Author Edward Klein’s newest release, “Blood Feud,” is being billed as a tell-all of the animosity that marked the Clinton-Obama family relations — and already sparks are flying over first lady Michelle Obama’s less-than-complimentary pet name for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Mrs. Obama, along with adviser and friend Valerie Jarrett, dubbed her “Hildebeest,” especially during talks over a bottle of wine they would share in a quiet section of the White House, The Blaze reported.
Meanwhile, former President Bill Clinton didn’t possess any particular affinity for President Obama, either.
From the book, Mr. Clinton was caught saying to friends: “I hate that man Obama more than any man I’ve ever met, more than any man who ever lived,” the New York Post reported.
Mr. Clinton was particularly upset at Mr. Obama’s suggestion during the 2008 campaign season that he was a racist, The Blaze reported. Mr. Obama — who was forced to admit he needed Mr. Clinton’s support to win — ultimately phoned the former president in 2011 and asked him to play golf.
Mr. Clinton’s response to the invite, which he did ultimately accept: “I’m not going to enjoy this,” Mr. Klein wrote in his book.
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Mr. Clinton also is quoted as saying in the lead-up to the golf game that he has “no relationship with the president — none whatsoever,” The Blaze reported.
“I really can’t stand the way Obama always seems to be hectoring when he talks to me,” Mr. Clinton was quoted as saying. “Sometimes we just stare at each other. It’s pretty 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.”
Mr. Klein goes on to chronicle that during the golf match, Mr. Clinton talked about his wife’s presidential qualifications — and was taken off guard when Mr. Obama, at one point, said: “You know, Michelle would make a great presidential candidate, too,” as quoted by a Clinton family friend.
The Blaze reported that Mr. Clinton’s reaction, as cited in Mr. Klein’s book, was shock.
“Bill was speechless,” the Clinton family friend is chronicled as saying. “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.”
Mr. Klein wrote that Mrs. Clinton later asked Mrs. Obama if she were considering a run for the White House — and Mrs. Obama said she hadn’t made up her mind, but that it was a possibility, the New York Post reported.
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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