For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Is Bill Clinton threatening his legacy with his recent behavior on the campaign trail?
The Bill Clinton we have come to know, as Mrs Clinton has taken the political lead as a New York senator, is an elder statesman. Having seemingly placed the anger and humiliation of the late stages of his presidency behind him, he has travelled the world trying to improve life for millions of people. [...]
But this Bill Clinton has not been seen since Barack Obama emerged as a serious threat to Mrs Clinton’s hopes of the presidency. Instead of a non-partisan philanthropist, US voters see a partisan operative getting red-faced with anger as he bitterly rails against Mr Obama for, in Mrs Clinton’s words, “raising false hopes” that the US can be otherwise. [...]
Maybe Mr Clinton is so emotionally caught up in getting his wife elected (and absolving his infidelities) that he cannot help himself. Or maybe it is a calculated political gamble in which he plays bad guy to her good woman and stirs up Latino voters to block Mr Obama’s progress. Either way, it does not reflect well on him.
Is Clinton's recent behavior a calculated campaign gamble, or has the former president suddenly lost his political swagger and stability? Will any of this matter to his reputation in the future, or will he only survive history's wrath if Hillary wins?
