Hannity distorted Bill Clinton's comments about readiness for presidency
SUMMARY: On Fox News, Sean Hannity asserted, "Bill Clinton says that Barack Obama may not be ready to be president." But Clinton did not say that. Rather, during an interview with ABC's Kate Snow, Clinton said, "[Y]ou could argue that no one is ever ready to be president," adding, "I mean, I certainly learned a lot about the job in my first year." Clinton went on to praise Obama, saying that "[h]e's shown a keen strategic sense" and "he's smart as a whip."
During the August 7 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity asserted, "Bill Clinton says that Barack Obama may not be ready to be president." But Clinton did not in fact say that "Barack Obama may not be ready to be president." Rather, during an interview with ABC's Kate Snow, posted August 5 to ABCNews.com, Clinton said, "[Y]ou could argue that no one is ever ready to be president," adding, "I mean, I certainly learned a lot about the job in my first year. You could argue that even if you've been vice president for eight years, that no one can ever be fully ready for the pressures of the office. And that everyone learns something, and something different." Clinton went on to praise Obama, saying, "He's shown a keen strategic sense in his ability to run an effective campaign. He clearly can inspire and motivate people and energize them, which is a very important part of being a president. And he's smart as a whip, so there's nothing he can't learn."
From Clinton's interview with Snow:
SNOW: Is he ready to be president?
CLINTON: You could argue that no one is ever ready to be president. I mean, I certainly learned a lot about the job in the first year. You could argue that even if you've been vice president for eight years, that no one can ever be fully ready for the pressures of the office. And that everyone learns something, and something different. You could argue that. He's shown a keen strategic sense in his ability to run an effective campaign. He clearly can inspire and motivate people and energize them, which is a very important part of being a president. And he's smart as a whip, so there's nothing he can't learn.
From the August 7 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes:
HANNITY: And welcome to Hannity & Colmes. We're glad you're with us. We get right to our 'Top Story' tonight. Remember that sunny day in New Hampshire when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama stood hand in hand, the sun -- the sun was shining, the crowd was cheering, and all Democrats hailed from a town called Unity.
[sound of glass breaking]
Well, not anymore. Hillary Clinton wants a choice slot at the convention. Bill Clinton says that Barack Obama may not be ready to be president. And new polls suggest that Obama may still have problems courting the older white female vote that made up the -- well, larger percentage of Clinton's constituency in the primaries.
Yeah Shag,
It's kind of too bad that Media Matters never uses the word lies. Because that's really what these punks like Hannity are--they're professional scumbag liars.
How does one answer that question and address the accuser's qualifications in the same answer....exactly as Bill Clinton did. McCain accuses Obama as not ready for the office of president, and rather than just saying Obama is ready, Clinton states that you can argue that really no one is really ready to be president.....and THAT includes McCain.
Mr. Clinton gave an honest reply, and a swat at McCain for suggesting he is ready and Obama is not. The POINT of this article is however; that Hanity completely twisted what Clinton said.
I think the best description of what Mr. Clinton was saying came from Col. H.S. in his comment below: "The first time I saw this clip, something else entirely came to my mind. It reminded me of when my friends or siblings were on their way to having kids. There always seemed to be a time when the parents'to-be made a comment about how prepared they were to be parents. And some oldster, the grandparents or whoever, chimes in with "You're never ready to have kids."
Not questioning the fitness of the parents, just a note from somebody who's been there that it's a learn- as- you- go experience.
A good speaker knows how to anticipate the next line of questions, and put an end to arguments before they can take place....I would never call this side stepping as some posters have already claimed.
In one answer, Mr. Clinton showed how silly McCain sounds stating that he rather than Obama is more ready for the presidency.... these words of wisdom offered from an actual person who served two terms as President.
it's the media deciding what was said, and making something that was not there. most people do not spend the time we do on politics and they hear clinton would not say obama is ready to be president. but that is not what he said. he said no one is ready, including himself, but obama is smart enough to pick it up. anyone hearing the extra few seconds of that answer would think to themselves, clinton is heaping all kinds of praise on obama. just the reverse of what the media is trying to imply. it's another fake controversy.
Yes...the worst part is that when the MSM shares with us their version of political news, it's often dead wrong, distorted, pulled out of thin air, and repeated in unison ad nauseam. We have a a country listening to dozens of news outlets and media hosts all telling us that McCain is a maverick, that Kerry is a liar and embarrassment to the military, or that Obama didn't visit the wounded because he went to the gym...(and on and on).....yet few voices are heard to the contrary. What is the public left to believe if their information is overwhelmingly one sided?
