The effect on Bill Clinton's legacy

Posted: Friday, June 20, 2008 10:54 AM by Domenico Montanaro

NBC/NJ’s Matthew Berger, writing for National Journal takes a look at what, if any, harm former President Bill Clinton has done to his legacy:

Hitting the road for his wife's presidential campaign this year, President Clinton largely walked away from the humanitarian work he had become known for since leaving office. Through his advocacy of HIV/AIDS treatment programs in Africa and environmental projects in the United States, Clinton had burnished his image, arguably becoming the most popular Democrat in America.

But with his no-holds-barred style of campaigning for Hillary Rodham Clinton--and of lashing out against the new media, the Democratic Party, and his wife's chief rival, Barack Obama--Clinton lost some of his luster, many observers say.

Some political insiders and the ex-president's associates, though, said they do not think his behavior during the primary season will leave a lasting stain on his reputation. That's especially true abroad, where he is almost universally praised for his good works, analysts say.

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Comments

"they do not think his behavior during the primary season will leave a lasting stain on his reputation"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Talk about a poor choice of words! :)

P.S. Bill Clinton lost his way in this campaign, but America wouldn't be the same without him. Let's let bygones be bygones - our soldiers are depending on us to get this right!

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:03 AM)

One wonders how long Bill Clinton can continue to be America's political Dorian Gray.

Larry McD, Portland OR (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:03 AM)

I didn't care for the way he conducted himself during the primary campaign, but hey it's not like he lied us into a protracted, unnecessary war that costs $10 billion a month. I'm willing to overlook his behavior one last time, for old time's sake.

no one died when clinton lied (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:05 AM)

Bill

You will always be the man. No matter what.

Dan Pittsburgh PA (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:06 AM)

Bill, let Hillary establish herself as a good senator and possibly the next Majority Leader. As for you....just go away.

Doug Richardson (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:07 AM)

Bill Clinton lost a lot of respect from us Obama supporters due to his many poorly worded remarks. However if he gets out and does some fine campaigning for Barack then he'll recover that lost respect. Since he never had any respect from the conservative lunatic fringe he lost nothing with them.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:09 AM)

BILL CLINTON MAY HAVE BEEN RIGHT ABOUT OBAMA ---

OBAMA'S "AL GORE WISHFUL THINKING" SOLUTION TO OUR

ENERGY CRISIS MAY BE THE "FAIRYTALE" BILL CLINTON

WARNED US ABOUT OBAMA.

ENERGY FIX IS THE "FAIRYTALE" CLINTON WARNED US ABOUT ... (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:09 AM)

All Democrats should move abroad where they seem to be adored. There is a certain attraction in the rest of the world for people that give nice speeches but are cluelesss on how to implement an effective government.

TclTk (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:11 AM)

"a lasting stain on his reputation"... LOL... that's awesome! the man's reputation has been "stained" by more than just his behavior in this election cycle... blue dress anyone? lol

brian, dallas, texas (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:12 AM)

I beloeve former president Clinton could be an assest in campaigning for Senator Obama. Alot of people will go to see him and listen to him. I would use him as a campaigner and he appears to love doing it which make him effective.

Let him campaign-- but give him talking points to stay on!

Obama 08 (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:15 AM)

B. Clinton can pimp himself out by getting money from fools who like to hear him speak in order to pay donw his wife's campaign debt. That can be his legacy.

Brian New Jersey (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:16 AM)

I believe former president Clinton could be an assest in campaigning for Senator Obama. Alot of people will go to see him and listen to him. I would use him as a campaigner and he appears to love doing it which make him effective.

Let him campaign-- but give him talking points to stay on!

Obama 08 (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:16 AM)

What a crock!

"I did not have sex with that woman..."

"I remember landing under sniper fire..."

THAT'S what these two will forever be
remembered for!

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:17 AM)

It's not like Democrats have any standards, so he'll bounce back. Liberals always scrub someone with no honor clean by pointing to some charity work. Funny that's never brought up about the people they disagree with politically. Don't know much about the history of the klan, but I'll bet even they had some form of charity work.

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:17 AM)

Although Bubba got on my nerves through out the primaries. I'm glad his legacy will not be tarnished. He was a way better president, than the one we have in office now. MSNBC, I hope you will post my comments. You never do.

Shelly, Manchester, CT (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:20 AM)

I wish Bill could run for President again - he'd have my vote quicker than you can say Obama.

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:20 AM)

Bill

You will always be the man. No matter what.

Monica, Wash. DC (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:21 AM)

Bill Clinton made himself look like an idiot on campaign trail days, something that I never thought I would see from him.

