The Astonishing Political Resurrection of the Clintons

Flashback to the late 1990s and the early 2000s. With Monica Lewinsky and the impeachment of President Clinton still fresh in the air, Democratic politicians running for office would not be caught dead near Bill Clinton. Despite Clinton's immense political talents, he was non-existent on the campaign trail for many, many Democratic candidates and elected officials running in moderate and conservative districts. Additionally, for any nominees with even the slightest connection to the Clinton White House, such an association was his or her worst enemy, as the link was often the primary attack tool for assorted Republicans across the country to brandish like a sword against Democrats. Simply put, Clinton was a negative presence for Democrats in redder areas, and many Democrats avoided touching like the plague.

With this is mind, I have been following an amazing political rehabilitation this year. I have watched with quiet amazement as Democrats in some very red states have welcomed Bill Clinton with open arms to campaign for them and raise money for them. I have seen Bill in Georgia for Jim Martin, Virginia for Mark Warner, and we are even now seeing Hillary in ads for Kentucky Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford. This afternoon I was struck again when I got a fundraising appeal from Hillary to give money to Mississippi Senate candidate Ronnie Musgrove. Really, when you consider just how unpopular and politically toxic the Clintons were at the end of Bill's time in office and for several years afterward, this transformation is nothing short of incredible. As late as 2004 or maybe even later, men running in these states wouldn't be caught in the same city as Bill or Hillary!

Granted, a big part of the Clinton's re-emergence has to do with money, as Bill and Hillary are two of the very best fundraiser in the Democratic Party, probably second only to Barack Obama. They are therefore value friends (and commodities) for a candidate in a tough contest in a pinch for cash. That being said, their very presence in these states, and the fact that these Democrats have reached out to them speaks volumes.

I guess that in politics, as in life, time heals all wounds. What a turnaround.