If we're going to have a third term president, let it be Obama.
50
I hardly ever see a Hillary bumper sticker anywhere. There just doesn't seem to be any enthusiasm for her candidacy. And young people who she desperately needs couldn't care less about her husband Bill Clinton. When a 74 year old Bernie Sanders, a Socialist, polls higher to beat Donald Trump than Hillary, you know she has a big problem that the 2016 version of 1990's Bill Clinton won't solve. If Hillary can't convince voters that her time hasn't passed ... that she's an exciting modern candidate with her own exciting ideas...the nightmare of President Donald J.Trump will become s grim reality.
52
This is a terrific column. HRC can certainly run on her own achievements. Who is advising her?
24
The two for one did not work in 2008 so why does HRC think it will work in 2016? People under 30 don't remember him in his prime. They see a skinny old dude who looks like he would rather be somewhere else. Stand on your own and leave Bill and Chelsea for the "family wave" portion of the program.
27
Gail.........This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails. It’s time for Hillary to stand alone.
The liberal media is constantly reminding us, the American people, that Hillary is the greatest thin to come along since crushed ice or sliced bread.
What we the people want to know , is with all your investigative experience ( NYT blundered hit piece on Trump this past weekend) is WHAT has "she" ever accomplished on her own? The only thing she has accomplished so far is that she is the world expert on riding other peoples coattails.
The liberal media is constantly reminding us, the American people, that Hillary is the greatest thin to come along since crushed ice or sliced bread.
What we the people want to know , is with all your investigative experience ( NYT blundered hit piece on Trump this past weekend) is WHAT has "she" ever accomplished on her own? The only thing she has accomplished so far is that she is the world expert on riding other peoples coattails.
40
Gail, I love your columns, but I have to disagree with you on this one. The distinguishing feature here is that Bill is a former President. That's just in a different ballpark than Bill is a spouse. He actually has a track record to run on and while Hilary is the candidate, telling Bill to go home or giving him a symbolic job just isn't smart.
15
Bill Clinton can't go home. His wife's presidency was intended as his third term all along; it's why he's been put in charge of our prosperity, rather than Hillary accepting that as her own job.
We're supposed to get the crumbs after he pays off all the big money favors Bill has already personally collected the money for, then sent Lurleen aka Hillary out to service foreign money men to make the initial payback, but WE will still be on the hook with our taxes for the favors Bill and Hillary have already promised just to get themselves elected. They won't represent us, they will represent the money people, just like Trump will.
We're supposed to get the crumbs after he pays off all the big money favors Bill has already personally collected the money for, then sent Lurleen aka Hillary out to service foreign money men to make the initial payback, but WE will still be on the hook with our taxes for the favors Bill and Hillary have already promised just to get themselves elected. They won't represent us, they will represent the money people, just like Trump will.
51
Nonsense! Clinton is one of the least qualified to run for office. Her ideas are plain dumb. Put Bill in charge of finding jobs for us is an exception, because he's the one that lost them so he should be able to find where he sent them! She admires the doyen of Nixon's Vietnam fiasco, KIssinger. Praises the queen of anti-aids frittering, Nancy Reagan. Believes Bill's financial pyramid of the 90's was great, though it destroyed much of middle America. Yeah, she's been around a while, but all its done is made her old.
66
Did we imagine Hillary Clinton promising that her husband President Bill Clinton, would "revitalize the economy" in her presidential administration? That he did "a heck of a job" hearkens back to President George W. Bush, telling his Katrina catastrophe emergency responder, "Brownie, you did a heck of a job!" Are we now looking at a "twofer" from Hillary - vote for me and you get Bill, too? Lord spare us the re-appearance in Hillary's White House of Bill Clinton, who isn't looking too hot these days. He could use some Krispy Kremes and bacon cheeseburgers to fatten himself up a little. When Bill Clinton ran in 1992, his winning mantra (h/t to James Carville) was "It's the economy, Stupid" - and now it's the same issue, but a different Clinton. Dear Gail, yes, subtract one Clinton. Meanwhile the former First Lady of Arkansas, of the United States, Jr. Senator from New York for two terms and recent Secretary of State, lagniappe from Barack Obama when she lost her presidential campaign in 2008, is actually assuring voters that when she wins, Bill will "revitalize" the economy. Hillary should remove him from damaging remarks against Bernie Sanders and President Obama. He's not an enhancement. There are plenty of opportunities for the First Gentleman (if he reaches that pinnacle in American History) to keep himself busy in Chappaqua and Washington, DC and with his Clinton Foundation which has made the Clinton family rich as the Croesuses. Look homeward, Bill.
12
That HRC is experienced is undeniable but that doesn't make her qualified. The fact that she has been Secretary of State, Senator and in the White House as spouse of a President for eight years and yet makes the mistakes she does disqualifies her for the highest office in the land.
Her historical mistake in voting for the Iraq War and her leadership in the overthrow of Qaddafi have been part of the greatest disasters of US foreign policy in the Middle East. In pandering for evangelical and Jewish Zionist votes, she proposes forbidding the BDS movement, a non-violent protest against Israeli occupation of Arab lands, in defiance of UN resolutions, Geneva Conventions, US official policy and international law. If "experience" qualifies HRC to become President, we retreat to the same dead end policies of the past century with more of the same consequences: no peace, more wars.
With her record, Bill is a great asset...and, as Collins says, a mistake. Her bringing him into her campaign is one more act that disqualifies her as a credible, viable candidate.
Her historical mistake in voting for the Iraq War and her leadership in the overthrow of Qaddafi have been part of the greatest disasters of US foreign policy in the Middle East. In pandering for evangelical and Jewish Zionist votes, she proposes forbidding the BDS movement, a non-violent protest against Israeli occupation of Arab lands, in defiance of UN resolutions, Geneva Conventions, US official policy and international law. If "experience" qualifies HRC to become President, we retreat to the same dead end policies of the past century with more of the same consequences: no peace, more wars.
With her record, Bill is a great asset...and, as Collins says, a mistake. Her bringing him into her campaign is one more act that disqualifies her as a credible, viable candidate.
34
I am going to vote for Hillary and I will do everything I can to convince everyone I know to vote for Hillary because we live in a country where a monster like Trump has a serious chance of becoming President. Hillary is super qualified and super smart. But she is an AWFUL candidate. How tone deaf do you have to be to say that Bill who gave us repeal of Glass-Steagall and NAFTA and a Fed fueled economic bubble that burst after he left office should run the economy? Is he better than the Republicans running the economy? Yes, but so is an orangutan with a dart board (aka Trump) better than a typical (aka insane) Republican. Gail, you are a genuine feminist, you should do far better than to call what is some cases were Bill's sexual assaults including alleged rape just peccadillos. Bill is a net negative and should be kept out of sight. Hillary desperately needs to find her own strong, clear voice and message - not just to be Bill's or Obama's 3rd term - and we desperately need her.
20
Good heavens, given the history of the smack down she got as the spouse heading up healthcare revisions when Clinton was President, why would she expect that her husband would fare any better as the spouse tasked with improving the economy?? She can certainly listen to his advice but she has immediately devalued her own competency by promising to outsource the economy to her husband. We do not elect a TEAM, we elect a single person as LEADER!
Madame Secretary, what could you have been thinking?? Is there no one with any sense at your campaign? You have just sent the overt message that you can't handle the job. IDIOCY! You've just set back women's pay equality and other women's issues about a decade with that one remark. You are infinitely better prepared and qualified than Trump but you have just played into his hands as "women-as-lesser-creatures" than the deal making men. Oi!
Madame Secretary, what could you have been thinking?? Is there no one with any sense at your campaign? You have just sent the overt message that you can't handle the job. IDIOCY! You've just set back women's pay equality and other women's issues about a decade with that one remark. You are infinitely better prepared and qualified than Trump but you have just played into his hands as "women-as-lesser-creatures" than the deal making men. Oi!
34
Bill Clinton is Hillary's Biggest Baggage. He should stand back and let her shine. Everytime he speaks for her, he diminishes her. The idea that he could be an ambassador for the poor is on the right track. They both could shine if he were in this type of capacity. Hang in there Gail. I am a Bernie fan, because I have the possibility of backing what I believe in. I will be behind Hillary if Bernie is out of the picture, but Bill is really in the way to believing she is her own person.
20
I'm just relieved Gail did not mention Trump or dive into holding Sanders responsible for all the false moves made by the DNC and the Clinton dog and pony show.
36
Thank you for this, Gail, you are right on! I wince every time she goes there.
17
Touché. But, Ms. Collins, you miss one point. It DOES matter to people that Bill Clinton is the numero uno offender of philandering, lieing and actually, being impeached. And, as of last week, another scandal involving $2 million given to a "friend" in Chappaqua for her for-profit foundation. My God, it never stops. And, who is the "friend?" Anyway, the two for one was never far from anyone's assessment. Hillary is getting desperate and she will now use Bill to shore up her chances of winning. Dare we think that "pay back" for this couple is a revolving door? It's how they live their so-called marriage. How they run their obsession for power and greed. And, dare we think he could actually stay home? And, what? Bake cookies? Or have his "friend," the "energizer" slip in and out of his home without any secret service surveillance?? Hillary is so conflicted, but will use anyone, step on anyone, destroy ones life to get what she wants...including parading Bill out to shore up her campaign! Imagine four or eight years of that soap opera. And, you know that's what it would be.
50
And could she also keep Chelsea out of the limelight. The woman who won't divulge her $250,000 words to Goldman Sachs doesn't need to rub it in with a hedge funding daughter.
53
How is Hillary "most qualified" if she still needs men to do the heavy lifting?
30
Hillary just needs to win the rest is just posturing.
Call in every person who can be of help.
8 years of W because Al Gore didn't want a wounded Bill around his campaign, great idea Al ! need I say more?
Call in every person who can be of help.
8 years of W because Al Gore didn't want a wounded Bill around his campaign, great idea Al ! need I say more?
7
Qualified? She's burned more countries than Bush and Cheney. She bullies her husband's sexual assault victims. And...last time she ran, she lost to an inexperienced first-term congressman. You can believe she's the best thing ever, but the evidence disagrees.
42
Like watching a car wreck in slow-motion. DNC, wake up and get behind Bernie before it's too late.
43
You really expect Bill to be sitting around baking cookies?
8
As an over-60 white male, a liberal, and living in the most conservatively southern of the northern states, Indiana, I consider myself to be in quite exclusive company. Not many categories I figure into. I want so bad, so-o-o bad, to be an enthusiastic HRC supporter. I support Hillary, but enthusiastically? Not so much. Actually, I guess I more or less have a bromance with Bernie, but I know the evil Trumpster would eat him up and spit him out over the communist thing (oops, I meant the Marxist, er, the Leninist, er, the thing with the hammer and sickle, you know, the SOCIALIST thing) in the general election... let's face it, the socialist tag was shown in a recent poll to be the most unpopular tag the American people saw in a comparison with other labels. And the Trumpster? Just scares me, worries me, enrages me beyond all rational thought.
So, yes, I support Hillary. I'm disappointed that so far, she hasn't come out swinging. So far, she's kind of seemed like a dowdy she'll of what I thought she'd be. I was hoping she'd push back hard on Benghazi, putting Trey Gowdy back into whatever hole he crawled out of. I was hoping that given her feminist pronouncements in the past, which as a male and father of a daughter I support, she'd be the real revolutionary and visionary, not Bernie.... so far, though, she's just plodding along like an old draft horse, being steered by her triangulating political instincts.
She's more preferable to me than the boys, but only by an eyelash.
So, yes, I support Hillary. I'm disappointed that so far, she hasn't come out swinging. So far, she's kind of seemed like a dowdy she'll of what I thought she'd be. I was hoping she'd push back hard on Benghazi, putting Trey Gowdy back into whatever hole he crawled out of. I was hoping that given her feminist pronouncements in the past, which as a male and father of a daughter I support, she'd be the real revolutionary and visionary, not Bernie.... so far, though, she's just plodding along like an old draft horse, being steered by her triangulating political instincts.
She's more preferable to me than the boys, but only by an eyelash.
13
"It’s time for Hillary to stand alone."
The Hillary supporters rave about her accomplishments & intellectual rigor but like the crowd watching the bare naked king parading down the street they can not/will not use their minds to see reality..
eg. On March 11 2014, HRC gave a speech. When asked what she thought were the major accomplishments of her tenure as SoS she answered, "My accomplishments as SoS ? Well, I'm glad you asked. My proudest accomplishment in which I take the most pride, mostly because of the opposition it faced early on, you know. The remnants of prior situations & mindsets that were too narrowly focused in a manner whereby they may have overlooked the bigger picture and we didn't do that. Very proud. I would say that's a major accomplishment." Her response was a meaningless word salad. She has nothing to point to.
She did however vote to invade Iraq , vote for the Panama Trade deal , has not supported universal healthcare , has supported the ethnic cleansing & brutal occupation of Palestine (for her AIPAC owners), swims gleefully in the cesspool of Wall St receiving $11 million for speeches for herself, not her campaign , did not march with King for black civil rights ,etc. These are ALL things that Bernie did or strongly opposes.
HRC passed zero roll call amendments during her tenure as a senator from 2001-09. Out of 419 amendments Sanders sponsored over his 25 years in Congress, 90 passed.
Shout it out America, "The empress has No Clothes".
The Hillary supporters rave about her accomplishments & intellectual rigor but like the crowd watching the bare naked king parading down the street they can not/will not use their minds to see reality..
eg. On March 11 2014, HRC gave a speech. When asked what she thought were the major accomplishments of her tenure as SoS she answered, "My accomplishments as SoS ? Well, I'm glad you asked. My proudest accomplishment in which I take the most pride, mostly because of the opposition it faced early on, you know. The remnants of prior situations & mindsets that were too narrowly focused in a manner whereby they may have overlooked the bigger picture and we didn't do that. Very proud. I would say that's a major accomplishment." Her response was a meaningless word salad. She has nothing to point to.
She did however vote to invade Iraq , vote for the Panama Trade deal , has not supported universal healthcare , has supported the ethnic cleansing & brutal occupation of Palestine (for her AIPAC owners), swims gleefully in the cesspool of Wall St receiving $11 million for speeches for herself, not her campaign , did not march with King for black civil rights ,etc. These are ALL things that Bernie did or strongly opposes.
HRC passed zero roll call amendments during her tenure as a senator from 2001-09. Out of 419 amendments Sanders sponsored over his 25 years in Congress, 90 passed.
Shout it out America, "The empress has No Clothes".
36
"This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails."
Well, Ms. Collins, you might think so, but apparently she has her own doubts...
Well, Ms. Collins, you might think so, but apparently she has her own doubts...
19
Excellent article. Thank you Ms. Gail Collins. I hope Hillary reads it and then takes your advice!
6
Gail, you have hit the nail on the head of why I, as a boomer feminist, have worried about Hillary's viability as a candidate from the beginning, and why I am supporting Bernie until he decides to leave the race. We need a woman, not a former first lady and her husband, in the White House.
27
A while ago Hillary thought we would fall over with joy if she brought Gloria Steinem on stage with her. She's doing the same now with Bill Clinton.
How can this woman know what the country needs? She does not even see us.
How can this woman know what the country needs? She does not even see us.
30
From the outset it was obvious Hillary is incapable of being the first woman president. From the outset she has been relying on her husband to protect her and to get her out of hot water. From the outset she really wants to play the pretend President but in reality she has no intention of taking over the reins like a man. There are women who are capable but not HIllary. She just likes the limelight. She has no idea what she really believes in other than war which make her so dangerous.
31
Bill had his day.
On the trail, especially with the flap he got into with the folks about his war on crime/war on drugs, made him seem like the old guy from the neighborhood, yelling "get off my lawn". It didn't help her.
In 2008, he did something similar when he made some rather derogatory remarks about B. Obama that got picked up somewhere in the south.
It would be far better for her to stand on her own two feet and project her own vision, otherwise there will be lots of folks who will stay home on election day which usually doesn't bode well for the DEMs.
On the trail, especially with the flap he got into with the folks about his war on crime/war on drugs, made him seem like the old guy from the neighborhood, yelling "get off my lawn". It didn't help her.
In 2008, he did something similar when he made some rather derogatory remarks about B. Obama that got picked up somewhere in the south.
It would be far better for her to stand on her own two feet and project her own vision, otherwise there will be lots of folks who will stay home on election day which usually doesn't bode well for the DEMs.
10
Yes, yes, yes, Gail Collins! You nailed it.
5
And so Bill, who gave us the NAFTA trade deal and removed Glass-Stegall..with all the resulting economic havoc that wrought...will now be helping us out with the economy some more.
And Hillary, who was for the TPP trade deal but is now against it (supposedly)...what will Bill's advice be on that? It's bad enough that Hillary doesn't want to bring back the better protections of Glass-Stegall, and instead is depending on the weaker Dodd-Frank (Barney's a pal) just because reinstating Glass-Stegall would make her husband look like he made a boo-boo.
So forget about what's good for the "everyday Americans"...let's make sure my husband isn't tainted instead.
We older folk remember that Bill Clinton wasn't all that great either. The last day pardons of criminal contributors were a great example of the Clinton's views on money for favors...exactly why we will never see those transcripts, even though no one else has any to show.
And Hillary, who was for the TPP trade deal but is now against it (supposedly)...what will Bill's advice be on that? It's bad enough that Hillary doesn't want to bring back the better protections of Glass-Stegall, and instead is depending on the weaker Dodd-Frank (Barney's a pal) just because reinstating Glass-Stegall would make her husband look like he made a boo-boo.
So forget about what's good for the "everyday Americans"...let's make sure my husband isn't tainted instead.
We older folk remember that Bill Clinton wasn't all that great either. The last day pardons of criminal contributors were a great example of the Clinton's views on money for favors...exactly why we will never see those transcripts, even though no one else has any to show.
25
Forget Bill. Besides defending herself, I still can't tell what Hilary believes in or stands for after all these years. Traci Flick.
25
Come on, Gail. Be fair. If Hillary was not married to Bill, the apex of her public career would probably have been embezzling funds from the local PTA.
24
Hmm, a lying manipulative, vindictive thief... you're right, she is one of the most qualified people to ever run for the office
13
Very sensible insights, I say Gail Collins for VP. The country couldn't do better.
3
HRC should have WJC be her mouthpiece, nothing more. He remains one of the great orators of the past 50 or so years. If HRC has ideas, let WJC elucidate them.
2
The best strategy to overcome Bernie now and ultimately Trump is just not clear, and if my idea is considered dumb, then thank ya for reading.
She had to at least win Kentucky, and enough Kentuckians by 16th of an inch decided okay on the two Clintons.
GC on other hand doesn't enjoy Hillary emphasizing if not depending on the fully experienced, successful, unique advisor.
Because apparently Trump thinks/hopes WJC is a seriously scandalous handicap which mitigates his own playing around reputation.
And if Newt becomes DJT's VP, and I perceive he probably shall, then them good ole 1990s adulterous times are to be disgustingly re-lived.
Well, then what the f should Hillary do?
Well, I'd actually be happy knowing BC is publically encouraged to advise
If DJT's fans so enjoy skewering HRC because she at least publically enables WJC, I'll be so shocked, shocked.
Rational voters are not surprised by mud-slinging vitriol,
and tiresome counter-productiveness is predictable.
She had to at least win Kentucky, and enough Kentuckians by 16th of an inch decided okay on the two Clintons.
GC on other hand doesn't enjoy Hillary emphasizing if not depending on the fully experienced, successful, unique advisor.
Because apparently Trump thinks/hopes WJC is a seriously scandalous handicap which mitigates his own playing around reputation.
And if Newt becomes DJT's VP, and I perceive he probably shall, then them good ole 1990s adulterous times are to be disgustingly re-lived.
Well, then what the f should Hillary do?
Well, I'd actually be happy knowing BC is publically encouraged to advise
If DJT's fans so enjoy skewering HRC because she at least publically enables WJC, I'll be so shocked, shocked.
Rational voters are not surprised by mud-slinging vitriol,
and tiresome counter-productiveness is predictable.
2
She's running for president for 15+ and maybe 23 years. We don't elect people who've been around too long. Bush beat Gore partly because he was son of a president. But we'd seen too much of Al Gore - plus he was tied to the scandalous Bill. W. was from Texas & seemed fresh.
Ditto Obama - an unknown freshman senator in 2008.
It feels like we've seen Hillary - & Bill - constantly for a quarter century. Trying to push her as "the most qualified person ever" doesn't work w/ people sick of the Clintons.
This country's recent history is rejecting people too familiar - Al Gore, John Kerry, John McCain, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bob Dole.
All the recent political excitement is for candidates new or less familiar - Obama, Bernie, Sarah Palin, W. Trump is a longtime celebrity but a fresh politician.
She's running as an old shoe. Terrible idea.
Her staff of insiders/old timers should be fired. She must present her as the future - not "slow progress"/"continuity"/"former presidents"
"I've been around forever & I'm still here!" This sounds like an Ethel Merman musical! She even sounds loud & brassy like Ethel Merman!
the past the past the past the past
No election has ever been less about the past. Trump knows this instinctively. It's why people like him!
Bill Clinton epitomizes the past.
Hillary can't see that. She buries herself in the past. Young voters in particular totally reject this.
Retool her campaign for the future or get President The Donald.
Ditto Obama - an unknown freshman senator in 2008.
It feels like we've seen Hillary - & Bill - constantly for a quarter century. Trying to push her as "the most qualified person ever" doesn't work w/ people sick of the Clintons.
This country's recent history is rejecting people too familiar - Al Gore, John Kerry, John McCain, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bob Dole.
All the recent political excitement is for candidates new or less familiar - Obama, Bernie, Sarah Palin, W. Trump is a longtime celebrity but a fresh politician.
She's running as an old shoe. Terrible idea.
Her staff of insiders/old timers should be fired. She must present her as the future - not "slow progress"/"continuity"/"former presidents"
"I've been around forever & I'm still here!" This sounds like an Ethel Merman musical! She even sounds loud & brassy like Ethel Merman!
the past the past the past the past
No election has ever been less about the past. Trump knows this instinctively. It's why people like him!
Bill Clinton epitomizes the past.
Hillary can't see that. She buries herself in the past. Young voters in particular totally reject this.
Retool her campaign for the future or get President The Donald.
19
Relax, Gail; it's just Hillary being Hillary. She's still married to that friend-with-benefits of Monica Lewinsky because she believed he could further her political career. As long as her internal focus groups keep telling her that Bill is popular in State A, or with Constituency X, she'll keep trotting him out. Because he's great? No- because he's great FOR HER. When she gets the idea that pulling Bill out of the hat is losing its ability to please credulous audiences, she'll drop his public appearances like a hot potato.
Hillary will always do what's best for Hillary- you can bank on it.
Hillary will always do what's best for Hillary- you can bank on it.
23
So true. We are not voting for Bill. Talking about Bill gives Trump a way to attack Bill. Hillary must stand or fall own her own merits. This fight is for her first term not Bill's third. Trump is going to run with this as he should. If she wins in November do they co president? Talking about Bill sounds like desperation. Hillary needs passion now not Bubba looking over her shoulder.
6
Leaning on her hubby to become president? Why not? That's how she was foisted on NY as a senator. It worked. & this time it's even more inevitable, since they have their friend Donald-the-unacceptable running against her.
12
I couldn't agree more. I was disappointed and annoyed at her comments on roles she would give to Bill and it isn't going to help her when Trump comes after her with both guns blazing. One of the issues people have with her is the dynasty issue. She needs to stand on her own and not bring back what was done 20 years ago. She needs to have a forward looking vision, not one that looks backward. It is a very different world.
12
Right on Gail! You nailed the disconnect between Hillary's claim that she's the most qualified candidate and her - perhaps Freudian - admission that she's not really up to the task of addressing the single biggest issue we're facing.
Moreover, she - and millions of women who support her - think she's the best example to be the first women President, and yet she needs her husband to solve problems for her. How liberated!
What you now need to do Gail is to prevail upon your colleagues and the editorial staff at the NYT to understand that Hillary is NOT the right woman for the job, and to throw their weight behind Sanders whose philosophy is more in line with the long history of the progressive thinking of the Times.
Moreover, she - and millions of women who support her - think she's the best example to be the first women President, and yet she needs her husband to solve problems for her. How liberated!
What you now need to do Gail is to prevail upon your colleagues and the editorial staff at the NYT to understand that Hillary is NOT the right woman for the job, and to throw their weight behind Sanders whose philosophy is more in line with the long history of the progressive thinking of the Times.
16
Your column is terrific. Now please get your cohorts to listen up. Me, even One is too many. At this point, what a wasted election.
6
Hillary can't "subtract" Bill. Here's why:
In the 90s, the "two for the price of one" shibboleth was her payback. Today it is a necessary optic to overcome her manifest unfitness.
In the 90s, the "two for the price of one" shibboleth was her payback. Today it is a necessary optic to overcome her manifest unfitness.
16
Let's face it folks, Hillary's "Presidency" will actually be a third term of Bill Clinton's Administration with Bill as Co-President or the power behind Hillary's Oval Office Throne.
For all her campaigning in Kentucky, Bill's popularity in KY, and revealing her post election role for Bill, Hillary "won" Kentucky by 0.5% over Bernie Sanders.
California will be Bernie's victory and Hillary's Waterloo.
For all her campaigning in Kentucky, Bill's popularity in KY, and revealing her post election role for Bill, Hillary "won" Kentucky by 0.5% over Bernie Sanders.
California will be Bernie's victory and Hillary's Waterloo.
15
Well said!
1
Ah, Gail. Hillary gets bashed for her loyalty to Bill and to Barack. Now that she is running on her own, she still carries the baggage of those previous administrations. So how can she distance herself from them when everyone sees her by those lights?
The truth is, she is a woman who is still being seen as a helpmeet of the men she served.
Let's do the truly revolutionary thing so little girls and boys can grow up knowing mommy can be the leader of the free world.
The truth is, she is a woman who is still being seen as a helpmeet of the men she served.
Let's do the truly revolutionary thing so little girls and boys can grow up knowing mommy can be the leader of the free world.
2
Gail, all you say is absolutely true. Bill cannot be in the wings as though Hillary were the shadow candidate now and shadow president: go home, Bill. I say this with affection and regards, but you've put it out there and it must be said. Again. And it surprised me that she said she'd "expect hi to go to work...to get incomes rising." The economic role of president as important as the foreign affairs side: take charge and get out there and lead this country as you so capably can do, Hillary. Bernie wags his finger too often, but Bill leaves his mouth open and frankly, looks weary. Charge the hill, Hillary. I see your approach as somewhere between Bernie's hoarse exhortations and Obama's cool preacherly, professorial tone. Women want to hear your message, and tell of your moment of truth from Goldwater days to the change that became your life's work. What is Bernie doing? Jumped on the Dem. train and now is the chief engineer? His way or no way? I have to believe some of HIllary's fundraising does flow downstream to other Dem., and in Texas, we may be too underwater w/GOP'ers to be able to swim to the surface, but it would be terrific to have the real candidate she who knows much, Hillary.
2
To hold up Bill Clinton of an example of what we or our economy should aspire too must be some kind of insider joke or does everyone have selective amnesia? N.A.F.T.A., Glass Steagell Repeal, Dot Com boom(which created the illusory boom) followed by the "bigger bust" that wiped out lots of regular folks savings and 401k's, "welfare reform" (transfer of money from the poor to the rich) pardoning Rich, Ron Burkle, Kazakistan deals, yeah old Bill was a paragon of virtue who really had the best interest of the middle class at heart, that's what has allowed he and Hill to quickly amass a fortune north of one hundred fifty million not counting the billions the y control in the Clinton Foundation. Are the American people reall this gullible? Apparently so there are lots of Hillary supporters chiming in with very few facts. Don't worry though should she win the nomination The Donald will have no trouble reminding the world of the Clinton transgressions. Oh, and one more thing get ready for a draft, with Hillary, if she makes good in all her pledges to Israel you can bet we will be dying and paying for that mess for another sixty years. Bernie for the truth and Bernie for change!
13
Agree 100%. Hillary wants it SO bad, she's grasping at every and anything.
That's why no one believes anything she says.
That's why no one believes anything she says.
16
I wonder who is the Mephistopheles advising Mrs Faustus? Surely it's not the comic book salesman advising Bernie Sanders.
Ashis Gupta
Calgary, Canada
Ashis Gupta
Calgary, Canada
3
Yes, Hillary was Obama's heir in So Carolina. Since then -- not so much. Hence the promise that Bill will get the economy going. This aligns with Wasserman-Schultz's (disasterous) strategy in the '14 congressional elections, running as far from BO as possible. Sheesh!
6
What's going to be more troubling is when voters realize she is reassembling the same old economic team that repealed Glass-Steagall, blocked any regulation of the derivatives market, and fed us NAFTA. Bill's zipper problems will be the least of her worries.
20
How could Mrs. Clinton or anyone in her campaign or holding the leadership of the Democratic Party consider that Senator Sanders is "disloyal" to Mrs. Clinton?
Don't they understand that Sanders and Clinton are running against each other for the nomination, whether or not she's been unofficially and very prematurely "crowned" by the NY Times or any other politician or media as the presumptive nominee.
In fact, there are a number of things people should stop saying about Senator Sanders. For a clear exposition of what they are, check this out:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/bernie-sanders-esta...
Don't they understand that Sanders and Clinton are running against each other for the nomination, whether or not she's been unofficially and very prematurely "crowned" by the NY Times or any other politician or media as the presumptive nominee.
In fact, there are a number of things people should stop saying about Senator Sanders. For a clear exposition of what they are, check this out:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/bernie-sanders-esta...
15
Amen to all of this. Great column! Nobody wants a president's spouse to be making policy in any way, whether that spouse is Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump or Bill Clinton. Saying Bill would be "in charge of revitalizing the economy" is bizarre at worst, clumsy at best. As you say, doesn't anyone in her campaign remember how badly "two for one" went in 1993?
6
Gail, you're right. But pushing Bill out of the future governing process would deny us the opportunity to see what the current Mrs. Trump would do - Donald won't let Hillary beat him on a "President +" package approach.
2
Bill is brilliant and exudes caring...but he leaves a bad taste in the mouth...He sold us on trade agreements and never followed through on the idea of retraining American workers for the better paying jobs. He signed a crime bill that was initially advertised as a positive advancement and now seen as a fiasco in criminal justice but which he is blaming the Republicans for..
Bill is a natural deal maker...maybe there could be room for him behind the scenes in negotiating with GOP lawmakers...horse trading in order to get legislation enacted.
But unleashing Bill Clinton sounds like a headache.
Bill is a natural deal maker...maybe there could be room for him behind the scenes in negotiating with GOP lawmakers...horse trading in order to get legislation enacted.
But unleashing Bill Clinton sounds like a headache.
6
I was considering voting for Mrs. Clinton until the moment she announced that Bill, who is largely responsible for starting the downhill economic avalanche that has eviscerated the American middle and working class, would be put in charge of 'revitalizing' the economy.
Based on his record, Bill only knows how to come up with economic proposals that won't make wealthy people angry while beating down people who actually work for a living. His two terms were the poster child for kissing Chamber of Commerce posterior.
That proposal of hers is probably the most frightening thing I've heard all election (and that includes EVERYTHING Trump has said), and there's NO WAY she's getting my vote now.
I will vote for Sanders in the California primary, and if she is the Democratic candidate in November, although I will vote, will not cast a vote for President at all.
Based on his record, Bill only knows how to come up with economic proposals that won't make wealthy people angry while beating down people who actually work for a living. His two terms were the poster child for kissing Chamber of Commerce posterior.
That proposal of hers is probably the most frightening thing I've heard all election (and that includes EVERYTHING Trump has said), and there's NO WAY she's getting my vote now.
I will vote for Sanders in the California primary, and if she is the Democratic candidate in November, although I will vote, will not cast a vote for President at all.
14
Gail, that America's first woman President will be the wife of an ex-President was not inevitable and speaks very poorly about our democracy - puts us in the company of less mature South American, Asian and African democracies, where women Presidents/Prime Ministers (at least they have them unlike us) are often wives/widows or daughters of ex-Presidents/PMs, but even in those regions NOT in the case of Bachelet of Chile, Rouseff of Brazil, Tsai-Ing Wen (unmarried) of Taiwan, Bidhya Devi Bhandari of Nepal, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, Mame Madior Boye AND Aminata Touré Of Senegal, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and others. Then there is Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, and Angela Merkel and others. The world's oldest democracy, America, should be embarrassed and ashamed.
7
That Hillary thinks that her husband is more of a political asset than a liability shows how out of touch she is with the current electorate. Talk about baggage, Hillary wants to carry Bill's, too, in addition to her own.
13
Hillary should present herself as the president who will rebuild America and put Americans to work doing it.
1
With the NYTimes working tirelessly to make Bernie just "disappear", and with the Shadow of Slick Willie looming, I can't help but think that going forward the entire wonderful Great American Freedom, Truth & Liberty Election Selection System (GrAFT-LESS) has degenerated into a Really Bad Sidewalk Act one might find on a Sunday afternoon in a tourist area:
• Carnival barker with chipmunk on head = check
• Semi-trained, grey-haired, horny, talking monkey with a cup, always asking for money from rich tourists = check
• Past-her-prime woman pumping an accordion she can barely play, all the while trying to keep the monkey from humping women's legs = check
Can't we have this whole freak show swept off the sidewalk for offending public morals?
• Carnival barker with chipmunk on head = check
• Semi-trained, grey-haired, horny, talking monkey with a cup, always asking for money from rich tourists = check
• Past-her-prime woman pumping an accordion she can barely play, all the while trying to keep the monkey from humping women's legs = check
Can't we have this whole freak show swept off the sidewalk for offending public morals?