I have tried in vain to explain this to my right wing family. Their thoughts go like this: if dozens of news outlets are saying the same thing, and they haven't heard one that supports what I am saying, then obviously what I am saying I can't be right.
Wellp, there's an example of right-wing propaganda. I don't know how you can take that any other way.
And it seems to me, they're doing what they accuse MMFA of doing - taking comments out of context, splicing and editing them to fit their agenda.
Wuss, it doesn't seem to be, it is what Hannity does. Lie for the masses. Your boys and girls are liars but you can't or won't admit it. And please, none of this 'I don't take sides'.
Wouldn't it be nice to see Hannity and Bill Clinton in a cage-interview setting where the sissy boy Hannity couldn't run away or hang up the phone. And think about it, no computer or people talking in his ear. Just a Man to Sissy boy conversation. PPV 39.95
I'd rather have Hannity debate Obama, since Obama's running for the Presidency of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces.
But yeah, either one would be nice.
Why MMFA continues to highlight this Clinton interview, in any fashion, is beyond me. From his equivocating on Obama's readiness to be president, to his condescending "smart as a whip" comment, it shows Clinton to be a petty resentful man still bitter over this upstart Senator beating his wife, fair and square, for what they expected to be a Democratic nominating coronation.
Get over it Bill, move on......
I'd give you the same advice, Tommy. I think this is just one of those topics where we hear what we want to hear in the comments.
If Clinton sets off your triggers, you hear a backhand to Obama, and a questioning of his qualifications.
The first time I saw this clip, something else entirely came to my mind. It reminded me of when my friends or siblings were on their way to having kids. There always seemed to be a time when the parents'to-be made a comment about how prepared they were to be parents. And some oldster, the grandparents or whoever, chimes in with "You're never ready to have kids."
Not questioning the fitness of the parents, just a note from somebody who's been there that it's a learn- as- you- go experience.
I will give you that Colonel, and accept people will interpret these comments their own way. But for MMFA to continue to push the interpretation they don't like as misinformation is misplaced. Especially given the history of the candidates recent primary battle, the interpretation that I take from these comments are quite plausible, if not convincing.
But I accept the difference of opinion.
Colonel, if Hillary were the nominee & Bill had been asked if she were ready to be President, do you honestly think Bill would have danced around the question, or given a resounding "Yes!".
No Bill Clinton did not say Obama may not be ready to be President in so many words. What Clinton did was attempt to sidestep the question.
Irony, you won this battle by a landslide,
"But Bill didn't say what Hannity says he said."
EXACTLY. He said what he wants his viewers to believe. He's a filth, filthy man.
"there's nothing [Obama] can't learn"
Yeah, Clinton really tore him down in that interview. What a jerk! It's true, as posted earlier in this thread, that people are going to hear what they want to hear, and, in my humble opinion, I think Obama can eat far more buffalo wings than Clinton says he can.
I am sure Barack Obama is quite relieved and thrilled to finally get Bill Clinton's "whipping" endorsement of his intellect.
How did he manage to get as far as he did without it?
You're gonna have to work that out on your own. I'm having trouble getting outraged.
You are genuinely pathetic. The term "whipping" was in reference to smart as a "whip".
You never fail to find a racial angle in everything, no wonder I am not alone in identifying you as a race baiter.
You are a sad little man.
If you feel you've won some victory over punctuation, on a media/political website, then you go with that, Congratulations, I guess.
If that's all you've got. What's next? Spelling.
Speculation? Sure. But I do believe Bill Clinton said many times during the primary campaign that Hillary would be ready to be President on Day One. No dancing, no hesitation, no sidestepping. No talk of the Constitution, or anything about learning on the job.
Bill did finally give Obama credit for being smart as a whip, & inspirational, which Obama is, however I think if he'd been asked about Hillary he wouldn't have gone on about the other stuff. Just my opinion of course, but I don't think it's farfetched by any means.
"You're comparing what Bill Clinton said about Obama's readiness to what he may have said about his wife's readiness"
You got it Governor, and it is absolutely a valid comparison. Jeter is exactly right, Bill would never have answered the way he did if it was asked about his wife. Just because the comparison escapes you is irrelevant.
You got it Governor
Thanks, Tommy!
The media may be opportunistic regarding inflaming controversy, but the Clintons and the doublespeak they live off of is their own fault.
I'm not saying the Clinton's haven't been true politicians and engaged in doublespeak in the past, but what in this quote from Bill do you see as double speak?
August,
When you are asked if the presidential nominee from your own political party, of which you are arguably its most notable member, if that person is ready to assume the office in which you once held for eight years - and you answer "You could argue that no one is ever ready to be president"........come on, if that isn't doublespeaking, sidestepping nonsense, I don't know what it is.
