Hillary Clinton: “Two-for-One” Perception is Too Risky

By Brigitte L. Nacos
I read the other day that John Edwards endorsed the prominent roles that spouses play and should be entitled to play during presidential campaigns. Growing up in Western Europe, I did not witness anything close to the American tradition of spouses and other family members weighing in quite heavily during campaigns. Mostly, this is explained by the distinctly different candidate selection processes in parliamentary systems. In the current battle for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination there is a widely shared perception (part of it fueled by competitors’ campaigns and part of it by media reporting and comments) that former President Bill Clinton has been too outspoken and aggressive and divisive in his wife’s campaign efforts—especially, after her win in New Hampshire and before her poor showing in South Carolina.
    Senator Obama’s wife and former Senator Edwards’ wife have been blunt in their support of their husbands and critical of their husbands’ rivals. But they, unlike Bill Clinton, are not ex-presidents who are persistently in the limelight and have credits and liabilities accrued before and during presidential terms.
    While one would expect any man or woman in the American political context to go to bat for his or her spouse during campaigns for the highest public offices, in this year’s extraordinary and so far unique case, one of the spouses is a former president.

I do not doubt for one moment Bill Clinton’s genuine motive in espousing his and Hillary Clinton’s exemplary record in support of African-American’s equal rights and a host of other concerns. Unlike many of the perennial Clinton-opponents in the news media and well-meaning supporters of Barack Obama with poor historical memories, I do not believe at all that the former president intended to play the so-called race card in advance of the South Carolina primary. That simply does not make sense for a man who has been called the nation’s first black president because of his impeccable record in civil rights matters. Yet, the mass-mediated debate seems to have fueled this perception. On the other hand, few pundits examined whether Senator Obama’s changed campaign rhetoric contributed to the distinct racial divide in Saturday’s South Carolina’s voting patterns.
    But in the end, the perception counts, not the facts, not the reality. In hindsight, then, the Clinton campaign was mistaken in assigning the former president an overly prominent role. Unlike spouses like Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Edwards who did not serve in high public offices, a former president is far more prone to cast himself into a starring role. That’s what came natural to Bill Clinton before the South Carolina primary. Suddenly, he, not Hillary was at center-stage--at least in the news. This allowed Tim Russert to ask Republican Matt Romney about possibly facing not one but two Clintons if he became the Republican Party’s nominee.
    To keep her chances alive, to do well on February 5^th and beyond, Hillary Clinton needs to rein in her husband--never mind that he is one of the most gifted campaigners around. She must wipe out the “two-for-one” and so-called Billary perception that rivals in their own party, Republican opponents, and media critics love to dwell on.
    Although Hillary Clinton defended her husband’s role in her campaign today and pledged that he will continue to campaign on her behalf, she may have second thoughts about allowing him an unfettered starring role.
    It could cost her the nomination and the presidency. 

Comments

[Volunteer]

Its more than obvious by the comments of the host that this is a left wing web site and your comments about our military are disgusting.

Our Service people put something besides their own egos Unlike yourselF) out their at risk

[Brigitte]

Tony, again you ask very relevant questions. And, no, I do not think that Obama was or is the outsider. I think he has played by the rules--otherwise he would not have been elected U.S. Senator. He is a gifted communicator, and if he can become the first Black American president it would certainly be a huge step forward in terms of racial and ethnic divisions.
I wonder, though, whether Obama, if he becomes the nominee of the Democratic Party, can win the election. Ted Kennedy may be helpful to get the nomination but may be a liablity for the Democratic nominee.
Whatever my personal sentiments are in this respect is irrelevant--I grew up in Germany in a very different political setting--what is far left here was and is, rightfully though, the middle ground here.
One way or the other--Super-Tuesday may bring some more clarity in both the Democratic and the Republican races.

[Tony]

With regard to Hill/Bill, I suspect one of the stipulations was that he hand over the keys when she decided to Stand By Her Man. Whatever happened, he learned his lesson, and enough important people see him as too politically valuable to silence.

What really bothers me, and is apparently not bothering anyone else, is the twinning of Obama and Jack Kennedy, whom I am old enough to remember. O's wife is wearing the other O's wigs, and Barack is sounding like Jack in his soundbites. But JFK had a hugely powerful and successful extended family behind him, with a political presence that couldn't be overlooked. Ted K is the quintessential insider in political circles, and Caroline isn't so far behind, so their endorsements of Obama and voiced associations with JFK's charismatic impact make me think that Obama is not nearly the outsider he maintains he is. Is he outside the tent at all? It's one thing to be King of the Homecoming celebration, and another to succeed in Washington. Just ask Jimmie Carter. Will issues become important in these campaigns? I fervently hope so.......

[Brigitte]

Vigilante:
Since it is not unusual that presidential spouses influence the office-holders, I'd rather prefer someone like Bill Clinton because of his grasp of policy issues. But you are right, the person elected must be in charge. If Hillary is the one, I believe she will be.
In this respect, I am glad that the prospects for a President Giuliani and his wife as influential advisor are fading rapidly.

[Vigilante]

If Hillary can't control him now, will be she be able to control him in the West Wing when she's in the East Wing (or vice-versa)? Personally, I think it's like a roll of the dice, if you get what I mean....