Analysis: What's next for Bill Clinton?
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/06/07/bill.clinton.future/art.billclinton.gi.jpg caption="Former President Clinton watches his wife announce that she is suspending her campaign Saturday."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - What a long, strange, unhappy trip it's been for Bill Clinton.
When Sen. Hillary Clinton officially launched her drive for the White House 17 months ago, the former president's possibilities seemed endless. His wife's nomination by many of the party faithful was seen as a virtual certainty.
When the Clintons moved back into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., the political world would once again be Bill Clinton's oyster. Maybe even a co-presidency.
Perhaps he would get another crack at settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some even speculated that he would follow in the footsteps of William Howard Taft and become the second ex-president to serve on the Supreme Court.
Suddenly many of those possibilities are gone, or at least significantly reduced. The 42nd president's reputation as a master politician and respected elder statesman has been damaged. Some Clinton partisans are privately grumbling that he helped sink his wife's presidential campaign.
How did this happen? How did it all go so wrong for the man who almost single-handedly led the Democrats out of the political wilderness 16 years ago?
From CNN Politics
- Warnock's seat comes into focus amid battle over voting laws and filibuster rules March 23, 2021 03:06 am
- White House aides prep $3 trillion jobs package for Biden March 23, 2021 02:30 am
- Biden administration continues to deny journalists access to border facilities March 23, 2021 02:28 am
- Arguing against statehood for DC, congressman says it has no car dealerships (it does) March 23, 2021 02:23 am
- Former Capitol riot prosecutor's comments on Trump alarm new no-drama Justice Department March 23, 2021 02:16 am
- Biden administration not confident Johnson & Johnson will meet 20 million goal by end of month March 23, 2021 01:52 am
CNN can get him in their "best political news team.." they can not stop talking about the clitnons, why not employ both of them
and have the
"billary best political news team."
this might stop CNN for once talking about them..
my lord CNN is in love with billary... that is all the news one reads..
NOTHING about our NOMINEE???
Whatever the pundits say or not say has no effect whatsoever on the legacy of this man. You are all plain jealous of him, his success and yes, you all wish you could get away with what he did. Instead of focusing on his zipper focus on his achievements and you may be a lot happier. He is by far the most liked US president in a while and will remain so. BHO may try all he wants and all his supporters may diss BillC but none of them will ever come any close to this man in comparison.
Bill Clinton took a bullet for his country. He knew darned well that his wife wasn't qualified–by experience, temperament, or judgment–to be president, but he had to support her wholeheartedly while also making sure she lost. How? By doing what he did: boldly and loudly supporting her and yet undercutting her at the same time. This was a brilliantly executed way of taking a bullet for his country. A salute to Bill. (He will, of course, deny this to his dying day.)
Poor Bubba! He's lost his UN Secretary General seat, Supreme Court Judge seat, First Husband seat, millions in speaking engagements, multi-millions in influence peddling (er, I mean First Husband seat), Nobel Peace Prize (even sub-creatures like Gore and Carter got one of those), open doors to billionaires and Hollywood stars/moguls, and a lot fewer fat chicks for 'special favors'.
Poor Bubba! He's lost his UN Secretary General seat, Supreme Court Judge seat, First Husband seat, millions in speaking engagements, multi-millions in influence peddling (er, I mean First Husband seat), Nobel Peace Prize (even sub-creatures like Gore and Carter got one of those), open doors to billionaires and Hollywood stars/moguls, and a lot fewer fat chicks for 'special favors'.
i cant believe you hillary supporters .a bunch of idiots.if shes not the nominee ,im voting mccain.if shes not the vp,im voting mccain.so what? nobody cares!vote for mccain .vote for whoever you want .but, dont threaten people who dont care ,with what you do with your vote.it doesnt matter.obama has the support of more people than hillary or mccain ,and his supporters are loyal,so while we would like support from anyone willing to help fix our govt.,we don't need it to win.independents and crossover republicans,who dont like mccain any better than they do hillary,are the ones who joined with dems to propel barack to the nomination,so we dont need you crybabies.oh and bill should disappear.
There is no charismatic person like Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. Today is a black day for America. It is not a loss to Hillary Clinton but it is a loss for America. Millions of people eyes were moist seeing Hillary Clinton leaving the race for the presidency. It is sad and going to be impossible to convert her followers to Sen. Obama. Majority will vote for John McCain to secure the future of America and not take a chance with Sen. Obama
I would be ashame to be an Obama hate Hillary monger today, it's easy to beat up on woman who really is genuine. Her speech today especially after this hard fought campaign is the best speech of any candidate up tp date, ya even better than any speech Obama has ever made.
