We came across, and verified, an email Bill Clinton sent to his best supporters last week, urging them to raise a million dollars a week for Hillary's presidential campaign (already raised is $705,280).
With the help of a confidential source in the Clintons' inner circle, we were able to parse many of his sentences to reveal the strategy behind his words and produce a MRI, in effect, of the former president's thinking processes.
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Dear _____________,
Am I enthusiastic about my wife's campaign for president? You bet I am.
WHAT BILL CLINTON IS REALLY SAYING:
I've been sitting on my butt for seven years watching Bush bungle everything. And those pathetic wimps - Gore and Kerry - could not beat a dead-man-walking. Now Hillary, with me quietly in the shadows, finally has a chance to show those Republicans what hardball politics is all about.
I know her better than anybody on earth,
And unfortunately, she knows me better than anyone on earth too; and I owe her a big one...Monica (or two -- Gennifer...or three -- Paula) which is why I'm working so hard on her behalf.
and she's got the best combination of mind and heart of everybody I've ever known.
So what if she's way short on empathy and charisma, especially with crowds. Obama is all about charisma, and nothing else. I'll take care of the charisma thing.
All across the country, Hillary is campaigning with the signature wisdom, grace, and humor that make her a great candidate. I know that if we all work hard enough, those same traits will make her an even better president.
Maybe an even better president than me, but as co-president, I will get that second bite of the apple to redeem my place in history. Kinda screwed things up the first time. How many presidents have a chance for a replay? I know I was better during my second term as governor, after I was defeated, and then won again.
You and I know something about waging and winning presidential campaigns. Winning the White House takes persistence, energy and effort - not just from the candidate, but from a massive network of grassroots supporters.
Hillary's campaign is off to a great start. And this week, we're going to help take it to another level.
Will you help me get our "One Week, One Million" campaign off to a powerful start?
We're going to show Obama what muscle fundraising is all about. This guy was in kindergarten when, at 32, I was the youngest governor in the country.
And I'm gonna get Bob Dylan to write a new version of "With God On Our Side" just for us. It's a crossover vote for the conservative republicans.
Look, with Republicans using everything in their arsenal to stop her campaign, Hillary is going to need every one of us to do everything that we can for her.
Hey, I made $40 million giving speeches since leaving the White House and I can raise $100 million more. I am going to be holding a series of $300,000 per hour private fundraisers, without Hillary present.
During eight years in the White House, Hillary and I faced a constant barrage of attacks from Washington Republicans. No insult was off-limits. No tactic was too low. They threw everything they could at us - but we beat them time and time again.
We weathered Monica and look where Newt Gingrich is now, that is, if you can find him.
The attacks on Hillary haven't stopped, and she hasn't stopped winning. You know how they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?
We are going to promise Lincoln bedroom sleepovers to all the rich Hillary Haters so we get them in our corner and our bank accounts. We are going to turn the Hillary Haters into a cash cow to raise money for the democrats.
Well, Hillary is as strong as they come.
I can tell you from experience. She can get seriously nasty. I know. We're going to pull off political jujitsu 101 - don't hide from your weakness, turn it to your advantage.
Let's make this a week when we demonstrate that her campaign is strong, too. Strong enough to sustain Hillary's run for the presidency through thick and thin. Strong enough to win.
Ahmadinejad and Kim Jung Il better watch out. Hillary is not afraid of anyone. Hillary has not exactly stayed home baking cookies and having teas. She is a tough cookie and can mix it up with the best of them.
I can't wait to join Hillary on the campaign trail and talk to people about what a great president she's going to be. She is a tireless fighter and a brilliant born leader, and I have no doubt the American people will make her our first woman president.
It will be tough to get past the woman thing (even though 54% of the voters are women) - especially in this time of war and international chaos. But we are going to triangulate it. We're going to position Hillary as a fighter...turn around that bitch image and make it work for us. We are going to show her as coldly ruthless and powerful and, in these times, the voters will eat it up.
Over the next week, you'll hear from some other friends and admirers of Hillary. I hope you'll join them in making our One Week, One Million campaign a success. But, most importantly, I hope you'll act right now to get this dramatic display of grassroots support off the ground with a big outpouring for Hillary on the first day.
We are going to squeeze everything we can from our supporters. We have got to get over that Hollywood-Geffen thing (imagine he's mad because I pardoned Rich and wouldn't pardon his murdering friend) and show that the macho celebs are with us.
Thank you so much for your support. Hillary and I couldn't do it without you.
The voters are going to remember the good economic times, the balanced budget, the jobs we created, and how we kept out of wars. When the Arabs are squeezing our nuts with higher oil prices, and terrorists bombing our train stations, who is going to care about Monica and a 2002 Iraq war vote With so much chaos around, they are going to go back to the guy and gal who kept them out of trouble. After all, it is the economy, Stupid!
Sincerely (am I ever),
Bill Clinton