Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan on Medicare Election: ‘Give me a Call’

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/05/bill-clinton-to-paul-ryan-on-medicare-election-give-me-a-call-.html

Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan on Medicare Election: ‘Give me a Call’
ABC News’ Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) reports:

The day after the stunning upset in the special congressional election in upstate New York, Rep. Paul Ryan is a man under fire.

But ABC News was behind the scenes with the Wisconsin Congressman and GOP Budget Committee Chairman when he got some words of encouragement none other than former President Bill Clinton.

"So anyway, I told them before you got here, I said I’m glad we won this race in New York," Clinton told Ryan, when the two met backstage at a forum on the national debt held by the Pete Peterson Foundation. But he added, “I hope Democrats don't use this as an excuse to do nothing.”

Ryan told Clinton he fears that now nothing will get done in Washington. “My guess is it’s going to sink into paralysis is what’s going to happen. And you know the math. It’s just, I mean, we knew we were putting ourselves out there. You gotta start this. You gotta get out there. You gotta get this thing moving,” Ryan said.

Clinton told Ryan that if he ever wanted to talk about it, he should “give me a call.” Ryan said he would. Watch it here...

"I hope Democrats don't use this as an excuse to do nothing"
What the hell does that mean?

we shouldn't be letting our guard down over one win. I agree with him. It was one race. Don't let it get to our heads.

:puke: I saw the vid on another thread and remembered why I never trusted Bill.

I wonder when's the last time he was hanging with Poppy Bush. But to even be talking smack to Ryan makes me more than ill. Bill gave this rwing freak a free pass to call him? REALLY.

I never voted for him........and glad I didn't. He sold the middle class right down the river with that NAFTA b*llshit. :puke: :puke: :puke:

Laws originate in Congress, so that's where any change to Medicare has to come from -- not the President, who can only state his desires and submit his plans. As Clinton was leaving office -- back when the budget surplus was so large, economists were predicting budget surpluses into the distant future -- I distinctly remember Bill cautioning Congress about wasting the surplus, and strongly suggesting that the best thing they (Congress) could do with the surplus was fix Medicare.
So maybe Clinton didn't "fix" Medicare, but it wasn't because he didn't want to or try to.

it stays in play to help dems in 2012

You can't suddenly become the kid that's being picked on because he tried to do something noble. Lot's of us know that you are a part of the "slash & burn" wing of politics in America. Your hateful budget along w/ the actions of several of your newly elected Governors have alerted the people to the agenda the the Koch's and others have laid out for you to follow.
You ARE part of the "rightwing conspiracy" that wants to kill the middle class and turn us into a fascist state.
You have earned a place in history that will not be looked upon kindly no matter when or how medicare and SS are strengthened.

IOW, FUCK YOU :evilfrown: and you can Cry Me A River !

Go talk to those Do Nothing ReTHUGS who set out to make Obama fail.

Go shove a Chrysler truck you know where.

Corporatists, friends, partners. New Way and Tea party.

in common.

And when he gets tired, he sends someone else to do the talking.

Shouldn't Mr. Clinton frame it in terms of a hope that Republicans see this an opportunity to move the country forward by heeding the desires of the electorate and committing to cooperation and compromise?

and to the extent that it needs "fixing", it can be done without gutting the program Ryan Republican-style. There are a lot of options that, naturally, the Republicans are completely unwilling to discuss. They just want to talk about THEIR plans and pretty much demanding that the Democrats either go along with them or piss up a tree. I wonder how much the "American People" are liking their "divided government" now?

As for Bill, I hope he was just having an "off" day. I'm really surprised that he would be giving Ryan plaudits and then suggesting that Democrats are serious about helping fix the program. :puke:

:-(

everyone to look out after themselves TOTALLY. It's sickening what this country has become no concern for anyone, corporations rule. :mad:

It has become all too clear why the New Deal is being dismantled - the Repubs have a lot of help. :-(

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:mad:

he must be not inhaling again

....pull the Republicans' chestnuts out of the fire....amazing

Yes Bill, by all means, get "this thing" moving. Hoyer & Biden opened the door for you today.

This is the song I thought of after seeing Clinton & Ryan. It's not over by a long shot folks. We better fight hard against the corporate control of this country.

Staind: "I'm On the Outside"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE4OMnvFDOU&feature=related

Bill's gonna clap 'em on the back.

Bill's gonna light 'em a cigar.

Bill's gonna talk nice to 'em.

And then Bill's gonna find that special spot on your back that you left unprotected while you thought he was smiling at you.

And he's gonna stab you.

And he'll do it, smiling.

Right-wing stupid won't know what the fuck hit it.

You just ask Newt all about it.

Party leadership does not formally rebuke Clinton, I am done with Dems forever. Un-friggin-believable.

It really is gut-check time for Dems now and this crystallizes it. This should be at the top of every DU forum right now.

This really pissed me off.