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Top Dems Tell Bill to Chill

Clinton's anti-Obama tactics inappropriate, say party leaders

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 21, 2008 1:01 PM CST

(Newser) – Top Democrats are telling Bill Clinton to tone down his anti-Obama rhetoric, Newsweek reports. He draws crowds, money, and support for his wife, but Democratic leaders like Ted Kennedy and Rahm Emanuel have confronted Clinton about his down-and-dirty approach. They see it as unpresidential, not beneficial to the party, and possibly harmful to his international image.

An ex-Clinton adviser and current Obama operative cautions that the ex-prez is causing trouble for his wife, making observers wonder "if Hillary's campaign can't control Bill, whether Hillary's White House could." Though such divisive tactics are rare for a former president, “the stakes couldn’t be higher,” says a source close to Clinton. “It's worth it to tarnish himself a bit now to win the presidency."

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. reacts with her husband, former President Bill Clinton and their daughter Chelsea, to supporters after being declared winner of the... (Associated Press)

Former President Bill Clinton answers a question from a reporter upon arrival for a booksigning appearance for his latest book, "Giving", Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) (Associated Press)

Former President Bill Clinton, right, carries a young girl as he and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., visit with Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston, in this Monday, Sept. 5, 2005 file photo. Bill Clinton... (Associated Press)

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)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks to supporters, while campaigning for his wife Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in Glendale, Iowa, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007.(AP Photo/Nati... (Associated Press)

Former President Bill Clinton speaks with campaign workers about the upcoming New York primary election for his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, during a rally in Buffalo, N.Y. on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008.... (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, appear at a campaign rally in St. Louis, Mo. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise... (Associated Press)

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Top Dems Tell Bill to Chill

Clinton's anti-Obama tactics inappropriate, say party leaders

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