Results tagged “billclinton”

Dimwitted former cheerleader and frat-boy boozer George W. Bush has agreed to face loquacious skirt-chaser and crafty triangulater Bill Clinton in a debate. With words! In our dreams, it goes something like this:

New York investor Hassan Nemazee, whose prolific political fundraising for Democrats like Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Charles Schumer, was released on $25 million bond yesterday. Nemazee is " accused of lying about his assets to obtain a $74 million loan from Citibank." The NY Times further explains, he "orchestrated the fraud by using forged documents showing that he held accounts with collateral worth hundreds of millions of dollars," but the accounts never existed or were closed. Nemazee did end up paying the money back to Citibank on Monday, but was arrested on Tuesday. He is under house arrest—monitoring device plus no computer or Internet access—at his Upper East Side duplex, which the Daily News says is worth $20 million (that plus his $8 million Katonah estate are what's securing his bond). Vice President Joe Biden, Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Sens. Barbara Boxer, Chris Dodd and Schumer told Politico they plan to return his donations. Time has a 2-minute look at Nemazee.

You wouldn't know it from the Daily News home page, which emphasizes such breaking news as "Scantily-clad Stars Hit the Sand" and "Kate Hudson's Set A-Rod on Fire," but today's top story, splashed across the cover of the print edition, is "Hillary Clinton Rages at Student: I'm the Boss, Not Bill." The incident happened in Congo yesterday when a university student asked what her husband thought about a multibillion-dollar Chinese loan offer to Congo. Watch the Secretary of State lash out as the audience groans like they're at a taping of Maury:

Former President Bill Clinton held a press conference at his Harlem office yesterday to announce that his foundation had negotiated with three drug companies to lower the price of medicines for HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries. Of course, the press packed into room was there for juicy details on Clinton's successful mission to North Korea, which secured the release of two American reporters after five months of detention. But while clearly savoring the attention, Bubba was tight lipped on the details, telling reporters:

My job was to do one thing, which I was profoundly honored to do, as an American, and as a father: I wanted those young women to be able to come home. Anything I say beyond that could inadvertently affect the decisions and moods either here or in North Korea, or the attitudes of our allies, and I have no business doing that. I’m not a policy maker anymore.

Yesterday, the country witnessed the dramatic reunion between formerly imprisoned journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling and their families, a reunion orchestrated by former President Bill Clinton, his former Vice President Al Gore, and the White House. Though the White House was working to secure the release of Lee and Ling, Current TV journalists who were sentenced to 12 years in a labor camp by North Korea for illegally entering the country, and had considered envoys like Gore, Bill Richardson, and Senator John Kerry, it turned out that North Korea requested former president Clinton. Lee and Ling, who were being held in a guest house, both told their families in phone calls that North Korea would consider amnesty if "an envoy in the person of President Clinton would agree to come to Pyongyang and seek their release."

       

After former President Bill Clinton made a "surprise trip" to North Korea and secured the pardon of two imprisoned U.S. journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the trio made their way back to the United States. Their plane arrived in Burbank, California this morning, where the women made a tearful reunion with their families. Ling made a statement, expressing her and Lee's gratitude and remarking on the drama of their ordeal, "Thirty hours ago, Euna Lee and I were prisoners in North Korea. We feared that at any moment we could be prisoners in a hard labor camp. Then suddenly we were told that we were going to a meeting," and then spoke of seeing Clinton. Here's video:

     

[UPDATE BELOW] Today, former president Bill Clinton met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. Clinton made the surprise trip to the isolated Communist nation to discuss the release of two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were sentenced to 12 years in labor camps for illegally entering North Korea.

Former president Bill Clinton is in North Korea right now, in hopes of gaining the release of the two U.S. journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling. Two months ago, Lee and Ling were sentenced to 12 years in labors camps for illegally entering North Korea, but earlier tonight, Politico reported, "North Korean officials told the family that they would release the women to Clinton, the source said. The family then approached the former president. The source said the White House approved the mission, which began Tuesday, North Korea time."

With it being all but official that Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will be taking on Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary for Senate next year, now comes the tough part for Maloney—finding a base of voters while getting little to no support from Democratic big wigs up top. The Times accounts just what a mountain she's up against: receiving an Obama/Steve Israel-like call from Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer scaring away a potential campaign manager and now watching Gillibrand take credit for her WTC workers bill. Maloney said, “Here she takes my bill and introduces it." Maloney's nascent campaign is trying to build some momentum off of the presence of Bill Clinton at an upcoming fundraiser of hers, but it seems that she can't even get any love there. A Clinton spokesperson made it clear the former president was strictly attending to thank Hillary '08 supporters like Maloney and added, "The former president believes that Senator Gillibrand is doing a good job as senator and this type of thank-you event, and any other he may do, should not be read as an endorsement or un-endorsement."

