June 3rd, 2007
08:45 PM ET
12 years ago
Huffington and Murphy: Too much Bill?
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Republican analyst Mike Murphy and Democratic analyst Arianna Huffington don't agree on much – but both think Senator Hillary Clinton needs to stop mentioning her husband. "This is a change election, no one wants to hear about the past," said Huffington, on CNN’s Pipeline. "This is the wrong narrative for Hillary," Murphy noted.
She's the first woman running for president in a historic election and that's what she needs to be talking about, Huffing remarked. Huffington and Murphy may just be starting a new tally -mentions of Bill Clinton. Current count: 7
- CNN Contributor Josh Lipsky
Gore didn't mention Clinton at all and lost the 2000 election.
There's nothing wrong about invoking Bill Clinton in the debates. Everybody knows that a lot of Bill's policies were heavily influenced by Hillary and she had a lot of input. Dropping his name in the debate can only help her, because its been 6 long years since Americans have felt good about the president, the economy, and their foreign policy, and those years were Bill's.
Hillary haters will be unswayed no matter what she says, so there's no point in trying to appease them.
She did not mention her husband in that context. Remember that he was president and referring to his administration was only necessary.
Absolutely, I don't see the problem with frequently mentioning a former president who gets a 60% positive rating in the general public and much higher among the Democratic base. Excellent strategy for Clinton.
After 6 plus years of George W. Bush, ALL the Dem. candidates should continue to remind voters of the Bill Clinton Presidency. Heck, even Jimmy Carter should send Bushie a thank you note.
Bill Clinton as a roving ambassador? No way! I'd make him Secretary of State...he could do much more good there. Ambassadors have no clout – purely figure-heads. But, the Sec of State can actually negotiate treaties, etc. As bad as the USA's standing in the world is today we need someone that can deliver the goods. Bill Clinton is the man for the job!
Murphy and Huffington are too personal, Hillary didn't bring out Bill, it was question. Hillary used Bill because she was there when he was the President. Both of you are fussy. Former President is the part of our History, without the past how could stand in the present and build the future. You guys are paranoid. Hillary can use Bill Clinton as many as she needs, you can't erase the history.
IN LOVE AND WAR ALL IS FAIR, BILL CLINTON WILL BE AN ASSET TO ANY PRESIDENCY, WHY NOT FOR HILLARY?
IT'S ABOUNT TIME PEOPLE START THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE, INSTEAD OF COUNTING THE NUMBER OF TIME HILLARY MENTIONS HER SPOUSE.......
There will never be too much Bill....
These comments are received Beltway wisdom, and frankly, no one cares what they think. Hillary and Barak handled it well, I thought, with the latter deferring to the former in a show of his skill at inclusion and hers at picking up the ball. How all these folks interact often says more about them than the substance of their statements (such as it is).