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Bill Clinton At Netroots Nation

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 07:56:32 PM EST
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He'll be speaking momentarily. Netroots Nation is being broadcast on C-Span. It is online at C-Span.org and of course at the Netroots Nation site.

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    Bill Clinton At Netroots Nation | 99 comments (99 topical)

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    He'll speak any day now. . . (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:11:59 PM EST


    Finally! (none / 0) (#17)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:40:26 PM EST


    Parent
    let me guess... (none / 0) (#61)
    by coigue on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:18:03 PM EST
    45 minutes late?

    Parent
    It was supposed to start at 8 EDT (none / 0) (#87)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:38:42 PM EST
    and actually started around 9:30. Dunno how much of that was WJC's fault, though.

    Parent
    Probably not his fault (none / 0) (#88)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:40:24 PM EST
    No one was coming on after him.

    Parent
    Bill Clinton always needs a glass of water (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:46:09 PM EST
    It's an observation I first made in the 90s.

    He still has it, though.

    And sometimes he doesn't have one handy (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by coigue on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:19:44 PM EST
    ...something I noticed, since I get my news from the radio.

    Parent
    Under the weather (none / 0) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:48:38 PM EST
    Clearly.

    Parent
    It's going around (none / 0) (#28)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:49:25 PM EST


    Parent
    My favorite comment so far (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:47:48 PM EST
    was when he said he was surprised that only 47% of NC Republicans were birthers.

    He knows those people all too well.

    BTW (none / 0) (#27)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:49:21 PM EST
    He'll go all wonk on you too.

    Parent
    Stands up for HIllary in a smart way (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:50:45 PM EST


    Mentions Hillary's Goma trip (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:50:45 PM EST
    Great stuff.

    Standing O.

    Good for the Netroots Nation.

    "That only a President can do" (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:13:59 PM EST
    OK BTD, you win.

    Yep (none / 0) (#60)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:14:33 PM EST


    Parent
    I think he's great (5.00 / 3) (#64)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:18:36 PM EST
    I'm really liking listening to him. He's understandable, doesn't ramble and speaks in coherent sentences. When he speaks, whether you agree or not, you get what he's saying. Not professorial at all. You don't have to understand terms like single payer and public option. You just get it.
    Not at his best either (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:19:20 PM EST


    Parent
    we put up theads at the same time (none / 0) (#1)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:09:13 PM EST
    since mine's an open thread for all topics, I'll leave it up but let's leave this one too just for Clinton.

    Soooo (none / 0) (#3)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:19:49 PM EST
    Watching so far does not make me wish I was there.

    What, you don't like self-congratulation? (none / 0) (#4)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:22:17 PM EST


    Parent
    Entertaining self congratulation (none / 0) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:24:40 PM EST
    I can live with.

    This is like a bad political convention so far.

    Parent

    Well, this is what "arrival" looks like (none / 0) (#8)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:25:29 PM EST


    Parent
    Boring? (none / 0) (#10)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:25:58 PM EST


    Parent
    There's a reason why (none / 0) (#14)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:28:39 PM EST
    CNN needs its panel for the big conventions.

    I mean, how long would you watch Debra Bowen before changing the channel?

    Parent

    5 minutes (none / 0) (#15)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:29:43 PM EST
    That's precisely the amount of time it took.

    and that's cuz I thought Clinton was coming up.

    Parent

    Brad Miller is a good guy though (none / 0) (#9)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:25:45 PM EST


    Parent
    Absolutely (none / 0) (#11)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:26:51 PM EST


    Parent
    FTR, he must be kicking himself (none / 0) (#16)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:31:12 PM EST
    that he didn't run for Senate.

    Parent
    Me either (none / 0) (#5)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:23:36 PM EST


    Parent
    I like a lot of the people there (none / 0) (#7)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:25:15 PM EST
    I'm not sure I want to spend 4 straight days with the m though.

    Parent
    I went to the first two (none / 0) (#12)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:27:26 PM EST
    but August is just too difficult a time for me so I canceled last year and didn't even attempt this year.

    The first one was a lot of fun.  It was like a gigantic meetup.  

    Then they started taking themselves seriously.

    The best parts are the off-schedule parties :)

    Parent

    I believe that (none / 0) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:28:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Sound problems? (none / 0) (#18)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:40:58 PM EST


    A little buzz, but the ustream is fine (none / 0) (#19)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:41:59 PM EST


    Parent
    Nobody cares what you say (none / 0) (#23)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:44:57 PM EST
    He's right about that.

    Parent
    Voice problems (none / 0) (#20)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:42:24 PM EST
    turn into sly allusion to North Korea trip.

    Parent
    Reference (none / 0) (#21)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:43:40 PM EST
    to activists not acting like pols.

