Outwardly, they put on a show of unity — but privately, the Obamas and Clintons, the two power couples of the Democrat Party, loathe each other. “I hate that man Obama more than any man I’ve ever met, more than any man who ever lived,” Bill Clinton said to friends on one occasion, adding he would never forgive Obama for suggesting he was a racist during the 2008 campaign. The feeling is mutual. Obama made -excuses not to talk to Bill, while the first lady privately sniped about Hillary. On most evenings, Michelle Obama and her trusted adviser, Valerie Jarrett, met in a quiet corner of the White House residence. They’d usually open a bottle of Chardonnay, catch up on news about Sasha and Malia, and gossip about people who gave them heartburn. Their favorite bête noire was Hillary Clinton, whom they nicknamed “Hildebeest,” after the menacing and shaggy-maned gnu that roams the Serengeti. ‘Michelle could be president’ The animosity came to a head in the run-up to the 2012 election, when Obama’s inner circle insisted he needed the former president’s support to win. Obama finally telephoned Bill Clinton in September 2011 and invited him out for a round of golf. “I’m not going to enjoy this,” Bill told Hillary when they gathered with a group of friends and political associates at Whitehaven, their neo-Georgian home on Embassy Row in Washington, DC. “I’ve had two successors since I left the White House — Bush and Obama — and I’ve heard more from Bush, asking for my advice, than I’ve heard from Obama. I have no relationship with the president — none whatsoever,” Clinton said. “I really can’t stand the way Obama -always seems to be hectoring when he talks to me,” Clinton added, according to someone who was present at the gathering and spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Sometimes we just stare at each other. It’s pretty damn awkward. Now we both have favors to ask each other, and it’s going to be very unpleasant. But I’ve got to get this guy to owe me and to be on our side.” During the golf game, Clinton didn’t waste any time reminding Obama that as president he had presided over eight years of prosperity, while Obama had been unable to dig the country out of the longest financial -doldrums since the Great Depression. “Bill got into it right away,” said a Clinton family friend. “He told Obama, ‘Hillary and I are gearing up for a run in 2016.’ He said Hillary would be ‘the most qualified, most experienced candidate, perhaps in history.’ His reference to Hillary’s experience made Obama wince, since it was clearly a shot at his lack of experience when he ran for president. “And so Bill continued to talk about Hillary’s qualifications .?.?. and the coming campaign in 2016. But Barack didn’t bite. He changed the subject several times. Then suddenly, Barack said something that took Bill by complete surprise. He said, ‘You know, Michelle would make a great presidential candidate, too.’ “Bill was speechless. Was Barack comparing Michelle’s qualifications to Hillary’s? Bill said that if he hadn’t been on a mission to strike a deal with Barack, he might have stormed off the golf course then and there.” Blackberry snub Bill Clinton would go on to campaign for Obama in 2012, but he felt betrayed when the president seemed to waver when it came to a 2016 endorsement of Hillary. Obama attempted to smooth things over with a joint “60 Minutes” interview with Hillary, and later a private dinner for the two couples at the White House. ‘I HATE THAT MAN OBAMA MORE THAN ANY MAN I’VE EVER MET, MORE THAN ANY MAN WHO EVER LIVED.’ - Bill Clinton In 'Blood Feud' And so, on March?1, 2013 — the very day that the $85?billion in budget cuts known as the “sequester” went into effect — the Clintons slipped unnoticed into the White House and sat down for dinner with the Obamas in the Residence. Typically, once Obama decided to do something (for example, the surge in Afghanistan), he immediately had second thoughts, and his behavior during dinner degenerated from moody to grumpy to bad-tempered. After the obligatory greetings and small talk about family, Obama asked Bill what he thought about the sequester: Would it turn out to be a political plus for him? Bill went into a long — and boring — lecture about the issue. To change the subject, Hillary asked Michelle if it was true, as she had heard, that the first lady was thinking about running for the Senate from Illinois. Michelle said that she was warming to the idea, though she had yet to make up her mind. Bill shot Hillary a look of incredulity. Bill then moved the conversation to Obama’s vaunted 2012 campaign -organization. He told Obama that it would be a good idea to fold the organization, along with all its digital and social-media bells and whistles, into the Democratic National Committee. Obama’s only response was a disparaging smile. President Barack Obama acts cordial with former President Clinton but it’s all for show, according to the new book “Blood Feud,” by journalist Edward Klein.Photo: White House “You have to use your organization to aid the candidate in 2016,” Bill pressed Obama. “Really?” Obama replied in a tone of undisguised sarcasm. The two men