Rumors of a strained relationship between former president Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama have persisted since at least January of 2008. Speculation regarding Clinton's dislike for Obama can be traced back to a statement he made on January 26 during the South Carolina Primaries. Clinton at one point compared Obama's policy on Iraq to a "fairy tale" and compared Obama's candidacy to the 1984 and 1988 failed campaigns of Jesse Jackson.National Post: 'Petty, Snarky' --or Just Bill?(August 27, 2008)

In the days prior to Obama's acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention it was reported that after Clinton gives his speech, on August 27, 2008, he will leave Denver and will not be present for Obama's speech.New York Post: Questions Continue About Bill Clinton's Support of Barack... (August 27, 2008)