Bill Clinton, seen in this video by EITB News, thanked his hosts at the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco, saying they made him feel welcome. The former president led an upbeat rally Oct. 6 in support of California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi’s campaign for Congress.
Addressing the audience, Clinton recalled a visit to the Basque Country with Hillary more than 30 years ago. It was a great experience, he said, except for the “fish and cold milk.” His comment drew laughter from the several hundred people at the rally.
Garamendi, among the most prominent Basque American elected officials in the U.S., is the grandson of Basque immigrants. A Democrat, Garamendi is running in a special election Nov. 3 to fill a vacant seat in the Northern California congressional district.
Eneko • Jul 23, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Could someone explain to me the joke of the fish and the cold milk ? I´m Basque but can´t understand why he doesn´t like fish and… cold milk??? What kind of recipe is that? I´ve never heard something like that…
Donatien Martinez-Labegerie • Apr 21, 2015 at 9:59 am
I think Bill was talking about mamia or cuajada. He tried probably without honey or sugar and he did not understand the point. He also is a guy from Arkansas, so he is not used to the fish and it was alien for him.
philippe igoa • Nov 11, 2009 at 10:48 am
Kind words from one of the greatest presidents of the last century ! I still wish you were president—no offense to President Obama. So Mr. President you want to become Basque? I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard drawing up the citizenship papers on that one! Definitely easier than passing the Obama-care package! LOL.Its great to hear from a former president—my president, a president for the working people,a president for working stiffs like me and Jean-Pierre Etchechurry! Come on Jean-Pierre, its got to make you proud to see a son of Basque immigrants running for Congress even if he is Democrat!GORA EUSKAL HERRIA!Philippe Igoa-Bakersfield,Ca.
Philippe Igoa • Nov 7, 2009 at 12:12 am
What a great time to be Basque! I mean its always been great to be an Euskalduna (wouldn’t want to be anything else). But we have another Basque-American elected to Congress and from the right party this time. The other was Paul Laxalt, the governor of Nevada and a Republican. There’s the first Basque astronaut, Leopold Eyrhatz (spelling???), and of course, the
first Basque cardinal Roger Etchegaray, all the way from Espelette, France. Not bad huh ?