went back and forth over the subject of where the money for Obama’s campaign organization had come from and how to allocate funds for the 2016 presidential election. Bill raised his voice. So did Obama. As Bill Clinton went on about his managerial experience, Obama began playing with his Blackberry under the table, making it plain that he wasn’t paying attention to anything Clinton had to say. He was intentionally snubbing Clinton. Others around the table noticed Obama thumbing his Blackberry, and the atmosphere turned even colder than before. Hillary changed the subject again. “Are you glad you won’t have to campaign again?” she asked Obama. “You don’t seem to -enjoy it.” “For a guy who doesn’t like it,” Obama replied tartly, “I’ve done pretty well.” “Well,” Bill said, adding his two cents, “I was glad to pitch in and help get you re-elected.” There was another long pause. Finally, Obama turned to Bill and said, sotto voce, “Thanks.” After the dinner, and once the Clintons had been ushered out of the family quarters, Obama shook his head and said, “That’s why I never invite that guy over.” Obama’s mini-me Lately, Bill Clinton has become convinced that Obama won’t endorse Hillary in 2016. During a gathering at Whitehaven, guests overheard Bill talking to his daughter Chelsea about whether the president would back Joe Biden. “Recently, I’ve been hearing a different scenario from state committeemen,” Clinton said. “They say he’s looking for a candidate who’s just like him. Someone relatively unknown. Someone with a fresh face. “He’s convinced himself he’s been a brilliant president, and wants to clone himself — to find his Mini-Me. |
(本文為編譯) “積不相能,猜疑妒忌?!痹谛聲堆I畛稹罚˙lood Feud)中,美國(guó)資深媒體人愛德華?克萊因如此形容奧巴馬夫婦與克林頓夫婦之間的關(guān)系,他認(rèn)為兩家的積怨可能在2016年總統(tǒng)大選期間集中爆發(fā)。 克萊因曾供職于《新聞周刊》、《名利場(chǎng)》、《紐約時(shí)代雜志》等多家媒體并身居高位,利用手握的獨(dú)家內(nèi)幕,他先后發(fā)表關(guān)于肯尼迪家族、希拉里和奧巴馬等人的文章和內(nèi)幕,其作品多次登上《紐約時(shí)報(bào)》暢銷書排行榜。 ***人前友愛人后厭惡 表面上,美國(guó)民主黨最有權(quán)勢(shì)的兩對(duì)夫妻——奧巴馬夫婦和克林頓夫婦——表現(xiàn)得團(tuán)結(jié)友愛;私底下,他們卻相互厭惡、勢(shì)如水火。 “我厭惡奧巴馬勝過我所見過的任何人、勝過活著的任何人?!痹?jīng)在某個(gè)場(chǎng)合,希拉里的丈夫克林頓直白地表達(dá)對(duì)奧巴馬的反感,他說自己永遠(yuǎn)不能原諒?qiáng)W巴馬在2008年大選時(shí)暗示他是種族主義者的言論。 而這種厭惡是相互的。奧巴馬的妻子米歇爾經(jīng)常會(huì)與其信賴的助手瓦萊麗?賈勒特在白宮把酒閑聊,除了談?wù)撁仔獱柕膬蓚€(gè)女兒之外,抨擊希拉里是兩人的最愛。米歇爾和賈勒特甚至給希拉里起了個(gè)綽號(hào)“Hildebeest”,這個(gè)詞由希拉里的名字(Hillary)與牛羚(wildebeest)合成。 ***“米歇爾也能當(dāng)總統(tǒng)” 競(jìng)選連任時(shí),顧問團(tuán)堅(jiān)稱奧巴馬需要請(qǐng)克林頓來為他站臺(tái)。誠(chéng)不得已,奧巴馬于2011年9月給克林頓打電話,邀請(qǐng)他一起去打高爾夫。 “我不會(huì)喜歡這次會(huì)面。”成行之前,克林頓在自家舉行的一場(chǎng)聚會(huì)上向妻子說明了他的看法,“我離開白宮之后有兩位繼任者——布什和奧巴馬,前者經(jīng)常向我請(qǐng)教治國(guó)之道,后者很少。