9
OMG! Talk about really, really bad ideas! Bill Clinton--the Wall Street enabler who created the toxic brew that led to The Great Recession by deregulating the Big Banks (by rescinding Glass-Steagall) and failing to take the advice of one of the few women he appointed to regulate derivatives while also forcing NAFTA down our now unemployed throats--is THE last person to trust handling our domestic economy!! Bad ideas + Bad Judgment = -Two Bad Clintons.
17
This is an old pattern. Bill leads and Hillary follows and we all applaud her success. She is only doing what she has always done. "I know you don't like me, but you like Bill and he is with me." That is not presidential.
And let's not even get into lack of judgment and the need to always obfuscate. wow
And let's not even get into lack of judgment and the need to always obfuscate. wow
16
Lying Hilliary is a bad candidate. She screeches when she talks. She is not fun to listen to.She in not uplifting. Plus no one can tell you when she is not lying.
10
"Implanting a husband in the center of White House policy-making is just a bad idea."
---------
Of course, Bill Clinton did exactly the same thing, when he told voters they'd get "two for the price of one," referring to Hillary, back when he first ran. And what a debacle that turned out to be when she took on health care reform.
---------
Of course, Bill Clinton did exactly the same thing, when he told voters they'd get "two for the price of one," referring to Hillary, back when he first ran. And what a debacle that turned out to be when she took on health care reform.
10
I'm a huge Hillary fan (was the first time around as well) and looking forward to her being our next President. Having said that, Gail Collins is spot-on - Hillary Clinton has all the skills and knowledge to be an incredible President in her own right. It's her time!
1
I would edit your headline, Gail, to read "Subtract Two Clintons." And you can delete Debbie Wasserman Schulz while you're at it.
18
Gail writes: "This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails. It’s time for Hillary to stand alone." YES! This reader to Hillary: Woman Up. Please. Also: Find something useful and ideally overseas for Bill so that we don't get Repeal Glass-Steagall Redux and more pampering/placating/pandering to Wall Street.
2
First of all. I agree. Goodbye, Bill. No one who remembers his terms as President, can dispute the fact that he left the country in better financial standing than when he first entered office -- Unfortunately, that is not what he will be best remembered for. That little-Blue-dress-from-Gap will win out every time...along with any other tawdry business.
And at this point, he's more of an encumbrance to Hillary Clinton than a boon.
She is battle-tested, and battle-scarred and there's little doubt that she can get the job done without him.
She should.
And at this point, he's more of an encumbrance to Hillary Clinton than a boon.
She is battle-tested, and battle-scarred and there's little doubt that she can get the job done without him.
She should.
1
G, Collins for VP!
1
Yes, yes. YOU can do this, Hillary. Please stop positioning Bill as if he's critical to your success.
2
Ms. Collins usually makes us think as she makes us smile. This morning she just makes good sense. Ms. Clinton and his advisors (especially THAT one) should take heed.
2
By the way, Gail, I must call you out on one of the most outrageous things I've ever seen you write:
Hillary is "one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office".
Whaat?!? Scary. If that statement is true in any way, I guess our country is truly doomed.
The only experience which qualifies someone for office is good experience. And for that, Hillary has absolutely nothing to show.
If she does manage to win, it will ONLY be because Trump was her opponent.
Hillary is "one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office".
Whaat?!? Scary. If that statement is true in any way, I guess our country is truly doomed.
The only experience which qualifies someone for office is good experience. And for that, Hillary has absolutely nothing to show.
If she does manage to win, it will ONLY be because Trump was her opponent.
13
If it wasn't for term limits Bill would probably still be President. So why shouldn't Hilary promote his services in the campaign. More Republican whining.
Amen sister.
3
I keep hearing how Clinton is the "most qualified" person to ever run for the office. No she is NOT. She is qualified certainly, but .....
She does qualify for the worst campaigner since Michael Dukakis, however.
It is not going to be up to Bernie Sanders to persuade his followers (devotees?) to switch to her if she does indeed win the nomination. It is going to be up to her to persuade me and them that she is not just another neo-con sporting blue instead of red.
If she needs to channel old democratic voices she would do better to choose either Eleanor or Franklin Roosevelt. Bill needs to go away for a while.
She does qualify for the worst campaigner since Michael Dukakis, however.
It is not going to be up to Bernie Sanders to persuade his followers (devotees?) to switch to her if she does indeed win the nomination. It is going to be up to her to persuade me and them that she is not just another neo-con sporting blue instead of red.
If she needs to channel old democratic voices she would do better to choose either Eleanor or Franklin Roosevelt. Bill needs to go away for a while.
14
Have you seen Bill Clinton on the TV recently? He does not appear healthy. Cachectic, almost bulemic, if you ask me. Not that these are disqualifiers to being First Spouse, but still. He doesn't look like he needs to lifting heavy loads. Which, as Gail points out, he shouldn't be, even if he resembled Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime.
This whole race has turned into a fiasco, with the Democrats joining the festivities a bit late in the game, and jumping in head first without checking to see how deep the water is. The Dems have reclaimed their status as the party Will Rogers described when he said, "I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat."
The less said about Bill at this point, the better. I'm afraid too much has been said already. Even Trump's most avid supporters know he's damaged goods; it's even part of his appeal. But Hillary? This is no time to be shooting herself in one foot, let alone reloading for the other one.
This whole race has turned into a fiasco, with the Democrats joining the festivities a bit late in the game, and jumping in head first without checking to see how deep the water is. The Dems have reclaimed their status as the party Will Rogers described when he said, "I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a Democrat."
The less said about Bill at this point, the better. I'm afraid too much has been said already. Even Trump's most avid supporters know he's damaged goods; it's even part of his appeal. But Hillary? This is no time to be shooting herself in one foot, let alone reloading for the other one.
10
Speaking as a man who hopes to see women acquire power by means of their own strengths rather than men's weaknesses, Gail Collins's piece speaks for me.
2
Right on, Gail! So right that I don't even miss your usual humor.
2
Does 1 Clinton minus 1 Cllinton = 0 Clintons?
4
Gail your column today was lacking your usual humor and I am glad for that as this turn of events is not funny...at all. I hope Hillary reads your words and takes them to heart. The quotes were unfamiliar and just shocked me. I had visions of Bill handing out cookies to kids and working in Michelle's garden. Bill made a mistake putting Hillary in charge of health care and she should not make this mistake with her husband. Talk through ideas on policy while you are (hopefully) cuddled in bed for the night.
2
Key & Peele had a great bit with the Anger Interpreter for Obama. Maybe Bill can come out a couple times a week and 'Mansplain' his wife's policies for us.
AGREE!!
Hillary Clinton has come a long way since 2008, and she is more than qualified in her own right to be president. I loved Bill as president, but I want to see Hillary as president, not a two-fer. And lately, he's been a loose cannon. Stand on your own two feet, Hillary!!
Hillary Clinton has come a long way since 2008, and she is more than qualified in her own right to be president. I loved Bill as president, but I want to see Hillary as president, not a two-fer. And lately, he's been a loose cannon. Stand on your own two feet, Hillary!!
1
Gail, you're too kind to Hillary. The fact is, she stands for nothing other than: "It's my turn."
14
I didn't actually vote for Bill both times. Never liked his re-make of the Democratic Party into Republican Lite, although I understand and appreciate his political smarts in seeing the need for it (in the face of the country's rightward slide) and getting it done, intelligently even.
I WANT TO VOTE FOR HILLARY. Hillary the hard worker, Hillary the policy wonk, Hillary the average-views, middle-of-the-road, mainstream Methodist midwesterner, Hillary who will never ever ever buckle under Congressional obstructionism, Hillary who does not quit, Hillary who listens and learns, Hillary who cares, HILLARY THE WOMAN.
Bill should stay in the background. It's time for women to drive the bus. Take over, Hillary!
I WANT TO VOTE FOR HILLARY. Hillary the hard worker, Hillary the policy wonk, Hillary the average-views, middle-of-the-road, mainstream Methodist midwesterner, Hillary who will never ever ever buckle under Congressional obstructionism, Hillary who does not quit, Hillary who listens and learns, Hillary who cares, HILLARY THE WOMAN.
Bill should stay in the background. It's time for women to drive the bus. Take over, Hillary!
As usual , timely , helpful criticism. I've been increasingly worried that we're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory here. There's no way we could lose to a baboon like Trump ( sorry baboons) except by doing pretty much all of the things we've been doing. She needs to listen to Gail, and add in some bold Buulworth type bombshells, like promising Canadian style universal health care, renunciation of hawk like positions, asking Bernie to be VP. , asking Liz Warren to be VP, promising liberal SCOTUS choices to counter Antonin Thomas Trump, and BB. ( banish bill ). He would LOVE to be ambassador to France. If not, I'm available.
3
I 100% DISAGREE with you on this, Gail. A good President, regardless of gender, should use EVERY asset available to her to govern successfully. In this case, Hillary Clinton has a formidable asset in Bill Clinton, who happens to be her husband. If she can get him to work for us for free, more power to her and us. The only reason not to use Bill Clinton is if she wants to let the gender trap of being the "first" woman president box her in. She should say no to anything that limits her flexibility to govern effectively.
3
Bill back to the White to bring back jobs? "It all depends on your definition of job" Madam President, do not bring him near the Oval, please, haha.
But then if the majority of the Americans did not really care back in the times why should they now, twenty years after the affair? Yeah, those were "youthful indiscretions", as the "revered" Republican and devout catholic in charge of the impeachment referred to his own extramarital affair, at age 41. Bill is a reformed guy, a "late-day-saint" in all matters sexual, though the same can not be said in all matters money, which remain as murky as ever. That would pose many a conflict of interest.
But then I cringe at the circus of the other boorish guy going after the first couple ever: who, do you really need a Raper-in-Chief?= go back to the Times chronicle of past Sunday -notwithstanding Ivana Trump's millionaire settlement obligation to retract herself and keep her mouth shut for good.
Yuck, 2016 turned out to be truly about the least of two evils and it is not difficult to choose which one is.
-
But then if the majority of the Americans did not really care back in the times why should they now, twenty years after the affair? Yeah, those were "youthful indiscretions", as the "revered" Republican and devout catholic in charge of the impeachment referred to his own extramarital affair, at age 41. Bill is a reformed guy, a "late-day-saint" in all matters sexual, though the same can not be said in all matters money, which remain as murky as ever. That would pose many a conflict of interest.
But then I cringe at the circus of the other boorish guy going after the first couple ever: who, do you really need a Raper-in-Chief?= go back to the Times chronicle of past Sunday -notwithstanding Ivana Trump's millionaire settlement obligation to retract herself and keep her mouth shut for good.
Yuck, 2016 turned out to be truly about the least of two evils and it is not difficult to choose which one is.
-
"Most qualified people ever"?
Dear me. The job description must have changed a bit.
Ms. Clinton just wants to be President. She doesn't even know why.
Dear me. The job description must have changed a bit.
Ms. Clinton just wants to be President. She doesn't even know why.
13
Excellent column. I hope Hillary and her advisers read it and take the advice.
1
Aww, Gail...don't be a spoil sport. I am personally rooting for Bill to stay front and center.
The last thing this country needs is to elect someone like Hillary Clinton! Her 'record' of ethically-challenged behavior speaks for itself.
1500 characters are too few to enumerate the many reasons why she should never be entrusted with the Presidency. But I will say this...she's more Nixon than Nixon.
The last thing this country needs is to elect someone like Hillary Clinton! Her 'record' of ethically-challenged behavior speaks for itself.
1500 characters are too few to enumerate the many reasons why she should never be entrusted with the Presidency. But I will say this...she's more Nixon than Nixon.
4
Thank you Gail Collins! Hillary should ask Bill to take a round-the-world cruise and come back in November, after the election. In this race, the spotlight should be on Hillary and on her alone. If elected (and God help us, I pray she will be), she will be President. It is not a shared job, and this race should never be considered between Trump and The Clinton Couple. She will be the person with her finger on the several buttons of power. If she continues to include Bill, this will play right into the upcoming criticism of Bill's administration, which Trump will do his best to paste on Hillary's forehead.
2
Hillarious is lost. She's a woman without confidence, so has to rely on the man, men, Slick Willie and Barrak, to be in charge.
Scary.
And now a poll shows das Drumpf ahead of her. And leading Democratic women are whining about Bernie. It's sort of a catfight: Debbie, Barbara, and Hillary extolling the two men and deprecating a third, Bernie.
The Dems have to realize that Bernie can win, and it now seems possible that Hillary can lose.
Chuck the super delegates and Feel (and Feed) the Bern!
Scary.
And now a poll shows das Drumpf ahead of her. And leading Democratic women are whining about Bernie. It's sort of a catfight: Debbie, Barbara, and Hillary extolling the two men and deprecating a third, Bernie.
The Dems have to realize that Bernie can win, and it now seems possible that Hillary can lose.
Chuck the super delegates and Feel (and Feed) the Bern!
6
Oh, and just a reminder. Gore left Clinton behind during his run and look where it got us. It's time to face facts, Mrs. Clinton is a VERY WEAK candidate. She needs all the help she can get, even against a seeming walk over in the form of Mr. Trump. The Cinton camp have a Gore/Kerry/Dukakis/Mondale problem and it don't look good for their side.
3
Notwithstanding the McCarthy like witch hunts that expose the ritualistic need of terribly embarrassing rightwing legislatives to elevate by most crude baseness their miscreant selves, the eleven hours that was the Bengazi Crucible showed the true grit , professionalism and intelligence of the Lady who One hopes will be the next President of the U.S. The center must hold and not yield to the extremes of right or left that propose those seemingly simple sweeping solutions to complex problems.
A woman's husband's infidelity becomes HER baggage? This coming from alleged feminist Gail? This is a reprehensible, irresponsible parroting of the GOP's nasty talking points against Mrs. Clinton. Shame on you, Gail Collins!
2
Subtract all Clintons and Bushes! We are not a kingdom with 2 roses as
battling ruling dynasties.
battling ruling dynasties.
7
Hillary is starting to consistently lose to Trump in head-to-head polling. Bernie always beats Trump.
But the Dems will pick the disliked, mistrusted Wall Street candidate, "Dead broke" Moneybags Hillary.
But the Dems will pick the disliked, mistrusted Wall Street candidate, "Dead broke" Moneybags Hillary.
8
The Clinton fatigue is turning into exhaustion. And she is not in the White House yet.
9
Ms Gail, this is perhaps the best advice and observation I have seen in a long time. with heavy passion and partisan behavior, the subtle facts get missed. Ms HRC since days in the college has shown role of independent thinking, and often she has said "I am not running on my husband's third term or Obamas third term" and yet that seems to be continuing impression. Sooner she gets out from that image, better her candidacy and country will be. I hope, HRC or some of her trusted advisors do read your column and the comments.!!
1
Every time I see his smug, (probably) plastic-surgeried face, I tell him to go home, sit down and shut up. He's doing her campaign real harm and you've nicely outlined the reasons. Another one is his predilection of making verbal blunders that actually damage HRC - accidental or unconscious? Hmmm.
3
Hillary's comments about Bill made me cringe. Don't tell voters you'll leave all that "hard money/economy stuff" to your husband. First, it harkens back to a time when men managed money for women. And it reminds me of when you casually mention the bag of candy you have in the pantry when trying to get your kids to do what you need them to do.
Regardless of how you feel about Hillary or how likable or unlikable she is, she knows stuff. She is the wonkiest of wonks. She doesn't need to leave anything to Bill, though like most first spouses, he will surely advise her privately. Hillary probably advised Bill on the economy and job creation when he was in office.
Hillary isn't cool like Bill or Justin Trudeau or Obama. She is the nerd you go to when you are trying to figure out how to do something you find boring and complicated. Hillary needs to be Hillary and continue to talk about her 45 years of experience.
Regardless of how you feel about Hillary or how likable or unlikable she is, she knows stuff. She is the wonkiest of wonks. She doesn't need to leave anything to Bill, though like most first spouses, he will surely advise her privately. Hillary probably advised Bill on the economy and job creation when he was in office.
Hillary isn't cool like Bill or Justin Trudeau or Obama. She is the nerd you go to when you are trying to figure out how to do something you find boring and complicated. Hillary needs to be Hillary and continue to talk about her 45 years of experience.
1
You read my mind! I totally agree! Imagine a man tying his run for office to his wife's accomplishments! Wouldn't happen.
2
Well said, and about time Hillary listen. Bill has a habit of stepping on her lines and into her spotlight. She doesn't need his help except perhaps behind the scenes with fundraising. If she hasn't learned that from 2008 this will be her last chance; she'll not get a third run at the presidency.
2
And while Bill and Hillary offer so much more, still, I couldn't help but recall the horror stories out of Alaska when Sarah Palin let First Dude sit at the table and have a significant role in her administration.
Has it really come to that for Hillary?
Has it really come to that for Hillary?
2
This column reminded me once again why I am repulsed by the idea of the Clintons occupying the White House again. Ugh. But I will vote for Hillary and dance a merry jig after doing it before I ever vote for DJT!
Hillary, Pay attention to Gail! She expresses perfectly what your supporters are thinking regarding being your own person as a candidate and as a president.
After months of Trump, I am ok with continuity I can believe in. Now, having said that, I couldn't agree more---lose Bill and fast. After that meeting, sit down with your team, and make a list 3 bullet points of your vision for this country---here's a hint--jobs, jobs, jobs.
1
"she is one of the most qualified...."
that is in and of itself a subtle put down: where are the accomplishments ?
we all know people in their 50s and 60s who have lots of qualifications but , for whatever reason, haven't done anything
that is in and of itself a subtle put down: where are the accomplishments ?
we all know people in their 50s and 60s who have lots of qualifications but , for whatever reason, haven't done anything
2
Perhaps if Hillary put Bill in a car-top carrier and drove to Ontario Gail would acquiesce to his presence?
No Bill at all. If he does do anything, he does it without money pay.
"This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office . . ." I know Hillary's qualified, and so do you, Gail, but does the average voter? I'm fed up with hearing her disparaged from the Right and the Left - even Bernie seems to be going crazy at times, and some of his supporters are worse.
We don't dare risk a Trump presidency. Let Hillary use whatever assets she has: Bill is still liked, and still articulate. Maybe he'll be the best one to identify the blond-haired loudmouth for what he is: a pitiful narcissist who will say anything to get attention. Hillary needs to stay above the fray and talk policy. Let Bill be Bill. He just might be useful.
We don't dare risk a Trump presidency. Let Hillary use whatever assets she has: Bill is still liked, and still articulate. Maybe he'll be the best one to identify the blond-haired loudmouth for what he is: a pitiful narcissist who will say anything to get attention. Hillary needs to stay above the fray and talk policy. Let Bill be Bill. He just might be useful.
1
Hillary's turning the old mantra of the Clintonites "8 for Bill, then 8 for Hill" into "8 for Bill, then 8 for Hill any way you will". I smell desperation in the Clinton camp as they try to cope with her high negatives and the electorate's frustration with both party's record of maintaining the middle class. She will not be winning the election this year. Although the Republicans might lose.
8
Whether or not she plans to put Bill in a critical, policy position, I can't believe she actually said it. This is trumpish behavior, where you can't tell the difference between pandering and policy proposal. Sounds like she got rattled.
3
Gail,
Once again, I appreciate your fair minded approach to everything. As a first wave feminist I want Hillary to show the best women can be. And she is my clear second choice after Bernie. She is still just too much the ex-Goldwater girl for me to really love her.
Although I have loved your articles on the orange bully, it was also refreshing today to see the NYTimes NOT have the majority of the banner articles about that bully.
If you attend editor's meetings, please point out that before the Iraq war the NYT was disappointingly for the war and they almost lost me as a reader after decades. Now the lack of good articles about Bernie yet the abundant news about the orange bully, and the very early editorials for Hillary are making this subscriber of 35 years search elsewhere for fair news.
But you, Gail are always fair and often the funniest piece in the paper..usually the funniest, today really just smart and fair. Thanks.
Once again, I appreciate your fair minded approach to everything. As a first wave feminist I want Hillary to show the best women can be. And she is my clear second choice after Bernie. She is still just too much the ex-Goldwater girl for me to really love her.
Although I have loved your articles on the orange bully, it was also refreshing today to see the NYTimes NOT have the majority of the banner articles about that bully.
If you attend editor's meetings, please point out that before the Iraq war the NYT was disappointingly for the war and they almost lost me as a reader after decades. Now the lack of good articles about Bernie yet the abundant news about the orange bully, and the very early editorials for Hillary are making this subscriber of 35 years search elsewhere for fair news.
But you, Gail are always fair and often the funniest piece in the paper..usually the funniest, today really just smart and fair. Thanks.
1
Thank you.
I hope the Hillary campaign is listening.
I hope the Hillary campaign is listening.
1
"One of the most qualified people ever to run for the office"? Can anyone seriously write this? And the whitewash of Bill Clinton's sexual abuse of women over decades? Does anyone still wonder why the media is held in such contempt?
7
does anybody truly believe that bill Clinton won't be an enormous influence if Hillary became potus? whether or not you like or hate him, he held the job and has a pretty good idea of the problems and pressures that come with it. it'd be unrealistic to think he won't play a large role--either up front or behind the scenes....
5
If Hillary Clinton wants to shed her label of not looking enough to the future, then she would do very well to take Ms. Collins' advice.
Evidently, vegan diets can make folks look old, frail, and act like petulant brats. Bill should sneak in a few trips to BK or McD's for some burgers of old. He was way more appealing when he made those junk-food runs. Hillary should find some interns to fatten him up and keep him off the trail with happy meals. He's not helping.
6
I know this comment is on the fringe of being appropriate, but not only should Bill simply sit down and shut his mouth in the sense of "butt out", but in the literal sense, too. Standing behind his wife with his mouth perpetually open as though about to drool, is a visual she doesn't need ….. yes, Bill was once vibrant, youthful, quick-witted and full of new ideas. But those days are past. Now he is a reminder of the passage of time and the toll it takes on us all. Bill is beloved by many and some will cherish the memories. Let's leave it that way and focus in Hillary - not the adoring old man behind her.
1
If HRC can't make it on her own, she should withdraw. Leaning on hubby is hardly presidential.
3
First, you forgot Millicent Fenwick!
Second, if spouses play a pivotal role why did you neglect to mention Jane Sanders. Your paper recently reported that she ran Burlington College into the ground and then accepted a $200K severence. Quit being so sexist Ms. Collins!
Second, if spouses play a pivotal role why did you neglect to mention Jane Sanders. Your paper recently reported that she ran Burlington College into the ground and then accepted a $200K severence. Quit being so sexist Ms. Collins!
3
I concur!
1
Gail, you were doing great until you got to your second to the last sentence: "This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails."
Good grief, woman, you just made the case that her Bill and Barack strategy to bolster her weakness as a candidate isn't the answer either! Mrs. Clinton is NOT qualified for this office any more than she was for the healhcare assignment Bill gave her years ago.
Hillary will be the one to go home. Bernie isn't done with her yet. Subtract two Clintons, one Sanders and one Trump....what does that leave you? The first election that nobody voted.
Good grief, woman, you just made the case that her Bill and Barack strategy to bolster her weakness as a candidate isn't the answer either! Mrs. Clinton is NOT qualified for this office any more than she was for the healhcare assignment Bill gave her years ago.
Hillary will be the one to go home. Bernie isn't done with her yet. Subtract two Clintons, one Sanders and one Trump....what does that leave you? The first election that nobody voted.
6
He should be "Back Door Bill". Have no specific role but be able to slide in quietly to offer advice with complex situations, maybe make a few speeches here and there. Maybe clean the litter box. Nothing formal, but too good a resource to waste. Hillary can and should run on her own.
Billary and Slick Willie, the Executive tag team -- Oh my God!
Could it be more smarmy? Nope.
Could it be more smarmy? Nope.
4
There's only one thing could help Hillary's image more than getting Bill out of sight and out of mind. That's getting Hillary out of sight and out of mind. And they're trying it. Anyone remember Hillary's last press conference?
4
Yes. She's diminutizing herself.
Having now witnessed two times out of the gate by Hillary at the Presidential Race, I think it is fair so say that if there is a major strategic error waiting to be made, Team Clinton will make it.
And that--if she wins the nomination and then the general in November, it WON'T be because of the campaign she waged--it will be inspite of it.
If that sounds like I'm being harsh here--let's count some of the ways.
She launches her campaign, by releasing a campaign graphic that features a giant, Republican-red arrow--pointing right--and away for a big blue H--all of which looks like it was inspired by a highway traffic sign indicating there is a hospital near the next exit.
Her campaign strategy is built on portraying her as a member in good standing with the elite--who knows how to get things done with that elite--at a time when anger at that elite is manifest across the political spectrum.
Her competitive strategy for meeting the Sanders' challenge in the primary election can be summed up as "Stop dreaming, diminish your expectations and be happy with the fraction of a loaf that I know how deliver (it's all your gonna get.)
As Joe Biden summed it up, in a NYTimes interview: "I don't think any Democrat's ever won saying, 'We can't think that big – we ought to really downsize here because it's not realistic..."
And, now--the whole, here come's Bill routine to let the economic good times of the 1990's roll again.
Blind to the fact going there brings up the bad times, too.
And that--if she wins the nomination and then the general in November, it WON'T be because of the campaign she waged--it will be inspite of it.
If that sounds like I'm being harsh here--let's count some of the ways.
She launches her campaign, by releasing a campaign graphic that features a giant, Republican-red arrow--pointing right--and away for a big blue H--all of which looks like it was inspired by a highway traffic sign indicating there is a hospital near the next exit.
Her campaign strategy is built on portraying her as a member in good standing with the elite--who knows how to get things done with that elite--at a time when anger at that elite is manifest across the political spectrum.
Her competitive strategy for meeting the Sanders' challenge in the primary election can be summed up as "Stop dreaming, diminish your expectations and be happy with the fraction of a loaf that I know how deliver (it's all your gonna get.)
As Joe Biden summed it up, in a NYTimes interview: "I don't think any Democrat's ever won saying, 'We can't think that big – we ought to really downsize here because it's not realistic..."
And, now--the whole, here come's Bill routine to let the economic good times of the 1990's roll again.
Blind to the fact going there brings up the bad times, too.
7
Bill Clinton is still a very popular figure, charismatic, a great speaker, and an electric presence wherever he goes, he is a great campaigner. He is experienced and has a great understanding of how to pick and frame issues. Not utilizing him would be like having LeBron James on your street and not asking him to play a pickup game for your team, just so you can prove you can do it without him. Great idea unless you really want to win.
1
You are wrong. Why dont you write about Bernies reliance on Jane, a failed college president? Or Donald's reliance on women for eye candy? I'm sick and tired of op Ed pieces that are one sided on stuff that only adds to the publics resentment of strong, smart, powerful women. It's time for you to stand up for qualifications and 30 plus years of dedication.
1
Hillary is making a huge mistake by dragging Bill into her administration. He's radioactive, turning off a lot of voters. She shows immense weakness by relying on Bill and Obama to bolster her campaign. Weak, lazy and dependent. Who needs that and who needs Bill we were all glad to see the last of him when he left office. He was a major embarrassment. Hillary's step up to the plate or drop out.
1
How about both Clintons retiring from politics?
10
Ok, let's choose.
Bill and Hillary or Donald and Melania.
Come on Ms. Collins and your point is ?
We have a clear choice here.
Don't blur the obvious please.
Bill and Hillary or Donald and Melania.
Come on Ms. Collins and your point is ?
We have a clear choice here.
Don't blur the obvious please.
2
100% for HRC and 100% agree Bill has jumped the shark.
Women who follow their spouses into political offices usually do so as widows. It does simplify their lives.
I will vote for her, but this shows further examples of poor judgment.
2
I agree 1000%. Stand on your own and give us a real reason you want to be president.
4
François Hollande has explored some of this territory.
His ex-companion, Valérie Trierweiler, was credited with giving Hollande the spine to be elected President, but when he treated her with crushing disrespect, she disappeared into a nervous breakdown.
Hollande then took the next obvious step, and brought on board Ségolène Royal, his ex-partner, and the mother of his children as Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy.
Royal took on this responsibility after having unsuccessfully run for President, the job currently held by her ex-partner, and the father of her children.
Although he is a Socialist, and the former leader of the Socialist Party, Hollande takes his primary direction from the unemployment figures, and has already abandoned much of what might be considered the thinking of the Socialist Party in an effort to stave off increases in unemployment.
For the viewing public this situation is a nice illustration of dedication to political power that goes beyond the rhetoric of policy, and ideals.
His ex-companion, Valérie Trierweiler, was credited with giving Hollande the spine to be elected President, but when he treated her with crushing disrespect, she disappeared into a nervous breakdown.
Hollande then took the next obvious step, and brought on board Ségolène Royal, his ex-partner, and the mother of his children as Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy.
Royal took on this responsibility after having unsuccessfully run for President, the job currently held by her ex-partner, and the father of her children.
Although he is a Socialist, and the former leader of the Socialist Party, Hollande takes his primary direction from the unemployment figures, and has already abandoned much of what might be considered the thinking of the Socialist Party in an effort to stave off increases in unemployment.
For the viewing public this situation is a nice illustration of dedication to political power that goes beyond the rhetoric of policy, and ideals.
1
I am used to having a good laugh when I read a Gail Collins editorial. Who can forget her disclosure that Romney carried his dog on the roof of his car on the way to a vacation? But she is absolutely right in this column. Hillary's credentials are enough so that she does not have to promise to make Bill such a central part of her administration. I admire the man despite his sexual escapades and remember the way he could dish it back to Republicans. But get someone else as your job creator. I have close friends who are concerned that Bill would play a role like that. And they are Democrats,
2
Perhaps someone should tell her NAFTA is Bill's never ending gift of suffering to America. That's more than enough. The corporations and banks love it, everyone else, not so much.
But Hillary is demonstrating she won't let reality get in the way of a good story.
But Hillary is demonstrating she won't let reality get in the way of a good story.
4
What's all this talk of the Clinton's. We want to hear about Trumpy McTwoface!
2
Totally agree with Gail Collins. Bill should go home. Hillary can and must stand alone.
1
Less wonk and more populist messaging is in order, but I'm sticking with a real Democrat, not the Socialist in donkey clothing.
2
Not so ?notable there was a president t of Argentina who was barred from succeeding g himself for a third term, so his wife ran (and was elected). Can't wait to see Billary flounce on stage doing a tango!
1
She should be able to get her talking points on an index card. She has too many messages to fit on the card. This confuses her image.
3
It's a mistake to put Bill back to the white house. Americans don't want a 3rd term president, especially one who were threaten with impeachment over the Monica affair. It will just turn off many independents and GOPs who may vote for her because they dislike Trump.
Lame idea, she needs a new strategist !
Lame idea, she needs a new strategist !
3
Gail makes some good points. On the other hand, Hillary simply can't get elected without him; Bill is the Clinton Democrats love and want back in the White House, God forbid !!
2
Having Bill in the forefront will be more fodder for Trump and his gang.
This article is deranged by the prejudices of the author. Keep writing and Trump will win.
1
Hillary could make Bill chief Charge d'Affaires.
7
She's doing what she and her campaign think will help her get elected. Whether or not Bill will play a major role in her administration... Who knows? Not the point.
4
Hillary should win on her own merits. She is also a poor voice for feminism as so much of her career is derived from Bill's presidency. She married into power.
5
Bill Clinton was a disgraceful President, as much as his successor George W. Bush. Hillary Clinton should keep him as far away from the White House (IF she's President) as possible. Otherwise, he'll be nailing many of the interns.
3
Not so fast, Ms. Collins! The primaries aren't over and Bernie Sanders is the only candidate favored to beat Mr. Trump in November. So it's unlikely Hillary Clinton will have the opportunity to give her husband any role in the White House.
7
How about getting a divorce?
2
The first woman president should stand on her own two feet, not tell America, 'Don't worry about the economy, my hubby is going to handle that for me.'
It's a terrible look for a feminist.
It's a terrible look for a feminist.
9
Kudos to Ms Collins for alluding to WJC's role in setting the table for the '08 crash; doesn't get said enough in these pages. Always surprised when HRC talks about how good times were under Bill. Considering the unbroken middle-class income flatline from Reagan through the Clinton years, the go-go nineties look a lot like the go-go eighties. Great for the banks, for the rest us, not so much!
2
Presidents don't get a third term. Period. Hillary Clinton should stand alone and relegate Bill to the back of the stage where he can be seen not heard. She should not ceed power to her husband..why doesn't she get this?
2
Gail, you should be more worried about the damage Bernie is inflicting on her campaign - so much damage as to make her unelectable. Need a column on this.
Bernie supporters will stay home because they have been convinced to hate her.
Am I the only one who sees it this way? Why am I wrong?
Bernie supporters will stay home because they have been convinced to hate her.
Am I the only one who sees it this way? Why am I wrong?
2
Presidential Spouse is not an elected position and should not have a role in setting public policy. One Clinton Presidential Spouse failure is enough: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_health_care_plan_of_1993
3
By Jove, you've said it! I hope she reads this column. If she wants to connect with Bernie's young people, she has to give them something new. She was aggressive when she was young. She must remember. I agree with you about her credentials. But I think she has to stop shouting when she gives a speech. That old time religion is better left to those shills selling nothing to the stupid. It is okay to have a passion for the people and their plight. She needs to trust the idea that she is real and stop thinking about her public image. Everybody who knows her says she is smart and nice. I don't want to be told that. I want to see it.
1
How could the first woman President outsource her single biggest agenda item, the economy to her husband? Can you imagine hiring being on the board of Pepsi and interviewing Indra Nooyi and her response to how to bolster sales is that she will use her unpaid husband to take care of that job?
Weak and pandering. It will be just what Trump makes hay with.
Weak and pandering. It will be just what Trump makes hay with.
8
Since Hillary is a woman who needs a strong man to hold on to, maybe she would do well to run as Trump's Vice President; Republican lite, both.
9
Involving Bill is a recipe for disaster. No good can come of it.
Every time he opens his mouth we will be reminded of sex scandals, misguided crime bills, weakened financial regulations.
We want the president to be in charge of the economy. That's what we elect a president for. We do not want the presidency outsourced.
Did they learn nothing from their "two-for-one" offer in 1992? I'm old enough to remember it. Bad idea then, bad idea now.
People don't even like Bill anymore! His luster has faded.
This is just terrible. Trump has mesmerized the country with some sort of dark magic. Bernie has lost perspective and looks to be letting ambition rather than leadership be his guide. Meanwhile, the Bengazi report will be delivered in time to maximize the damage to her campaign. And Hillary's "unlikeability" is so blatantly sexist it makes me tired. (Why is this issue so rarely discussed?)
I am in despair. How can such a brilliant, qualified candidate so resolutely shoot herself in the foot! GO AWAY, Bill!!!
I REALLY hope the Clinton campaign will listen to you, Gail Collins.
Every time he opens his mouth we will be reminded of sex scandals, misguided crime bills, weakened financial regulations.
We want the president to be in charge of the economy. That's what we elect a president for. We do not want the presidency outsourced.
Did they learn nothing from their "two-for-one" offer in 1992? I'm old enough to remember it. Bad idea then, bad idea now.
People don't even like Bill anymore! His luster has faded.
This is just terrible. Trump has mesmerized the country with some sort of dark magic. Bernie has lost perspective and looks to be letting ambition rather than leadership be his guide. Meanwhile, the Bengazi report will be delivered in time to maximize the damage to her campaign. And Hillary's "unlikeability" is so blatantly sexist it makes me tired. (Why is this issue so rarely discussed?)
I am in despair. How can such a brilliant, qualified candidate so resolutely shoot herself in the foot! GO AWAY, Bill!!!
I REALLY hope the Clinton campaign will listen to you, Gail Collins.
3
She can't make it without him. That's why he's so visible, despite all his liabilities. Her whole career comes down to "I want to be the first woman president - but Bill, you go first."
Americans don't elect a president who's too weak to stand on her own. I'm afraid that sexist pig/crypto-fascist guy will mop the floor with her.
Americans don't elect a president who's too weak to stand on her own. I'm afraid that sexist pig/crypto-fascist guy will mop the floor with her.
8
Time for Barack Obama to step up and be a surrogate for Hillary Clinton just as she was in 2008 and 20012, why does he remains silent ?
Shame on Bernie Sanders to play Donald Trump card for him. His days are over and his greed for the limelight is blinding him, his wife`s influence is not working at all when the college she was the administrator went belly up for her wrong judgement enough of that.
Hillary Clinton has all the gifts to run the Country alone by her chosen cabinet and Bill Clinton should have no part in that !
Shame on Bernie Sanders to play Donald Trump card for him. His days are over and his greed for the limelight is blinding him, his wife`s influence is not working at all when the college she was the administrator went belly up for her wrong judgement enough of that.
Hillary Clinton has all the gifts to run the Country alone by her chosen cabinet and Bill Clinton should have no part in that !
1
Hillary keeps making mistakes, and calling Wild Bill, the economy czar is one of them. My advice for Bill's new tenure, is to get into the new bubble early and get out early enough to not lose our shirts. The dot com bubble, was no small event. It was very lucky for him to have it happen during his Presidency, a surge of economic optimism and employment for a sitting president was a gift, he had nothing to do with.
It all burst and came tumbling down. And, Bill's deregulation of the banks resulted in the Bush "great recession" from the housing bubble bursting seven years later. Throw in NAFTA, letting the jobs be shipped overseas, and Bill's short victories look pale to todays middle aged white guy who is defiantly NOT optimistic.
Trump, who is the best counter puncher ever in the history of American politics. Not only can he hit back with stinging jabs, he never gets hit. Here's the difference, Bill was walking around with a bible after the big scandal, "seeking spiritual guidance, (from Jesse Jackson, of all people). Trump, would never do that. He, actually has better judgment then Bill Clinton.
Hillary is scared, and vulnerable, and she needs the big guy. Trump is glib and thinks on his feet, and Bill Clinton will not be at the lectern when the debates happen. She will be reeling out a slew of facts, and facts, never win elections.
It all burst and came tumbling down. And, Bill's deregulation of the banks resulted in the Bush "great recession" from the housing bubble bursting seven years later. Throw in NAFTA, letting the jobs be shipped overseas, and Bill's short victories look pale to todays middle aged white guy who is defiantly NOT optimistic.
Trump, who is the best counter puncher ever in the history of American politics. Not only can he hit back with stinging jabs, he never gets hit. Here's the difference, Bill was walking around with a bible after the big scandal, "seeking spiritual guidance, (from Jesse Jackson, of all people). Trump, would never do that. He, actually has better judgment then Bill Clinton.
Hillary is scared, and vulnerable, and she needs the big guy. Trump is glib and thinks on his feet, and Bill Clinton will not be at the lectern when the debates happen. She will be reeling out a slew of facts, and facts, never win elections.
31
So true - doesn't Bill personify many of the things we do not like about H
19
I beg to differ slightly with Gail.
What Hillary says is all about electability. Hillary is too much of her own woman to get Bill an explicit seat at the table.
She mentions Bill at locations where she herself is not very popular but her husband was - i.e. Kentucky which Bill carried - which in itself is a surprise, looking back.
I know some people who don't like Hillary but have fond memories of the 90s prosperity. For better or worse , Hillary is just trying to remind those folks that she has very similar economic ideas as Bill does - which she does.
And she mentions Obama where Obama is popular - which is very natural - after all if Joe Biden had run, I am sure he would have wrapped himself in all things Obama.
Remember this! liberals and democrats - in the Convention, a photo opp will happen where Bill, Obama and Hillary will be on a single stage amongst wild cheering.
Republicans will not have that moment - all their living Presidents are not even attending the convention.
This is campaigning which is a function of as much addition as possible. Governing happens on another day!
What Hillary says is all about electability. Hillary is too much of her own woman to get Bill an explicit seat at the table.
She mentions Bill at locations where she herself is not very popular but her husband was - i.e. Kentucky which Bill carried - which in itself is a surprise, looking back.
I know some people who don't like Hillary but have fond memories of the 90s prosperity. For better or worse , Hillary is just trying to remind those folks that she has very similar economic ideas as Bill does - which she does.
And she mentions Obama where Obama is popular - which is very natural - after all if Joe Biden had run, I am sure he would have wrapped himself in all things Obama.
Remember this! liberals and democrats - in the Convention, a photo opp will happen where Bill, Obama and Hillary will be on a single stage amongst wild cheering.
Republicans will not have that moment - all their living Presidents are not even attending the convention.
This is campaigning which is a function of as much addition as possible. Governing happens on another day!
13
She should have divorced him long ago. This seems to be a marriage of convenience and clearly he's not going anywhere. I don't want to see Bill get a third term as shadow-president and I will not be voting for Hilary for so many reasons.
39
It appears that the DNC thinks Bill Clinton will do more good than harm. Then they can't complain that the opposition uses him as a club against their chosen one. That would not be the case if he had the same status in the campaign as
her opponents' spouses.
her opponents' spouses.
15
I was disgusted and angry when Trump accused HRC of playing the "woman's card". It was an insulting and diminishing remark, not to mention ignorant. But I'm equally disturbed that she's planning to put her husband in a key policy position should she win the presidency. No doubt he is one of the most gifted politicians of our age, but he's had his shot. What she's saying smacks of nepotism & cronyism of the worst kind. And it makes her look weak and desperate. And I don't think she's either one. I'd never accuse her of playing the "woman's card", but I do think she's in danger of playing the "wife card".
29
Hillary Clinton's persona comes across as forced and phony. Bill Clinton, on the other hand, is The Natural, and nobody knows this better than his wife and partner in politics. She needs him for bait, and she knows it.
Sadly, the best thing for this country would be to subtract two Clintons and one Trump, and come up with an entirely fresh group of candidates for the upcoming election. The circus has overstayed its welcome.
Sadly, the best thing for this country would be to subtract two Clintons and one Trump, and come up with an entirely fresh group of candidates for the upcoming election. The circus has overstayed its welcome.
22
"This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office". Really? She was a failed Secretary of State, and she was in Congress only 8 years. Richard Nixon was far more qualified: he had been Vice President for 8 years, in Congress for 6 years, and served in the military during World War II. But he made a terrible President. Like Hillary, Nixon was not known for his honesty or trustworthiness, and like Clinton, he also was a military interventionist.
Finally, Hillary defended her husband from allegations by Juanita Broaddrick
that Bill Clinton raped her. So Hillary is not the best person to accuse Donald Trump of being a sexist.
5/19 @ 7:39 am (last post to Collins was published 3 hours after it was submitted)
Finally, Hillary defended her husband from allegations by Juanita Broaddrick
that Bill Clinton raped her. So Hillary is not the best person to accuse Donald Trump of being a sexist.
5/19 @ 7:39 am (last post to Collins was published 3 hours after it was submitted)
34
Good advice but too late. Mrs. Clinton has been and is unelectieble, but she is our country's only hope against the evil demagogue from the gilded tower,
4
"She’s become the opposite of change. (Continuity You Can Believe In?)"
You know what? I think Americans would give anything for some continuity. A few years of not having to deal with turbulence and disruption. A term or two when they could go about their business, secure in the knowledge that their government wasn't about to send them through the scrambler again.
I agree that Clinton should run as her own woman. But if she promised to keep moving down the slow-but-sure path of improvement laid down by Obama, I bet there would be a lot of takers on both sides of the aisle.
You know what? I think Americans would give anything for some continuity. A few years of not having to deal with turbulence and disruption. A term or two when they could go about their business, secure in the knowledge that their government wasn't about to send them through the scrambler again.
I agree that Clinton should run as her own woman. But if she promised to keep moving down the slow-but-sure path of improvement laid down by Obama, I bet there would be a lot of takers on both sides of the aisle.
7
I totally agree. I'll be writing in Bernie Sanders anyway, for a myriad of reasons. But even if I were a supporter of Hillary, I would agree.
26
The election of Hillary is a done thing: the electoral college will take care of that. I don't understand why I have to get Bill when I vote for his wife.
6
When a woman promises that her husband will do the important work if she is elected President, then she's not fit for office. When that husband is a past-his-prime former President with a spotty record and an impeachment on his record, well, that speaks for itself.
38
Come on Gail, Bill Clinton is a wizard at raising the economic state of people. Look at what he did for his family: they went from being essentially without funds to being worth tens of millions of dollars. And anybody with a child approaching college graduation will be interested in Bill telling them how their child can get a job paying several hundreds of thousands of dollars right out of college as his child did.
40
I think the Dems should drop the Trump treatment of women line of attack. Trump just sidesteps it by bringing up Bill's behavior toward women. Then the conversation changes to what Bill did or didn't do and away from Trump. It might be a good issue for a different candidate but it just hurts Billary. Maybe go positive on women's issues like what she can do to help make their lives better through her policies and not just being a "firewall" for someone else's bad policies or behavior. The current approach isn't even working that well. She has a 53% to 38% advantage with women over Trump. It should be more.
8
Mrs. Clinton has just always wanted to be President, like a little girl who wants to be a Princess. They made a deal; she supported Bill; now he'll help her get her dream. It's been "the Clintons" for president all along. He runs the campaign, provides the sound bites, the staff, and the electorate (her support in the South is really HIS support in the South). She uses the pronoun "we" constantly: we think this, we will do this. When asked a question she doesn't have a sound bite for, she stammers and blows it. The two-headed president would be very bad for the country: they would not attract top talent to the cabinet with BC as the power behind the throne who would always second-guess everyone and would hold the trump card (ha ha). And what do they propose doing with the Clinton Foundation that has been the engine of their wealth? Run it from the White House? They should close it down. We still want to know how they went from being "bankrupt" in 2001 to being worth $90 million in 15 years by founding a "nonprofit" organization? Or will BC be giving million $ speeches to foreign governments while HRC is president? A lot of people consider them corrupt and greedy. Also: you're wrong: more cringe-producing than Trump's peccadillos is the thought of sexual predator BC back in the White House, un-elected, where he can't be impeached--a deal-breaker for many. As bizarre as he is, there are many reasons to vote for Trump if the Clintons become the nominee.
36
I'm ok with a Clinton, H administration that is similar to Clinton, B or Obama. A combination of the two would be great. Obama's clean above the fray competence and Clinton's fighting until the last dog dies. I'm ready.
12
This is why it was a bad idea for Hillary to run. She wants what
she wants, but, with the mood of the country looking for something
other than out of touch "insiders", she's going to lose to Donald
Trump. My friends think I'm totally wrong, but they also thought I
was wrong (and maybe a bit looney) when I predicted last Fall that
Trump would be the Republican nominee.
she wants, but, with the mood of the country looking for something
other than out of touch "insiders", she's going to lose to Donald
Trump. My friends think I'm totally wrong, but they also thought I
was wrong (and maybe a bit looney) when I predicted last Fall that
Trump would be the Republican nominee.
46
I agree in general with the conclusion of this column: Mrs. Clinton is highly qualified to be CONSIDERED as a president. Qualified in terms of resume does not equal qualified in terms oF potentials. If the opposite were the case, George H.W. Bush (the first) would have been the best president ever, since he held more govt. posts for longer periods than Thomas Jefferson.
Resumes do not make presidents any more than they do chefs. Resumes are indicators, not predictors or guarantors of success.
Is it possible Mrs. Clinton is hobbled in her thinking by being a lawyer? We have had far too many lawyers in the White House. Maybe it is because most people don't understand what lawyers do and how they are trained to (not) think and see being one as some grand life accomplishment: Dear Lord, this person spent three long years in crushingly boring case law studies! Give her the nuclear codes!
I, too, consider it a huge bellyflop of an idea to say Bill is going to be a leader inside the next Clinton administration. Really bad. As smart as these two are, as worldly as she is from having traveled more than 500,000 miles as secretary of state, they can really pull off some dumb things, like the time they handed health care over to her early in Bill's first term. Hey, if she can solve this, then she could be president? Oops.
There is something really wrong here. Maybe the critics who say these two think they can run the world on their own are onto something.
Doug Terry
Resumes do not make presidents any more than they do chefs. Resumes are indicators, not predictors or guarantors of success.
Is it possible Mrs. Clinton is hobbled in her thinking by being a lawyer? We have had far too many lawyers in the White House. Maybe it is because most people don't understand what lawyers do and how they are trained to (not) think and see being one as some grand life accomplishment: Dear Lord, this person spent three long years in crushingly boring case law studies! Give her the nuclear codes!
I, too, consider it a huge bellyflop of an idea to say Bill is going to be a leader inside the next Clinton administration. Really bad. As smart as these two are, as worldly as she is from having traveled more than 500,000 miles as secretary of state, they can really pull off some dumb things, like the time they handed health care over to her early in Bill's first term. Hey, if she can solve this, then she could be president? Oops.
There is something really wrong here. Maybe the critics who say these two think they can run the world on their own are onto something.
Doug Terry
24
Gail you really nailed it with this column. Hillary needs to stand on her own. Up until the last twenty years women have had to rely on men In order to succeed in the political arena. Hilary is working on that old model instead of pointing out she can do this backwards, in high heels and in a pantsuit. She has the baggage of Bill who is a force of nature...but she needs to retire him to first gentleman asap as her first order of business.
I also take issue with many readers comments that Hilary's resume is weak and she is the not most qualified person to run. I wonder how many of these folks have resumes that look like hers. We all have had help reaching our goals sometimes by chance and sometimes by choice or timing. I believe that Hilary can do the job well, by herself. I only wish she believed that too.
I also take issue with many readers comments that Hilary's resume is weak and she is the not most qualified person to run. I wonder how many of these folks have resumes that look like hers. We all have had help reaching our goals sometimes by chance and sometimes by choice or timing. I believe that Hilary can do the job well, by herself. I only wish she believed that too.
45
Hillary Clinton - with all her advisors and surrogates - keeps shooting herself in the foot. At this point in her candidacy she should not be sending out all these mixed messages.
Bernie Sanders, from the beginning, has made his run all about the American People. Hillary Clinton still hasn't done that. I'm still not sure why she wants to be president.
Bernie Sanders, from the beginning, has made his run all about the American People. Hillary Clinton still hasn't done that. I'm still not sure why she wants to be president.
40
Not that I'm such a smarty but I told a friend yesterday that Hillary should put Bill deep in a closet until after the election. I voted for Bill twice and still think he was a good president but I never liked this 2 for 1 stuff. No one votes for a first lady or gentleman and we aren't going to start now.
7
what is Hillary's vision? That for me has been the question since the beginning. A good or great leader not only knows the facts but can also say "hey, come with me, we're on our way to....". Hillary knows more facts and figures than anyone but lacks leadership qualities. Her only vision seems to be to be the first woman president. A good resume doesn't make a good leader.
Her campaign asks us to say, "I'm with her." But gives no overarching reason why. And so she tries to produce one by pointing to her husband or Obama as if she's saying, "they were good leaders and I'm just like them," instead of exhibiting those qualities herself.
I am very worried about November. The idea of a President Trump is beyond comprehension but I'm not convinced that Hillary Clinton can win.
Her campaign asks us to say, "I'm with her." But gives no overarching reason why. And so she tries to produce one by pointing to her husband or Obama as if she's saying, "they were good leaders and I'm just like them," instead of exhibiting those qualities herself.
I am very worried about November. The idea of a President Trump is beyond comprehension but I'm not convinced that Hillary Clinton can win.
15
You're talking about appearances and election strategy, I'm sure the Clinton campaign is furiously focus grouping this as I write. The truth is they are a power couple--and on that issue, not a whisper of daylight between them. Whether Bill is seen or not, they are still the two-for-one deal Bill advertised so long ago. I don't like them, never did, but understand that to stop Trump many are going to have to vote for them. I'm still not sure I can take that step. My 401K says yes, my conscience says no. For now, it's Sanders through the convention.
11
This column is as usual very superficial. Trust in an advisor is very important.
For some reason, the media always has special rules for the Clintons, two of the brightest and capable people to enter politics. The same kind of objection was raised regarding Jack Kennedy's reliance on this brother, Robert, as Attorney General. Moreover, in an earlier time, Eleanor Roosevelt certainly had many substantive roles and provided important advice to FDR without the kind of snide handwringing evident in this piece
For some reason, the media always has special rules for the Clintons, two of the brightest and capable people to enter politics. The same kind of objection was raised regarding Jack Kennedy's reliance on this brother, Robert, as Attorney General. Moreover, in an earlier time, Eleanor Roosevelt certainly had many substantive roles and provided important advice to FDR without the kind of snide handwringing evident in this piece
Hillary is showing a complete lack of substance and seems to be counting on what Gore Vidal referred to as "The United States of Amnesia". Putting Bill Clinton in charge of the economy would be akin to putting the captain of the Titanic in charge of the Navy. Bill Clinton sold out the economy with Robert Rubin when they repealed Glass-Steagal, laying the groundwork for the great recession. Mr. Clinton's economic legacy is compared to Herbert Hoover and Mrs. Clinton should advance her own program--which, of course, is nonexistent.
18
Gail, you left out one very important point - maybe even deliberately. Hillary Clinton is the perfect candidate to have beaten either John McCain or Mitt Romney but maybe not Donald Trump. Trump has made it OK, indeed he has made it both funny and cool to be a vocal misogynist (as well as a racist, xenophobe, etc. but those are different issues). Trump has literally told his minions that it is acceptable to disparage women - to insult them in ways that are crude, crass, and dismissive in a variety of ways. Anyone who does not think that: A. such an approach will be central to Trump's campaign, and B. that there are LOTS of people who will respond to it, has not been paying attention.
3
Gail, "by default" is all Hillary has going for her. She is the inevitable officially designated "not worse than Trump" candidate. Even with Bill "NAFTA" Clinton in charge of the economy, she is still not Trump, and having the first Woman President also be the Most Defaultest President Ever is very sad, but better than a Trump presidency. No, she doesn't need Bill, and neither do we. We don't need her either, except to occupy the space that would otherwise be taken up by The Donald. Default 2016: You'll Come Around
7
Just an indication of how weak a candidate Hillary is. Against anyone but Trump, she would be dead woman walking. Even now, she can't seal the deal against Bernie. If the Dems insist on nominating her, it won't end well.
19
I am appalled by Trump but the thought of a Clinton dup dynasty is equally appalling. It has no equity and holds no interest for me. The thought of HRC yelling at me for 4 or 8 years is just plain awful.
Moving forward - leave Bill out of it. Enough already.
Moving forward - leave Bill out of it. Enough already.
11
Billary and the status quo is exactly what the independent disenchanted voters of this country don't want in November. Although HRC will do well with most registered democrats, she (and Bill) will not do well with independents, many Sanders supporters and obviously Republicans. People don't trust her. They definitely don't trust Bill, and Trump will eat them alive in this sound-bite, substance-free, goldfish-attention-span political cycle. We should be very afraid of a Trump win in November. It grows more and more likely each day.
11
When was the last time that the remaining three presidential candidates all qualified for Medicare? Curiously, Bernie brings out millennials even as Trump attracts so much adoration from folks who can only dream of being so rich and famous. Poor Hillary is trying to play the best cards she's been dealt and Bill might pass for an Ace if you don't look to closely. But for those looking for change with a capital "C" Bill just looks so last century and serves to remind voters that what Hillary is selling may have gone past it's "sell by date." Face it, Bill looks a lot older than she does and should probably be used for the occasional wave to crowds if she feels she has to trot him out every now and again - say at the convention or her inauguration.
2
I rather suspect, as first man, Bill will have difficulty keeping his mouth shut and his fingers out of presidential business. He is simply not the "stay at home" type.
8
Constantly leaning on her husband she comes across as very weak. Also Bill once mentioned that if he gets as old as 70 he will thank the Lord - he is not a healthy man. Something very wrong here and it will cost her votes from the independents.
9
The super-lemmings are going to hand the nomination to this? Prepare for president Trump.
The lady indeed is qualified -- in knowledge of facts. But in judgment, she's a zero.
The lady indeed is qualified -- in knowledge of facts. But in judgment, she's a zero.
25
How can anything be more "boorish" than a president who employs a cigar to have sex with a White House intern, repeatedly lies about it, and then has his wife attempt to blame "the vast right wing conspiracy"? Those same people are now about to occupy the White House again. Anything that can be done to stop them needs to be done. The Clintons are congenital liars, and they have earned that reputation over and over and over again. They have no shame, and the only thing they crave is power.
31
This proposal to have Bill Clinton helping run the country is disastrous. Even if she backwaters furiously, which she must, she'll be hammered with it the rest of the campaign. She's impugning her own competence! This may be the pitch that wins the nomination for Sanders—or worse, the presidency for Trump.
I think she's far and away the most qualified to run the country, but she sure doesn't know how to campaign.
I think she's far and away the most qualified to run the country, but she sure doesn't know how to campaign.
7
with or without Bill she is a wooden, terrible campaigner who shifts her positions with every differing audience she talks to, flip flops whenever expedient (especially with respect to the left turn in response to Bernie) and is one of those people who you watch on TV and want to take a shower after it. Bill could try to counteract some of that but he has his own baggage. Queen of the "gates" (travel gate, cattle gate anyone?) and close friend of Wall Street and lover of money, what is to like here?
26
I could not agree with you more. The least said about former President Clinton, the better. We can overlook some of the mistakes Hilary has made and probably have forgotten some of her husbands picadillos while he was the President. But we are not electing a pair of Presidents. We did not include her when we were voting for Bill and we should not be voting for him when we vote for her. He was an ok President but not any of the top level ones. Better to let sleeping dogs lie.
8
Excellent, Gail—I could not agree more. Hillary is at her best as a calm, reasonable, knowledgeable, policy wonk—the only adult in the room. She is at her worst when she tries to be a fire-brand or zealot, to heat up a crowd. She needs to tap into her own characteristic, deep, leadership skills and self-reliance. I don't mind the references to Obama's legacy; I do mind relying on Bill, who seems to me to be aging fast—slightly stooped, mouth slightly open—when not in the spotlight. She needn't lean on anybody.
3
While it certainly is time for a woman president, that woman is not hillary. Leaning on "her man" and saying that she would rely on henry kissinger for foreign policy is as disastrous as it can be. While clinton supporters will blame sanders for her failure to win the white house, she is losing it all on her own
25
The inevitable reminder by Trump/Hannity of Bill Clinton's unsavory past has weakened Mrs. Clinton's appeal. Al Gore pushed him aside in 2000 because of this issue. Too late for Mrs. Clinton to fix this problem. Voter's will be reminded of this endlessly until Nov., then will they forget and forgive him again?
7
Hillary ran a very poor campaign the last time around - and Bill proved to be a significant liability to her, in no small measure because of his own narcissistic need to remain in the spotlight. He leveled some appallingly racist, dog whistle attacks against Barack Obama in South Carolina then - and while historically, he has been a far superior campaigner than she, he should not be used as a campaign "crutch" now. She was stellar, steely, poised and very human in the endless witch hunt fraud of Benghazi hearings - that is the Hillary needed now. I say this as a Sanders supporter who has always been committed, albeit reluctantly (because she does have huge baggage, much of which is self inflicted, the rest of which is the result of 25 years of right wing attacks) to supporting her as the presumptive nominee. Bill needs to be off stage now - he can cheer her on, advise her behind closed doors - whatever, but she neither needs nor benefits from his presence.
11
I agree with Gail, Bill Clinton should be out of the picture. I believe she has to stand on her own two feet. I also have felt that mentioning Obama so many times is not smart. I voted for Obama twice and will vote for Hillary. And I believe we will miss Obama. Let Obama campaign for her, he will do it well. I have also thought that not responding to some of Trump's more ridiculous and false statements is not smart. It's sort of like saying she is too good to respond to him. That's not the point. She's giving him permission to keep being nasty and lying; he probably will do it anyway but at least she is standing up for herself. And in so doing telling voters she will stand up to anything that is wrong or bad for the country.
50
Ms. Collins I couldn't have said it better. We do not want to move US back to the Clinton days as we still want to be able to use IPhone 6s. History is to learn from but try not to emulate and implement our knowledge of the last century. Now we know why the forward looking youth is with a 74 year old young man and the so called millennials are with last century HRC.
Bernie has all the goodness of yesteryear with a flair for tomorrow’s challenges and that is why our children and their children are working for and with him to build a US for tomorrow.
Recycled goods are used merchandise and are good for memories like President Bill Clinton’s era etc.
Time to move forward and believe in a future better than our past for our generations to come.
Bernie has all the goodness of yesteryear with a flair for tomorrow’s challenges and that is why our children and their children are working for and with him to build a US for tomorrow.
Recycled goods are used merchandise and are good for memories like President Bill Clinton’s era etc.
Time to move forward and believe in a future better than our past for our generations to come.
14
Why is Hillary still kvetching about Senator Sanders when she is ahead of him in delegates is a good a example of her or her advisors poor judgement. All she does is alienate his supporters, whose energy she very much needs for the election.
Hillary is at her best when she is herself, something she can't seem to do in this campaign.
I am so sorry to say that I think if she continues to run a campaign on the coat tails of Bill and Barack and alienating Bernie supporters - Trump will be the next President.
Hillary is at her best when she is herself, something she can't seem to do in this campaign.
I am so sorry to say that I think if she continues to run a campaign on the coat tails of Bill and Barack and alienating Bernie supporters - Trump will be the next President.
14
I agree with Ms. Collins. Mrs. Clinton should pave the way for a newer, richer, innovative, resilient, and much better America. She holds all the right cards (mental strength and endurance) to do so.
The idea of Bill Clinton taking on a major role within her new administration is antithetical to Hillary's image as a strong, independent fully prepared candidate. I am in her corner, not his. This is really a tone deaf strategy that will hurt her chances.
5
Will it really matter? This election has boiled down to voting for one to avoid another. In the end though will anything change? We have met the enemy and he is us and until we are willing to change the politics won't nor will the fundamental issues of the country. I read another article here today on Junger's new book and I was struck with how the same conclusions might be drawn about the youth of America or the world in fact as they become aware of world and politics around them.
2
When the former president apologizes to the intern he destroyed, then he should be allowed to retire peacefully on the sideline.
9
Gail Collins is absolutely correct on this point. Many people were not as favorably impressed with Bill Clinton as Hillary apparently is. When Hillary declared her intention to run, and even before that, I began to worry about the danger of Bill as a presidential spouse.
I don't want to vote for Bill Clinton. I don't want to vote for Donald Trump.
I don't want to vote for Bill Clinton. I don't want to vote for Donald Trump.
4
"Even if she keeps going the way she’s been going, voters may be so horrified by Donald Trump that she’ll win in November. But you don’t want the first woman president elected by default."
I don't? That's news to me. At this (or any) point, I could care less for what reasons the Democratic candidate is elected. At this (or any) point, I could care less if the Democratic candidate is male or female. If the Democratic candidate were a block of wood I would still vote for it.
I don't? That's news to me. At this (or any) point, I could care less for what reasons the Democratic candidate is elected. At this (or any) point, I could care less if the Democratic candidate is male or female. If the Democratic candidate were a block of wood I would still vote for it.
1
I regularly wonder how such a brilliant, truly brilliant woman like Hillary Clinton can so frequently put her foot in her mouth and make blatantly obvious dreadful decisions. NOBODY wants an unelected, unappointed Presidential spouse with authority...It worked out pretty badly when Bill gave it to Hillary back in the early 90's for proposing a health care solution.
It would have been MUCH wiser for her to say "Every Presidential spouse from Martha Washington and Abigail Adams through to Michelle Obama has given the President advice untainted by bias or fear of dismissal. She has frequently been the reality check who doesn't say what the President wants to hear, but needs to hear. I know Bill will have no reluctance to say what he thinks, and I will need that.
Further, for at least 60 years Presidents have regularly consulted former Presidents of both parties, since Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman formed the informal Ex-Presidents' Club. I would expect to be able to call on all the former Presidents from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, but would have the additional benefit of one of them, namely Bill, immediately available."
Wouldn't that have made far, FAR more sense?
It would have been MUCH wiser for her to say "Every Presidential spouse from Martha Washington and Abigail Adams through to Michelle Obama has given the President advice untainted by bias or fear of dismissal. She has frequently been the reality check who doesn't say what the President wants to hear, but needs to hear. I know Bill will have no reluctance to say what he thinks, and I will need that.
Further, for at least 60 years Presidents have regularly consulted former Presidents of both parties, since Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman formed the informal Ex-Presidents' Club. I would expect to be able to call on all the former Presidents from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, but would have the additional benefit of one of them, namely Bill, immediately available."
Wouldn't that have made far, FAR more sense?
5
Maybe I am alone in this thought but two Clintons is better than one. Compared to Trump 1/4 a Clinton would be much better than one of him or anyone else the Rs could drag in. We need heavy hitters to move the idiots in Congress and the Senate to compromise and govern.
1
Bill Clinton's time has passed. He is without question a master politician and he needs to be among her top adviser. But we must all remember that not everything Clinton did was for the best. He listened too much to the moneyed men of corporate America and we all have reaped the consequences.
Since Bill can't be fired, he shouldn't be hired.
Since Bill can't be fired, he shouldn't be hired.
4
Your wisdom here is something that the Clinton campaign should implement except that as she admits, she isn't a very good candidate after noting that Presidents Clinton and Obama are the two best retail politicians in our lifetimes.
And she also needs to mend her fences with Bernie Sanders, select him as her VP running mate and win this election.
And she also needs to mend her fences with Bernie Sanders, select him as her VP running mate and win this election.
3
Sorry guys but Hillary is smart enough to know that the only way
to win in Kentucky was to bring out Bill. Even with the two of them ganging up
on Bernie the race was for all practical purposes a tie. A recount could easily
result in a changed outcome.
to win in Kentucky was to bring out Bill. Even with the two of them ganging up
on Bernie the race was for all practical purposes a tie. A recount could easily
result in a changed outcome.
7
Hillary IS closely linked to the past two Democratic presidents. It's a fact. If she can wring an electoral advantage from this fact, then I say go for it. Not that she actually asked for strategic input from any of us.
Polling doesn't suggest any "win by default" scenario here. If she wants to lead the nation, she's going to need to show that she has the heart and stomach to do so, as the saying goes. In this case that will mean defeating Donald Trump at his own heartless game.
Not suggesting she dive into the gutter. Just that she needs to effectively deflect his attacks, and make sure that a steady proportion of them land back in his own lap.
Polling doesn't suggest any "win by default" scenario here. If she wants to lead the nation, she's going to need to show that she has the heart and stomach to do so, as the saying goes. In this case that will mean defeating Donald Trump at his own heartless game.
Not suggesting she dive into the gutter. Just that she needs to effectively deflect his attacks, and make sure that a steady proportion of them land back in his own lap.
2
My sentiments almost exactly. Hillary is far from my first choice, but a resurrected Bill even less so. Bill Clinton has been running for his third, and perhaps fourth, term via Hillary. They both have had more than their share of time in the sun. I'd tell them both to "Go home." Too many Bushes, more than enough Clintons.
12
May I say the forbidden thing? Hillary's whole career, such as it is, has been heavily predicated on her husband's. It's given her fame, board appointments, connections, the ability to run for the Senate and parlay that into her first presidential run -- on a record so skimpy she had to make up stories about sniper fire. Then Obama cut a deal for a ceasefire with the Clinton camp by installing her as SoS, where her record was kind of a mess. Honduras! Libya ! Particularly unholy is the Clinton self- promotion foundation, with its apparent record of quid pro quo deals (Saudi Arabia, Chevron, Boeing...). There just doesn't seem to be any real daylight between Bill and Hill. They're a team. He was the gifted politician (corrupt, but gifted). And she's his stand-in, trying to extend the dynasty. Please, what are her accomplishments?
19
The Hillary Haters and Saint "Free Lunch" Sanders Cult followers are out in force today working hard for a Trump Presidency. I'm pretty sure they will succeed. Say good-bye to what once was a pretty good country. (You can Google "Atomic bomb blast and fallout shelters" to get ideas for your next home improvement project. Also Google "How to make government forced vaginal probes performed by your neighborhood state religion priest less painful" and "How to make a delicious casserole for Doomsday Parties out of cheap cat kibble.")
Clinton's tactical embrace of Obama in the interest of furthering her strategy for winning the White House contains a sub-textual danger: Clinton is implicitly telling Democratic primary voters that when they nominated Obama instead of Clinton in '08, they did the right thing.
They did.
They did.
6
All I could think of was "What was she thinking?" when I heard Hillary say that she'd put Bill in charge of the economy. Let's see--how can Hillary show political weakness, feed gender discrimination, give a bullseye to Trump, revive family sexual misconduct issues, and show blatant nepotism all at the same time? This cannot be a spontaneous remark. We must assume that Hillary has paid political advisors who thought this was wise.
If Washington wonders why it was so surprised about the improbable existence of Donald Trump, it needs only to look inward and see how clueless it is in gauging the pulse of the voters. I'm a Democrat who would never consider voting for Trump, but I am so disillusioned by this endless, uninspiring campaign.
If Washington wonders why it was so surprised about the improbable existence of Donald Trump, it needs only to look inward and see how clueless it is in gauging the pulse of the voters. I'm a Democrat who would never consider voting for Trump, but I am so disillusioned by this endless, uninspiring campaign.
6
Could HIllary Clinton make a more desperate campaign choice than sending her husband onto the campaign trail as her proxy. Sanders' campaign strategies railing against banking deregulation and trade deals that sapped the jobs, wages, and environmental strengths of the US are almost entirely built on opposing acts that Bill Clinton championed.
A constant Bill Clinton on the campaign trail (and talk of a major role in a Clinton administration, oh please) is nothing but a reminder why many Democrats are voting for Sanders even though many of them have been supportive of her over the years. His presence yields other reminders that we just want to forget, but there he is reminding us.
A constant Bill Clinton on the campaign trail (and talk of a major role in a Clinton administration, oh please) is nothing but a reminder why many Democrats are voting for Sanders even though many of them have been supportive of her over the years. His presence yields other reminders that we just want to forget, but there he is reminding us.
8
Amen. She should build a firewall between the two of them for the duration of the campaign and for much more than policy reasons. The right has already started slinging mud by blaming her for "enabling" her husbands affairs. The double standards of how men and women are dealt with in the political arena will come into play and she'll spend half her time trying to defend her character for husband's actions 20+ years ago.
3
"This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office and she doesn't need to hold on to anybody's coattails."
I know old school Dems fully invested in her have to say that. But the woman handing on to Bill's coat tails is pretty much all Hillary has been for a long time now. It was a poor investment decision.
I know old school Dems fully invested in her have to say that. But the woman handing on to Bill's coat tails is pretty much all Hillary has been for a long time now. It was a poor investment decision.
12
Giving Bill such visibility in the campaign only hurts Hillary. I'm a longtime Dem, now independent, who saw the Lewinsky affair as blown out of proportion, but the idea of him back in the White House turns my stomach.
Dems need to seriously look at how Trump's misogynistic talk pales in comparison to Bill's history with women (harassment and assault allegations, and his association with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein).
On another note, "What we haven’t gotten is a vision of how a Hillary Clinton administration would be different from either of her predecessors’." Can't agree more.
Dems need to seriously look at how Trump's misogynistic talk pales in comparison to Bill's history with women (harassment and assault allegations, and his association with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein).
On another note, "What we haven’t gotten is a vision of how a Hillary Clinton administration would be different from either of her predecessors’." Can't agree more.
6
My sister-in-law lit into me, very nicely, when I said I wanted a woman who became president on her own -- that Hillary would never be running for president if she weren't Bill's wife. Now Hillary has made the point for me. There may be many reasons to support Hillary, but feminism is not one of them. Besides, Hillary is a scandal waiting to happen. I can't understand why Democrats are being so suicidal.
13
Rubin steered through the 1999 repeal of the Glass Steagall Act which is the source of the financial collapse of 2008 and the start of the income inequality.
He was the treasury secretary of Clinton Administration and worked for Citygroup through the revolving door.
Bill is working for the Hillary Administration for economic plan?
Unless Hillary listens to Gail's advise, she will be in lot of troubles in the election.
He was the treasury secretary of Clinton Administration and worked for Citygroup through the revolving door.
Bill is working for the Hillary Administration for economic plan?
Unless Hillary listens to Gail's advise, she will be in lot of troubles in the election.
6
I can't understand the "experience as qualification" issue as a reason to vote HRC. For me it's judgment and intelligence, and she is lacking. Obama had little experience but I admired his judgment. Bernie has been unerringly consistent in his judgment on the issues he is passionate about, so I give him a pass on the "experience" thing.
In addition, if she is using the "I'm strong independent woman" card to gather votes, why do we have to have creepy Bill along for the ride. I'd be happier to vote for her (which I will if necessary) if she would jettison this great "triangulator."
In addition, if she is using the "I'm strong independent woman" card to gather votes, why do we have to have creepy Bill along for the ride. I'd be happier to vote for her (which I will if necessary) if she would jettison this great "triangulator."
8
As an old boomer and consistent voter, I can't recall a national election with such a sad collection of candidates. Ironic that the most appealing Dem, Elizabeth Warren, doesn't want anything to do with it.
1
Hillary has made a mistake by bringing Bill to help her run the government. The error is to give Trump plenty of space to use Bill's past history to report any and all of the comments, lies and truths, that Donald can arise to define Bill's mistakes as actually now Hillary's problem.
She won't be able to make amends about this error. But she can strike back by pointing out that if Trump is president of the United States he will make more money than he now promises to make for the people who look upon him and are hoping to vote for him, thanking him for gicing them more ways to make more money. Not much, perhaps, but just about any amount will suffice to hint how wonderful President Trump keeps his word.
But they will not think about how much money Trump will make for himself, as he disrupts the American businesses with the rest of the world. He has and will have more of a staff working for him to take over the bargains between the U.S. and China, Europe, etc. He won't be a billionaire before he resigns as president. He may well be a trillionaire. Think about. Remember, he is a business man, not a politician, one who has held back full payments to those from whom he borrowed money, to whom he owed money that he dallied to pay back. He won't "make America" anything, but he would be in charge to "break America."
She won't be able to make amends about this error. But she can strike back by pointing out that if Trump is president of the United States he will make more money than he now promises to make for the people who look upon him and are hoping to vote for him, thanking him for gicing them more ways to make more money. Not much, perhaps, but just about any amount will suffice to hint how wonderful President Trump keeps his word.
But they will not think about how much money Trump will make for himself, as he disrupts the American businesses with the rest of the world. He has and will have more of a staff working for him to take over the bargains between the U.S. and China, Europe, etc. He won't be a billionaire before he resigns as president. He may well be a trillionaire. Think about. Remember, he is a business man, not a politician, one who has held back full payments to those from whom he borrowed money, to whom he owed money that he dallied to pay back. He won't "make America" anything, but he would be in charge to "break America."
Occupy Hillary. Her comment about Bill Clinton's economic leadership bluntly invalidates the central concern of Bernie's supporters, which is how financial deregulation and trade deals have increased economic inequality and decimated the American middle class. She seems to be tacking to the right to woo Republican swing voters rather than seeking to unite the Democratic party, which is too bad. I wish Biden would run.
2
.
.
I agree wholeheartedly with Gail on this one.
In their day, I was a strong proponent of Bill Clinton (1992) and Al Gore (2000). I look forward to President Clinton getting his moment at the Convention. But on the campaign trail? No.
All candidates have surrogates. I accept that. I hope Jimmy Carter makes an appearance or 2! But Bill Clinton is needed only in Puerto Rico so the candidate can stay closer to home. After the Convention, many other people will gladly speak out for whoever can stop Donald Trump.
Let's let them do it.
.
I agree wholeheartedly with Gail on this one.
In their day, I was a strong proponent of Bill Clinton (1992) and Al Gore (2000). I look forward to President Clinton getting his moment at the Convention. But on the campaign trail? No.
All candidates have surrogates. I accept that. I hope Jimmy Carter makes an appearance or 2! But Bill Clinton is needed only in Puerto Rico so the candidate can stay closer to home. After the Convention, many other people will gladly speak out for whoever can stop Donald Trump.
Let's let them do it.
I don't think that Bill should go home, I love that he is supporting Hillary.
Let's not forget that when Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were trying to help women get the vote, they also utilized different means and resources to get their mission accomplished.
I love that Hillary has a wonderful co-pilot in Bill.
I am amazed at how the media never ceases to criticize her. It's getting so tiring.
I am looking forward to seeing her as our first woman president. It's not funny that I don't see that many articles on how monumental that occasion will be.
Let's not forget that when Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were trying to help women get the vote, they also utilized different means and resources to get their mission accomplished.
I love that Hillary has a wonderful co-pilot in Bill.
I am amazed at how the media never ceases to criticize her. It's getting so tiring.
I am looking forward to seeing her as our first woman president. It's not funny that I don't see that many articles on how monumental that occasion will be.
1
Agree. I did a mental double take when she said she'd put the ex-president in charge of revitalizing the economy. I think it was a major blunder on her part.
10
Really?
I dont see it. To me the Clinton's have always been John & Yoko (except Yoko in this case is a man)
Through our pinhole, we judge. But the truth is stronger than judgment.
I would take the 2-fer any day. HRC no doubt is the boss, and rightly so. The Clinton's have always suffered by the Left not embracing them - the fires against always spread because the Left would not strongly embrace. I get it - they are not Lefties. But as a loony-lefty, I got over myself (I voted for Jerry Brown in the primary against Bill in 1992) to realize the dynamic duo of Hill & Bill are a once in a generation (nay century) couple with the nation's best interests at heart.
I dont see it. To me the Clinton's have always been John & Yoko (except Yoko in this case is a man)
Through our pinhole, we judge. But the truth is stronger than judgment.
I would take the 2-fer any day. HRC no doubt is the boss, and rightly so. The Clinton's have always suffered by the Left not embracing them - the fires against always spread because the Left would not strongly embrace. I get it - they are not Lefties. But as a loony-lefty, I got over myself (I voted for Jerry Brown in the primary against Bill in 1992) to realize the dynamic duo of Hill & Bill are a once in a generation (nay century) couple with the nation's best interests at heart.
1
No one stands alone at the top except maybe Richard Nixon. We are electing a President not a King or Queen. If your spouse is of the level of Bill Clinton, it would be absolutely crazy not to use his input. Women can be strong without sidelining their men to look that way. Also Hillary has strong positions on many things that her predecessors did not. I for one hope a women does it differently than the men before her. We need a new way.
True, arguably. But given the current tone of the contest maybe better left unsaid until after the primary - assuming it still has relevance.
So many things clogging up this dispiriting contest already. Bill Clinton's presence is among the least of HRCs challenges, I believe.
So many things clogging up this dispiriting contest already. Bill Clinton's presence is among the least of HRCs challenges, I believe.
1
Bill Clinton was the beneficiary of Bill Gates and the rest of the upstart high tech industry. That is what boosted the economy. Clinton had the good fortune of being in the White House at the time.
It was during Bill's term commerce started using the tools introduced from technology that increased productivity,
I will vote for Hillary for one reason --- I won't vote for Trump. If I were asked to name three national political figures more conniving than Bill and Hillary Clinton and Trump you would be hard pressed to do do so. The 3 of them are good friends. Bill and Hillary I believe attended Trump's wedding. Trump has been a big contributor to the Clinton Foundation. Hillary has said little about Trump's quest to become the GOP candidate. I find that odd. There is no one on the national scene who has coveted the presidency more than Hillary. ... http://lstrn.us/1lbQkSp
I have an image of the three of them sitting in a cocktail lounge somewhere in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, drinking fine scotch scheming how to get Hillary elected President. What better way than to make a mockery of the GOP. It would be hard to dispute that the GOP debates substantially lowered the bar for running for President of this country.
I know some of you think I also have been drinking too much scotch, but a much less expensive brand, and also at an abandoned hotel somewhere in Flint rather than Dubai. You have to agree all three of them, Hillary, Bill and Donald have the gonads to try it.
It was during Bill's term commerce started using the tools introduced from technology that increased productivity,
I will vote for Hillary for one reason --- I won't vote for Trump. If I were asked to name three national political figures more conniving than Bill and Hillary Clinton and Trump you would be hard pressed to do do so. The 3 of them are good friends. Bill and Hillary I believe attended Trump's wedding. Trump has been a big contributor to the Clinton Foundation. Hillary has said little about Trump's quest to become the GOP candidate. I find that odd. There is no one on the national scene who has coveted the presidency more than Hillary. ... http://lstrn.us/1lbQkSp
I have an image of the three of them sitting in a cocktail lounge somewhere in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, drinking fine scotch scheming how to get Hillary elected President. What better way than to make a mockery of the GOP. It would be hard to dispute that the GOP debates substantially lowered the bar for running for President of this country.
I know some of you think I also have been drinking too much scotch, but a much less expensive brand, and also at an abandoned hotel somewhere in Flint rather than Dubai. You have to agree all three of them, Hillary, Bill and Donald have the gonads to try it.
2
A very good analysis with a solid conclusion. One further point, we do not want to start a tradition where we have to think about what the spouse would be undertaking when we are considering voting for someone.
1
Well, Gail, your recent string of satirical pieces tricked me into forgetting that when you switch gears, you’re as good a serious analyst of the political scene as we’ve got.
You may be right that 1+1=0. I feel more certain than ever that the best Clinton is no Clinton at all.
Now that, in desperation, Hillary is starting to play a few of Bernie Sanders’ cards, I ask: Why not go for the guy who has the whole deck? And Sanders doesn’t have to deal off the bottom.
You may be right that 1+1=0. I feel more certain than ever that the best Clinton is no Clinton at all.
Now that, in desperation, Hillary is starting to play a few of Bernie Sanders’ cards, I ask: Why not go for the guy who has the whole deck? And Sanders doesn’t have to deal off the bottom.
9
Remember all of those states in the South that she won with huge margins? Well, she is going to be clobbered in every one of them. The votes that will actually be counted for Democrats this November will come from elsewhere, and the enthusiasm for those votes has been silenced.
Don't ask me to change my support when I am positive you'd be better off supporting my candidate. Please don't call me a racist or anti-feminist either. I'd vote for Shirley Chisholm, even over Bernie. Shirley had real honest-to-goodness principles, and she never would have courted Wall Street.
Don't ask me to change my support when I am positive you'd be better off supporting my candidate. Please don't call me a racist or anti-feminist either. I'd vote for Shirley Chisholm, even over Bernie. Shirley had real honest-to-goodness principles, and she never would have courted Wall Street.
8
So much criticism of how Hillary has run her campaign, and yet she is winning, so can it be that bad after all? She has a sizable lead over Bernie, 3 million more people voted for her than him. But some comments here say she should scrap her whole staff and start over. That is laughable, as is the notion that Bill should go hide somewhere until January 2017.
Bill Clinton is a force of nature, charming, super intelligent, inspiring speaker and happens to be her husband. The notion that Bill should not be an advantage she should use is ludicrous. Bill was a very popular president that brought this country into a prosperous period. He is not a liability.
Both Hillary and Bill could make mince meat of Donald in any debate. Both are capable of articulating a coherent policy with substance and details, details which the other two candidates leave out. Donald is only capable of spewing nonsense and bragging about his huge brain. Bernie is looking more and more like an angry resident of Del Boca Vista to me.
Bill Clinton is a force of nature, charming, super intelligent, inspiring speaker and happens to be her husband. The notion that Bill should not be an advantage she should use is ludicrous. Bill was a very popular president that brought this country into a prosperous period. He is not a liability.
Both Hillary and Bill could make mince meat of Donald in any debate. Both are capable of articulating a coherent policy with substance and details, details which the other two candidates leave out. Donald is only capable of spewing nonsense and bragging about his huge brain. Bernie is looking more and more like an angry resident of Del Boca Vista to me.
4
Hillary has been running for president and running on her husband's coattails for her whole career. There is zero prospect for that changing. The usually perceptive Ms. Collins is for some odd reason having trouble seeing the dog on the car roof this season.
19
Gail, I get what you're saying but disagree to an extent. I think it's quite clear Hillary is her own woman and that in the end, she would be the commander in chief.
I think she should have softened the language a bit about putting Bill in charge of the economy but rather say that he would be an advisor- but the final decisions and direction would be hers and she would make the final decisions.
But the use of Bill is not unwise since he has a good (not perfect) economic record and his popularity polling puts him ahead of Hillary.
Anyone who doesn't think that Bill would be involved in her administration is very naïve. Although Bill can be somewhat a loose canon in his campaign rhetoric, he is a master politician that can help Hillary bring in votes.
I think she should have softened the language a bit about putting Bill in charge of the economy but rather say that he would be an advisor- but the final decisions and direction would be hers and she would make the final decisions.
But the use of Bill is not unwise since he has a good (not perfect) economic record and his popularity polling puts him ahead of Hillary.
Anyone who doesn't think that Bill would be involved in her administration is very naïve. Although Bill can be somewhat a loose canon in his campaign rhetoric, he is a master politician that can help Hillary bring in votes.
2
My first impulse is to agree with you, but I'm not so sure upon thinking about it. I come from an academic family &, after several graduate degrees, also teach part-time in a university. Department & program chairs, deans, even chancellors of universities all take their turn at the helm, take a leave of absence & then return to regular faculty positions & usually fold back into the group without any of your "blue whale in a goldfish bowl" syndrome happening. Let's find a way to have former presidents participate in meaningful ways instead of consigning them to private projects or some kind of exile. It seems like a huge waste to me when people could work together & wouldn't it make the office of president a little less removed & pinnacle-like?
37
Bill is Hillary's albatross. But's it's worse than that. Hillary is Hillary's albatross. She is not culpable for his transgressions but together, they have formed a legacy of evading truths and capitalizing on their brand name. That brand name is tainted. Bernie helped expose it and Trump will exploit it. Clinton fatigue has become deeply entrenched and, witnessing the rabid support of both Donald and Bernie, Hillary, although she will beat out Bernie for the nomination, has a huge uphill climb that I fear will fall short.
78
For so many reasons, most of which you have outlined, plus the constitutional one DEH from Atlanta brings up below, I am deeply distressed by Hillary's comment.
It feels like several blasts from the past -- the old days when women had to ride the coat tails of their men; Bill's presidency, which we now have to hear scrutinized to see if his 20-year-old policies are applicable today; and the last dynasty president, which, as was said below, was a dismal failure.
But most of all what irks me is the suggestion that "women can't do math." Ugh. What must Janet Yellen, Elizabeth Warren, and all the other successful economists think about Hillary saying she's going to put Bill in charge of the economy. As you say, a blue whale in a goldfish bowl.
I know she's a self-proclaimed bad campaigner and is supposedly super competent, in an apparatchik way, but what sort of judgment does this plan suggest? (This is what Bernie says -- what sort of judgement?)
Take a look at Maine's election in 2010 -- when Maine elected LePage, granted, there was a third party candidate, which so far, we do not have (a progressive). The person the Ds put up was a kind of party apparatchik, and coincidentally, a woman. She inspired no one.
Please spare us Chelsea.
It feels like several blasts from the past -- the old days when women had to ride the coat tails of their men; Bill's presidency, which we now have to hear scrutinized to see if his 20-year-old policies are applicable today; and the last dynasty president, which, as was said below, was a dismal failure.
But most of all what irks me is the suggestion that "women can't do math." Ugh. What must Janet Yellen, Elizabeth Warren, and all the other successful economists think about Hillary saying she's going to put Bill in charge of the economy. As you say, a blue whale in a goldfish bowl.
I know she's a self-proclaimed bad campaigner and is supposedly super competent, in an apparatchik way, but what sort of judgment does this plan suggest? (This is what Bernie says -- what sort of judgement?)
Take a look at Maine's election in 2010 -- when Maine elected LePage, granted, there was a third party candidate, which so far, we do not have (a progressive). The person the Ds put up was a kind of party apparatchik, and coincidentally, a woman. She inspired no one.
Please spare us Chelsea.
58
I kind of cringed when Hillary used the words "in charge of revitalizing the economy" -- not that Bill wouldn't have great ideas or be a great resource that she should take advantage of, but I just thought it would have been better for them to pick a more narrow aspect of the economy on which he could focus his energies and expertise, like say, job training for displaced workers or helping to bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. I think it amounted to a poor choice of words and misguided messaging more than anything else, but I still plan to vote for her. She's smart, experienced, energetic and mostly on the right track — the best of the lot, by a long shot.
26
Totally disagree. He's a brilliant addition. Former two-term president. She's not leaning on anyone anymore than any current or former presidential candidates. To deny Bill Clinton's experience and expertise would be disingenuous not strong. I admire Hillary's brilliance and Bill's. We should be grateful what she brings to the table and that she has the emotional strength,honesty, and independence to acknowledge his value-added qualifications. They all have their confidants and advisors. And there certainly is precedent with family ties: Kennedy and Bush. I remember Bill using the two-for-one idea in his campaign too. She needs support from all who want to see her elected, not catty (and IMO antifeminist ironically) criticism.
2
I agree, but on the other hand, all Presidents have advisors. I would hope that voters would educate themselves on her career, but I would put up her advisors against Donald Trump's any day.
As far as coattails? I think she is trying to reassure voters who supported her husband and President Obama that her policies would not be a radical departure from them. At the same time, anyone who has read the behind the scenes discussions when she was Secretary of State will know that she is anything but a shrinking violet. She certainly knows her own mind.
And while I am at it, some voters have no idea what that mind is. Please read Hillary Clinton's Iraq War vote speech instead of just assuming that her vote meant that she was gung ho to go to war. If we had followed her judgment, we might be in a very different place now:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2016/02/hill...
As far as coattails? I think she is trying to reassure voters who supported her husband and President Obama that her policies would not be a radical departure from them. At the same time, anyone who has read the behind the scenes discussions when she was Secretary of State will know that she is anything but a shrinking violet. She certainly knows her own mind.
And while I am at it, some voters have no idea what that mind is. Please read Hillary Clinton's Iraq War vote speech instead of just assuming that her vote meant that she was gung ho to go to war. If we had followed her judgment, we might be in a very different place now:
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/war_stories/2016/02/hill...
1
Would Hillary even be running for president if Bill wasn't so eager to be back front and center hoping to shore up his legacy.
By assigning Bill various roles in her administration Clinton is saying in so many words that the little woman can't do it without her man. She is a feminist from the 60s who thought it daring to get an education and show their intellect, not a feminist of 2016. Women today seeking positions of power, hand the diaper bag to the husband, not the keys to the office.
When I vote for the candidate of my choice, I want to be voting for the person who knows the buck stops with them. With Hillary you get the feeling she says I defer my decision to my adviser.
Though with Trump as the Republican candidate, Clinton is the best choice, but she is not one of the most qualified persons ever to run for the office. Qualifications are not just resume items but should include grit, backbone, introspection and most of all, results. I am not sure I see that in her record.
Sure she can stand up to a grilling, she is a Harvard grad lawyer after all and knows how to take the stand (having been there a number of times). However, is that what a voter should look for in a president. She will get my support but not my endorsement.
By assigning Bill various roles in her administration Clinton is saying in so many words that the little woman can't do it without her man. She is a feminist from the 60s who thought it daring to get an education and show their intellect, not a feminist of 2016. Women today seeking positions of power, hand the diaper bag to the husband, not the keys to the office.
When I vote for the candidate of my choice, I want to be voting for the person who knows the buck stops with them. With Hillary you get the feeling she says I defer my decision to my adviser.
Though with Trump as the Republican candidate, Clinton is the best choice, but she is not one of the most qualified persons ever to run for the office. Qualifications are not just resume items but should include grit, backbone, introspection and most of all, results. I am not sure I see that in her record.
Sure she can stand up to a grilling, she is a Harvard grad lawyer after all and knows how to take the stand (having been there a number of times). However, is that what a voter should look for in a president. She will get my support but not my endorsement.
4
According to Bill Clinton's former Labor Secretary, Robert Reich, Hillary should neither be blamed or credited for what her husband did in office.
It seems she wants the credit, but not the blame.
Bill Clinton is a brilliant man and he helped revive the economy. But our main economic problem today is the concentration of wealth and power among the few. Five banks own 44 percent of all bank assets today.
Bill Clinton thought it was a good idea to get rid of Glass-Steagall, which was put in place after the first Great Depression, to keep investment banks from gambling with commercial deposits. The result: the second Great Depression.
I do not believe Bill Clinton will do what is necessary to restore economic vitality and fairness, which means regulating Wall Street and breaking up big banks.
I am not reassured by having hubby have so much power. Despite the fact that he knows much about the economy, I do not believe that he has an accurate, nor honest, diagnosis of our central economic problem!!!
The American people are being ripped off by banks as it is, by getting nearly zero interest money from the central bank, and then loaning it to us at usurious rates.
We want freedom from economic bondage, not tweaks around the edges.
How stupid do they think we are?
It seems she wants the credit, but not the blame.
Bill Clinton is a brilliant man and he helped revive the economy. But our main economic problem today is the concentration of wealth and power among the few. Five banks own 44 percent of all bank assets today.
Bill Clinton thought it was a good idea to get rid of Glass-Steagall, which was put in place after the first Great Depression, to keep investment banks from gambling with commercial deposits. The result: the second Great Depression.
I do not believe Bill Clinton will do what is necessary to restore economic vitality and fairness, which means regulating Wall Street and breaking up big banks.
I am not reassured by having hubby have so much power. Despite the fact that he knows much about the economy, I do not believe that he has an accurate, nor honest, diagnosis of our central economic problem!!!
The American people are being ripped off by banks as it is, by getting nearly zero interest money from the central bank, and then loaning it to us at usurious rates.
We want freedom from economic bondage, not tweaks around the edges.
How stupid do they think we are?
10
I do not agree. No President, despite the myths created about the office, can actually manage the entire executive branch of the Untied States Government. A candidate married to a very successful and popular former President (way more popular and successful than is recognized in the press and by broadcasters) has an additional asset to promote her candidacy. At the same time, it borders on silly to suggest that were she not married to President Clinton, she would be in the same position as she is. Yes, she is one of the most qualified people ever to run for office but her qualifications include those who surround her, including her husband.
4
I totally agree - I cannot understand why Hillary has invoked the name of Bill so much on her campaign. And to say that he will play a central role in her Administration? If she thinks that's a clever way to play well to the masses, she needs to reconsider her logic. All it does is make her sound insecure. The whole point is that she will be President Hillary Clinton, standing on her own two incredibly capable, experienced, qualified feet. She doesn't need to lean on the reputation of anyone else to establish her credibility.
2
Hillary is riding on the coat tails of Bill and Obama, which hardly instills confidence that she can govern alone and worse, feeds right into stereotypes about female leaders.
10
Now that someone placed the issue of the treatment of women back on the table the spectical of Bill Clinton's numerous affairs and "other" issues with women are from page news again. Sec. Clinton must feel she can't get a break right now. Her husband's past with other women is not going to help her with millennial women. The "stand by your man" argument has been replaced by "economic equality". Today's women have so many more options. Putting up with an unfaithful husband isn't one if them anymore.
6
We know Hillary needs to be her own woman but one can't deny that her husband Bill is in the room. Since we have never had a woman president and no male president has been involved in a same-sex marriage the subject of a spouse who was a former president has never come up. This time is different. Much like the Kennedy's and the Bushes, these close-knit political families influence cannot be removed from the equation. It's just the way it is.
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
3
If Mr. Clinton does the economy, what is left for Mrs. Clinton? She's supposed to be the person advocating the policies.
Let's knock some sense into the Clinton campaign. Mr. Trump also wants to use Mr. Clinton as a doormat to hit Hillary. Now that she's won Kentucky, let's put MR. Clinton on the backburner.
I would recommend taking on Bernie head on. His policies are foolhardy, all he's got is character issues pushing him. That college that just failed in Vt., what were the Sanders credentials to start one. Mr. Sanders poor economic decisions (buying Burlington Waterfront property for one) caused it to fail. Bernie fails where Trump shines. Don't debate in California. It shows you can be pushed around.
Let's knock some sense into the Clinton campaign. Mr. Trump also wants to use Mr. Clinton as a doormat to hit Hillary. Now that she's won Kentucky, let's put MR. Clinton on the backburner.
I would recommend taking on Bernie head on. His policies are foolhardy, all he's got is character issues pushing him. That college that just failed in Vt., what were the Sanders credentials to start one. Mr. Sanders poor economic decisions (buying Burlington Waterfront property for one) caused it to fail. Bernie fails where Trump shines. Don't debate in California. It shows you can be pushed around.
2
Gail, simply having held other positions doesn't make someone "one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office" of President. It's what the person has accomplished while occupying those other positions that creates qualification. Her dearth of positive accomplishments in prior offices is as much as part of Clinton's difficulty in arousing enthusiasm among voters as are the various lapses in judgment that her opponents focus on.
20
People give too much importance to the president blame him for weather, it's a thankless job. But the power it offers makes one feel like monarchy perhaps.? The Clintons have tasted the power and want more.
3
Absolutely! Let's hear this repeated over and over, if, necessary until Hillary hears it and acts on it. I so not support her at this point because I see nothing to hold on to in her flailing attempts to figure out what voters want to hear, having no strong sense of who she wants to be as a leader. At least Bernie is offering a firm vision for this country, that you were wise in a previous essay to point out!
10
Invoking her husband's name to save her campaign is the antithesis of feminism.
Yet Hilary knows this and it matters not one iota to her. I'm not at ALL surprised at Hilary's choice to hang on the coattails of her husband, but as a woman, I'm embarrassed that this chameleon will likely stand before us as the first female president. Argh...
Yet Hilary knows this and it matters not one iota to her. I'm not at ALL surprised at Hilary's choice to hang on the coattails of her husband, but as a woman, I'm embarrassed that this chameleon will likely stand before us as the first female president. Argh...
17
Must we always hear that Clinton is "one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office" of president? What does it mean to be "qualified?" To have experience? Then, maybe we should judge those qualifications on what the candidate actually did in office -- such as vote for a war that everyone knew was a sham. But back to qualifications: When historians and political scientists rank presidents, the top three almost always are some variation on: 1. Lincoln; 2. Washington; 3. FDR. Lincoln served 8 years in the Illinois state house and one term as an ineffective US representative. Washington was an army officer and a representative to the Continental Congress. FDR, the most "qualified" of the bunch, was assistant secretary of the navy, a New York state senator, and New York governor for an incomplete term. On the other hand, James Buchanan, generally ranked as the worst president in history, was more "qualified" than Clinton. He served as ambassador to the United Kingdom, France, in the US Senate, and as Secretary of State. Probably the most "qualified" person to seek the presidency was John C. Calhoun in 1844 and 1848 (See, Joseph Rayback's article in the 1948 Journal of Southern History) -- vice president under two different presidents, Secretary of War, Secretary of State, US Senator, US representative. I'm sure he would have a great president. Maybe the fewer "qualifications" the better.
10
"Maybe the fewer "qualifications" the better. "
Rob:
I'm pretty sure if you were hiring someone to run your business you wouldn't look for the least qualified job seeker so to advocate for an inexperienced President seems silly.
Qualifications don't guarantee a great President, but of the truly great Presidents none was completely unqualified. That Clinton made mistakes as Senator and Sec. of State is true, but those mistakes are important experiences. Not sure we want to elect someone whose first big mistake in government comes as President of the United States. I think it is important that our President has had a chance to make mistakes, before we give them the nuclear codes.
Rob:
I'm pretty sure if you were hiring someone to run your business you wouldn't look for the least qualified job seeker so to advocate for an inexperienced President seems silly.
Qualifications don't guarantee a great President, but of the truly great Presidents none was completely unqualified. That Clinton made mistakes as Senator and Sec. of State is true, but those mistakes are important experiences. Not sure we want to elect someone whose first big mistake in government comes as President of the United States. I think it is important that our President has had a chance to make mistakes, before we give them the nuclear codes.
2
Thank you, Gail! I am a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton and I will vote for her in November. However, in Hillary's campaign, Bill Clinton (who I voted for and still do like) has made some cringe-worthy gaffes.
Hillary MUST stand on her own in this campaign. Only her name will be on the ballot. And you are quite correct -- having Bill Clinton at the table will shut down all discussion and will overshadow Hillary. In fact, with Bill at the tablet some people may be confused about who is actually the President.
It is important that Hillary, as the President, hear all sides of an issue without anyone or everyone at the table worrying about "what Bill thinks." Hearing all sides of an issue from the very smart, very experienced people I fully expect will make up Hillary's cabinet will make her a stronger, more effective President and leader.
That is not to say that Hillary can't privately discuss pros and cons with her husband, Bill. But as Harry Truman said about the office of President, "The Buck Stops Here." Final decisions will be Hillary's, alone, to make as President -- and she, alone, will be held accountable by the American people.
