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Bill Settles In to New Role

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2009 7:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – Bill Clinton: globetrotter, world diplomat, crafts shop enthusiast. Peter Baker profiles the former president in New York Times magazine as he adjusts to his new role—this time as the spouse of a Cabinet member. "We've reversed roles," says Clinton, who loves to shop for Hillary and female staffers in between speeches. Clinton has largely patched up relations with Obama—"his blood pressure is down again," says longtime buddy Mack McClarty—although he remains peeved at Ted Kennedy and Bill Richardson.

Despite worries that Clinton would try to interfere, things have gone smoothly. He sends the occasional memo to the national security adviser and speaks fairly regularly with Joe Biden. As for his wife, "If she asks (and she does "frequently"), I'll tell her what I think." Hillary, he jokes at another point, "used to look forward to me coming home from wherever I’ve been. Now I’m afraid I’ll be second fiddle to whatever world leader she’s just met.”

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Bill Clinton speaks at an AIDS benefit during the Cannes film festival last week. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Bill Clinton, during a stop in South Korea last week. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

Bill Clinton delivers a speech in Seoul, South Korea, last week. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

Bill Clinton listens during a conference at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia last month. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)

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I like my life now. I loved being president and it’s a good thing we had a constitutional limit or I’d have made the people take me out in a pine box. ... I had to create another life. And I did it, and I love doing it. - Bill Clinton

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