Yes, he compared Bernie supporters to the tea party. But he didn’t compare their morals or their philosophy or their positions on political issues. He just said that a successful insurgency doesn’t guarantee legislative success. The tea party overthrew the Republican party establishment after years of being let down and Bernie supporters are trying to overthrow the Democratic party for the same reason. Bill Clinton simply argued that even if they succeed that it won’t guarantee they will get anything out of it other than getting stuck playing chicken with the tea party. He wasn’t trying to insult anyone. He was just making the case for steady incrementalism over a revolution.
But, I suppose that if someone compared me to the tea party in any way that I would be offended, because the tea party are such assholes that it would be hard to feel anything other than offended being compared to them. So, I guess I understand the offense Bernie supporters are feeling.
But completely throwing Bill Clinton under the bus because he accidentally hurt your feelings? That seems like a little bit of an over reaction to me. I supported Obama in 2008 and I really didn’t care for Bill’s comment about Jesse Jackson winning South Carolina, but I got over it and I am supporting Hillary this time around.
I don’t know. I like Bill Clinton. I think he’s a cool guy. Yeah, he steps in it from time to time, but I still like him. And, you know, if I stopped liking everyone just because they stepped in it, I wouldn’t have anyone left to like.
I still like Joe Biden, despite his articulate and nice looking comment about Obama in 2008. I still like Bernie Sanders, despite his comment in 2012 that Obama would go all the way to the far right if nobody stopped him. I am still going to vote for him if he is the nominee.
I guess it’s everyone’s right to dislike anyone they want to for whatever reasons they want. So, if Bernie supporters don’t like Bill Clinton anymore, I guess that’s their prerogative. But I still like him. I like him a lot. I really look forward to him being the very first first gentleman. I think he’s going to be great. And like Hillary, when she was first lady, he’ll take on something substantial. Maybe climate change or immigration or maybe even getting to 100% universal health care! I can’t wait to see!