(Possibly) Hillary Clinton's Biggest Problem
Eugene Robinson pretty much explains it with this story:
Not clear enough? OK, here's more:
Yes, America...Hillary's biggest problem may center around Bill. But is has less (if anything) to do with the ordeals surrounding his impeachment (he was enjoying a 70% approval rating at the time) and more to do with his approach to being the First Spouse. Republicans dropped a brick when Hillary "dared" to get involved in Health Care when she was first lady; Bill is sure to be three times as involved in policy matters as Hillary was (he already offered to tour the world with Bush I, the guy he kicked out).
Hillary's stuck on this one. She needs Bill to remind people about the "Good Ol' Days," but she can't promise change with him vowing a virtual repeat of his presidency (as Robinson mentions, NAFTA promises to be an entertaining exchange between the two). Nor can she get the crowd to focus on her with him charming the audience.
If she can't get her husband to focus on some key points of her campaign and stop acting like they're running for "Co-President," Hillary Clinton's individuality is going to take a major hit.
When the Clintons made a campaign stop at an Iowa grocery store Tuesday, Hillary's face said it all. She realized that Bill had departed from the script and wandered off to another part of the store, and cameras caught her scanning the aisles with a look of sheer terror. Bill was supposed to be at Hillary's side; instead, he was way over yonder, giving an interview to "Entertainment Tonight." What was supposed to be a controlled photo op had suddenly turned into a happening.
Spontaneity gives ulcers to campaign staffers, but the supermarket stop got much more coverage than it would have if Bill had followed the script. He ended up drawing more attention to himself than the candidate -- which is in keeping with his formal campaign speeches. On the stump, he draws big crowds and comes off as charming, eloquent and persuasive. But reporters who have tallied his words say that he talks more about himself than about his wife -- at a ratio of about 9 to 1.
Not clear enough? OK, here's more:
Does anyone think that William Jefferson Clinton would confine himself to the bland, inoffensive pronouncements we've come to expect from presidential spouses? I'd give him two weeks of ribbon-cuttings and ceremonial visits before he felt compelled -- and perhaps entitled -- to jump into policy. Clearly, the smart thing would be to give him a portfolio of his own rather than let him play hopscotch.
Yes, America...Hillary's biggest problem may center around Bill. But is has less (if anything) to do with the ordeals surrounding his impeachment (he was enjoying a 70% approval rating at the time) and more to do with his approach to being the First Spouse. Republicans dropped a brick when Hillary "dared" to get involved in Health Care when she was first lady; Bill is sure to be three times as involved in policy matters as Hillary was (he already offered to tour the world with Bush I, the guy he kicked out).
Hillary's stuck on this one. She needs Bill to remind people about the "Good Ol' Days," but she can't promise change with him vowing a virtual repeat of his presidency (as Robinson mentions, NAFTA promises to be an entertaining exchange between the two). Nor can she get the crowd to focus on her with him charming the audience.
If she can't get her husband to focus on some key points of her campaign and stop acting like they're running for "Co-President," Hillary Clinton's individuality is going to take a major hit.
Comments