President Obama met on Friday with former President Bill Clinton to seek advice, as he struggles to line up his own Democratic Party behind the tax-deal he negotiated with Republicans. After meeting in the Oval Office, President Clinton appeared at Obama’s side in the White House briefing room, answering questions from reporters.
Clinton urged the Democrats to support the tax deal saying that, “I don’t believe there is a better deal out there.”
“I personally believe this is a good deal and the best he (President Obama) could have gotten under the circumstances,” Clinton said, imploring fellow Democrats to support it.
Meanwhile, Obama characterized the meeting between Clinton and himself as “terrific”. Shortly after the news conference began, Obama departed, saying he was late for an appointment with the First Lady and telling reporters they were in good hands with Mr. Clinton.
Looking as if he was the sitting president, Mr. Clinton fielded a series questions from reporters on the tax-deal and other subjects like the new START treaty with Russia and Haiti.
Regarding the tax-deal, Clinton said that he would have done what Obama did.
“If I was in office now, I would have done what the president has done,” Clinton said.
