This is a textbook example of how the mainstream media runs interference for the Left, liberals and Democrats in general. Bill Clinton, in response to a question in South Carolina, said that Hillary Clinton, once elected president, intends to send Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush on a worldwide tour to restore the credibility the United States has lost because of George W. Bush. Here’s what Clinton said, according to CNN:

“Well, the first thing she intends to do, because you can do this without passing a bill, the first thing she intends to do is to send me and former President Bush and a number of other people around the world to tell them that America is open for business and cooperation again,” Clinton said in response to a question from a supporter about what his wife’s “number one priority” would be as president.

Of course, the blogs and cable political shows loved the fact that this was a slap in George W. Bush’s face. Only Rush Limbaugh, on his show today, questioned whether this was true. Turns out he was right. George H.W. Bush pointedly said neither Bill nor Hillary has asked or talked to him about such a rehabilitation tour for the poor old U.S. But note how CNN reports this part of the story (emphasis added):

Former President George H.W. Bush has shot down his successor Bill Clinton’s idea of a diplomatic mission under a Hillary Clinton presidency that would send him and other notables abroad to assure other nations that “America is open for business and cooperation again.”

It is clear that Bill Clinton didn’t float an “idea.” He said his wife “intends” to take a very definite action involving explicitly two people. It was intended to be accepted as an idea with which George H.W. Buch concurred. But CNN doesn’t say Clinton just made it all up, which he did. CNN also doesn’t say that George H.W. Bush denied that he was ever approached about such an idea. No, CNN reports that George H.W. Bush “shot down” an “idea,” as if Clinton had just been floating a trial balloon.

This is quintessential Clinton: having it both ways. He can give that “Who me?” look and point to weasel words in his comment, knowing that he intended it to be taken as gospel. It’s one thing for Clinton to engage in this kind of perfidy. It’s another for a major cable network to enable it.