Clinton, Obama, and the legacy of Jessie Jackson

Many of you probably know that there is “increasing acrimony” between the Obama and Clinton camps, going back to the New Hampshire primary and the utterly stupid race/gender speculations about the candidates. You might also know that Billy-boy (aka Slick Willy in southern Missouri), has become his wife’s “attack dog.” Apparently Bill has been stumping around doing his wife’s dirty work, coverage of which threatens to overshadow his wife’s campaigning if NPR is to be believe. This conduct is pissing off many Democracts according to the Press who believe ex-Presidents should be quiet elder statesmen. (See Jimmy Carter.) Here’s what I don’t get:

Why does this seem to surprise anyone? Clinton’s term in office made it clear that he is a total opportunist with little of a moral compass to guide him. If the advantage lies in having him run around attacking Obama so his wife can pretend she isn’t an opportunist, he’ll do it. When confronted with statements he’s made about wanting to see the first African-American President, his responses was that he still believed that, but not this election. That made more people mad. Again why are they surprised? Clinton could have simply said he’s married to one of the candidates and was voting that way. I can’t even fault him for that.

In law school, I had a professor, African American ex-marine guy, who noted that Clinton talked the talk, but rarely walked the walk when it came to African Americans. He said pro-African-American things and appointed a handful to positions in his administration. BUT, not the important posts and not in his “inner circle.” My professor professed amazement that so many of his peers saw Clinton as their boy, when his actions failed to fulfill the promise his rhetoric made.

In a reaction to Obama winning South Carolina, Billy shot off that even Jessie Jackson had won some states when he ran for office. This has apparently outraged several people although it proves that in adversity is the best time for a tiger to show its stripes. Bill hasn’t changed his.