As White House Knows, Bill Clinton Still His Own Man

[Geee]

Politico:

As White House knows, Bill Clinton still own man

By BEN SMITH & MAGGIE HABERMAN | 6/29/10 5:11 PM EDT


Despite a new perception of a united front, Bill Clinton remains very much his own political force.


Bill Clinton's stunning endorsement of an underdog insurgent running against the White House's handpicked candidate in the Colorado senatorial primary should be proof that whatever the public perception may be of a united front between President Barack Obama and the former president, Clinton remains very much his own man - and his own political force.

Clinton's emailed endorsement of Andrew Romanoff went a long way toward undoing the impression Clinton had given - thanks to his rescue mission to Arkansas on behalf of Sen. Blanche Lincoln earlier this month - that he had become a reliable White House ally willing to do the heavy lifting in support of Obama's favorite candidates.

Sen. Michael Bennet, appointed last year to the seat vacated by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, is a particular White House project, and Romanoff a particular irritant. Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina wound up in hot water after Romanoff released emails documenting what many took as an attempt to lure Romanoff away from a primary challenge with a government job.

But Clinton's endorsement, in an email Tuesday, was unstinting, suggesting that Romanoff - who supported Hillary Clinton in her losing 2008 presidential race — had both the strongest record and the best electoral prospects.

"Andrew brings to this race both an extraordinary record of public service and an extraordinary capacity to lead. I believe that those assets, as well as his deep commitment to Colorado, give him the best chance to hold this seat in November," he wrote.

In fact, even Clinton's mission to Arkansas - contrary to some reports - was not on assignment, but as part of his own, long quest to repay favors to his wife's presidential campaign. His other political activities are a mix of favors to the White House and freelance forays: They include a planned trip to Florida on behalf of Rep. Kendrick Meek, whose Senate campaign national Democrats, flirting with Governor Charlie Crist, view as a likely loser.

The White House is well aware that the former president is not his wife, a member of the Obama administration - and a loyalist to be sent where needed.

"She is on the team - he is still an independent agent," said a White House official.

Democrats with a close knowledge of the Clinton-Obama relationship declined to talk about it publicly, because both sides see the value of public harmony. And on the most central question, Clinton has been fully loyal: He has not criticized Obama's conduct as president, and has offered him public support at crucial moments. Obama, in turn, has offered Clinton full absolution after a primary campaign in which the former president was seen from Chicago as out of control, bitter, and seemingly incapable of treating the young Illinois senator with a modicum of respect.

[Argyle58]

While he didn't call out Zero by name, Billy did criticize the handling of the Gulf Oil leak today. I think he's setting Hillary up for a bid against THE ONE in 2012.

 

I think there might be an intern he has his eye on.

[pinz]

It's not his eye we need to worry about....

 

Popcorn futures are up!