What's Bill Doing in This Picture?

Billary could become first woman* president, opines Politico scribe

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2007 11:25 AM CST

(Newser) – Once, Hillary Clinton wanted to keep Bill and his baggage tucked safely in the backseat. Now, as panic takes hold in Iowa, she's set him loose, the latest swerve in a "herky-jerky" campaign that has hopped from strategy to strategy, writes the Politico’s Elizabeth Drew in an analysis of the campaign that once looked "inevitable." If the first woman president needed her husband to win, does that deserve an asterisk?

Bill got the call when Hillary decided to run on her Clinton White House experience. That strategy followed her short-lived “change candidate” stint, her “inevitable juggernaut” positioning, and a half-dozen other shifts that have made her look increasingly shaky. Now, she’s relying on a checkered first lady resume, and her would-be first gentleman, to win over the 45%-50% of Americans who dislike her.

Former president Bill Clinton campaigns for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y, at Davenport Central High School in Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007. (AP... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., hugs her husband former President Bill Clinton before speaking at a campaign stop, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.... (Associated Press)

Former president Bill Clinton introduces his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., prior to her speaking to local residents during a campaign stop, Wednesday,... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., listens as her husband, former President Bill Clinton, introduces her to speak at a campaign stop, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, Mount... (Associated Press)

Former President Bill Clinton, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and their daughter Chelsea, right, stand on stage during a campaign stop, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007,... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

GOP Will Lose, Unless Hillary Faces McCain

'Billary' could mean Dems' demise, writes Frank Rich

(NEWSER) - Despite a crippled GOP, the Dems could still lose the White House in '08, Frank Rich writes in the New York Times: All they need is for Clinton to face McCain. 'Billary' alone would provide "two fat targets" to unite Republican rage. Plus a vetting of donors to Bill's presidential library may turn up ugly surprises—not to mention any bad news that may lurk in Hillary's health care documents, millions of which remain under wraps. More»

Why Iowa's a Slog for Hillary

As memo predicted in May, the state has been an uphill battle

(NEWSER) - The Hillary Clinton camp was convinced that the road to the nomination must go through Iowa, but right about now they may be wishing they'd taken the advice of an aide who urged her to bypass the first caucus state completely. Politico revisits the aide's May memo for keys to her disappointing standing with one day left: For starters, the Hawkeye State has never elected a woman—not as governor, senator, or congresswoman. More»

Obama Ties Clinton in NH

Fresh face draws voters, but Bhutto assassination could help Hillary: poll

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama has erased Hillary Clinton’s lead in New Hampshire, pulling into a tie by persuading voters he is more honest and change-minded, according to a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll. In Iowa, both hopefuls are neck-and-neck with John Edwards—but Clinton could rise if the Bhutto assassination focuses voter concern on national defense, an area where she is perceived as strong. More»

Clinton Hopes NH Foundation Will Hold

Obama's recent surge threatens old ties the Clintons cultivated

(NEWSER) - As Barack Obama draws into a tie with Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire polls, the New York senator looks to be leaning more and more on the relationships she and her husband established back in Bill's campaigning days. Clinton officials shrug off the tightening polls, but some find her camp's lack of energy "scary," reports the Washington Post. More»

Clinton Rents Campaign Mail List to Pay Debt

Renter in chief? Bill, as Hillary races to raise cash before State gig

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton's campaign has hit on a novel way of repaying its debt, ABC News reports. The campaign is renting out the vast list of email addresses compiled during the course of Clinton's failed presidential bid. Among the customers for the list, believed to be 5 million names strong, is the foundation of one William J. Clinton, which bought access to send out a fundraising appeal. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

What's Bill Doing in This Picture?

Billary could become first woman* president, opines Politico scribe

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Hillary Clinton • Bill Clinton • Clinton 2008 • Democratic presidential primaries • female president • New Hampshire primary • Election 2008 • presidential election • Iowa caucuses

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GOP Will Lose, Unless Hillary Faces McCain

'Billary' could mean Dems' demise, writes Frank Rich

Why Iowa's a Slog for Hillary

As memo predicted in May, the state has been an uphill battle

Obama Ties Clinton in NH

Fresh face draws voters, but Bhutto assassination could help Hillary: poll

Clinton Hopes NH Foundation Will Hold

Obama's recent surge threatens old ties the Clintons cultivated

Clinton Rents Campaign Mail List to Pay Debt

Renter in chief? Bill, as Hillary races to raise cash before State gig

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

What's Bill Doing in This Picture?

Billary could become first woman* president, opines Politico scribe

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Hillary Clinton • Bill Clinton • Clinton 2008 • Democratic presidential primaries • female president • New Hampshire primary • Election 2008 • presidential election • Iowa caucuses

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GOP Will Lose, Unless Hillary Faces McCain

'Billary' could mean Dems' demise, writes Frank Rich

Why Iowa's a Slog for Hillary

As memo predicted in May, the state has been an uphill battle

Obama Ties Clinton in NH

Fresh face draws voters, but Bhutto assassination could help Hillary: poll

Clinton Hopes NH Foundation Will Hold

Obama's recent surge threatens old ties the Clintons cultivated

Clinton Rents Campaign Mail List to Pay Debt

Renter in chief? Bill, as Hillary races to raise cash before State gig

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?