About this Blog

During the semester, I shall post course material and students will comment on it. Students are also free to comment on any aspect of the presidency, either current or historical. There are only two major limitations: no coarse language, and no derogatory comments about people at the Claremont Colleges.

The course syllabus is at
http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/pages/faculty/JPitney/gov102-14.html

Search This Blog

Friday, October 5, 2007

"First Laddie" Diplomat

During Bill Clinton's recent trip to London, he told The Guardian that his Scottish friends suggest he be referred to as "first laddie" if his wife, Hillary, is elected president. In interviews released to the press in Britain, Clinton said Hillary envisions his potential role in the White House as a diplomatic one, in order "to restore America's standing" in the international community.

The possibility of having a First Gentleman in the White House (especially a former president) presents some interesting questions.

CMCers may remember, when President Clinton spoke in Bridges Auditorium last spring he was singing the same tune--he would gladly serve as US Ambassador to the world--and he reminded us that he will do whatever Hillary tells him. Who knows if that will include picking the presidential china.

Click here to read more.

1 comment:

Abe Shimm said...

Bill is definitely Clinton's greatest asset in this campaign for a couple of reasons. First, many people remember the first Clinton White House fondly and after 8 years under George W. Bush they long for a return to those times. They see Hillary as the ticket back. Unfortunately, electing another Clinton isn't going to lead to another .com boom in the stock market, nor will it change the grave situation in Iraq. A more legitimate reason is the one mentioned in Helena's post- the prospect of Bill playing an active role in foreign affairs. However, I question how large a role Hillary will carve out for him once she is in office and no longer has to worry about courting voters.