CNN, Bill Clinton as Kerry VP, and the 22nd and 12th Amendments by Jan Ireland

CNN, Bill Clinton as Kerry VP, and

the 22nd and 12th Amendments

By Jan Ireland

June 15, 2004

The Pew survey of American journalists recently publicly revealed a liberal bias in much of the nation's media. That bias has been apparent for decades to many of us, but it is significant that a left leaning organization has publicly aired that conclusion.

While the survey didn't suggest that CNN's initials might actually stand for "Clinton News Network," coverage over the years leaves many wondering if the outlet is simply an arm of the Clinton regime. The current CNN online edition does little to counter that impression.

In the America Votes 2004 section there is a list of VEEP CONTENDERS. In it is the name of Bill Clinton as a possible vice presidential pick for John Kerry. Either CNN doesn't know the law of America concerning eligibility for a vice presidential candidate, or they are simply choosing to disregard it. With CNN's history, it could be either.

A torrent of articles flourished a few months ago when Democrats were publicly musing about Bill Clinton being able to run for a third term. (See my earlier article "Tweaking the 22nd") The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution flatly prohibits that: "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice…"

The editors of the online CNN site must have read some of those articles, because they do seem aware of the 22nd Amendment. The article starts with "While federal law prohibits a person from seeking a third presidential term…" But then the editors let us down by continuing with "…the Constitution does not specify whether or not a former commander in chief can become vice president."

Yes, the Constitution does specify. And, no, Bill Clinton cannot run. The editors need to read the rest of the Constitution.

The 12th Amendment also is very clear. "…No person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States." Bill Clinton is ineligible for the office of President in America ever again, because he has already served two terms.

CNN refused for years to report the Saddam Hussein atrocities that they knew full well were going on in Iraq. Their intention supposedly was to "protect" the First Amendment by keeping a news office open in Baghdad. But some believe they were protecting Bill Clinton's failure to face and fight terrorism. Their protection of the "freedom" of the press was much like Bill Clinton's "defense" of the Constitution when he sort of beat the impeachment charges. Bill Clinton still knew he had lied under oath, and the American people knew exactly what he really was "defending."

Neither specious statement holds water, but they are indicative of the similar values of CNN and Bill Clinton.

Bill Clinton can't run for President or Vice President of America. He's over, finished, through. Not even "is is" can change that.

Though perhaps, as some suspect, he is planning to come back as a two-for-one Billary. That certainly "is is" a possibility.