BTW -- Hillary may certainly say about President Obama, "Here are the things I like about what President Obama has done/accomplished and why; here are the changes I propose and why.
Hillary MUST stand on her own in this campaign. Only her name will be on the ballot. And you are quite correct -- having Bill Clinton at the table will shut down all discussion and will overshadow Hillary. In fact, with Bill at the tablet some people may be confused about who is actually the President.
It is important that Hillary, as the President, hear all sides of an issue without anyone or everyone at the table worrying about "what Bill thinks." Hearing all sides of an issue from the very smart, very experienced people I fully expect will make up Hillary's cabinet will make her a stronger, more effective President and leader.
That is not to say that Hillary can't privately discuss pros and cons with her husband, Bill. But as Harry Truman said about the office of President, "The Buck Stops Here." Final decisions will be Hillary's, alone, to make as President -- and she, alone, will be held accountable by the American people.
BTW -- Hillary may certainly say about President Obama, "Here are the things I like about what President Obama has done/accomplished and why; here are the changes I propose and why.
4
Hillary should have someone tie Bill to the roof rack and send him on vacation to Canada until the election is over, and probably for the next 8 years as well. For all the reasons Gail has stated, he can only hurt. Moreover, Hillary needs to inject some energy into her campaign, and Bill has lost at least 20 miles per hour off his fastball - a shell of his former self. You know he will open his big mouth and say the wrong thing somewhere along the way. Or worse.
2
Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely. I don't know how much more absolutely I can agree. Friends of mine and I have been wringing our hands over the miserable campaign Ms. Clinton, the most qualified candidate seeking the presidency this year, is running. You'd think in 30 years she could have learned to give an inspiring speech, But OK, she hasn't. Against Mr. Trump, she has all the logic on her side, she has all the issues on her side (a majority of Americans do NOT want the cornerstones of the Trump campaign, the wall, a ban on all Muslims entering the country "until we figure out what's going on" -- how clueless can one sound?) and yet the Fox News poll has her trailing. Gaffe after gaffe, and this one about employing her husband perhaps the worst. Look, everyone knows that Bill Clinton will be a resource for Hillary Clinton, just like Michelle Obama is a resource for our current president. But he should have no official position of power. Here we have on one side a man who claims to be so strong that he needs no advisers and only reluctantly hires them when forced to, being faced by a candidate with vastly more knowledge and experience who seems to be so weak that she is going to outsource, of all things, jobs policy. Does Ms. Clinton not remember her persona in 2002? Can she not recreate for the nation the Hillary that existed then for New York? If not, why not, and will that inability doom her campaign?
2
Gail, I understand that you would like Hillary to win with her own merits, which she should be able to do in theory. You don't want to have people saying that Hillary only got to where she is because of her husband. (Which I find personally hilarious, considering people were saying twenty years ago that Bill only got to where he was because of Hillary.)
But the fact is, some people are already saying that. Even some women. And at this point, nothing is going to convince those people that Hillary has earned her position on her own merits. That's a losing battle.
On the other hand, we should not take even the smallest risk that you-know-who becomes President, and though the help of Bill might diminish the achievements of Hillary, I do believe that it will also diminish that risk.
It might be a small step backward for women, but it is a huge leap forward for humanity.
But the fact is, some people are already saying that. Even some women. And at this point, nothing is going to convince those people that Hillary has earned her position on her own merits. That's a losing battle.
On the other hand, we should not take even the smallest risk that you-know-who becomes President, and though the help of Bill might diminish the achievements of Hillary, I do believe that it will also diminish that risk.
It might be a small step backward for women, but it is a huge leap forward for humanity.
3
Let me get this straight. You think that somebody, anybody, let alone somebody as important as a president should ignore and shun the advice of two of the greatest living examples of people to hold that title simply because they are men? "No men allowed" is sexist. These are the two biggest political allies she has and you don't want them there because they are men? This is the perfect example of everything wrong with modern feminism.
5
Agreed.
I read somewhere yesterday that Hillary has an approval index problem. When she is in campaign mode she rates down in the mid 30s. When she was FLOTUS and Secretary of State she was in the high 50s low 60s. Maybe she needs to quit trying to fill football stadiums like her rivals are and focus on being the competent, knowledgeable communicator that she was before the Benghazi committee.
1
Used to be for Hillary but no more. It's disgraceful that as soon as things are starting to go wrong with her campaign, she starts saying that Bill will have a major role in her administration. In other words, she's leaning on a man; how embarrassing for her and the democrat party.
7
When the time was finally right to elect a black man President good fortune gave us Barack Obama, the right man at the right time in history. It's finally that time to elect a woman and I fear we don't have the right one. Hillary has squandered so many opportunities trying to be what she thinks we want that she no longer knows who she is and neither do we.
Gail Collins is right-leave Bill home, Hillary has enough to answer for on her own. More importantly quit letting down your supporters.
Don't make this moment in history another time to elect a Buffoon.
Gail Collins is right-leave Bill home, Hillary has enough to answer for on her own. More importantly quit letting down your supporters.
Don't make this moment in history another time to elect a Buffoon.
9
I voiced this earlier in the week. Send Bill back to NY and keep him there.
If the Clinotons think Bill can be The First Gentleman or whatever his title would be, let him practice through this campaign by staying in a house and doing secondary non political tasks.
He could get allegiance by gathering fellow vegan supporters, one of recent health concerns. He could be a male let's get moving, regarding exercise and supporting heart health for men. He could do more for the arts in NYC - after all, look at the Kochs, and their arts endowments. How about doing something for college kids that is not political. And Bill also is a grandpa - how about doing something for grandfathers to connect with their grandkids - a grandpa movement?
This election is not and should not be about Bill Clinton. He got voted in twice already. Don't turn off women with Bill, Hillary - it could be one of the biggest mistakes in 2016!
If the Clinotons think Bill can be The First Gentleman or whatever his title would be, let him practice through this campaign by staying in a house and doing secondary non political tasks.
He could get allegiance by gathering fellow vegan supporters, one of recent health concerns. He could be a male let's get moving, regarding exercise and supporting heart health for men. He could do more for the arts in NYC - after all, look at the Kochs, and their arts endowments. How about doing something for college kids that is not political. And Bill also is a grandpa - how about doing something for grandfathers to connect with their grandkids - a grandpa movement?
This election is not and should not be about Bill Clinton. He got voted in twice already. Don't turn off women with Bill, Hillary - it could be one of the biggest mistakes in 2016!
4
Yes I think Hillary can use Bill, especially insofar as he may be a part of the presidential ouvre when she is elected. Don't let him be forgotten or assumed to not be involved; bring him up or out from time to time to refresh memories about how good times were prior to the dark ages of GWB.
Ever since Clinton wooed Lewinski then lied about it, and threw her under the bus, "that woman," he lost all political clout. Now on the campaign trail for Hillary, whenever he gets up there with his grey hair, his emaciated furrow, the finger wag, the lip bite, the moral authority, I cringe. He seems greasy and weird to me now. And I use to be a big fan. Certainly he is a liability for Hillary, and, I agree, he should be in the wings.
12
I wish someone in Hillary's camp would tell her that she's not going to fill the charisma gap by trotting out that randy old goat. No good can come of it.
She needs to be herself, even if she's a bit boring. There's plenty of sound and fury coming from the other side, and it's foolish to try to compete on his level. Be sensible, be rational, be competent and don't pander. Keep Bill in the back of the bus.
She needs to be herself, even if she's a bit boring. There's plenty of sound and fury coming from the other side, and it's foolish to try to compete on his level. Be sensible, be rational, be competent and don't pander. Keep Bill in the back of the bus.
7
She must stand by, stick, or cling to, him as there is a large number of voters who will not vote for her without the assurance that he will be deeply involved in running the country. This cohort dwarfs the tiny number of voters who definitely will vote for her only if he has little or no role.
As for the others, most of you will vote for her no matter what, so what she needs not take your 'feelings' into account.
As for the others, most of you will vote for her no matter what, so what she needs not take your 'feelings' into account.
3
"This is one of the most qualified persons ever to run"? by which metrics? her inability to bring about health care reform under Bills' administration? garden variety Senator? mishandling classified e mails, Benghazi? is the world or the US in a better place than we were 8 years ago? Hillary had a great positive impact on the lives of women, their names are Hillary and Chelsea.
24
I actually don't mind at all if Hillary Clinton wins by default. Wouldn't bother me in the least! Just let her win, because the spectre of a Trump presidency is enough to scare me into just about anything.
5
Have been a supporter of Hillary Clinton for a long time, but I must admit that I agree with Gail Collins who writes that it is time for her to "stand alone" for all the reasons expressed in this article.
5
Amen! Mrs. Clinton saying that Bill will be “in charge of revitalizing the economy” is a terrible unforced error for her campaign. Worse, it opens the door to criticizing HER for all of HIS faults and previous actions. Even worse, I am a strong supporter of Mrs. Clinton and, even though I wouldn't ever vote for Mr. Trump or any of the other GOP candidates, it makes me question her judgement. I can't help but think such mistakes will make those on the fence question her even more.
10
I totally agree. When I heard Hillary say that she was delegating fixing the economy to Bill, I heard, "I'll bake the cookies and let my husband handle the hard stuff." That may not be what she meant, but that's how it sounded. It's as though she were saying that managing the economy was beyond her capacity.
Obviously, Hillary is qualified to run the economy. Yet she's been saying for a year that it is she who is running for President, not Bill. So which is it? Reassure the blue-collar voters who don't trust her that Bill, not she, will be in charge? That seems like a really bad move strategically, playing right into the hands of Trump and white male sexists.
Bill Clinton should remain on the campaign trail, because he's a good campaigner. He should explain economic issues to voters, because he's good at that. He should also make plain, however, that it is HER policies, and HER plans that he's explaining, and that his role will be as an ambassador, not a policy-maker.
Why, oh why, does Hillary's campaign continue to make these obvious, terrible errors? When, oh when, will she stop reading scripts and start using her instincts (because I do think she has instincts; she just buries them because she's a head person and doesn't trust them). This mistake was such a whopper that my mouth dropped when I heard her say it. What is she thinking?
Obviously, Hillary is qualified to run the economy. Yet she's been saying for a year that it is she who is running for President, not Bill. So which is it? Reassure the blue-collar voters who don't trust her that Bill, not she, will be in charge? That seems like a really bad move strategically, playing right into the hands of Trump and white male sexists.
Bill Clinton should remain on the campaign trail, because he's a good campaigner. He should explain economic issues to voters, because he's good at that. He should also make plain, however, that it is HER policies, and HER plans that he's explaining, and that his role will be as an ambassador, not a policy-maker.
Why, oh why, does Hillary's campaign continue to make these obvious, terrible errors? When, oh when, will she stop reading scripts and start using her instincts (because I do think she has instincts; she just buries them because she's a head person and doesn't trust them). This mistake was such a whopper that my mouth dropped when I heard her say it. What is she thinking?
8
"Obviously, Hillary is qualified to run the economy."
Please explain. I'll I can tell is that she's good at making buckets of money giving speeches to Wall St bankers.
Please explain. I'll I can tell is that she's good at making buckets of money giving speeches to Wall St bankers.
9
Why is Hillary able to run the economy? She was a spouse for most of her life and then she had bureaucratic job that had n connection with the economy.
4
We are not just choosing a leader but the team that that leader is likely to assemble and both lead and be led by. In this case Bill would be the most certain member of Hillary's team. If I were phoning at 3 am, about the last thing I'd want to hear over a muffled phone is, "I dunno, what do you think, Melania?"
6
I have to agree wholeheartedly on this one. I'm fully in Hillary's camp, but lately is seems like her position is simply that she's not either Trump or Sanders, and while that's enough for me, it's not enough to bring in voters beyond her already established base. This election has become about who can position themselves as a rebel and an outsider, someone with a vision and ideology that feels new and different (even if it really isn't), which can be difficult for a woman to navigate, given that we still live in a culture that punishes women for challenging the status quo. I can understand why it might be tempting to put a dynamic male figure in your camp to do some of that talking, but she has to find her own voice and keep Bill out of it. We need her vision, and It's like I tell my daughters--don't tell me what you don't want and expect me to come up with something else to appease you. Tell me what you DO want, and be clear about it. She will be a good president. But I'm very worried that in treading too lightly she's letting her opportunity slip away.
33
Perhaps she feels that he should have a direct policy role because of the great job she did on universal health care while he was president.
7
The only way Hillary will win in November is if the Democrats manage to horrify key voting groups by the Trump bogeyman. And even if Hillary stands alone (sans Bill and Henry Kissinger) the person standing is a dishonest, inauthentic, poll-tested and money grabbing status quo politician. A politician whose past and present actions , triangulations, war-hawk military policies and her 'greenlighting' an extreme right wing Israeli apartheid government make it ethically impossible for me to vote for her.
It's not the presentation, the message, or the constant re-branding and re-positioning - it's the core character that makes both she and Trump unfit for office.
It's not the presentation, the message, or the constant re-branding and re-positioning - it's the core character that makes both she and Trump unfit for office.
11
A person in a position of power giving a job to a relative is nepotism. Hillary Clinton should be pledging not to appoint her husband to anything. Saying she'll put him in charge of the economy is just another example of her weakness as a candidate, and as a moral leader.
117
The Clintons are so hyper connected, you will find a hard time finding a non Clinton connection to these 2 politicians.
1
Like JFK and his brother, RFK. What's with Dems, anyway?
It would be good to have a woman President.
Not Hillary, though (although she's qualified).
The combination, in her case, of ambition, maneuvering, coat-tail riding, disingenuousness, and sheer endurance isn't what the country wants.
The country wants some newness -- some substantial and symbolic newness.
You'd expect that the mere fact of her being a woman would lend her an aura (at least) of newness. Somehow she manages to come across as very much more of a "good-old-boy" politician than the Donald. Just exactly what the people do not want is the sort of transgender-ization she represents -- Boss Tweed in a woman's body.
Not Hillary, though (although she's qualified).
The combination, in her case, of ambition, maneuvering, coat-tail riding, disingenuousness, and sheer endurance isn't what the country wants.
The country wants some newness -- some substantial and symbolic newness.
You'd expect that the mere fact of her being a woman would lend her an aura (at least) of newness. Somehow she manages to come across as very much more of a "good-old-boy" politician than the Donald. Just exactly what the people do not want is the sort of transgender-ization she represents -- Boss Tweed in a woman's body.
9
In the words of that great 20th century philosopher, Mick Jagger,”You can’t always get what you want…but if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need.” Yes, it would be great to have a candidate who is not trailing all the baggage Hillary has, but as you point out, she’s a woman (it’s about time we had a woman president,) and she’s qualified. And since when are ambition and endurance not admirable qualities in a leader? All politicians maneuver, ride coat tails and are disingenuous from time to time. It goes with the “profession.” She is the leper with the most fingers and Despicable Donald is just too scary to be in office for anything higher than dogcatcher. Finally, you don’t get to be where she is without jointing the old boy’s club which is the only game there is at the national political level.
1
Hear, hear, Gail. I was horrified when I heard Mrs. Clinton say that her husband would play a central role in her administration. The Republicans are already trying to tie her to Mr. Clinton's extramarital activities, characterizing her as an "enabler." Insofar as the Clinton family has any negatives, Mr. Clinton's sexual exploits are high on the list. Rather than trying to use his popularity to enhance her own, she should play down his potential role in her administration. The Republicans, in particular Mr. Trump, will use this--however unfairly--against her in two ways. One, it will be used as a third term for Bill Clinton; and two, it will help them portray her as "only a woman," depending on her man for advice and counsel. NOT a good idea.
4
Apparently his exploits have become so normalized to her that she's forgotten how they come across to the rest of us.
6
Admittedly, the Republican candidate is awful, but it is nearly impossible to vote for someone whose judgment on foreign policy is so questionable. Secretary Clinton certainly has tremendous knowledge on all sorts of issues and is a serious and intelligent person. But her instincts and decisions are often wrong. If anything has been revealed over the last few years, it is that we need to be more judicious overseas. Her opinion supporting the imposition of a no-fly zone in Syria when Russians were flying in that airspace was another sign that she hasn't learned a thing. It is depressing to consider that she is the saner choice. I wish any other Democrat was on the ballot this fall.
4
I think she recommended that no-fly zone long before the Russian military got involved, and that's one of the reasons I'm voting for her. Something like that could have saved many lives and prevented much of the migration crisis that is now engulfing Europe.
1
The world has changed so much since the 1990s.
I don't trust the Clintons to lead us responsibly into our future.
I don't trust the Clintons to lead us responsibly into our future.
11
I support the Clintons but this was a weak move on her part. Suggests she is feeling the Bern much too much. Bill would neither be elected or approved by congress which gives him an odd role. He has plenty to offer in a less prominent role, but please Clintons, no more pricey speeches until you both retire from politics.
1
Don't think it's the "Bern" -- but rather the "Bill".
In the past Bill Clinton had a good relation to Kentucky voters, and her out-of-context quote about closing down the mines had a deleterious effect on her run in that state.
In the past Bill Clinton had a good relation to Kentucky voters, and her out-of-context quote about closing down the mines had a deleterious effect on her run in that state.
1
Gail,
Thank you for one of the most objective and important
column about Hilliary's decisions. This one to appoint
her husband to solve our economic problems is really
troubling to me and has pushed me to support Sanders.
It was Bill Clinton who pushed through NAFTA and lost
so many jobs for America. It was B. Clinton and the
Clinton foundation's use of money in Haiti which was
so questionable and which benefitted the Clintons
themselves. And have we ever seen a President appoint
his spouse to a key role in an administration such as
this promises? (only on TV House of Cards). This who
campaign is beginning to feel like the House of Cards
at this point and is very disturbing. Next Hilliary will
appoint Chelsea's husband who has lost 90% of
his hedge fund investors money making a bet on Greece.
(Certainly this kind of stake in an investment would
influence the mother-in-law's foreign policy!)
I think we have had enough of the Clinton dynasty
and enough of the Clintons gaining ever more power
to benefit wall street. Please. It is time for a change.
This is a "bought" election. We need true democracy.
Thank you for one of the most objective and important
column about Hilliary's decisions. This one to appoint
her husband to solve our economic problems is really
troubling to me and has pushed me to support Sanders.
It was Bill Clinton who pushed through NAFTA and lost
so many jobs for America. It was B. Clinton and the
Clinton foundation's use of money in Haiti which was
so questionable and which benefitted the Clintons
themselves. And have we ever seen a President appoint
his spouse to a key role in an administration such as
this promises? (only on TV House of Cards). This who
campaign is beginning to feel like the House of Cards
at this point and is very disturbing. Next Hilliary will
appoint Chelsea's husband who has lost 90% of
his hedge fund investors money making a bet on Greece.
(Certainly this kind of stake in an investment would
influence the mother-in-law's foreign policy!)
I think we have had enough of the Clinton dynasty
and enough of the Clintons gaining ever more power
to benefit wall street. Please. It is time for a change.
This is a "bought" election. We need true democracy.
14
Bringing one's husband in on one's campaign or administration does seem to me to be the antithesis of being a feminist.
15
Mrs. First lady, Senator, Secretary of state, candidate for President, The Hillary, is offering the same old tired out stuff including Bill Clinton. I am a 76 year old white New England female who wishes for a leader who offers some brand new ideas. Someone who will not look to the past but take some calculated risks to actually attempt to improve how America functions in our collective future.
As Senator Barack Obama once stated "She's nice enough." I agree with that statement. I hope to be able to vote for Senator Bernie Sanders. I do not dislike Mrs. Clinton, I am simply tired of her.
As Senator Barack Obama once stated "She's nice enough." I agree with that statement. I hope to be able to vote for Senator Bernie Sanders. I do not dislike Mrs. Clinton, I am simply tired of her.
24
I believe that Hillary's decision to raise Bill's profile is the strongest indication of two things: 1/ the weakness that is evident in her campaign, and 2/ just how desperately she wants to be president. A more confident individual would have distanced herself from him and run her own campaign. Now, it's "The Clintons" redux. Just what the country doesn't need.
31
If the Clintons had an ounce of patriotism and a desire to benefit the Nation rather than feed their own ambitions and their bankroll they'd simply retire to their estate-homes. Hillary Clinton is, simply put, a highly accomplished, intelligent, individual but she's also a loser who has a poor reputation and whom people distrust and dislike, believing she's corrupt. Hillary does nothing to discourage her corrupt image except stonewall. There is a great and expanding danger that she will lose to Donald J. Trump while there is growing evidence that Bernard Sanders would not. She needs to get out of the way to prevent Trump's fascism from taking the White House for the good of the Country.
24
Ronald Cohen,
The sad part of Hillary's very likely loss to Donald is that the Democrats will blame Bernie for it. Democrats will then conclude that true progressives like Bernie should be kept out of their primary process. Given the hurdles the Democratic establishment has placed in Sanders' way, the Democrats have already concluded that.
I've had it with the Democrats who think that moderate conservatives like Bill Clinton, Obama, and now Hillary are the way forward. It's time to find a liberal alternative to the Democratic Party.
The sad part of Hillary's very likely loss to Donald is that the Democrats will blame Bernie for it. Democrats will then conclude that true progressives like Bernie should be kept out of their primary process. Given the hurdles the Democratic establishment has placed in Sanders' way, the Democrats have already concluded that.
I've had it with the Democrats who think that moderate conservatives like Bill Clinton, Obama, and now Hillary are the way forward. It's time to find a liberal alternative to the Democratic Party.
4
I will say that as someone who already dislikes and distrusts Hillary and has been having a very heated internal debate as to whether I could live with myself if I were to vote for her, the news that she would put Bill in charge of the economy was just another nail in her coffin. I voted for Bill and was appalled when this supposed Democrat signed NAFTA and deregulated banks. His policies were horrible for the economy and directly led to the mess we are in today. I know she would need to find him a job, but for god's sake make him an ambassador or something, far far away from anything that would actually affect American workers.
43
I guess, Gail, I think that the proven ability to stand alone is a key perquisite for any chief executive. Having the strength of your convictions does not preclude the ability to arrive at consensus; but it helps to keep you on the right track. Mrs. Clinton has had an authenticity problem over the years. When she says she grew up poor, that was no doubt in comparison to the Wellesley students who came from old money. Still she had the advantage of getting that education, wearing the twin sets, moving on to Yale Law School, and landing cushy jobs.
She says they were dead broke when they left the White House. Sad for her, but she had had no problem supporting NAFTA, although the loss of lower middle class jobs with benefits was predictable. Today I read that she and Bill are worth $45 million dollars, partly acquired by her and Bill's speech-making for the wealthiest among us. Today she supports TPP.
I hope and suspect she does believe in a strong middle class in a democracy. I know we cannot get there the way we're going now. So what is her vision? And why should I believe it?
She says they were dead broke when they left the White House. Sad for her, but she had had no problem supporting NAFTA, although the loss of lower middle class jobs with benefits was predictable. Today I read that she and Bill are worth $45 million dollars, partly acquired by her and Bill's speech-making for the wealthiest among us. Today she supports TPP.
I hope and suspect she does believe in a strong middle class in a democracy. I know we cannot get there the way we're going now. So what is her vision? And why should I believe it?
19
One way Hillary could and should differ from Obama is in her calling out of the Republican party as the disaster that they have become. They are wrong on virtually everything, from the economy, to global warming. healthcare and entitlement reform, women's issues and their idea that aggressive posturing is the way to conduct ourselves in foreign affairs.
Hillary is too cautious.
Hillary is too cautious.
8
Amen!
4
Thank you for the serious look at Hillary's comments and what they mean. Bill Clinton's arrogant certainty that he is smarter than everyone else and his dismissive remarks about anyone he disagrees with were factors that pushed some of us from Hillary to Obama in the last campaign. This time Bill has been at it again with insulting remarks about Bernie Sanders' supporters. Her remarks about her husband's role in her administration sounded like evidence that she really does say whatever she thinks might resonate with voters.
You are right -- other advisors are diminished, even undermined, when the ex-president spouse sits at the table with authority. Can we imagine a strong candidate for secretary of state stepping forward to serve in a cabinet that includes the former secretary and former president who retire together at the end of the day? It is a changing world: we need a wide range of expertise and outlooks at the White House serving with confidence.
You are right -- other advisors are diminished, even undermined, when the ex-president spouse sits at the table with authority. Can we imagine a strong candidate for secretary of state stepping forward to serve in a cabinet that includes the former secretary and former president who retire together at the end of the day? It is a changing world: we need a wide range of expertise and outlooks at the White House serving with confidence.
88
Mr. and Mrs. Clinton have learned a lot since he was President and since the campaign of 2008, ABhere. They are both brilliant and they evolve in their thinking. Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton knows where the buck will stop. No matter who is elected President, or elected to any other office, it up to US to make sure they stay on track.
Putting Bill in charge of the economy sounds like neither Hillary nor her campaign have evolved in their thinking.
3
What if Bill Clinton IS smarter than everyone else?
Thank you for this excellent column. One of my problems from the start with Hillary as a candidate has been having Bill lurking in the background. In part, that is because I was not happy with things his administration did (NAFTA, welfare reform, the crime bill, financial deregulation) and I am expecting more of the same from her. Partly it is because, as this essay points out, as a former President, he would wield vastly more influence in Washington than any other first spouse in history. That could perhaps be addressed by finding him a mostly ceremonial role, but Ms. Clinton's campaigning has indicated that his role would be anything but ceremonial. I would love to vote for a woman for President, but not this woman, and Bill is a large part of why (along with her far too hawkish foreign policy). I wouldn't vote for Bill for a third term, so I won't be voting for Hillary. Not Trump either. I think I'll write in Bernie or maybe Elizabeth Warren. I'd happily vote for Obama for a third term. Sigh, maybe we could start a campaign to remove that term limit...
12
Bill and Hillary are a great team. Why should that stop now? Personally, I would like to see more of him on the campaign trail. He seems to have been hidden well.
1
You are so right. Plus her presidency would absolutely reflect (finally) the astounding achievements of Second Wave feminism. That said, as a SW feminist, Clinton absolutely understands how fraught the struggle for women's rights has always been. Therefore, we can read her actions another way--she understands that to garner votes from men, she needs to appeal to their vanity. It may be maddening, but it's something many other SW feminists have been forced to deal with for decades.
2
IF she is elected, she WILL be elected by default. No other way about it. She has a very high unlikeablity rating, she is not deemed trustworthy and is a liar.
No one knows who the real Hillary is. First she is this and then she is that and now she is running as a second Bill or Obama. She is whatever seems politically popular at the moment. Is this someone we want for president?
I'm not so sure she is as qualified as some people believe she is. I really don't know what she has accomplished. Don't think she qualifies as a feminist.
Hillary cannot stand alone. If she could, she would have divorced Bill as any self respecting woman would have done. She needs Bill to achieve her own goals, whatever those goals may be. No one knows, however one could speculate. She is pro war, pro Wall Street, pro trade agreements.
No one knows who the real Hillary is. First she is this and then she is that and now she is running as a second Bill or Obama. She is whatever seems politically popular at the moment. Is this someone we want for president?
I'm not so sure she is as qualified as some people believe she is. I really don't know what she has accomplished. Don't think she qualifies as a feminist.
Hillary cannot stand alone. If she could, she would have divorced Bill as any self respecting woman would have done. She needs Bill to achieve her own goals, whatever those goals may be. No one knows, however one could speculate. She is pro war, pro Wall Street, pro trade agreements.
10
Hillary is the default, alternative, second choice, no change and is that all we have to vote for candidate. I hope that was tactful. I want Jane Sanders for spouse!
3
A Hillary Clinton administration does not have to be all that different from those of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to be successful.
Last time I checked, both grew the economy and kept us safe in our homeland. The administration between them did neither.
Dan Kravitz
Last time I checked, both grew the economy and kept us safe in our homeland. The administration between them did neither.
Dan Kravitz
3
Hillary Clinton is, no doubt, qualified and smart. What she lacks is political instinct and sometimes the instinct to do the right thing, Can hard work overcome that? Sometimes.
If she wins she will need our support, even the support of those who oppose her.
If she wins she will need our support, even the support of those who oppose her.
1
Thank you Gail. I was looking this morning, as usual, for your sharp laser-pointed wit and satire and instead your column today is serious and right on the money. Thank you.
You confirm what I have maintained all along, that Hillary "is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails....."
Let us hope that the majority of voters see her this way also, and don't fall for Trump's carnival barker persona and his astounding lack of experience and knowledge about what the presidency of the United States requires of the incumbent.
You confirm what I have maintained all along, that Hillary "is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails....."
Let us hope that the majority of voters see her this way also, and don't fall for Trump's carnival barker persona and his astounding lack of experience and knowledge about what the presidency of the United States requires of the incumbent.
1
If the DNC selects Secretary Clinton as their nominee, the Democrats will lose. Check the head-to-head statistics. The Democrats would be wiser to nominate Bernie Sanders. His only baggage is decades of voting for the middle class and the poor and he has no votes for costly wars. As Secretary of State, Clinton was a major war monger (wrong on Iraq, Libya and Syria). She's a neo-con. Trump is dangerous because he has no clue about what he might have to know as president. Both the Clinton and Trump campaigns are run by lobbyists. Sanders is an honest guy who has decades of experience and is not a war maker...AND he polls way better than Clinton against Trump.
3
“This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office, and she doesn’t need to hold on to anybody’s coattails. ..” If qualifications won elections Donald Trump would not be the GOP standard bearer. Of course Hillary is qualified. Most Democratic and liberal minded voters should see this election as a contest between Hillary Clinton vs an American version of Benito Mussolini; but they don’t.
Republicans care only about electing Republicans will fall into line and vote for their Mussolini. Hillary Clinton is not a viable alternative. There is a real threat that Sander’s supporters my do the same thing by not voting at all.
Many people dislike and distrust Hillary. This is mostly the result of 20 plus years of right wing slander and vilification. I expect that this year a GOP issue will be who killed Vince Foster. Hillary’s problem is an “I know best” attitude which ignores what is really going on with the voters. She needs to unify her party now and that means running on a platform that has been bringing out yuge crowds for Bernie who needs to go after Trump.
The issue should be Trumpocracy. Democrats must take a page out of Trump’s playbook. Nothing is off limits and you do what it takes to win. So if Bill adds to the trust and likeability of Hillary fine and if she campaigns sitting on Obama’s shoulders with Bernie on one side and Bill on the other is that what it takes to defeat Trump full speed ahead.
Republicans care only about electing Republicans will fall into line and vote for their Mussolini. Hillary Clinton is not a viable alternative. There is a real threat that Sander’s supporters my do the same thing by not voting at all.
Many people dislike and distrust Hillary. This is mostly the result of 20 plus years of right wing slander and vilification. I expect that this year a GOP issue will be who killed Vince Foster. Hillary’s problem is an “I know best” attitude which ignores what is really going on with the voters. She needs to unify her party now and that means running on a platform that has been bringing out yuge crowds for Bernie who needs to go after Trump.
The issue should be Trumpocracy. Democrats must take a page out of Trump’s playbook. Nothing is off limits and you do what it takes to win. So if Bill adds to the trust and likeability of Hillary fine and if she campaigns sitting on Obama’s shoulders with Bernie on one side and Bill on the other is that what it takes to defeat Trump full speed ahead.
3
If Hillary chose to ignore bills potential contribution, she would be criticized for that. Bottom line -- everyone things they know more than she does. This goes with breaking the glass ceiling.
I remain baffled as to why anyone sees Hillary Clinton as some sort of feminist or role model for women.
Even my teenage daughter sees a woman whose career "accomplishments" are a direct result of staying married to an adulterer with tremendous political power and influence.
And now Hillary Clinton has underscored that, without Bill, she can't get the job or do the job. She dangles him as a bribe for votes.
Women as diverse as Gloria Steinem and Barbara Walters clawed their own way to the top. Hillary Clinton did not and you don't have to dislike her to see that.
Even my teenage daughter sees a woman whose career "accomplishments" are a direct result of staying married to an adulterer with tremendous political power and influence.
And now Hillary Clinton has underscored that, without Bill, she can't get the job or do the job. She dangles him as a bribe for votes.
Women as diverse as Gloria Steinem and Barbara Walters clawed their own way to the top. Hillary Clinton did not and you don't have to dislike her to see that.
6
Bill Clinton should go home, but it may be too late. I admire him, voted for him, but it's a mistake to pull him into his wife's campaign as a feature of her potential administration. She can do it on her own, with him in the background as cheerleader and spouse.
2
'It would be better if he wasn’t on the scene at all. Let us count the ways:'
The only husband/wife family to occupy the Oval Office - - EVER:
Another triumph over nasty Republicans:
Throwing Trump under the bus:
What else is there to do? Just let Bill relax go off and be Grandpa to his new grand-kids so we will no longer need to put up with him.
The only husband/wife family to occupy the Oval Office - - EVER:
Another triumph over nasty Republicans:
Throwing Trump under the bus:
What else is there to do? Just let Bill relax go off and be Grandpa to his new grand-kids so we will no longer need to put up with him.
3
Many critics point out that Hillary Clinton does not have the charisma of her husband, or his skills as a candidate. She lacks the speaking skills of Barack Obama, and the audacity of Donald Trump. She projects no big dream or future for Americans as does Bernie Sanders. Why would I vote for her? If she lacks the capacity to be a good presidential candidate, what would she bring to the presidency that would lead our nation well?
Just being the first woman, experienced though she is, does not make her the best leader for our nation. I'll not vote for Mr. Trump, no matter, but I don't know whether I'll vote for Mrs. Clinton either. Being better than bad doesn't make her a good choice.
