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 It's
no secret that Bill Clinton likes women. But a prominent Republican?
And not just any Republican but one who is seeking to deny
the Democrats a chance to reclaim the White House that Clinton reluctantly
vacated eight years ago.
Yet here is the former president, a prominent Democrat,
describing Sarah Palin, the GOP nominee for vice president, as "hot"
and saying her husband is "my kind of guy."
In an interview with CNBC last week Clinton called the Alaska
governor an "effective candidate" and he told reporters in New York
last Monday he can understand her appeal to voters, especially those in the
heartland.
"I come from Arkansas," he said. "I get
why she's hot out there, why she's doing well.
"People look at her, and they say, `All those kids.
Something that happens in everybody's family. I'm glad she loves her
daughter and she's not ashamed of her. Glad that girl's going around with
her boy friend. Glad they're going to get married.
"I like that little Down syndrome kid. One of them
lives down the street. They're wonderful children. They're wonderful
people.
"And I like the idea that this guy does those long
distance races. Stayed in the race for 500 miles with a broken arm.
My kind of guy."
Clinton was referring to Alaska's "First Dude" Todd
Palin, who is a four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race.
With these remarks, it was almost as if Clinton – the most
famous "Bubba" in American political history -- were describing
himself.
He stopped short of endorsing Palin as John McCain's running
mate. But he might have given her a new title: "America's Favorite
Bubbess."
* * * * *
Robert L. Haught is author of The POTUS Chronicles: Bubba Between the
Bushes.
Robert
L. Haught is a former UPI correspondent and bureau manager who took a detour
into politics and government and returned to writing. In 1987, Haught became the
first Washington-based editorial writer for The Oklahoman. Haught retired as
senior editorial writer in 1995 but continued to produce "Potomac
Junction", a political humor column, until December 2007.
In 2003 he created another column for self-syndication, "Now, I'm No
Expert", which was the basis for a book published in 2006.
He
has been recognized for his journalistic achievements by induction into the
Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. As a member of the National Society for
Newspaper Columnists, Haught was editor of the organization's newsletter, The
Columnist, for three years before becoming NSNC Secretary in 2004.
He organized and directed the 2007 Will Rogers Writers' Workshop in
Oklahoma City. Haught continues to coordinate the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award
program and currently is the Newsletter editor.
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