Bill Clinton Gives His Blessing to Obama's Tax Deal

President Obama got a strong show of support for his tax deal today from Bill Clinton, a move that could help sway recalcitrant Democrats, reports the Washington Post. The two men had a private meeting, then emerged to meet the press in an unusual way: Obama turned over the podium to Clinton and left for a Christmas party. "You're in good hands," he told reporters. Clinton seemed to revel in it, speaking for 25 minutes and repeatedly taking questions even after Robert Gibbs would call for the last one.

"The agreement taken as a whole is I believe the best bipartisan agreement we can reach," Clinton said. Later: "I am happy to be here when the bullets that are fired are unlikely to hit me." And: "I'm glad to be here because I think the president made a good decision and because I want my country to do well." (More Bill Clinton stories.)