In Iowa, Clinton Camp Scripts Bill's Role to Keep Focus on Hillary

[DeepModem Mom]

In Iowa, Clinton Camp Scripts Bill's Role to Keep Focus on Hillary
By Anne E. Kornblut
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 1, 2007; Page A04


Bill Clinton will join his wife on the campaign trail this week in Iowa. (By Rex Larsen -- Grand Rapids Press Via Associated Press)

When Bill Clinton joins his wife for their first major joint campaign appearances tomorrow, the former president is planning to play the role of "biographer in chief," telling "the story" of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- and directing some of his high-wattage charisma toward her.

But can the former president keep from stealing the show?

The extraordinary sight of the two Clintons on the stump in Iowa is expected to draw a media crush, dominating the holiday week news even as a handful of other presidential contenders campaign around the state. Clinton officials describe the former president's participation as an obvious next step for the campaign, given that Iowa is the key primary battlefield where Clinton (D-N.Y.) is so far faring the worst.

The joint trip also brings challenges -- and potential openings -- for Clinton's rivals. Already, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has questioned whether the former first lady can claim experience in the Oval Office based on her husband's terms in office. Highly popular among Democratic loyalists, the former president has a tendency to overshadow his wife in public....

***

Clinton advisers have scripted a role for the former president that focuses squarely on the candidate, not himself. During a handful of rallies -- or, as they are being called, "Ready for Change, Ready to Lead" events -- in Iowa, he is, advisers said, planning to walk listeners through his wife's biography, particularly her work in children's advocacy as first lady of Arkansas, on behalf of women as first lady, and as a senator for the past 6 1/2 years.

"He's going to talk about her, and she's going to talk about the country," one Clinton official said....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/30/AR2007063000774.html?hpid=topnews

[opihimoimoi]

1. looks like they gonna make it work.....

[shanebrinton]

2. Really not looking forward to another Clinton presidency...

Free traders. Hawks. The both of them. Ack.