Thursday, June 07, 2007

What Bill Clinton Told Me About Al Gore


I had the pleasure of meeting former president Bill Clinton at a party held at Air America president Mark Green's Manhattan apartment Thursday evening in celebration of the purchase he and his brother--real estate magnate Stephen Green--made of liberal radio network Air America back in March. The event was a veritable lovefest, with Clinton signing autographs, posing for pictures, and chatting with anyone who approached him. After experiencing it firsthand, it's easy to understand his legendary charisma and larger-than-life presence. The man is a certifiable rock star . No one like him before (not even JFK) and probably never again. He's a once-in-a-lifetime political phenomenon. And he was in his element as he addressed the adoring crowd for about fifteen minutes on the upcoming presidential election and the critical role the liberal media plays for the Democratic Party in today's political landscape.

When I found myself literally standing next to a surprisingly unengaged Clinton as we were about to watch an Air America promotional video on Green's large-screen television, I leaned over and asked him "Do you think Gore's going to run?" With his arms crossed and one hand resting on his chin in a true Clintonesque pose, he leaned into me and replied, "I don't know, he could. Someone's got to fizzle. If someone fizzles, then yeah he could enter the race. He's got plenty of money, his own money, to do it." He then agreed when I asked if having that kind of personal wealth could mean Gore would be able to wait until the last stages of the campaign before he'd enter the race. I wanted to ask him about that "fizzling" thing--was he referring to his wife Hillary's chief rival Sen. Barack Obama or was he also allowing that as a possibility for Hillary herself?--but the crowd absorbed him. I was lucky to have had as much face time with him as I did.

So here's my own scenario: as I've written here countless times before, Gore will indeed run, and most likely no later than October. To borrow from Bill, it'll be Obama who will "fizzle" by September, and Gore will toss his hat into the ring and enlist the junior Senator from Illinois as his running mate. An unbeatable ticket. Stay tuned......


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of assisting women filmmakers. As you may know, Adrienne was brutally killed in NYC on November 1, 2006. Through the Foundation, her commitment to filmmaking lives on. We've finalized a scholarship with NYU's Tisch School of the Arts/Kanbar Institute of Film; and grants with Columbia University, American Film Institute, NY Women in Film and Television, the Independent Feature Project, and the Nantucket Film Festival. Other initiatives will follow. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Adrienne's film "Waitress" opened in theatres May 2nd to incredible rave reviews from the NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time, People, Entertainment Weekly, Ebert & Roeper ("Two Thumbs Up"), Leonard Maltin and more. Since then, it's been playing to packed audiences across America, and is currently #6 in America. It's a truly wonderful film that you're sure to love. A link to the trailer is below. Enjoy.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/waitress/trailer/

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ostroy,
Did you blow Clinton like Monica did? Did you let him poke you with a cigar?

You can't really belief Bill Clinton is going to give YOU an honest answer about Gore, when he and his wife are trying to get back into the White House...can you? The Clintons heard there's more silverware in the White House and they want that too.

Anonymous said...

ONe of the things taht I find most appealing about the idea of Gore being president is that it would be a way of the People of the US acknowledging that W never was legitimately president. He is the President who never was.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Geez!
Seems like some really lonely (anonymous)guys w/ nothing better to do than reveal what's obsessing their sad little minds?

Way cool that Andy got to meet & greet some of the big dogs = )

I think the idea that Gore'll run is a huge 'if' - no matter what Bill said.I would've liked to know what he meant by 'fizzle', tho - such a vague term.It's still early days, y'know.

fillip's point is a good 1 - but what do you think the corporate media will do to him if Gore does decide to run? They're so rude to him now, just imagine if he were a candidate again >= P

*heartily sick of the bizarre dichotomy between corporate media & real citizens in America*

(& Waitress is a terrifically sweet movie)

Anonymous said...

