Wolf's pick for Monday: Clinton still delivers votes
From Wolf Blitzer, Anchor of CNN's "The Situation Room"
Washington (CNN) - It's amazing how formidable Bill Clinton remains. He's very much a political force in the country. He will be deeply involved in helping Democrats in the weeks leading up to the November 2 elections.
Clinton can certainly raise money for candidates but, more importantly, he can help deliver votes. I think it's fair to say many - not all, but many - Democrats in deep trouble right now would welcome some help from him. They might even prefer him over President Obama in their districts.
I've been thinking about him because I will be in New York Tuesday at his Clinton Global Initiative to interview him. It will be my third interview with him this year. I spent some time with him in Washington on the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and, more recently, at the Fortune-Time-CNN Global Forum in Cape Town, South Africa.
As CNN's senior White House correspondent during his presidency, I spent a lot of time covering him. For a journalist, it was a great story. He packed so much into those years, and I had a front-row seat. And in the years since, he really hasn't slowed down – whether in Haiti, Indonesia or Rwanda. He remains a global force – thanks to his Clinton Global Initiative.
He's recently lost nearly 30 pounds and his daughter got married. His wife is the secretary of state. I have lots of questions for him, but would be happy to hear what you would ask him.
The interview will air Tuesday in "The Situation Room" from 5 to 7 p.m. ET.
Geez Wolf.
Why don't you guys just get a room?
Ask President Clinton how we can "wake up" our apathetic moderate voters to get out and vote and help counter those forces who use fear, and a narrow self-serviing definition of "values" to drive a wedge between all Americans.
This political season has clearly become destructive to our bedrock American values. America's values are not Christian right values ... they are human values. The beauty of America is that Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or any other set of beliefs can co-exist peacefully ... let's keep it that way. I fear that those who choose to try to change America into their own narrow image ... ultimate will destroy it.
Also ask President Clinton if he can join forces with former Presidents Bush (both) to speak out as statesmen against bigotry and fear. It doesn't have to be "political party" oriented ... just what is proper behavior for Americans.
I would ask him, what the United States could learn from other countries and possibly adopt, having seen both the American Banking and Health regimes undergo massive changes.
On the side, Ask Bill if would runn again for the sake of our country?
Dear Mr. Clinton. As we get older or at least as I get older I feel I have even greater respnsibility to become even more involved in the life issues that effect so many of us. I hope that you are feeling good about your health because you look a little tired and the world needs qualified statesman like yourself. America is changing as the rest of the world and maybe not for the better. So please take care of yourself because mankind needs more of you around to make sense of all this madness. The work just seems to get harder and harder.
Wolf, on Haiti now ! Bill Clinton is my hero... Since the so-called Haitian elite ( barely 1% of the population who owns over 80% of Haiti ) has virtually kept the country hostage from any progress for the last 200 years, ask him about his experience working with that elite. Ask him about the cut-throat prices this elite is asking to make stolen lands available for earthquake victims relocation and Haiti reconstruction efforts.
He was a great president to have with a Republican congress balanced against him. I personally like that combo: congress in the hands of one party, and a strong president in the hands of the other party.
@Dexter, btw Newt didn't *try* to impeach Clinton for sleeping with an intern...Congress *did* impeach him for perjury. He lied to a grand jury. That's a big no-no.
Listen to the Jon Stewart interview from last week with the former President on Comedy Central...
I would love to hear more about President Clinton's new diet.
I support President Obama just like I continue to support President Clinton and believe he was successful during his 8 years in office.
Isnt the media supposed to cover the news and not salivate over it as Mr. Blitzer is clearly doing in this piece about Bill Clinton? If Bill Clinton is such a great guy and packed so much into his presidency and such an asset on the campaign trail, how come the two times he ran for president a majority of the country voted against him both times?!?! In 1992, he only got 43% of the vote!! I need a barf bag after reading this article and seeing how Mr. Blitzer drools over Clinton!! Get a room, you two!!
Please ask Mr. Clinton his thoughts on execution of all the lifers in prison and the impact it would have on our national debt. If we were to execute all of the lifers we would save millions. Im sure it would have a positive impact on crime also.
I voted for President Obama in 2008; but voted for Hillary in the primary. It would be nice if Bill Clinton were still President. I've always wondered what HIS reaction would have been to 9/11. He can be very effective in his current position, though.