Robert Reich, Bill Clinton’s former Labor Secretary, and friend of Hillary Clinton for over 40 years, has chosen to endorse Barack Obama in his run for the presidency. It was not an easy decision for him…
“I’ve been very torn, frankly,” Reich said, speaking slowly, measuring his words, over the phone from his office at UC Berkeley, where he teaches. “I do feel some loyalty to the Clintons because I’ve known them for so long. … I did not plan to endorse. I wanted to stay out of the whole endorsement racket. But my conscience wouldn’t let me stay silent after this latest round of mudslinging.”
Like Bill Richardson, part of the reason for not backing his old friend is in reaction to the way her campaign is being run. Reich is the fifth former Clinton Cabinet member to endorse Obama, joining Bill Daley (Commerce), Federico Pena (Energy and Transportation) and Norman Mineta (Transportation).
“I’ve known the Clintons for a very long time, and it seemed unnecessary and inappropriate to endorse Obama. But this past week has been a tipping point for me.” Cites the negativity of Clinton campaign ads and seizing on ‘bitter.’ “The negative ads coming out of the Clinton camp were just appalling at a time when our nation is facing such huge challenges.
“To focus on whether Obama should have used the word ‘bitter’ when he talked about the plight of many in Pennsylvania and to resurrect the old Republicans themes of guns and religion and to call Obama elistist, quote-unquote, just put me over the edge. I could no longer sit back and be silent. I had to say what I believed.”
Wow. Ouch. Hillary Clinton reaps what she sows.
37 Comments
April 19, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Whoa… that’s a slap in the face to Hillary.
April 19, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hillary had a real shot at this thing, but she blew it big-time. Your average person doesn’t know any of the background of the candidates, and probably doesn’t want to know — so if she could have run a clean campaign and had been as much a lady as Obama has been a gentleman, she’d have been a shoo-in.
April 19, 2008 at 1:53 pm
I agree.
Hillary has blown it big time.
Almost all the nasty stuff she’s tried has boomeranged on her.
I do give kudos to Obama for having the discipline to not wallow w/ her. And the strategy appears to be paying off.
I looked at the video clip of the priest. The guy that Fox reporter his head on a platter. If only more folks were willing to speak up like that man did. The Fox creep kept trying and trying, but the priest just wouldn’t let him do it.
April 19, 2008 at 1:58 pm
People are sick of this type of politics, and frankly, I think people are less forgiving of this type of behavior coming from a woman or a black man. Obama learned that over a lifetime — I’m not saying it’s right that either one of them had to do that — but Hillary did not.
April 19, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Hilllary’s been an insider a lot longer than Obama.
She’s already experienced the priviledges that come w/ being in the WH, which might have made her feel like she was somehow “protected”. Dunno.
I do find it interesting that the Dems have already made history this election cycle by running either a black man or a woman for President.
I was glad to see how much crap ABC caught for that embarrassing spectacle they tried to foist off as a “debate” this week.
But, hey, this is the same network that ran “Path to 9/11″ right before an election.
Sniff… since no one SEEMS to have any food here, I’m gonna hafta go shopping.
Back later…
April 19, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Shopping?
A polar bear….shopping?
I bet he never waits long in lines.
April 19, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Ha!
That’s funny, Zooey.
April 19, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hi, truey bluey. What’s up?
April 19, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Who is he kidding? If McCain through food at that bear he’d vote for him. He is sooooo easy. Anyway, I’m sure he eats everything before he gets into line. He has no self control.
April 19, 2008 at 2:40 pm
He’s a polar bear, Shayne! He has to put on at least 10 inches of blubber before winter — and that’s only 8 months away.
April 19, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I put up Bill Maher’s new rules from yesterday. Really Zooey if you can watch it, the end is priceless.
Oh and you really have a soft spot for that bear. And really, doesn’t he already have enough soft spots.
April 19, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Not much – just getting dinner on the table.
Be back in 30—
April 19, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hmmm…
Thas kinda odd…
I had all this fud wi’t me when I left the store…
‘N now it’s already gone…
Dang… ‘n I’m still hungry…
Tee hee… but them folks at tha store sure were nice ta me. Everyone let me go right ta the head o’ tha line… ‘n one person even paid fer all my stuff…
Saaaayyy… anybody have some fud here?
I’m gittin’ hungry…
April 19, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Oooooooo…
Somebody mentioned dinner…
Don’t mind if I do… tee hee…
Boy, my timing is good.
April 19, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Whoa… winter’s only 8 months away?
