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In his element, Bill Clinton returns to White House
Source: Agencies |
December 11, 2010, Saturday
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BILL Clinton basked in the spotlight again at the White House yesterday, holding court with the press and trying to use his popularity to help the current Democratic president pass a controversial tax deal.
Wearing a green tie and clearly enjoying himself, the former president made a surprise visit to the White House press room with US President Barack Obama, who spoke briefly, patted Clinton on the back and announced he had to leave for a Christmas party.
"I feel awkward being here and now you're going to leave me all by myself," Clinton, not appearing the least bit awkward, said to Obama. Laughter ensued.
The two men, who have not always had a cozy relationship, have a lot in common now.
Like Obama, Clinton grappled with crushing losses to Republicans in congressional elections two years into his presidency. Like Clinton, Obama is reaching out to the opposition party and hopes to win re-election to a second term.
Obama's ability to pass an US$856 billion tax bill may affect that prospect, and Clinton, who was president from 1993 to 2001, did his best to sell it after their sit-down .
"I just had a terrific meeting with the former president," Obama said. "And I thought, given the fact that he presided over as good an economy as we've seen in our lifetimes, that it might be useful for him to share some of his thoughts."
That was Clinton's opportunity to commandeer the podium.
"In my opinion, this is a good bill, and I hope that my fellow Democrats will support it," Clinton said.
He admitted that as a high earner himself he would benefit from the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that Democrats, including Obama, dislike. But with an extension of unemployment benefits and a cut in payroll taxes, Clinton said the package was the best bipartisan deal to help the country.
Wearing a green tie and clearly enjoying himself, the former president made a surprise visit to the White House press room with US President Barack Obama, who spoke briefly, patted Clinton on the back and announced he had to leave for a Christmas party.
"I feel awkward being here and now you're going to leave me all by myself," Clinton, not appearing the least bit awkward, said to Obama. Laughter ensued.
The two men, who have not always had a cozy relationship, have a lot in common now.
Like Obama, Clinton grappled with crushing losses to Republicans in congressional elections two years into his presidency. Like Clinton, Obama is reaching out to the opposition party and hopes to win re-election to a second term.
Obama's ability to pass an US$856 billion tax bill may affect that prospect, and Clinton, who was president from 1993 to 2001, did his best to sell it after their sit-down .
"I just had a terrific meeting with the former president," Obama said. "And I thought, given the fact that he presided over as good an economy as we've seen in our lifetimes, that it might be useful for him to share some of his thoughts."
That was Clinton's opportunity to commandeer the podium.
"In my opinion, this is a good bill, and I hope that my fellow Democrats will support it," Clinton said.
He admitted that as a high earner himself he would benefit from the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans that Democrats, including Obama, dislike. But with an extension of unemployment benefits and a cut in payroll taxes, Clinton said the package was the best bipartisan deal to help the country.
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