2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumHow much authority will Bill Clinton be given if Hillary is elected POTUS?
I'm aware that she has mentioned our economy, in particular, with regards to giving the "First Gentleman" real power in her potential administration.
What do you think?
DemFromPittsburgh
(102 posts)Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)You are in fantasyland if you think Bill will not be a major player (no pun intended) in a Clinton II administration.
MADem
(135,425 posts)menus and flowers and china and decorations. I suspect one of HRC's trusted staff who knows her tastes will take the lead in that regard.
If it were up to Bill, and he didn't have his heart issues, it'd be Big Macs and Shakes for everyone at the state dinner!
But if you're talking about taking the lead on a major social program (think back to children's health care) or delivering a major speech on human rights to an audience being hosted by a somewhat hostile government (think Hillary in China) then you might be closer to the mark.
Bill Clinton has experience--it would be stupid to waste it.
DemFromPittsburgh
(102 posts)PJMcK
(22,053 posts)Obviously, this would be the first time in US history that we would have a First Gentleman. That leaves much of the definition of that role to the husband of the President of the United States.
Yet throughout our country's history, each First Lady has chosen their own path. Some were more of the hostess variety while others were more activist. The First Lady has always had a large staff and presumably so would former President Clinton. The staff exists and is budgeted for the use of the First Spouse and they decide how they spend their time and energies.
Mr. Clinton has a sound mind, is still an excellent speaker and has good ideas. I doubt that he would want to be in the thick of broad policy making but certainly there are issues that he feels strongly about and will want to do something positive and progressive. It would be a waste of experienced talent for him to "sit this one out."
By the way, so far, Mrs. Clinton hasn't been elected, either. (wink)
stonecutter357
(12,697 posts)psychmommy
(1,739 posts)bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)morningfog
(18,115 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)A presidential spouse has zero official governance duties.
Can't vote on committees. Can't veto shit.
I understand there is a segment who needs to find outrages to be outraged about.
And I suspect that's all this really is.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)But she did say something about being in charge of the economy, didn't she?
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)Kind of like Obama calling Bill "Explainer in Chief".
May the search for outrages continue!
morningfog
(18,115 posts)bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)but who can say at this moment of history?
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)Get Real!
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)He'll be a great spokesperson for sure.
But I do understand that some need an outrage to justify their outrage.
Even when nothing has actually happened.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)I just see Bill playing a huge behind the scene. I would gladly use his experience too.
I just find the idea (as some on DU are suggesting) that he will only do the things a typical first lady does is absurd.
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)He is a wealth of information and experience. He is an ex 2 term potus. Why wouldn't he have an advisory role? To think he wouldn't is a little naive.
Having said that, other spouses have had advisory roles as well. Why wouldn't they? To think they didn't or wouldn't is also naive.
MADem
(135,425 posts)any senior retired leaders (former POTUS/VPOTUS/SECSTATE, e.g.) gets. He'll have access to briefings--made easier because he'll be RIGHT THERE, and his advice will be welcome.
It's a small club. This is why POTUSes are cordial with one another. In this case, the one who probably should have gotten the job first (because, as HE says, repeatedly, she's the SMART ONE in that marriage) is married to a former POTUS.
Hillary Clinton played important roles in the Bill Clinton White House (children's healthcare/rights; women's rights....that speech in China is STILL talked about)--I see no reason why Bill can't do likewise. And no one--flat out no one--is a better rep at a funeral or a difficult "outside channels" negotiation.
Even in his dotage, he's got more energy than ten whippersnappers.
PJMcK
(22,053 posts)Secretary Clinton knows her husband better than anyone on the planet. She's exceedingly intelligent and I trust that, if she's elected, the two of them will decide what effective role he'll play in her administration. Of course he won't hold a cabinet position; that would be a ridiculous step backwards. Further, I feel confident that she won't nominate him to the Supreme Court or another august body.
Let me add that I'm confident she won't let him try to upstage her. If she's elected, she will be as serious a president as this country has ever had. I've always thought Mrs. Clinton was more Alpha than Mr. Clinton. She'll make sure that he'll have specific directives and parameters and he'll most likely be happy with that. After all, at this point in his life, why would he want to have the harder work to do?
Incidentally, MADem, I like your observation that the small club of former POTUSes have reasonably good relationships. Each of them has carried the tremendous burden of leadership and that commands respect and appreciation of the difficulties of the presidency. Except for that elite group, no one knows the overwhelming intensity it must take to be the president. From their extraordinary experiences they share a unique bond.