I bin slackin’… got some serious eatin’ ta do!!!!!
April 19, 2008 at 3:30 pm
TRoS-
Steak, asparagus, and a kinda-sorta potato gratin…
YUM
April 19, 2008 at 3:43 pm
TRoS starts salivating…
S..s… teak??? Asparagus…???
Well… umm… you are invitin’ over, right????
A big tear wells up in TRoS’ eye…
***sniff…***
I haven’t ettin’ in HOURS…
Jes some licorice, some brussel sprouts, ‘n half a can of Diet Pepsi…
April 19, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Sending a huge pot of Trout over along with a giant tossed salad and for desert chocolate cream pie….All just for the big white Bear…..There ya go…..
Blessings
April 19, 2008 at 4:03 pm
***Sniff… sniff…***
Trout? Chocolate cream pie??
It’s… it’s like… a Dream Come True…
April 19, 2008 at 4:15 pm
We gotta keep our resident bear happy and well fed.
April 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm
A dream come true for sure, well almost…..The bucket of trout are farm raised triploid’s…They are realy big and tasty but, um they have been nutered, how I am not sure….Some concern on my part if they nuter them with some kind of radiation or what ever…The price was good though, just a few worm’s, hook and my fishing licence…
The salad, tomatoes and lettuce are a bit in question since they were bagged and tagged some where south of here.I will do better when my crop come’s in, if this freaking winter will go away..
The choc. cream pie was made at Safeway, sorry I got tired running my Bear and didn’t have the energy to make one for ya but the thought was there and am sure it’s chuck full of calories and fat’s to tide you over..Now if you are as concerned as I am about your diet you are more than welcome to come over and share the 40 pound bag of Iams my Bear is eating……Blessings Dear Bear.
April 19, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Ooooooooo… yams????
Uh… what sort of bear do you have?
***sniff… sniff***
Finer words have never been spoken, Trueblue.
***TRoS places one paw over his heart***
With Dog as my witness, if I ever go completely ballistic and eat every last Critter here at the Zoo, I PROMISE… I’ll eat you last, True.
Promise…
April 19, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Ok, I just got back from the store. Here’s a super-mondo-ginormous-extra-large bag of seal blubber rinds. Make ‘em last at least half an hour, ok?
April 19, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Not yams knucklehead. IAMs. You know dog food. (chuckle, snort, gigglegiggle) It’s for critters like you that are bad hunters. **SMACK**
April 19, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Thanks , TRoS…
I guess….
April 19, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Ha! I saw this coming back in February when Reich was on Colbert and refused to endorse any candidates. This is very good news indeed.
April 19, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Oooooo…
Where’d this bag of blubber rinds come from?
Hee hee… guess whoever lost ‘em gave up lookin’ fer ‘em… you know I allus say…
Finders, eaters… losers lose weight…
Chomp… chomp… chomp…
Mmmmm… just like my momma used ta make…
April 19, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Hmmpf…
Fer someonen who’s bin known ta eat lemmings, that wolf sure has got an attitude…
Say… did someone mention dog food?
April 19, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Pace yourself, polar bear. Blubber rinds are in high demand this time of year, and hard to get.
April 19, 2008 at 7:22 pm
But geez… it’s only EIGHT MONTHS to winter.
I got weight ta put on…
Mebbe we kin find a substitute…
Donuts?
French fries?
Oooooooo… what are these “breaded fish sticks” I’ve heard about?
Apparently the people who run this website were not aware what the phrase “Will work for food” entails…
April 19, 2008 at 7:25 pm
What kind of work? I have a bathroom that needs painting….
It’s worth a barrel of fish sticks to me.
April 19, 2008 at 7:26 pm
He’ll think he has to catch the fish sticks himself, he’ll never go for it. Lazy ass bears.
April 19, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Cesspool party is up! Late…
April 19, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I though he could just dip himself in the paint and rub on the walls. Short job.
April 19, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Or… I could get the wolf by her tail, dunk her in the paint, and just slap it on the walls…
Tee hee…
Oh, Zooey… mebbe we kin work sum’pin out on that room ya need painted…
April 19, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Hmmmm…
Jes wonderin’… these “fish sticks”…
Do they grow on “fish trees”…???
April 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Hey, that would work too. I think wolf fur would make a good paintbrush.
Actually, I have a couple other rooms as well. That wolf would look good in rainbow colors. Heh.
I’m not sure if the fish sticks grow on fish trees — I found ‘em at Costco, and they’re super-processed.