Former U.S. President Bill Clinton campaigns for his wife in Greenville, South Carolina. Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say.
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Bill Clinton, former president of the United States turned political attack dog, is apparently helping his wife's presidential campaign.
The New York Times reports that Clinton advisers say the former president's aggressive stance against Barack Obama is resonating with voters, and they plan to keep him on the campaign trail in a major role after the South Carolina primary.
They say the benefits of having Bill Clinton challenge Obama are worth the trade-offs of perhaps overshadowing Hillary or damaging his own reputation.
In fact, campaign officials acknowledge that the former president is deliberately playing "bad cop", and predict a voter backlash against Obama if it ends up being Bill Clinton who looks like a victim. Whether it's working or not there are those who suggest this is no way for a former president to act.
Peggy Noonan in today's Wall Street Journal: "Bill Clinton, with his trembly, red-faced rage, makes John McCain look young. His divisive and destructive daily comportment - this is a former president of the United States - is a civic embarrassment." She goes on: "...The Clintons are tearing the party apart. It will not be the same after this. It will not be the same after its most famous leader, and probable ultimate victor, treated a proud and accomplished black man who is a U.S. senator as if he were nothing, a mere impediment to their plans."
Here’s my question to you: Should a former president be acting as a political attack dog on behalf of his wife?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Julie writes:
I used to be a big Bill Clinton fan, but no more. I am embarrassed and saddened by his actions over the past couple of weeks. His behavior is totally inappropriate for a former president. And it makes his wife look weak, as if she needs him to fight her fights. This is not what I want to see in the White House come 2009. Count this 58-year-old white woman from California as a definite Obama supporter. Yes, I'd love to see a woman president, but not THIS woman with THIS husband and THESE sleazy tactics!
Janet writes:
The only attack dog in your premise is quoting Peggy Noonan commenting on Bill Clinton. To follow it up with a slanted question referring to the former president as an "attack dog" puts you in the same junkyard as Peggy.
Sandy writes:
I am a loyal Democrat and I am dismayed that a former president would stoop this low. When this race started, I was torn between the three now remaining candidates. However, I know that if Hillary wins the nomination, I will not vote this year. Her husband’s attacks show that they are not above "politics as usual." Our country needs a change in direction.
Mike from Kansas writes:
Jack, In the world of politics these days, it appears anything goes. Bill Clinton an attack dog? Are we supposed to be surprised? The irony is this tactic does work... The real question is: do we the American public have enough brains to find the best candidate through all the garbage?
Richard writes:
Democrats stood by Bill Clinton during his tough times but I'm pretty sure we won't stand by any Clintons, ever again. They clearly are only interested in one thing: power and obtaining and retaining it at all costs. My rose-colored glasses are off and what I see is not pretty.
K. from Savannah, Georgia writes:
This is a family matter. Barack, the son, has been giving mommy, Hillary, a hard time. Now daddy is home.