Senator Clinton And President Clinton
by sarabeth at 9:38 am on January 27th, 2008 in 2008 Presidential, Bill Clinton, Hillary, John EdwardsJohn Edwards made an interesting choice of words in last night’s concession speech in South Carolina:
I want to join Sen. Clinton and President Clinton in congratulating Sen. Obama.
Now the three of us move on to February 5th where millions of Americans will cast their vote and help shape the future of this party and help shape the future of America.
He didn’t just sneak in President Clinton, these were practically his opening words (right after “Thank you all very much.”) Or, actually, not his words at all. Edwards was performing to Obama’s script.
On January 16, at the Henderson Convention Center in Nevada, Obama went:
I respect that Sen. Clinton and President Clinton tried to get health care fixed in 1993.
On January 21, on Good Morning America, it was:
We’ve got a formidable opponent - actually two formidable opponents at this point, between Sen. Clinton and President Clinton.
On January 22, during a media conference call before a speech in Greenville, South Carolina:
I think its very clear that Sen. Clinton and President Clinton have been spending the last month attacking me in ways that are not accurate.
On January 23, in an interview:
We’ve taken a lot of incoming over the last month from both Sen. Clinton and President Clinton and their camp. I know that’s certainly typical of Washington politics, and I think part of their strategy has been to drag us into the muck.
Repeat anything enough times, and it certainly gets noticed:
Obama often mentions “Sen. Clinton and President Clinton” in the same breath and in a pejorative way suggesting they are running as a tandem team against him.
Pretty widely, actually. And now Edwards wants to stand up and be noticed too. As being with Obama on this one. Hmmmm!
George Williams wrote:
Bush 4, Clinton 8, Bush 8, Clinton???
Are we tired of Bush/Clinton???
How is Hillary & BIL CLINTON going to bring change?
They’ve been there done that and now want another 8 years…
Posted 27 Jan 2008 at 10:11 am ¶
cg wrote:
So is the issue that Obama and Edwards feel outnumbered by Clintons or that people are still referring to Bill as President? As far as I know, it is customary and expected that past presidents are still referred to as President so-and-so. Interestingly, though, often when listening to the news, on various stations, I have heard W referred to as Mr. Bush instead of President Bush. I wonder if that’s a few reporters trying to get in a dig here and there.
Posted 27 Jan 2008 at 11:10 am ¶
sarabeth wrote:
I guess the issue can be whatever you want it to be.
In my mind, the issue is that Edwards is openly performing to Obama’s script. (I’m funny that way; when I write a post, I usually just come right out and say what I think the issue is.)
Posted 27 Jan 2008 at 12:40 pm ¶