Mott Hall Middle School in Harlem had been asking former president Bill Clinton to speak at their eighth grade graduation ceremonies for five years—and this year, he agreed! The Daily News was on the scene for the big day, pointing out that Clinton usually gets $100,000 for speaking engagements. Clinton said, "I can almost give a one-sentence commencement address—I came here because you kept asking me. But I think you should remember that—if you want something bad enough, just keep working for it. And don't forget to ask." But, as is the case with Clinton, he kept speaking, "[giving] a very grown-up dissertation on the increasingly inter-connected, inter-dependent world that today's young people will soon inherit." He also emphasized their education, "Critical thinking will never go out of style. We are going up or down together - people around the block and people across the globe. You've got a good start here. You know how to do it. And I urge you to press on." The students were dazzled, with one saying he would try to be "the first Latin president...Maybe I'll start off small -- like mayor or something -- and go from there."

Former president Bill Clinton spoke with ABC News and supported President Obama's economic efforts so far, but not the Republicans! "Look, the American people, I think, know the president has tried to reach out to Republicans. And it takes two to tango. I think there are some of them who really believe that just-say-no politics is good politics." Clinton also placed blame on former president George W. Bush for the economic mess, "I personally believe, based on my experience with the economy, that if we moved aggressively on this home problem a year and a half ago, even a year ago, as much as 90% of the current crisis could have been avoided." Earlier this week, Clinton rejected criticism that he was also responsible for the economic mess, since he signed the Commodity Futures Modernization Act and loosened housing rules.

No, it wasn't a gathering to mourn the recent death of the First Cat, but rather just a meeting of the minds when the four living presidents were invited to lunch by the president to be. President Bush said he was happy to give a holler to former Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush 41 (his father). It was the first time all of the living presidents had gathered at the White House since the funeral of assassinated Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat in 1981.

2009 will start with a bang in Times Square, where former President Bill Clinton and incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will push the "ceremonial" button to signal the lowering of the New Year's Eve Ball at 11:59 p.m. The indomitable power couple will be joined on the Nivea Countdown Stage by Mayor Bloomberg, who said in a statement, "I can't think of anyone I would rather stand at the crossroads of the world at the beginning of this new year than Bill and Hillary Clinton." (Not even Caroline Kennedy?) Other luminaries expected to be in attendance include Carson Daly, Ryan Seacrest, Ludacris, Jonas Brothers, and the "world-famous New Year's Eve confetti." It's also supposed to be windy with temperatures in the teens, so dress warmly if you're going to join them!

Finally: Senator Hillary Clinton will be announced as President-elect Obama's choice for Secretary of State tomorrow. And with that comes news that former president Bill Clinton has agreed to publicly name his donors. The NY Times reports that the disclosure of "more than 200,000 donors to his foundation" and library is "part of an accord" with the Obama team "that clears the way" for his wife's nomination. The announcement will be made at 10:40 a.m. EST in Chicago.

Politico, which cast some doubts on whether Hillary Clinton would even want to be President-elect Obama's Secretary of State yesterday, now reports, "Negotiations between the Clintons and President-elect Obama’s transition team are rapidly moving toward a formal offer of secretary of State" for Clinton, with an announcement expected within the next seven days. And "a key part of satisfying Obama’s vetting team, former President Bill Clinton is open to giving up foreign sources of income if she becomes secretary of State, according to a close friend." Bill Clinton has made a lot after leaving office (their joint tax returns showed income of $107 million between 2000 and 2007). The NY Times adds he "has agreed to release the names of some major donors to his charitable foundation and...would subject future foundation activities and paid speeches to an ethics review," and if his wife serves, "He would also cede day-to-day responsibility for his foundation... and would alert the State Department to his speaking plans and any new income sources."

British newspaper the Guardian reports, "Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration," according to its sources. However, there are concerns regarding the vetting of former President Bill Clinton, not to mention possible conflicts--Politico points out, "it could prove problematic for Obama if the former president continues to arrange donations from foreign countries at the same time that his wife, as secretary of state, is asking them for diplomatic concessions." Clinton friend James Carville told the Washington Post, "There's a lot of momentum in the direction of this happening," but acknowledged the Bubba factor: "She's not married to Todd Palin."

Former president Bill Clinton made, as Politico's Jonatha Martin reports, "his first campaign appearance by Barack Obama's side" at a late-night rally in Florida. Clinton said, "Barack Obama represents America’s future and you better be there for him next Tuesday.” See video of the rally after the jump.