I've been reading fantastic reviews of Waitress but I had no idea it was your late wife's film. Such a horrible tragedy among so many horrible tragedy.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Gore was in Chicago this week to autograph his latest book, and EVERYBODY in the crowd wanted him to run again, so I think he has lots of popular support.

Moreover, President Clinton is a very shrewd and astute observer of the political scene and his analyses of it are usually careful and exact. I really think he has the scenario down pat: it will be Sen. Obama who'll exit as a presidential candidate but will come back as a VP candidate when Mr. Gore enters the race and names his running mate. I agree with Fillip in that, if Mr. Gore is elected, it will be the absolutely best way to negate the inept, dangerous, and harmful presidency of the current occupant of the office.

Anonymous said...

I agree that some of the comments at the beginning are just plain immature.

Clinton lied, but no one died! Live with it.

With how bad this illegal war is going including having passed 3,500 deaths, I can't believe there are those still bringing up the Bill and the Monica stuff.

I'll take the Clintons (good economy and all) anyday over the bunch of lieing bastards in control now. They have ruined our country and the sad part is most Americans don't even know it yet.

Anonymous said...

Clinton and Gore's appeasement of Al Qaeda in the 1990's led up to and resulted in 9/11.

7 attacks in the 1990's by Al Qaeda and not a single response from Clinton/Gore, except for 3 days after Clinton admitted to perjury and he blew up the Sudanese Aspirin Factory.

Nominate Gore, he won't stand the test of time under the microscope. It really sucks for independents, the Democrats are crappy socialists and the Republicans are corrupt and spend like Democrats. There is nobody for voters who don't blindly vote for their registered party.

Unknown said...

To our dear friend... The Anonymous right-wing fundamentalist... That decided to pay us a visit over at Andy Ostroy's place...

Go back and look at your language. It's people like you that make your larger Republican Party and your larger Conservative Movement look bad.

Oh, also, I couldn't help but notice your bravery in making Anonymous postings.

Christopher said...

Andy,

You actually met and talked to former president William Jefferson Clinton?

I'm impressed. He's definitely someone I would like to meet.

His comments are quite insightful and seem to suggest that he's not very enthusiastic about Hillary's journey to the White House.

It's entirely possible he dislikes the very same things the rest of us can't stand about her. Or, maybe he's just tired of the Washington circus and wants to work on HIV/AIDS and poverty?

Did you happen to read my piece about Gore's book signing appearance in ChiTown? It turned into a spontaneous political rally. People are desperate for a genuine Democrat to support and not some DINO Dem like Hillary.

Christopher said...

Andy,

Here's a link to my blog.

http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

I love the blog that you have. I was wondering if you would link my blog to yours and in return I would do the same for your blog. If you want to, my site name is American Legends and the URL is:

www.americanlegends.blogspot.com

If you want to do this just go to my blog and in one of the comments just write your blog name and the URL and I will add it to my site.

Thanks,
David

Anonymous said...

Gore is a womanizer just like Clinton, he accosts women in his hotel rooms while he's touring.
I'd love to vote for him but I just can't since I found out about it from a friend of mine who was one of his victims, who called me up crying hysterically after meeting him.

Anonymous said...

(phone rings)

ANONYMOUS: H'lo?

FRIEND: Oh, thank God you're there. Al Gore just tried to rape me. He grabbed me and then--

A: Al Gore? But he seemed like such a decent guy!

F: Listen, I need you to call...

A: Wow, that's a bummer. I was really hoping he'd jump in, but the whole assaulting women thing? It doesn't work for me, Al. It reeeeally doesn't work for me.

F: No, listen, please, I need you to... Oh God he's coming BACK! (sounds of violent struggle) Nonono, don't! I'll do anyth--

A: What a letdown. Oh well, pity the land that need heroes and all that. Hey, how are you getting to Steve and Julie's rehearsal dinner?

Hello?

Ron Robertson said...

