(CNN) - Bill Clinton said Monday the Democratic ticket should steer clear of launching personal attacks on Sarah Palin over her relatively thin resume, and instead acknowledge she was a "good choice" for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.
"Why say, ever, anything bad about a person? Why don't we like them and celebrate them and be happy for her elevation to the ticket? And just say that she was a good choice for him and we disagree with them?" said Clinton, who faced repeated charges during the primary season he was overly negative toward Obama on the campaign trail.
Clinton's comments appear to echo advice Karl Rove gave to Barack Obama in his regular Wall Street Journal column last week, when the former Bush strategist noted attacking the VP candidate has rarely proven to be an effective strategy.
In one of the former president's few extended comments to date on Palin's surprise VP candidacy, Clinton also told reporters in New York Monday he knows why the Alaska governor is attracting massive crowds on the campaign trail.
"I come from Arkansas, I get why she's hot out there," Clinton told reporters in New York, according to the Associated Press. "Why she's doing well."
"People look at her, and they say, 'All those kids. Something that happens in everybody's family I'm glad she loves her daughter and she's not ashamed of her. Glad that girl's going around with her boyfriend. Glad they're going to get married,'" he said.
Referencing Palin's 5-month old child who has Down Syndrome, Clinton also said voters will think, "I like that little Down syndrome kid - one of them lives down the street, they're wonderful children.”
Earlier Monday, Clinton suggested his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, would have been a better political choice for the Democratic VP spot than Joe Biden.
“She would have been the best politically, at least in the short run, because of her enormous support of the country,“ he said on the daytime talk show The View.
From CNN Politics
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here you go again Bill! Insert foot in mouth. You still can't stand the fact the Obama won the nomination fair and square. You are just not over it.
Bill's right. No need to say anything bad about Palin. The target is too easy and distracts from the issues. It just makes one look , pick one, sexist, juvenile, small, and Atwater/Rovian (or just stupid).
Mining the issues where Palin is on record reveals all we need to know to bring to the discussion: left Wasilla with a deficit by funding an NFL-sized hockey arena when the inadequate local library serves a geographical area equal to West Virginia; charging victims of rape for the rape kit used by police to gather evidence; having a degree in journalism but advocating suppressing freedom of speech by wanting gay/lesbian themed books from the library (and attempting to replace the librarian); supporting creationism taught in public schools as science; opposing abortion for victims of rape/incest; depriving teens of health facts necessary to prevent STDs and teen pregnancy; cutting funding for special education (sorrythere, Down syndrome children–that's your 'friend'); COME ON FOLKS, ADD TO THE LIST–IT'S ALL ON RECORD!
Get smart–stick to the facts. We don't need to sling personal attacks. No one can help who they are related to or control their every move. The truth will set us free!
I hate to say that I for one cannot stand Bill Clinton's smug demeanor when Palin/McCain and Obama stand.
Of course you support your wife Bill, we get it!
If you can't "party up" get off the road. That is the first GOP rule: Party Up!
As far as I've seen, Dems have pretty much completely steered clear of even mentioning Palin, because they know very well that would be a stupid move. Why is Bill suggesting that Dems are attacking Palin? He's totally sabotaging the party. We don't need him.
Palin who?
OK. Are we somehow not to know about all the lies ?.people are not supposed to get upset about this? Thank you Media for exposing her.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08
Why shouldn't she take the heat like every other candidate. She sure can dish it out. Sorry Bill, but coming from a 55 year old white female, I say she should be treated just like everyone else.
I think Bill is eluding to enough of the disgusting inuendo and smearing.. husband insestious with daughters, hacking and posting her private email, saying her only qualification is that she hasnt had an abortion..
I dont know who to support but cheers for Bill standing up like the party leader he is and aksing it to stop!
SATIRE?
the only experience Obama has is running for political office and spending tax payer money as an "organizer." we'll see in his presidency that all "change" is not created equally
I can't believe anyone still takes "Moose Girl" seriously. All she does is get up there and screech and wink and introduce Grandpa at the traveling wacko show.
All of this is just a whiny distraction. I hope when she is impeached for her role it Troopergate she can get her old job back as part time weather girl at Channel 2 in Anchorage.
He was attacking Obama with all he's got, but now he is defending Palin. If I read Bill carefully, I think he has the hots for Palin. The Republican Party does not need Bill Clinton to defend Sarah Palin!
Take your hypocrisy and scram!
Well, I see all the little nitwit obamabots who have no life except to sit at a keyboard and bash Lovely Sarah are back at it tonight. What vile, rabid, ugly little people you are. Too bad your mothers didn't abort you little turds.
"i did not have sexual relations with that WOMAN"
Me thinks Bill just wants to dip his cigar in her humidor.
This is a CALCULATED move by Bill Clinton to improve his public image, which was severely damaged during his wife's campaign. The media have characterized him as bitter and vindictive. Now he's trying to repair that image. I guarantee that his publicist told him to do this so that he could continue to draw huge speaking fees, retain the shine on his presidential legacy, etc. BET ON IT. Bill Clinton does nothing that is not calculated down to the very detail....except covering his tracks when he's out cheating on his wife.
With "Friends" like Bill Clinton, who needs enemies?
If he put half as much energy supporting Obama as he does defending Sarah Palin it would be good. This fake suppoprt he and Hillary are giving is sad. I will NEVER vote for a CLINTON again.
He's right but they won't listen, just look at all the hateful posts on this comment board along. You guys are helping McCain/Palin with this crap, same w/ the Hollywood attacks also.
Why did he have to open his mouth and give his opinion? Talk about being bitter. He can't over the fact that Hillary Clinton wasn't picked. Well let me give you some advice. Just SHUT UP! If you are looking to have her in a good position for 2012 you may loose the minority vote. I don't think anyone in their right mind will vote for her when she may just ruin Obama's chance to be president.
Gee Bill, Maybe Sarah can run with Hillary in 2012.
...and who said they were attacking her? can someone please tell me when Obama attacked Palin??
Well Bill would celebrate with her!
Good going Bill. Good job on raising the expectations on her for the upcoming debates. Treat her like a hard-knock politician so Biden can squash her good. Let her drown herself. She burst on the scene quickly, and she will be gone just as suddenly. Easy come, easy go.
Obama/Biden 2008/2012.