It must be the insult of all insults to Hillary Clinton that even in the midst of her own bid for the presidency, her husband continues to steal the spotlight. It's not working out for Bill so far, but the greater point is that it's not doing anything for Hillary.
Bill has entrenched himself as the great Correction to what he insists are the numerous sins of Barack Obama, his campaign, and general existence. He's lost his temper in front of voters who probably cannot discern whether it's Bill or Hillary who is actually gunning for the White House. It hasn't helped his image, either. Of course, that is not to say that Bill's image is even very important nowadays. As some have already pointed out, Bill Clinton is an iconic figure in the modern left-wing camp and probably won't ever lose that status.
But the same cannot be said of his wife. For all her Senatorial incumbency, Mrs. Clinton remains a question mark in the book on political influence. We have yet to see one significant idea or policy from her that has been novel, comprehensive, or even frankly successful. She voted for the war and, unlike John Edwards, has yet to voice remorse for the decision. Can she establish herself as a true agent of change and not a member of the establishment Clinton family? Is her own constituency satisfied with her record?
These questions hold the potential to be the true "coming of age" for Hillary Clinton. And her husband is ruining it.
Why he can't see it is beyond me. Bill has made this campaign, for the last two weeks, about him. For Hillary, that was the last thing it should be about. Make it about her, make it about Obama, make it about Bush; make it about ANYONE except the man she's married to. Every time Bill loses his temper in front of voters, it proves talk radio's theory that Hillary could not survive with a different last name. Bill is positioning himself squarely on stage in the show because he thinks he can help his wife. False. He can't help his wife, because the most serious question independent voters have for Hillary is what is she like standing alone, with no Bill to see. The more present he is, the more the idea that she is just Clinton Jr. is thrust into the minds of spectators.
Article comments
1 - Lee Richards
Good article, and I agree that Bill has become a handicap to her campaign.
Whether it's his supreme egotism, fear that he may lose this last chance for glory, or just the opposite--secretly he wants her to be defeated--his rather bizarre loose-cannon attacks and tirades are making them both look fearful and frustrated. At the very least, he's taken away the spotlight from her candidacy.
They are both very clever and may be playing some game we're not aware of as yet. Unless he's really lost it, there may be some strategic advantage they have in mind--maybe making her look more reasonable and in control than he--a former president.
Right now, though, rather than "change", we're getting more of their same old political and personal behaviors that they'd be wiser not to remind us of.
2 - Baronius
I've gotta think that Lee's first idea is right. Bill Clinton is unable to make things not about himself. I never thought about what this reveals about Hillary though. Interesting.