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With a healthy heart muscle, the recuperation period is 6-8 weeks. That is cutting it rather fine, IMO.

Also: BJ has now had a taste of mortality. He may really baby himself, avoid stress, concentrate on a healthy lifestyle. IIRC, he is going to not have a sex life for that first couple of months, either. That may be his first priority after the surgery. Of course, he may also be put on meds that will interfere w/his *performance* for some time to come. This may lead to depression. And then we have the real question: does BJ want Kerry to win? Kerry's loss is about the only way BJ is going to return to the WH.

But let's say BJ has a fast recovery and hits the campaign trail or the talk shows for Kerry. Let's say he doesn't spend the time alloted just talking about himself. What is his recent track record? Pretty pathetic, actually. Clinton's vaunted gift for retail politics is simply about Clinton's personal persona and its effect on people. I cannot see any way he can give Kerry a charisma transplant. Even if he appears w/Kerry for a solid 2 weeks, it will simply take the attention from Kerry and put it on BJ. I can also see this having a blowback effect on the campaign. Only Clinton's hardcore 40% wants a return to the Clinton years. I see no way people are going to be convinced that a vote for Kerry will accomplish that sort of time travel, even if a plurality would want it to happen. This is a post September 11 world. I doubt there is a plurality for Clinton or his wife today.

BJ Clinton as Deus ex machina? Fugheddabodit.

Matthews is whistling past the graveyard, IMO.