Do the American people hate Bill Clinton?

[John Gauger]

I have seen a million political cartoons today where Hillary is hauling around Bill in the form of baggage. I always thought that the American people loved Bill Clinton. Or at least that more people liked him than disliked him, which seems quite a feat compared to Bush. I would have thought that Bill could only possibly be an asset in Hillary's campaign, especially considering what an amazing campaigner he is. My father and I are always discussing what an asset Bill will be for Hillary's campaign. Are we totally wrong? Do the American people hate Bill Clinton?

[saltpoint]

1. The man won two terms. He can work a crowd as few others can.

The issue is whether voters will bestow the same affection on his wife.

National polls say she's well-positioned. Iowa and New Hampshire polls show a much closer race.

[ElizabethDC]

2. Not the American people I know! n/t

[Demeter]

3. The Media Hate Him; They Always Have

Can it all be GOP inspired? I can't tell.

[Captain Hilts]

4. No, he's ALWAYS beaten GWB in head-to-head match ups. That's RW spin. nt

[MonkeyFunk]

5. No

the Republicans hated Bill Clinton.

The American people were always pretty fond of him, never more so than when they tried to impeach him.

[SaveElmer]

6. Hardly...

The man left office with a 65% approval rating...which I suspect is even higher now...

The MSM buys into the RW meme a polarizing figure...

[John Gauger]

18. That's what I thought.

He is more popular than the current President. I can only see that being a good thing. I had thought that Bill's stock was on the rise in the past six years. But these cartoonists seem to think that he is reviled.

[Nite Owl]

7. The way I understood it

even people who didn't agree with his policies still liked him. It's hard not to like Bill. If they start with all the stuff from his time in office now it's old news. I think after this administration it will pale in comparison and that point should be made if they try.

[mentalsolstice]

8. He can be baggage precisely because he is much loved

Many people will compare her to him, and he's a tough act to follow...such a comparison may not bode well for her. I hope the voters will give her a chance, and let her be her own person, but I know many will be disappointed by her because she's not as folksy as he is.

[Greyhound]

36. She doesn't seem to realize that she lacks his personal appeal.

He is an incredibly charismatic person, as anyone that has ever been in the same room with him, will attest. I believe that is the only reason he has got away with all the shit he's done over the years, and though I may not like it, it is undeniable. She, OTOH, does not have anything like that kind of visceral appeal, and seems to be unaware of it.

How many guys could conduct themselves like he, apparently always has, and not end up divorced?

[durrrty libby]

9. The people love Bill, but the talking heads think he needs to distance himself

in public from Hillary, because they think he upstages her.

She does need to stand on her own, but keep him close but not too close

Probably not easy to pull off.

[TheDebbieDee]

12. I've heard several pundits say that..............

That Pres Clinton can talk circles around Sen. Clinton - But hell! President Clinton can talk circles around and upstage just about everybody! He's damn near mastered public-speaking.

[we can do it]

10. Are You Talking About the 28% Who Still Support *? Then Maybe

Otherwise, I don't think most people did even when they were waving the dress around.

[EST]

11. Publiclowns pretty much all hate him, as most of them do

anyone whom they consider "librul."
Most of the media-in whatever form-are wingy owned and oriented. Making jokes about the Clintons, as were black jokes, pollack jokes or Irish jokes, a generation ago, is a cheap laugh, an easy score.

People suck.

[Joe Chi Minh]

15. They hate him now because he is a constant reminder of their own shame, and the

contempt in which they are held, not just by the American people, but by the whole world.

[John Gauger]

23. Damn.

You state the truth very plainly; you must be a cynic and a pessimist.

[Joe Chi Minh]

35. On the contrary. If I were, it wouldn't have registered at all.

[Solo_in_MD]

13. He is the past, and Americans don't care much about the past

he needs to keep the right profile, working contributors but not a high public/media profile. It will also assuage those who feel he would be too influential in the White House should she win.

All that said, the mood in the executive branch (at least where I hang out) is that neither Clinton is particularly popular.

[CitizenLeft]

14. not the 70% who spoke loud and clear...

...and forced the Senate to acquit after impeachment. The Republicans looked at that number - and at their poor showing in the mid-terms of '98 - and backed off.

But that's what the media wants us to believe.

[Disturbed]

17. If Sen Clinton wins the Pres. slot won't Bill be appointed

Chief of Staff? Maybe that is why the RW will pull out all the tricks to keep Sen. Clinton from achieving that task. The loath Bill deeply.

[brentspeak]

16. Given the disaster of his NAFTA and other free-trade rip-offs, I like him less today

[John Gauger]

21. I know I like him less.

The more I have learned about him the less I like him. He certainly liked to drop bombs a lot. And he was buddies with Suharto. He is responsible for ending the East Timorese genocide, but he only objected once people at home started putting political pressure on him. He himself didn't have a problem with it. And then of course there's NAFTA. And don't get me started on Janet Reno....

