Golf as Uniter: The Obama-Clinton Round

LIKE THEY NEEDED IT, THERE’S ANOTHER REASON why Barack Obama’s political foes should crack on the President for playing too much golf. This time it could help them (Republicans) lose the election. The golf course, apparently, is where 44 made nice with 42.

In The New Yorker, Ryan Lizza writes:

The reconciliation began in earnest late last summer. Patrick Gaspard, the former White House political director, who has moved to the Democratic National Committee, approached Douglas Band, Clinton’s closest political adviser and longtime gatekeeper, with some suggestions about how the former President might help with Obama’s 2012 reëlection campaign. Band, who, by reputation, has an acute sense for moments of political advantage, tried to explain that you don’t just call up Bill Clinton and tell him to raise money and campaign for you. Band recommended that the two Presidents begin by playing golf. The next day, Obama phoned Clinton and invited him out for a round. Several Clinton associates say that this was the moment they realized that Obama truly wanted to win in 2012.

Why else would he spend hours on a golf course being lectured by Clinton?

The Presidential round was played at Andrews Air Force Base on September 24, 2011, and since then Clinton has become a visible and vigorous champion of Obama’s reelection.

Golf. It brings people together. Especially if they’re in the same party and an election looms.

(Visor tip: Press Tent blog)