Bill Clinton and the art of southern politics

A lot is being made over Bill Clinton's remarks praising Mitt Romney's business record, saying that Romney is definitely qualified to run for President. I don't know if Clinton has any ulterior motives, but he's likely teaching Obama the art of southern politics. Clinton grew up in a part of America that's the heart of the country, and he's dealt with farmers, businesspeople, professors, crooks, women of the evening, political movers and shakers, alcoholics, preachers, Left radicals and just about the whole spectrum of personality types.

Clinton filled his black book in equal pride with the numbers of country lawyers, corn farmers and Harvard professors. Hilary might have been embarrassed by some of the associations, but she picked up the same skills. BC is a master politician, and in a contest with someopne like Romney, BC would acknowledge Romney's strengths, show no fear, joke about the tough going ahead with such a worthy opponent, then he'd dimantle him with innuendoes, kindness, by one-upping him and by out-charming him, and out-talking him. Clinton would let his operatives do the dirty work, then when asked about a sensitive charge against Romney, Clinton would say he doesn't know if it's true, but if if it is, then it's a shame, but the real isssue is...X, Y or Z.

Obama is going straight for the jugular vein, and it comes across as desparate and motivated by fear and lack of confidence. Obama can learn from Clinton, but he won't be able to pull it off like Clinton -- you either have those life experiences and natural skills, or you don't.