Gore needs to demonstrate leadership by divorcing himself from the spineless, lackey slate of Dem wannabes. Competence needs to be his central theme, results over ideology. Someone like Colin Powell running with him would put the Rep junta into the single digits. That is the real dream team. Think about it Al.

Anonymous said...

RE: anonymous @ 1:35 am...

Is this the latest lie we can plan on hearing from R-wing hate-talkers now? A new bogus talking point?

Hmm - I'll keep my 'ears' tuned for it = J

Unknown said...

Actually indies do have an option. DraftMichael.com lifting the Bloomberg option as the best hope for indies...

Anonymous said...

wow, Andy is now deleting comments? it must have been my comment on Clinton being a member of Bohemian Grove---which is FACT, but its a fact that Clinton lovers love to IGNORE. IGNORING doesnt make it untrue Andy

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Andy's writing skills and he is obviously smart, thats why I wish he'd come ALL THE WAY over to the side of the real hard truth. As smart as Andy is, his site is a more "watered-down" version of the truth. If anyone here can handle REAL TRUTH, real hard "in your face" type of truth, visit my site at:

www.realtruthonline.blogspot.com

tell your friends about it

Anonymous said...

Michael Bloomberg would make an excellent President.

DraftMichael.com

Anonymous said...

Re RON 10:28 Colin Powell had his chance to serve/help/save the country when he knew what was going on in the Bush administration concerning Iraq and the lies; and, he did nothing. Powell did not speak out and he did not resign. He is as guilty as they are. I"ve tried to figure out why> Was it to save his son's cushey job? I can't imagine why he was so spineless.

Anonymous said...

2:16 pm,
Al Gore had his chance to serve/help/save the country when he knew what was going on in the Clinton administration concerning Al Qaeda and 7 attacks on our country without response; and he did nothing. Al gore did not speak out and he did not resign. He is as guilty as they are I've tried to figure out why. I can't image why he was so spineless.

Anonymous said...

5:11 Your M.O. is so frequently displayed on thie blog that we all know you quite well by now. You are incapable of talking to a point, and like a child, must bring up an example (usually a false one) of someone else's conduct. What does Colin Powell's unfitness to be V.P. have to do with Al Gore????? or anybody else?

Anonymous said...

9:44 PM,
Please put down the moonshine. My post is about Al Gore, not Colin Powell.
I don't know what Colin Powell's unfitness to be VP has to do with Al Gore. Since you made the claim up, maybe you should tell me. Maybe I'm just a child and you can enlighten me.

Anonymous said...

OK 9:44 I will try;

(By the way I keep checking this blog periodically for new comments which are usually intelligent and now all I'm seeing is your little notes to me. Alas.)

1, I responded to another blogger's comments about Colin Powell running for Vice President. It was at 2:16

2. You responded to my comments about Powell by directing your comments to 2:16 which was the entry about Colin Powell. You even quoted my opening remarks about Powell and refered them to Gore. WHEN YOU WROTE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT GORE IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ABOUT POWELL, IT AUTOMATICALLY, LOGICALLY CONNECTED YOUR RESPONSE TO THE BLOG ABOUT POWELL. OTHERWISE YOU WOULD HAVE JUST MADE YOUR SILLY REMARKS WITHOUT DIRECTING THEM TO ONE WRITER AT 2:16.

YOU MAKE MY POINT WHEN YOU SAY "I DON'T KNOW WHAT COLIN POWELL'S UNFITNESS TO BE VP HAS TO DO WITH AL GORE."

I am not a child, for sure, but I have been drawn into your silly, little games and I apologize to the readers of this blog. I will not act so immaturely next time I read what you have to say.

Anonymous said...

7:29 PM,
My comments about Gore were to highlight the FACT that Al Gore had a chance to serve/help/save the country in the 1990's, but chose to sit on his hands and do nothing about a growing threat.

I'm not sure if you remember, but during the Clinton/Gore administration, Al Qaeda attacked us 7 times. What did Clinton/Gore do to deter Al Qaeda from further attacks ? Nothing.