Just being the first woman, experienced though she is, does not make her the best leader for our nation. I'll not vote for Mr. Trump, no matter, but I don't know whether I'll vote for Mrs. Clinton either. Being better than bad doesn't make her a good choice.
6
Bill Clinton is a brilliant speaker and strategist. Don't obscure that with trivia.
1
The Democratic Party has got a lot of soul searching to do. Instead of being angry at Bernie Sanders, they should be asking themselves why in the world they foisted Hillary upon us again rather than opening the field up to the real leaders of the future.
Under Bill Clinton's administration, the party decided to follow the GOP into Ayn Rand land, doubling down on everything Reagan wanted. That sealed the deal for the Republicans to wander off into know-nothing land and the Democrats follow their lead. Now those who would have been considered fringe not that long ago control almost all the levers of power in the country.
We elected Barack Obama as a change agent, and we got Mitch McConnel standing in the way of the Constitution with Senate "rules" and billionaires' money. Obama has done what he could without a lot of help from his own, and for the Democrats to silence the majority once again is criminal.
Under Bill Clinton's administration, the party decided to follow the GOP into Ayn Rand land, doubling down on everything Reagan wanted. That sealed the deal for the Republicans to wander off into know-nothing land and the Democrats follow their lead. Now those who would have been considered fringe not that long ago control almost all the levers of power in the country.
We elected Barack Obama as a change agent, and we got Mitch McConnel standing in the way of the Constitution with Senate "rules" and billionaires' money. Obama has done what he could without a lot of help from his own, and for the Democrats to silence the majority once again is criminal.
9
An excellent piece. The article's spot on that HC needs to stand on her own two feet and leave her husband out of it. It reduces her.
Nevertheless, the fact we don't know what HC stands for has more to do with her lack of a clear agenda than with her husband muddying the waters.
Nevertheless, the fact we don't know what HC stands for has more to do with her lack of a clear agenda than with her husband muddying the waters.
9
It's tough going for the NY Times lately. Trump has now pulled ahead of Clinton for the first time in a national poll. A fact which the Times, now seemingly in a state of catatonic denial, has not even mentioned. Instead we get the daily feed of Trump hit pieces. The most recent on Trump's dealings with women 25+ years ago was roundly slammed by both Liberals and Conservatives alike for its blatant bias and repudiated by the featured woman for twisting her words. But that's how the Liberal press operates. Assigning reporters, one a declared Feminist and the other a guy whose Twitter account is regularly studded with anti-Trump missives, to write an 'investigatory' piece on Trump is standard Liberal-Left media practise.
12
Spot on!
Hillary is a smart and strong woman. She should appear crisp, insightful, independent, and most of all her own person. But she has this terrible tendency to not be able to read the situation accurately and make clear-headed judgments herself about what to do.
Example 1: having over 200 consultants is not a sign of strength but of not knowing what to do.
Example 2: Bill is no longer an asset. The dog has had his day. Bill was good at schmoozing at those town hall meetings, but after the repeal of Glass-Steagall, NAFTA, and showing literally no respect for the Oval Office, Bill is now damaged goods. As one of my friends said, Hillary is okay, but the thought of Bill rummaging around the White House looking for something to do is unnerving.
Additional evidence: I was in a hospital waiting room when the big screen TV showed Bill stepping up to the podium at some Hillary rally. He started speaking, and several people in the room groaned loudly. Bill is like one of those retired guys who keeps showing up at the office for lack of anything better to do and expects to have his ego stroked.
Example 3: Hillary tries to appeal to audiences by saying what she thinks they want to hear (one reason why we won't be reading those Goldman Sachs speeches). So she highlighted Bill in the KY rallies because he was popular in the past--not realizing his sun has set, and people want to go forward.
Hillary is not alone. The entire DNC establishment is out of touch
Hillary is a smart and strong woman. She should appear crisp, insightful, independent, and most of all her own person. But she has this terrible tendency to not be able to read the situation accurately and make clear-headed judgments herself about what to do.
Example 1: having over 200 consultants is not a sign of strength but of not knowing what to do.
Example 2: Bill is no longer an asset. The dog has had his day. Bill was good at schmoozing at those town hall meetings, but after the repeal of Glass-Steagall, NAFTA, and showing literally no respect for the Oval Office, Bill is now damaged goods. As one of my friends said, Hillary is okay, but the thought of Bill rummaging around the White House looking for something to do is unnerving.
Additional evidence: I was in a hospital waiting room when the big screen TV showed Bill stepping up to the podium at some Hillary rally. He started speaking, and several people in the room groaned loudly. Bill is like one of those retired guys who keeps showing up at the office for lack of anything better to do and expects to have his ego stroked.
Example 3: Hillary tries to appeal to audiences by saying what she thinks they want to hear (one reason why we won't be reading those Goldman Sachs speeches). So she highlighted Bill in the KY rallies because he was popular in the past--not realizing his sun has set, and people want to go forward.
Hillary is not alone. The entire DNC establishment is out of touch
31
"It's not surprising that we shoot ourselves in the foot. What's surprising is how fast we reload."
This quote from a technology CEO years ago comes to mind as I read the news these days. The Dems are sitting in a sweet spot for the Presidency, and are reloading as fast as they can.
This quote from a technology CEO years ago comes to mind as I read the news these days. The Dems are sitting in a sweet spot for the Presidency, and are reloading as fast as they can.
2
Congratulations, Gail. The candidate for whom you advocated so fervently sang another tone deaf campaign verse.
So Hillary leaning on Bill isn't going to get a prominent place in the sequel to "When Everything Changed?"
It's just another manifestation of her many limitations as a candidate, starting with using Chel$ea to make a thoroughly dishonest attack on Sanders' health care proposal.
Come on, Gail, you, the Times Board of Ed, and colleagues Bruni, Blow, Kristof and especially Krugman have been force feeding us Hillary all the way back to making Amy Chozick her beat reporter way back in early 2013. Surprise, we're not ducks or geese bound for a foie gras ending! Now you guys can try to give us a compelling rationale to vote for the Pander Bearess and drag her campaign over the line, by any means necessary.
So Hillary leaning on Bill isn't going to get a prominent place in the sequel to "When Everything Changed?"
It's just another manifestation of her many limitations as a candidate, starting with using Chel$ea to make a thoroughly dishonest attack on Sanders' health care proposal.
Come on, Gail, you, the Times Board of Ed, and colleagues Bruni, Blow, Kristof and especially Krugman have been force feeding us Hillary all the way back to making Amy Chozick her beat reporter way back in early 2013. Surprise, we're not ducks or geese bound for a foie gras ending! Now you guys can try to give us a compelling rationale to vote for the Pander Bearess and drag her campaign over the line, by any means necessary.
23
Has anyone noticed that Hillary has the "least" amount of press of all the presidential candidates? The last thing she needs to do is project that she will share her office with her husband. She needs to forget Bernie and overtly and agressively attack Trump at every turn. Heaven knows his constant and uncontrolled political Tourette's Syndrome provides ample/continueous fodder. Least I sound like a last-quarter football coach, she needs to "Kick Some A.." NOW (:
4
Spot on Gail!
Now I am worried. When even Gail loses her sense of humor dealing with the political morass we're in it's time to shut the windows; the air is not fit to breathe.
2
Agreed.
It's too House of Cards.
It's too House of Cards.
2
Blunder of the week.
Vote for me because I will be the first woman President!
What did you say? The economy? No I can't handle that! I'll ask my husband, after he takes out the trash, of course!
Vote for me because I will be the first woman President!
What did you say? The economy? No I can't handle that! I'll ask my husband, after he takes out the trash, of course!
8
Gail is exactly right. Bill's day has come and gone. Hillary must set her own agenda relevant for 2016 and beyond. Bill can give tours of the Whitehouse to visiting dignitaries and show up as arm candy for state dinners.
1
Hillary can only win by default. Too many people dislike her and her fellow right-center elites who continue to run the Democratic Party like the Nixon Republican Party of the early 70s (imagine if a Republican had used a private server and deleted thousands of emails - Nixon anyone?)
5
During the 2008 campaign, Hillary Clinton was my first choice until it became clear that her husband was too involved. The first woman president must be her own person and win the election on her own merits. Hillary is the most competent and experienced person for the job. I agree with Gail Collins completely. Leave Bill at home.
3
This analysis is spot on and is why I have such a bad feeling about Hillary vs Trump.
This election is shaping up to be about change and Hillary is offering anything but change.
She also is constantly switching her position on issues like TPP, the pipeline and healthcare, just to name a few.
And then, when we start looking at Bill Clinton's actual record, from overturning Glass Steagall to "Welfare reform" to NAFTA to Rwanda to Don't Ask Don't Tell to the massive incarceration of people, his record doesn't look so great.
It's not enough to call Trump a buffoon. He is a shapeshifter to the worst degree, but calling him a bore alone isn't going to win the election?
Hillary needs to show us her vision.
This election is shaping up to be about change and Hillary is offering anything but change.
She also is constantly switching her position on issues like TPP, the pipeline and healthcare, just to name a few.
And then, when we start looking at Bill Clinton's actual record, from overturning Glass Steagall to "Welfare reform" to NAFTA to Rwanda to Don't Ask Don't Tell to the massive incarceration of people, his record doesn't look so great.
It's not enough to call Trump a buffoon. He is a shapeshifter to the worst degree, but calling him a bore alone isn't going to win the election?
Hillary needs to show us her vision.
12
Unfortunately Mrs. Clinton, in her groundbreaking quest to become the first female president and first wife/husband presidential duo has gotten herself into what most other professions call a conflict of interest. She's stuck between a rock and a hard place because she's so closely linked to Bill's presidency but can't really sever ties with it and create her own identity because she's married to him. It's a crummy place to be and also why inter-office relationships are so frowned upon.
3
I beg to differ, Ms. Collins. You say, " It’s a new world order Hillary has always championed." The New World Order as I picture it is one of a partnership society where women and men share power equally. Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton would be lying if she said Mr. Clinton won't have anything to say about her policies. They have always acted as partners in public and personal life. She knows she will have the final say. WE should be grateful that brilliant men like President Obama and Mr. Clinton will be among her advisers because they also have social consciences and economic savvy. WE all win by having them work together to restore democracy in America. SHE has my vote.
5
A very optimistic view, njglea. Very optimistic. Some might even say naive.
2
Hillary Clinton is a grasping, power-hungry, arrogant, self-righteous, entitled politician, who believes that she is owed the presidency, based on her underhanded, back-room dealings, constant lies, and her husband's legacy. In short, she is *exactly* the person that the Founding Fathers warned us about...
Hillary's resume, which so many in the Times' comments section love to tout, is in fact a resume of consistent failure. The only meaningful vote she cast in eight years as a senator was the one authorizing the war in Iraq. She has never offered any useful legislation of her own.
As Secretary of State, she accomplished nothing, but having the world laugh at us, especially after the farcical "reset" with Vladimir Putin. Add to that a consistent willingness to go to war everywhere for any reason and her support of a no-fly zone in Syria (that probably would have ended in war with Russia), and she is uniquely unqualified to be Commander in Chief.
Hillary Clinton is the Clinton that needs to be subtracted. Bill? He has other problems, that will be Hillary's in very short order, once the election really gets rolling.
I firmly believe, no matter who wins, this is the beginning of our "long, national nightmare." How, exactly, did we get here, anyway?
Hillary's resume, which so many in the Times' comments section love to tout, is in fact a resume of consistent failure. The only meaningful vote she cast in eight years as a senator was the one authorizing the war in Iraq. She has never offered any useful legislation of her own.
As Secretary of State, she accomplished nothing, but having the world laugh at us, especially after the farcical "reset" with Vladimir Putin. Add to that a consistent willingness to go to war everywhere for any reason and her support of a no-fly zone in Syria (that probably would have ended in war with Russia), and she is uniquely unqualified to be Commander in Chief.
Hillary Clinton is the Clinton that needs to be subtracted. Bill? He has other problems, that will be Hillary's in very short order, once the election really gets rolling.
I firmly believe, no matter who wins, this is the beginning of our "long, national nightmare." How, exactly, did we get here, anyway?
19
None of us have a clue what either Clinton or Trump actually believe. If these are the only 2 major candidates, the winner will indeed be elected by default as our sorry system once again reveals some fundamental defects.
3
You can only not "have a clue" about what Clinton believes if you haven't watched any of the many debates, read any newspapers, read anything about the election on the internet, or checked out her detailed web site. Who's to blame?
Bill Clinton signed NAFTA and helped set the stage for the '08 crash by deregulating the banks. Purging the Democratic party of its New Deal legacy and accommodating Reaganism has been at the heart of his politics, with disastrous results. Has HRC learned nothing from these failures? Her announcement simply underscores the hollowness of her candidacy and the ongoing callousness of the neoliberal wing of the party.
149
Hillary Clinton has no
interests beside fattening her wallet and become President of the United States.
interests beside fattening her wallet and become President of the United States.
3
Bill Clinton, for all his charm and political skills, would be wise to keep a very low profile especially with Trump constantly harping on his indiscretions. Trump, of course, is a fine one to talk, but that is beside the point.
Time moves on and sadly, [or not] former President Clinton's time has passed.
Time moves on and sadly, [or not] former President Clinton's time has passed.
5
People who are truly charming show interest in others, care about others views, and know how to listen. Bill Clinton, bellicose and full of himself, is not a charming person, rather, he is a narcissist.
1
Agree completely. Need to move forward.
Bill Clinton is an asset that must be used judiciously. I agree that placing him front and center as the unofficial Secretary of the Economy is a mistake. Instead, he should be kept where he does the most good: feeding nostalgia for the era of relative peace and prosperity that the country enjoyed under his watch. Hillary should however take a page from his book and convince voters that if elected, she will roll up her sleeves and go to work for average Americans every day of her Presidency. Keep the message simple. And when Donald Trump launches on her, she should summon the pluck she displayed during the 11-hour Benghazi grueling and say: "Donald, with America hurting, is that the best thing you can think of to say? Is that the example you want to set for our children? America, we are better than that."
2
Since Bill's baggage includes moving the party to the right, Hillary should instead call on Bernie to balance the ticket. But Gail's right. Hillary should run the thing herself. The constitution doesn't do spouses.
2
Many of Bill Clintons's initiatives dealing with Banks, Free Trade and North Korea have come back to haunt us.
So much Selective Memory!
So much Selective Memory!
8
Everybody has advice for Hillary, even though her "disastrous campaign" has garnered millions more votes than any other candidate. I like her the way she is.
3
How will this impact her choice of VP? Do they want to be in Bill Clinton's shadow?
7
Bill IS her vice-president. And, anyone who would take the job would have to be even more ambitious than the Clintons. I'm not sure that individual exists.
1
For 30 years I have worked in organizations with predominantly women in leadership positions, and with at least 50% of the partner level officers women. This work was done in more than 25 nations around the world and involved some of the toughest kinds of work - repairing bankrupt and dysfunctional organizations, launching new ventures in developing areas, negotiating tough regulatory issues with senior politicians (often politically powerful women of all "colors").
Recently I have been doing work in Mongolia and other places where the vast majority of physicians are women.
When I listen to the polarization in my home country and the extreme attention paid to gender and skin color, I feel I have gone back to pre-1964 times.
The US seems to be practicing at the highest levels the sexism and racism I thought our culture left behind long ago.
Can things improve? Of course...sometimes vast improvement is needed.
But when the majority of media discussion evolves around gender and race it just seems out of place in a world that may have progressed beyond the US in collaboration, inclusion, optimism, and real issues.
Recently I have been doing work in Mongolia and other places where the vast majority of physicians are women.
When I listen to the polarization in my home country and the extreme attention paid to gender and skin color, I feel I have gone back to pre-1964 times.
The US seems to be practicing at the highest levels the sexism and racism I thought our culture left behind long ago.
Can things improve? Of course...sometimes vast improvement is needed.
But when the majority of media discussion evolves around gender and race it just seems out of place in a world that may have progressed beyond the US in collaboration, inclusion, optimism, and real issues.
10
I was horrified when Hillary suggested bill could have a role in the administration! Doesn't she get it that a big part of her lack of support from moderate and liberals is the whole Bush-like "presidential family plan"?positioning Chelsea for future campaigns is similarly distasteful. Squatting on the democratic leadership structure for 16 long years is all about her ego, not what's good for the nation or the Democratic Party. I'll still vote for her but the daily solicitations for campaign donations from her go straight into the trash. I'll be contributing to senate races in key states instead.
19
Bill surely did do "a heck of a job" creating jobs - for Canadians and Mexicans through NAFTA. Ross Perot, for all his corn pone homilies, was right on the money when he predicted that NAFTA would precipitate a wholesale exodus of manufacturing jobs to these countries because of cheaper labor costs. Mrs. Clinton's has claimed that the TPP will create jobs, but this is the same drumbeat that was used to pass NAFTA. The "two for the price of one" Clinton Administration did much to create the financial meltdown in 2008 by repealing the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall, also known as the Banking Act of 1933, was passed by Congress in 1933 to prohibit commercial banks from engaging in the investment business. It was enacted as an emergency response to the failure of nearly 5,000 banks during the Great Depression. The Clintons, who were in Wall Street's pocket even back in the 1990s, permanently sullied their progressive credentials by this regressive repeal of a law that had for decades kept America free from the kind of fulminating disaster we saw unfold in 2008. Gail, as you pointed out as gently as you could, resuscitating the old "two for the price of one" Clintonian partnership-type of administration not only a bad idea, it undercuts the biggest selling point of Mrs. Clinton as the first woman president by showing that she needs Bill in the White House for her to run the country.
24
It's amusing and a little astounding to me that the press, including Gail, and the people, including the commenters, fail to see/admit that the only way for Clinton to find that "voice" or brand they so desire is for the press to stop ignoring her when she makes great speeches and policy proposals that she can build on. What did we hear after her SCOTUS talk in Wisconsin- not much-- or child care funding proposal--a very progressive idea--not much! The press is completely shaping this election and they don't get how one sided they are in their coverage, despite the evidence that Clinton get's the most negative press and Sander's supporters complaints. And we the public fall for it! We love the drama but very few female candidates are dramatic. The press and public are pretty shockingly unaware of their own biases against female candidates, esp. in their clear disdain for actual substance! No they aren't men. So stop asking them to run the same way. Warren maybe but she's not on the ticket- at least not yet. Let's hope, the press will finally fear Trump enough to give Clinton the space to build that voice and brand.
5
I am not a great fan of Bill Clinton. At this time, his political and personal failures far out weigh his successes in my analysis. Perhaps he could redeem himself by working for Hillary, but that is to be seen--possibly.
However, Gail is overlooking the 500 pound gorilla in the room. In this day and age, a presidency of one is overwhelmed by the current duties of the office, even with advisors and cabinet officials. The U.S. really should have one president for domestic affairs and one for foreign affairs. Of course that isn't going to happen.
However, a wise president would use select and use their vice-president in a more politically active manner. There is precedent. Hillary assisted Bill on health care, race, women's issues. Biden has helped Obama on U.S. foreign policy and gun control. And "W" helped Cheney by dutifully taking care of public events and staging. And there have been other presidents-vice-president collaborations.
So I think Gail missed the mark this time.
However, Gail is overlooking the 500 pound gorilla in the room. In this day and age, a presidency of one is overwhelmed by the current duties of the office, even with advisors and cabinet officials. The U.S. really should have one president for domestic affairs and one for foreign affairs. Of course that isn't going to happen.
However, a wise president would use select and use their vice-president in a more politically active manner. There is precedent. Hillary assisted Bill on health care, race, women's issues. Biden has helped Obama on U.S. foreign policy and gun control. And "W" helped Cheney by dutifully taking care of public events and staging. And there have been other presidents-vice-president collaborations.
So I think Gail missed the mark this time.
3
I'm thinking subtract two Clintons and add a Sanders. No question, Hillary is intelligent but she appears to be owned by corporate interests and is much more of a hawk than President Obama, whom I admire, greatly. I am a woman, but I can't vote for Hillary on the basis of her gender. I don't support her because I don't like much of what she stands for. Voting for the Republican candidate would be just plain stupid. What we all need is deeper investigative journalism, preferably from Gail's colleagues, please. Follow the money and write about it.
25
Completely agree and would add that if you divide the President's role into foreign and domestic, Hillary is implying, or stating, that she can't/won't handle one half of the job herself.
How can this possibly be seen as helpful to her claim on the office and to her assertion of great intelligence and capacity for governance?
Ignore any of the particulars of Bill's history (deregulating, for example) and just stay with that basic point: why would a president want to farm out revitalizing the economy? Our deservedly revered example of economic revitalization, FDR, didn't farm it out. Is Hillary saying her skills are so limited that she wants us to know right away that the economy is just too tough for her?
And if she does want to farm it out, why pick Bill? Joe Stiglitz (Rewriting The Rules of The Americn Economy, 2015) has always been smarter about the economy than either Hillary or Bill.
How can this possibly be seen as helpful to her claim on the office and to her assertion of great intelligence and capacity for governance?
Ignore any of the particulars of Bill's history (deregulating, for example) and just stay with that basic point: why would a president want to farm out revitalizing the economy? Our deservedly revered example of economic revitalization, FDR, didn't farm it out. Is Hillary saying her skills are so limited that she wants us to know right away that the economy is just too tough for her?
And if she does want to farm it out, why pick Bill? Joe Stiglitz (Rewriting The Rules of The Americn Economy, 2015) has always been smarter about the economy than either Hillary or Bill.
3
Mrs. Clinton is a smart, experienced and capable woman who is qualified to be president - like thousands of other women in the US. And that's the problem! Women don't rise to the level of the highest elected office on their own merits. She has to lean on other men, her husband and her former boss. She lost the primary in 2008 against a political novice! A white man with the same qualifications would have easily won. She will struggle to win the White House against a narcissist bag of odorous hot air. Her handicap is being a woman. She only can win leaning on powerful men. Obama's presidency uncovered the ugliness of persistent racism, her candidacy reveals the disgusting power of sexism in this country.
2
A white man with the same qualifications would have easily won: not true. Mitt Romney, a white man with similar qualifications if not more - but minus the power spouse, LOST in 2008 against Obama, as well. Stop blaming the white men for all the world's evils.
1
I will be voting for her if nominated. But, I am suffering from cognitive dissonance here. Does she not recall that Hillary dysphoric syndrome began with her husband giving her a huge portfolio to redesign 17% of the nations economy all at once? She got labeled as an over reaching spouse that no one elected, he got labeled as trying to compensate her for his sins. If he wants to give the President advice, that's fine. All spouses do it. But, no. He's too prone to defending his own administration instead of looking forward.
6
Subtract two Clintons, please.
17
I have been following the election cycle pretty close and the really only Bill stuff I remember has been in coal country. She is trying to repair the deal about putting coal companies out of business. She is stuck right now trying to fend off Sanders while starting to campaign against Trump, and run a civilized campaign while the other two are low balling things. It's time for Sanders to bow out and start to help her, the party and the country. Once she is just fighting Trump I think things will be different. She is the one person who I feel can shut him up!
3
Well said..Bill Clinton has his own legacy and he belongs to the past. Hillary Clinton is for the future and is strong , able candidate and poised to be the leader of this Country.
Go home Mr. Clinton you days are in the past and be a supportive spouse just as Hillary was for you. She does not need to answer your past misdeeds.
That`s all we want you to be.
Go home Mr. Clinton you days are in the past and be a supportive spouse just as Hillary was for you. She does not need to answer your past misdeeds.
That`s all we want you to be.
2
The idea that Bill Clinton could have a serious role in the presidency might appear to be a way to get around the constitutional presidential term limit as well and Trump might not miss the opportunity to bring it up. Lurleen Wallace who was elected governor of Alabama in 1967. As the wife of Governor George Wallace, she was a stand-in because the Alabama constitution prevented Geroge Wallace from running for another term. The political opportunism of the Wallaces is of course an undesirable model for the Clintons to evoke.
7
It's time for Hillary to stand alone. Possibly she can, possibly she can't.
4
Gail: While I agree in principle that Bill Clinton should be "shackled" and move off stage in order for the first woman Presidential candidate to win on her own merit, it will never be viewed that way by those who are critical of Hillary. In their eyes, she can do no right.
Hillary and Bill Clinton have a marriage in which they are partners in more ways than one, and they share a common vision of how to make the United States a better and stronger country. It would simply be disingenuous for Hillary Clinton to campaign as a loner who has succeeded on her own.
It might even be a good thing for Bill Clinton to be able to act in some semi-official capacity to work on a problem that Washington politicians have failed to provide a lasting solution for--- the persistence high unemployment and slow economic growth in the Appalachian States and other pockets of the United States that macro policy was not able to make any difference.
The 21st Century is a century where many women and men are married to partners that help them build their professional success in ways that go beyond doing housework or taking care of the children. The fact the Hillary Clinton, if elected, will be willing to let Bill Clinton take on more than a ceremonial role and focus on baking cookies, planting vegetables, reading to children etc. will provide a blueprint for other men and women an alternative template on how they can run for the top office in any organization without risking their marriage.
Hillary and Bill Clinton have a marriage in which they are partners in more ways than one, and they share a common vision of how to make the United States a better and stronger country. It would simply be disingenuous for Hillary Clinton to campaign as a loner who has succeeded on her own.
It might even be a good thing for Bill Clinton to be able to act in some semi-official capacity to work on a problem that Washington politicians have failed to provide a lasting solution for--- the persistence high unemployment and slow economic growth in the Appalachian States and other pockets of the United States that macro policy was not able to make any difference.
The 21st Century is a century where many women and men are married to partners that help them build their professional success in ways that go beyond doing housework or taking care of the children. The fact the Hillary Clinton, if elected, will be willing to let Bill Clinton take on more than a ceremonial role and focus on baking cookies, planting vegetables, reading to children etc. will provide a blueprint for other men and women an alternative template on how they can run for the top office in any organization without risking their marriage.
3
I totally agree, Gail.
While there is no issue with President Clinton helping with explaining campaign issues and why his wife is the best choice there is - whether voters agree or not is another matter - for the next 8 years, there are too many problems with him being the policy maker now and going forward. It is not good for the country, the VP and the rest of the cabinet or even for Madam President - even if bedroom influence is unavoidable.
VP Biden is a force behind the Obama presidency. Sadly, former VP Cheney too for the W Bush presidency. The nation has seen how powerful a VP can be and it is no longer just an insurance policy. You want the best and the brightest to fulfill that role. Who would want the job if there is no say?
Besides, nostalgia notwithstanding, this is not Clinton 3rd term. The world has changed since the Clintons vacated the White House, it is a gesture for Mrs Clinton to show she is her own person. Her senatorial and diplomatic experiences have surpassed that of her FLOTUS experience. The nation needs to realize that. Having President Clinton in her administration is just bad optics.
Sadly, the Clintons seem to attract to bad optics but it is never too late to learn. The nation is a mess and there is no reason why the Clintons want to create unnecessary problems for themselves or the nation
While there is no issue with President Clinton helping with explaining campaign issues and why his wife is the best choice there is - whether voters agree or not is another matter - for the next 8 years, there are too many problems with him being the policy maker now and going forward. It is not good for the country, the VP and the rest of the cabinet or even for Madam President - even if bedroom influence is unavoidable.
VP Biden is a force behind the Obama presidency. Sadly, former VP Cheney too for the W Bush presidency. The nation has seen how powerful a VP can be and it is no longer just an insurance policy. You want the best and the brightest to fulfill that role. Who would want the job if there is no say?
Besides, nostalgia notwithstanding, this is not Clinton 3rd term. The world has changed since the Clintons vacated the White House, it is a gesture for Mrs Clinton to show she is her own person. Her senatorial and diplomatic experiences have surpassed that of her FLOTUS experience. The nation needs to realize that. Having President Clinton in her administration is just bad optics.
Sadly, the Clintons seem to attract to bad optics but it is never too late to learn. The nation is a mess and there is no reason why the Clintons want to create unnecessary problems for themselves or the nation
2
HRC at least is being honest. But what a dubious distinction. I can't even look at Bill Clinton without seeing a pro-business zealot in populist clothing. Putting the guy whose every policy initiative exacerbated income inequality in charge of raising incomes? Are you kidding? Will she also put Bill, the sponsor of mandatory sentencing, 3 strikes, war on drugs and for profit prison expansion in charge of reducing our prison population? The best thing HRC could do is to put as much distance between her and Bill as possible. But then again, HRC and Bill share core political beliefs along with a deep devotion to the financial class that bankrolls their Foundation and her campaign. Chase Smith was a great statesperson. HRC puts herself in the company of Lurleen Wallace by running as the doppelganger of her husband.
10
I totally agree with Gail Collins. We are being asked to elect Hillary Clinton not Bill. I might vote for Hillary (I am a Sanders supporter). I will not vote for Bill Clinton as part of the Hillary ticket. Sorry, but the man does not get my vote of confidence as a result of his behavior as President of the United States. He tarnished the office. While its fine if his wife gets elected and he resides in the White House as a family member, it is not fine that he is part of her administration in any formal way. Collins explains why in her NYT article. She laid out the reasons. However, I believe his misbehavior is a subject for conversation. We would never have elected him for a "third term." He shouldn't be able to come in via the back door by having Hillary appoint him to some task.
4
From as far as I can tell Bill looks he is going to keel over and die anyday. Hillary can cover up with makeup, but Bill looks OLD. I don't think he'd make a great co-president quite frankly.
9
Returning the Clintons to the White House is a step into the past. But I suppose getting these two multimillionaires back there is better than having billionaire President Trump. That's the rationale we're offered as the best path forward for the greatest democracy on earth. Pathetic.
10
Self-proclaimed billionaire Trump. Until we see the tax returns, we won't know for sure. And even then...
Bill is going for a third term through his wife. I'm surprised Donald hasn't made a big deal about this. Sounds like she will make him the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. She should send him home to tend to his knitting or to other pleasures he is famous for.
1
Hillary is in fact one of the least qualified persons to ever run for President. She effectively admitted as much herself when she promised to delegate economic policy to her husband, who is barred by the Constitution from being President again.
The Democrat party is starting to realize that Hillary will lose in a landslide to Trump. They are getting very, very nervous. This is shaping up as 1980 all over again, with Hillary as Carter and Sanders as Ted Kennedy, the conscience of the party.
Watch for the Biden/Warren ticket to come to the rescue at the divided convention.
The Democrat party is starting to realize that Hillary will lose in a landslide to Trump. They are getting very, very nervous. This is shaping up as 1980 all over again, with Hillary as Carter and Sanders as Ted Kennedy, the conscience of the party.
Watch for the Biden/Warren ticket to come to the rescue at the divided convention.
10
Thank you, Gail, for a much needed focus on acknowledging Hillary's strength and experience to run successfully without reliance on two previous powerful male presidents. She is imminently qualified and to pull her husband in at this point allegedly to help garner vote coal dependent states weakens her image in the national election.
3
Hillary Clinton should become familiar with the alleged phrase of the Greek ruler Pyrrhus "If we are successful in one more battle we shall be ruined". The last time we heard an American politician use " heck of a job" the results were less than optimal. Hillary Clinton's increasing desperation over Bernie Sander's fervid campaign is manifest and continues to expose her electoral vulnerability.Gail is right about not invoking her husband's name in a policy role. It's big girl time. His optimum role would be to spike voter turn out in pro Clinton demographic areas. Clinton's anxiety level is rising, not about winning the nomination, but the growing realization that Sander's campaign,and the political behavior of his supporters may fatally damage her campaign. Her egregious and politically tone deaf decision to accept those exorbitant speaking fees and then not to release the transcripts, is a festering wound which can't be excised by references to her husband.
3
I agree. Our first woman president can and should stand on her own. "Two for one" was uncomfortable in the 90's and the same is true today. President Clinton has the skills to make significant contributions, but during the campaign he should clearly occupy the back seat.
3
Hillary thinks she needs Bill right now because that's what her pollsters are telling her. The moment the polls tell her Bill is not helping her dig out of her unpopularity problem, I hope she jettisons him to the background position he richly deserves.
Many of us in the public who otherwise admire Hillary's intelligence, experience and capacity to become a great President have never understood her willingness to put up with Bill for so long. He's always seemed to be a cad and to have treated her awfully. While I appreciate the importance of family and forgiveness, his reported repeated acts of marital disloyalty have rendered him unfit to be her husband in the minds of many in the public. Many believe that in any normal relationship, the wife would have divorced such a husband or moved on to a separate life.
The fact that Hillary has remained with Bill has, ironically enough, made her untrustworthy in the eyes of many. We see her as so consumed by her desire for power/need to be President that she continues to put up with a man who was so awful to her. To many, there is something unsettling, if not disturbing, about anyone who would seem to debase herself to that extent.
If Hillary is serious about lowering her unfavorable numbers and winning the Presidency, she ought to give consideration to divorcing Bill, or at least announcing a legal separation. I'm not kidding. If that's not feasible, then perhaps she can publicly confess to having had an extramarital affair.
Many of us in the public who otherwise admire Hillary's intelligence, experience and capacity to become a great President have never understood her willingness to put up with Bill for so long. He's always seemed to be a cad and to have treated her awfully. While I appreciate the importance of family and forgiveness, his reported repeated acts of marital disloyalty have rendered him unfit to be her husband in the minds of many in the public. Many believe that in any normal relationship, the wife would have divorced such a husband or moved on to a separate life.
The fact that Hillary has remained with Bill has, ironically enough, made her untrustworthy in the eyes of many. We see her as so consumed by her desire for power/need to be President that she continues to put up with a man who was so awful to her. To many, there is something unsettling, if not disturbing, about anyone who would seem to debase herself to that extent.
If Hillary is serious about lowering her unfavorable numbers and winning the Presidency, she ought to give consideration to divorcing Bill, or at least announcing a legal separation. I'm not kidding. If that's not feasible, then perhaps she can publicly confess to having had an extramarital affair.