    Parent
    promoting the Global Initiative (none / 0) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:44:19 PM EST


    Parent
    Switching to C-SPAN (none / 0) (#31)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:51:02 PM EST


    New Era of Progressive Politics (none / 0) (#32)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:51:48 PM EST
    "if we do it right, it can last 30 or 40 years."

    This identity riff (none / 0) (#33)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:53:38 PM EST
    he is going on I think springs from the question I asked him when we met him a couple of months ago.

    Stop teasing. (none / 0) (#90)
    by oculus on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 10:14:23 PM EST


    Parent
    Really talking politics (none / 0) (#34)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:55:51 PM EST
    tonight.

    Particularly (none / 0) (#36)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:56:14 PM EST
    the Emerging Democratic Majority.

    Parent
    Even when he's scattered and not at his best (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:55:53 PM EST
    he's really good.

    Talking about the EDM.

    You know (none / 0) (#37)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:56:59 PM EST
    I think he has saving up for a big finish.

    Parent
    He has an ability (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:59:47 PM EST
    to make every speech seem momentous.

    I've been captivated by replays on C-SPAN in the middle of the night.

    Parent

    Doesn't he always? (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by nycstray on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:59:49 PM EST
    Baseball or politics, the dude really knows how to connect.

    Parent
    Deals with a heckler (none / 0) (#40)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:01:53 PM EST


    Interesting to me (none / 0) (#42)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:02:32 PM EST
    is how did the heckler determine when he would start his heckling?

    Parent
    Good question (none / 0) (#45)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:04:39 PM EST


    Parent
    Looks like... (none / 0) (#58)
    by Tony on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:13:06 PM EST
    it was this guy.

    Parent
    A heckler? (none / 0) (#41)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:01:59 PM EST


    Excellent! (none / 0) (#43)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:03:48 PM EST
    I was falling asleep.  Now it's interesting.

    My money's on Clinton, not the heckler.

    Parent

    Did he heckle on DADT? (none / 0) (#44)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:04:21 PM EST
    Seems he did.

    Parent
    Appears so (none / 0) (#46)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:05:21 PM EST
    I couldn't understand the heckler.

    Parent
    Clinton went at it (none / 0) (#48)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:06:04 PM EST
    Now he goes to DOMA.

    Parent
    Clinton is often at his best (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:07:50 PM EST
    when he's put on the spot.  

    Parent
    Sometimes (none / 0) (#71)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:21:34 PM EST
    Not a good night for him though.

    But a bad night for Clinton is the best night for almost any other pol.

    3 best today are Obama, Clinton and Clinton.

    Parent

    Yup, (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:22:18 PM EST
    On his worst day. . .

    Parent
    No this is not his best night (5.00 / 3) (#78)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:26:08 PM EST
    but his response to the heckler was good whether you agree with him or not.  

    I'm glad to see a heckler on  an issue that matters to a lot of progressives.  The last NN I went to I felt like we were all cast as extras in NetRoots:  The Movie.  We were supposed to fill the ballroom, behave and look good on CSpan so the "NetRoots" would be taken seriously.  meh.

    The heckler was good.  Clinton's response was good.  

    Parent

    Heh (none / 0) (#81)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:28:13 PM EST


    Parent
    He's dealt with the best of them (none / 0) (#47)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:05:27 PM EST
    HE makes a pretty good case for his position.

    Parent
    Pols are pols (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:06:40 PM EST
    is his argument.

    True dat, but now I have to say, good for the heckler.

    Parent

    What's interesting is (none / 0) (#51)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:07:58 PM EST
    Obama of course is the President now, not so easy for him.

    Parent
    Indeed (none / 0) (#52)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:08:02 PM EST
    He's very good at moving back to his point.

    Parent
    Actually he was pretty clear (none / 0) (#56)
    by The Last Whimzy on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:12:05 PM EST
    And he blamed activists who targetted him and not their local lawmakers who actually voted on the legislation.

    Parent
    Zactly (none / 0) (#57)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:12:50 PM EST
    Same difference.

    Parent
    I wanted to write more about this (none / 0) (#92)
    by The Last Whimzy on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 11:55:40 PM EST

    maybe we agree on all this, but "Pols are pols" lacks clarity for those not up to speed on all the meaning wrapped up in those three words, so I wanted to add my two cents about what he actually said.


    Parent

    the heckler sucked (none / 0) (#72)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:21:53 PM EST
    No one is watching to hear a heckler's disgruntled comments, they want to hear from Clinton. Pure arrogance on the part of the heckler.

    Parent
    Eh (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:22:45 PM EST
    Hecklers are part of public life.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#75)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:22:59 PM EST
    It was just a moment.

    And then Clinton addressed the issue.

    I thought it worked out.

    Parent

    it turned out fine due to (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 10:26:45 PM EST
    Clinton's skill at dealing with it. But it was annoying for me who wanted to hear what Clinton had to say, not some heckler.

