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It was an extraordinary sight, even by White House standards.
Two presidents at the podium in the White House press room, discussing Democratic infighting over a tax cut extension plan.
Then, an even more extraordinary sight: President Obama leaving, former President Bill Clinton behind to hold court with reporters for 20 more minutes.
"I'm going to let him speak very briefly," Obama said. "And then I've actually got to go over and do just one more Christmas party. So he may decide he wants to take some questions, but I want to make sure that you guys hear it from him directly.
Replied Clinton: "Thank you very much, Mr. President. First of all, I feel awkward being here, and now you're going to leave me all by myself."
Clinton endorsed Obama's proposal to temporarily extend all the George W. Bush tax cuts, including those for the wealthiest Americans. While Democrats are protesting that last item, Clinton echoed Obama's argument that the package also includes unemployment benefits and other tax breaks that benefit the middle class.
Both noted that Republicans will take over the U.S. House next month, and be in a position to dictate the terms of any revised deal.
"I think this is a much, much better agreement than would be reached were we to wait until January," Clinton said "And I think it will have a much more positive impact on the economy -- so for whatever it's worth, that's what I think."
Obama chimed in,"that's worth a lot!"
The two presidents also discussed how to deal with a Congress controlled by the other party, something Clinton experienced and which Obama will have to face next month.
After Clinton took a question on last month's Democratic election defeats, Obama announced: "I've been keeping the First Lady waiting for about half an hour, so I'm going to take off ...
Clinton said, "I don't want to make her mad, please go."
Source: USA Today
Kevin Eason is a freelance editorial cartoonist and Illustrator from New Jersey. His brand of satire covers news events in politics, entertainment, sports and much more. Follow him on Facebook.
Comments: (19)
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By: You Know Who on 12/11/2010 4:32PM
Both men are attorneys , they laugh all the way to the Bank.Blackvoices shut talk what you know not, he said, they said, we hearded ,plenty news.LIARS DO NOT SEE THEMSELFS. Go back to journalism school, sad representations, fraud all the way.
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By: Marsha on 12/11/2010 4:34PM
God Bless you Mr. Eason!! I thought it was just me that found this an odd picture?? You know when I stayed home with my children for a while, i always hated that phrase " wait till your father gets home." I never said it because I wanted them to know that they had to respect me and fear me as well as their father. HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CALL ON A FORMER PRESIDENT TO COME IN AND DO YOUR BIDDING FOR YOU?? SO THAT SAYS WHAT? IF THEY CAVE NOW IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF YOUR WORD MR. PRESIDENT BUT THE WORD OF ANOTHER. WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP IS THIS?? IT WAS PATHETIC TO WATCH!!!
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By: Pink on 12/11/2010 6:46PM
Marsha: It's called getting advice, and sticking together as a party. Any intelligent person knows that it's a good thing to get advice from other people (especially from a president that's been there; done that). No one person has all the answers; that's why big corporations have Boards of Directors...so they can get input from numerous sources.
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By: andre 100 on 12/12/2010 3:49AM
Did he have to hold a press conference to let another former president handle his business,never in my life have i ever saw such a sign of weakness,then to blame it on Michelle?Hell this is the business of the Country,she can WAIT!!!
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By: Pink on 12/11/2010 7:24PM
Everyone has a different opinion (and rightfully so). Some agree with Obama's decision, and other's don't. So tell me....WHO IS RIGHT?? Huuuummmm....
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By: rbk84 on 12/11/2010 10:04PM
Pink are you one of those persons who is an Obama apologist, because you don't really seem to get the picture. If it was wrong for cheny to write the energy legislation behind closed doors with lobbyist, than why isn,t it wrong for Obama to negotiate with the repubs on fiscal policy without leadership from his own party. Pelosi and Reid was'nt informed on what his intentions were. This is highly unusual especially in the current state of our economy. You know why he did'nt have Dem leadership in on the deal, because he knew his party would complain. Ask yourself why he did'nt consult the House and Senate leaders on this matter. Dude is a phony and fluke and people need to get over the lovefest with this guy and wake the hell up. He can stand another 2years in office and come out RICHER than when he went into office. You as a defender of this guy will have the rest of your life to deal with his failures as a president because the opportunity for real change will have passed us all by.
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By: Godzilla on 12/12/2010 10:24AM
Wow! I came to BV to check the comments on this one and I am a little surprised. It looks like everyone who has commented so far has nailed it. This does look very bad on our president"s part and does show signs of weakness which somebody here has already mentioned. Then saying, "Uh Oh, gotta go, michelles calling"! Again, Wow!
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By: Gerald B. Thomas on 12/11/2010 11:27PM
I don't think either, also Clinton dropped out and Obama will never win so it doesn't matter anyway...
But nice article written by writer.I so exited after read this article...
http://www.wellnessstarts.com/nitro-muscle-mass-review.html
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By: huge_bullbone on 12/12/2010 9:06AM
In my studied opinion, President Obama is using a correct strategy -- a stand in who can take a punch and EXPLAIN ANYTHING bad or good -- and that is to bring in someone who has been there and done that AND who agrees with what he is trying to get done given the impending battles with the NEWLY constituted makeup of the US House of Representative. However, the excuse he used to leave the scene was very revealing. Therein lies (pun intended) the rub. Was he afraid of Michele and her wrath? Me thinks so. Clearly, former President William Jefferson Clinton is smarter and far more knowledgeable than Pres Obama in particular on economic matters, political horse trading with horse thieves, and how to engage in schmoozing the looming threat of Republican stonewalling and their penchant for "Just say no" (to everything Democratic). Politics, politicians, capitalism, and the "free" enterprise system will NEVER be allowed to favor the little guy. The American system is the best; but even it is extremely flawed. Let's face it.
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By: Pink on 12/12/2010 10:26AM
@huge_bullbone: I don't think President Obama is scared of Michelle....pllzzz; my interpretation is that out of respect he didn't want to keep the people in attendance at the party waiting. The scene may have been somewhat odd; but in short Obama knew that Clinton could handle the situation (that is...answering questions...which Clinton loves to do). @Andre100: So u think Obama's exit from the press conference was a sign of weakness; well I view it as a sign of confidence, i.e., he'd already made his decision as to which way he's going on the tax issue; so if he continued to stand there r not really didn't make any difference. My bigger point is we all see, and interpret things differently.
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