A simple "Yes" would have sufficed, unless you're a bitter ex-president who can't stand the man who just beat your wife for the job you assumed was hers.
-- Considering Bill's history, truthtelling is not his strong suit...He is a classic wordsmith manipulator, in my opinion. Obviously you lap up his every word at face value, without regard to his history -- Tommy
Very good point. Words have meaning...but context and history are just as important. That's what makes many of mmfa's rebuttals laughable...relying on words only with no insight on the speaker's history.
Case in point...Edwards rebuttal of marital affair:
-- The story is false, it's completely untrue, it's ridiculous -- Edwards oct07
-- Edwards told ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff he did have an affair with 44-year old Rielle Hunter -- Edwards aug08
mmfa would have claimed Edwards did not have an affair. Why? Because he said so!
Got any documentation (besides his lying about a BJ)?
And I'll add that I will take Clinton's lies over Bushes anyday.
Clinton "complimenting" Obama is akin to this from Biden earlier this year, when he said "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy ... I mean, that's a storybook, man."
If that helps you....
so saying someone has "impressive intelligence" is patronizing? on which planet?
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/smart+as+a+whip
Do you really think "there's nothing he can't learn" is akin to what Biden said about him being black?
Race is not a factor in Clinton's remarks, can you not grasp the comparison I was making? If not, tough.
In the context of Clinton's bitterness over his wife's loss, and he is bitter by all accounts, and the way he answered the question about Obama's readiness, the heaping praise absolutely was patronizing praise. I could care less if you can't see it, it isn't as simple as a compliment when context and history is a factor, not to mention who is saying it.
We disagree, so stop with your silly demands for further explanation.
You could argue that no one is ever ready to be president. I mean, I certainly learned a lot about the job in the first year.
The first sentence of the quote is what is in question, but the very next sentence he evaluates his own readiness, in that he learned a lot in his first year. Where's the doublespeak?
Mag, The question wasn't "Do you believe Obama is more qualified than your wife to be president?" That would be quite different.
It was a direct question on Bill's opinion regarding Obama's readiness. He punted.
Tommy...Mag had it right. The comment stems from something Jeter2 said a few comments back about Hillary being ready for the presidency...not if she was more qualified than Obama.
Jeter2: "Speculation? Sure. But I do believe Bill Clinton said many times during the primary campaign that Hillary would be ready to be President on Day One. No dancing, no hesitation, no sidestepping. No talk of the Constitution, or anything about learning on the job."
Mag, I agree with both Jeter and Tommy.
Throughout the entire primary, Bill's support for Hillary was as a husband AND a former president. They used Bill's experience as president and his 8 years in the White House as proof that his support of Hillary was not only because she was his wife, but as a man who had done the job of president for 8 years, after all who better to pick a new president than a former president.
I truly believe that if Bill was asked that same question about Hillary he would have given a resounding "YES" and he would add that not only was he her husband but he also had the job as president for 8 years so his answer was not simply coming from a spouses point of view.
This situation is like the "as far as I know" Hillary comment. I can't understand, even today, why she added that to her answer nor do I believe that she was badgered by Steve Kroft.
Bill and Hillary are veterans at the game of politics. They've only lost 1 political race so no one can deny, they know what to say, when to say it and how what they said will play in the media. They know how to answer questions that could leave different meaning depending on your point of view.
The question that was asked of Bill required either a YES or a NO answer first, not a convoluted analysis of the difficulty of being president. But that didn't happen and once again we have the media trying to figure out exactly what Bill meant and Bill & Hillary once again get the spotlight and attention.
Wonder how that happened? <sarcasm>
she was definitely badgered by kroft. he kept repeating the same thing she had just answered and which she answered each time with an unequivocal answer. if someone did that to me, repeatedly asking what i thought about someone, i might say as far as i know. because it would indicate everything i know tells me i know he's not. then she said she had been the target of ridiculous rumors too. what's that mean if not her calling the "obama is a muslim" line a ridiculous rumor?
she was definitely badgered by kroft. he kept repeating the same thing she had just answered and which she answered each time with an unequivocal answer. if someone did that to me, repeatedly asking what i thought about someone, i might say as far as i know. because it would indicate everything i know tells me i know he's not. then she said she had been the target of ridiculous rumors too. what's that mean if not her calling the "obama is a muslim" line a ridiculous rumor?
