Playing Defense For The One You Love

Seems like everyone has an opinion on whether President Bill Clinton is helping or hurting his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton's, campaign for president....

So it's my turn...here's what I think.

Wonders of wonders...Bill Clinton is acting like a husband...and I say, thank God.

We're used to seeing women standing up next to and for their powerful husbands, and I for one think husbands should stand up for their powerful wives. We're in new territory here...and bravo.

It makes no difference whether he's the former leader of the free world...or Joe Schmo from down the block. When you love someone, the last thing you want is to sit by as someone else takes pot shots at them.

Defend your woman, Bill.

Let's not forget, he's not the only campaigner's family member who's stepped it up after an attack. Remember Elizabeth Edwards taking on conservative columnist, Ann Coulter, when she called John a derogatory name? And what about Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani defending his wife, Judi, the woman he admittedly had an affair with before he married her. Teresa Heinz Kerry, the mega-rich wife of 2004 Democratic nominee, John Kerry, also took a bruising in the press, and he had her back. Even the grand lady herself, Barbara Bush, has on occasion stepped into the fray for her husband...and her son...

No one seriously believes that Hillary Clinton can't defend herself; but admit it, there is something rather endearing to see a spouse "selling wolf tickets" on behalf of their other half. The former president does however have to walk a fine line, because the last thing he wants to convey is that she "needs" him to fight her battles. Like that would ever be the case. In the proverbial boys game of "whose is bigger"...she still can hold her own.

She is a strong woman, but she's also human. And so is her family. She supported Bill...and now he's supporting her. That's what family does. Trust me...you don't want to know what my mother said about you-know-who when I left The View. I can't even repeat it on television without getting fined by the FCC...and that was just a TV show.

The contest for the presidency of the United States should bring out the fight of your life. Let's try however to keep the blood off the floor...It will make for such a mess to clean up when it comes time for the general election...when everyone on this side of aisle will be saying: "Can't we all just get along?..."

Star Jones is an attorney and host of the "Star Jones Show" on TruTv (daily at 3pm EST/PST)

Comments

[TERRYKEITH4]

I'm with the majority here. It makes me sick everytime I hear Black people taking up for those Clintons. All they want to do is get back in office and continue to scratch the backs of the rich. Star, you're not on the View anymore. I start watching it after you left. You need to get a better make up artist to hide your puffy red eyes. What are you crying at night for? Something tells me that you'll end up being very good friends with Terry MacMillan real soon. Stop faking!

[CeeCee]

I'm with you, Ms. Jones.

Thank you for spelling it out.

It's too bad so many are blinded by their own bad experiences that they project it onto other people.

[PLUMPLUM]

Defending is one thing. But when you lie and distort things so that it ends up being an embarassment to you and the missus, then that can't be good.

You are still so happy to be married; newlywed.

[KenArnold]

Bill's recent actions and statements have not been "defending spouse" but going on an offensive offensive - using the kind of politics and tactics that Barack and most of the country have grown too too tired of - especially coming from a Bush or a Clinton.

Peace

[not one of the sheep]

Hillary was busy deflecting the "bimbo eruptions" during his presidency while putting up with his indiscretions. This isn't about being a husband and defending your wife or he would have kept it in his pants to begin with. Bill OWES Hillary and it's time to pay the piper.

[dadumdee]

Stop playing Star Jones. Defending my wife is punching the guy who attacks my wife, its not showing up at her job unannounced and kicking the ballsack of a co-worker that works for the same company and agrees with her on most things, but is enjoying more success on the job.

[sjl106]

Great piece Star. All the haters here are either obamanites or republicans.

[ayc]

If my husband came into my job, my career, and defended me - I would be so angry. And professionally, it would leave most of my peers scratching their heads. In a marriage of equals, the others professional life does not need to be defended. Supported, sure - defended please! Now, when it comes to the teen-age kids, you can bet we have each others backs.

[geriak]

I am under the impression that the majority of postings are from people under the age of 35. Marriage is complicated and until you have been married a long time and worked through day to day things much less more intense situations it is a tough job. Well worth it if after all you have gone through that you find out you are not only married to the love of your life but also your best friend. Wake up people and smell the coffee. Get over your selves. Until you have walked the same path you got no right to complain.

[southsiderosie]

I have said this before, but…

People aren’t mad at Bill Clinton because he is campaigning for his wife. People are mad at him because his attitude towards Barack Obama is dismissive and contemptuous, because he fudges both his own and Obama’s political records at will, and because his aggressive behavior and somewhat crazed interactions with the media remind people of everything they HATED about the Clinton years in the White House - despite the roaring economy. And guess what? Folks will be even more mad if his divisive behavior wins the nomination for Hillary, but loses the general election for the party.

Bill Clinton is a former president, not a Chicago ward boss, and he needs to start acting like it. Then again, as his various marital indiscretions can attest to, he seems incapable of acting in a way that does not embarrass himself, his wife, or the country.

[LiberalLo]

Ms. Jones, surely you can't be that naive. Bubba Clinton is out for one thing and one thing only. A third term that he can't have under the Constitution. If she can't shut him up on the campaign trail, do you seriously think he is going to take a back seat if she is elected? We only elect one president at a time in this country. There is no such thing as a co-presidency. There's a great bridge connecting NYC and Brooklyn. It's for sale. Would you be interested in buying it???

[BatedBreath]

If it was about tru love, he wouldn't have "not" had sex with monica and all the rest.

It's about a third term.

[ImaRascal]

"When you love someone...­"?
Gimme a break! What's love got to do with it?
Billy is doing penance and payback to Hilldog for her not booting his arse outa the Whitehouse when he got caught diddling Monica, (and a long line of other Bimbos)
She should have tossed his clothes out on the lawn and slammed the door on the unfaithful lout. Nope, instead that family brokered a deal for hot ambition and cold sheets.
Ain't love , its cold hearted politics.
"Acting like a husband" Well how long did that take and what was the price?

[pottery]

It’s not as simple, or fundamental, as one spouse defending another, but a former president of the United States being divisive in defense of a wife hoping to be the next President of the United States. It is his duty to us as a favorite son of the Democratic party, and former President to rise above the impulse to equivocate, and remain Presidential.

[Vixen0932]

I agree Star. However, I do believe that he needs to take a step back and realize that many people don't see his comments/actions as a good things and thus it is hurting Sen. Clinton