Bill Clinton on Hastert: "I'm afraid I would have assaulted him."

by Eloy, Fri Sep 02, 2005 at 08:30:10 PM EDT

If President Clinton was close to Dennis Hastert during this anti-New Orleans remarks, a fight would have broke out.

In Syracuse, N.Y., former president Bill Clinton was discussing New Orleans's dilemma when someone described the speaker's comments. Had they been in the same place when the remarks were made, Clinton said, "I'm afraid I would have assaulted him."

Indeed.

The top Republican in the House and my congressman J. Dennis Hastert was AWOL during vote when Congress approved a $10.5 billion measure to provide relief to the disaster victims.

He hadn't planned to return at all even as Congress approved a $10.5 billion measure to provide relief to the disaster victims. And he didn't make it back in time to participate in the floor debate.
But faced with angry complaints from Louisiana politicians, Hastert came back to sign the bill before sending it to the White House for President Bush's signature.

He had more important things to do, like fundraise for Republican Rep. Mark Souder in Indiana.

Hastert had spent the day at a fundraiser for Republican Rep. Mark Souder in Indiana and at a car show where he sold his 1970s vintage Lincoln Mark II Continental, which went for about $50,000, an aide said. The speaker told reporters he would contribute the money to relief efforts.

That a start, donating Souder money. But, I have a better idea. How about funding Homeland Security to help disaster victims rather passing more taxes cuts.

Cross-Post at my blog: A Liberal Stance on Politics

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Eloy

Please feel free to leave comments, tips and criticism.

by Eloy 2005-09-02 08:30PM | 0 recs

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Re: Eloy

I'm sorry you have Hastert. I have Manzullo, which isn't much better, but at least he has little power. Someone posted this at Kos attributing it to you (who then attributed it to the Post- the wonder of blogs) and it finally got me off my ars to register here instead of just lurking.

by Poika 2005-09-03 10:12AM | 0 recs

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right on

Tell 'em, Bill. Damn, I miss Clinton, welfare reform or no.

by arenwin 2005-09-02 09:28PM | 0 recs

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Bill's typically pretty calm

...so Hastert really, really fucked up

by v2aggie2 2005-09-02 09:38PM | 0 recs

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Re: Bill's typically pretty calm

Yes, I agree. Good for Bill. Good for Bill.

by Tom Kertes 2005-09-03 09:02AM | 0 recs

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Instead of assaulting him

I suspect that he probably would have done a photo op defending him.

by sterra 2005-09-03 02:41AM | 0 recs

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Re: Instead of assaulting him

Sounds like he already passed over the photo op and went for the punch. Former presidents don't talk like this unless they mean it. It's a big statement, and I am glad he said it.

by Tom Kertes 2005-09-03 09:02AM | 0 recs

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Souder is my rep

One scumbag that does not need any money.

by semental 2005-09-03 10:49AM | 0 recs

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That's a Start, Bill

Well, Bill Clinton actually has emerged from his position as chief fellatio expert for the Bush family and said something to make people believe he might still be a Democrat, or at least, a progressive with a heart for the people.

Perhaps the anger among the Democratic base for his remarks the other day saying Bush was doing the best he could convinced Hillary's political operatives that something had to be done.

I don't trust this man, I don't trust Hillary. They will stab the Democratic party in the back if they think it will do their personal fortunes some good. Remember "triangulation" and Dick Morris? Remember Bill's embrace of the Republican Welfare Bill, his signing of the Defense of Marriage Act and other assorted betrayals?

Don't trust this family. Except for Chelsea, there is not a good one in the bunch.

by MichiganDemocrat 2005-09-03 10:49AM | 0 recs

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Hey.. his approval ratings were twice what Shrub..

has.. And he cared about people too..

Lets face it, humans have sex.. Its not always pretty and clean and ready for MTV, but its REAL..

Unlike some other faux-presidents I could name..

by ultraworld 2005-09-04 07:54AM | 0 recs

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Would that be befre or after

he sucked off Bush?

by Parker 2005-09-03 11:00AM | 0 recs

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Mayor Daley attacks feds

Here is an example of how the federal government "is doing everything it could", as Bill Clinton said when he appeared as part of the Three Amigos with Papa Bush and Dumbya the other day:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/hurricane/cst-nws-daley03.html

by MichiganDemocrat 2005-09-03 11:15AM | 0 recs

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Bush should just resign...

I think that almost everyone, both Dem and Repu* people would be very happy, and he would preserve a modicum of respect for himself and his family, instead of what he will probably have to live with for the rest of his life now.

Thats what a president would do in most normal countries if they cut flood prevention money for some pet project and then a disaster came..

Its the only thing that he can do at this point to make things better, really. They have screwed up on so many levels, in my opinion, its just hopeless.. Look at people like Hastert.. He just doesn't get it, and he never will.

Then we would have another election..

by ultraworld 2005-09-04 08:00AM | 0 recs

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Ruben Zamora is challenging Hastert

Voters have a choice in IL-14. They don't have to vote for Hastert. Ruben's a good guy. He would do well in Congress.

Unfortunately, no Democrat has declared in IL-16 yet. Kutsch tried last year, & I don't think he's made up his mind to try again. Has anyone heard of anyone else interested?

All CDs with GOP incumbents should have a Democrat challenger. The DCCPAC is currently working with many states to get challengers in all CDs that the DCCC is ignoring. Send them a message if you know of someone.

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-03 06:21PM | 0 recs

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Re: Ruben Zamora is challenging Hastert

IL-16 is full of wingnuts that is the problem.

by Liberal 2005-09-04 11:17AM | 0 recs

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Mary Landrieu (sp?) this morning

said she would punch bush on This Week

by schwompa 2005-09-04 11:48AM | 0 recs

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Re: Mary Landrieu (sp?) this morning

Yes, the video is on Crooks and Liars.

At this rate, the secret service will have to set up Bush's meetings with local officials from behind a security glass, prison-visit style.

Maybe that's why they grounded all helicopters in the New Orleans area for hours during Bush's visit, while people drowned and died of dehydration waiting to be rescued.

by miholo 2005-09-04 02:52PM | 0 recs

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Billy, Billy, Billy

I didn't vote for you twice and I held my nose and voted Bush 3 times. But to be quite honest I'd rather have you in charge right now instead of Nero I mean Bush fiddling while Rome I mean New Orleans burns. The Republician Party as a whole has shown themselves to be heartless bastards i.e. let them eat cake I mean it's their own falt the infirm, carless poor, and babies didn't heed the warnings and get out. I'm ashamed of them.

by RepudiateBush 2005-09-04 02:01PM | 0 recs

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Counting 3 times

Are you saying that you voted for Bush 41 in 1998 and 1992 and that you voted for W. in 2000?

The reason that I'm asking is that I wonder whether Katrina has changed the minds of anyone who voted to re-elect Bush in 2004.

by Abby 2005-09-07 12:53PM | 0 recs

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Thanks, Prez Clinton

I too have a member of congress, Deborah Pryce OH-15-R, who was in her home district instead of showing support for the victims of Katrina. Apparently, Pryce was able to go in the middle of the night to rush back to DC to support the Schiavo feeding tube legislation, but when it comes to supporting hundreds of thousands of displaced Americans, she doesn't have time. Pryce, who is a lackey for DeLay, wouldn't know what to do for common people since she only supports DeLay's big oil and business projects.

by Marie Smith 2005-09-04 03:15PM | 0 recs