Bill Clinton As First Man
Clinton Struggles to Redefine a Traditionally Female Role
As Hillary Clinton battles Barack Obama for the Democratic Nomination, former President Bill Clinton faces the task of becoming America's first male presidential consort.
Chances are that Bill Clinton could make history by becoming America's first ever First Man. However his journey toward such a distinction has placed him in unchartered territory. As his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), battles to become the Democratic nominee, the former president has made one faux pas after the next as he faces the challenge of being the first male spouse of an American president.
Mixed signals
With Senator Clinton poised to become the first female president of the United States of America, many feel it is unbecoming for her husband to defend her so forcefully whenever she is opposed. His passionate campaigning for Hillary has led some voters to wonder exactly who is running for office. There are also moments when he gives the impression that he might doubt Hillary's ability to hold her own with The Boys. Whether it is intentional or not, it sends the wrong signal to anyone with a shadow of doubt as to whether America is really ready for a female Commander-in-Chief . Some pundits wonder if his purpose is to offer his wife support or if he's really seeking a third term for Bill Clinton.
Two for the price of one
Many Americans would welcome a female president but that doen't change the fact that they are looking for a strong and independent leader. Yet the dynamic between Senator Clinton and the former President would make her the first Commander-in-Chief with a champion who sweeps in to protect her from the ills of the office. From the Clintons point of view, they are offering Americans a two-for-one presidency, one of the major selling points of Bill's own 1992 presidential campaign.
Hillary Clinton is doubtlessly a brilliant woman. However her husband's defense of her againt her opponents is at times reminiscent of Rhett Butler's rescue of Scarlett O'Hara during the siege of Atlanta. Like the fabled Southern Belle, the Senator is fully capable of managing her own affairs yet the man in her life is determined to be seen as a hero.
Lesson Learned
On Thursday, former President Clinton told NBC News that he has learned a lesson as to where to draw the line in his support of his wife.
"I think the mistake that I made is to think that I was a spouse like any other spouse who could defend his candidate," he said.
Yet he is not a spouse like another other because he is Bill Clinton. One of the most accomplished statesment in the history of the United States.
Bill Clinton's remarks that Senator Barack Obama's anti-war stance was "a fairy tale" were controversial as was his dismissive comparison of the Obama campaign to the failed presidential bid of Reverend Jesse Jackson after Obama's South Carolina win. Though the imbroglio that ensued may or may not have helped his wife, the former president stands by his comments. He claims that they are "factually accurate" though many jounalists, like Christopher Hitchens, dispute this.
"I did not ever criticize Senator Obama personally in South Carolina," said Clinton, "But I think whenever I defend her, I, A, risk being misquoted, and, B, risk being the story. I don't want to be the story."
Letting Hillary Fight on Her Own
Bill Clinton plans to continue to support his wife in her quest for the Oval Office. However, from now on, the former President will let Hillary fight her own battles.
"I think I can promote Hillary but not defend her because I was president. I have to let her defend herself or have someone else defend her," said Clinton.
The former President's talk of "letting" Senator Clinton do anything doesn't auger well for a woman who professes to be a history-making, independent candidate. Nevertheless, the Clintons have always worked as a team and it is probably inconcievable to Bill Clinton not to be involved in every aspect of his wife's campaign just as she was involved in all of his.
Presidential Consort
The duties of the First Ladies who will have preceded the First Man are clearly not for Bill Clinton. During her tenure as First Lady, Hillary famously rebelled against being pidgeonholed in to ribbon-cutting ceremonies and cookie baking and her husband will no doubt follow suit.
"I will do what I'm asked to do," explained the former President. "I will not be in the Cabinet. I will not be on the staff full-time."
Should Hillary win the nomination, it will be interesting to see exactly what role will the former President will play in a part-time capacity.
"I will do what we've always done for each other," Clinton explained, "I will let her bounce ideas off me. I will tell her what I think."
References:
- Bill Clinton: I learned a lesson The Associated Press
- Fool Me Thrice: It Should Be No Surprise That the Clintons Are Playing The Race Card by Christopher Hitchens
- Hillary Rodham Clinton: Wikiquote