1
I'm afraid that I don't buy into the idea that having Bill Clinton around as a ready source of political advice is some sort of disadvantage for Hillary. I don't know who would be a better source of such advice.
1
Basically I think Trump is right. Hillary wouldn't have anything if she wasn't Bills wife and if she wasn't a woman.
To have the first female president have to stoop to playing the Bill, Obama, and woman's cards over and over again instead of being able to stand completely alone is a bummer. I wish the first female president would be someone that rose from the bottom without the help of a man, i.e. Warren.
To have the first female president have to stoop to playing the Bill, Obama, and woman's cards over and over again instead of being able to stand completely alone is a bummer. I wish the first female president would be someone that rose from the bottom without the help of a man, i.e. Warren.
8
The Clintons are running on some idealized version of the past. People will always choose something new over that, however untested it may be.
8
Now that we're ruled by oil, it's encouraging that neither major party's top candidates are swimming in the stuff. But given the choice between another dynasty and that guy who's all slumped over, I gotta go with the fogy.
3
Now it is inevitable that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic Candidate although Bernie Sanders is still clinging on. Now I hope her spouse, Bill Clinton will stay put in Chappaqua. Hillary's win will be a first in so many ways. However, bringing in Bill Clinton would be a great blunder. She should be showing confidence that she can be a powerful Commander-in -Chief who does'nt need handholding to take critical, important decisions. Two for the price of one will only backfire because Bill's heavy baggage is sure to come with him and her opponents will only be gleeful to thrust that on her shoulders! Her baggage about Benghazi and email have been debunked, thanks to a fiery rebuttal and apology to the Senate Committee. But with Trump, the blackest of pots you can find, Hillary, the scratched kettle will be fodder for her enemies. She is not really the darling but she seems wonderful with Trump around. Bill maybe an intelligent, wily, charming man, her spouse but let it be understood people are voting for Hillary. Bill has had his day, now it's Hillary's turn. Remaining out of the public sphere would be a Bill's greatest atonement for Hillary's public embarrassment. Handsome, charming Bill could be the perfect arm candy when she is making her victory speech.
It's time to get rid of the idea that Hillary is a very good politician, she is not. She has never demonstrated a feel for or arability to connect with people in the aggregate. From the cookie remark through the failure of Clinton health care to her current inability to put Bernie away and close the nomination she shows a failure in the first job of a politician. She hasn't gotten the nomination which she should have clinched by now, and she is not addressing the issues in a way that shows people that she cares about the needs of those who have lost out over the last 30 years. Her failure to rouse the masses within the party does not bode well for the fall elections and the recapture of Congress.
9
What bothers me is Bill's inability to use his political skills to help Hillary with political strategy. Apparently when he did that in 2008 it was a disaster. It reminds me of the saying that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.
6
"This is one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office..."
How many bills did Clinton write and have passed in her entire time in the Senate?
3
Named a post office, named a stretch of road, and something else that no one can explain. Although she did succeed in destabilizing Libya.
How many bills did Clinton write and have passed in her entire time in the Senate?
3
Named a post office, named a stretch of road, and something else that no one can explain. Although she did succeed in destabilizing Libya.
12
I couldn't agree more! She's really starting to muddle her message. I hope she doesn't turn off so many democrats that they all stay home and let Trump win.
1
President Bill Clinton signed into law the repeal of Glass-Steagall just before leaving office. Also the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. Many feel that these two bills helped set up the Crash of 2008. I'm sure that somebody is going to ask this question during the campaign --- that is, if they are not asleep at the wheel. Do we really want Bill to be the Economy Czar of the Clinton Part Deux Administration?
And then there is the question of all the money they get from Wall Street and corporations, but that will wait for another post....
And then there is the question of all the money they get from Wall Street and corporations, but that will wait for another post....
9
Sewell said, Ms. Collins. I just hope the entire Clinton team -- including both Clintons -- read this and take it to heart.
2
Bill is just a shadow of his old self after a close brush with death and quadruple bypass surgery. He should just sit back and watch her handle it.
1
Just another reason not to vote Hillary. The Clintons haver had their day, they and their supporters, just don't seem to know it yet. Let's move forward not back. No Bushes, no Clintons, no dynasties- this is America.
10
I wish I can recommend this multiple times....please spread the word.
1
You are correct. But it's not just that Hillary has to demonstrate her independence of Bill. Bill Clinton's famous political skills seem to me to be seriously dated, and even possibly blunted by age. He has no sense for the current mood of the country, because he has spent the last fifteen years circulating among rich Clinton Foundation donors and his own sycophants. He does not grasp the economic anxiety and frustration that is fueling Trump's racist and nationalist campaign, because his own childhood poverty is a distant memory, if it is a memory at all.
10
A good idea indeed. She can stand on her own
1
Gail, I'm really disappointed in you. The last thing we need right now is more Hillary bashing for any reason. Anyone who has seen Trump's list of potential Supreme Court nominees should know that whatever both the Clintons' undeniable flaws the most important reason to vote for her this November is to make sure that The Donald, the most dangerous candidate in history, isn't elected.
3
This article is hardly Hillary bashing. It's constructive criticism to HELP Hillary win.
2
Hillary is totally "me too." What are her core beliefs? She twists and turns to meet the prevailing winds. Why isn't she her own person? I will take Gail's claim that she is "one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office," but I see no evidence to support the statement. She will win by default...by people voting against Trump, not for her.
8
I doubt that Bill is going to be able to let go, but he needs to. His role as First Husband is going to be interesting, I can just picture him going around the country patting little schoolchildren on the head and reminding them to eat their vegetables (one of which is ketchup).
It would be pretty ridiculous if Hillary did not use Bill effectively as First Gentleman, or whatever we are to call him. If we had had a First Lady with Bill's credentials in the WH, I'd want the President to use her effectively as well. And more than likely a male candidate who said what Hillary said would not be criticized the way she has been.
"One of the most qualified people ever to run for office"...and also one of the most corrupt.
14
People who say they do not know what Hillary stands for have not been paying attention -- breaking down barriers for everyone. She wants an increase in the minimum wage, paid family leave, penalties on companies that take jobs out of the country, gun control legislation, a clean energy future with clean energy jobs, more accountability from police, strengthening of the Affordable Care Act, and a foreign policy based in the concept of smart power. (It is a foreign policy theory that we can look up.) She will choose Supreme Court justices who will protect a woman's right to choose and will protect voting rights.
Yes she is running to maintain the gains made under President Obama. Yes, she is reminding us of the good e economic times during her husband's administration. So what if it helps her win votes and keep Trump out of the White House?
Yes she is running to maintain the gains made under President Obama. Yes, she is reminding us of the good e economic times during her husband's administration. So what if it helps her win votes and keep Trump out of the White House?
3
I am an independent write-in candidate for president. What looks bad for yawl looks good for me. I bring to the political table a work of living art, a spoken poem written down, hand lettered with one purpose—perform my work as it was meant, like old blind Homer, dusk until dawn, every line a delicate sensible rhyme. My natch-a-rill "mull tie ling well" lyrics rival Dante of Divine Comedic fame.
My plan: deliver World Peace, the only presidential candidate with a peace plan. The way we get there is to simply take one night off for a change—all in the world watching TV together.
But this is not going to happen.
Wherever I go for 40 years the microphone it is not open to me rather an f be eye person is in my face. Political speech? Every seat in Congress is open and you don't get it. Broadcasters now sell ads during what was originally schemed to be Public Interest broadcasting. When Nixon and Kennedy debated there weren't ad breaks.
Advertisers don't "sponsor" political speech. They reach out to viewers! Citizens United is a blessing as our only scarcity is ad slots.
Run 4 office. Apply to a broadcaster to deliver your political speech. The network may give you time, charge the going rate, or sell you time at the lowest unit rate. Get an ad agency.
First shot for ads should be Citizens PAKS. Schedule your speech. Every 12 minutes 3 minutes break for ads. The PAK could push your opponent with 3 minutes ads—a fabulous piece of live TV.
http://michaelslevinson.com
My plan: deliver World Peace, the only presidential candidate with a peace plan. The way we get there is to simply take one night off for a change—all in the world watching TV together.
But this is not going to happen.
Wherever I go for 40 years the microphone it is not open to me rather an f be eye person is in my face. Political speech? Every seat in Congress is open and you don't get it. Broadcasters now sell ads during what was originally schemed to be Public Interest broadcasting. When Nixon and Kennedy debated there weren't ad breaks.
Advertisers don't "sponsor" political speech. They reach out to viewers! Citizens United is a blessing as our only scarcity is ad slots.
Run 4 office. Apply to a broadcaster to deliver your political speech. The network may give you time, charge the going rate, or sell you time at the lowest unit rate. Get an ad agency.
First shot for ads should be Citizens PAKS. Schedule your speech. Every 12 minutes 3 minutes break for ads. The PAK could push your opponent with 3 minutes ads—a fabulous piece of live TV.
http://michaelslevinson.com
Remember the Ford-Reagan co-presidency of 1976? How did that work out?
The truth is that there is a fragrance about the Clintons that isn't very aromatic. It hangs in the air like stale cigar smoke from the night before. Unmistakable, and putrid.
The voters can smell it just like the rest of us, which is why she is a vulnerable candidate even before she accepts her party's nomination. She fact that she's running against a self-important blowhard helps her, but it might not be enough, truth be told.
Telling Kentuckians that she'd put her husband in charge of the economy is like saying she doesn't have any idea what to do, but he will. That is more of the same narrative she's been using since the campaign began. Which is to say, she hasn't actually come up with any real reason why we should vote for her.
I give her full marks for convincing New York voters to elect her to the Senate. I voted for her. But for the life of me I can't actually tell you anything that I thought she did when she was in the Senate. Secretary of State? Same thing. I can't actually give you an example of what she did when she held the post.
Is she bright? Sure. Has she sat at the table? Yep. Is she the best person for the job of President of the United States? Is there anyone else out there right now? That unfortunately is the answer many come to.
It's where we are just at the moment.
The voters can smell it just like the rest of us, which is why she is a vulnerable candidate even before she accepts her party's nomination. She fact that she's running against a self-important blowhard helps her, but it might not be enough, truth be told.
Telling Kentuckians that she'd put her husband in charge of the economy is like saying she doesn't have any idea what to do, but he will. That is more of the same narrative she's been using since the campaign began. Which is to say, she hasn't actually come up with any real reason why we should vote for her.
I give her full marks for convincing New York voters to elect her to the Senate. I voted for her. But for the life of me I can't actually tell you anything that I thought she did when she was in the Senate. Secretary of State? Same thing. I can't actually give you an example of what she did when she held the post.
Is she bright? Sure. Has she sat at the table? Yep. Is she the best person for the job of President of the United States? Is there anyone else out there right now? That unfortunately is the answer many come to.
It's where we are just at the moment.
9
It would be very, very bad for the country if Bill Clinton were attached to Hillary's hem in the White House. Bill Clinton had never risen above the standing of the governor of a fourth-class state that defaulted on its bonds in 1927 and rioted against integration in the 1950s.
Perhaps Hillary, if unfortunately elected to the Presidency, would be wise to lock him out belatedly out of the White House.
Perhaps Hillary, if unfortunately elected to the Presidency, would be wise to lock him out belatedly out of the White House.
1
But Hillary doesn't stand on her own; never has and never will. Hillary is just being Hillary, tin-eared, tone deaf, pitch imperfect, foot-in-mouth and excessively beholden to her too-cute-by-half campaign gurus.
By pulling a much too-willing spouse back out of his richly-deserved retirement way past his sell-by date, she is offering an electorate that yearns for fresh ideas a stale, moldy cake.
Bless his heart, Bill Clinton was a good two-term President for his time. But he's history now. So, for that matter, is Hillary, or she's doing her level best to show voters the uncompelling vision in her rear-view mirror.
America is not interested. I fear we shall realize this after it's too late for remedy
www.endthemadnessnow.org
By pulling a much too-willing spouse back out of his richly-deserved retirement way past his sell-by date, she is offering an electorate that yearns for fresh ideas a stale, moldy cake.
Bless his heart, Bill Clinton was a good two-term President for his time. But he's history now. So, for that matter, is Hillary, or she's doing her level best to show voters the uncompelling vision in her rear-view mirror.
America is not interested. I fear we shall realize this after it's too late for remedy
www.endthemadnessnow.org
10
Based on Clinton's recent behavior, his unhealthy look, his glazed eyes and his strange demeanor, the bigger question is does anyone think he even *should* have a role in this administration?
8
Not being your own person is a massive flaw. Exactly how much power will Bill have?? Bernie will be his own man, which is what people want in a leader.
Oh and let's be honest here, and not treat readers like they are idiots. Trump WILL make a big deal of Bill's track record on women, and her's. In no way are these insignificant peccadilloes. Horrendous allegations over 30 years, sex in the oval office, losing one's law license, paying settlements, and HRC attacking accusers. Watch these molehills grow into mountains, especially when younger voters start googling what this is about.
Oh and let's be honest here, and not treat readers like they are idiots. Trump WILL make a big deal of Bill's track record on women, and her's. In no way are these insignificant peccadilloes. Horrendous allegations over 30 years, sex in the oval office, losing one's law license, paying settlements, and HRC attacking accusers. Watch these molehills grow into mountains, especially when younger voters start googling what this is about.
4
Exactly. All of Trump's inappropriate talk about women pales in comparison to Bill's history.
This very much seems like an act of desperation. This race cannot be about Bill Clinton or Chelsea or Chelsea's babies. It's got to be about Hillary and what she will do herself should she become President. It's a fantasy to believe that Bill Clinton will be able to act essentially independently to persuade Congress to do what needs to be done to get incomes rising. What's more, Hillary very much diminishes her chances by claiming that she'll be the second coming of Bill or the second coming of Barak. She needs to be a worthy first coming of Hillary with a healthy dose of the first coming of Bernie.
4
Maybe Hillary recognizes that the white men who vote for Trump and Sanders are just not willing to vote for a woman on her own, without a man standing behind her to "help."
If Bill can reassure the white men that he will be there to guide the little woman, maybe Hillary has a shot at the presidency. After all, Bill DID do a good job on the economy, and as he said, "it's the economy..."
It's true, it's only when the Man of the House is completely absent that the Mrs. has to make decisions that need to be made quickly on her own. But even then, there are always Men around she can turn to for guidance, whether they are Vice Presidents, cabinet members, or the contractor who's handling your kitchen reno and house repairs. I can tell you that from experience.
If Bill can reassure the white men that he will be there to guide the little woman, maybe Hillary has a shot at the presidency. After all, Bill DID do a good job on the economy, and as he said, "it's the economy..."
It's true, it's only when the Man of the House is completely absent that the Mrs. has to make decisions that need to be made quickly on her own. But even then, there are always Men around she can turn to for guidance, whether they are Vice Presidents, cabinet members, or the contractor who's handling your kitchen reno and house repairs. I can tell you that from experience.
I want everyone to picture a State of the Union address in 2017, with President Drumpf walking through the chamber, then ascending the podium with his trademark smirk. The GOP side of the room rising in unison a couple of dozen times to applaud a man they'd hurled (warranted) insults at for 8 months.
Yes, the GOP is a heinous, hate-filled and power-lusting group, but the Democratic Party is just as flawed -- incredibly, mind-numbingly incompetent and just as power-driven.
That said, there is a clear choice and Drumpf must be defeated at all costs.
Those who do not remember the Nader are doomed to repeat it.
Yes, the GOP is a heinous, hate-filled and power-lusting group, but the Democratic Party is just as flawed -- incredibly, mind-numbingly incompetent and just as power-driven.
That said, there is a clear choice and Drumpf must be defeated at all costs.
Those who do not remember the Nader are doomed to repeat it.
3
I think we've all grown up accepting the "received wisdom" that "nepotism" has a pejorative meaning; a dirty word.
But let's rethink this; is it ?
But let's rethink this; is it ?
If Hillary wins the Presidency, she will not be the first woman President that people can proudly point to as a model for their daughters.
All her "most qualified" qualifications are due to her relationship with Bill Clinton and Billary making a deal with Obama for their support and being appointed to SOS. No great accomplishments in those positions to see there. Middle East war, greater rewards for the 1% like the Clintons, pie-in-the-sky promises like 200,000 new good jobs for Upstate NY, etc.
It will be more accurate to say that Billary was the first couple elected to the Presidency. Bill's just figured out how to get an unconstitutional 3rd term. He has been managing her campaign behavior with the flipflops, triangulations, accent changes, how to talk with Black church ladies, tone it down and smirk debate style, etc. He'll be her Cheney. The shameless duo rides again!
All her "most qualified" qualifications are due to her relationship with Bill Clinton and Billary making a deal with Obama for their support and being appointed to SOS. No great accomplishments in those positions to see there. Middle East war, greater rewards for the 1% like the Clintons, pie-in-the-sky promises like 200,000 new good jobs for Upstate NY, etc.
It will be more accurate to say that Billary was the first couple elected to the Presidency. Bill's just figured out how to get an unconstitutional 3rd term. He has been managing her campaign behavior with the flipflops, triangulations, accent changes, how to talk with Black church ladies, tone it down and smirk debate style, etc. He'll be her Cheney. The shameless duo rides again!
Hillary Clinton could have stayed in the Senate and divorced Bill. I'd have some respect for her if she had and If she'd worked to represent all the people in New York State, not just the rich and powerful.
I distrust her and Bill, I don't want either of them in the White House. Feeling the Bern. I'm very proud of what Senator Sanders has accomplished by running a campaign without PAC money.
I distrust her and Bill, I don't want either of them in the White House. Feeling the Bern. I'm very proud of what Senator Sanders has accomplished by running a campaign without PAC money.
17
Bill should stay in Manhattan working on Clinton Foundation stuff -- and away from the White House and US government policy. If he has any suggestions, he can submit them through the official White House website, www.whitehouse.gov, not private emails or texts.
Continually emphasizing how supposedly great Bill's regime was will result in backlash as we remember his unabashed support for NAFTA, which caused American job losses, and for Republican-sponsored financial services deregulation and welfare "reforms." And let's not forget that Bill Clinton did such a marvelous job in office that he allowed Al Qaeda to grow and become the target of the longest war in American history starting under his Republican successor, GW Bush.
Continually emphasizing how supposedly great Bill's regime was will result in backlash as we remember his unabashed support for NAFTA, which caused American job losses, and for Republican-sponsored financial services deregulation and welfare "reforms." And let's not forget that Bill Clinton did such a marvelous job in office that he allowed Al Qaeda to grow and become the target of the longest war in American history starting under his Republican successor, GW Bush.
1
Bill in charge of creating jobs? Does that mean more, "I feel your pain! (While I ship your jobs to Mexico)"?
No thanks. It's 2016, not 1992.
No thanks. It's 2016, not 1992.
11
Putting BJ in charge of our economy is the worst new idea of the week, or of the year. He is the guy who ruined the economy, destroyed the established American producing infrastructure, and sold technological processes to China and Russia which now threaten us. He signed NAFTA, and GATT which sent our production and jobs to low wage centers around the world. He signed the Phil Gramm banking bill which caused the 2008 monetary collapse. And when told not to sell high nuclear/missile technology to our enemies under the cover of scientific advancement he did it anyway (always uncaring of anything military) and we are now threatened by Chinese MIRVed missiles.
BOZO for economic Tsar, it is one more sign of Hillary's empty-headedness, desperation, and reliance on the wrong people.
BOZO for economic Tsar, it is one more sign of Hillary's empty-headedness, desperation, and reliance on the wrong people.
11
Anyone remember Bill campaigning for Al Gore? - Nope. Anyone remember why not? - Monica. What was that result? - W. As razor thin as the 2000 election was I don't think its much of a stretch to blame W on Bill's wandering eye.
Furthermore, I think the economy during Bill's time in office was much more the product of emerging connected automation than anything Bill did or didn't do.
Furthermore, I think the economy during Bill's time in office was much more the product of emerging connected automation than anything Bill did or didn't do.
14
Arctic drilling - an environmental disaster of worldwide proportions. Obama (for whom I voted) was crazy for even considering it.
Why is she this "most qualified person"? She accomplished nothing noteworthy.
14
Agreed! Every time I see him on the stage with her, I think the same thing. And, in your next column, please suggest to Bernie that he not be the next Ralph Nader. Great man that he is, he needs to step aside and throw his considerable political capital behind an actual win in November. Then we can fix campaign funding, for God's sake.
4
Gail said about Hillary: "...:voters may be so horrified by Donald Trump that she'll win in November." However, as a Hillary supporter, my personal fear is voters will be so horrified by Bill Clinton that she'll lose in November. I wish it weren't so, but each time I see Bill on TV my mind flashes back to the shenanigans with "the other woman" while in the White House. And I wonder if others do that too. Bill Clinton's successes were certainly greater than his "weaknesses" but sadly the mind tends to remember the negatives. And certainly DT will keep it fresh in our minds. Thus I agree with Gail. "Bill Clinton should go home." And as Helen Reddy said in her famous song celebrating the freedom of women from mail domination: "I am woman hear me roar...". Independently roar Hillary!
4
I completely agree with Gail. Hillary can and should stand on her own premise. She needs to throw caution to the wind and just get out there and say what she believes and knows. She is smart and knows plenty. Have confidence Hillary, we have your back. That is how she will win this election.
2
One of the most qualified. But ... qualifications matter only if they're about positive, constructive achievements. In all honesty, HRC is a smart, articulate and energetic woman but I can't see her achievements as really significant. What did she do exactly? She ran for office and she got elected - she became a senator. I doubt she would have been elected without her name because ... at that time she had no experience at all running anything. She was just recovering from Bill's infidelity and also from a very mismanaged social security reform attempt. As a senator, she didn't show any special talent. She just went with the flow, and anybody can go with the flow as well. Then she ran the primaries and lost to someone much more charismatic than she was. She became secretary of state based on her high profile alone, not for something else. But high profile doesn't necessarily mean skills - the Kardashian also have a high profile. As a SoS she didn't do anything particularly brilliant or good for the country. On the contrary she became rapidly involved into two incidents that sincerely make me question her judgment. So please, Gail, you wrote a great article and made good points, but your last statement, you need to explain it because I looked and I looked and really can't see in her the type of positive achievements I would like to see in a president's experience.
7
Oh and she has, at best, a passing relationship with the truth. Like her husband who was convicted of perjury and disbarred.
10
When these campaigns drag on too long that's when candidates lose sight of the target and start saying ridiculous things. Bill Clinton looks like he could blow over in a strong wind. Somebody should ask Hillary what her back up plan is should Bill's health make it impossible for him to serve as Co-President, in charge of the economy and jobs, and glorified purse-holder. I'd lay odds he wouldn't see the end of her 8 year stint.
Bernie seems to be losing sight of his target too and disenchantment with him is ramping up. The people running his campaign need to do a better job of feeling the pulse of the nation, instead of simply feeling the Bern.
That's where Trump is actually doing the best job. People are sick to death of nothing getting done. Trump looks like a Man Of Action to many voters, and action is what people want these days. Hilary has had some horrideous mid-thigh length "coats" made in every color of the rainbow, which do nothing for her physical appeal, and only amplify her propensity for business as usual, doesn't really want to change much of anything, She, too, has lost the pulse of the nation, and can't see the forest for the trees.
It's time to re-tool, and reboot, candidates. If the election cycle were shorter many of these issues would be non-starters. Somebody needs to be banging the election reform drum much louder than they are, including, most importantly, the OBSCENE amount of money it takes to get elected these days.
Bernie seems to be losing sight of his target too and disenchantment with him is ramping up. The people running his campaign need to do a better job of feeling the pulse of the nation, instead of simply feeling the Bern.
That's where Trump is actually doing the best job. People are sick to death of nothing getting done. Trump looks like a Man Of Action to many voters, and action is what people want these days. Hilary has had some horrideous mid-thigh length "coats" made in every color of the rainbow, which do nothing for her physical appeal, and only amplify her propensity for business as usual, doesn't really want to change much of anything, She, too, has lost the pulse of the nation, and can't see the forest for the trees.
It's time to re-tool, and reboot, candidates. If the election cycle were shorter many of these issues would be non-starters. Somebody needs to be banging the election reform drum much louder than they are, including, most importantly, the OBSCENE amount of money it takes to get elected these days.
4
Enough with how women need hair and makeup and the right clothes.
2
If she is so very qualified and so experienced, what made her announce this insane idea?
Bill's been jet-setting the globe with oligarchs for the past 15 years, greasing wheels with his connections in return for millions in honorariums and a plutocrat's lifestyle. He's got a big fat scandal-investigation target on his back even bigger than the one he left office with.
Being an "advocate for the world's poor" who happen to be so effectively exploited by his friends--with his help--really?
Bill's been jet-setting the globe with oligarchs for the past 15 years, greasing wheels with his connections in return for millions in honorariums and a plutocrat's lifestyle. He's got a big fat scandal-investigation target on his back even bigger than the one he left office with.
Being an "advocate for the world's poor" who happen to be so effectively exploited by his friends--with his help--really?
11
You need to get out more. You're repeating the Republican line, and boy oh boy do they have your number. Don't do their work for them.
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/
(sadly, you have to click past the donations bit, but do look at what they do)
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/
(sadly, you have to click past the donations bit, but do look at what they do)
Many folks, male and female alike, will have a hard time voting for any woman as President. We as a society appear more critical of women doctors, lawyers, professors or any position of rank and authority. I was one of the first vice presidents in a large multi-national bank. It is tough breaking down doors, getting a seat at the table, being heard, and finally just being respected.The women in authority are suppose to be assertive without being aggressive. We have put women on a tightrope and told them to do cartwheels before we will applaud. It is exhausting.
I agree with many comments here and to Ms Collins. We do not need Hillary to be Billary or President Obama's BFF. She needs be Hillary a lady with strong convictions. She is one of the most qualified people run for POTUS. We need qualified and competent person in the Oval Office.
Trump and the people that he scams frighten me. He is a loose cannon and dangerous. He is capable of creating great havoc in the global economy and the geo-politic. He will diminish us as a people. He is the barbarian and the gate is open.
I agree with many comments here and to Ms Collins. We do not need Hillary to be Billary or President Obama's BFF. She needs be Hillary a lady with strong convictions. She is one of the most qualified people run for POTUS. We need qualified and competent person in the Oval Office.
Trump and the people that he scams frighten me. He is a loose cannon and dangerous. He is capable of creating great havoc in the global economy and the geo-politic. He will diminish us as a people. He is the barbarian and the gate is open.
4
That's not a whale in the fishbowl, it's a shark named Donald and he is already circling for the kill. Bill would would quickly make the predator prey. Hillary didn't say Bill would be her running mate and I trust she knows how to keep him in his place. But she is fighting with one arm tied behind her back. I think openly speaking about possible roles for her partner actually strengthens her appeal to those (white male voters) who question her ability to lead. She is after all a woman and he is Bill Clinton. Imagine if the situation was reversed. Would a man have to assure people of his strength the way a woman does? There is no question about sexism in Trump or the voting bloc he seems to have a lock on. Sad but true but a lot of people still can't see past her gender. Bringing up Bill isn't aimed at her supporters. They've already made the intelligent decision. No doubt the cabinet and staff members already defer to a president's partner and wouldn't dare do otherwise. I can't see any of them facing off Michelle Obama. I can't even picture the President facing off Michelle. Besides, I'd love to see Bill go after Trump.
Go sic 'em boy.
Go sic 'em boy.
1
Totally agree with you, Gail. Bill is a huge distraction. Is there a whiff of panic in trolling him? A whiff of fright?
It's hard to have it both ways. On one hand, he's not running, I am. On the other other hand, you'll get two for the price of one. The low information voter will be totally confused. Heck. We might all get confused.
What Hillary has going is experience. She needs to harp on that till the cows come home and let the "chips" fall where they may.
It's hard to have it both ways. On one hand, he's not running, I am. On the other other hand, you'll get two for the price of one. The low information voter will be totally confused. Heck. We might all get confused.
What Hillary has going is experience. She needs to harp on that till the cows come home and let the "chips" fall where they may.
2
Gail, I agree with you. I cringed when I heard she was pushing a 2-for-1 deal again. I don't know what Hillary believes in, what her vision is, other than more of the same - no change. But the voters are angry and want a change. Whether you blame the 1%'ers (per Bernie Sanders supporters), or blacks, Latinos, Muslims and Chinese (per Trump supporters), the people are upset with the poor outlook on the standard of living for themselves, their children and grandchildren. People want a change and Hillary represents no change. This can lead to a Trump victory in November.
4
Hillary Clinton gets my vote because she is the most qualified person, male or female, running for President. She has the knowledge and experience needed. Enough of Mr. Trump as an anti-intellectual candidate and of Mr. Sander's white man yelling campaign. Time to get serious and elect the most qualified candidate to lead our nation, nationally and internationally-HRC.
2
Trump may have a checkered past also, but he was not President of the United States at the time. Bill was doing his thing in the oval office.
7
Bill should be in charge of baking cookies for cabinet meetings. Hillary can create a position for him, "Chief Administrator of Confections". The position should allow him to hire one intern (female, under 25 years of age). Problem solved! Bill will simply need to collect her apron at the end of each day and get it to the White House laundry.
3
Even though I follow the news obsessively, and am a life-long progressive Democrat, I have no idea who Hillary is. How does she identify herself? Daughter, mother, wife, lawyer? She talks like a overly trained academic lawyer, acts like an experienced politician, and moves in the shadows of both Obama and her husband. True, Clinton I's presidency was successful for the 1990's, but it could not be replicated today. Obama has had many successes (many of which will not be appreciated for many years). Is she looking for a model for a Democratic president? Better look somewhere else. Both Clinton I and Obama are beginning to overshadow her.
At the bottom of this may be something more basic. Protecting her husband during his escapades may have contributed to her acting like a victim; essentially, she has not, in her soul, come to terms with being the spouse of an individual who has acted cavalierly probably his entire adult life. Separating from Clinton I may be more difficult for her than we see from the outside. But it is absolutely necessary.
I don't agree with many of her policies and opinions--but she is light years ahead of he-who-shall-not-be-named. However, only Hillary can emerge and shine as the truly capable policymaker that I suspect she is.
At the bottom of this may be something more basic. Protecting her husband during his escapades may have contributed to her acting like a victim; essentially, she has not, in her soul, come to terms with being the spouse of an individual who has acted cavalierly probably his entire adult life. Separating from Clinton I may be more difficult for her than we see from the outside. But it is absolutely necessary.
I don't agree with many of her policies and opinions--but she is light years ahead of he-who-shall-not-be-named. However, only Hillary can emerge and shine as the truly capable policymaker that I suspect she is.
2
People are very forgetful. Bill Clinton recovered us from the Reagan years by triangulating because he had to. That's the way it works. I agree that it would be "nice" if it didn't work that way, but the alternative (dumpster fire Trump the megalomaniac) is so appalling I can't believe people want to abandon all the levers of power to the Republicans, and blame the victims. Getting together in crowds and cheering loudly is not enough. Huddling together in groups that repeat Republican talking points, honed since the 90s, is wrong.
We need to throw the bums out at all levels, and that means voting at every level, in every election, not throwing up your hands in disgust (2014 and 2010) and letting the people who really know how to use power take over (McConnell, Ryan/Boehner, Kochs, Roves et al.). Big money stinks, but it stinks worse in the wrong hands.
Democrats have not been able to follow through on their agenda because of Republican opposition. Don't blame the victims.
(on the subject here, I see arguments I agree with for both sides, but in general the optics of the Clinton family are lousy and Hillary is not well served by this)
We need to throw the bums out at all levels, and that means voting at every level, in every election, not throwing up your hands in disgust (2014 and 2010) and letting the people who really know how to use power take over (McConnell, Ryan/Boehner, Kochs, Roves et al.). Big money stinks, but it stinks worse in the wrong hands.
Democrats have not been able to follow through on their agenda because of Republican opposition. Don't blame the victims.
(on the subject here, I see arguments I agree with for both sides, but in general the optics of the Clinton family are lousy and Hillary is not well served by this)
4
Understandably, Hillary refuses to see that one of her drawbacks - not positives - is Bill: his questionable success as president not to overlook his unethical interpersonal relationships with several women. Rather than embracing him, she should be giving clear signals that he will have nothing to do with her administration.
1
I don't know, I don't see HRC riding Bill's coattails. I see a man who would never have been re-elected governor -- let alone survive the 1992 primary -- were it not for his wife's leadership. And he knows it. Hillary has always been the leader of the partnership. And it IS a partnership, and for all of its complications, they have remained (politically) loyal to each other. Yes, there is a long history of women being elevated because of their husband's positions. I see the Clintons as a case in which the husband was elevated because of his wife's discipline. She should do whatever she likes with Bill in the White House, including exile if he doesn't behave.
I think running in and out of the campaign's twists and turns- sometimes diffuse, and sometimes less so- is the Hillary-Bill relationship.
A marriage of convenience? Deep love? Why after all are they subjecting themselves to a campaign of slings and arrows? A Presidency of crushing scrutiny and attack? Why?
Is the answer- somewhere, at least in part, buried in their remarkable relationship? I believe these two sustain each other- a deep friendship, a sanguine tete-a-tete. Hillary's Presidency is part of a marriage long dream. Like a runner reaching the end of her race. Exciting in possibility, but a welcome relief. Bill Clinton played his role in the 2008 derivatives crash. He's brilliant and flawed still. But love is still blind- a bit.
A marriage of convenience? Deep love? Why after all are they subjecting themselves to a campaign of slings and arrows? A Presidency of crushing scrutiny and attack? Why?
