Do you sense more than a hint of bitterness with Bill Clinton?

[fujiyama]

I see Bill Clinton and he looks tired and bitter. I sense a frustration and some jealousy over Obama's own charisma and ability to draw a crowd - perhaps even in greater numbers and greater excitement than himself at this point. It's not because Clinton didn't (or still doesn't) have the skill or the charisma, but because he doesn't seem sure his legacy is reflected that way. His recent attacks strike me as insecure more than anything else.

I know this post sounds like an attack on Clinton, but more than anything he's a fascinating personality, and I can't believe how many times I've seen him I've both simultaneously amazed by him and frustrated by him. When I see him him speak, I am absolutely awestruck by his intelligence and seeming ability to speak of just about any subject. His command of issues from science and technology to poverty in Africa, to the conflict in the middle east is perhaps unmatched by very few political leaders

I always felt that Clinton wanted to be loved by everyone, which is partly what frustrates him about Obama and the extremely positive press coverage he receives. Clinton never did receive that kind of coverage, hounded early on about extramarital affairs and later by other manufactured scandals. To make up, it seems like he struck deals with republicans (and this bizarre friendship with George HW Bush), but still never found any adoration from the right or the media.

I do not support Hillary in the primaries. That much is fairly obvious, but I still believe she'll win the nomination and to face a tough opponent like John McCain in the general election, we need a sharply focused campaign (to Hillary's credit, she has mostly maintained discipline) with as few distractions from the past as possible. Hillary is at an inherent disadvantage as it is, and Bill is making it worse.

Clinton could be, and has been an effective and positive advocate for his wife, but his recent bickering with Obama is petty and is unbecoming of a former president. For her sake, and more importantly for the sake of the party and the country, I hope he raises the level of discourse - and soon. Clinton obviously feels his legacy in office was unfinished and he wants to have a role in the White House again. I won't fault him for this ambition because I want to believe it's for a genuine desire to serve his country in a larger capacity, but outside of core democratic constituencies, I don't see the same public desire to have him serve a co-presidency. He's overshadowing his wife which is very easy because of his personality, but it's becoming a huge distraction.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[swoop]

2. Don't ignore age.

As a person who is about to turn 50 myself, there is definitely something in watching someone younger, who has more energy, who is quicker, fresher, more modern--perhaps even healthier--step into a place that has passed you by. Bill has never accepted going from 'favorite-in-the-spotlight' to 'elder-statesman'. Perhaps he was trying to get the hang of how to do that by hanging around with Daddy Bush, I don't know, but he just doesn't know how to do it. This election has brought him too near a taste of what he likes best--and used to have--and he desperately wants to turn back the hands on the clock of time.

He hasn't yet figured out that he just can't.

[Tatiana]

8. Interesting point about the age thing. n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

3. nope

he's campaigning.

[fujiyama]

5. He's been campaigning for a while now for her

but it looks like after Iowa, he just has lost his calm. He's made a bunch of idiotic statements, both distorting Obama's record and remarks and brazenly lying about his own (claiming he opposed the war from the start is laughable).

Also there was that bizarre statement about globe-trotting with George HW Bush apologizing for junior Bush's presidency. Of course, Poppy shot the idea down.

[MonkeyFunk]

6. If you buy the media attacks on him

as well as the attacks promulgated and magnified here by Clinton-haters, I can see how you'd believe that.

[fujiyama]

7. I'll agree that he's never found very favorable press treatment

but regardless, I've been disappointed with his behavior as of late. I understand the need to campaign for his wife...but this was not the way to go about it.

[Seeker30]

4. No but I've sensed some bitterness with Obama

in the past week.

[BluegrassDem]

9. Bill is very bitter cause he sees himself in Obama and it's KILLING him!

Obama is kinda like Bill, except without the bimbos and lies. Also, Obama is standing in his way of returning to power and giving a big FU to the Republicans. He hates Obama, so that's why he sounds bitter.

[loveangelc]

10. Yes he's bitter. Someone could potentially be more loved than him.