MEFIRST, Hillary Clinton is not some poor weeping willow being badgered by that bad old Steve Kroft. That woman is a seasoned veteran of the game of politics. If she could handle a 3am Natl Security phone call she can damn well handle a series of questions, even if it’s the same question asked again and again. I don’t believe for one minute that Hillary didn’t know how her comment would play out in MSM, just like I don't believe that Bill Clinton did know how his answers would play out.
They are both gifted politicians who have been around a long long time. They know how the game is played.
then why did she wait to say that?
THAT would be MY question to Hillary. WHY?
bill did not say anything wrong. the media took a smippet and made it into something it wasn't.
MEFIRST, Bill Clinton is angry. He's angry at some African American leaders and supporters of Obama, Jim Clyburn comes to mind. He feels they wronged him and labeled him a racist.
I don't recall folks calling Bill a racist but I do recall folks saying Bill wasn't above playing the race card. Bill thinks that given his history, he would be the last person anyone would call a racist and some African Americans can't believe that given Bill's history, he would stoop so low as to play the race card.
I watched the entire interview, but the snippet the media "takes out" as you say still doesn't change my opinion that if Snow had asked the same question of Bill, and Hillary were the nominee, he would have answered with a resounding "YES" and not the convoluted answer he gave regarding Obama. That fact makes his answer unacceptable for me.
Bill Clinton is a master at handling the press, knowing the press and how it operates. The press did exactly what Bill wanted, let the Obama people know he still angry about the "racist" tag, he feels victimized and certain African Americans owe Bill an apology. The press didn't get that wrong.
the point is that hillary was asked four times before she even used that phrase. how did she know that he would keep questioning her? if it was all so calculated on her part, to create some doubt, why not say it in the first answer? and what she meant is as far as her knowledge goes. which is exactly the same for me or you. all i can do is go on the basis of what he says. i don't know him personally. she said a dozen times over she didn't believe he was.
you can only speculate on what he might have said. we know what he did say. he said no one is really ready, he did not make any statement about obama in that. no one means no one, mccain included. he went on to praise obama highly. that praise is integral to what he said. it should have been included. i don't accept that it should not have been. it would have put context to what he said.
"and what she meant is as far as her knowledge goes. which is exactly the same for me or you. all i can do is go on the basis of what he says. i don't know him personally. she said a dozen times over she didn't believe he was."
Remember, it wasn't "He's not Muslim, as far as I know". That would be "as far as her knowledge" and "on the basis of what he says", but it would be an improper answer because it would suggest that there was some basis for doubt. What she said was that there was no reason to believe that, as far as she knew. It's a very important distinction, because that says that she doesn't know how anyone could possibly reach that conclusion, not just that she hasn't reached that conclusion herself.
all i can do is go on the basis of what he says. i don't know him personally. she said a dozen times over she didn't believe he was.
Hillary Clinton in her own words said she was good friends with Obama. In fact she has a picture of all of them together which she has in her office. "And I put the picture in my office. It's still there. I look at Barack and Michelle and their daughters every day when I'm in my office. That sounds like someone who would have no problem answer flat out NO , regardless of how many times she was asked the same question.
you can only speculate on what he might have said.
No speculation needed, Bill Clinton said on the campaign trail several times that his wife was "ready on day one". I don't believe nor do I think you believe that Bill would have given that convoluted answer to Snow's questions had it been about his wife.
he said no one is really ready, he did not make any statement about obama in that. no one means no one, mccain included.
Come on, stop the bull. Snow's question wasn't a general question about each party's candidate, her question was direct. She asked the last Democratic president did he think current Democratic nominee was ready to be President and as you've already noted, he choose not to answer. McCain's name was never mentioned.
he went on to praise obama highly. that praise is integral to what he said. it should have been included. i don't accept that it should not have been. it would have put context to what he said.
He gave Obama a compliment which does not erase the fact that Bill did not answer a simple and direct question about Obama qualifications to be President.
Bill's not stupid, he damn well knew the press would be all over his "none answer". He wanted the Obama camp and certain African American leaders to know he's still pissed off. It was childish, tacky and petty. He looks like a 2 year old still pouting because he didn't get a toy.
they're called interviews, pearlene. they could do yes or no checkmarks on a sheet otherwise. she made it clear. she is not with him 24/7. like i said, if she was so calculating, she would have had that as far as i know comment in the first anwer. her first answer was "of course not". she said there is "no basis" for it. she said it over and over in a dozen ways.
and i could see bill saying no one is ready, but hillary is a hard worker and skilled enough. what he said is true. no one is ready until they take on the job. but he said obama is an effective leader, motivates and inspires people, which is an important part of the presidency, and is extremely smart. sounds like the very qualities you want in a president. that should have been a part of what the media quoted. this is a media generated controversy. if you insist on seeing it otherwise, that's up to you. i don't.
