Spring Break
Leave it to Bill
Jonathon Boydston
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Forum
On Monday night, the three Democratic candidates for president still left standing after the first few primaries faced off with each other in what was later revealed to be the most-watched primary-season debate in history.
The debate, held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, saw more personal attacks by the candidates than any held in the race so far. Amid the barrage of these attacks, the viewers - both in the audience and at home - could easily tell that the bulk of the debate was being spent focused on the growing rivalry between the heavy frontrunners, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Clinton would attack Obama on his record, Obama would fight back by saying Clinton was lying, and every once in a while John Edwards would find the time to make a few points before Hillary and Obama would start their bickering again.
I found the entire thing to be rather entertaining, if not very informative with regards to the issues. But in particular, I felt that the most intriguing confrontation between the two leaders came when the most controversial person was brought up: Bill Clinton.
Barack Obama, both on Monday night and throughout the most recent part of this race, has commented that he sometimes does not know who it is that he is running against: Hillary or Bill.
These comments have been made for good reason; ever since it became clear that Obama would be Clinton's main opponent, Bill has been on the campaign trail both praising his wife and, more importantly, bashing Barack Obama.
Although they are unusual (a former president has never campaigned so hard for a prospective president) Bill Clinton's actions, in and of themselves, are not completely surprising. After all, anyone that has the sort of platform and following that Bill Clinton has would probably do the same thing for their spouse.
Yet the key difference between what we have seen before from spouses of candidates and what we are seeing with the former president is the aggressiveness by which he is presenting his arguments.
The debate, held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, saw more personal attacks by the candidates than any held in the race so far. Amid the barrage of these attacks, the viewers - both in the audience and at home - could easily tell that the bulk of the debate was being spent focused on the growing rivalry between the heavy frontrunners, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Clinton would attack Obama on his record, Obama would fight back by saying Clinton was lying, and every once in a while John Edwards would find the time to make a few points before Hillary and Obama would start their bickering again.
I found the entire thing to be rather entertaining, if not very informative with regards to the issues. But in particular, I felt that the most intriguing confrontation between the two leaders came when the most controversial person was brought up: Bill Clinton.
Barack Obama, both on Monday night and throughout the most recent part of this race, has commented that he sometimes does not know who it is that he is running against: Hillary or Bill.
These comments have been made for good reason; ever since it became clear that Obama would be Clinton's main opponent, Bill has been on the campaign trail both praising his wife and, more importantly, bashing Barack Obama.
Although they are unusual (a former president has never campaigned so hard for a prospective president) Bill Clinton's actions, in and of themselves, are not completely surprising. After all, anyone that has the sort of platform and following that Bill Clinton has would probably do the same thing for their spouse.
Yet the key difference between what we have seen before from spouses of candidates and what we are seeing with the former president is the aggressiveness by which he is presenting his arguments.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Comments by registered users are approved by default.