Did Bill Sack Hillary?

Bill Clinton's reprimands to the press, insulting comments toward Obama, and quasi-racist statements were explained as the actions of a zealous husband by Hillary herself. The media were not far behind, inferring passion, ego, and frustration. But the backlash from his actions begs the following question: Does he really want to be First Man?

Films of Bill's deposition during the Monica years gave the impression of a busy yet tolerant man being unnecessarily harried by overly aggressive forces. He would calmly look over his glasses and shuffle through piles of papers in an effort to gain clarity on very personal questions. Though the finger-wagging President lead the news cycles, the restrained and more or less genial man being deposed won the day. Indeed his good nature and southern cadence of speech were the undefeatable elements behind his power.

Friends and enemies agree that Bill Clinton is a driven man. His capacity to move tirelessly ahead and effectively strategize when seemingly cornered has served his ambitions well. What would be the real impact of Bill watching the train of limos pull away and be left behind? Probably akin to the all star athlete who is convinced he retired too early. To take an ornamental role in the very halls where he reigned as king for 8 years would do little to feed the fires of achievement and political chess that define Bill Clinton. Granted he is the spouse of a Senator, but an ex-President will trump a Senator anytime and he remains the superior as a consultant and mentor.

Bill Clinton's time in office ushered in the era of prevarication. Shades of truth and semantic juggling were favored over outright lies when the truth became a stumbling block. Could we now be witnessing an instance of psychological prevarication, where a series of actions purports one goal but leads to the opposite? This question and the issue of intent cannot be answered by any mortal, most likely including Bill Clinton himself. Perhaps we should return to our previous inquiry: Does Bill Clinton really want to be First Man, with his once enabling spouse now at the center of power?

Power is a drug, and being Commander in Chief could be a drug like no other. Part of the power play is providing help to your inferiors, which as President includes everyone. The one exception is helping your lesser partner to the throne. However essential your role appeared during the campaign, on inauguration day you will be forever number two or less. Unless of course the campaign does not lead to inauguration.