Clinton Wants Bush to Win

Thomas thinks that Bill Clinton is pointing out weaknesses in Kerry's platform by telling him to avoid 'cultural issues' (i.e., abortion, gay marriage, gun control, etc.). This presumes that Clinton is stooping to a cartoonish ploy, akin responding to a knock on the front door with "nobody's home!"

Assuming that Bill Clinton wants John Kerry to lose, (highly probable), by warning Kerry to stay away from these issues, Clinton is doing his best to highlight Kerry's weaknesses. Kerry can talk a good game when he talks about being fiscally conservative and tries to calm jittery moderates about his stance on Iraq. But, Clinton KNOWS that Kerry is at his most liberal when it comes to the cultural issues facing America today. By highlighting Kerry's weak points, Clinton is reminding Americans why they might be hesitant to vote for the senator from Massachusetts.

Reading between the lines, Thomas much realize that the reasoning for Clinton's support of a Bush win is more the desire to see Kerry/Edwards lose. If Kerry/Edwards wins, then the Democratic presidential nomination is locked up in 2008 for a Democratic reelection bid. Strategically, Ms. Rodham-Clinton would rather make a run for presidency in 2008 as a Democratic alternative to 8 years of Republicans, rather than waiting until 2012 and running following a Democratic administration.

Interesting, but we shall see how the Clintons support Kerry. In light of this foregoing analysis, it is also VERY interesting that Kerry had to be shamed into letting Sen. Hillary Rodham-Clinton to speak at the Democratic convention. Could Hillary be so bold as to attempt to derail the Dems in 2004 for her own ambitions in 2008? Or will she toe the party line and be forced to put off her agenda until 2012? As long as there is a Republican in the White House, she can attempt every presidential election to gain the Oval Office; otherwise, she must bow to the party.