Clinton: 'Right Wingers' Won't Let Me Help Bush

NewsMax.com ^ | 3/04/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Ex-president Bill Clinton is claiming that the Bush White House turned to him in April 2001 to help solve the crisis prompted by China's downing of a U.S. surveillance plane over the South China Sea - and that the Bush administration would use him more except for the objections of "right wingers."

"The Administration's only asked me to do two things," Clinton tells the Atlantic Monthly for its March issue. "One is to go to East Timor, which I was happy to do. The other was to talk to Jiang Zemin. Both of us happened to be in Hong Kong, and we had that plane down in China."

At the time the Bush White House said Clinton had set up the meeting with China's leader without seeking permission. "The White House respects [Clinton's] right to go as a private citizen and expressed no objection. ... He's not representing anything," Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters.

But the ex-president not only insisted to Atlantic's James Fallows that he was asked to intercede during the spy plane standoff, he also maintained that the Bush White House would ask for his help more often except that they fear angering "right wingers."

"They have to be careful about that, because they depend on all those right wingers for support and they've spent ten years saying what terrible people Hillary and I were, and they've got to preserve their credibility. If they asked me to do too much they'd wonder if they didn't mean it then or don't mean it now."

Clinton claimed that in the past the Bush White House "didn't mean it" when they criticized him and did so only because "it was in the interests of so many people to do it."

Apparently stung by complaints from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who said two weeks ago that he and ex-President Carter should "shut up" and stop trying to undermine the current administration with so much public criticism, Clinton defended his outspokenness.

"If and when [the Bush adminsitration does] things with which I disagree, particularly if they reverse a specific policy, as they did with the comprehensive test-ban treaty, Kyoto, international criminal court, strengthening the bioweapons convention, a number of other things — then I don't think I have to go on the attack. I just have to say, This is their view, this is my view, here's why I believe the way I do. I don't think that's being hateful or bad for the country or anything else."

Clinton continued: "Even when I give these political speeches, almost in every speech I say, I don't want you ever to treat them the way they treated me. Don't do it."

He also said that the United States has a lot to answer for in the current crisis over Iraq, since the Reagan administration backed Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

"We have a lot to answer for, and he is basically partly our creature," Clinton argued, pointing to U.S. actions under the Reagan administration, which he said "looked the other way" as Saddam built stockpiles of anthrax.

"I'm not criticizing President Bush on this because I did the same thing. I've sat there and pontificated about how [Saddam] is the only guy to use chemical weapons on his own people. Yeah he did it, and the Reagan Administration was for him when he did it. Nobody raised a peep then, because he was against Iran. We now know that he got his anthrax strain from an American company while we looked the other way."

Clinton also cited an unsubstantiated report claiming that the Reagan administration CIA director, the late William Casey, wanted to arm Saddam with U.S. munitions, saying, "We also know that, or at least a British journalist has alleged that, Casey tried to give him cluster bombs."

The ex-president then quickly added, "I don't know if that's true or not 'cause I read it in the British press and you never can tell."

Last month former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger vehemently denied that the Reagan administration tried to arm Iraq during the late 1980s.

"We didn't treat them to weapons or anything of that kind," Weinberger told radio host Sean Hannity. "Some of our companies tried to do that. Some of them probably violated our export control rules. But we in the government certainly did not. And we certainly tried our best to prevent them from getting any weapons on either side."

As for the coming U.S. attack on Iraq, Clinton said he would condition his support on whether he believes the Bush administration has done everything it can to gain the support of other countries, telling Atlantic, "I will support the President if I believe he has done everything reasonably possible to build not ... not only to build a broader coalition but to do it within a framework of trying to strengthen the UN."

But Clinton urged the Bush administration to keep trying to make Iraq sanctions work rather than rushing into any military action, arguing that Saddam Hussein is "not going to live forever."

"I think we have to try to give the sanctions one more chance. He's not going to live forever, there are options for regime change short of bombing the living daylights out of them. And we know that these ... we know that the inspectors have gotten a ton of stuff out of there."

