(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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Hi, Bill:
Here is a news for you. Exposing lies is not attack. Allowing someone smearing your records and characters is a personal attack.
You nutroots are hilarious. I guess we finally figured out who the real bitter clingers are - the ones clinging to Daily Koz.
I think Bill is flirting and he probably doesn't even know it...
...he just goes on auto-mode when there is a pretty lady involved.
Besides she gives good head.....
Bill, Sarah P. and the Republicans Ask for it. If they don't want any beefs they should just say so. All attacks will be drop, but don't expect for dems to retaliate.
she`s the only woman in washington he hasn`t tried to hit on
Way to go Bill Clinton! At least you have the courage to go against unfair liberal bias.
Obama should have the courage to talk down his supporters as well. He did not do this with Hillary, and the result of that was, to this day there is animosity between Democrats.
The candidate who has the courage to tell it like it is about the financial crisis on Wall Street without fear of political suicide IS the candidate who deserves to WIN. This will be supreme proof who is putting country ahead of political ambition!
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH TELLING THE TRUTH.
THE BUSH SIDEKICK & HIS SIDEKICK SHOULD TRY IT
SOMETIME. NEITHER OF THEM QUALIFY TO RUN A
SMALL PIZZA STORE, LET ALONE A NATION, ANY NATION.
Hey sneakey pete, Arkansas had a population of just about 2 million when Clinton was elected in 92'. He had just as much foreign policy experience as Palin has, and yes, She has more executive experience than any other candidate on both sides. Better to have one maverick teamed up with someone with executive, as opposed to two windbags that don't know when to shut up. Try watching Obama without his teleprompter sometime, it's painful. Unless of course if you like the word.......UH! Nothing like a Harvard grad who says uh for 8 minutes out of a 40 minute press conference. The guy is an empty suit.
Persident Clinton is right. It is not Gov. Palin's fault that she is not bright enough to know John McCain is using her like Lieberman and Romney
Here we go again. Trying to find spotlight Bill-O. I tell you, you really don't want Obama to win but it's okay. With friends like you who needs enemies. I guess he would like her. Hell she looks much better than the mistresses he had.
Another vote for Palin because of her beauty. Way to go Bill-O.
He's trying to sweet talk her into the oval office. I bet she reminds him of an older but thinner and better looking Monkica Lewisky. Sam body type but a hottie.
You are one of her campaign leader who don't want see her win anyway. Would you stop your b.s. please. If Hillary was picked as vp believe me the gops were ready to go after her and you. And that you don't say.
Bill keeps forgetting what side he is on. He should really stop saying they are as qualified and ready to be president. Doesn't he want a Democratic President?
The interesting thing is that Obama is not attacking her and never did. He was the first AND ONLY one saying to leave her family alone. Now, for Bill to pretend like Sarah's his homegirl is disingenuous to say the least.
"Why say, ever, anything bad about a person?" - Bill, sorry but you are being just a bit hypocritical...
Bill, pointing that Palin does not have a skill-set needed to make decisions as a president isn't attacking her And if we all sit back and talk about how great of a mother she is and how much she reminds us of Betty-across-the-street, we'll forget that we're choosing a presidential ticket and not someone to just have coffee with. A president has too much power to not hold her up to the same standards as every other person on the Democratic and Republican tickets. President Palin would be a disaster.
PS, what happened to you saying you would work with Obama to get him elected?
Never ever trust Clintons!! Do not blame Palin, Hillary, Monica.... You are right, guys: campaign of 2012 has started. They never give up.
Do not even ask them, Barack, to help you. It will never happen. They (Clintons) are great actors and in addition do not have any moral limitations.
Bill if you won't help Obama to win the election please don't criticize his strategy. We are still doubtful about your intentions but we still respect you. Please don't destroy it.
It all about Mccain he's running she JUST there to get the emotional vote...
One poster wrote: She has a big mouth! I laughed. Palin is going to be under attack until this election is over. She came out of nowhere and then...in her first speech, starting swinging at Obama. And now, that she getting licks back, she can't take it, and Clinton, is like a parent who after his child got a good punch in – approves of it – and out of the same breath say...don't hit them any more. Palin deserve every pop across the head she gets. She has her nerve...launching attacks and crosses her legs like she did nothing to receive the retaliation. Clinton should even try to defend her.
This is the Good Ole White Double Standard in full force!!!
Bill Clinton is pathetic and a Liar no wonder is likes PALIN!!
GO AWAY.
As a big Sarah Palin fan, I really do not want to see her win in November. The country is going into a depression and I want that woos Obama to bear the brunt of the public's wrath as he fails to cope with it.
Sarah can run for President in 12 & 16'. She's only 44 and will be around for a long time.
We love you Sarah.
I have just one question to Bill: WHO ATTACKS PALIN?
What "democrats" is he talking about? Specifically? Because Obama's camp is definitely NOT talking about Palin at all. Only if they are asked, and only in neutral tone. Now PALIN, on the other hand today lied and even said that Obama's "attacking her family". This is a stupid lie and she should be called for it. But no! Bill is "protecting" Palin.... What the hell is wrong with this idiot Clinton, I wonder?
This is the same Bill Clinton who said politics is a contact sport.. and that if you couldn't take the punches you shouldn't be in it....
Well, well, well......
And btw, can't remember him ever coming to his wife's defense like that... hmmmmm