixty something year old aunt flabby in 08 doesn't cut it. I still think she is going to run in '04. Been saying it since before she was elected Sen.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

They won't own the media in 08, never mind 12.