Conduct Unbecoming....

As with many codes of conduct, the Uniform code of Military Justice (UCMJ) has a catchall provision to cover miscreant behavior not specifically covered by other provisions. UCMJ Article 133 relates to "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman," conduct that would reflect unfavorably on the uniform, the service or the country. I believe that the former Commander in Chief, President William Jefferson Clinton, has crossed the line and engaged in "conduct unbecoming" a former president.

Granted, we are in uncharted waters where no former president and spouse have ever gone before. And it is certainly understandable why a spouse, former president or not, would be a strong advocate for that spouses candidacy for the presidency. But the question remains as to how far a former president who is also the titular head of the party and potentially one of its greatest political assets, can go before his conduct is unbecoming and possibly detrimental to his party's chances in the fall.

It is one thing for presidential candidates to criticize each other and their records and positions. But say, if Howard Dean, the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, were to level attacks against John Edwards, it would be deemed very inappropriate. Among other reasons for this judgment is that such criticisms could be echoed by the Republicans in the fall, should that candidate be nominated. On the other hand, criticisms by Michelle Obama or Elizabeth Edwards in defense of their husbands are, within limits, accepted and acceptable.

So what is different for Bill Clinton? Why should not a red-faced Bill Clinton describe the Obama phenomenon as a "fairy tale?" And why not criticize Senator Obama for being inexperienced? The answer is that President Clinton can be one of the most effective fund-raisers and campaigners for the Democratic Party and such actions erode his capability to help the ticket in the fall. He is not only one candidate's spouse, he is the titular head of the party. In short, he is both Michelle Obama and Howard Dean. Bill Clinton would do well to emulate President George H.W. Bush's participation in his son's 2000 primary and general election campaigns. The elder Bush did not attack John McCain in the primaries or play the attack dog in the general election. His behavior was decorous and restrained as befits a former president.

Bill Clinton, not well known for his self-discipline, must keep his two roles separate. He can go to great lengths to praise Hillary's record, intellect, experience and values. But he must restrain his criticisms of other candidates lest he hurt the Democratic Party in the long term. How many more red-faced outbursts or finger waving sessions before his value to the Democratic Party -- or his wife - will disappear? Bill Clinton's untoward behavior as president likely caused Al Gore the 2000 election. The nation cannot afford to have his behavior as a former president be devalued and thus contribute to a similar result in 2008.

Comments

[vbond]

Colonel Klass, thank you for your service and for your opinions expressed here.

I am sorry that you have not garnered the support that you deserved in the responses that I read.

I am writing this during the week before the Titanic Tuesday elections.

Many of your implicit predictions have come to pass, including the departure of fine, but lesser, candidates and the further exposure of the Clintons as unprincipled and unfair. I say this as a former long-time fervent supporter of them both.

They have betrayed the trust that I and so many others placed in them, and they deserve to lose.

Which does not mean that they will.

This will occur only if the right man wins.

Please accept this encouragement to continue your efforts in support of Barack Obama.

You are in better and better company every day.

Thank you, sir.

[wfoster]

What the “Rightwing Slime Machine” did to the Clintons for 8+ years, Al Gore, John Kerry and Sen. Max Cleland will pale in comparison to what will be hurled at “Barrack Hussein Obama”, they are just waiting to whip up the “Angry White Males” who turned out in mass to elect Reagan.
The email program which is hallmark Karl Rove is only the beginning, Obama’s candidacy will split the divide in this country even wider and to borrow a quote Jesus and later paraphrased by Abraham Lincoln “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”and so will fall the “United States of America”.

[wfoster]

We as a country can not afford a President who will cry and whine and play the victim when confronted by the likes of Putin or Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if Hilary of bill Clinton can make him cry America doesn’t stand a chance against these two.
If Obama his wife or any family or associate has any dirt it will be blasted loudly and multiplied exponentially across this nation, the republican’s machine will not care about the truth it has been a casualty in all their campaigns since 1980.
One place were they will start is the church Obama and his wife attend it is not only Anti-White it is Anti non Black, its statement of purpose can only be compared to the Ku Klux Klan and its misguided hate filled rhetoric of “White Supremacy” over all other races and the advancement of one race, their own over all others in business and social status.
No Karl Rove is not out of the game, they are still picking his brain all be it not overtly and he is salivating over the prospects of and Obama nomination. If there is dirt Rove already has it and is not only willing to use it he is anxiously anticipating doing so.

[wfoster]

I can only hope the people of this nation see the racial problem here, if Clinton had garnered 80% of the non-black vote of which at least 80% was “White” whatever that means the headlines would have been how racist the South is, instead it was Obama with 80+% of the Black and the headline from Black leaders and television pendants was well they voted for Obama for reasons other than race.
The big lie is the direction of racism in America, those who scream the loudest about being victims of racism are usually its greatest and most covert purveyors and perpetrators.
If Obama thinks the Clintons are playing hardball he is unfit to run for president much less actually hold the office of the “President of The United States of America” he is to weak to even face the republican challenger this fall, the Republicans will not care about subtleties their mildest attacks will make the Clintons worse attacks pale in comparison

[wfoster]

Now it is plainly displayed on the National stage after decades of “Racism” being a non-black only problem the truth is out.
In this country if you are not black and make the mistake of criticizing a black person you are branded a “Racist” as the Clintons are now finding out. All their decades of working to improve life for all people especially Blacks for whom Bill Clinton has a special affinity for and their decades of public service for the betterment of all people forgotten by the elites that run this country has been for nothing.
Taking a page from the George W bush and Karl Rove playbook Obama through his supporters has begun to use the tactics which we have all become so accustomed to we do not even recognize them.
One example is since 09/11/2001 if you are critical of George W Bush, criticize his Administration, his handling of the war or his apparent disregard for accuracy in his facts your are branded as “anti American” “Not Supporting the Troops” or worse coward’s.
Conversely Obama and his many paid minions will not hesitate to jump in front of the first available microphone, reporter or television camera to play the “Race Card” at the beginning of any legitimate questioning or pointing out of candidates Obama’s failings, short falls inconstancies or incorrect representations.

[clevelandchick]

I have no problem with Bill praising his wife or when asked tell folks why he thinks she should be president, but what he did went over the line. I was at a primary watch party this weekend and met many local leaders of the Dem party. Every single one of them is pissed off at Bill.

He's definitely hurt his legacy and I am afraid it hurts the party. There's always been a sturm and drang between the old guard and the new in any organization but this has gotten much deeper.