The DNC made her do the speech.... Do it or risk whats left of your political life..... You could look in her eyes and see nothing but contempt and hate... She is not an agent of change.... She has done nothing but pit americans against each other..... I hope bill finds his way back to? .... what ever he does?.... And Hillary slinks her way back into the deepest darkest halls of the senate.... If I personally hear the clintons name again.... I may just puke......
He'll keep supporting Democrats – and he'll keep reaching across party lines to help win world-wide causes.
It's what he does.
Don't feel sorry for Bill Clinton, and for heaven's sake, CNN, get over the pop psychology! He will thrive, and he certainly deserves to thrive. He gave us 22 million new jobs, a balanced budget, no deficit, a strong
dollar, help to pay college tuition, lower interest rates on credit and
mortgage and student loans, welfare under control at long last and the
Earned Income Tax Credit – the best thing that ever happened to working
poor.
We owe Bill Clinton and his administration so very much indeed. And the shame of it all is that we could have had the opportunity to build on that unprecedented record of achievement with REAL universal health care and a host of other achievements.
But, the DNC ended all that. So I will not vote for a Democrat again until Dean is gone along with the 'suits' and other Obama lap dogs. I admire Hillary Clinton's gracious speech. She is a Democrat, and she has more than paid her dues. But I don't vote for racists and sexists, so that's that. I knew I couldn't do it after all when I learned BO was out playing golf while Hillary spoke.
All the best to Bill, Hillary, Chelsea and Mom. They deserve our love and respect. We're all better off because of this outstanding American family.
He is talking too much now. He was like a loose cannon, and vibrated like a machine on the campaign trail.
That is how he helped in writing Hillary's political obituary.
May their political soul rest in pieces.
He is a smart man – he will figure something out. Now he walks away with the lesson that he still has to maintain a certain sense of integrity and behave himself – nothin is guaranteed, even for a once overally respected ex-presidente. He has some patchworking to do to clean himself up again...
I respect President Bill Clinton and feel he did nothing to hurt Hillary's campaign. He was absolutely amazing during these months, and my respect for him is greater than ever. After having heart surgery and working so hard for our country and for his wife, how could anyone criticize him?
Other comments were closed on another blog that I wish to comment on.
Obama commented last week that he had only eaten dinner ten times with his children since his campaign began. It does not make since that he would prefer playing golf rather than spending quality time with his children.
A vote for McCain is a slap in the face to Hillary. All the uneducated supporters the media and Hillary label you all, Its now time to show how smart you are and vote for Obama. Voting for McCain because Hillary lost a fair fight is stupid and childless. If you do decide to vote for McCain It dosen't hurt Hillary or Obama, it only hurt Americans who are struggling. Obama '08
My e-mail to the DNC:
Words cannot express my indignation for the way the “Undemocratic” party has treated Senator Hillary Clinton. How dare you “SELECT” a nominee instead of allowing THE PEOPLE to ELECT THEIRS? You are nothing but a bunch of CONSTITUTIONAL CRIMINALS! This is America at its lowest point! What we have suffered can only be compared to 9/11, except that this time the attacks came from those we trusted and considered our friends!
The message the UNDEMOCRATIC party has sent to EVERY WOMAN in the nation is: "Your place is behind a man". Well, I refuse to accept this nonsense. Why should Senator Clinton be forced to stand behind the Jr. Senator from Illinois and accept the #2 spot when she’s more than qualified to lead us as our PRESIDENT? For the unity of the party that insulted her by every possible method by SELECTING an unqualified PUPPET CANDIDATE over her? When did we start rewarding mediocrity in this country and appointing rookies to the highest office in the land? If you lack "inspiration", go to church!
The big talking heads and the pundits keep saying that "although women are furious right now, BO can somehow sway us all and how in a matter of a few weeks the party will be united and we’ll sing kumbayah, that all we need is time to get over our "emotions". Well, I did not vote for HILLARY based on emotion. I will NEVER stand behind BO and his DREAMY UNICORN foreign policy ideas! The Party once known as the “Democratic Party” has died. The party we once embraced, is no more. And I ALONG WITH 18 MILLION VOTERS will be attending the funeral in NOVEMBER!
WARNING! BITTER CHRISTIAN CLINGING TO GUN!!!