It is amazing at just what people will do and say in order to regain power.

http://www.politivine.com

Politivine (SC) (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:24 AM)

Bill Clinton's legacy as president will be, unfortunately, remembered by the impeachment. Too bad. He did some great things. He also did some bad things. He didn't do anything to help himself overcome the bad things with stuff he said during Hillary's campaign. I feel he had a negative impact on Hillary's campaign...doesn't mean that but for Bill, Hillary would be campaigning against McCain now.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:26 AM)

He 'DID NOT" have sexual relations with that woman!

He "DID NOT" have sexual relations with the entire nation.

But we all have been SCREWED by BUSH!

Jason, Rochester Hills, MI (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:27 AM)

I think that Bill Clinton's behavior during the primary election season will tarnish his legacy for the long term. In this age of YouTube and 24 hour news cycles, many Americans saw aspects of Bill Clinton that our republican friends and family members complained about for years, but we did not see. His manipulative and narcissistic behavior was out in full force during this campaign. He has damaged his own legacy and he has damaged our democratic candidate. My view of him will never be the same, and I suspect that I have a lot of company.

Sharon (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:27 AM)

Bill messed up big time during the campaign. And, he will LONG be remembered for it.

Smick (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:27 AM)

Bill Clinton tried this change nonsense back in 1992. He told people that he would give the middle class a tax cut and he never did. Nothing he did for poor people did any good for them. He was just as much a con artist as Barack Obama is today.

Bill said anything and everything to get to the White House. The same can be said for Barack Obama. Tha is sad because people bought into both campaigns that change was coming. But all Bill did was destroy his career and Barack is on his way to doing the same.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:29 AM)

Anyone who believes WJC's reputation can be restored with many of the diehard Dems who supported him for years and years and years, and were then dismayed by his behavior in the primary, is not talking to people outside of Washington (and inside the United States). Bill Clinton is dead to me, politically.

evie (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:29 AM)

"...will leave a lasting stain on his reputation."
--Probably not. We Americans has memories that appear to rival that of the common household goldfish. I say this why, because we keep voting the same mistakes over and over and over, without fail--but hey, at least we are consistent. Pres. W.J. Clinton will be just fine.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:31 AM)

such a non story.

Dee Harris (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:32 AM)

As an African-American independent male who voted for Mr. Clinton I was disappointed to say the least in his behavior during the primaries. Now that Mr. Obama has emerged as the nominee I hope that Mr. Clinton can work towards putting this country back on the right track. I forgive him for his "passion" during the campaign and he really was a pretty good president and obviously a very skilled politician. One of the best politicians of this generation.

Benny, Alameda, California (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:35 AM)

I hold no grudge against Bill Clinton. He was campaigning for his wife, who unfortunately was a tough sell. I suggest that he teach his wife how to communicate with Americans in a clear simple manner. If she has to answer another question about drivers licenses or her Iraq war vote she hopefully won't give an unclear response.

Ross, Maplewood, NJ (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:36 AM)

Bill's lashing out at the media was well deserved. The media was unashamedly biased. Bill did not play the race card, Obama did. Obama and company dishonestly branded as racist: Bill's remarks challenging the consistency of Obama's record on the war as a "fairy tale"; and Bill's innocent statement of an historical fact, namely, that Jesse Jackson had won the South Carolina primary without going on to win the nomination. What honest person can call those remarks racist? The media, egged on by Obama's people, created the false impression that Bill had misbehaved. Bill is justly angry at the media's role in chosing the nominee.

Bill's eight years as president were a resounding success -- prosperity, peace, advancement of the rights and positions of women, minorities, and the poor. Obama does not have any record of accomplishments like Bill's on truly helping others, and bettering the lives of millions and millions of people.

Bill has had a much greater positive impact of the lives of blacks here and abroad than Obama can ever hope to have.

Maybe now that the media has crowned its new king, they will leave Bill alone and all those media distortions will slowly dissipate. Obama doesn't deserve Bill's endorsement.

Jake, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:36 AM)

HAHAHA "a lasting stain"! I get it! Good one Domenico!

LOLing! (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:36 AM)

All is forgiven man!

Let's turn the shoe on the other foot! Give them a taste of being underfunded and seriously disliked and discredited. McCain and the GOP are Bankrupt and don't have a leg to stand on where the issues are concerned!

At least when bill and Hillary were in this they had a far greater grasp on the issues than the Republicans ever had.

Bill wag your finger at the Republicans now!

because . . .

OLD MAN YELLS AT CLOUD!!!

Matthew, Newark NJ (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:38 AM)

Bill Clinton is a lasting stain

Chris, Dorr, MI (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:38 AM)

I was pretty ticked at him during the campaign, and I'm already starting to soften up. He'll be fine if he makes the effort to kiss and make up with everyone and gives it a little time for folks to calm down. Group hug time for Democrats... We just need time to refocus on the ultimate goal and to remember that we have more in common than we differ on.

