Angus Reid: Mr. Clinton Would Influence Ms. Clinton

[tuvor]

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many Americans believe former president Bill Clinton would constantly advise his wife if she were to become head of state, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 40 per cent of respondents in the United States think the first gentleman would have more influence than previous presidential spouses.

Polling Data

If Hillary Rodham Clinton were elected president, how much influence do you think Bill Clinton would have over the decisions she would make as president?

More influence than previous presidential spouses: 40%

About the same influence as previous presidential spouses: 35%

Less influence than previous presidential spouses: 25%

Source: Gallup / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,018 American adults, conducted from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/14903

[AshevilleGuy]

1. Sure he would, but why is that a problem?

Suppose you have been elected President and your spouse is just probably one of the very smartest, most experienced statesmen in the world. How SMART would it be to push him away, ignore his advice and help? We know that Hilary and Bill have very similar ideologies, so is it likely that he is going to lead her in a direction she would not want, nor one that Americans would not expect?

Now, having said all that, I do believe that such a scenario would be anathema to many voters, even though they probably agree with Hilary's views on most issues. Repoobs can convince them that there is something fundamentally wrong with the working arrangement above, even though they might actually like it if they thought about it.

[tuvor]

2. Who's saying there's a problem?

Not in the scope of the poll, anyway.