Talkingpointsmemo: Bill Says That President Doesn't "Run the Bureaucracy"

[flpoljunkie]

Bill Says That President Doesn't "Run The Bureaucracy"
By Greg Sargent - January 25, 2008, 2:37PM

The Obama campaign just sent me some audio of an event -- from yesterday, the Obama camp says -- at which Bill Clinton said this:

“The President is not called the Chief Executive Officer of America for nothing. You don’t run the bureaucracy but you are responsible for seeing that your ideas turn into positive changes in other people’s lives.”

Bill's notion that "you don't run the bureaucracy" as President sounds awfully similar to something that Obama said the other day:

"But I'm not an operating officer. Some in this debate around experience seem to think the job of the president is to go in and run some bureaucr

This Obama quote attracted sharp criticism from Hillary, who said that what we really need is a "hands on" president.

This is of course is why the Obama camp is now brandishing this similar remark from Bill himself.

I'm unable as yet to vouch for the context of the Obama quote, but will bring you the fuller context as soon as I'm able. Audio of Bill's quote in a bit.

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2008/01/bill_seems_to_echo_obama_saying_that_president_doesnt_run_the_bureaucracy.php

[papau]

1. Obama needs to understand that a "vision" is also not enough - as Bill said you must make sure

that the vision gets turned into legislation or regulation which then gets enforced - and that is the "hands on" that Hillary was referring to.

[cali]

3. then I suggest you go back and review

what Obama said at that debate. He did emphasize making things happen in pro-active way.

[papau]

4. Again that was not the impression that came across my TV - pro-active words maybe - but nada else

[rox63]

2. So Clinton complains when Obama says this

Then Bill goes and says the same thing a few days later, and it's suddenly ok? How does that work? :shrug:

[TheWraith]

5. You're surprised that the Clinton camp has a double-standard?

The people who've been doing just about every dirty trick in the book this campaign, then accusing the other side of using it?

[ellacott]

8. A tape was played on a talk show

It was a campaign speech from Clinton when he ran for his first term. He talked about his knowledge trumping his lack of experience in Washington. He also talked about how Washington needed a change and if you do the same thing, over and over and expect a difference result......

I'm going to email the host to find out the date and if I can get the audio of this speech.

[Blarch]

7. It's called hypocrisy

the repubs used to have the market cornered on hypocrisy ...But the Clintons now have some stock.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Truman said, "The buck stops here."

[TheWraith]

9. Responsibility and management aren't the same thing. NT