SNOW: Is he ready to be president?
clinton: no one is ready [and that would have to include mccain], but he's an effective leader, motivates people, and is very smart. i will "absolutley" campaign for him.
but let's do it your way. you don't seem to think that there's any obligation to have noted the complete context of what he said. in fact, what you are implying is that there is nothing wrong with what hannity said. so you would rather leave the impression among clinton supporters, the ones who might be wavering between obama and mccain, that bill said he's not ready. what you really want, if you are an obama supporter, is for the media to note all the glowing praise he had for obama. not to leave the misperception out there that clinton said he's not ready.
do you honestly think Bill would have danced around the question, or given a resounding "Yes!".
I have no idea, Jeter. I don't spend very much time imagining these things. If I wasn't clear, I wasn't saying for sure that Clinton's response on Obama was not intended to diminish his qualifications.Maybe it was, neither of us knows that.
I don't think he danced around the question, but if anything but a resounding "yes" or a firm "no" is dancing to you, then I'll stick to my interpretation; we each hear what we hear.
Jeter, is it just barely possible that Clinton would have been accused of cheerleading if he'd answered the question with a resounding "Yes!"? What's the possibility that he was aiming for sincerity when he answered as he did?
I'm not sure why, but a little wary skepticism of ANYBODY being "ready" to be president seems more realistic to me than an assumption of preparedness to handle the job of leading 300 million people in the most powerful nation on earth.
I don't think so Neon. Every other [Dem]politician has had no problem giving a resounding "YES" when asked if Obama was ready to be President. And I truly doubt anyone would have accused Bill of cheerleading if he had said "YES" had the question been about Hillary...or Obama.
Democrats are going to pump up the nominee & sing their praises without hesitating. Not beat around the bush. No pun intended ;-)
Was that another Lewinsky snark?
What the rest of the dems contribute to the campaign is irrelevant to what Clinton said. Caveat, here: I'm no big Clinton fan. But the idea that he'd slip and draw from the well of truth and reality just doesn't seem that hard to conceive for me. I know what he meant, and it makes sense. If we're going to argue motive (which is what this whole thing is about), there's no evidence beyond expectations that he would tend to be biased toward his wife. But that's where it ends. And there's only one undisputable fact in this argument: Clinton told the truth.
I would think you righties would be too busy dancing in the streets at such a momentous occasion to try and spin it... :-)
Tommy,
Why don't you get over it and move on.
If Sean Hannity thinks the Clintons and Obama amounts to the sound of breaking glass, wait until after this years elections. The Republicans will be hearing the sounds of broken bones as they get crushed in this years elections.
This website doesnt know what it is talking about. You are denying the most common of senses in order to keep your mind away from the truth.
God save this country when the Democracy-rats steal the election.
Because things are SOOO great right now?
Yeah, OK, in wingnut world, which is what you appear to be living in.
quote = Summary: On Fox News, Sean Hannity asserted, "Bill Clinton says that Barack Obama may not be ready to be president."
Unless Olbermann cropped the tape ( a la Couric ) I did not hear Bill Clinton say that. while true he did not specifically say Obamna is ready to be president. There is no way to determine the entire damage Mr Bush has created for the next president.
Is there a reason Clinton did not answer yes ? Hmmm...he didn't answer yes because that little unseen text balloon above his head was saying "No that little upstart of a runt senator has no business being president. My wife should be the nominee. But wait a minute...if I say that the DNC will bury us both. Hmmm...I know, I'll just dodge the question. I'll dance around the bushes a bit. People in the know will know while I didn't say no, my lack of a yes really means no. Politically speaking that is. Out of the side of my mouth that is".
Did he say "no"?. No. Did he want to say "no"?. Yes. Would his "no" have been based on Mr. Obama's qualifications or lack thereof ?. No. Does anyone really believe Clinton wants Obama to be president ?. Does anyone really believe Clinton could have answered yes to that question without choking on the word ?. So is it really reaching for me to say Clinton's lack of a yes really meant no ?.
So yeah technically speaking Hannity is wrong. But in terms of the effect of what Clinton didn't say is Hannity totally wrong ?.
Sky
But wait, if everything you say is a lie then you can't be telling me the truth when you say that everything you say is a lie but then.....
Does not compute!!!!!! *zot* *fizzle* *smoke*
Reading Clinton's comments again, I can see nothing but praise in them. He calls Obama smart. Energizing. Motivating. And can learn anything. He also says that:
"You could argue that no one is ever ready to be president..."
That seems to include, well, anyone who would happen to be elected President.