"Each vote you cast is a prayer for our nation, a declaration of your dreams for your children and your grandchildren, a reflection of your determination to insure that our country lives up to its promise. Each vote is a tool, one used throughout history, to break barriers, open doors, and widen the circle of opportunity." –Hillary Clinton, Boca Raton, Florida, May 21, 2008
I am a military officer, who fight in Iraq for the rights of all Americans. Yet, I am ashame of some of Hillary supporters, whom I believe are Wolves in Sheeps clothing and by that I mean they are REPUBLICANS trying to influence Democratic supporters to not vote. Repbulicans will stop at nothing until they distroy this nation. I am a military officer and experience get you no where, it isjudgement and honesty. With all the experience of McCain for 26 years in Washington, he still voted locked step to send us to WAR for what? Imagine another 8 years of this Republican machine? It won't happened, OBAMA will defeat McBUSH, McSAME in alandslide victory. White, Blacks, Brown, Red and Blue, a United America will usher in a dynamic new leader for America and the world. Hillary ardent supporters don't really know what they want. Should Hillary be the winner because she is a woman or because she is white. I have the starngest feeling that had John Edwards take OBAMA's place we wouldn't have all this hate and it really shows me that RACIST are among the woman movement. Those who are so bitter (OBAMA did call them out and he was correct) are no Democrats, but racist, ignorant republicans. It is time to turn the page, this is a new century and the Hip Hop White, Black, Latino generation will secure the future for all of us. No longer will this nation be run by a white male, who did nothing since LBJ to advance American cause, Carter tried and had he the support of Democrats we would not be in the mess today with oil etc, Kerry, and Gore had they had just a few thousand more Democrats or American we would have been in a much better place. If McCain becomes President America deserves everything the Heavens will through at us. I for one will get out the US ARMY and move overseas, to Europe, Asia or the America's. John McCain is not the Change we seek, Hillary would have been a good candidate, but this is a CHANGE election and McCain is not the CHANGE we Deserve, too old, to gray and a too in bed with the Lobbyist. I hope ROSS PEROT comes out against McCain! McCAIN is a plant, the Communist made him a MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE BACK IN VIETNAM. The people wo will vote for McCain are the same ones who don't have family in the Military!
BILL CLINTON WILL BE JUST FINE.
ANYWAY, OBAMA GOT THE NOMINATION BUT HE WILL BE LOSING THE GENERAL ELECTIONS ! = ANOTHER "DUCACA " OR "CHERY "!
= HISPANICS WILL NEVER VOTE FOR OBAMA ,
HE DOES NOT HAVE OUR MORAL VALUES !
ASK LARRY SINCLAIR !
LARRY SINCLAIR BLOG
He didn't lead them out fo the wilderness. He got lucky in a 3 man race and took 42% of the vote.
NOBODY can take EVER away his contributions to the best 8 years in recent American history.
And remember that it's because of Bill Clinton that Obama today has the political opportunity to run.
• Clinton took race off the table by successfully building a coalition of blacks and whites .
• Clinton tackled racial issues such as crime and welfare.
• He made it clear that people who don't work won't get much help from Washington.
• In 1988, crime was the biggest issue in the campaign. Today only 1% of Americans feel that way.
• Clinton’s proposal for 100,000 new cops helped bring down the crime rate.
• No one even knows what Obama's position on the death penalty is. And because Clinton embraced it then, Obama now doesn't have to.
• Above all, Clinton restored the Democratic Party's reputation for economic management, which Carter nearly destroyed.
AND THAT'S JUST FOR STARTERS!
It time for Obama to bow out. I'm not voting for him.
All those who support Hillary should support McCain now. In four years Hillary will be able to be McCain. Obama can't.
Bill was already doing some very important work – sure, it would have been great to see him have another try at bring the middle east some peace, but regardless, I expect that Bill will remain useful to the world – beyond America.
What went wrong for the Clintons? Even though they were old enough to remember Vietnam, they still supported the Iraq war. Not just the authorization – they made speech after speech about how great the war was and how unpatriotic those of us who opposed it were.
Well now the worm has turned. Everyone knows what the Clintons should have known – the war was all a big lie. If you can't spot the big lie you don't deserve to be president, no matter your gender or color.
Obama took the political risk and has received the reward he so richly deserves. His leadership will get us out of the era of Bush lies and Clintonian half-truth telling.
Obama 08 & 12.
He will ALWAYS be remembered for giving this country the best 8 years in recent history.
And if it weren't for Bill Clinton, Obama today would not have the political opportunity to run.
• Clinton took race off the table by successfully building a coalition of blacks and whites .
• Clinton tackled racial issues such as crime and welfare.
• He made it clear that people who don't work won't get much help from Washington.
• In 1988, crime was the biggest issue in the campaign. Today only 1% of Americans feel that way.
• Clinton’s proposal for 100,000 new cops helped bring down the crime rate.
• No one even knows what Obama's position on the death penalty is. And because Clinton embraced it then, Obama now doesn't have to.
• Above all, Clinton restored the Democratic Party's reputation for economic management, which Carter nearly destroyed.
AND THAT'S JUST FOR STARTERS!
president clinton will always be the best democratic president..in my heart...he will be remembered for the best years this country enjoyed in my life-time...i'm 82..lived through the depression,wars and many of the uncertaincies..we felt good about our country and our world.when he served...let's. pray we can achieve that once more but we all owe him the respect and honor he truly deserves..he and his wife hillary and daughter chelsey have made me proud to be a democrate and an american!!!