Not that Bush or Clinton--just the ex-presidents George H. W. Bush (41) and Bill Clinton. The two men, who formed that Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund last month, toured Hurricane Ike damage on Galveston Island. The Houston Chronicle reports that Bush described the scene as "abject devastation."

Bill Clinton was on the talk show circuit yesterday, to promote his Clinton Global Initiative which meets this week. But naturally he discussed the current presidential campaign. The former president told the View ladies that Hillary Clinton wasn't dying to be VP, "She said, 'If [Obama] asks, I'll do it because it's my duty.' She loves being a senator for New York and has more freedom to develop her positions on the issues." he did add:

It's a very personal decision who should be vice president. I like Senator Biden a lot. I think he was a good choice. [Hillary Clinton] would have been the best politically at least in the short run because of her enormous support in the country. I think that [Obama] felt more comfortable with another choice and you have to respect that.

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton just had lunch at Clinton's Harlem offices. The Observer shared the pool report and points out it included this line: "There was no handshake and your pooler did not see the two actually look at each other. There was a brief Q&A." Some more excerpts:

President Clinton was asked when he will hit the campaign trail for Sen. Obama.

Continue reading "Barack and Bill Have Cosi Lunch"

The "First Black President" and the first black presidential candidate will reportedly meet on Thursday at Bill Clinton's Harlem offices. Newsday reports that Clinton extended the invitation to Obama, "signaling another step toward party unity as the race for the White House intensifies." Clinton was accused of making racist remarks when wife Hillary was running against Obama, and he gave a speech at the DNC emphasizing Obama is ready to be president. Maybe they will discuss how Obama can get his mojo back--John McCain is either even or ahead in certain polls and Reuters says white women are heading to the McCain-Palin ticket.

             

The Democratic Party nominated Barack Obama as its 2008 presidential candidate, making him the first African-American presidential nominee in a major political party.

After his wife's stirring speech supporting Barack Obama last night, former president Bill Clinton will be the featured speaker tonight at the Democratic National Convention (after the roll-call and nomination process). Clinton is expected to discuss foreign policy, and his aides told the Times "he intends to deliver an impassioned plea for Democratic unity." However, much has been made of the fact that the former president has made remarks suggesting skepticism for Obama's chances. Clinton will not be at Invesco Field on Thursday when Obama finally gives his acceptance speech--reportedly because he "doesn't want to detract from Obama." Politico looks at the Clinton-Obama drama, noting things each side could have, should have done to unite the party and Doonesbury has a funny comic about it.

This evening, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will address the Democratic National Convention in a speech that many hope will unite her supporters with those of presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Former president Bill Clinton will speak on the third night of the Democratic National Convention later this month. The AP reports his address will precede one by Barack Obama's TBD running mate. Obama is confident that his constituents and those of Hillary Clinton will get along, and the Senator from NY herself told supporters she and her former rival were "working together to make sure it's a big success." However, there's the possibility she make seek a roll-call vote, prompting Newsday to report, "at best would be a distraction and at worst a disaster." Obama referred to that possibility, saying only, "We're still working out the mechanics, the coordination."

Former President Bill Clinton spoke to ABC News about his role in his wife's presidential campaign and said, "There are things that I wish I'd urged her to do. Things I wish I'd said. Things I wish I hadn't said."

The once rosy relationship between Harlem and Bill Clinton may have soured significantly due to some of the tenser moments spawned from the drawn out primary battle between his wife Hilary and Barack Obama. The NY Times has a piece today about black residents still harboring a grudge against the former president who has kept an office in Harlem since 2001. After several highly publicized comments during the campaign from Mr. Clinton that were perceived as racially insensitive, one resident describes the general response in Harlem to be: “You’re part of the family. We bring you in, and then when we turn around, you kind of knifed us in the back.”

A Hillary Clinton supporter says Barack Obama is considering Hillary Clinton as a possible running mate, but there may be a snag with former president Bill Clinton. The LA Times reports that Obama had reached out to donor and Westchester resident Jill Iscol, who was apparently "unhappy" how the media and other Democrats treated Hillary. Iscol recounted Obama's concerns about Bubba, "[Obama] said once you're a president, even if you're a former president, you're always a president." Iscol still thinks Hillary Clinton may have a chance at being VP, but says she's waiting to see how Obama does with promises to pay down Clinton's debt (plus who he picks for VP) before donating.

Yesterday, Senator Barack Obama told 200 fundraisers that he had made a $2,300 personal check to Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign to help her retire her campaign debt. Clinton also appeared at the Mayflower Hotel (yes, where Eliot Spitzer had his rendez-vous with Kristen), where the focus was on the Democratic presidential contender and his one-time rival.