Hillary's Secret Weapon For Rural America

CBSNews.com Reports: Clinton Campaign Settles On Strategy To Deploy Bill Clinton To Small Cities And Towns

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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Until Bill Clinton came to town, the last time the citizens of Washington, Pennsylvania saw a president was nearly 50 years ago, when John F. Kennedy touched down there as part of his campaign.

The story isn't much different in South Bend, Indiana, where Clinton's visit last week had residents talking about Robert Kennedy's visit 40 years earlier.

It hasn't always been easy for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign to decide how best to deploy Mr. Clinton on the campaign trail. Some have worried that the former president could overshadow his wife, and there were also concerns that his aggressive advocacy for the former first lady could hurt more than it helped. After Mr. Clinton made comments ahead of the South Carolina primary that some found racially insensitive, analysts were talking about his tarnished legacy and asking whether he'd inadvertently given a bump to rival Barack Obama.

But in the past few weeks, the Clinton campaign seems to have settled on a consistent strategy for the former president: Keep him largely out of the national spotlight while deploying him to small cities and towns like Washington, PA and South Bend, where figures of his stature are rarely seen.

Clinton himself acknowledged his role at a recent stop in the blue-collar town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he called himself the campaign's "rural hitman."

Putting Mr. Clinton to work on what he calls the "secondary circuit," while his wife works larger markets, is a smart move by the Clinton campaign, said Philadelphia-based Democratic political analyst Larry Ceisler.

"When these small towns get a president of the United States, it really gets people juiced up," Ceisler said. "He's certainly been a negative at times on macro political stage, but in micro and personal campaign there's none better. She's lucky to have him."

Mr. Clinton is effective in such settings because rural Americans relate to the former president, said Steve Jarding, a Democratic political consultant who has focused on rural areas.

"It's the 'boy from hope' stuff, the fact that he grew up in a small town," Jarding said. "Someone like John Kerry, and I mean this with respect, looked to people in rural America like a blueblood. With Clinton, I really do get a sense that they believe he feels their pain."

Clinton still sometimes makes national news - he recently suggested, for example, that claims that the Obama/Clinton battle is hurting the Democratic Party are "a bunch of bull" and argued that those who believe otherwise should "chill out." But he has largely steered clear of the sorts of controversial statements that made headlines early in the campaign.

"There's this weird line he has to walk that no one else has to walk," said Democratic strategist and CBS News political analyst Joe Trippi. "People might expect [the spouse of a presidential candidate] to say something unflattering about one of the other candidates, but they don't expect that sort of thing from the former president of the United States, a man who is the biggest Democrat alive in a lot of ways. You don't expect him to say things that could be seen as negative or rough and tumble politics, so when he does it's news."

When Clinton sticks to the script, by contrast, his appearances don't make national news. But they do get significant, usually positive play in local media, resulting in coverage that can cut through the noise of an extended political campaign.

"Washington, Pennsylvania may only have about 25,000 people, but it has a newspaper that goes to the whole county," said Ceisler, a Washington native. "That kind of coverage can make a difference."

"He's being used as a mobilization force," said University of Pennsylvania political scientist Richard Johnston. "He is going to the parts of the state where in some sense his wife has her base."

And while Clinton's controversial comments earlier in the campaign - among them a reference to Obama's positions as a "fairytale" - may have diminished the former president in the eyes of some urban voters, they didn't significantly damage his popularity with their rural counterparts, according to Jarding.

"It was seen as more offensive in urban areas, and as political football in punditry," he said. "It didn't seem to have the same resonance in these rural areas."

Mr. Clinton can be particularly effective when discussing economic issues, Jarding adds, and thus becomes a particularly valuable surrogate in a depressed economy. But while the former president's rural touch can be a boon for the Clinton campaign, one damaging sound bite could still undo his efforts in parts of America that usually go unseen by former presidents.

"For all the help he's giving in terms of the 3,200 people who see him that day," Trippi said, "you have to worry that it's not going to be worth what 3 million people see that night on cable or on the Evening News."

[tbweb]

Former Pres. Bill Clinton says that debate is good for the Democratic Presidential Candidates and I agree with him, but the Clinton campaign has not been engaging in debate, with all due respect, the Clinton campaign has been engaging in an underhanded smear campaign and now with the damage done, hoping to reap the benefits in upcoming Primaries and Super Delegate support. If the tables were turned, there is no doubt in my mind the Clinton''s would be demanding Sen. Obama leave the race despite their assertions to the contrary. I don''t agree with the Clinton''s win at any cost, throw the kitchen sink, scorched earth tactics, especially when used against their own Democratic Party. Eye opening to say the least.

[briannorwood]

And just how long do you think it will take for Bill Clinton to shove his foot in his mouth again?

In my opinion, nobody has been a more effective advocate for the Obama campaign than Bill Clinton!

[squidly8]

There is a good idea - send a convicter perjurer out to do your bidding. That will win converts.

Bill is simply using his wife to get himself a third term and back into the limelight. Why can''t they just go away and they are only hurting the Dems chances of winning back the WH. The Dems had a lock on the WH 12-18 months ago, now it is a toss up. If HRC wins the nom by whatever chicanary, she will lose the general election because so is such a polarizing figure. People won''t vote for her.

[rjmcbs]

"Step right up folks, don''t be shy, I''ve got just the thing to cure all your ills, Buy this and we''ll be back in four years to sell you some more"
-the Snake-oil Salesman from Hope

[mike71067]

She doesn''t understand that bringing out Bill is a 2-edged sword. People either really love him or really hate him. Sort of like the Doors.

[missingamerica]

"Mr. Clinton can be particularly effective when discussing economic issues, Jarding adds, and thus becomes a particularly valuable surrogate in a depressed economy."

Ahuh...right up until somebody points out the truth:

The "depressed economy" can be directly attributed to Bill Clinton''s kow-towing to the corporations and the wealthy elite of not only America but in other nations (just to add insult to injury!) and signing a bunch of inequitable free trade treaties.

[rowdytexan2]

Isn''t it strange how people see things differently. I sat and watch Barak Obama for eleven months waiting for him to give a straight answer, a substantive answer, take a stance, do something. And all I saw for eleven months was Mr. Obama harking at Hillary Clinton. I saw him pull the racial card five times distracting from the issues and his inability to be of substance. I watched Hillary Clinton stand back and take his punk mouth cracks and finally she started hitting back in December and started playing politics his way.

Obama has been nothing but a nuisance, and acting like a street punk until December when he finally published a plan on his website that looks like a naive kid wrote it.

You call HIllary''s campaign scorched earth, and kitchen sink???

I call her campaign professional and substantive. And if it had been me, I''d have decked his arse!

[crater7]

YOU GOTTA LOVE IT. THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS ARE ON THE BOARD IN FORCE, TRYING TO DISCREDIT ANY POSTIVE NEWS ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON. THIS CONFIRMS THE LATEST REPORT BY " THE NONPARTISAN CENTER FOR MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS", FOUND THAT SINCE LAST DECEMBER, 83% OF THE REPORTING ON OBAMA WAS POSTIVE. ONLY 53% OF THE REPORTING ON CLINTON WAS POSTIVE.

THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN KNOWS THIS PERCENTAGE PARTITIVE, AND HAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE ANY MEASURES NECESSARY TO USE IT TO HIS ADVANTAGE.

IF IT WERE NOT THE FACT THAT THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN IS VIEWED AS A POLITICALLY CORRECT MOVEMENT BY THE MEDIA, AND FEELS IT IS NECESSARY TO PROMOTE IT ACCORDINGLY THROUGH POSTIVE, BIASED COVERAGE, AND NEGATIVE COVERAGE FOR THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN, THIS WOULD BE A WHOLE NEW BALL GAME.

BUT, OF COURSE THIS WOULD BE DISPUTED BY THE OBAMA PLANTS, AND SUPPORTERS.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT "G D AMERICA."

[mitywhity]

I hope they announce Bill''s arrival early so we can hide our daughters

[future_watch]

Newsweek is running a story about Obama''s campaign ads (currently running in PA) that are deceptive about his contributions from the oil and gas industry. http://www.newsweek.com/id/129895

He is deliberately misleading people about his contributors.

[blazercoach1]

Rowdy,

Can you name a SINGLE time when Obama "harked" on Hillary Clinton? I''ve watched every debate, am addicted to political news, and don''t care for either candidate based on policy. But I think you''re displaying one of the Clinton campaigns most insidious lies: Call Obama dirty and then play the victim.

Countless times we''ve seen him simply shrug off Clinton''s untrue attacks (and untrue statements about herself). Countless times we''ve seen Hillary point to herself as a victim because she''s a woman. Obama had never referenced his own color in debates or anywhere until the Wright issue came up.

You and Hillary can keep pointing and blaming and crying all you want.....it doesn''t make your accusations true. Obama has been nothing but classy and unifying throughout this whole thing. Even when it would be to his advantage to muddy Hillary and drive a stake in her political heart.

Go ahead.....tell me one negative personal thing that he has stated or allowed to be stated by his campaign.

[omega39-2009]

Isn''''t it strange how people see things differently. I sat and watch Barak Obama for eleven months waiting for him to give a straight answer, a substantive answer, take a stance, do something.
Posted by RowdyTexan2 a

Perhaps he was pinned down on the tarmac by sniper fire...

[xlib]

Yep, look at the way bubba helped gore and others. I hear tell that while visiting "rural" Pennsylvania, ole Joe Paterno refused to attend one of bubba''s rallies. Joe may be old but he sure is still a good judge of character.
But hey, that story wasn''t run here at all and still no word on the missus campaign manager and her ties to sub prime mortgage companies. Funny.

[lordmi]

This family is becoming annoying .
We are probably not very developed country ..yet, if those shameless still are able to fool People, to lie all over, to dictate rules....and play with blue frasses.
Clintons - American Disgrace.

[northcoastin]

What''s this "rural" stuff? The inhabitants of Washington, Pa., may still call their town "Little Worshington," but their small city is at the intersection of two Interstate highways and really is a suburb of Pittsburgh. And South Bend, Indiana, the home of Notre Dame College? You call THAT rural? Come on, people, kick off the tasseled loafers and get out of town once in a while. You guys are as out of touch as the candidates!

[shingles1]

future_watch, I''m shocked - SHOCKED I tell ya - that a politician would use misleading language.

I guess that''s kind of like McCain railing publicly against the power of lobbyists while at the same time employing them to run his campaign.

[demslie]

Bill is da''''man! He''''s got star power and credibility to boot.

Posted by jh6379

The World Famous Situational Ethics of these Atheist Anti-American Democrats is plain and clear. John McCain polls higher than O''Bama and Hitlery when the American People are asked "Who do you think is more Honest?" But Democrats hate McCain because he talks ethics and morality. But they love Bill. After all Bill Clinton only Committed Perjury in front of a Federal Grand Jury. But he is a Democrat, so instead of going to Leavenworth for 20 to 30, "Bill is da''''man! He''''s got star power and credibility to boot." And these are the people who want to rule America.

[jgunther7]

Why should anybody want listen to this old has been? Impeached by the House of Representatives and disbarred as a lawyer, he is a serial pathological liar. He lies even when he doesn%u2019t have to, and he lies about things that are not even relevant. He just plain lies. I wouldn''t listen to anything he has to say. He is like a James Carville with hair. Yuk

Vote for Monica Lewinski''s Ex-boyfriends Wife for President?

[rowdytexan2]

I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she''s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal.

- Barack Obama, February 15, 2008

"You challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out."


"Yeah, Hillary, you''re liked well enough."

Obama, who represents Illinois, described Clinton as a skilled politician running a textbook campaign but said the textbook itself is badly flawed and skewed against ordinary Americans. "It''s a textbook that''s all about winning elections but says nothing about how to bring the country together to solve problems," he said. (snort a classic attack about NOTHING! like such statements bring unity!!!)

''''I realize that changing your position to suit the politics of the moment might be smart campaign tactics but isn''t the kind of strong, principled leadership America needs right now,'''' Obama said.(Obama has changed his stance on EVERYTHING! This is a huge laugh!)

"While I was working in black communities you were on the board of WalMart." which she finally slam dunked him with his corrupt slumlord connection.

These are just three little condescending street punk quotes...but he harked like that through all the debates!

Evidently you listened to a whole set of debates and didn''t hear a thing!

[rowdytexan2]

Bill is da''''''''man! He''''''''s got star power and credibility to boot.

Posted by jh6379

Not to mention he had the only successful administration in decades!

[msabccbs]

According to Rasmussen polling this morning, Obama has narrowed the gap in PA to 5pts!!

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/pennsylvania/pennsylvania_democratic_presidential_primary

[msabccbs]

Ethel Kennedy''s endorsement of Obama is coming tomorrow in Indianapolis. Ethel Kennedy on Barack Obama:
%u201COver these past few years, I%u2019ve watched Senator Obama inspire....

Americans from all walks of life to believe in real change and a new sense of hope and possibility. He%u2019s a magnetic force, drawing the nation together for the common good and galvanizing us all to help shape our country%u2019s future.

%u201CBarack is so like Bobby, who struggled for the rights of the poor in the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia, traveled to California to stand in solidarity with Cesar Chavez and farm workers, and fought to end another war that cost so many lives.

%u201CToday, we crave a leader with vision who can help us regain our lost humanity and rekindle our inherent generosity. With courage, caring, and charisma, Senator Obama is leading us toward a kinder, gentler world."

Do you think she''s for him? But wait, there''s a little more:

%u201CSenator Obama%u2019s candidacy sends out %u2018ripples of hope%u2019 that can build a %u2018current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.%u2019 I am proud to support Barack Obama, and look forward to him leading this country toward a brighter, more hopeful future.%u201D

[jgunther7]

msabccbs: Obama has narrowed the gap in PA to 5pts!!

Wow! Quick Bill and Hillary, duck and run for your armoured card and get out of here. Don%u2019t come back.

[nolalou]

There is a good idea - send a convicter perjurer out to do your bidding. That will win converts.Posted by squidly8

Bill Clinton was not convicted of anything, including perjury. He was impeached by the House of Representatives, which is the equivalent of being indicted, and tried in the Senate, which found him not guilty. (if he had been found guilty, he would have been removed from office).

[hungryman9]

McCain will win big in November if Obama is the nominee. Your poll in PA is incorrect. Hillary is 12 pts ahead by the gallop poll.

Soon Barack........will be in da back. And Hillary.....will be in da front. Thanks to the secret weapon.

[jn122736]

I find all these negative, derogatory, and insulting comments to be very interesting. President Bill Clinton, who, in terms of benefiting the nation as a whole; economically, balanced budget, national debt, actual taxes, and etc, is/was by far the best president the United States has had in the last 30 years.

Even with all his flaws (and who doesn%u2019t have at least some), he left the country in better shape than any president in the past half century,

If all the negative comments are to be taken seriously, just what does that say about those other presidents?

If you think This administration actually and in effect, cut our taxes you are simply not thinking practically and accurately.

[omega39-2009]

I wonder how people would have percieve Bill Clintons presidency if the Dot.com bubble would of burst on his watch. He had the luxury of the High Tech movement and internet movement during his terms.
Posted by melchg at

And since then many in those industries have seen their jobs move to India and China as the fruits of NAFTA have widened and bloomed.

[xlib]

melchg-funny you should mention the dot.com bust. There was an article, briefly run, a few years back that the bubble did indeed burst on his watch. There were even some rumblings about the administration "cooking the books" to present the economy as being much better than it was.
Until this mortgage thing, which is bad in 11 states, while the real estate market here (Western NY)is booming,the economy was good. Unemployment was at an all time low, interest rates were good, jobs were being created, etc, etc. However, the msm never reported it as such.
Think I''ll look up the dot.com bust and do some research. Thanks for bringing it up.

[old300d]

I still have the truck and house I bought and paid for during the Clinton years.

It would be hard to do that now.

[xlib]

msabccbs-so was Ethel involved with the other members of the kennedy clan in bringing obama''s dad to the US from Kenya?? Huh, was she?? Oh yea, that proved to not be true, didn''t it?
Her obama is no JFK, he would be appalled at his marxist leanings. Your guy wants us to ask what the country can do for us, not what we can do for the country. He ain''t no JFK, sweetie.

[xlib]

old300-funny, my husband was downsized twice in the clinton good time years. We had to leave our home twice and relocate in that time frame. Just last year my husband and our sons opened a small business, our son retired fro the Air Force and just bought a house, and by the by, I just bought a car. Nope, we aren''t rich and we live in the highly taxed nanny state of New York.

[xlib]

bubba=nafta

[old300d]

Hi Xlib ,

I wish I had worked harder during the Clinton years.

That was my big chance. I don''t know if I will ever get another one.

As far as being able to make money, those were the good ol days.

[tbweb]

The simple truth is the Clinton''s have always sold themselves as two for the price of one! A Co-Presidency in which Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is claiming credit for her husbands 2 terms as President. What this means is that its illegal then for a Clinton third term, its against the Law! If the Clinton''s are not violating the Law directly, they are violating the spirit of the Law which was meant to avoid too much political influence and corruption! The Clinton''s can not have it both ways, claiming Sen. Clinton''s White House run is independent of her husbands yet claiming she has Presidential experience and was involved in the Clinton administration and takes credit for it. So if Sen. Clinton was involved in a Co-Presidency with her husband and "that involved" to the point where she can claim credit for it, a third Clinton Presidency in any incarnation with the 2 of them is illegal, plain and simple!!

[xlib]

old300d-well if one of the dems get in you can always get a government job and be paid by the few remaining tax payers.

[szelag19]

A new ad by Sen. Obama running in Pennsylvania falsely claims that Sen. Obama does not accept money from the oil industry. In the ad, Sen. Obama says, "I''m Barack Obama and I don''t take money from oil companies or lobbyists and I won''t let them block change anymore."

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Sen. Obama has received over $160,000 from the oil and gas companies. Two major bundlers for his campaign -- George Kaiser and Robert Cavnar %u2013 are oil company CEOs. Sen. Obama has accepted money from Exxon, Shell, BP, Chevron and just about every other major oil company. Just last month, Sen. Obama accepted another $8,400 from ExxonMobil, $12,370 from Chevron and $6,500 from British Petroleum.

[questionnews]

Hillary should just go ahead & name Bill as her running mate. An all Clinton ticket. Yea...that''s the ticket

[old300d]

Hi Xlib ,

I was self employed during the Clinton years.

Over all people were more happy. People seem unhappy and mean now.

Obama, who wants to unite us is dividing up the country. Dems first.

I am not counting on a Gov. job.

China might stop lending us money then what will the U.S. govt. do ?

[homespunlady]

DEBT means SOMEONE will eventually have to PAY for that DEBT. Whether it will be from INCREASED TAXES or DECREASED VALUE of our currency - YOU CHOOSE. It''s a DEVIL''S CHOICE either way.

FACT: there was a BUDGET SURPLUS and the DEBT CREATED by PRE-Clinton Presidents was RAPIDLY DECLINING.

AS SOON as King GEORGE was selected the FIRST THING he did was to INCREASE DEBT by NOT WAITING until the NATIONAL DEBT was paid off to start REWARDING THE WEALTHY for their "CONTRIBUTIONS" to his power grab.

Since then, the WEALTH GAP has EXPLODED and is DESTROYING the ECONOMIC BALANCE of this nation to the point that a DEPRESSION IS INEVITABLE. The question then is WHICH candidate will CONTINUE King GEORGE''s MISGUIDED ELITISM through WEALTH and "LOBBY" PREFERENCE and which candidate will RE-BALANCE the scales to allow the MAJORITY of CITIZENS to once again be able to CREATE and thus CONTRIBUTE to IMPROVING our ECONOMY.

ENOUGH of the "trivial Pursuit" education standards. Teach USEFUL skills that encourage CREATIVITY and BOLDNESS - NOT Jail-house Humility.

ENOUGH of the FAILED "trickle down" ELITISM.

ENOUGH of medieval enclaves dictating to the peasants.

ENOUGH of DELETING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS through generating "Peter and the Wolf" fear.

[jsmithcsa]

Odd that CBS considers a city of 25,000 to be "rural" -- so is South Bend with over 100,000 people. That''s a big city where I''m from.

[hungryman9]

Most of the people, especially younger look at JFK as a great president. Why was he in Dallas the day he was killed? He was there trying to improve his approval ratings. On 11/13/1963 his approval ratings were only 30%. If he had lived he probably would not have been re-elected. I know a lot of people that would not have voted for him if he had lived. My own dad was critical of him and after he was killed, he then started bragging on him. Often when a person is assassinated they are made hero even though they were not popular. MLK was very low on ratings and after his death, people made him out to be a hero. I don''t look at him as being a hero, he was a womanizer and was out to get rich off the poor and he did.
You can research approval ratings on the internet if you don''t believe me. I remember all these things well and I was a grown man.

[shutupnvote]

The indictments against Obama are more than enough to laugh at the prospect of this Daily Machine fueled DNC fraud of a Primary designed to place Obama on the Party%u2019s throne as the affirmative candidate regardless of resume and win in Nov against the will of the majority within the Party. Obama chances of his being elected even though Energy Corporation owned Obama Networks and Conservative attack media pronounce he is their darling is bogus. There is NO WAY We the Peoples will ever place a first lady in the White House who has such distain for our country and our war dead as dose Mrs. Obama as she has repeatedly offered in her radical anti American speech. Obama and his family, inclusive of his young children, sat some for 20 years in a church pew participating in hate preaching of viruses created by the Rich White government to kill off the black people full of irrational attacks on America , Obama%u2019s Political patron on federal trial for extorting millions of tax payer dollars who Obama also co bought his home with and then lied to cover up the purchase, his State Godfather who handed him the only legislative accomplishments he can claim and only finally in his 7th years in office was then rewarded by a thankful Obama with another 300 million of our tax dollars in earmarks to his district while Obama was in his first year as a US Senator.


Obama HAS done anything to be elected not would do and you paid for his entitlement.

[coco0331]

That secret weapon will go a lot farther than rural America. And at least five times as far as Obama.

[cbullcom]

Hungrymama, your comment about Dr. king not being a hero because he was a womanizer is hypocritical. Kennedy was a womanizer, does that negate his hero status. Read your comments before you submit your hypocritical blogs. All you have done is pulled the sheet off of your racist heart. If a man saves a life, the life he saves they don''t care if he is a womanizer or not, the fact is they are grateful for that person saving there life.

[jasonmcj]

Hillary has nothing left to do but lie and promote negative campaigning, which she has been doing for weeks now. Obama, as always, keep his integrity amongst cheating double-talkers like Billary and friends. Please just concede alrready so we can start campaigning againt our real opponent in November.

Obama ''08

[jn122736]

Most of the people, especially younger look at JFK as a great president. Why was he in Dallas the day he was killed? He was there trying to improve his approval ratings. On 11/13/1963 his approval ratings were only 30%. If he had lived he probably would not have been re-elected. I know a lot of people that would not have voted for him if he had lived. My own dad was critical of him and after he was killed, he then started bragging on him. Often when a person is assassinated they are made hero even though they were not popular. MLK was very low on ratings and after his death, people made him out to be a hero. I don''''t look at him as being a hero, he was a womanizer and was out to get rich off the poor and he did.
You can research approval ratings on the internet if you don''''t believe me. I remember all these things well and I was a grown man.
Posted by hungrymama at 10:51 AM : Apr 01, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~

hungrymama;
Your memory must not be as good as you think

Lowest approval rating:
George W. Bush holds the record with 19% (2/16-19/2008 -- during the Iraq War).
Harry S. Truman is second lowest 22% (2/9-14/1952 -- during the Korean War).
Richard Nixon is third lowest, with 24% (7/12-15/1974, 8/2-5/1974 -- during the Watergate scandal).
Jimmy Carter is fourth lowest, with 28% (6/29-7/2/79 -- during the Iran hostage crisis).


John F. Kennedy holds the record NEVER BELOW 56% (9/12-17/1963, 14% undecided).

Source, Wikipedia.

[hungryman9]

cbullcom: Google MLK and adultery and see what is on the internet. I remember the 60''s and everyone talked about it. He was a womanizer and the whole country knew it. So get off you bashing stand and accept the truth.

[hungryman9]

Go to the page below and you will see his approval rating was 30% on 11/13/1963
My memory is real good and I remember how the population was turning against him. He barely defeated Nixon. I voted for JFK and was sorry for it. He let the Cubans down on the bay of pigs and that is why most all Cubans and Hispanics are Republicans today and will elect McCain if Obama is the nominee.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2007/07/approval_highs_and_lows.html

[tawpdawg1]

From the story: "Mr. Clinton is effective in such settings because rural Americans relate to the former president,".

Yeah, boy. Lotsa small-town, middle-America values there all right. Maybe they could sort of make it a traveling exhibit with her beret, "the dress" etc. The dems haven''t a clue. He was IMPEACHED as a LIAR. He''s a laibilty, not an asset. If Hillary would kick him in the nuts and tell him to take a hike she''d get a bump in the polls. Its lookin more and more like Obama for me. Maybe McCain depending on his VP pick. He might croak in office.