There are former presidents that I love and admire and there are former presidents that I hate with the fire of ten thousand suns. But I still respect that all of them served our country. Accordingly, if former President Clinton can help hopefully President Clinton, I trust her judgment.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Remember when GHW Bush and Bill Clinton did the Indonesia Earthquake/Tsunami aid/assistance tour? Bill had heart disease, he wasn't 100 percent; and of course the fucking Shrub sent them over on a plane with only ONE bed (stooop!!!! I blame his dumb-ass staff, really...that is something that SOME idiot should have anticipated -- it's not like the two of them were going to snuggle up in the one bed or hot-rack it, after all and that's a haul that pretty much mandates sleep).
Bill let Poppy have the bed and slept on the floor of the plane. Country boys can survive, I guess....! Now Old Poppy is in a wheelchair, but he and his wife still think well of old Bill.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600116833/Clinton-let-Bush-Sr-have-bed-on-long-trip.html?pg=all
You can disagree on the goals, never mind the details and still be civil. The good ones manage it well....
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)liberal N proud
(60,346 posts)I will take that.
AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)peace13
(11,076 posts)Stimulate the economy I believe.
bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)Bill Fishlore
(14 posts)The Hillary Clinton administration will use Bill Clinton on issues and in venues where he can make a positive impact. Bill has a hard core of supporters, most from his presidential terms. There are a number of demographic areas where he is a real liability. The bottom line: Bill Clinton is 40% boost and 60% baggage. I doubt we will see all that much of him in the next White House.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)Bill remains very popular except with the far right, and a small segment on the left who are always upset anyway.
Maru Kitteh
(28,343 posts)How much authority does any first spouse have?
Answer: none.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)Your reality must be an interesting place!
Maru Kitteh
(28,343 posts)In terms of authority as first spouse of the POTUS however, yes. They are the same.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)In reality, he will be one of her main advisors.
athena
(4,187 posts)The sexism in this thread is breath-taking.
Chasstev365
(5,191 posts)Just Stop! Michelle Obama is an accomplished lawyer, but not a former President of the USA. Stop claiming everything is sexism! It's sad and getting realy old. Your accusations of sexism is just as breathtaking!
athena
(4,187 posts)without advising each other on matters important to them?
As for complaints about sexism getting old, I wonder if you would say that about any other kind of discrimination. Do you also think that Jewish people should stop talking about anti-Semitism, and Black people should shut up about racism, and LGBT people should learn to accept homophobia?
I suppose you haven't actually thought about sexism enough to realize that telling women to shut up is the very essence of sexism.
Response to athena (Reply #47)
Post removed
athena
(4,187 posts)Instead, you try to insult me. Not a sign of someone who is here to have a discussion. I honestly can't fathom why anyone would go to a discussion board when the last thing they're interested in is a discussion.
Welcome to ignore. Enjoy being nasty to other people, although I doubt that it can give you enough satisfaction to make up for all the negativity that inevitably must go along with it.
treestar
(82,383 posts)the only difference is that he is a former president.
It seems like they get to continue being called President so there will be two people that can be called "President Clinton."
tirebiter
(2,539 posts)ara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/eightyears-01.html
Longest economic expansion in American history
The President's strategy of fiscal discipline, open foreign markets and investments in the American people helped create the conditions for a record 115 months of economic expansion. Our economy has grown at an average of 4 percent per year since 1993.
More than 22 million new jobs
More than 22 million jobs were created in less than eight years -- the most ever under a single administration, and more than were created in the previous twelve years.
Highest homeownership in American history
A strong economy and fiscal discipline kept interest rates low, making it possible for more families to buy homes. The homeownership rate increased from 64.2 percent in 1992 to 67. 7 percent, the highest rate ever.
Lowest unemployment in 30 years
Unemployment dropped from more than 7 percent in 1993 to just 4.0 percent in November 2000. Unemployment for African Americans and Hispanics fell to the lowest rates on record, and the rate for women is the lowest in more than 40 years.
Raised education standards, increased school choice, and doubled education and training investment
Since 1992, reading and math scores have increased for 4th, 8th, and 12th graders, math SAT scores are at a 30-year high, the number of charter schools has grown from 1 to more than 2,000, forty-nine states have put in place standards in core subjects and federal investment in education and training has doubled.
Largest expansion of college opportunity since the GI Bill
President Clinton and Vice President Gore have nearly doubled financial aid for students by increasing Pell Grants to the largest award ever, expanding Federal Work-Study to allow 1 million students to work their way through college, and by creating new tax credits and scholarships such as Lifetime Learning tax credits and the HOPE scholarship. At the same time, taxpayers have saved $18 billion due to the decline in student loan defaults, increased collections and savings from the direct student loan program.
