Bill Clinton's Image Damaged

Politico: Former President's Return To Partisan Politics Causes Public Perception To Suffer

(The Politico)  This story was written by David Paul Kuhn.

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Bill Clinton’s reentry into the political arena appears to have come at some cost to his legacy. New polling now suggests that Clinton’s involvement in the Democratic nomination battle between his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Barack Obama, has significantly tarnished the former president’s image.

A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released Thursday found that more Americans view Bill Clinton negatively than positively, 45 to 42 percent. It marked the first time since January 2002 that a plurality of Americans disapproved of the former president. One month earlier, The Gallup Poll found that nearly as many Americans had an unfavorable as favorable view of Bill Clinton-for the first time in nearly five years.

Presidential historians said Clinton’s return to partisan politics made it likely that public perception of the former president would suffer. 

"There is a certain historical glow that surrounds a president as some of his historical battles become more distant. Clinton getting back in the mud again makes him a much more partisan figure,” said Allan Lichtman, a presidential historian at American University. "And it’s not like it’s been an acclaimed experience for him."


After leaving the White House in January 2001 amidst controversy surrounding his last-minute pardons, Clinton reconstituted his public persona with a return to the world stage. He traveled to Gujarat, India, after a devastating earthquake, and in later years barnstormed Africa as an advocate for lower AIDS drug prices. He also began hosting an annual pre-United Nations General Assembly meeting for world leaders and tycoons.

America came to know a newer, less self-centered Clinton, an energetic statesman working to better the world. Public opinion polls showed about six in ten Americans held a positive view of the former president, reminiscent of the apex of his support in the White House.

His return to elected politics changed all that. In New Hampshire, he referred to Obama’s early opposition to the Iraq war as the “biggest fairy tale I've ever seen,” a remark that would come to be seen by many as an attempt to belittle Obama. He later accused Obama’s staff of voter suppression in Nevada -- a sensitive charge in Democratic circles.

Clinton’s low point came in South Carolina, where he drew criticism for comparing Obama’s candidacy to Jesse Jackson, a remark widely viewed as an attempt to pigeonhole Obama as a candidate who appeals largely to black voters. Clinton also took on a much more adversarial role with the media, a posture unseen since his years in the White House.

By Super Tuesday, the former president himself had become part of the story. In the key competitive state of Missouri, 28 percent of Democratic primary voters had a negative view of Clinton, double the amount as in New Hampshire just weeks earlier.

"This guy’s chronic lack of focus, lack of self discipline, and his tendency to make politics a short run political game his bottom line, these characteristics led him to make moves that were counterproductive both to his reputation and his post-presidential rating and damage his wife’s campaign,” said Princeton University presidential historian Fred Greenstein.

The public was reminded of the undisciplined president who “is very good at shooting himself in the foot,” Greenstein added.

Since it became clear that the former president was doing as much harm as good, Clinton has taken on a much lower profile role, campaigning in small markets away from the crush of the national media.

Still, his earlier comments continue to haunt his wife’s campaign. Last week, at a forum of more than 200 black community newspaper publishers, Hillary Clinton apologized for her husband’s remark comparing Obama to Jackson. “I am sorry if anyone was offended,” she said.

“Certainly since New Hampshire and then South Carolina and then a little bit beyond, what that will do for legacy is, it takes the rose colored glasses off, particularly for historians,” said Kent Germany, a presidential historian at the University of South Carolina. “Historians now have this bit to say: ‘here’s the real pattern of the Clinton life.’ Maybe he’s not as brilliant a calculator as we had thought previously. Maybe he’s good in the moment and sometimes it doesn’t work out.”

But if Clinton has indeed seriously injured his public standing, a presidential victory by his wife might go a long way toward reversing the damage.

“It would help his legacy enormously, nothing in politics succeeds like success,” said American University’s Lichtman. “And that would be just absolutely extraordinary considering the gamble he’s taken.”

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

This man has proven to be a liar, a cheat, and not trustworthy, yet many of you still love him. I''m baffled by this and you are showing your stupidity.

[humwayno-2009]

I am amazed at how so many Americans can''t see past the Clinton racism. It''s not towards Blacks or Hispanics, it towards anyone who doesn''t have money or power. Bill and Hillary both are possessed by the thought of power, and will get it anyway they can. They don''t really care about America or Americans. They care about themselves and power. Wake up you Clinton lovers. One good thing is you''ve been dupped by the best, so don''t feel too bad about your stupidity and putting your head in the sand.

[p5e0428]

Are you kidding me the front page of cbsnews.com should be those crazy comments from the spirtual advisor of BARACK OBAMA. Who also married him and baptised his children. If you can go on Youtube do so. Mr. Wright, of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, referred to the United States as the %u201CU.S. of K.K.K. A.%u201D and said the Sept. 11 attacks were a result of corrupt American foreign policy. Obama even got the name for his second book from this racist pastor. Where are you NAACP and Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. He has been and is being very racist towards all Americans and especially white Americans. OBAMA DOESN''''T KNOW HOW TO KEEP GOOD COMPANY. NO WONDER MICHELLES COMMENTS ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO BE PROUD OF AMERICA CAME OUT HER MOUTH. LOOK WHERE THEY GO TO CHURCH.

