For Bill Clinton followers: Long Sunday NY Times Magazine piece for this Sunday (preview)

[Aloha Spirit]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/magazine/31clinton-t.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

I'm about half way through it. Mostly so far discusses his adjustment to being cabinet member spouse and how he enjoys traveling.
Also goes into his relationships with former adversaries, how he garners more respect from them now (now that he's not the President).
The part about his relationship with GWB is funny.

The Clinton-Putin bond always intrigued me, starting with their first encounter...Read the bottom of this page for more on that...
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/personoftheyear/article/0,28804,1690753_1690757_1695787-8,00.html
(from Putin's 2007 Time "Person of the Year" interview.)

Recommended reading for anyone interested in post-White House Bill Clinton... or for those who want to read something into the Clinton-Obama relationship ;-)

[Captain Hilts]

1. Clinton barely had a year with Putin. Yeltsin's sudden resignation took them by surprise,

according to Strobe Talbott.

[Aloha Spirit]

3. Do you think Obama would benefit from using Bill Clinton on the Russia front?

Here's the part of the article about the Davos trip

" At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Clinton roamed the halls, mixing with the dignitaries as if it were an Oxford reunion. After hosting a reception at a local museum on opening night, he wandered over to the Sheraton to a private party held by Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, who welcomed him as “our good friend” and toasted him with vodka shots. The two then retired to a private room, planted themselves at a table and talked deep into the night.

When I asked Clinton later what they discussed, he lapsed into stories about Putin and his own love for Boris Yeltsin but divulged little of what was said. Even so, it seems reasonable to infer that Putin was hoping to send messages to the new administration through the husband of the secretary of state. On missile defense, Clinton said Putin told him, “Oh, we’re going to work it out now.” And Putin stressed that his handpicked successor as president, Dmitri Medvedev, was not just a puppet."

[Captain Hilts]

4. I really don't know. I know that the Russians like a 'known' quantity. nt

[Aloha Spirit]

6. I'd like to know what Bill and Hillary's foreign policy discussions are like.

Considering Secretary Clinton's comments last summer on Putin, it must be realllly hard for President Clinton to meet with a former colleague and not stray beyond his civilian role. I just find the tensions and challenges that Bill Clinton is dealing fascinating.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Yes, it IS interesting. Think about Eleanor Roosevelt telling someone shortly after FDR

died what a relief it was to not have to always think of how everything she said affected FDR first and foremost. She said it "was wonderful to feel free" for that reason. Bubba's doing it backwards.

[wyldwolf]

2. It's a good piece. Shows him as very human

Interesting how so many former adversaries regret treating him as they did since they've gotten to know him on a personal level.

[Aloha Spirit]

5. Suggests that if Obama follows the same pattern, his post presidency popularity could be above 100%

just kiddin.

Yeah, that really surprised me.
I need to learn more about this.
Clinton enjoys charming people, of course, but Newt Gingrich??
I hope Obama gets to a point where he is using Clinton more.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Bubba had a 69-70 approval rating when he left office. Why folks fell for the RNC's 'Clinton fatigue

message I do not know.

I was in polling. There was no clinton fatigue.

[wyldwolf]

9. It certainly works in Obama's favor

Whereas people like Chris Rudy will still attack Obama politically, I came away from this piece feeling like they learned their lesson about going too far over the top with personal attacks and wild conspiracy theories.

[Captain Hilts]

10. That was some weird shit that was thrown at the Clintons. Murderers? Stupid hillbillies? nt

[Beacool]

11. It's a good article.

I just read it last night. I always liked Bill, even if some times he did certain things that drove me nuts. He's a good man who could have retired and only cared about making money giving speeches and playing golf (ala Bush Sr. and Reagan before he became too ill). He has done that, but he has also worked tirelessly for the last few years on his foundation and global initiative. He is a policy wonk with a remarkable memory for data (ditto for Hillary and Gore). I love listening to him speak. He has the ability to make even the more complex issues understandable to the lay person.

Thanks for posting it.

:hi: