September 21, 2007
Posted: September 21st, 2007 03:30 PM ET

How is Bill Clinton adjusting to being No. 2?

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton says it’s not going to be easy to adjust to a new role in the White House if his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, wins the presidency.

"I may slit my throat," the former president joked on Thursday night's The Daily Show when asked about the prospect of returning to the White House as anyone other than the President of the United States.

But Clinton quickly got back to being supportive saying, "My basic job will be to support her if she wins. I'll go and do what is most needed, and what is best for the country, and let her make that call."

The former president also praised the other Democratic presidential candidates.

"I like this field," he said. "I love having a field, as a Democrat, where I don't have to be against anybody."

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Bill Clinton • Hillary Clinton


TooSmarttoVoteRepublican   September 25th, 2007 4:56 pm ET

Hey Bill W.-

When the previous comment stated there's been a Bush or a Clinton in the White House since '81, it wasn't wrong. Bush (H.W.) was in the White House, as V.P. and as you'll notice, the comment said "in some capacity" so...go recalculate.

Leave it up to the Republicans to screw up simple addition.

RuthieM   September 23rd, 2007 1:03 pm ET

Hm, really something for a former president to say - "I may slit my throat." And then the media writes, 'the former president joked'. How do you know he joked?

Chris, Middletown, CT   September 22nd, 2007 10:49 pm ET

Bill don't make an offer like that and not make good on it....

Ron Nebraska   September 22nd, 2007 10:25 pm ET

actually I am convinced that this manufactured support in the polls for Mrs. Clinton has more to do with the lazy American media not willing to do their job to inform the public but to take the easier route to provide entertainment. In this case I believe the media thinks it's cool to have the story be about a Bush/Clinton dynasty in American politics instead of what is best for America. When they get done promoting Hillary and if she happened to be elected the next round would be about promoting Jeb Bush, after that if Chelsea decided to get into politics they would promote her. The point is the media is NOT doing its' job to inform the American electorate because they either don't know how anymore or are so owned by corporations that they aren't allowed to. So the solution is for voters to educate themselves, study the candidates, look at all aspects of them and make an informed opinion based on YOUR knowledge not what is put before you by the main stream media. Like George says, it's hard work but absolutely vital to our future hopes for our country.

J. McKinney SW MO   September 22nd, 2007 7:27 pm ET

I am most definately for Hillary, and I think that Bill will be available for her to consult with. I think they are both brilliant, and that this country needs them desperately to try to get us out of this mess. We may be too far gone to come back, with all the problems that have developed, but I hope not. WE NEED HILLARY! Go, Girl!

Maria, Houston   September 22nd, 2007 6:29 pm ET

Reading the above and other posts, Hillary camp wants her to be elected in order to

a/ have Bill Clinton back in the W.H.

b/ have A WOMAN in the W.H.

wow...how disappointing to see that you want so little... however, keep that "woman thing" in mind next time when you have an urge bashing Elizabeth Edwards, Michelle Obama or – OMG – Ann Romney...

Bill W, Coatesville, PA   September 22nd, 2007 3:04 pm ET

"Let's pray that Hillary is not elected. Her purposal that health care will only cost 110 billion is ridiculous and will end up costing many times more."

I live near Philadelphia, where they recently built 2 new stadiums. They sold the total cost to taxpayers as $250 Million. By the time they were done, it was $1.2 Billion to build those 2 stadiums.

Bill W, Coatesville, PA   September 22nd, 2007 3:00 pm ET

Actually Ron,
Ronald Regan was elected president from 1981 – 1989.
George H W Bush was president from 1989 – 1993.
William Jefferson Clinton was president from 1993 – 2001.
George W Bush was president from 2001 – 2008.

So it is currently 20 years of Bush/Clinton/Bush. Hillary would make 24 or 28.

But I get your point, and it is something I have posted in blogs and pointed out many, many times myself. This is almost a monarchy or dictatorship. And the Bushes have dealing and ties to the Clintons.

Bill W, Coatesville, PA   September 22nd, 2007 2:50 pm ET

"I am certainly voting for Hillary. It will be wonderful to have Bill Clinton back in the White House in whatever capacity. "

..Another one who thinks he is voting for Bill Clinton. Again, Bill Clinton is not the candidate and cannot be president again. Hitlery is the candidate.

I think Congress shoul dvote on an amendment to prevent a president's spouse from running for president after their term in office. And this is exactly why. 99% of the people voting for Hitlery think they are voting for Bill Clinton, when he is constitutionally BARRED from being president again. Not to mention legally disbarred from being a lawyer again. So I guess paid speaker and First Husband are about his only remaining options. Great guy.

Robert   September 22nd, 2007 1:31 pm ET

Slitting throats is funny?
Oops....I forgot.
We are talking about the Clintons.

RuthieM   September 22nd, 2007 12:17 pm ET

I just can't see Bill Clinton, my former president, making the white house beds and wearing an apron.
Sorry, don't need Hillary in the Oval Office!

Jack, Durham, NC   September 22nd, 2007 11:02 am ET

Most of us want to still believe this is democracy.

Posted By C Nallambakkam, San Ramon CA : September 21, 2007 6:33 pm

Well then most of you slept through 5th-grade Civics.

The United States has never, for one minute, been a democracy.

A casual perusal of the Constitution would've told you that, but then most liberals wouldn't recognize the Constitution if it punched them in the face.

Dan (Baltimore, MD)   September 22nd, 2007 10:47 am ET

You aren't the only one, Bill. Hillary as president would make a lot of people contemplate suicide.

Rudy, New York, NY   September 22nd, 2007 10:32 am ET

I'll help you, Bill.........

A. Thomas, New York, NY   September 22nd, 2007 10:25 am ET

If elected, Hillary and Bill are the best and most experienced presidential couple EVER!

They could provide enough edge to solve the mess (international politics & domestic finances) that George Bush has created in his 2 terms.

Susan, Fort Pierce, Florida   September 22nd, 2007 10:14 am ET

To No More Clinton's Please-
You have got to be kidding! This country did not suffer because of the Clinton's! Bush and his idiot's have done moore damage to this country than the Clinton's could do in a hundred years! I am glad I don't live in Oaklahoma!

Steve Wittlake Blaine Washington   September 22nd, 2007 9:47 am ET

Neither Clinton or Obaman have a Ghost of a chance of winning the Democratic Nomination for President or Vice Presidency because most people know that it will be the end of the country if they were to somehow win either the Presidency or Vice Presidency.

demwit   September 22nd, 2007 9:44 am ET

Yeah sure Bill. We all know you love yourself too much to do that.. Please, no finger wagging.

Kent, Los Angeles, CA   September 22nd, 2007 8:37 am ET

Bush (the Father) 4 years
Clinton (the Husband) 8 years
Bush (the idiot) 8 years
______________________________-
Now Clinton (the wife) 4 – 8 years

Thas sounds more like a Monarchy, just members from two families ruling over the country for 30 years?

I think Hillary would do many things well. Overall the best person for now is JOHN EDWARDS.
Hillary, it's just not right. Not because of her but the pattern she follows. We have to have change, and a different gender doesn't erase the last20 years...28 if Reagan was only a puppet while Bush 9the father as VP for 8 years before he became President. 2 familys w 2 big of a ruling grip.....Edwards 2008.....save us from another BUSH/CLINTON/BUSH elite rule.

C.R. - Seattle   September 22nd, 2007 8:33 am ET

I'm not sure how anyone can be supporting Hillary Clinton at this point, in particular the female population of the U.S. It seems to me that she would be an embarrassment to your gender, after holding on to Bill throughout the turmoil when he was in office. I think they are both smart people, but definitely not suited for presidency. I believe that the time will come in our life times, when a female is the leader of our nation; but not right now and not with Hillary.

Chip Celina OH   September 22nd, 2007 7:33 am ET

The congress can not even protect our right to habeas corpus or protect freedom of speech as they condemn MoveOn.org ...

Can anyone please find an article on habeas for me!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habeas_corpus

do not even report on the congress's vote to end habeas corpus

Your right to habeas has NOT been removed, unless you're an "enemy combatant". Freedom of speech is still around, there is a difference between condemning (showing lack of approval) and doing away with speech. Look at the so-called hate speech, is that not freedom of speech, even though it is in poor taste?

Habeas was suspended by Abe Lincoln during the Civil War, it was suspended by Bill Clinton in 1996 under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. It has been suspended under the current 'War on Terror'.

Have a good weekend,

Kim, Sacramento, CA   September 22nd, 2007 6:48 am ET

OK – For those of you who believe that electing Hillary means that "we get Bill back in the White House"... think again! 1) Hillary has said on multiple occasions that she will send Bill around the world, so it doesn't sound like he'll be in the WH much, and 2) It will be Hillary's policies and ideas – not Bill's – that will be out there.

Bill Clinton was a great President for this country but just because he was absoutely does not mean that Hillary will be.

SAm, IA   September 22nd, 2007 6:23 am ET

Note to fellow dems: The people who turn into raving looneys when the name Bill Clinton appears in print somehow don't realize that he still has numbers George Bush would have someone die for. Hate radio, Fox, and baptist ministers have them trained like a flea circus .

John S. Kansas   September 22nd, 2007 5:10 am ET

For thos ethat think that the GOPs are War Mongers would look at the history under Billy. He did nothing when we were attacked multiple times- USS Cole, Kenya Embassies, World Trade Center the first time, etc.. We wouldn't be in the Iraq war if the UN wasn't corrupted and Billy took Osama bin Laden when he was offered on a silver platter. Wake up he was riding on the Regan era economy. He attacked Kosovo only to cover up his Monica affair.

Corey van Vlymen, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia   September 22nd, 2007 5:01 am ET

I might not be a full-fledged adult who can remember the days of the previous administrations (George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Reagan), but it strikes me that you guys arguing on here are going nowhere wasting your time on the past.

As a medical student, I'm constantly looking to the future, and I find that to be the best policy in this case, as well. Let's look to the future, one that hopefully finds our health-care in a better state. We all know change is both necessary and prudent, and that each candidate has a plan. Now consider Hillary and her fellow Presidential hopefuls based on those merits, not on the past (recent OR distant).

NoMoreClintonPlease, Oklahoma   September 22nd, 2007 4:22 am ET

Hillary and Bill obviously need yet one more government retirement package to call their own...can we just give it to her to NOT run? Hasn't our country suffered enough embarrassment at the hands of the Clintons?

shawn   September 22nd, 2007 2:15 am ET

Oh i can live the next 8 years with them ..I can"t wait ...the budget is so important ...if we want to stay a democracy...if we have a republican in there ...the rich will be richer the middle class has stooped to the poor class...and the poorest will be ignored..that is a fact everytime a republican is in there...

Cathy M in Tn   September 21st, 2007 11:57 pm ET

Yes we get it ....It was a joke....but you may really want to if she's elected because the media will put you two through h*** they will bring up the past. You know, the lies and other things....

Amanda (Greenwich)   September 21st, 2007 11:09 pm ET

JeffW, Winston-Salem, NC - that's excellent!

JeffW, Winston-Salem, NC   September 21st, 2007 10:32 pm ET

"My gut tells me that most of the country would also kill themselves if you (sic) wife was to steal the Presidency."

Cool. Then the Chreeschen Conservatives can have their rapture, and we Left- (yes, "Left") Behind voters can look forward to electing progressive government in perpetuity.

Nick, Kamuela, HI   September 21st, 2007 10:18 pm ET

"My gut tells me that most of the country would also kill themselves if you wife was to steal the Presidency."

Odd, seeing that if she is elected, then most people voted for her. Though I doubt logic every reaches the forefront of your thoughts.

Jenn Lee   September 21st, 2007 9:38 pm ET

Someone in this post commented that we should be concerned with having Bushes adn Clintons in the WHite House (as a threat to our democracy). My response is this: "This is an issue that was addressed by some of us and needed to be addressed by more people in 2000. President Bush was elected by the American people with no thought that this smacked of "royalty." Well now we have it and the reality here is that Hillary is the only one with the brains to help us.
Even Alan Greenspan admitted that she has the brains and the skills to do the job.

jenn lee burbank, ca   September 21st, 2007 9:35 pm ET

Hillary can deal with the problems President Bush has created for us and our children. GOoHillary – help us try to solve the global warming problem (with your stellar voting record) that threatens the lives of our children, help us deal with this quagmire President Bush got us into in Iraq and renew our sense of faith in our country. GO HILLARY!

Anyone but Hillary   September 21st, 2007 9:33 pm ET

Dave Houston: We get it. It was Comedy Central. It was a joke - Just not so funny.

Rose Hann: Bill Clinton is not running. If you think you are going to have him back, you are wrong. Thus, the Freudian slip about the cutting of ones throat.

Ron, Bethesda MD   September 21st, 2007 9:26 pm ET

Is anyone concerned that we've had either a Bush or Clinton some where in the White House since 1981. If Clinton is "Elected" to office (ending 2012) we will have had 31 years of Bush / Clinton in leadership, isn't time that we truly become a democratic society and elect another citizen from our great union to be President of the United States – or are we not capable of finding another qualified family among the 260 Million citizens of our great country.

Fed up with all of them, Pensacola, FL   September 21st, 2007 9:20 pm ET

Why must it always be Democrat or Republican, Bush or Clinton? Personally, I don't think either of them did our country any good. The only way WE are going to get out of this mess is to think outside the 2 party system and elect real people instead of politicians.

laurinda,shokan,ny   September 21st, 2007 9:16 pm ET

Rod from San Diego, Apparently your the only one who thought I was directly talking to them. I'm sorry, I was just kidding I had no idea that you were mentally challenged.

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky   September 21st, 2007 8:37 pm ET

Don't be so jealous of The Clinton's. I understand your feeling, you and I never been in White House, they are going to live there another 8 years again. What a wonderful History of America. I admire them, I am very happy to watch them, I will enjoy my life at least 8 years more. Hillary, we love you, you are doing the best job than all of men in Campaign. You deserved White House and you will be there in 2009. Just keep it up, I will support you no matter what kind of fabrication Republicans make. Thank you President Clinton, you are doing great, we want you back to WH.

Rod, San Diego   September 21st, 2007 8:27 pm ET

"Before you people with IQ's in the low 40's remark about that , he was only kidding."

Laurinda from NY… Are you kidding me? Of course Clinton’s comments were a joke. And the comments above are called sarcasm. I guess we know who has the IQ BELOW 40.

Paul NY   September 21st, 2007 8:18 pm ET

Actually CNN did cover the vote in the senate over the moveon ad. It was also on the top stories list for a while. About HILLARY... nothing she has ever done or could ever do could make her as bad a president as Bush.

Rose Hann New London, CT   September 21st, 2007 8:08 pm ET

This is a no brainer. Hillary will be president and her wonderful husband is the only one who can repair the damage America sufferred during this GOP administration.
The GOP are war mungers blocking EVERY chance to help our troops come home. I saw one of our troops at the DMV today, and he wants to come home and stay home. I told him Demorats are trying like hell to make that happen, but the Pentegon convinved them leaving you guys over there is what they should vote for and so they did. I thanked him for his service as he has been deployed twice. He thanked me and I promised him the Democrtas will forge on. He said he hoped they wouldn't give up. I told him Hillary is concerned and having Bill in the White House is probably our strongest weapon against the war mongering republicans. They disgrace our troops by caving in to the Penagon.

Go Hillary, Go Bill! Those were the best years I want back!

Donald O. Newton   September 21st, 2007 7:52 pm ET

Let's pray that Hillary is not elected. Her purposal that health care will only cost 110 billion is ridiculous and will end up costing many times more. I honestly believe Hillary is the most liberal candidate we have had and within two years this country of ours is going to be in pitiful shape if she is elected. I also do not trust her with her sorry track record. Her husband is a disgrace and embarrassment to this country.

Get a clue, NJ   September 21st, 2007 7:03 pm ET

I thought that CNN had some backbone. Obviously, if they will report this and yet say nothing about congress voting against our freedom of speech by voting to condemn those that speak out against this administration and congress and do not even report on the congress's vote to end habeas corpus, they are part of the problem not part of the solution!

laurinda,shokan,ny   September 21st, 2007 7:00 pm ET

Before you people with IQ's in the low 40's remark about that , he was only kidding.

Carl, Rhinebeck, NY   September 21st, 2007 6:40 pm ET

Ancient Oracles used to have a crystal ball that would tell them the truths of what people are thinking, what people are doing in distant lands, and predictions of the future. It's developed into Television for us with reporters running around with new stories on paper in their hands like the white flag wavers of Dante's first level of hell. Though TV provides all of these truths, it has one problem also... It lies.

C Nallambakkam, San Ramon CA   September 21st, 2007 6:33 pm ET

My gut tells me that most of the country would also kill themselves if you wife was to steal the Presidency.

You can't think of anything but stealing when it comes to winning presidential elections. Most of us want to still believe this is democracy.

Tanya, RI   September 21st, 2007 6:28 pm ET

I agree with Bob! Our constitution is being flushed down the toilet and this is import to the news agency like CNN. The country is going to hell in hurry!
Can anyone please find an article on habeas for me!

Dave Houston Texas   September 21st, 2007 6:25 pm ET

Former President Clinton made this comment on the Comedy Show with Jon Stewart. It was a joke, get it!!

Demi NOT   September 21st, 2007 6:13 pm ET

Bush's lies!! Hello, Wasn't Bill impeached for his lies? Or don't you remember those days.

Tom Dedham, Mass   September 21st, 2007 6:11 pm ET

Put down the Ginsu Bill, not gonna happen.

If she did steal it by allowing votes by dead people, the unregistered, illegals, giving out cartons of menthol cigs for votes, tossing out the absentee military vote, slashing tires of disabled and elderly Republicans on their way to vote then by god at least Bill has always been a "man of his word".

Lets hold him to it then.

Go Hillary 2008

Frank Cain   September 21st, 2007 6:10 pm ET

Whoever thought that the voters of New York would elect and re-elect a totally unqualified carpetbagger from Arkansas to represent them. Shows how stupid the average voter really is! Hold on to your wallets America, Hillary is coming!

Dave - Houston, Tejas   September 21st, 2007 6:09 pm ET

this means you too Tucker

Bob, Alaska   September 21st, 2007 6:06 pm ET

The congress can not even protect our right to habeas corpus or protect freedom of speech as they condemn MoveOn.org but they sure pick up on comedy quickly. Is CNN under Bush's thumb now too? Where are the articles that really matter? Can CNN be trusted to report important news?

Dave Houston, Tejas   September 21st, 2007 6:00 pm ET

hey you-all, this was on the Daily Show with John Stewart. it is a comedy show. you'd be a whole lot smarter if you watched once and a while.

Moe, NY   September 21st, 2007 5:52 pm ET

I am certainly voting for Hillary. It will be wonderful to have Bill Clinton back in the White House in whatever capacity. The experience these two individuals have will bring our country back from the edge.

Freddie T   September 21st, 2007 5:51 pm ET

We can only hope he is a man of his word.

Common Sense   September 21st, 2007 5:48 pm ET

You only THINK presidents are elected in this country. OSTERICH.

Fred Cianci, Sacramento,CA   September 21st, 2007 5:38 pm ET

I find the mere idea of having this narcissistic, Machiavellian, dysfunctional, morally bankrupt and totally incompetent duo back in the White House to be truly nauseating.
Why Hillary would want to go to work in the Oval Office, where Bill liked to savour a good "cigar", shows her character perfectly!

Chicago Joe   September 21st, 2007 5:35 pm ET

"My gut tells me that most of the country would also kill themselves if you wife was to steal the Presidency."

Funny. Just like all the Demo's that where going to move to Canada if Bush won. Alsot the past two elections showed as that the only way to win now is to steal the election./

Truth Teller   September 21st, 2007 5:34 pm ET

I'm with you on that one Bill.

Darlene Raley 10200 Helms Tr. Forney, Tx.   September 21st, 2007 5:33 pm ET

Sure praying that Sen. Clinton Wins! She will make a great President and it will be wonderful to have you back in the W/H Our country is in such a mess due to the Bush Administration goof up's, goof off's and hard headedness,
and lies. GO Hillary

Bob Oren., Williston, Vt   September 21st, 2007 5:32 pm ET

Actually, Presidents are elected. But I can see your confusion of thinking a President must "steal" it after the last two elections.

dark side of the funny farm   September 21st, 2007 5:19 pm ET

Belive me Bill, You certainly won't be the only one sliting your throat if your wife is elected to office. My gut tells me that most of the country would also kill themselves if you wife was to steal the Presidency.

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