我跟這個(gè)總統(tǒng)沒有關(guān)系,一點(diǎn)關(guān)系都沒有?!?/p> 據(jù)偶然聽見克林頓夫婦對(duì)話的一位與會(huì)者透露,克林頓還憤憤然地補(bǔ)充道:“奧巴馬跟我說話時(shí),總是一副居高臨下的口氣,我真是受不了。有時(shí)我們面對(duì)面干瞪眼,簡(jiǎn)直太尷尬了。但現(xiàn)在我們都有求于對(duì)方,盡管見面會(huì)很不愉快,我還是會(huì)讓這個(gè)家伙欠我一份人情、站到我這邊?!?/p> 待到打球之時(shí),克林頓無時(shí)無刻不在提醒奧巴馬,他在位八年期間美國(guó)繁榮昌盛,而奧巴馬卻治國(guó)無方始終沒能領(lǐng)導(dǎo)美國(guó)走出經(jīng)濟(jì)困境。 “克林頓告訴奧巴馬,‘希拉里和我正在為2016年總統(tǒng)大選做準(zhǔn)備,她可能是史上最有資質(zhì)、最有經(jīng)驗(yàn)的競(jìng)選人’,暗示要奧巴馬支持他的妻子?!笨肆诸D夫婦一位共同的朋友透露,克林頓的滔滔不絕令?yuàn)W巴馬有些厭煩,“奧巴馬撂出一句狠話,‘你知道的,米歇爾也將是一位很棒的總統(tǒng)競(jìng)選人’,這令克林頓啞口無言。奧巴馬拿毫無從政經(jīng)驗(yàn)的米歇爾跟希拉里比?克林頓憤怒了,他說如果不是自己還有求于奧巴馬,當(dāng)時(shí)憤而離場(chǎng)了?!?/p> ***共進(jìn)晚餐火藥味十足 奧巴馬成功連任后,克林頓感覺自己遭到背叛了,因?yàn)閵W巴馬在公開場(chǎng)合談及2016年大選支持希拉里事宜時(shí)顯得猶豫不決。于是,2013年3月1日,美國(guó)自動(dòng)削減赤字機(jī)制生效的當(dāng)天,克林頓夫婦悄悄進(jìn)入白宮,與奧巴馬夫婦共進(jìn)晚餐。 程式化寒暄結(jié)束后,奧巴馬詢問克林頓對(duì)于自動(dòng)減赤的看法:“你覺得這會(huì)為我加分嗎?”之后,克林頓打開了話匣子,開始了一段冗長(zhǎng)、無趣的“演講”。 為了改變?cè)掝}、活躍氣氛,希拉里問米歇爾她是不是真的考慮競(jìng)選伊利諾伊州參議員。米歇爾回答道,她有興趣但還沒決定。 此時(shí),克林頓看了希拉里一眼,眼神中滿是懷疑。接著,他又把話題轉(zhuǎn)向奧巴馬的2012年競(jìng)選團(tuán)隊(duì),建議將該團(tuán)隊(duì)的所有資源轉(zhuǎn)移到民主黨全國(guó)委員會(huì),但換來的只是奧巴馬輕蔑的一笑。 克林頓仍不放棄,他繼續(xù)強(qiáng)調(diào):“你應(yīng)該用你的團(tuán)隊(duì)去幫助2016年的黨內(nèi)候選人?!薄罢娴膯??”奧巴馬的話語里諷刺意味明顯。然而,二人在此話題上展開唇槍舌戰(zhàn)、嗓門越來越高。 言語交鋒終告一段落,克林頓繼續(xù)講述自己的治國(guó)經(jīng)驗(yàn),奧巴馬的耐心耗盡、連敷衍都不愿意,開始在桌子底下玩起手機(jī)。奧巴馬有意冷落克林頓的舉動(dòng),被所有人看在眼里,飯桌上的氣氛變得更為尷尬。 于是,希拉里決定為丈夫解圍?!安挥迷賲⒓痈?jìng)選了,你很高興吧?”希拉里問奧巴馬,“看上去你并不喜歡競(jìng)選?!薄皩?duì)于一個(gè)不喜歡競(jìng)選的人來說,”奧巴馬毫不客氣地回應(yīng)說,“我做得很棒了?!薄安诲e(cuò),”克林頓也不相讓,“我很樂意幫助你再次當(dāng)選?!边@時(shí)出現(xiàn)了一段長(zhǎng)時(shí)間的沉默,最后,奧巴馬轉(zhuǎn)向克林頓,低聲說了句“謝謝啊?!?/p> 用餐完畢,終于把克林頓夫婦“掃地出門”了,奧巴馬搖了搖頭,說了一句:“這就是為什么我從不邀請(qǐng)這家伙的原因?!?/p> ***“他在尋找迷你版的奧巴馬” 不久前,克林頓終于開始相信奧巴馬不會(huì)在2016年總統(tǒng)大選中支持希拉里。在一次聚會(huì)上,有人聽見克林頓和他的女兒切爾西聊起此事。 “最近,不少國(guó)會(huì)議員告訴我,奧巴馬正在尋找一位跟他相似的候選人,某個(gè)知名度不那么高的新鮮面孔?!笨肆诸D認(rèn)為,這個(gè)人有可能是現(xiàn)任副總統(tǒng)拜登。 “奧巴馬自認(rèn)為是位杰出的總統(tǒng),所以想克隆自己。”克林頓說,“他相信美國(guó)人民不愿投票給政壇老手,他說我和你的媽媽都‘活在20世紀(jì)(已經(jīng)過時(shí)了)’,他在尋找一個(gè)迷你版的貝拉克?奧巴馬?!?/p> ***“希拉里的心臟有問題” 在《血海深仇》一書中,希拉里的真實(shí)健康狀況首次曝光。據(jù)稱,這位熱門潛在總統(tǒng)競(jìng)選人的健康問題比她對(duì)外公布的情況要嚴(yán)重得多。 “她把自己的病史藏起來,是擔(dān)心一旦曝光,她將失去競(jìng)選總統(tǒng)的資格。”書中寫道,2012年底希拉里入院接受治療期間,被診斷出患有多種嚴(yán)重疾病。除右耳后側(cè)、大腦和顱骨之間一條血管內(nèi)有血栓外,她還患有甲狀腺疾病,她的心律不齊、心臟瓣膜無法有規(guī)律地進(jìn)行開放和關(guān)閉,影響血液流動(dòng)。并且,因血栓而暈倒,希拉里早已習(xí)以為常。 克萊因曾試圖聯(lián)系希拉里的主治醫(yī)生艾倫?施瓦茲,詢問希拉里的心臟問題是否嚴(yán)重,但施瓦茲拒絕回應(yīng)。不過,據(jù)一位知情人士透露,醫(yī)生曾建議希拉里接受心臟瓣膜置換手術(shù),盡管最終決定不做手術(shù),但希拉里出院時(shí),醫(yī)生提醒克林頓必須仔細(xì)“監(jiān)控”妻子。 (譯者 諶融 編輯 丹妮) 掃一掃,關(guān)注微博微信
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