Clinton said that continuing the inspections effort "will bring us together."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
China/Taiwan
Clinton Scandals
George W. Bush
Saddam Hussein/Iraq

[Chad Fairbanks]

"Right-wingers" wish you would just shut the hell up and go help Jimmy Carter build a house somewhere...

[Bahbah]

I feel sick. This man sickens me.

[JennysCool]

The most shameless, self-important-self-deluded screed YET!!! How DOES he do it?????????

[boomop1]

Your had your chance and you helped the enemy at every turn, you bent richardhead traitor.

[dts32041]

Another screed from a convicted prejurer, I should believe because.....

[AngryJawa]

Me, me, me. Hey, look at me! It's all about me!

Whatta jerk.

[sheik yerbouty]

America does not need Beelzebubba's coproremetic utterances. Is there some sort of excorcism that might make "His Satanic Majesty" cease and desist?

[anniegetyourgun]

Same ol' Leftist tripe....it's Reagan's fault.....

[Dan(9698)]

You don't ask a known rapist to go pick up your wife for you.

[Dog]

Bill Clinton ....we are your worse nightmare because we will never forget..

MM tell Katt about that dream of yours at 80 years old waving goodbye to Clinton..

[polemikos]

Clinton: 'Right Wingers' Won't Let Me Help Bush

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
What a maroon.

[isthisnickcool]

Clinton made $35 million last year. By speaking. The only way he will make $35 million this year is to continue to be "famous" and "part of the game".

This is not about anything more than Clinton keeping his name in front of the media so he can continue making a lot of money. Nothing more. It's always been about money with the Clinton's. It's not about America or "public service". It's about money and Bill getting "serviced".

Clinton and his wife only want to help themselves. To more money and power. That's why Hillary will run for president.

[Calpublican]

But Clinton urged the Bush administration to keep trying to make Iraq sanctions work rather than rushing into any military action, arguing that Saddam Hussein is "not going to live forever."

True. And by all accounts his son is as bad or worse.

It's trypical Clinton behavior that he, who rushed to use the military (which he loathed) every five minutes, is criticizing this president regarding use of the military. Hypocrisy and stupidity in one fat package. Doesn't come along that often.

Do we really care what Clinton thinks? I don't think so. He's trying too hard to be relevant.

[doug from upland]

Forever, a delusional lying perverted rapist sonofabitch. He will never get it. I would ask you to do two things, Bill, but I have already had my Secret Service adventure.

[johniegrad]

Saddam Hussein is "not going to live forever."

Good point Bill. He only has to stay alive long enough to get some nukes.

[My2Cents]

If Bill Clinton were a superhero, he would would called be "The Stain."

His self-absorption is almost breathtaking in its pomposity. He's so into himself that he can't see how offensive he is. But there is an up-side to his public displays of self-pity: every time he surfaces to say to the world, "Look at me!", Bush's approval rating goes up.

[mombonn]

"The Administration's only asked me to do two things,"

Neither of which can be put into print.

[doug from upland]

He says he wants to help while at the same time trying to do maximum damage to this country so it will help Satan's Daughter get to the White House.

[My2Cents]

they've spent ten years saying what terrible people Hillary and I were, and they've got to preserve their credibility.

Our credibility remains intact because we speak the truth.

[homeschool mama]

Clinton is absolutely delusional to think President Bush would **need** his help! gag puke hurl!

[Sam Cree]

Luckily, the guy has a reputation for honesty and integrity.

[The Wizard]

Thank God

[Quilla]

At least he hasn't lost his knack for distorting the truth. SHUT UP BILL CLINTON.

[rintense]

Yeah right. I hope Ari comes out and just slams this lie to the floor.

[Howlin]

I'm sorry......I just had to walk away from the computer for a minute on this one.

My head might explode.

[Howlin]

I know.........LOL....is this suppose to upset me?

[eureka!]

What a little man. He has a huge, ugly legacy, but he truly is a very little man...

