Mr. Clinton's Mission
He Talks To Dan Rather About His Work, Hillary, & Mr. Bush
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Play CBS Video Video 60 Minutes: Bill Clinton Dan Rather traveled to China with Bill Clinton as he goes to China to fight AIDS, which is an ongoing project for the former president and his charitable foundation.
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Video Dan Rather On Clinton Web Exclusive: "60 Minutes' " Dan Rather shares some details from his trip to Asia with former President Bill Clinton.
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Besides his work to stop the spread of AIDS, Bill Clinton is also a U.N. Ambassador to regions affected by the December 2004 tsunami. He visited Banda Aceh, Indonesia, this past November. (AP)
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Bill Clinton (CBS)
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Interactive William Jefferson Clinton Follow the ups and downs of President Clinton's years in office, see photos and learn about his life before and after the presidency.
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Interactive AIDS: The Modern Pandemic A history of AIDS, U.S. statistics, health facts and a look at how the epidemic has spread.
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Interactive Focus On China Explore the history, people and economy of China, the world’s most populous nation.
Clinton says he doesn't miss the trappings of the presidency. Does he ever think about flying on board Air Force One in the capacity of first husband?
"Well, the answer to that is no," Clinton says, laughing. "I don’t think about that. And I have urged all of Hillary’s supporters not to think about that, because she’s got to run for re-election. And it’s a big hazard for anybody who’s up for re-election to think about anything but re-election."
There already is a woman president on TV, played by Geena Davis. Is America ready for a female commander in chief?
"I don’t know. My gut is, yes, that if a woman came across as strong and seasoned and well prepared, if you said the right things in the right way and you had a good record to back it up, my gut is, yes. But the hard truth is we won’t know until it happens," says Clinton.
For now, Mr. Clinton says he’s concentrating his efforts on AIDS. But globe-trotting can take its toll. In China, the President seemed grayer and thinner than the last time we had seen him.
"I did five cities in China, seven cities in eight days, halfway across the world, and I was truly exhausted. But I want to work hard. I don’t know how much time I’ve got to live, and I want to make as much difference as I can," says Clinton.
But why not try to make a difference on problems closer to home?
"This is our problem," says Clinton. "Eight thousand people die of AIDS in the world every single day. It’s our problem. It’s a big problem. Look, I’m working hard on trying to help the victims of Katrina. I’m working hard on trying to help the victims of the tsunami. But we have a tsunami-like death toll once a month with AIDS."
By Tom Anderson © MMV, CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved.
