* Pragmatic strategy by Hillary Clinton to co-opt all those queries about what the role of a “first spouse” would be. Speculation has been moving on many levels, most involving politically partisan taunts, when said spouse is Bill Clinton. “I’m going to put him in charge of revitalizing the economy,” announced Hillary Clinton.
While opponents will reference the “peace dividend” and the dot-com bubble as Clinton Administration context, the reality is the Clinton Administration represents–increasingly–a time of relative economic nostalgia. Bill Clinton can bring more than baggage to the White House–including a reminder of where the economy was before George W. Bush took office.
* It’s pretty much a given that a Republican candidate won’t win the presidency without Florida and its 29 electoral votes. And, as Barack Obama proved twice, Democratic turnout in a presidential-ballot year can be formidable. And Donald Trump will not exactly be a magnet for Florida’s minority voters, especially Hispanics. And women. And a fractured party, of course, hardly helps.
So how best to beat Hillary Clinton in a state he must win? And knowing that President Obama, Sen. Cory Booker, HUD Secretary Julian Castro, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others will be flying in to gin up the minority and female vote? How about doubling down on his veep choice?
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, as we recall, was the only Republican in statewide office to endorse Trump BEFORE he won the Sunshine State primary. She was front and center at his Tampa rally. It was pathetic then and will only get worse during the campaign–regardless of her official status. But a prominent Florida female surrogate with a lot of Fox media training is not exactly the longest of shots. Not when the nominee is a billionaire reality TV show host.
* For what it’s worth: Ronald Reagan’s favorite movie was “High Noon,” a tale of a common man who rises to greatness in response to the times. Donald Trump’s favorite movies are “Citizen Kane” and “The Godfather,” stories of huge ego beyond the grasp of ordinary observers.
* Enough of all the travail within Republican Party ranks over the unconscionable candidacy of Trump and enough of the family feud between Clinton and Sanders supporters on the Dems’ side. It’s (past) time for Bernie to do the right thing, and it’s time for the American electorate to take one for their country in November with a vote for the best, however imperfect, candidate running. This isn’t so much about making history; it’s about unmasking a performance artist and avoiding a disaster.