It's funny, though. One would think I would like him more as time went on, as he's done so much more good now that he is no longer President.

[TankLV]

30. thanks for that - now we all know your agenda and the REAL reason for posting...

[John Gauger]

33. Make of it what you will...

I just wanted to know if others hate him. I know I don't like him, but I'm talking about stuff that most people have never heard of, or support, like all those 'humanitarian interventions' in the '90s. But I'm interested in what the American people think. I always thought that he was still very popular, and it would seem that he is. That's why I didn't originally state my opinion of him - I don't want to know how DU likes him and I don't want to start a flame war. I know DU likes him as a whole, with a few making the same objections as me.

I wasn't trolling (at least not intentionally.) I hadn't realized that my post title was a declaration hidden as a question, like what FNC does. What is it Jon Stewart said, that "the question mark covers up Fox's GOP cocksucking"? I hadn't meant to do that. I was honestly asking the question. And I've got my answer: no. My father says he's still very popular, but I never hear anybody talking about him, so I don't know firsthand.

If you think it's important, no I don't like Clinton. But I was pissed off by the implication that America doesn't like him. I guess it's a little inconsistent to get angry about an attack on somebody I don't even like, but I cared enough to ask about it. That's all my agenda was. I'm sorry if it's done anything else. If I was interested in diminishing Clinton's legacy, I'd just start out with my objections. But I don't feel that's worth my time right now. Besides, I don't have any of my books with me. I can't exactly have a debate without being able to cite facts, can I?

[trudyco]

28. Yep me too. I don't like NAFTA and he didn't fix things like

the media and other governmental regulatory organizations. He also ignored the global warming problem, which I'm sure Gore tried to get him to pay attention to. He spent all his original political capital on Universal Healthcare, and then dropped the healthcare problem altogether.

He is Very charismatic. Hilary is not. She's being groomed and "presidential" and all that crap that Gore did that makes them look very fake. Bill's charisma casts a big shadow she'd be under.

[illinoisprogressive]

19. People love Bill and don't like Hillary so, this makes him her baggage

He cannot campaign with her because all eyes are on bill. She is one of the worst public speakers and he is one of the best so, she will look even worse by him.
He comes off as friendly and earthy and she comes off as the ice queen.
I suspect alot of people who support HRC is not due to her but, dreaming that bill will be back.

[durrrty libby]

22. Ice queen? Worse speaker? Your gums are showing

[rinsd]

37. The smears continue!

"She is one of the worst public speakers"

While she is not as gifted as Bill is she is hardly a sluch in that department.

"
He comes off as friendly and earthy and she comes off as the ice queen."

From Rush's mouth to your keyboard.

[KT2000]

20. I think he could be re-elected!

He has to be really careful in her campaign though. Bill Clinton has a lot of charm and charisma and Hillary does not. He may accentuate that difference.

[patricia92243]

24. The American people love Bill and will learn to love Hillary the more they get to know her. Everyon

Everyone that can should read her bio "Living History." She has a great sense of humor.

[pretzel4gore]

25. America's first black President...

I recall reading that in early 90's....I believe it was Lewis Lapham, of Harpers magazine, who elucidated the idea. Almost 98 percent(?) of black voters went for Clinton, which is why bill schnieder once said that it was black america who made Bill president (which is stupid considering thar black america only 10 percent of population, or something)....
the same 'loathing' that is shown for Clinton also affects Kerry, Carter and Al Gore, not to mention Abe Lincoln or Roosevelt!
and it's the schnieders, mathews, shieffers, williams, blitzers and streichers etc who voice the 'loathing'

[Doctor_J]

26. Only the tiny and shrinking fraction that believe Limpballs

And he's even more beloved around the world. If there were to be an election for Leader of the World, Clinton would win in a landslide.

[Rageneau]

27. Repeal the 22nd Amendment!!!

If they could, I bet the American people would elect Clinton President for Life.

[TankLV]

29. Hardly - he's America's "rock star" politician.

just look at the crowds he garners wherever he goes - and he doesn't EVER hand pick his audiences...

[Azathoth]

31. No. They were tired of him when he left office...

but after two terms of Dubya, I'd say the nostalgia factor is getting pretty high.

[CPMaz]

32. The American people *never* hated Bill Clinton

The Republicans did.

If he's considered "baggage" for Hillary Clinton in terms of a campaign, it's only because he is head-and-shoulders above her and everyone else on the stump.

[wyldwolf]

34. Bill Clinton has a 59% Favorable rating among Americans. MUCH higher among Democrats

[rinsd]

38. But wyldwolf how can that be? Hillary is despised by Democrats

I've been told thta at least a dozens times today.

:hi:

[wyldwolf]

39. I'm referring to rank and file Democratic voters, not...

..whiney simon-pure "progressives." :)

[MasonJar]

40. Bill is the man here and abroad...the EUers love Bill. US loves Bill.