Clinton - Bypassing Kerry's final Push?

[Seth]

Just a pondering:

With Bill Clinton's heart surgery keeping Him off the DNC's campaign roster in the final push -- Minor effect, or major asset loss to Kerry/Edwards?

I think Clinton did factor into the end game, and this is another ripple in the Dems stratery.

[rubberneck]

Ask Grey Davis how much Clinton helped him down the strech. If you really want to see Kerry lose you hope the Bill C is healthy enough to hit the trail.

[The Reaper]

Sympathy vote, maybe.

Minor and no long term effects.

If Bill thought he saw the Pearly Gates, I would pay good money to know what REALLY went through his mind!

TR

[GreenSalsa]

:D

I found it curious that Hillary is not taking time off to campain for someone ELSE...call me crazy but my wife would be at the hospital with me.

Any ways believe it or not I do wish him the best...we need to keep him around to remind people of what a real bona fide liberal is. Does great to energize the conservative base.

:munchin

[The Reaper]

Drudge Report showing that AP initially released a story saying that : "'AUDIENCE OF THOUSANDS BOOS' AFTER BUSH WISHES CLINTON 'SPEEDY RECOVERY'; 'Bush did nothing to stop them'... "

Before replaying the tape for themselves and changing the story to read: "THEN RETRACTS: [BC-Bush-Clinton, 1st Ld-Writethru,150 Bush offers best wishes for Clinton's recovery Eds: SUBS lead to include reference to surgery. DELETES 3rd graf previous, Bush's audience, because of uncertainty about crowd reaction.]..."

Do you think someone was trying to take political advantage of this?

TR

http://drudgereport.com/

[Seth]

Two versions of the same wire story. Note time stamps. Rewrites and retractions are very common. The line Bush did nothing to stop them stands out as a key edit.
___________________________

BC-Bush-Clinton,140

Bush offers best wishes for Clinton's recovery<QA>
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (AP) - President Bush on Friday wished Bill
Clinton "best wishes for a swift and speedy recovery."<QA>
"He's is in our thoughts and prayers," Bush said at a campaign
rally.<QA>
Bush's audience of thousands in West Allis, Wis., booed. Bush
did nothing to stop them.<QA>
Bush offered his wishes while campaigning one day after
accepting the presidential nomination at the Republican National
Convention in New York. Clinton was hospitalized in New York after
complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.<QA>
Bush recently praised Clinton when the former president went to
the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait. He
lauded Clinton for his knowledge, compassion and "the
forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president."<QA>
AP-WS-09-03-04 1354EDT
___________________________________

BC-Bush-Clinton, 3rd Ld-Writethru, 240

Bush offers best wishes for Clinton's recovery
Eds: INSERTS new 3rd graf to describe crowd reaction as "oohs" to
Bush's words; Note earlier version of story INCORRECTLY reported
that crowd had booed<QA>
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (AP) - President Bush on Friday offered former
President Bill Clinton, who faces heart bypass surgery, "best
wishes for a swift and speedy recovery."<QA>
"He is in our thoughts and prayers," Bush said at a campaign
rally in Wisconsin.<QA>
The crowd reacted with applause and with some "ooohs,"
apparently surprised by the news that Clinton was ill.<QA>
Later, aboard Air Force One, Bush called Clinton to express his
concern for his heart problems, according to presidential spokesman
Scott McClellan.<QA>
The president told Clinton that he and the first lady were
praying for him and wished him a "speedy recovery," McClellan
said.<QA>
Bush offered his wishes while campaigning one day after
accepting the presidential nomination at the Republican National
Convention in New York. Clinton was hospitalized in New York after
complaining of mild chest pain and shortness of breath.<QA>
Bush recently praised Clinton when the former president went to
the White House for the unveiling of his official portrait. He
lauded Clinton for his knowledge, compassion and "the
forward-looking spirit that Americans like in a president."<QA>
<QA>
<QA>
AP-WS-09-03-04 1806EDT