2008 Woodie Awards
Bill or Hillary: Which Clinton are we voting for?
Curtis Thom
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Politics
Oh, how times have changed.
With the 2008 presidential election approaching, the primary ballots include a former evangelical pastor, a Mormon, a woman, an African-American and a guy who's married to a woman 30 years his junior.
It seems as though American politics has already turned into a surreal reality show, but Hilary Clinton has inserted an additional story line that has her competitors crying foul.
After a tearful victory in the New Hampshire primary, Clinton looked to gain an advantage, one that would propel her above and beyond her opposition.
Her solution? Some guy named Bill Clinton, who, as it happens, was also the 42nd president of the United States.
Everyone knows politics is a dirty game, but Clinton's use of her husband to advance her campaign has taken her efforts to sell herself over the line.
Throughout the past week, it has not been Hillary's face plastered all over televisions screens, but that of her husband.
With Bill in her corner, Hillary no longer needs meet-and-greet galas or shirts with "Clinton '08" on them, or even the best publicist money can buy ... because she's already married to him.
Being a woman politician is not an easy job, but being hitched to a former president does make it easier. Clinton already has an advantage on gaining political funding, mainly because the people giving her money also gave it to Bill nearly 10 years ago.
It would be different if Bill were at his wife's side to show his undying support of the woman he married, but he is overstepping his bounds.
The news stories play out like a demented episode of "King of Queens." First, there was Hillary crying when answering a question, which Bill defended. Then came Bill's fiery response to a CNN reporter who posed a question regarding his wife's political strategy. Finally, Bill attacked Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama making comments that Obama has characterized as "not in line with the facts."
Am I a Bill Clinton fan? Yes. But do I agree with the coalition between him and his wife? Absolutely not.
If a candidate makes it to the White House, it should be on the merits of his or her own policies, not the spouse's.
With the 2008 presidential election approaching, the primary ballots include a former evangelical pastor, a Mormon, a woman, an African-American and a guy who's married to a woman 30 years his junior.
It seems as though American politics has already turned into a surreal reality show, but Hilary Clinton has inserted an additional story line that has her competitors crying foul.
After a tearful victory in the New Hampshire primary, Clinton looked to gain an advantage, one that would propel her above and beyond her opposition.
Her solution? Some guy named Bill Clinton, who, as it happens, was also the 42nd president of the United States.
Everyone knows politics is a dirty game, but Clinton's use of her husband to advance her campaign has taken her efforts to sell herself over the line.
Throughout the past week, it has not been Hillary's face plastered all over televisions screens, but that of her husband.
With Bill in her corner, Hillary no longer needs meet-and-greet galas or shirts with "Clinton '08" on them, or even the best publicist money can buy ... because she's already married to him.
Being a woman politician is not an easy job, but being hitched to a former president does make it easier. Clinton already has an advantage on gaining political funding, mainly because the people giving her money also gave it to Bill nearly 10 years ago.
It would be different if Bill were at his wife's side to show his undying support of the woman he married, but he is overstepping his bounds.
The news stories play out like a demented episode of "King of Queens." First, there was Hillary crying when answering a question, which Bill defended. Then came Bill's fiery response to a CNN reporter who posed a question regarding his wife's political strategy. Finally, Bill attacked Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama making comments that Obama has characterized as "not in line with the facts."
Am I a Bill Clinton fan? Yes. But do I agree with the coalition between him and his wife? Absolutely not.
If a candidate makes it to the White House, it should be on the merits of his or her own policies, not the spouse's.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
David Slatton
posted 1/28/08 @ 9:41 PM CST
To Curtis Thom :
First let me say that I support Hillary Clinton own her own merits. She has taken a beating from the right for years and withstood the storm. (Continued…)
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