NEWS: The 'Bill' question hovers over the Clinton campaign
John Kass
February 3, 2008
chicagotribune.com
What about Bill?
I asked this more than a year ago now, and have waited patiently for a straight answer. I'm still waiting. And with only hours until Super Tuesday, it's getting late.
If Sen. Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic nomination and is later elected president, her prospective First Laddie will dance into the White House. Only, Bill Clinton won't be elected this time. He'll be the spouse and therefore untouchable.
And that's not only her problem; it's our problem, even if you're not a Democrat. Sen. Barack Obama's people have raised the issue, but not loudly enough.
This isn't about whether she can keep her hound on the porch or protect her lamb from some green-eyed Jolene with ivory skin and auburn hair.
But what will President Hillary Clinton do if President Bill Clinton decides to freelance in China, or the United Arab Emirates and shoot his mouth off?
The New York Times reported last week that Bill Clinton jetted off to Kazakhstan, and undercut American foreign policy by supporting the dictator, while helping his Canadian pal Frank Giustra win a huge uranium deal. In return, Clinton enjoyed a $31 million donation to his foundation.
It sure makes that Tony Rezko deal for Obama's dream house seem rather small. And the Obama people can be thankful that the story appeared on the morning of the Clinton-Obama debate, effectively prohibiting Hillary from playing the Rezko card.
Bill's adventure in Kazakhstan took place in 2005, with a Republican in the White House. Just imagine what he'll be capable of should his wife rule the Democrats?
In 1980, the Republicans faced a somewhat similar issue at the Republican National Convention in Detroit. The difference is, unlike the Democrats, they dealt with it.
Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan was considering former President Gerald Ford as his running mate, but Ford wanted to increase vice-presidential powers and install former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as foreign policy czar. Reagan killed the idea, the Republican flirtation with a virtual co-presidency was ended, and future president George H.W. Bush became Reagan's running mate.
"There's only one desk in the Oval Office," President Bush said in 1988.
Last year, I personally eyeballed the Oval Office, and he's right. There is only one desk. Yet if the Clinton Restoration is complete, they'll need a twin set.
In January 2007, I suggested that a President Hillary just lock him in the White House basement, or put him in charge of the interns, or send him to Thailand to be special ambassador for Bangkok. But that's just my old anti-Clinton blood rising.
And, there are other ways to look at it. The feminist argument is understood. Why should a competent woman be denied a chance at a job she's capable of -- and Sen. Clinton is clearly capable enough to be president -- only because her husband might cast a giant shadow?
Fair enough. Women shouldn't be penalized for the actions of their husbands.
But we don't live in a place called Hope. We don't live in Happy Land. And foreign leaders, and their agents, don't feel any obligation to consider the demands of feminism on American politics as they pursue their own interests.
How will foreign leaders seek to exploit this co-presidential situation? How will American special domestic interests, and their own cliques in Washington, exploit it?
These are the questions everybody has to ask and Democrats should take the lead, because if they don't, then Republicans will.
If she's the nominee, then Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) can make this an issue in the fall. And though Democratic mouthpieces will conveniently forget Obama's concerns about Bill, and begin shrieking about Republican sexism, it's a legitimate question.
Because if she's elected president, those same questions will be asked privately by Iran, Russia and China.
There's nothing about a co-presidency in the Constitution. Years ago, when she wore those head-bands and he didn't inhale, and Fleetwood Mac was in the air, the Clintons eagerly sold America on their co-presidency. Their official slogan: "Buy one, get one free." Remember?
But now, she can't even answer the question. She was asked about it in Thursday's debate, and she didn't answer.
Question: "If your campaign can't control the former president now, what will it be like when you're in the White House?"
She laughed and laughed, a hard, embarrassed laugh, hard to listen to, like cats in a sack.
"Well, one thing I think is fair to say, both Barack and I have passionate spouses. ... This is my campaign. ... After consulting broadly with a lot of people who have something to contribute to difficult decisions, I will have to make the call. And I am fully prepared to do that."
What about Bill, Hillary?
What about Bill? |
