Clinton fury at Obama: I hate him more than any man alive
THE simmering hatred between the Obamas and the Clintons is stronger than ever, according to a book about America’s two most powerful couples.
Despite an apparent public truce, the book claims President Barack Obama is willing to renege on his promise to endorse Hillary Clinton to be the next US president, while he his wife Michelle refer to her as the ‘Hildebeest’, in reference to the ugly wildebeest of the African savanna.
According to Edward Klein, author of Blood Feud, Mr Clinton has never forgiven Mr Obama for race allegations made during the 2008 presidential campaign, in which Mr Obama beat his wife to become the Democratic candidate.
After Mr Obama suggested Mr Clinton was a racist, the former president is said to have told a friend: ‘I hate that man Obama more than any man I’ve ever met, more than any man who ever lived.’
Meanwhile Mr Obama is said to have teased the Clintons with suggestions that Michelle would be a strong candidate for the White House.
During a round of golf in the lead up to the 2012 election, Mr Clinton reportedly tried to rile Mr Obama by referring to his wife’s qualifications, knowing that Mr Obama was sensitive to attacks over his relative inexperience.
Mr Klein claims Mr Obama said in response: ‘ “You know, Michelle would make a great presidential candidate, too”. Bill was speechless.’
According to Klein, the Clintons have feared the President has been wavering on his commitment to endorse Mrs Clinton in 2016 ever since.
Klein claims that when the Obamas hosted the Clintons at a dinner last year, Mrs Clinton asked Mrs Obama if it was true she might copy her and run as a senator after her husband left office.
Mrs Obama reportedly demurred to answer, while Mr Clinton was stunned that his wife would have shown her hand so openly – causing the atmosphere to grow increasingly frosty.