By Naftali Bendavid
As Democrats move into the fall campaign, many are asking where Clinton fits into the new landscape.
Not Hillary Clinton, who just held a major "unity" event with Barack Obama and backed him with apparent enthusiasm. Rather, many of the questions now surround her husband Bill. Before this year, the former president was moving comfortably into a perch as an elder statesman, even if the old whiff of controversy never quite went away. But Bill Clinton received decidely mixed reviews this year as he careened across the political stage during his wife's recent campaign, and it's not clear where its end leaves him, especially since much of the commentary suggests he is sulking.
A striking feature of the past week was the difference in the Clintons' tones as each surfaced for the first time since Barack Obama claimed the Democratic nomination. Hillary Clinton was gracious and poised in her return to the Senate, as well as at the rally in Unity, N.H. Greeted emotionally by staffers and colleagues, she handled what must have been a tough moment with self-deprecation and humor.
In contrast, Bill Clinton's spokesman, not the president himself, issued a terse off-camera statement promising to work for Obama's election. "President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next President of the United States," spokesman Matt McKenna said. While sending--just barely--the necessary message, the statement felt to many as though it had been issued only because Clinton knew he had to say something.
It would not be surprising if the former president does feel resentful or wounded; the Democratic primary was not kind to him. He was criticized for making comments that some saw as racially tinged, such as comparing Obama's win in South Carolina to Jesse Jackson's. Clinton occasionally erupted in angry tirades, including slamming reporters in decidedly unpresidential ways, calling one a "scumbag." And the campaign saw an often-unflattering dissection of Clinton's business dealings since leaving office.
Beyond that, Clinton may resent that Obama has become what Clinton once was--a political wunderkind promising idealism and change. And in achieving this status, Obama sometimes seemed to dismiss the Clinton years, lumping his presidency with President Bush's as a period of divisiveness that the country needed to overcome. Obama has also presented himself as a post-Baby Boom figure, able to get beyond the drama and bitterness of Clinton's generation. In some ways, Obama, while often praising the Clinton years, ran against them.
So what is the former president's next role? The Obama campaign surely would like to use Clinton for what he does best--traveling the country to speak in small towns and stir up the Democratic faithful, using his folksy charm to win over the rural and working-class voters Obama has struggled to attract. But just as surely, the Obama camp is wary of Clinton's recent penchant for making controversial statements that overshadow the campaign's desired message. And Obama aides also know reporters will regularly ask Clinton about some of the harsher statements he made about Obama's campaign during the primary.
For what it's worth, it seems likely that after a reasonable interval for licking his wounds, Bill Clinton will do what he must to preserve his own future and that of his wife. For all his famous passions and appetites, Clinton also has a strong streak of discipline, or he could not have been twice elected president of the United States.
So he will most likely go back to his charitable work on issues like AIDS and Asian tsunami relief, continue burnishing his legacy, and campaign dutifully for Obama and other Democrats--all the while working to reclaim his position as a respected, if tempestuous, elder of the Democratic Party.
Then he'll be ready for whatever role presents itself, whether it be as President Obama's Middle East envoy or a reprise of his role as candidate spouse in 2012.
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Comments
So far in today's Swamp: 4 articles on Democrats, and 1 article on an anti-McCain Republican.
Good old Swamp... fair and balanced, as usual.
Posted by: Bruce | June 28, 2008 9:29 AM
Maybe he''ll finally do what's best for the country and crawl back under the rock from which he came in "Hope."
Posted by: Dale Rhoades | June 28, 2008 9:50 AM
What is Bill miffed over? He put himself in this position when he decided to campaign for his wife - by attacking Obama (which is part of politics) he had to know that his wife's opponent would fight back. If he weren't married to Hillary he would have remained on the sidelines, but he is, and so he didn't - and now he is feeling the effects of what he calls a 'contact sport.' So he needs to either play ball or take off his uniform (his words, not mine). My words are, 'Grow up, Bill.'
Posted by: mike | June 28, 2008 9:51 AM
They are still trying to tag former President Clinton. Still trying to harass him into blunders and misspoken statements. Will the media lighten up. It wasn't enough that the Republicans tried to lay a glove on him, for eight(8) years and missed terribly, only to come back, as a malevolent media, prompting him into some outbursts and misspoken statements, many of which, I am sure, he would take back, if he could !! He was a great President and anyone who says otherwise, risks looking downright stupid, if not ridiculous. The Republicans, with Kenny Starr alone, spent $57 Million for a stained dress and a pornographic report from an underdeveloped and sleazeball, Republican prosecutor !! President Clinton was still able to oversee one of our nation's most prosperous times, only to be squandered by the Republicans and an incompetent President and Vice-President, who followed !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 28, 2008 9:52 AM
Clinton's role in the Obama administration is moot, because there isn't going to be an Obama administration. I think Obama will lose the election in a record landslide.
