The Fading Appeal of Bill Clinton
I believe one reason Barack Obama tapped Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State in large part to buy her husband’s silence.
As the most popular Democrat in the country until Obama came along, Bill Clinton could give “blue dog” Democrats cover should he ever even hint that he opposed one of the President’s initiatives, particularly those undermining his own legacy (like the provisions in the “stimulus” weakening the landmark welfare reform he signed in 1996). But, with Bill’s wife in the cabinet, Obama effectively tied that Democrat’s tongue. Not an easy task. And a politically shrewd move.
Somewhere deep down, Clinton may well resent Obama. The incumbent, unlike his Democratic predecessor, actually won a majority of the popular vote. Not just that, Obama deprived him of his position as de facto head of their party, a position he “held” from April 7, 1992 (when he easily won the New York Democratic primary) until January 3, 2008 when Obama won the Iowa caucuses, a run of nearly sixteen years.
Few outgoing presidents succeed in getting their man elected a Chair of their party, but Clinton helped his friend and fundraiser Terry McAuliffe win election as head of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) right after he left office. While Clinton’s power was beginning to wane soon after Bush’s reelection in 2004, his standing helped ensure his wife’s status as frontrunner for their party’s nomination.
That began to fade with the emergence of Obama. Now, Jennifer Rubin wonders if the 42nd President no longer a crowd magnet.Campaigning in Virginia for the aforementioned McAuliffe (now running for Governor of the Old Dominion), he drew a “surprisingly small crowd.” Clinton may not be the draw he once was, but he was the figurehead of his party for longer perhaps than any other.
Time will tell if his fading fortunes will help or hurt the Democratic Party. Will its swift shift to the left over the past few years prevent Democrats from securing the gains of the past two elections? Or has America turned to the left since Clinton’s heyday?
Polls show Americans still uncomfortable with the big government, the era of which Clinton called to a close. But, while Republicans have been showing some signs of life lately, they still need to develop a strategy to respond to the growing discontent with the return of big government.
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A fickle bunch, just depends on the flavor of the week.
Next week is strawberry? Or lemon sherbet?
Comment by Angie — April 30, 2009 @ 6:39 am - April 30, 2009
Yeah, um…. weird post. A Democratic ex-President is drawing small crowds at political rallies a year and a half ahead of an election – so what? It wasn’t so long ago that a sitting Republican President couldn’t campaign for his party in a Presidential election year because nobody likes him and his record is a flaming train wreck.
Had that occurred to you when you wrote this post?
Comment by Levi — April 30, 2009 @ 9:48 am - April 30, 2009
Angie’s right. Like a swarm of insects, the queens choose a host, the swarm feeds, then moves on. Bill no doubt resents Obama’s completely unearned success that no cracker — not even he — could achieve. The narcissist hates no one more than another narcissist.
Comment by Ignatius — April 30, 2009 @ 10:09 am - April 30, 2009
I don’t know if Slick Willie is a “crowd magnet” any more, but I sure don’t trust him in the vicinity of any woman older than the age of consent. This guy needs to be neutered.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — April 30, 2009 @ 10:51 am - April 30, 2009
Older than the age of consent? You have a better opinion than I do.
Comment by The Livewire — April 30, 2009 @ 1:49 pm - April 30, 2009
Talk about popularity, Levi, how many of those lord BJ campaigned for went on to win? One? Maybe two?
Hell, he couldn’t even save Janet Reno’s flaming church she called a campaign for governor.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — April 30, 2009 @ 2:14 pm - April 30, 2009
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Comment by David M — April 30, 2009 @ 3:03 pm - April 30, 2009
Talk about popularity, Levi, how many of those lord BJ campaigned for went on to win? One? Maybe two?
Hell, he couldn’t even save Janet Reno’s flaming church she called a campaign for governor.
Man, are you really so stupid that you want to play who-won-what with a liberal in 2009?
Comment by Levi — April 30, 2009 @ 5:40 pm - April 30, 2009
Clinton did himself damage during the primary, probably more than anyone else. He came off badly and seemed to sulk around like the sore loser, even though he wasn’t running. I mean I laughed at how obvious it was that he was unhappy Obama won the primary and seemed to subtle say things that supported McCain. If he had solidered up and went with the program, he might have gotten some kind of post in the administration or gotten some job.
Every star fades after awhile, Clinton was the brightest star of the Democratic universe for a decade and its ended. I think the test of whether he still has any real electoral power might be with this Virginia primary. He is backing and campaigning for McAuliffe, and if Mcauliffe is unable to win it might be another indictment of Clinton’s power loss.
Hillary Clinton’s presidency would have been the last attempt to revive his fading influence, and probably would have. That is probably why he took it so personally when she lost and unable to accept it. Clinton Democratic dogma has been ended and Obama’s is now in place, its probably hard to deal with…to go from the King to the pauper.
Comment by Darkeyedresolve — April 30, 2009 @ 8:41 pm - April 30, 2009
2: Very correct. You’re bagging on the guy who’s been out of the White House for 8 years, yet Republicans sure aren’t cheering about any Bush legacy. Will GWB be showing up as a special guest at the next Republican convention in ‘12 like Reagan did in ‘92? I’m not counting it.
Conservatives might want to be a bit more concerned on the fading appeal of the Republican party than a supposed fading appeal of the man who, as the last 2-term democratic president, is still more popular (and will most likely remain so) than the most recent 2-term Republican president.
Comment by Kevin — May 1, 2009 @ 11:19 pm - May 1, 2009