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!

[jankebenz]

The clintons image went opaque years ago back in Arkansas with their "dealings". Millions have been fooled by the illusions of smoke and mirrors.

[rowdytexan2]

ISN''''T TIME FOR THE CLINTONS TO STEP ASIDE ?

Is it HILLARY NIXON TIME ??

if you really believe in the progressive movement, why is she blocking the very candidate that we have , as progressives, believe in ? I remember NIXON and how he refused to step aside, even in the face of scandal, isn''''t HILAARY and BILL ( remember HSU and MARK RICH !) the epitome of NIXONIAN self focus ?
As a Progressive and a College Professor of World and Ideas, I had supported H. as a woman, but I can no longer do so, as the choice for change is clear. Our Peace Ladder has left, and she chose not to climb on.


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Posted by TRUEPROGRESS at 03:39 PM : Mar 18, 2008

Progressive movement? Now what kind of shill is this? Sounds like a load of new buzz words to me!

How does Mr. Obama represent a progressive America when his plans were in fact first proposed by HIllary Clinton? When every time HIllary Clinton takes a stance he saud, I agree with Hillary?

The new progressive movement sounds more like a bowel movement to me, especially if it in any way is talking about Barak Obama!

[trueprogress]

ISN''T TIME FOR THE CLINTONS TO STEP ASIDE ?

Is it HILLARY NIXON TIME ??

if you really believe in the progressive movement, why is she blocking the very candidate that we have , as progressives, believe in ? I remember NIXON and how he refused to step aside, even in the face of scandal, isn''t HILAARY and BILL ( remember HSU and MARK RICH !) the epitome of NIXONIAN self focus ?
As a Progressive and a College Professor of World and Ideas, I had supported H. as a woman, but I can no longer do so, as the choice for change is clear. Our Peace Ladder has left, and she chose not to climb on.

[Stratmaster7]

Colleen, that is definitely one of the more reasoned and reasonable posts I have seen on the boards.

[colleen7dlr]

As the saying goes, "you can''t put the toothpaste back in the tube." We are debating racial issues that have taken over the campaigns of our Democrat Candidates. Was it inevitible? I suppose if it hadn''t been, then we would have been in "denial." I can''t help but believe that both candidates'' campaign teams have worked to stay focused on a narrow field of national, international issues. But, here we are, listening, daily, to our candidates apologizing. Racial issues have now taken the spotlight. Comments to these articles seem to reflect a tenor of great bitterness growing wider and deeper. In them, I hear the need for "revenge" to overpower the "whites" and on the opposite end, the need to "hold the blacks in their place." Another faction of voters seem to be trying to demonstrate their "higher consciousness" by swinging votes toward Obama. After all is said and done, will we have the "best" person in the Oval Office?

[Stratmaster7]

all of this only shows that Bill is more interested in political service than his legacy and image. He believes his wife is the best candidate, and he is fighting for her. whether you agree and vote for her or not, I don''t understand why you would hold it against a man that he is fighting for and defending his spouse.

[Cas2dy]

When a person born in this country calls themselves an African American, they are being Racist!!! Until they call themselves Americans, there will always be racism.


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Posted by truth-hurts at 06:37 AM

Why do you insist on telling people what Black people call themselves when you know danged well that the great government issued it''s own standard for defining who is to be called what. I still call myself Black, that''s what the government told my parents we were when we were enrolled in scholl (non-segregated had become the norm by then), and before then they told everyone that we were colored, so that''s what my 89 year old grandmother calls us. Now you KNOW what they called us before then, and it surely wasn''t "AmericaN", though it did end with the last letter of that word. Stop the silliness.

[zootallures2]

Good thing it''s just his image and not the real Bill Clinton. He''d be on death row in that case.

[rushlimpdrug]

"Ronald Reagan''s Image Damaged By Bush Beyond Repair"


I would like to read the article with this headline.

[caliengineer]

Before, only gossip columnists said Hillary was icy. Now, we have all seen it more than once.

The image of a man is influenced by who his wife is... If his wife is beautiful, his stock goes up under the assumption that more elegant women have greater choice and lure a more powerful man.

[jbgallo2]

ksh1022: The early morning hour must have softened your brain. FDR was the lousiest President we ever had. It was the war in Europe that "fixed" the 12 bad years you speak of. It''s what got us out of the depression, not Roosevelt who was a mamma''s boy, a spoiled brat, a pretender and an enabler. He gave the people a little hope here a little there. People were hanging by a thread of that hope which he could never fulfill with his phony human kindness. Even as a child of 7 I could see through his acting. He gave an excellent caring performance. I was already and old man at 7.
My father eventually got a decent job about a year or two after Hitler invaded Poland. The war was on. It would eventually engulf my younger brother and me as we grew into manhood.
To digress: The depression ended because of the war. In one fell swoop Hitler ended Germanys monstrous inflation and our depression. What a trade!! I would rather have had the depression. Too many of my dearest friends didn''t survive the war. Quarar