Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bill Clinton a looming force in Hillary's race
Reuters on Yahoo ^ | 12/21/06 | John Whitesides

Posted on 12/21/2006 11:47:42 AM PST by NormsRevenge

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton runs for the White House in 2008 as expected, her biggest strategic decision will be how to use one of her most powerful campaign resources -- her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Hardly the typical political spouse, the former president is a magnetic presence on the stump, with well-honed instincts and fund-raising abilities. He knows the pitfalls of a campaign and can easily rouse the Democratic faithful to action.

But his involvement also raises plenty of questions. Would his high-voltage style overshadow his wife, a less electric presence on the campaign trail? Would he remind voters of scandals and impeachment, or of the economic good times of his administration?

How does Bill Clinton, a political rock star and constant center of attention, learn to step back into the shadows and let his wife take center stage?

"With Bill Clinton, there is always the good and the bad," said Stephen Hess, a Brookings Institution political analyst. "If you are Bill Clinton, how do you operate without smothering Hillary Clinton?"

Doug Schoen, a White House pollster during Clinton's presidency, said Bill Clinton's proven political ability far outweighed any negatives he might bring to the former first lady's White House campaign.

"If Senator Clinton decides to run, Bill Clinton will be an extraordinary asset for her," Schoen said.

"He is brilliant and has a great sense of tactics. They make a terrific team. She was an integral part of his administration, as well as a senator for six years, and they share a centrist Democratic philosophy that is essential for victory in 2008," he said.

New York Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf said the New York senator was enough of a celebrity to avoid being overshadowed by her husband, who could be a powerful fund raiser and offer expert in-house advice.

SMART POLITICAL CONSULTANT

"Bill Clinton is the smartest political consultant around. He understands the American electorate, he is a tireless campaigner and he excites people," Sheinkopf said.

But Clinton has never fully recovered from the 1998 Monica Lewinsky sex scandal and his subsequent impeachment and acquittal in a Senate trial. Both he and his wife are still lightning rods for conservative critics.

"There will certainly be some who focus on impeachment and the problems with the Lewinsky affair, but the more conservative portions of the electorate aren't going to be voting for her anyway," Sheinkopf said.

Hillary Clinton says she will announce a decision on a White House bid after the holidays, although she has been putting a campaign team in place and contacting activists in key states in preparation for a run.

Both Clintons have been tight-lipped about his potential role in any campaign, which is certain to be heavily scrutinized like everything else about them.

The former president could have a prominent behind the scenes role and be used for fund-raising and targeted stump appearances, analysts said.

It would be less likely for Hillary Clinton to stress their partnership. During his first campaign in 1992, Bill Clinton briefly told voters they would be getting "two for one" by putting them both in the White House -- a claim that was quickly dropped when it proved unpopular.

Focusing heavily on his achievements as president could be a dangerous pitch to voters in the mood for new leadership. Hillary Clinton's election in 2008 would ensure at least 24 consecutive years when the U.S. president was either a Clinton or a Bush.

While Hillary Clinton would enter the 2008 race as the early Democratic favorite in polls, rising star Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is positioned to offer a fresh-faced challenge if he gets in the race next month.

Obama's rise has been fueled in part by the desire of many Democrats to find a fresh alternative to Clinton, who they fear could be too polarizing to attract the independent votes needed to win a general election.

"There are a lot of people who are just tired of old faces, if you will, and her chief opposition is the new face," Hess said in reference to Obama.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: billclinton; clinton; craiglivingstone; crook; hillary; looming; rapist; traitor
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-42 next last

Senator Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, after being re-elected in New York, November 7, 2006. If Senator Clinton runs for the White House in 2008 as expected, her biggest strategic decision will be how to use one of her most powerful campaign resources -- her husband. (Mike Segar/Reuters)


1 posted on 12/21/2006 11:47:45 AM PST by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

It's like they never left.. to the MSM


2 posted on 12/21/2006 11:48:20 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Merry Something PC.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Mike Segar/Reuters
3 posted on 12/21/2006 11:49:19 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Merry Something PC.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

He looks terrible, like some alky down at the old folks home.


