Bill Clinton says Barack Obama must 'kiss my ass' for his support

Tim Shipman and Philip Sherwell, Telegraph.co.UK: Bill Clinton is so bitter about Barack Obama's victory over his wife Hillary that he has told friends the Democratic nominee will have to beg for his wholehearted support.

Mr Obama is expected to speak to Mr Clinton for the first time since he won the nomination in the next few days, but campaign insiders say that the former president's future campaign role is a "sticking point" in peace talks with Mrs Clinton's aides.

The Telegraph has learned that the former president's rage is still so great that even loyal allies are shocked by his patronising attitude to Mr Obama, and believe that he risks damaging his own reputation by his intransigence.

A senior Democrat who worked for Mr Clinton has revealed that he recently told friends Mr Obama could "kiss my ass" in return for his support. ...

It has long been known that Mr Clinton is angry at the way his own reputation was tarnished during the primary battle when several of his comments were interpreted as racist.

But his lingering fury has shocked his friends. The Democrat told the Telegraph: "He's been angry for a while. But everyone thought he would get over it. He hasn't. I've spoken to a couple of people who he's been in contact with and he is mad as hell.

"He's saying he's not going to reach out, that Obama has to come to him. One person told me that Bill said Obama would have to quote kiss my ass close quote, if he wants his support. (more)

LSB: Bill Clinton can kiss my ass! He isn't the presumed Democratic candidate and Obama isn't some houseboy he can order around. Clinton was a good president (despite his sexual peccadilloes), but he needs to get over his giant ego and this childish behavior and wholeheartedly embrace Obama. His continued failure to join Obama threatens his legacy within the Democratic Party.