Is the answer- somewhere, at least in part, buried in their remarkable relationship? I believe these two sustain each other- a deep friendship, a sanguine tete-a-tete. Hillary's Presidency is part of a marriage long dream. Like a runner reaching the end of her race. Exciting in possibility, but a welcome relief. Bill Clinton played his role in the 2008 derivatives crash. He's brilliant and flawed still. But love is still blind- a bit.
Oh Gail. If only life were so simple. HRC has to walk a razor edge, because lets face it, there is a swatch of America that just won't have her because she's a woman. We live in a culture where it's perfectly fine to say things about women that no one would ever be caught dead saying about a person of color or a gay person. Perfectly reasonable seeming people spout misogyny likes it's a mantra and no one ever challenges them.
In an equable society this election would be a runaway. The fact that an ignorant clown like Donald Trump even challenges someone as qualified as HRC is absurd. He isn't fit to wipe her shoes but the media gives him equal traction because the media knows the secret. HRC is a woman and that's reason enough to disqualify her.
So she walks a line and tries to reassure these people that it's okay. She's got the ideas of these men behind her. She'll be fine. She won't fail. Don't worry.
Imagine how galling it must be to be so capable, so ready and to have to cow to these men from the past to get people to trust you. Big ideas would really sink her. She'd lose all of those people who need her to be a good little girl to even consider voting for her.
I watched the media anoint Barack Obama because we can accept race better than gender. We got lucky. Mr. Obama has turned out to be an excellent President. The media is now anointing Donald Trump. Because even a narcissist fool who has never done a thing with his life is better than a woman. God help us.
In an equable society this election would be a runaway. The fact that an ignorant clown like Donald Trump even challenges someone as qualified as HRC is absurd. He isn't fit to wipe her shoes but the media gives him equal traction because the media knows the secret. HRC is a woman and that's reason enough to disqualify her.
So she walks a line and tries to reassure these people that it's okay. She's got the ideas of these men behind her. She'll be fine. She won't fail. Don't worry.
Imagine how galling it must be to be so capable, so ready and to have to cow to these men from the past to get people to trust you. Big ideas would really sink her. She'd lose all of those people who need her to be a good little girl to even consider voting for her.
I watched the media anoint Barack Obama because we can accept race better than gender. We got lucky. Mr. Obama has turned out to be an excellent President. The media is now anointing Donald Trump. Because even a narcissist fool who has never done a thing with his life is better than a woman. God help us.
2
Let's see. How would a President Hillary Clinton be different from all the presidents who preceded her? That's a real headscratcher. Mat he she understands that for some voters to embrace that big difference, she'll need to reassure them about continuity in other respects.
2
Good to know Ms Collins that you are coming around in realizing that there is nothing there there with Hillary, except those qualifications acquired after Bill left the White House. Good as they are don't forget George H. W. Bush was full of qualifications too.
She had her chance to stand on her own in the 90s when she was humiliated. She had many times the chance to articulate that "vision thing". She chose to ride coattails. Now she tries again to ride that last name. Would we celebrate the first woman president with Hillary like we celebrated the first African-American one?
She had her chance to stand on her own in the 90s when she was humiliated. She had many times the chance to articulate that "vision thing". She chose to ride coattails. Now she tries again to ride that last name. Would we celebrate the first woman president with Hillary like we celebrated the first African-American one?
Thank you Gail. I screamed at the TV when she made the comment about Bill. I do not like it when she talks about continuing the policies of President Obama. Yes we all know she is not a natural campaigner but she needs to dust off these men from her coattails. She does not need them.
2
I was pro-HRC before the ludicrous choice to put her husband in charge of economic revitalization. What? I remember NAFTA and watched its horrifying effects. Her decision stunned me. Instead of distancing herself from her husband, they're in it together hook, line, and sinker. This is supposed to make me want to vote for her? I don't think so.
Sanders has proven he's neither a Democrat nor a Democratic Socialist. He is, however, as good of a politician as Trump and Trump wants Sanders' following to vote for him. That's DT and part of his horror.
Sanders has proven he's neither a Democrat nor a Democratic Socialist. He is, however, as good of a politician as Trump and Trump wants Sanders' following to vote for him. That's DT and part of his horror.
2
Yes, Hillary can stand on her own. But that's not the whole issue. Look at this in terms of marketing. The Republican candidates always and inevitably juxtapose themselves with Ronald Reagan, because he was their party's most recent twice-elected, popular President. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, likewise, are the Democrats' twice-elected, popular Presidents. So why wouldn't Hillary likewise connect herself with them? And unlike the GOP nominees, Hillary can say she was in the White House with Obama and Bill Clinton.
1
Gail makes very strong arguments here. My takeaway is that HRC needs new advisors. Someone with sway needs to be able to shoot down these losing strategies before they hit the streets. Suggesting that Bill should "be in charge of the economy" is a loser's strategy that never should have left the drawing board.
2
The suggestion says to me that Hillary is trapped in an echo chamber.
Well, blow me down. This is the first time I've ever known Gail not to be funny. I am surprised, certainly, and immediately take her seriousness seriously. I agree. I think very well of Bill Clinton, philanderer though he has been. But I am not comfortable with him being advertised as a major player out front in her administration. Let him work behind the scenes, where power like his can be tageted where it can be the most effective. And yes, she needs to stand on her own.
2
I am heartsick at Hillary's dragging her geezer husband, Bill, into the race; it was so predictable! And she's thinking to use him as voter bait? OMG. Even after a lifetime of international accomplishments Hillary Clinton still doesn't have the courage of her own convictions! As Trump will gleefully say ( and I despise him) "Very sad!"
Bernie Sanders too is a crotchety novice, too old to be figuring out how the presidency works at this point. America and the world seeks in vain for a leader with ethics, dignity, middle-age youthfulness and the courage of his/her convictions.
Bernie Sanders too is a crotchety novice, too old to be figuring out how the presidency works at this point. America and the world seeks in vain for a leader with ethics, dignity, middle-age youthfulness and the courage of his/her convictions.
1
Agree 100%. Bill needs to stay in the background. Once elected HRC can give him "special missions" to complete...things that require his skills.
1
Here's how I, who voted for him twice, now remember "economic czar," Bill Clinton: (1) NAFTA--our first trade agreement disaster and a centerpiece of both the Trump and Sanders critique of what's wrong with today's economy; (2) revoking the Glass-Steagall Act that separated investment and consumer banking and was a huge pro-Wall Street action--another main point by anti-establishment Trump and Sanders supporters--that started us on the path to the Great Recession; and (3) refusing of the advise of his Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a woman named Brooksley Born, who warned of the potential dangers of not regulating derivative and instead siding with the Gang of Five men including Timothy Geithner, Lawrence Summers and Alan Greenspan and not only rebuking her but forcing her resignation and sealing the financial collapse in 2008. If this is our economic savior, it may be time cash out. My advise to Hillary: if you really want to help the economy, put someone who really know how in charge and appoint Bill as Ambassador to Outer Mongolia.
3
I don't care if she promises to put her dead cat Socks "in charge of the economy". It is imperative that Donald Trump never be allowed anywhere near the U.S. nuclear arsenal launch codes.
End of story. Period.
End of story. Period.
1
But Gail, this has been Hillary's modus-operandi all along, relying on others... other idea's, other's agenda's, other's policies, jumping on and off other's bandwagon's fastest then you can say flip-flop. Yes, I'll vote for Hillary in the end just to keep Trump from being elected, but what a sad statement that is.
2
I've wondered why Sander's has never struck back during the debate with "Madam Secretary, are you running for the highest office, or is Obama or Bill Clinton, because it sounds a lot like you are stumping for them"
But speaking of Bill, he didn't create the internet bubble, that happened on it's own, so taking credit for all those jobs is a disingenuous. His actual policies have hurt America, and are at the forefront of the issues being debated in this election. NAFTA, Crime Bill, "Welfare Reform", Glass-Steagall...he and his wife have been very good for the upper echelon, including padding their own bank accounts with 8 zeros, but bad for everyone below.
But speaking of Bill, he didn't create the internet bubble, that happened on it's own, so taking credit for all those jobs is a disingenuous. His actual policies have hurt America, and are at the forefront of the issues being debated in this election. NAFTA, Crime Bill, "Welfare Reform", Glass-Steagall...he and his wife have been very good for the upper echelon, including padding their own bank accounts with 8 zeros, but bad for everyone below.
3
I think misogyny runs deeper in America than racism. I think the only way a qualified female can be elected President is if she is running against someone who is a combination of Daffy Duck and Silvio Berlusconi. By default is OK as long as she's qualified, and she is.
I am democrat tried and true but Bill Clinton has disgraced himself over and over again since leaving office. The Clinton Foundation may have started off well but it devolved into a money-making operation for Bill and his pals. Forget trying to peg Donald Trump with women problems. Bill has him beat hands down. 26 trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane? A tour through Southeast Asia without his detail? Ron Burkle? Years of complaints over inappropriate behavior? She should have divorced him but her ambition to be president is too strong. I don't know. Like much of the country, I have major Clinton fatigue. It is nice that the Times keeps flying the Clinton flag -- but many of your readers aren't buying it anymore -- and that is not the fault of Bernie Sanders.
3
Even more ominous is the fact that, for all the jobs created during the Bill Clinton presidency, he also promoted NAFTA, deregulated the banking industry, and pushed the notion that all we need to do is give folks a good education, like the one he got that raised him out of the middle class. NO understanding of the underlying economic forces at all. NOT the person to be given the task of getting America back to work with dignity and pride.
2
I wish journalists would stop saying Hillary is one of the most qualified people ever to run for office. She's really not. Sanders is more qualified than she is, as were some of the Republican candidates this election cycle.
4
Dunno if you realize this Ms Collins, your piece here is giving that goofy Donald Trump cred when he says Hillary would only get a small fraction of the support she's getting if she was a he. It seems she does have to push her husband out in front and say look at him, see what I can give you if you elect me.
I think Bill should stay in the White House kitchen and bake cookies!!
2
The gorilla in the room has been identified and none too soon. My resistance to Mrs. Clinton has been based on the very factors which you have mentioned. I don't want a role reversal Evita and Juan. I cringe when I think of her economy comment and I would think that most voting women would too. My lord, this isn't the 1950's. Bill should be mothballed and confine his activities to his foundation like a good little hubby.
2
Well done and right on. Not voting for Bill or Barack or Bernie. Come on, Hillary, give me something other than equal pay for women and abortions, both of which I support. How about making my social security exempt from taxation, like it was before Reagan. How about a cap of 15% tax on my pensions and 401(k) to make up for the market crashes. How about some deductions for people over 65 or a cap on income tax? How about the Government paying for the costs on a reverse mortgage so I can use the money from my house for long term health care.
4
I always felt that Hillary Clintons biggest challenge if elected would be to put a muzzle on her husband. Now she is letting him run off leash. She seriously lost my vote, and just when I received my vote by mail ballot.
6
This is a good depiction of Hillary. She is not her own person and she is marching to the beat of Bill Clinton, Hillary has come across as a fake and not presidential. There are much stronger female Democrats such as Senator Elizabeth Warren who can lead the party and conquer the White House than Hillary Clinton. Compared to the other two candidates in the race, she is the weakest.
1
Bill's Presidential creds are taking a major hit these days as historians and political scientists now have the perspective of time to look back at his term in office. He sigpresidencyned a lot of very NAFTA, the Crime Bill, Welfare Reform, deep sixing Glass-Steagall, consolidation of media control by big corporations are just some of the "gems" of the Clinton presidency. He also agreed to the absurd 100 to 1 rule about sentencing for cocaine possession whereby crack cocaine ( mostly used by blacks and latins) was treated harsher than powdered cocaine ( used by white yuppies ).
The other irony which carries into this election is that Hillary is NOT a liberal and Donald is NOT a conservative. This is not the first election in U.S. history when 2 stinkers ran for the office. The outcome has never been good.Pity us in a nation of 320 million people that we cannot find 2 well qualified candidates with real political convictions to run for office.
The other irony which carries into this election is that Hillary is NOT a liberal and Donald is NOT a conservative. This is not the first election in U.S. history when 2 stinkers ran for the office. The outcome has never been good.Pity us in a nation of 320 million people that we cannot find 2 well qualified candidates with real political convictions to run for office.
2
When our perspective candidates are described as "the most reviled" where does one turn to please the public? Her insertion of Bill into the mix is understandably a potentially dangerous step and she will need to re-examine it soon.
In private, however, he might have some ideas worth considering. Especially in light of the potential choices of Trump advisors.
In private, however, he might have some ideas worth considering. Especially in light of the potential choices of Trump advisors.
1
Good column.
When are you going to write about Jane Sanders history of running Burlington College into the ground and getting $200,000. payoff to leave it.
Love to hear your take on pied piper Bernbrain's horrid response to his supporters violent behavior.
When are you going to write about Jane Sanders history of running Burlington College into the ground and getting $200,000. payoff to leave it.
Love to hear your take on pied piper Bernbrain's horrid response to his supporters violent behavior.
5
The claims of violence have not been substantiated.
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/05/18/the-faux-fracas-in-nevada-how-a-r...
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/05/18/the-faux-fracas-in-nevada-how-a-r...
1
Let's face it, Bill is a slave to his appetites, and Hillary has survived as an enabler. Both capable people, and both determined to live their lives in the public domain, and in a way, strengthened for the challenges of extensive campaigning by the challenges to everyday living that abide with them.
But, Hillary needs to convince us that she can administer the affairs of the nation as chief executive. The "Bill" card, having been shown, is now in play and the wear and tear on Bill is apparent. There's still a shimmer of vitality, but it's shrouded by a weariness that testifies to the effort to maintain a public life and a public profile that may not fit quite as well as once it did.
There is much to admire in Hillary. She has accomplished much in a career sense. Being elected twice to serve as US Senator from New York is no mean feat. She's articulate, capable and able to hold her own and then some in meaningful debate and even in political debate. She knows, as well as anyone, how things get done in D.C.
But then, there's Bill. A not so white knight, while still a genius in his own right. Can he keep the low profile for the next four to eight years?
Can you imagine what Shakespeare would do with all this drama?
But, Hillary needs to convince us that she can administer the affairs of the nation as chief executive. The "Bill" card, having been shown, is now in play and the wear and tear on Bill is apparent. There's still a shimmer of vitality, but it's shrouded by a weariness that testifies to the effort to maintain a public life and a public profile that may not fit quite as well as once it did.
There is much to admire in Hillary. She has accomplished much in a career sense. Being elected twice to serve as US Senator from New York is no mean feat. She's articulate, capable and able to hold her own and then some in meaningful debate and even in political debate. She knows, as well as anyone, how things get done in D.C.
But then, there's Bill. A not so white knight, while still a genius in his own right. Can he keep the low profile for the next four to eight years?
Can you imagine what Shakespeare would do with all this drama?
1
Oh Gail! Can't you see what everyone else has been saying for years? Hill does what she wants when she wants it especially when its convenient and expedient to so. She'll jettison both men when its convenient. Feel the cHill.
1
And people claim she doesn't act like a male politician. They all do it. She just get's attacked for it because she is a woman. Woman are supposed to be above politics. Double standard.
1
But did not Bill, while running for president, advance the claim that with Hillary at his side, voters would really be getting "two for the price of one"? Why should not Hillary reciprocate and even add: "And Bill can do everything I can do--and he does not have the disadvantage of having to do it backwards and in high-heels!"
2
I didn't like "two for the price of one" back in Mr. Clinton's day, I don't like it now. Hillary has enough talent and experience to outshine him anyday. I don't know why she's doing this.
1
Ms Clinton wanted Kentucky (aka Kin Tucky). What happens in Kentucky campaigning stays in Kentucky, fortunately I think. I think you over-generalize the use of Bill in that state in this column. In the bluegrass state what Dems there are like Bill, so why not? I do not see Bill used similarly elsewhere, for example, nowhere in the east. Did we see Senator Bill, Sec'y of State Bill? I'm sure he held court in the bedroom and while brushing his teeth, but I for one did not see that. What she did (lots) more than what she said, please.
Hillary is a political construct... a Madison Ave. creation based on the Clinton Brand. Yes, she spits out complicated, convoluted responses that make her appear knowledgeable on a variety of subjects. But in the end she comes across as a computer stuffed full of information- facts and figures- repeatedly reminding us how things are in the 'real world'. But her reality doesn't inspire anyone because it lacks direction. It's more of the same confusion and chaos we wake up to everyday. Her 'train' never leaves the station.
7
Spot on. It reminds us why she's even here. And man, that guy is old. Sanders appears 10 years younger than him.
2
"The best man for the job is a woman."
But, only if the power behind the throne is a man, apparently.
But, only if the power behind the throne is a man, apparently.
I agree with you, Gail. It's taken me a long time to come around to actually sort of liking Hillary, but I'm finally here; and now I have to see Bill shoving his face into the camera every 5 minutes? (He sort of reminds me of those guys in the background on Sports Center --behind the panel of commentators-- that keep waiving and making faces and taking selfies during the broadcast.)
I know the economy was better in the 90's, and not being an economist I am not qualified to say how much then-President Clinton can be credited for that, so I'm willing to give him his due. But other things are important too. For many of us (especially women) there is an "ewww" factor with Bill that is not unlike the 17 people that ran on the other side of the aisle. And the one who will get the Republican nomination is one of the biggest ewww's of all. It would be nice not to be physically nauseous during the ENTIRE general election!
I recognize that in certain corners of the country Bill is still wildly popular, so I know Hillary has to use that to her advantage, but I really hope he is contained, and definitely not part of her administration.
I know the economy was better in the 90's, and not being an economist I am not qualified to say how much then-President Clinton can be credited for that, so I'm willing to give him his due. But other things are important too. For many of us (especially women) there is an "ewww" factor with Bill that is not unlike the 17 people that ran on the other side of the aisle. And the one who will get the Republican nomination is one of the biggest ewww's of all. It would be nice not to be physically nauseous during the ENTIRE general election!
I recognize that in certain corners of the country Bill is still wildly popular, so I know Hillary has to use that to her advantage, but I really hope he is contained, and definitely not part of her administration.
2
“a little bit about how to create jobs. I think my husband did a heck of a job.”
" It didn’t work very well when the Clintons were offering “two for the price of one” in the 1990s."
So which is it? Did he do a heck of a job, or did it not work very well?
And as to continuing the work of President Obama, Bernie Sanders has been painted as some sort of radical, and Hillary Clinton as the continuation of an Obama administration. All of a sudden, we want new ideas from the candidate who ran on old ideas from the start?
Please! Pay attention.
" It didn’t work very well when the Clintons were offering “two for the price of one” in the 1990s."
So which is it? Did he do a heck of a job, or did it not work very well?
And as to continuing the work of President Obama, Bernie Sanders has been painted as some sort of radical, and Hillary Clinton as the continuation of an Obama administration. All of a sudden, we want new ideas from the candidate who ran on old ideas from the start?
Please! Pay attention.
2
It is so disgusting to me that Bill Clinton would be in the white house with his wife sitting at the same desk that her husband, darling Bill and the poor intern, who shall remain nameless, "did not have sex". What about Huma and her wackoff husband? Why do these women stay with these sicko men? Lack of brains or are they both gay and love each other so they hide it and stay with their men. Leading lies in any case not what I call Presidential or maybe it is?
1
How often was Jeb Bush asked pointed questions regarding his stance on his brother's positions/actions, particularly on the war in Iraq? How often has the press asked Sec Clinton about her stance on her husband's positions/actions, particularly financial deregulation?
1
Great column, Ms. Collins! Just because Hillary Clinton had an office in the West Wing, when she led President Bill Clinton's campaign for a Universal Health Care Program, doesn't mean that she has to reciprocate. Britain's Margaret Thatcher kept her husband out of British National Affairs, and so does Germany's Angela Merkel.
In order to properly demonstrate the rightful equality of women--and with the capabilities, to boot--a female Head-of-State must truly lead the nation. Also, having finally accomplished that "Two for the price of One" thing, which initially was panned after his first Inauguration, Bill should remain behind the scenes. Namely, forget the "Two-fer"!
Although President Bubba had a good run, especially on the economic front, he should not be leading it again, if Hillary becomes President. Also, the mere idea of having two bosses would demean the roles of Fed Chairman and Secretary of State, among other key advisory positions.
Surely, National Affairs would enter into conversation at their dinner table, but keep Bill out on the golf course. Unless, of course, he prefers to bake cookies.
Lastly, in his role as "First Laddie", he should remain in the background.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
In order to properly demonstrate the rightful equality of women--and with the capabilities, to boot--a female Head-of-State must truly lead the nation. Also, having finally accomplished that "Two for the price of One" thing, which initially was panned after his first Inauguration, Bill should remain behind the scenes. Namely, forget the "Two-fer"!
Although President Bubba had a good run, especially on the economic front, he should not be leading it again, if Hillary becomes President. Also, the mere idea of having two bosses would demean the roles of Fed Chairman and Secretary of State, among other key advisory positions.
Surely, National Affairs would enter into conversation at their dinner table, but keep Bill out on the golf course. Unless, of course, he prefers to bake cookies.
Lastly, in his role as "First Laddie", he should remain in the background.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Is it really about copying what Britain and Germany do? Is it really about demonstrating the rightful equality of women?
I submit that what's really important is what's good for the country. More experience is probably better for the country, and Hillary as president would make the final decision.
I submit that what's really important is what's good for the country. More experience is probably better for the country, and Hillary as president would make the final decision.
1
I want a President who knows how to handle the presidency of the nation. I want someone who's smart enough to tell it like it is -- maybe, If You Believe in Change, You're Daydreaming. What can a president change, really? What can a president, alone, do, that will please everyone? Bupkis, exactly.
We need a head of state who is smart, tough, experienced and -- as Ms. Collins said -- "the most qualified." That would be Hillary Clinton, of course.
[I look forward to the day when dimwitted slogans are prohibited by law.]
We need a head of state who is smart, tough, experienced and -- as Ms. Collins said -- "the most qualified." That would be Hillary Clinton, of course.
[I look forward to the day when dimwitted slogans are prohibited by law.]
1
This is the first time I remember disagreeing with a Gail Collins column. It's reasonable to ask for advice from others they trust and who have experience and knowledge. Hillary Clinton has shown through the campaign and in her previous jobs that she has the background to be President. Candidates pick advisers who can help them. The probably opponent, Mr. Trump, is a know-nothing rich man who knows nothing about governing and nothing about world affairs and economics. Bill Clinton is a more than welcome alternative to the advisers that Trump has suggested for a Republican administration.
3
I expect she's being honest. We all know she and Bill will be making political pillow talk and he will be advising her. For some of us, two-for-the-price-of-one IS a big selling point.
'[Y]ou don’t want the first woman president elected by default.' Why not? That's probably how we got the first black president - the notion that Sarah Palin might be a heartbeat from the presidency, given McCain's age and poor health, may well have been the tipping point for more lukewarm-on-Obama voters than you think.
BTW two quibbles. 1. Some historians maintain the first woman president was Edith Galt Wilson. While her husband Woodrow lay an invalid for months, she supervised who got in to see him, and many important papers were signed with no witnesses but her and him. So: 'first elected, official woman president.' 2. 'It would be better if he wasn’t on the scene at all.' You mean 'if he weren't' (condition contrary to fact; he *is* on the scene, which is the crux of your column).
'[Y]ou don’t want the first woman president elected by default.' Why not? That's probably how we got the first black president - the notion that Sarah Palin might be a heartbeat from the presidency, given McCain's age and poor health, may well have been the tipping point for more lukewarm-on-Obama voters than you think.
BTW two quibbles. 1. Some historians maintain the first woman president was Edith Galt Wilson. While her husband Woodrow lay an invalid for months, she supervised who got in to see him, and many important papers were signed with no witnesses but her and him. So: 'first elected, official woman president.' 2. 'It would be better if he wasn’t on the scene at all.' You mean 'if he weren't' (condition contrary to fact; he *is* on the scene, which is the crux of your column).
In some sense, right as usual. But in another sense it shows a lack of respect for Secretary Clinton's political skills--and the good sense of Kentuckians. The good people of Kentucky, busy as they are with making a living and getting on with their lives, probably don't care a whole lot about whether Hillary's somehow "attached" to men and other politicians, including her own husband or Obama. In fact, to the "non-feminists," who are probably legion, in Kentucky and elsewhere throughout the country, it's probably seen as a strength--as it should be. Electing Hillary Clinton President isn't a feminist thing--she doesn't need to stand alone. Personally, I'm not looking for a queen. I want one of the strongest and most able people in the Democratic Party.
1
Excellent points all, Gail, and advice which I hope Hillary will take to heart. I do think it's worth mentioning Eleanor Roosevelt as a model worth studying and emulating. While she never held an elective office, Mrs. Roosevelt became a true American icon and perhaps the most admired woman in the world.
It started with her marriage to a president.
It started with her marriage to a president.
1
Gail, what you are suggesting are cosmetic changes to a campaign that shouldn't need to take advice in this area. First, the opposition has proven you don't need any of the nuances or niceties (heck you don't even have to be nice) to win in this election cycle. Second, and more importantly, why should the first women candidate for President have to forego the counsel and support of two of the most intelligent people ever to grace the presidency just to avoid appearing to need them? She does need them, America needs them. Who doesn't need intelligent people around them? Oh, I know, Republicans. Never mind.
Prudent, and accurate, words. Perhaps Hillary needs to introspect and clarify what she stands for in as few words as possible, a kind of mantra people can embrace and support; Bill's role must be subservient to hers, and given his baggage, stay away of the daily fray. She needs to earn her keep by restoring trust in her genuine interest in serving the people, and outlining the awful chaos to follow if Trump were to be elected.
Completely agree. Our family had the same reaction, and it would be good for the Clinton campaign to take notice of this column from a friendly source.
Employing the methods used in periods of high job growth, not the person who was president, is the essential point. There is no connection to Bill specifically. Cite and employ the methods.
Employing the methods used in periods of high job growth, not the person who was president, is the essential point. There is no connection to Bill specifically. Cite and employ the methods.
2
Whenever you write about Hillary Clinton, the column is not funny. Hmmm.
2
I sincerely believe that Hillary lacks faith in herself as a candidate. She now seems to need the presence of her husband--and Gail is right--this is a bad move. If she can't seize control of her candidacy and believe in her own ability to stand up, speak out, and win and succeed as president, how can we believe in her? Her self-doubt permeates her campaign. She is calculating and lacks the fervor that we need to see. I believe that she might make a fine president; though I mistrust her hawkish positions and hate her timidity to make bold statements that would lead to rethinking the way government works. It's hard to jump on her wagon when she is leaning on her husband to push her into office or when she says he'll fix the economy. Huh? No, the president needs to fix the government. Be brave, take charge and show your thunder.
2
Another great column Ms Collins. Bill Clinton can still be an asset to Mrs Clinton's campaign by stumping in battleground states and shoring up the essential voting blocks needed to win the general election. He would be good at that. I will vote for Mrs Clinton.
But I cringe when she says she'll put Mr Clinton in charge of bringing jobs back because Bernie Sanders is running against the Clinton's economic policies. If Sanders doesn't win the nomination he at least wants to pull Mrs Clinton and the Democratic Party to the left, away from Bill Clinton's ideas and the status quo. It is easy to understand why Mrs. Clinton thinks it's a good idea, as President Clinton left a large economic surplus that was squandered by the Bush Administration.
So let the former president lend his credibility to his wife's campaign, but I don't see Senator Sanders and his supporters supporting a ticket that wants to return to Bill Clinton's economic policies, even if they WERE successful, because Sanders is running against the past. I'm afraid Mrs Clinton is tone deaf on this idea.
But I cringe when she says she'll put Mr Clinton in charge of bringing jobs back because Bernie Sanders is running against the Clinton's economic policies. If Sanders doesn't win the nomination he at least wants to pull Mrs Clinton and the Democratic Party to the left, away from Bill Clinton's ideas and the status quo. It is easy to understand why Mrs. Clinton thinks it's a good idea, as President Clinton left a large economic surplus that was squandered by the Bush Administration.
So let the former president lend his credibility to his wife's campaign, but I don't see Senator Sanders and his supporters supporting a ticket that wants to return to Bill Clinton's economic policies, even if they WERE successful, because Sanders is running against the past. I'm afraid Mrs Clinton is tone deaf on this idea.
2
Better to subtract both of them. Bill was successful because of Republicans and his ability to work with them. Hillary is incompetent, and arrogant and works well with herself. She should have been indited already and her decision making in her previous jobs should disqualify her from running any organization.
3
Amen! And amen!!
No one can doubt that Bill Clinton will be present in a Hillary Clinton administration but let it be done quietly in the background. Pillow talk, if they still share a pillow. But your suggestion of making him (or letting him) be a quiet emissary to the third world, not as an emissary of the President, but as an emissary of the Clinton Foundation, is an excellent one.
I hope you hand deliver this Op Ed to Hillary soon. She needs to break out and she needs to do so soon.
No one can doubt that Bill Clinton will be present in a Hillary Clinton administration but let it be done quietly in the background. Pillow talk, if they still share a pillow. But your suggestion of making him (or letting him) be a quiet emissary to the third world, not as an emissary of the President, but as an emissary of the Clinton Foundation, is an excellent one.
I hope you hand deliver this Op Ed to Hillary soon. She needs to break out and she needs to do so soon.
.
I must say that I am a bit amused that – apparently just now – people have begun to notice that Hillary is very closely associated with a former President.
Many still remember the shutting down of DC for months after the House impeached our President and the Senate then tried him (acquittal). That whole procedure left a sour taste in almost every American's mouth … and certainly diminished the stature of the Presidency in the eyes of the World.
But, even among those who voted for Bill, there is considerable "buyer's remorse." His support of DOMA and don't ask/don't tell were sops to the Right. The repeal of Glass-Steagall certainly weakened governmental control over Wall Street … that then self-destructed in 2008.
But – more to the point – Bill occupied – for two terms! – the While House. If Hillary wins the election, he'll be back … but without all the power he formally had.
Bill's a "take-charge" kind of guy, just how will he react to his new situation? For my part, I don't think he'll be sitting in the back seat staying mum.
Feel the Bern.
I must say that I am a bit amused that – apparently just now – people have begun to notice that Hillary is very closely associated with a former President.
Many still remember the shutting down of DC for months after the House impeached our President and the Senate then tried him (acquittal). That whole procedure left a sour taste in almost every American's mouth … and certainly diminished the stature of the Presidency in the eyes of the World.
But, even among those who voted for Bill, there is considerable "buyer's remorse." His support of DOMA and don't ask/don't tell were sops to the Right. The repeal of Glass-Steagall certainly weakened governmental control over Wall Street … that then self-destructed in 2008.
But – more to the point – Bill occupied – for two terms! – the While House. If Hillary wins the election, he'll be back … but without all the power he formally had.
Bill's a "take-charge" kind of guy, just how will he react to his new situation? For my part, I don't think he'll be sitting in the back seat staying mum.
Feel the Bern.
9
It is obvious that Clinton is not going to defeat Trump without the support of Senator Sanders. He is so focused on carrying on the campaign to the very end, I will not surprised if he decides to run as the third party candidate. He may be the Ralph Nader of 2016.
The World needs as many Clintons as possible. This not a matter of individuals, but of attitudes. Mr. Sanders is poised to inflict as much damage as possible. He has nothing to loose and no loyalties to risk.
Ralph Nader delivered GWB to the World, who engendered an unneeded war in Irak, which engendered Isis. In addition, GWB, true to the Hooverian mandate, created a giant World economic crisis.
Mr. Sanders, with his big ego nurtured with Vermont Maple Syrup is contributing to a possible Democratic defeat, and to the revival of the Seven Plagues of Egypt at World level.
Ralph Nader delivered GWB to the World, who engendered an unneeded war in Irak, which engendered Isis. In addition, GWB, true to the Hooverian mandate, created a giant World economic crisis.
Mr. Sanders, with his big ego nurtured with Vermont Maple Syrup is contributing to a possible Democratic defeat, and to the revival of the Seven Plagues of Egypt at World level.
Hyperbole, much? (With the exception of the point about GWB and Iraq)
BTW, analyses of the 2000 election have shown it was election fraud and the Supreme Court that delivered Bush to us.
BTW, analyses of the 2000 election have shown it was election fraud and the Supreme Court that delivered Bush to us.
1
Ms. Collins is totally completely unambiguously one-hundred percent correct. Bill Clinton must leave not only the stage but the theater. President Obama should play a minor role. Hillary Clinton must do this solo. Either we vote for a deeply qualified candidate who happens to be a woman or we don't. There is nothing worse than a woman who glances periodically at her husband as if for approval or consent when she speaks to others in a social setting.
1
I am so sick of the Clintons I just wish they would both go home. I do not want to be a part of their blood sport. The HRC campaign does not seem to understand that old-fashioned politics is not what the public wants. The campaign epitomizes what may be wrong with America - a representation of maintaining power for power's sake. It is looking for incrementalism that really doesn't satisfy the public and the public's wishes for the future. Hence the groundswell for Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. If Hillary really want's to break through and win this election, she needs to ditch Bill, renounce the need for super delegates at the convention, and put forward challenging policies that could reshape our political system to be more responsive to the voters.
8
I totally agree. That statement about having Bill In charge of the economy made me cringe. I hope Hillary is listening to you, Gail.
4
If Trump is to be defeated, it is all hands on deck, not having to fight with one hand tied behind you, wading through a swamp with an alligator like Sanders nipping at your heels . If Bill Clinton can help in the battle to defeat Trump, then that is all that matters right now. Ex-Presidents have often campaigned for candidates. Why should this be any different? Do you really want to be writing columns this time next year about President Trump?