Does Bill Clinton seem to think Hillary's candidacy is as much about him, as it is her?

[RiverStone]

Recently Bill has been getting headlines not only for his support of Hillary for president, but for a tone that has become markedly divisive toward other candidates, particularly Barack Obama. Some have observed that Bill is using the rallies not only to promote a Clinton presidency, but his legacy as president. One can't expect objectivity from a husband who's wife is running for president; and yet his comments of late even give more credence to the argument that the Clinton's are seeking a dynasty much like the Bush's.

Case in point:

NEW YORK In a surprisingly frank interview with Charlie Rose on his PBS show late Friday night, former President Bill Clinton declared that his wife was not only far better prepared to be president than her chief rival Sen. Barack Obama -- "it's not close" -- but that voters who disagreed would be taking a "risk" if they picked the latter.

Repeatedly dismissive of Obama -- which could come back to haunt the Clinton campaign -- the former president at one point said that voters were, of course, free to pick someone with little experience, even "a gifted television commentator" who would have just "one year less" experience in national service than Obama. He had earlier pointed out that Obama had started to run for president just one year into his first term in the U.S. Senate.

Clinton also said, surprisingly, with a laugh, "It's a miracle she even has a chance" to win in Iowa, adding he was not just "low-balling it." He said John Edwards might well win -- which would certainly be preferable, from the Clintons' perspective, to an Obama win there. (See llink to video below.)

He praised Obama's intelligence and "sensational political skills" but repeatedly suggested that, unlike his wife and some of the other candidates, he might not be ready for the job. Asked directly about that, Clinton refused to state it bluntly, but did point out that when he was elected president in 1992 at about the same age as Obama, he was the "senior governor" in the U.S. and had worked for years on international business issues. Viewers could draw their own conclusions.

more:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003686025

I have always really admired Bill; though it feels like he is reaching of late. We are not electing Bill Clinton for president again, though I wonder if he thinks in a way --- it is about him?

This nepotism can be understood, but I don't think it does much to help Hillary. Which from this voter's perspective, gives me more reason why I don't want to see another Clinton in the White House;
though I'd love to see a Democrat!

[polichick]

1. No, he thinks it's ALL about him! nt

[Bucky]

2. You don't have to put the Dog on the couch. He's saying anything to sell his wife.

That's what a supporter does--fight like hell to win. That's what he's doing. It might shock & anger Obama supporters, but it's an anger that they'll get over by election day, whoever the nominee happens to be. I can't imagine anyone is so thin-skinned that they can't get over such mild criticism.

[GainesT1958]

3. He sees the next term...

As both her first and his third. Funny, but his wife has never given an effective reason for why she wants to be president. He did that quite well in 1992. But then, she can't measure up to his people skills, or his communication skills. When he said "I feel your pain", it was very believable. Does anyone really think Hillary feels anyone's pain but her own?

B-)

[book_worm]

4. Well think about it--Poppy managed to get the chimp "elected" how would it look if Bill can't get

Hillary elected--or even nominated.

[madrchsod]

5. i think the line is being blured more everyday

but by who and why may be how people think about the clintons

[durrrty libby]

6. Former President Clinton is beloved by 80% of the Democratic party

He is doing a fine job helping Hillary.

Elizabeth Edwards has made many much more critical remarks against her husband's opponent(Hillary)


I had a good laugh when Obama said he is as experienced as Bill was when he ran

Of course that is a big fucking lie. Bill had already been a Governor for many years

[OHdem10]

7. I think this is a typical NYT Hit Piece against the Clintons.

Naturally Bill is going to support fight for HRC. He would be some
sory piece of work if he did not.

It is only human for any President who has a member of his family
running to see his Presidency as a legacy. You can tell Bill is
fearful that people will hold any grudge they have about Bill--
put the grudge on HRC.

This sort of thing is unfair. They shoud go after HRC on her
own merits and policies.

Let us be honest here, NYT is beginning to appear they must
prop up Obama just as they did GWB and when he took us to war
there they were cheerleading the loudest. Recall Miller.

[monmouth]

8. I hope Bill is not taking all of this personally, but I think he is...n/t

[McCamy Taylor]

9. If Bill would just say "A vote for Hillary is a vote for my third term" she would win a landslide.