PARIS (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton indicated that his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, would not stand for the presidency for at least eight years if Democratic nominee John Kerry won this year's vote.

His comments would appear to rule out Hillary Clinton standing against an incumbent Kerry in 2008.

"We're going to help John Kerry. If he wins, then four years from now we'll try to help him again," Clinton said in Paris on a promotional visit for his memoirs, "My Life."

"Eight years from now, who knows? If she ever wants to run, I'll certainly support her. She's very good. I'm quite a good judge at political talent, and she's the ablest person I've ever known."

He said Hillary had vowed to serve out her six-year term as a senator for New York. "End of discussion."

Clinton said he and his wife would both address the Democratic convention Monday evening in Boston, Massachusetts which is due to confirm Kerry and his running mate John Edwards on the party's ticket for the November election.
"Hillary and I are both going to speak for them on Monday night," Clinton said. "She's going to speak, and then bring me on.

"We've already campaigned for them. We're doing a lot and I'll do whatever I'm asked to do."...

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/a...on_040716135649

That was a given, wasn't it? I don't think he even needed to clarify that. It's like we've all been saying about Gore. If not 2004, then he wouldn't get a chance again until 2012, unless Bush wins (can't even think about that). No Party person ever runs against an incumbent. It's just not done. It makes the Party look divided, and neither Party would stand for that. Besides, if Kerry does win, we'll be most likely looking at an Edwards presidency in 2012, and I doubt either Hillary or Gore would be able to beat him at that point. Hillary will be irrelevant (she already is), and Gore will be a has-been, as much as I hate to say that. That's why I was so mad that he passed on 2004. I truly believe this was his last chance (unless 2008 is available).

Clinton irritates me more and more these days. I used to like and respect him, despite Monica and Paula and all that. But I don't like what he's been saying lately, supporting the war, not supporting Gore, continuing to lie. I believe he was a great president, but he's just rubbing me the wrong way lately.

He's starting to annoy even me and I'm his biggest, looniest, die-hard fan.

How so????

How so? Well, last I checked, there was no love lost between these two men. I'm not saying Clinton started it. My understanding is that Gore distanced himself from Clinton during the campaign in 2000, and I also am under the impression that there were problems between Hillary and Al that predated that, so no, there was no show of support by Clinton that I'm aware of when Gore was running or after the election theft. I was also very aware at the Democratic unity dinner a few months ago that Clinton was the only major speaker who did not mention Gore and the fact that he'd actually won the election. Carter mentioned him, Kerry mentioned him. I felt that was a real slight from Clinton that night. He was only full of himself. He didn't even mention Gore as helping be responsible for all the positives during their administration. So I could be mistaken in saying what I did, but it was the impression I had that Clinton certainly could've lent some support to Gore when the mess in Florida was going on and that he could be more supportive now, as others are being, by saying that he knows he actually won the presidency but did not get sworn in. If I'm wrong about that, I'm sure you'll let me know. ;)

I'm not saying you're wrong but according to Gore, he and Clinton still speak on the phone at least once a week. And I remember reports from 2000 that Clinton was dying to go and campaign for Gore in Arkansas.
I don't remember what Clinton said at the Unity dinner but maybe he just wanted to focus on the positives of John Kerry rather then injustices of the past.
Also, I've read many people saying they are annoyed at Clinton for never mentioning Gore during his book tour. But in at least one interview Clinton talked about how the Republicans unfairly painted Gore as soft on defense and then he defended Gore's record.
Unfortunately, too many Gore supporters are falling into the same mindset of Conservatives who think the media is too liberal. That being 'unless what is being said is in 100% agreement with what I think and feel are important, then it is obvious proof of bias'.

Okay, James, I generally trust your judgment on these types of things because you do seem to have more first-hand knowledge in this area than I do. It was just an impression I had from what I've seen and heard. I find it interesting that they speak on the phone once a week, though, because publicly they really seem to have nothing whatsoever to do with each other. I do know that Gore didn't want Clinton campaigning for him in 2000, which I think was a strategic mistake on Gore's part. Most people who would vote for Gore were willing to forgive Clinton his personal foibles and were able to keep the larger picture in mind. I always wondered, though, if Gore weren't personally pissed at Clinton for being so dumb as to do what he did, thereby affecting his (Gore's) chances of being elected. Also, since I believe Gore is a very moral guy, he may have just thought very lowly of Clinton for doing what he did.