Clinton Gives Obama High Marks, Blasts Bush

Bill Clinton praises Obama, urges him not to get depressing
By Gabriel Winant,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 20, 2009 9:00 AM CST

Bill Clinton knows a thing or two about dealing with recalcitrant Republicans, and he has some advice for President Obama: "It takes two to tango." The ex-president tells ABC News he gives Obama an “A” for his performance so far, along with a warning about appearances. “I just want the American people to know that he's confident that we are gonna get out of this and he feels good about the long run,” says No. 42.

Clinton lays the blame for the mortgage meltdown squarely at President Bush's feet. "If we moved aggressively on this home problem a year and a half ago, even a year ago, as much as 90% of the current crisis could have been avoided," he says. And which Obama move gets Clinton’s highest praise? “I give him a high rate for his choice of secretary of state. That’s an A-plus-plus.”
(More Bill Clinton stories.)

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