Posted on 10/23/2004 5:54:38 PM PDT by Happy2BMe
Former President Bill Clinton will shrug off his recent heart surgery and hit the campaign trail tomorrow to stump for Democrat challenger John Kerry.
Clinton's eleventh-hour appearance on the US electoral landscape comes amid a last push by the Democrats as they seek to overturn President George W Bush's slender poll advantage in the last full week of campaigning.
Clinton will appear with Kerry in Philadelphia, in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. He is likely to make further campaign stops and numerous media appearances as election day approaches on 2 November.
Kerry aides hope Clinton, who is still popular with many Democrats, will provide a vital burst of energy to their core supporters. They also believe Clinton will help mobilise black voters who are a core Democrat constituency but have been lukewarm on Kerry so far. Two polls last week showed Bush doubling his support among black Americans and some of Clinton's future campaign appearances, sources said, are likely to be in black churches.
However, Republicans believe Clinton is a double-edged sword. The former leader is still a controversial figure in America and many Republicans regard him with loathing after the Monica Lewinsky scandal. They point out that sales of Clinton's recent book were much slower than expected. They also believe the more wooden Kerry could suffer from comparison with the charismatic Clinton. 'He can remind people of everything that John Kerry is not,' said Republican pollster Whit Ayres.
Clinton's reappearance has already sparked a minor controversy as it comes amid rumours he is seeking to become the next secretary general of the United Nations. Clinton has not commented on the issue. The current secretary general, Kofi Annan, is expected to retire in 2006. There has never been an American appointed to head of the world body.
Clinton's arrival on the campaign trail was delayed by his sudden heart problems which saw him undergo quadruple bypass surgery on 6 September. Despite his illness, Clinton and his former staff have already had a crucial impact on Kerry's campaign. Kerry is in regular phone contact with Clinton and often seeks his advice. It is also a coterie of former Clinton advisers who are credited with sharpening Kerry's anti-Bush attacks and rescuing the Democrat cause.
Clinton's team last week sent out a fundraising email, urging Democrats to pull out all the stops: 'This is the moment for every Democrat to look in the mirror and ask: "What more can I do to help?". Clinton will also be making TV appearances beginning tomorrow which will put him head-to-head against President Bush.
Meanwhile a Reuters/Zogby poll released yesterday put Bush two points ahead of Kerry nationally with 47 per cent to 45 per cent. Though there is a wide variation in exact figures, most polls show Bush with a narrow lead.
However, Kerry has been doing slightly better in key battleground states. A poll in Ohio released yesterday showed Kerry leading Bush by 50 per cent to 46 per cent. Ohio is the biggest prize in the US election and no Republican has won the White House without winning that state. Most experts agree the overall race is still far too close to call and that has seen both campaigns assemble teams of lawyers prepared to fight if the race ends in controversy or a tie.
There are so many people out there who loathe Billary, that this is a risk. Not that Republicans aren't enthused about the election already, but bringing BJ Clinton into the mix at least makes sure we get riled up more than ever.
Plus the fact that BJ can't be looking all that great right now. I think thats why they didn't commit him to anything yet after PA on Monday. I think they have to trot his gaunt old tired looking butt out there and then take a poll to see if he scares children (still).
"Bush aides hope Clinton's late arrival will swing states"
Watch him have a relapse or something in the middle of a speech! Slick Willy go home.
Wow. I saw this vision a LONG time ago...still spooks me.
bttt
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