Connected 95 percent of schools to the Internet
President Clinton and Vice President Gore's new commitment to education technology, including the E-Rate and a 3,000 percent increase in educational technology funding, increased the percentage of schools connected to the Internet from 35 percent in 1994 to 95 percent in 1999.
Lowest crime rate in 26 years
Because of President Clinton's comprehensive anti-crime strategy of tough penalties, more police, and smart prevention, as well as common sense gun safety laws, the overall crime rate declined for 8 consecutive years, the longest continuous drop on record, and is at the lowest level since 1973.
100,000 more police for our streets
As part of the 1994 Crime Bill, President Clinton enacted a new initiative to fund 100,000 community police officers. To date more than 11,000 law enforcement agencies have received COPS funding.
Enacted most sweeping gun safety legislation in a generation
Since the President signed the Brady bill in 1993, more than 600,000 felons, fugitives, and other prohibited persons have been stopped from buying guns. Gun crime has declined 40 percent since 1992.
Family and Medical Leave Act for 20 million Americans
To help parents succeed at work and at home, President Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993. Over 20 million Americans have taken unpaid leave to care for a newborn child or sick family member.
Smallest welfare rolls in 32 years
The President pledged to end welfare as we know it and signed landmark bipartisan welfare reform legislation in 1996. Since then, caseloads have been cut in half, to the lowest level since 1968, and millions of parents have joined the workforce. People on welfare today are five times more likely to be working than in 1992.
Higher incomes at all levels
After falling by nearly $2,000 between 1988 and 1992, the median family's income rose by $6,338, after adjusting for inflation, since 1993. African American family income increased even more, rising by nearly $7,000 since 1993. After years of stagnant income growth among average and lower income families, all income brackets experienced double-digit growth since 1993. The bottom 20 percent saw the largest income growth at 16.3 percent.
Lowest poverty rate in 20 years
Since Congress passed President Clinton's Economic Plan in 1993, the poverty rate declined from 15.1 percent to 11.8 percent last year the largest six-year drop in poverty in nearly 30 years. There are now 7 million fewer people in poverty than in 1993. The child poverty rate declined more than 25 percent, the poverty rates for single mothers, African Americans and the elderly have dropped to their lowest levels on record, and Hispanic poverty dropped to its lowest level since 1979.
Lowest teen birth rate in 60 years
In his 1995 State of the Union Address, President Clinton challenged Americans to join together in a national campaign against teen pregnancy. The birth rate for teens aged 15-19 declined every year of the Clinton Presidency, from 60.7 per 1,000 teens in 1992 to a record low of 49.6 in 1999.
Lowest infant mortality rate in American history
The Clinton Administration expanded efforts to provide mothers and newborn children with health care. Today, a record high 82 percent of all mothers receive prenatal care. The infant mortality rate has dropped from 8.5 deaths per 1,000 in 1992 to 7.2 deaths per 1,000 in 1998, the lowest rate ever recorded.
Deactivated more than 1,700 nuclear warheads from the former Soviet Union
Efforts of the Clinton-Gore Administration led to the dismantling of more than 1,700 nuclear warheads, 300 launchers and 425 land and submarine based missiles from the former Soviet Union.
Protected millions of acres of American land
President Clinton has protected more land in the lower 48 states than any other president. He has protected 5 new national parks, designated 11 new national monuments and expanded two others and proposed protections for 60 million acres of roadless areas in America's national forests.
Paid off $360 billion of the national debt
Between 1998-2000, the national debt was reduced by $363 billion the largest three-year debt pay-down in American history. We are now on track to pay off the entire debt by 2009.
Converted the largest budget deficit in American history to the largest surplus
Thanks in large part to the 1993 Deficit Reduction Act, the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, and President Clinton's call to save the surplus for debt reduction, Social Security, and Medicare solvency, America has put its fiscal house in order. The deficit was $290 billion in 1993 and expected to grow to $455 billion by this year. Instead, we have a projected surplus of $237 billion.
Lowest government spending in three decades
Under President Clinton federal government spending as a share of the economy has decreased from 22.2 percent in 1992 to a projected 18.5 percent in 2000, the lowest since 1966.
Lowest federal income tax burden in 35 years
President Clinton enacted targeted tax cuts such as the Earned Income Tax Credit expansion, $500 child tax credit, and the HOPE Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits. Federal income taxes as a percentage of income for the typical American family have dropped to their lowest level in 35 years.
More families own stock than ever before
The number of families owning stock in the United States increased by 40 percent since 1992.
Most diverse cabinet in American history
The President has appointed more African Americans, women and Hispanics to the Cabinet than any other President in history. He appointed the first female Attorney General, the first female Secretary of State and the first Asian American cabinet secretary ever.
Maru Kitteh
(28,343 posts)Great post.
thucythucy
(8,087 posts)Responding too so I can refer to this later as needed.
R B Garr
(16,992 posts)the Clintons. Bill Clinton actually raised taxes on the highest income brackets and rolled back the Reagan tax cuts. He did that 25 years ago. It wasn't just talk; he did it. He left office with a surplus that would have been Al Gore's to protect for our future goals, many of them the same progressive ideas being talked about today.
But instead we got --- BUSH. For what!?? Some pie-in-the-sky talking points from Nader. It still pisses me off when I think about what Gore could have done.
ProudProgressiveNow
(6,129 posts)Hekate
(90,837 posts)AgadorSparticus
(7,963 posts)karynnj
(59,505 posts)The position itself is ceremonial, but an important persuasive opportunity. Obviously, she will use him where she thinks he would help most.
R. Daneel Olivaw
(12,606 posts)Lancero
(3,015 posts)I think the US could do without a DADT/DOMA revival.
BainsBane
(53,072 posts)LiberalFighter
(51,107 posts)Bill USA
(6,436 posts)Response to bobthedrummer (Original post)
Post removed
randr
(12,417 posts)charlyvi
(6,537 posts)still_one
(92,422 posts)athena
(4,187 posts)the gender of the first spouse makes a huge difference. As in: if the first spouse is female, she gets no say in anything and doesn't even get to advise her husband; but when the first spouse is male, he gets to decide everything.
When you point out the sexism in this, they attack you by saying feminism has "gotten old" and accuse you of having a chip on your shoulder.
still_one
(92,422 posts)TwilightZone
(25,488 posts)It's not as though presidents serve in a vacuum.
oasis
(49,410 posts)brings with him a cadre of loyalists with administrative know how.
bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)jcgoldie
(11,651 posts)I bet his fashion sense is not dissected nearly as much as Michelles.
bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)No kidding!
Lyric
(12,675 posts)Frankly, whatever she chooses is fine by me. I like them both.
bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)I voted for Bill Clinton for POTUS twice, he never inhaled, he didn't have sex with Monica Lewinsky, he just happened to be around AG Lynch's plane as she was going to the Aspen Institute-what a string of "unfortunate coincidences" for our potential "First Gentleman" uhu?
What do you think of this latest "gaffe"?
bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)MineralMan
(146,334 posts)but they're all unofficial. Hillary, for example, worked on health care reform. Why does this matter to you? Bill Clinton has the experience of a former President, so I'm sure he can provide that perspective, when requested. But, then, Hillary also lived in the White House for eight years, served as a Senator, and as Secretary of State in Obama's administration. I'm pretty sure she knows the ropes and will walk into the Oval Office ready to go from day one.
In fact, there's really nobody else who could do that. Bill will be around, at least some of the time, and I'm sure will be happy to lend whatever advice he might have, but only when he is asked for it. Hillary Clinton is not anyone's background character. She will be fully in charge, I assure you.
On the other hand, maybe Bill Clinton will brush up on his cookie-baking skills or something and take up gardening and decorating.
This is a silly question you have asked, I think. You've seen Hillary Clinton. She is more than capable of thinking on her own and making decisions based on that thinking. I expect her to do just that, taking advice from all sorts of people, but then acting as she things best.
Hillary 2016!
leeroysphitz
(10,462 posts)It doesn't come with any responsibilities, authority or duties does it?
Maybe he can give out healthy cookie recipes.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)La Lioness Priyanka
(53,866 posts)so i imagine he can't work at the same pace now.
Bill USA
(6,436 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)bobthedrummer
(26,083 posts)SharonClark
(10,014 posts)emulatorloo
(44,188 posts)emulatorloo
(44,188 posts)reposted in correct place
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)TeddyR
(2,493 posts)I'm not aware of a single presidential spouse having any real authority over anything. He wasn't elected and doesn't get to legislate.
LuvLoogie
(7,037 posts)And not only with Hillary, but with many across Washington.
Historic NY
(37,453 posts)and the swing set clean.
emulatorloo
(44,188 posts)Michelle Obama focused on childhood obesity and supporting families of military serving abroad.
None of these things were 'official duties', but presidential spouses usually have a cause they support and promote.
I expect Bill Clinton will have a project he works on along those positive lines as well.
You seem to imply it will be something nefarious. I think you are mistaken.
ericson00
(2,707 posts)Because I openly embrace "buy one get one free" and yes, I embrace Billary. Sue me.