    Parent
    Health care (none / 0) (#53)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:09:29 PM EST


    Selfish Socialism (none / 0) (#55)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:11:52 PM EST


    Parent
    Specifics on where money will be saved (none / 0) (#54)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:11:27 PM EST
    Smart.

    Politically imperative for Dems to do healthcare (none / 0) (#62)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:18:03 PM EST


    Jinx sort of (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:18:45 PM EST


    Parent
    He's right on the politics (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:19:56 PM EST
    of course.

    You think Obama knows this?

    Parent

    I hope so (none / 0) (#70)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:20:32 PM EST
    Does Ben Nelson?

    Parent
    Ben Nelson has nothing to do with it (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:24:08 PM EST
    Obama will decide if he will do whatever he has to to pass a meaningful bill. He has the power.

    Clinton did not in 1993-4. Obama has it now.

    Parent

    Again, hope so (none / 0) (#77)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:25:14 PM EST
    This is the future of the Democratic party.

    Parent
    I Dunno (none / 0) (#79)
    by squeaky on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:27:04 PM EST
    Between Obama Clinton Clinton et al, I think we are in for awhile.

    Parent
    If by "we" (none / 0) (#93)
    by sj on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 09:24:20 AM EST
    Between Obama Clinton Clinton et al, I think we are in for awhile.

    ... you mean "Dems", I don't think that's a given.  It can still be blown, by screwing up health care (and going to health INSURANCE reform is screwing up health care) and/or failure to create jobs.

    If you don't mean Dems, what do you mean?


    Parent

    Yeah I Mean Dems (none / 0) (#95)
    by squeaky on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 11:24:19 AM EST
    Obama is going to get a bill out. Health care is not going to lose him an election in any case, imo. Not enough voters are fired up about getting or losing a public health option or what it even means. Most voters are complacent, covered, and do not realize how important Health care reform is, imo.

     

    Parent

    I agree with Squeaky (5.00 / 1) (#97)
    by dk on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 02:02:28 PM EST
    (it was bound to happen eventually :-)) in that health care would not lose Obama an election in any case.  Heck, he won the Democratic primary by running Harry & Louise ads.  It's clear that the Democratic voters, on the whole, don't vote primarily based on health care issues, and if they don't, no one does.

    Where I diverge from Squeaky, I think, is that I think this is a reason to hope that no bill passes.  Since any bill that will pass is going to dicated by what big pharma and the health insurance industry dicate to Obama, my hope is that nothing passes.  Because nothing that has such big support from those industries, imo, would be an improvement on what we have now.  Unfortunately, I think we're probably going to get such a bill.

    Parent

    You live in NYC, right? (none / 0) (#96)
    by sj on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 02:00:31 PM EST
    I never, ever would have thought of that as a bubble.

    Go figure.

    Parent

    Sent that too soon (none / 0) (#98)
    by sj on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 02:05:14 PM EST
    I meant to add, that I believe if health care issues weren't make-or-break for Obama, he wouldn't be doing town halls.  And his approval ratings wouldn't be dropping.

    But maybe I live in the bubble.

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#99)
    by squeaky on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 05:38:25 PM EST
    Winning gives him a lot. Losing the battle does not hurt him as much, imo.  

    In any case I do not think he is going to lose this one in the end. If we maintain democratic control for the next decade the bill that passes will continue to get better, imo.

    Parent

    The good news is (none / 0) (#80)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:27:27 PM EST
    Obama's future is tied up in it.

    Axelrod is a smart guy. A lot smarter than Rahmbo.

    Parent

    Oh, he knows (none / 0) (#89)
    by Steve M on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:44:19 PM EST
    there is absolutely no doubt he knows.

    I'm not quite sure he got it during the primary when the focus was purely short-term, but he clearly understands now.  Losing on this issue is not an option.

    Parent

    Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by sj on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 09:26:00 AM EST
    But does he view success the same way those of us who may actually be affected view it?

    It appears to me that he views success as passing something, anything.  So want to be wrong.

    Parent

    Politcal imperative of passing health care reform (none / 0) (#63)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:18:31 PM EST
    Don't tell that to Klein and Yglesias.

    Skewers Dan Rostenkowski (none / 0) (#67)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:19:20 PM EST


    40 years (none / 0) (#82)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:30:55 PM EST
    and the Moment.

    This is what he was going to speak around.

    A little scattered at the end (none / 0) (#83)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:33:24 PM EST
    but his message is clear.

    Not his best put together (none / 0) (#85)
    by Maryb2004 on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:34:57 PM EST
    speech, but the substance was good.


    Parent
    I don't know many people (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:37:39 PM EST
    who can rewrite a speech mid-delivery in response to a heckler and nevertheless smile at the end.

    Parent
    I'm interested to see the Specter-Sestak (none / 0) (#84)
    by andgarden on Thu Aug 13, 2009 at 09:34:47 PM EST
    session tomorrow.

    Bill Clinton At Netroots Nation | 99 comments (99 topical)

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