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Bill Clinton derides Obama candidacy as ‘smoke and mirrors’
The Examiner [Washington, DC] ^ | Feb 12, 2008 | Susan Ferrechio

Posted on 02/12/2008 10:12:22 AM PST by kingattax

With Virginia considered Hillary Clinton’s best chance in the Potomac Primary, Bill Clinton packed his schedule with three stops Monday in the Old Dominion, where he tried to convince voters that his wife’s experience trumps Barack Obama’s “smoke and mirrors” candidacy.

Clinton’s first stop of the day was at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, where he barely referred to Obama by name but alluded to him often as the lesser choice for the Democratic nomination, a candidate who has style but lacks Hillary Clinton’s substance.

“You have to decide what this election is about,” Clinton told a room of 600 students, his voice hoarse from making four campaign speeches a day earlier in the District and Maryland. “You have to decide what makes the best president. You want someone with the right vision, the right plans and ability to get the job done. If that’s the test, I don’t think the question is close.”

Outside of those traits, “all the rest is smoke and mirrors,” Clinton said in reference to his wife’s more charismatic rival.

Clinton has previously tried to paint Obama as a political lightweight. When asked by TV host Charlie Rose whether Obama was “more symbol than substance,” he responded: “I get tickled watching him. He’s got great skills.”

Asked in New Hampshire about Obama’s opposition to the war in Iraq, Clinton said: “Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen.”

Although race might play a significant role in the primaries, Bill Clinton stayed away from the topic in Fredericksburg. He previously angered African-Americans by comparing Obama’s campaign in South Carolina to those of Jesse Jackson, who ran as a black candidate and was never a serious contender.

On Monday, Clinton emphasized Hillary Clinton’s experience in the Senate and her days as first lady, asserting that she helped win peace in Ireland and achieve rights for women in Senegal


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; billary; billclinton; clintonmachine; democratparty; elections; fredericksburg; hillary; hillaryclinton; obama; thatsracist; va2008
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1 posted on 02/12/2008 10:12:26 AM PST by kingattax
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To: kingattax

Never thought I would be rooting for Bill and Hill.


2 posted on 02/12/2008 10:14:49 AM PST by Always Right (Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?)
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To: kingattax

Takes one to know one.


3 posted on 02/12/2008 10:15:09 AM PST by BenLurkin
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To: kingattax

Clinton is right. I just heard several of Algonquin’s supporters interviewed. they are the most mindless creatures I have ever heard. He says nothing. They know nothing about him.


4 posted on 02/12/2008 10:15:24 AM PST by isrul
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To: kingattax
Holy Cow! I find my agreeing with BJ Clinton!

Note to Bill, your wife doesn't have the experience to be POTUS either.

5 posted on 02/12/2008 10:15:45 AM PST by alice_in_bubbaland (Wandering in the wasteland of GOP RINO's.)
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To: kingattax

Wasn’t there a column just this morning predicting that there’s no way Bubba could keep his mouth shut and let this be about Shrillary.


6 posted on 02/12/2008 10:15:57 AM PST by Dilbert56 (Harry Reid, D-Nev.: "We're going to pick up Senate seats as a result of this war.")
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To: kingattax

Bubba's just blowing smoke up *********** again.

7 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:09 AM PST by weegee (Those who surrender personal liberty to lower global temperatures will receive neither.)
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To: kingattax

I’m sure “smoke and mirrors” will go over a lot better than “fairy tale.” Not. Sounds like Bill has done it again.


8 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:09 AM PST by lady lawyer
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To: kingattax

First time I completely agree with the rapist.


9 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:10 AM PST by nowings (John McCain can go to he!!)
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To: alice_in_bubbaland

Compared to his wife’s campaign of arsenic and old lace.


10 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:23 AM PST by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: kingattax
Keep it up Bill! You, as SINO are Obama’s most effective tool.
11 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:35 AM PST by TCats (The Clintons Are Not Just Wrong - They Are Certifiable AND Dangerous! See my Page)
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To: Always Right

“Never thought I would be rooting for Bill and Hill.”

For real. It seems safer to go with the socialist you know rather than the one you don’t know.


12 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:51 AM PST by Reagan79 (Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys)
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To: kingattax

He’s correct but he needs to shut his hole if his old lady is to stand a chance, and we need her on the ticket.


13 posted on 02/12/2008 10:16:59 AM PST by newnhdad
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To: kingattax

I thought he had repented for trashing Obama, and turned over a new leaf. Didn’t last long . . .


14 posted on 02/12/2008 10:17:07 AM PST by GovernmentShrinker
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To: kingattax

The first time she’s been right about anything.


15 posted on 02/12/2008 10:18:04 AM PST by Perdogg (Vice President Richard B Cheney - A National Treasure)
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To: Always Right
Nor did I ever think I would agree with himm at least the part about Obama's campaign nothing but smoke and mirrors. of course so is Hillary's.

This is such a close one on who to root for. I think Hillary would be a much easier target and I think McCain would not fair well compared to "every woman's fantasy" Obama. However since I beleive it's inevitiable that the socialists are going to win this election I may have to root for the one that doesn't look, sound and act like my Mother-In-Law.

16 posted on 02/12/2008 10:19:06 AM PST by marlon
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To: GovernmentShrinker

He’s apparently a slow learner.


17 posted on 02/12/2008 10:19:47 AM PST by Texas Mulerider
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To: alice_in_bubbaland
Then you don't agree with Bill:

“You have to decide what this election is about,” Clinton told a room of 600 students, his voice hoarse from making four campaign speeches a day earlier in the District and Maryland. “You have to decide what makes the best president. You want someone with the right vision, the right plans and ability to get the job done. If that’s the test, I don’t think the question is close.”

Outside of those traits, “all the rest is smoke and mirrors,” Clinton said in reference to his wife’s more charismatic rival.

The choice isn't between Obama and Hillary. It is between Obama, Hillary, McCain, and none of the above.

I question whether any of the candidates have the "right plans" and one or two of them may have the organization to "get the job done" but I disagree that it is a job worth doing.

And the Clintons have shown (even in this scampaign) that they are willing to smack down the press and seek retribution against journalists/critics are unkind to the Queen and her royal family. Who wants 4 years of that supression of free speech?

18 posted on 02/12/2008 10:19:51 AM PST by weegee (Those who surrender personal liberty to lower global temperatures will receive neither.)
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To: TCats

“You have to decide what this election is about,” Clinton told a room of 600 students, his voice hoarse from making four campaign speeches a day earlier in the District and Maryland. “You have to decide what makes the best president. You want someone with the right vision, the right plans and ability to get the job done. If that’s the test, I don’t think the question is close.”

Outside of those traits, “all the rest is smoke and mirrors,” Clinton said in reference to his wife’s more charismatic rival.


Does anyone else notice that Bill is telling the people that it’s up to them to decide what the election is about, then proceeds to tell them what the criteria are for voting, and these criteria just happen to criticize Obama and play to Hillary’s perceived strengths?


19 posted on 02/12/2008 10:20:06 AM PST by Dilbert San Diego
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To: kingattax
Politics - the art of making the impossible appear possible. Bill is pissed because this guy runs on nothing better than he does. Too bad. We need this. I hope Obama wins the dem side. He will be mightily tested in the general election.
20 posted on 02/12/2008 10:20:16 AM PST by kinghorse
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