I just saw (former) President Clinton on CNN. He was in NYC, comforting stricken people looking for their loved ones. He told them not to lose hope. Someone asked him what we should do now. He said (I’m paraphrasing) to support the President, it will be hard, and long, but America will do the right thing.
Until now, I actively disliked this guy, and his wife, never voted for him, etc.
I believe his actions and comments were abundandtly correct, appropriate, and classy.
Bill was always better when dealing with emotions than with policy. It’s times like this where he’ll really shine, and when we really need him to do just what he was doing.
I, too, must say that I applaud his actions. Silly political divisions can wait for another day. Now, we need to help as many people in NY as we can, and then find out the man/men responsible for this.
I don’t care much for Bill Clinton but voted for him twice.
I can’t be the only one though that suspected a political motive to his trip downtown. I’m not saying that was the intention; if I lived there I would go check it out too. But the thought did cross my mind.
Wouldn’t you? If you were an ex-president who lived near the city?
Because he’s Bill Clinton, media whore.
Because he could do what he does best, be comforting and reach out to individuals.
I dislike Clinton usually, but when I saw him on the news, I thought, “Good for him!” He was always at his best in these sort of situations. I really was happy to see him there. I think he helped a few people feel a little better. Bless his heart.
Despite my reservations for the guy in the past, I’m willing to believe that his intentions in the area are genuine. The presence of an “important” figure can be comforting to people.
I had the exact same thoughts as those expressed by other posters here. I had never liked Bill Clinton all that much in the past but that was a shining moment for Clinton. I’m also paraphrasing here but I believe the exchange went something like:
Reporter: “What would you do if you were still president?”
Clinton: “The important thing is that I’m not the president. I’m just a citizen trying to help out. I think the president is doing the right thing and I support him.”
I’ve never cared for him and find this too opportunistic.
He is stranded in Europe, yet with thousands trying to find their way to the U.S. this “just a citizen” manages to acquire one of the first seats available and arrives at the crime scene even before the sitting president can arrive to offer support.
While we’re at it, what’s the deal with that asshole Jimmy Carter? We all know that all his building houses and helping with international elections is really politically motivated.
If you are correct, that makes this show even worse. He would have had to have expected an indefinite stay in Tokyo or weaved his way to Mexico City where he again would have had to expect an indefinite delay. Europe to NY is a lot simpler, and shorter, that Australia to NY.
Good grief. SouthernStyle, I image that ANYplace the ex-president goes is a media event. I consider it no infringment on anybody that someone with Secret Service attendants should be given a little priority on returning to the US to support their spouse - who happens to be US Senator from a state that was the target of the largest civilian bombing in US history. What a coincidence!
There is certainly a time and place for partisanship. This is not that time.
I certainly didn’t mean to give the appearance of hijacking this thread. But it is Great Debates so I made my comment that I doubted his motivation in showing up where there’s lots of dead bodies and plenty of TV cameras. And I’ll stand by my statement that even in his “just a citizen” days he manages to spend a lot more time at fund raisers and media events than he does helping the little guy.
I was justifiably corrected on his location. My fault on that one.
And Baub’s comments that he was “helping his neighbors” seemed directed to me so I responded.
I despise the guy. Absolutely despise him. But in this thread that sentiment doesn’t appear welcome.