Posted by: bobbiewick | June 28, 2008 9:56 AM
Clinton is smart enough to understand that he's no longer the media darling. He's just another old ex-politician, still for sale, but not in demand.
Posted by: pete | June 28, 2008 10:04 AM
I had always been a big fan of President Clinton until this primary campaign. To put it mildly, he diminished himself in my eyes.
For me, the jury is still out, but if he decides to be petulant about the outcome of the primaries, and not work for a Democratic victory in November, it would be one act that I would never be able to forgive and forget.
I am just one person, but I was a fan of his and now he is on the verge of losing my respect permanently. I hope he considers his legacy very carefully and eventually decides to do the right thing.
The '08 election is far more important than one man's wounded ego.
Posted by: Scootmandubious | June 28, 2008 10:04 AM
Bill..tell Obama to pack sand!!!
Posted by: Cheryll | June 28, 2008 10:05 AM
thoughtful and well written. thanks!
Posted by: alex kruste | June 28, 2008 10:24 AM
The real Bill Clinton emerged during the primary season: easily frustrated, spiteful and arrogant. The press has abandoned him because he is not as liberal as Obama, and the man cannot handle the snub.
Posted by: Clint Ellison | June 28, 2008 11:09 AM
I would hope that Bill would work to build the infrastructure for Hillary's campaign.
I think that he is owed an apology by Obama and his staff. I think that lost sight that he is the President and the honor that is due to him. This does not play well for the democratic party. If they tear him down they tear down the Democratic Party.
I think that Hillary was sabotaged by Howard Dean and that he used the infrastructure of the DNC against her.
Hillary will have to build her own Infrastructure of her own independent of the DNC.
Bill would be helpful in organizing this endeavor.
Posted by: John Diatte | June 28, 2008 11:30 AM
Whither Bill Clinton at our own peril. Hillary needs to be on the ticket and then she and Bill can split up and we'll have 3 strong people on the hustings so that we can win in the fall.
Posted by: Wouldn't it be nice to see dems be smart and win again? | June 28, 2008 12:02 PM
The UK Telegraph is reporting that a seething Bill Clinton told his friends that Obama would have to "kiss my (mistletoe)" in order to get Clinton's support.
See the full article at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2211812/Bill-Clinton-says-Barack-Obama-must-'kiss-my-ass'-for-his-support.html
Posted by: bruce | June 28, 2008 12:20 PM
Bill is not licking his wounds.
He is a very happy champer. He did everything he could to see that Hillary Soprano lost. You must remember this. Bill must always be number "ONE" He never wanted Hillary Soprano to run. He never wanted to be the "First" First Husband. He never wanted history to say Hillary Soprano was a better president that him. Like Chelsea said to the media when asked.
You see "Bills monsters of the ID" were his weapon against her.
These same "monster" will be used to make sure Obama loses.
In the end their can only be One who was president not TWO
Yes swap readers It is is BILL, Stupid.
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | June 28, 2008 12:43 PM
President Clinton deserves much better than all the disrespect he received during this Democratic Primary. He was falsely accused of being a racist, he was mocked and ridiculized to extremes. I do not blame him if he does not campaign for Obama, I would not do it either if I were him. After being treated as he was now they want his support? After they put down everything he did for this country, now they want his support? Give me a break and stop it with the "Where's Bill?" question! President Clinton please go on with your speaking engagements and your charitable work and forget about these envious mediocre people who will go on mocking you no matter what you do for them!
Posted by: Amarissa | June 28, 2008 1:33 PM
Obama's humiliation of Hillary Clinton at the so-called "unity" rally will not be forgotten. She had to stand there and smile while he spewed out his usual meaningless diatribe that says nothing. She made a huge mistake by being there and having to stand, like a truant student, to listen to the lecture of the biggest phony in American history.
Posted by: Daryl | June 28, 2008 2:35 PM
I could not care less if Mr. Clinton is miffed. Like his wife, any criticism they have taken is justified, and he did act like a racist on the campaign trail. He also acted like WC Fields a few times. He has changed, and it isn't for the better.
He needs to get off his high horse and do the right thing here, if not for his own 'legacy', then for the political future of his spouse.
Posted by: Susan | June 28, 2008 7:08 PM
The race was so close that had Obama's "Wright baggage" been known during the first 11 primaries Clinton would have won. He did not deserve the nomination, and any good word from the Clinton's is also more than Obama deserves.
Posted by: Billw | June 29, 2008 12:04 AM
Keep up the ignorant anti-Clinton comments, Obamaites, it will elect John McCain President. The more this goes on, the more Obama needs Hillary as VP. I hope she turns him doen - he doesn't deserve her help.
Posted by: Bob | June 29, 2008 10:32 AM
Susan--you work for Campaign Obama? If you do then this is entirely why we will lose in the Fall--ignorant, rude, ill-informed vitriol like your comments here.
Posted by: Are you a republican in disguise? | June 29, 2008 10:40 AM