Bill Clinton's 'rogue' endorsement
In Colorado's Senate primary, Clinton is throwing his support behind a rival to the Obama-backed incumbent. Is this a sign of a Democratic party rift?
In a development that has exposed a two-year-old rift within the Democratic Party, Bill Clinton this week endorsed former Colorado state House speaker Andrew Romanoff's candidacy for Senate. President Obama has thrown his support to Romanoff's opponent, incumbent Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, who was appointed after Obama named former senator Ken Salazar as Interior secretary. Is this a significant split, or just a harmless difference of opinion ahead of the state's Aug. 10 primary? (Watch a local report about Clinton's endorsement)
This is no big deal: The Romanoff endorsement is grabbing headlines, says Alex Altman at Time, but with Bennet far ahead in the polls, "its impact on the race itself may be largely symbolic." Clinton won't even be fundraising or stumping for Romanoff. That's probably why the former president "felt comfortable" opposing Obama on this one.
"Colorado's Senate race: How big is the Bill factor?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is a sign that Hillary might run in 2012: "Bill Clinton is the master of political maneuvering and gamesmanship," says the blog Scared Monkeys. Obama's poll are numbers falling and the BP oil spill is an ongoing crisis. If the Democrats lose big in November and Clinton's endorsement helps Romanoff, Hillary will be more likely to "jump ship" and challenge Obama for the 2012 Democratic nomination.
Regardless of the spin, this raises eyebrows: It's hard to write off Clinton's endorsement as insignificant, says Sean J. Miller in The Hill. It's rare for a party leader like Bill Clinton to oppose an incumbent. Moreover, this is an embarrassment for the administration, as it shines a spotlight on Romanoff after the White House tried to discourage him from running by dangling a job offer.
"Clinton endorses Sen. Bennet's opponent"
Clinton's paying his political bills: This is part of the "Bill Clinton loyalty tour," says Felicia Sonmez in The Washington Post. Romanoff, like other candidates the former president is helping, supported Hillary Clinton's bid for the presidency, and this is his reward. The endorsement may not put Romanoff over the top, but it will raise his profile.
"Bill Clinton backing Romanoff in Colorado Senate race"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Idea of You review: 'impossible escapism' starring Anne Hathaway
The Week Recommends Steamy romcom about a 40-year-old who falls for a boy band singer
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: May 11, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: May 11, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published