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Quote Of The Day

By Greg Sargent - May 18, 2007, 4:54PM

"Bill Clinton is the most popular person on Earth."

-- Former Clinton adviser and current commentator Paul Begala, talking just now on CNN about Bill's poll numbers relative to those of other global figures.

34 Comments

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thus accomplishing his most fervently held life-long goal.

and the funny thing is...I like him, too.

Posted by Evan R
May 18, 2007 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink

hah! Reminds me of the story I heard somewhere how in kindergarten he was already canvassing, would walk up to anyone and say, "Hi, I'm Bill, can I be your friend?"

Posted by artappraiser
May 18, 2007 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink

"Bill Clinton is the most popular person on Earth."

Yep, he replaced Muhammad Ali :-)

Posted by JohnW1141
May 18, 2007 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink

Oh no..

I wonder how long before some nut sees the name Clinton above the name Muhammad and begins drawing al-Qaeda links...

Posted by mcboo
May 18, 2007 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink

In reality...I can't think of a global political figure that IS more popular.

On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Mencken

Posted by seashell
May 18, 2007 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink

Mine of that age divides the world between ordinary friends and bad friends, i.e. the ones that hate you. This patented approach means that he already has Bill beat.

Posted by Devon
May 18, 2007 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink

I am personally sick and tired of both the Clintons. I am tired of their old style politics and the triangulating and the need for their egos to constantly be fed by lakeys like Bagalla and Carvelle and the dupes who do not see the Clintons as DLC republican lite who just about destroyed the identity of the democratic party.
If the Clintons get their third term, what is of the progressive movement will surely be wiped out along with the destruction of Howard Dean.

Posted by vwcat
May 18, 2007 9:28 PM | Reply | Permalink

I guess he rushed in to fill Tom Cruise's spot. But more popular than Oprah Jesus?

Posted by Don Key
May 19, 2007 4:04 AM | Reply | Permalink

Exactly!! and the corporate media is giving corporatist DLC Hillary a pass - while promoting Bill and failing to ask her hard questions.
As Bill Moyers' guest stated last night - Obama doesn't expect to win, but making himself viable for the future.
In the meantime, the corporations are donating heavily to Hillary and Obama - giving Hillary a "challenger" while sidelining Edwards as a "populist" because he supports fair-trade and unions which corporations oppose.

Posted by annefrank
May 19, 2007 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink

I saw bill clinton on tv the other day and if you're a sucker for a good smile, he's your guy... i really don't know anyone who smiles like that man does.

To boldly go...

Posted by mcs
May 19, 2007 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink

Here are some http://socialistregister.com/socialistregister.com/files/SR_1997_Henwood.pdf "> differing thoughts on Bill Clinton.

Posted by BVZ
May 20, 2007 5:25 AM | Reply | Permalink

¿key words-on earth.

Posted by Gary Small
May 20, 2007 7:34 AM | Reply | Permalink

FYI on your "differing thoughts" link: It is common courtesy to notify people if you link to a PDF file. And for the benefit of others, this particular PDF file isn't worth the bother.

Posted by Tennessean
May 20, 2007 8:16 AM | Reply | Permalink

It is common courtesy to notify people if you link to a PDF file.

Sorry I never read that rule of common courtesy, where is it set in stone for all to see?

And for the benefit of others, this particular PDF file isn't worth the bother.

I'm sure you have heard of the relationship between opinions and common orifices.

I find Henwood, a conservative gone left, an interesting character and a rather witty critic. His opinions are not mine but insightful. One supposes you have you have your reasons for dissuading others from the attempt to form their own opinions, and that one could speculate on what those reasons might be…other than benevolence.

Posted by BVZ
May 20, 2007 9:01 AM | Reply | Permalink

I think Nelson Mandela might be more popular.

Posted by thethinredline
May 20, 2007 9:04 AM | Reply | Permalink

Sorry I never read that rule of common courtesy, where is it set in stone for all to see?

It is an unwritten rule in the land of blogs. You should let the reader know if a PDF is coming up, or if there is a subscription required for the link.

It's common courtesy. It happens on almost every blog out there.

It would also be courteous and helpful to the readers here to copy/paste a short preview of the material to which you are linking, or the material you think is especially relevant. Again, no written rule, but that's pretty much part of the culture in the blogs.

"Thank God George Bush is our president." -Rudy Giuliani

Posted by cscs
May 20, 2007 9:07 AM | Reply | Permalink

And for the benefit of others, this particular PDF file isn't worth the bother.

I read part of it and thought it was interesting. Instead of attacking the pdf, why not post your critique of what was in it?

To boldly go...

Posted by mcs
May 20, 2007 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink

I wonder how many people even care?

To boldly go...

Posted by mcs
May 20, 2007 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink

The pdf is from 1997, and would not be of much relevance even if we got into a time machine and went back to that halcyon epoch of relative peace & prosperity, when the world respected and trusted America. Excerpts:

What might we expect of the second Clinton term? I've already suggested some of it, particularly the partial privatization of Social Security. ...

There's a bit less emphasis on religion, though Clinton himself claims to be deeply religious ....

Balancing the budget is a code-phrase for deep cuts in civilian services...

Posted by Bronto1
May 20, 2007 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink

Point taken. I shouldn't have said Tom Cruise.

Posted by Don Key
May 20, 2007 4:15 PM | Reply | Permalink

But... but... but... he got a blow job from a woman!

How many popular men actually get blow jobs from women?

Oh...

Most of them...

thosethingswesay.blogspot.com

Posted by destor23
May 20, 2007 4:43 PM | Reply | Permalink

It may be so, but let me say that the rule is NOT always followed ON DailyKos or Mydd. Though I know for a fact that Bowers does tend to put up warnings. The most common warning is Look At This Link (PDF!).

Posted by MNPundit
May 20, 2007 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink

I'd offer up this as a reason why Clinton is widely popular:

Because people look at the world today, with Bush as American President, and yearn for the Clinton years.

Don't get me wrong, all considered I believe Clinton was a good President, and rightly deserves favorable recognition. I just think his achievements are cast in a hugely positive light when they are (inevitably) juxtaposed against his successor's abject failures.

There's an oft-repeated line that Clinton is looking for his legacy, and ironically, Bush's global-wrecking crew has probably and unintentionally delivered it by further elevating Clinton's statesmanlike reputation.

Posted by Eddie-george
May 21, 2007 7:44 AM | Reply | Permalink

Anyone got any nominations for the least popular man on earth?

I'll bet it's not Osama.

Jan

Posted by CVille Dem
May 21, 2007 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink

please.

compared to bush, nixon was a good president.

skippy

Posted by skippy
May 22, 2007 1:08 AM | Reply | Permalink

Compared to Nixon, Bush is a lot more Nixon (minus the at least rational foreign policy).

Posted by Devon
May 22, 2007 8:10 AM | Reply | Permalink