[My2Cents]

He also said that the United States has a lot to answer for in the current crisis over Iraq, since the Reagan administration backed Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

That was almost a generation ago, hard as it is to believe. Bill Clinton seems to forget that he had eight years to correct whatever was wrong with past American policy toward Iraq. Didn't he call for regime change, and up the quantity of bombing back in 1998? Like everything else in his life, he never followed-through to finish the job. He got distracted with this quest for a Nobel Peace Prize for peace in the Middle East. George W. Bush is simply cleaning up the mess that Clinton left, or the security threats that resulted from Clinton's negligence.

[Marysecretary]

The Coke is getting to him, finally. He's delusional to think that the White House wants ANYTHING to do with him or with the wicked witch of the east. These people are EVIL from the gitgo.

[NetValue]

Clinton is making himself into a legend in his own mind. If he were a true statesman, he could be called upon to do a real service to his country. Because he is so self-centered and partisan, the White House should not dare trust him. If you would not trust Clinton with your wife, do not trust him with your country.

[Conspiracy Guy]

"The Administration's only asked me to do two things,"

1. Sit down. 2. Shut up. The right wingers will support you in that effort Bill.

[Sabertooth]

Headline correction: Clinton: 'Right Wingers' Won't Let Me Help (myself to) Bush

[Howlin]

I don't think this man NEEDS Bill Clinton, do you?

[Mo1]

WILL CLINTON EVER SHUT UP???

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ... I HATE this man

Right Ringers?? ... Bite Me Clinton you worthless piece of *$%&*&

[Dog]

My head might explode.

As Glenn Beck would say......get the DUCT TAPE!

[doug from upland]

FROM 3-2002:

MIDI - IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

It all has been just about me
Creating my own legacy
Make sure that your camera's in focus
Oh, look, I am on the TV

I don't care what right-wingers think
So what…I'm in need of a shrink
I knew how to bamboozle sheeple
I loved that most wonderful sink

And….so…don't ever forget
Think of me while dreaming…and girls you'll get wet
I did what I must…often I had to lie
It's too bad that McDougal and Brown and poor Vince had to die

So folks, here's the way it should be
Please keep my photograph
And make sure at the moment of death
It's the last thing you see

Did I tell you that it's about me
Remind you, it's all about me
State clearly, so there's no confusion
It must always be about me

(musical interlude, and then)

Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[LouD]

One is to go to East Timor

He's parsing again - he left out the "and don't come back" part.

[Mo1]

DANG!

Right Ringers?? = Right Wingers??

[Black Agnes]

C'mon Doc, I know you can make a good sign/slogan outta THIS one! :)

[A Citizen Reporter]

I was just going to ask you to post that picture. My god, shivers went up my back as I read this one.

[F.J. Mitchell]

The only living Ex-President who could have offered genuine useful help is in the final stages of Alzheimers, (God bless his noble and Patroitic heart) and I'd still trust his judgement over the rest, especially America's two greatest embarrassments who shamelessly refuse to go away.

[mombonn]

That's one of my favorite pictures! Thanks!

[Arpege92]

If Clinton really wants to do this country a favor then he should just shut up and go away....FOR GOOD!!!

[Just mythoughts]

Only $35 million boy the world is getting off cheap, look what he cost us the citizens of this country.

Note "Right-wingers" are still his biggest enemy, boy what if he had to power would he have done to us, out side of what he did using the FBI, IRS and the media. Scary thought.

[varon]

He's not going to live forever.....

Thank God the same applies to you, Bill Clinton!

[Corin Stormhands]

....arguing that Saddam Hussein is "not going to live forever."

Didn't somebody say that about Castro?

[finnman69]

LIAR

[skeeter]

Clinton continued: "Even when I give these political speeches, almost in every speech I say, I don't want you ever to treat them the way they treated me. Don't do it."

All the time we thought he was a letcherous fornicating treasonous liar he was actually a saint.

I feel so small.

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

Bill: You're so "smart", figure it out.....who, with decency and character, would want help from someone with none?

Besides, you've done way more than your share of damage already.