New book exposes poisonous feud between Clintons and Obamas
Explosive revelations have been published that could threaten Democrat chances at the 2016 US Presidential election.
Journalist Edward Klein has written Blood Feud about the often tense relationship between Bill and Hillary Clinton and Barack and Michelle Obama.
According to excerpts published in The New York Post the two couples put on a public show of support but behind closed doors they loathe each other.
The book claims Bill Clinton said the following to a friend: “I hate that man Obama more than any man I’ve ever met, more than any man who ever lived,” adding he would never forgive Obama for suggesting he was a racist during the 2008 campaign.
More extracts from the book show the feeling is mutual.
On most evenings, Michelle Obama and her trusted adviser, Valerie Jarrett, met in a quiet corner of the White House residence. They’d usually open a bottle of Chardonnay, catch up on news about Sasha and Malia, and gossip about people who gave them heartburn.
Michelle Obama and and trusted adviser Valerie Jarrett would regularly gossip about people over a bottle of Chardonnay.
Hillary Clinton was their main target and they nicknamed her “Hildebeest,” after the shaggy African antelope.
The conflicts exploded prior to the 2012 election, when Obama’s advisors said they need Bill Clinton's support to win. Obama finally telephoned him in September 2011 and invited him to play golf.
“I’m not going to enjoy this,” Bill told his wife.
“I’ve had two successors since I left the White House — Bush and Obama — and I’ve heard more from Bush, asking for my advice, than I’ve heard from Obama. I have no relationship with the president — none whatsoever,” Clinton said.
According to the New York Post, Bill added “I really can’t stand the way Obama always seems to be hectoring when he talks to me.”
During the game Clinton said that as president he had presided over eight years of economic growth, while Obama had been unable to drag America out of the Global Financial Crisis.
“Bill got into it right away,” said a Clinton family friend. “He told Obama, ‘Hillary and I are gearing up for a run in 2016.’ He said Hillary would be ‘the most qualified, most experienced candidate, perhaps in history.’ His reference to Hillary’s experience made Obama wince, since it was clearly a shot at his lack of experience when he ran for president.
Bill Clinton would eventually campaign for Obama in 2012, but The Post claims he felt betrayed when the president was not forthcoming with a 2016 endorsement of Hillary. Obama attempted to smooth things over with a joint television interview with Hillary.
In 2013 on the day when $85 billion in budget cuts known as the “sequester” went into effect the Clintons went to the White House for dinner with the Obamas.
During dinner Bill Clinton suggested Obama fold his powerful 2012 campaign organization along with all its digital and social-media bells and whistles, into the Democratic National Committee.
Obama’s only response was a disparaging smile.
“You have to use your organization to aid the candidate in 2016,” Bill told the President.
“Really?” Obama replied in a tone The Post described as sarcastic.
Hillary Clinton tried to change the subject by asking if Obama as glad to not have campaign anymore.
“You don’t seem to enjoy it,” she said.
“For a guy who doesn’t like it,” Obama replied , “I’ve done pretty well.”
“Well,” Bill said “I was glad to pitch in and help get you re-elected.”
Once the former President and his wife had left, Obama shook his head and said, “That’s why I never invite that guy over.”
