| Elder Statesman? |
15 September 2003
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Clinton Returns to Campaign Trail
One measure of how desperate Governor Gray Davis of California is to prevent his recall is his choice on endorsers this last week. Former President William Jefferson Clinton, who himself was once in a similar position, turned up to urge Californians to vote "No" on recalling Mr. Davis. Heaven help the Democrats, because with Clinton actively campaigning now, either way they have lost.
Mr. Clinton's endorsement may mean nothing. If the recall goes ahead in October or in March, Mr. Davis may still be recalled, and there is still a chance that the Republican Party will find a way to keeps its vote from splitting. If so, a Republican California in 2004 is a leg up for Mr. Bush's re-election bid.
Perversely, though, a Davis victory might be taken as a triumph for the
campaigning ability of Mr. Clinton. While the Mudville 9 who now make up the Dems running at Mr. Bush are faltering along, here come's Mr. Clinton to knock the ball out of the park. He makes them smaller and less significant looking.
Pity the 42nd President. At a rather youthful age, he has come to the end of his political campaigning career, yet he knows nothing else. So, he aids surrogate campaigns and will do so for another 20 or 30 years. "You can't vote for me, so vote for this guy instead." He won't be overshadowed until another Democrat wins a second term at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It makes one almost warm to Mr. Schwarzenegger.
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