Marihelen, TX (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:38 AM)

Do I respect the way that Bill Clinton conducted himself during Hillary's campaign? Not at all. Do I understand why he said some of the things he said? Yes, I do. Can I forgive him and move on? I think so. I think Obama already has. Let's follow his compassionate, classy lead, folks.

Beth, Denton, TX (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:39 AM)

BIll CLINTON IS A SLEEZE-BAG. ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE. THE PUBLIC IS NOT STUPID. THEY SEE HIM FOR EXACTLY WHO AND WHAT HE IS...

ALL THE HUMANITARIAN WORK (WHICH IS A PLUS) DOES NOT MASK THE REAL PERSON (A SLEEZE-BAG).

Joan NY (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:43 AM)

Clinton, the "New Democrat", moved the entire Democratic party to the center/right and betrayed almost all of its essential political philosophies. The campaign didn't tarnish his "legacy" (if someone without a philosophy could have one). It just has people seriously re-thinking it for the first time.
His own dubious ethical record speaks for itself. And the notion that "Clear-Cut Clinton's" atrocious record on the environment (largely the reason Gore lost WV--and the election--in 2000) has been "burnished" by his post-Presidential "environmental projects here in the United States" is a truly specious commment. What exactly are these "projects"? And how did it effect his tee times with lumber and mining executives? Despite one's political leanings, it is impossible to positively portray the legacy of a President who based his policies on the latest regional poll and/or focus group.

Jeff, Chicago (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:44 AM)

THIS election is NOT about Bill Clinton - BUT - Hillary Clinton - SHE is the best qualified to lead our country - BUT - the DNC selected the WEAK candidate who will never win the white house. The American VOTERS will make sure obama/FRAUD will never be elected.

Lori (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:50 AM)

To all these so-called HRC supporters who are switching to the Republican party for the first time ever, saying Obama is this and that, and spreading one falsehood after another - You have to be by and by the biggest group of ignoramuses I have ever come across.
Do you really think by perpetually spreading lies that you are going to influence anyone who isn't as small-minded as you?

boy was he wrong to say that you are bitter and cling to guns and religion. Geesh, good luck with your "crusade" to get the old fart in office. Maybe you'll need some bigger guns and and a louder preacher when Obama is sworn in to office.

Have the stones to admit your stupidity (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:53 AM)

This is a non-issue, both because Clinton's legacy just isn't the most important thing right now and because in 50 years people will only remember his presidency (both the good and the bad) and not anything he said on his wife's campaign trail.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:54 AM)

He is still respected by Millions! The best president in the the 2000's.

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Obama For President!! (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:55 AM)

It isn't Bill Clinton acting like an idiot that taints his legacy. It's Bill Clinton actually being a LYING idiot that taints his legacy. To take it further, it's Bill Clinton being HIMSELF that taints his legacy. Whatever his legacy is.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:58 AM)

Both Bill and Hillary lost some points with me by the way they conducted themselves in the Primary. Don't think I'd ever vote for her no matter what she runs for; that being said, I'm sure his legacy will be just fine. People seem to have very short memories regarding that type of thing and all in all he certainly was a better President than our current one. He left him a surplus and now we have a 300 BILLION dollar deficit.......and they say Dems are liberal! Yeah, right.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:59 AM)

It seems to me that discussing Bill Clintons "legacy" and future reputation is premature. As the primary season showed, the man is still very much a player. Clearly, his reputation has (deservedly) suffered from his behavior this season. But many might come to overlook even South Carolina if his future conduct is redemptive.

And there will be abundant opportunity for redemption this fall and, if Obama is successful, afterwards. Clinton could make powerful contributions reaching out to groups he has greater affinity with than Obama and bringing them to his banner. He could also be a key in helping Democratic candidates for Senate and House.

Should there be an Obama administration, Clinton might well be tapped for a number of high-profile initiatives and missions, both domestically and internationally, which would give him a chance to do good far outweighing the damage he did this year. Indeed, Clinton's international standing and network of relationships is such that Obama would be an insecure fool not to give his predecessor a chance to shine again. (And whatever you think of Obama, he is certainly neither insecure nor a fool.)

So don't start writing the obits too fast. The man just ain't done yet.

Tilden, NYC (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 11:59 AM)

Sorry, I'll never see him the same way again. I once adored both Clintons, bought and read their books, defended them to others. During the primaries, they showed their true nature and that they were willing to say and do ANYTHING for power. I'll never forgive her for the assassination remark.

Nancy, Ames, IA (Sent Friday, June 20, 2008 12:04 PM)

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