John Fund On the Trail
Tensions between the Obama White House & Bill Clinton were pushed into public view yesterday when the former president endorsed a Democratic challenger who is trying to unseat the White House favorite in Colorados Senate race. Asked during the daily press briefing if he was amused dismayed or infuriated by the Clinton news Press Secretary Robert Gibbs responded: None of the above.
Normally Mr. Clintons endorsement of former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in his primary challenge to appointed Senator Michael Bennet wouldnt make headlines. But the White House has been deeply involved in efforts to prop up Mr. Bennet since he was named last year to the seat vacated by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
Indeed Deputy White House Chief of Staff Jim Messina had to be reprimanded after Mr. Romanoff released emails documenting White House efforts to entice Mr. Romanoff into dropping his bid in favor of a prestigious job in the administration.
Mr. Romanoff is popular with party activists in Colorado but a shortage of campaign cash has made his race a struggle. A recent Denver Post poll found him trailing Mr. Bennet by 17 points in the August 10 primary.
Mr. Clintons endorsement will no doubt allow Mr. Romanoff to rake in some quick contributions as well as boost his statewide profile.
The White House did its best yesterday to ignore the Clinton announcement. Asked during the daily press briefing Press Secretary Robert Gibbs pointed to a long friendship between Mr. Romanoff and the Clintons and added:
to time.
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Mr. Clintons endorsement will no doubt allow Mr. Romanoff to rake in some quick contributions as well as boost his statewide profile.
The White House did its best yesterday to ignore the Clinton announcement. Asked during the daily press briefing Press Secretary Robert Gibbs pointed to a long friendship between Mr. Romanoff and the Clintons and added:
The Clintons are known for their loyalty so this doesnt come as a huge surprise.
Left unsaid was that Mr. Clintons spouse serves in the Obama administration as Secretary of State. If loyalty is the issue the White House might have hoped for a little loyalty in order to avoid the embarrassment of the Romanoff endorsement. But once again Mr. Clinton demonstrates that he remains his own independent political force -- one that perhaps enjoys tweaking the Obama White House from timeto time.
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