(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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No one is talking about her personal life anymore. She's a burst bubble. Dems could care less.
Now if she lies about her positions-she's going to get called on it.
Bill...I loved you when you were in the white house ,but now, you just need to go gracefully, it is evident you are still not united....instead of playing nice...dont play at all.
I come from Arkansas, I get why she's hot out there," Clinton told reporters in New York. "Hot" Mr Clinton is a sexist remark.
Obama has never said anything negative about Palin except in regards to attacking her issues. Is that not allowed anymore either.
I'm sick of Palin saying she wasn't to play with the "big boys" but everyone needs to handle her with kids gloves.
Palin you had it wrong when you called Hillary and whiner. Palin is the whiner and I'm sick of her and the McCain camp's hypocrisy!!!!
Bill is the real deal, unlike the Obama cheap car salesman type.
I understand you Bill but I don't agree with you. Palin is a liar and it will be a very scary thing for her to be the next VP of the United States. I am totally voting for Obama/Biden!!!!
Obama/Biden '08
I think Repubs do that to themselves.Dems need not do anything just run the repubs comments again again on air.
noway nohow noflopper
The DNC can afford to stop the attacks because the media will do it for them. Right CNN ?
You're right Bill...let her kill herself off. She's been doing a good job of it so far.
Bill who cares what you think ... except rednecks who like their chicks ... you have 00000000000 credibility on any 'family' issue and 000000000000 credibility on any element of loyalty .... Come to think of it Bill - SHUT THE H*LL UP!
Obama has never said anything negative about Palin except in regards to attacking her position on real issues. Is that not allowed anymore either???
I'm sick of Palin saying she wants to play with the "big boys" but everyone needs to handle her with kid gloves.
Sarah Palin, you had it wrong when you called Hillary a whiner. Palin is the whiner and I'm sick of her and the McCain camp's hypocrisy!!!!
Well, it's just so sad to see America so deep down in the dark. We elected TWO oil-based politicians into the White House. Let's not make the same mistake and elect another set of oil-based politicians, with the same profile as Bush and Cheney again.
Experience? What's that? Experience without judgement and the vision to move the country forward, is as good as being the best horse rider, but never been on a BMW.
Spending 10 minutes with a foreign leader will not help Sarah Palin in the foreign policy department. She should stick to worrying about reducing taxes in Alaska for studded snow tires.
It funny how the "political ticker" is sponsored by ExxonMobil" lol Go Bill, and hill.
But wait its ok for palin to attack the dems, Barack, Joe and palin even said hillary was a whiner during the primaries Bill i have to disagree with you sir if she can dish it out she can take it!
Thank you Bill Clinton for keeping it real. Palin is likeable, not only that, she understands the common person. Something the hollywood elite 'does not get'.
sorry Bill, thanks for the surplus you left and the GOP spent but I have to disagree here ...
After months of ignorant rants and outright lies by the GOP against Obama and his family, turn about is not only fair but needed.
Palin's "speed-dating" agenda of meeting as many world leaders as she can talk into a "photo-op" while the UN is meeting does not give her international credentials... any more than claiming the a stop in Ireland to refuel is a visit to Ireland.
Nothing more pathetic than the GOP when playing the victim card – let's all have a pity party for someone who is not ready for prime-time.
Who, exactly is supposedly attacking Palin? Not any of the national democrats. If Bill is only going to say things that help the republicans, then he needs to just shut his mouth until after the election.
If she is the only one attacking then she looks like a sniping bitter broad. That is what happened to Hillary and why SHE lost. But, I have to say, I don't see anyone attacking her.
I have the news shows on all day and I'm the internet (when I should be working) and I've just not seen it.
Vote Palin for Constable of Arctic Animal Control '08.
yeah we miss Clinton..
Someone destroyed twin tower but Bush destroyed US
(Economy point of view)
If McCain is President forget about home run for gas & food.. select your choice Obama at least Dems will bring some level of security and we can keep what we have not loose
It doesn't take a genius to figure out why he said this..... He WANTS a piece!
Your correct Mr. Clinton in declaring no attacks on the family members.
Maybe the necon repugs – including Palin – should step up and declare – NO LYING, HALF-TRUTHS OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS ABOUT OBAMA AND HIS FAMILY!
Bill, no one is attacking her! In fact, instead of giving us facts about how she and McCain will fix this country, she spends more of speechs attacking Obama. That's all I ever here from her, attack Obama, attack Obama, attack Obama that's all she does is attack Obama!
Tell her to STOP!... and STOP LYING TOO! She'll get more respect if she learns to give respect as well.
Like your wife said Bill, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!
So it's OK when she attacks Obama/Biden, but it's not when they attack her! What am I missing here?