You can't claim that they knew nothing. They simply ignored Al Qaeda and hoped the problem would go away.

In the 1992 Al Gore made a speech condemning President Bush for "blatant disregard for brutal terrorism, a dangerous blindness to the murderous ambitions of a despot."

What did Al Gore do AFTER 1992, when he was the Vice President of the most powerful country in the world ??

the answer is simple: nothing

Anonymous said...

Some people are determined to keep dangling shiny new objects - as diversionary tactics to avoid discussing issues like poverty and the working poor with no healthcare and global warming and the increase in workers' productivity while their salaries have remained stagnant. Anything!

Sidney Condorcet said...

Andy,

It's Justin (Celine's brother). Don't you think Obama as VP-nominee would be too much wattage at the bottom of the ticket? Don't get me wrong, I salivate at the prospect of Gore/Obama, but I feel Obama's personality can be so magnetic that it will only serve to highlight a constant gripe uttered vis-a-vis Gore: that he can be be stultifyingly wooden and unable to connect with voters. Plus, though I applaud him and feel grateful for his service with respect to the crusade to arrest global warming, I feel many Americans in the vast middle of our nation are tiring of the nearly risible demagoguery on the subject (though personally I feel it necessary to inspire action). That's my two cents. I hope all is well with you these days. Give the Soph a hug for me.

Anonymous said...

Lucky you, getting to meet Bubba. He is, of course a master politician and tactician. He is flushing Al out of the bushes and undercutting Al suprise element. I'm not a great fan of Al, he is a bit of a stuff-O-guts. So laboriously intellectual. I'm always wary of people who want you to believe they are the smartest person in the room. Clinton is effortless at that kind of thing. He does not force his intellect on you. Anyway, I hope Hillary has a tactical surprise or two on her sleeve should Al declare and pick Obama as his VP. Just before this happens Hillary should announce her own VP pick, she should pick a hispanic candidate. Richardson or Salazar and let the war of attrition begin. Al cannot stand too much sunlight and rigor before, well rigor mortis sets into his ideas. He is deadly boring after 5 minutes and not even Obama can save him. Hillary should fight this one out till the last dog dies, as the saying goes. The only downside is that it will split the Democratic party and leave it shattered in pieces.

Anonymous said...

Figures, more speculative garbage to divert form Mr. Gore's book. You sure you aren't a Republican? I hope he runs...as far away from all of this petty political bs as possible.

Anonymous said...

4:13,
You are a racist! Hillary should pick a VP because of the persons race? Thanks for staying in the Democratic Party, you belong there.

Unknown said...

I think the relevant question vis a vis "who will Bloomberg's entrance into the race benefit" or "whether he should run" is whether it will help develop America. Independents are beginning to make the statement to all the presidential candidates (and Bloomberg will not be excluded from this, should he run) that they're going to have to convince us that they're more interested in changing America for the better and getting us on the right track than getting themselves elected. independents are happy to see him become “unaffiliated,” many want him go further – namely to positively “affiliate” himself with independent voters and the independent movement. The American people – and independents in particular – have already been through an experience where a wealthy businessman stepped forward and ran for president as an independent, but turned out to be an unreliable ally in building a lasting movement to fight the negative impact of partisan gridlock. We don’t want to end up in a Ross Perot-type situation again. Mike Bloomberg has been a good mayor and has helped to popularize the idea of non-partisan governance. At the same time, we want to know that Bloomberg will do his part to empower the “on-the-ground” independent movement if he moves ahead.

For more on the history of Bloomberg and independents, read The Bloomberg Story (by Jacqueline Salit who ran Bloomberg's independent campaign for mayor in NYC) at http://www.independentvoting.org/Bloomberg.html

Anonymous said...

Hey i am doing this Project for school on Bill clinton. I need to know what his 1992 campaign platform was called? When studying Foregin policy at Gt University what hise role model was? And What was Al gore's wife name was? THANKS!!!