4 posted on 12/21/2006 11:50:07 AM PST by FastCoyote
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

And you can thank the Bushes for propping up this cretin and putting him in the spotlight he's addicted to, instead of dismissing him out of hand and being thankful that he's gone like the rest of us republicans.


5 posted on 12/21/2006 11:50:31 AM PST by word_warrior_bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
The New 'You', Hillary?


(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks to the media while signing copies of the her
book 'It Takes a Village' in New York, Monday, Dec. 18, 2006. The book has recently
been reissued in a 10th anniversary edition with a new introduction.

6 posted on 12/21/2006 11:51:41 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Merry Something PC.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

With Islam about to break down the door and the possibility Hillary becoming POTUS, this country is truly suicidal.


7 posted on 12/21/2006 11:53:14 AM PST by 353FMG (I never met a liberal I didn't dislike.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FastCoyote

He looks like an old Alley Cat too.


8 posted on 12/21/2006 11:53:40 AM PST by unkus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

More like a looming FARCE...............


9 posted on 12/21/2006 11:56:09 AM PST by stanz (Those who don't believe in evolution should go jump off the flat edge of the Earth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Democratic US Senator Hillary Clinton reads the Iraq Study Group report on 07 December 2006. Among Democrats, Clinton is drawing financial support and backing for a presidential run from the faithful who surrounded her husband, former president Bill Clinton, in the White House, as well as from people in the financial and media circles of New York, the state she represents in the Senate.(AFP/File/Mike Theiler)


10 posted on 12/21/2006 11:56:28 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... Merry Something PC.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
I would say "HEY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BARF Alert?"

Then I'm so sick after reading this that I'm having a coronary. So where is the heart attack alert?
11 posted on 12/21/2006 11:57:14 AM PST by BeAllYouCanBe (Until Americans love their own children more than they love Nancy Pelosi this suicide will continue.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Bill Clinton a LEERING force at college dorms. http://sacredscoop.com


12 posted on 12/21/2006 11:59:57 AM PST by CottShop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

The real trick will be to keep Bill from banging the help, as this is a priority with him that everything else comes second to.


13 posted on 12/21/2006 12:01:37 PM PST by Spok (He who bites the hands that feeds him will lick the boot that kicks him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stanz

No matter what, Hillary Clinton will always be an evil, vindictive, power grabbing and frustrated woman. To make matters worse for her, if she goes nowhere politically, is that she had to go through the "process", rather than just "taking" power. It must be very frustrating to her to have to go through the motions.


14 posted on 12/21/2006 12:03:05 PM PST by unkus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Bill Clinton a looming force in Hillary's race...

You mean "Bill Clinton a looming FARCE in Hillary's race"...


15 posted on 12/21/2006 12:04:53 PM PST by lesko
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Spok
MONICA'S DIPLOMA
16 posted on 12/21/2006 12:05:03 PM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Apologies to Tammy Wynette

Sometimes its hard to be First Lady
Giving all your love to just one rat
You'll have gay times
And he'll have slime times
Doing things that nymphos understand
But if you love him you'll forgive him
Even try to manipulate this rat
And if you hate him
Wish to emulate him
'Cause after all he's just a rat
Stand by your rat
Give him two fists to answer
And thoughts of Vince to dance to
When nights are cold and lonely
Stand by your rat
Pretend to the world you love him
Keep getting all the pow'r you can
Stand by your rat
Stand by your rat
Pretend to the world you love him
Keep geting all the pow'r you can
Stand by your rat!


17 posted on 12/21/2006 12:07:20 PM PST by sine_nomine (Don't let another Bush lose another Iraq war.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sine_nomine

...and put some ice on it.


18 posted on 12/21/2006 12:11:28 PM PST by BenLurkin ("The entire remedy is with the people." - W. H. Harrison)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: unkus

Tough s**t.
Clawing her way back into the White House is not going to be as easy as she thought.


19 posted on 12/21/2006 12:15:51 PM PST by stanz (Those who don't believe in evolution should go jump off the flat edge of the Earth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: stanz

Please see Post # 14


20 posted on 12/21/2006 12:17:06 PM PST by unkus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-42 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson