Posted on 12/10/2007 1:05:42 PM PST by OldCorps
AMES, Iowa (AP) - Campaigning for his wife, former President Clinton says that when they were starting out he was so struck by her intellect and ability he once suggested she should just dump him and jump into her own political career. That didn't happen, of course, and on Monday he gave an Iowa crowd his version of why it didn't.
"I thought it would be wrong for me to rob her of the chance to be what I thought she should be," said Clinton. "She laughed and said, 'First I love you and, second, I'm not going to run for anything, I'm too hardheaded.'"
Hillary Rodham Clinton is running now, and husband Bill was stumping for her in the 2008 campaign's leadoff caucus state—two days after rival Democrat Barack Obama got a full weekend's worth of attention by bringing in talk show queen Oprah Winfrey to campaign for him.
The former president opened a two-day swing through Iowa on behalf of his wife, packing nearly 500 people into a theater on the campus of Iowa State University.
"She has spent a lifetime as a change agent when she had the option to do other things," he said.
"I thought she was the most gifted person of our generation," said Clinton, who said he told her, "You know, you really should dump me and go back home to Chicago or go to New York and take one of those offers you've got and run for office."
Now that she's a New York senator and in a tight Democratic contest—with Illinois Sen. Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards—the former president said he wanted to persuade voters that she has "the best combination of mind and heart."
He offered a self-deprecating view of the couple's early life in Arkansas.
"When she came down there and we got married, I was a defeated candidate for Congress with a $26,000 salary and a $42,00 campaign debt," said Clinton. "If she were half as calculating as someone said, that's a really great way to run for president."
In his latest Iowa swing, Clinton is bringing heavy attention to his wife, who is competing in the precinct caucuses that will launch the presidential nominating season on Jan. 3.
"It's one thing to have good intentions; it is another thing entirely to change people's lives," Clinton said. "She's the best non-incumbent I have ever had a chance to vote for. In my whole life I've never met anyone like her."
While Clinton remains very popular among Democrats, his image is mixed in the wider population. An Associated Press-Yahoo poll last month showed that 54 percent of those questioned had a very or somewhat favorable view of the former president, while 43 percent had a very or somewhat unfavorable view.
"He did an excellent job as president and we need some changes," said 82-year-old Morris Mericle, who attended Monday's event and said he wanted to see a former president he had voted for. Still, Mericle was keeping his options open for next year.
"I have an open mind," he said. "I have not decided, I'll wait and listen to the debates."
Maureen Ogle said she also wanted to keep her options open and was eager to sees a president about whom she has decidedly mixed views.
"I'm never going to forgive him for the way he humiliated his wife and daughter, but I would vote for him in a heartbeat,' said Ogle. "He is one of two or three of the most powerful people in the world."
Clinton was more than an hour late opening his swing in Ames, with campaign staffers alternately blaming the weather and airplane problems. Still, virtually everyone who showed up stuck around to hear a speech that was shorter than the wait.
"I'm out of politics now except every two years the Democrats kind of haul me out of the barn like an old horse to see if I can make it around the track one more time," he said.
Clinton said he would understand if people assume he has a prejudice in the 2008 race. "I always tell people when I speak that you're entitled to discount what I have to say," he said. "I want to say a few things that are very personal."
Well, there you have it. How pathetic, how diabolical. People like this allow Hitlers to come to power. They KNOW who he is...but would vote for him anyway because of his power.
Sure. As in co-conspirator.
There might be some truth to that -- at least that way he'd have been rid of her cankles for once and for all.
Liar. Monica was “the one” at one point in time. There have been numerous “the ones” for Bubba.
Apparently, you can make this up.
“I..I...I...I...ME....I...I”...that is ALL he talks about.
Bill, the plan, signed in blood in the presence of Satan, always was that she’d help you into office, and then ride your coattails into the WH later.
We have the winner!
nononon... She WAS 1. Then Joanne was 2. Millie was 3. Sheri was 4..... *time passes*.... Monica was 1,583,689,343.....
What adult can really consider Bill or Hillary adults enough to run this country?
How about.....
"When ah wus wiff Monica I was imaging Hillary."
There IT IS - Billy boy’s subtle undermining of his wife in one small phrase. Did anyone else catch it? Here it is:
“I’m not going to run for anything, I’m too hard-headed”
Does that phrase promote positive thoughts towards a WOMAN trying hard to give a softer image out? NO, not on your life...he IS working to make sure she doesn’t get in.
Where else could he find a Doormat like Harpy??
Pray for W and Our Troops
“She has spent a lifetime as a change agent when she had the option to do other things,” he said.”
Yeah, acid is a pretty potent change agent.
Another hard hitting Associated Press article. I love the way the reporter hammered old Bill for his serial adultery against the woman he so avidly supports. Yep, no fluff in this hard hitting piece. Just like if it were about a Republican!
I thought she was the most gifted person of our generation,” said Clinton,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I knew he was a liar but I didn’t know that even he could come up with a lie on this level. This is beyond belief.
She just happened to be THE ONE willing to let him run free.
Oh brother.
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