Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Bill Clinton playing fast, loose with facts to boost Hillary campaign

Former President Bill Clinton listens as his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, speaks in Ames, Iowa in November 2015. During recent campaign swings through Iowa and New Hampshire, Bill Clinton treaded fastidiously through tightly controlled campaign events at which he walked voters through Hillary Clinton’s policy priorities, stressing the need to invest in infrastructure, renewable energy, small business, college affordability and paid leave. He also sprinkled his remarks with his wife’s foreign policy and domestic accomplishments as first lady, New York senator and secretary of state.
Former President Bill Clinton listens as his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, speaks in Ames, Iowa in November 2015. During recent campaign swings through Iowa and New Hampshire, Bill Clinton treaded fastidiously through tightly controlled campaign events at which he walked voters through Hillary Clinton’s policy priorities, stressing the need to invest in infrastructure, renewable energy, small business, college affordability and paid leave. He also sprinkled his remarks with his wife’s foreign policy and domestic accomplishments as first lady, New York senator and secretary of state. Charlie Neibergall AP

Bill Clinton spinning facts to boost Hillary campaign

President Clinton gave a speech in Exeter, N.H., to bolster Hillary in that state's primary. As expected, it was mostly about him and how his policies brought prosperity. It attempted to establish that with a Hillary presidency, it would repeat.

His manipulative, wizardry with facts and statistics (favorites of his) showed the poor and middle classes benefitted during his tenure, far better than Reagan's. He claimed his policies "created" jobs, the lowest unemployment ever, greatest revenue and a balanced budget.

Objective economists could refute most his assertions. They were "spin," like the speech for President Obama before the 2012 election. Fact-checks revealed that one labored under half truths, some falsehoods, and exaggerations.

The N.H. speech also wanted for truth. That wasn't reported much by the media. His missed opportunity to capture bin Laden is also a "secret." He claimed no lawful basis; imagine, a lawful Clinton!

Now truth! The economy was fueled mainly by Bill Gates and Silicon Valley Information Technology (IT) entrepreneurs. They created the jobs that stoked our economy. Clinton was a spectator of a new product revolution that brought jobs, and many related accompanying job opportunities in IT. A Mr. McGoo presidency would have witnessed the same. Moreover, the budget was balanced by insistence of the House of Representatives.

Hillary would have no "Gates" era to trade-on, nor would "surrogate" president, Bill. Witness her failure as a secretary of state. Minimally, by now, a non-political Department of Justice probably would have indicted her for looseness with classified information.

Jerry Donatucci

Bradenton

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bill Clinton playing fast, loose with facts to boost Hillary campaign ."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER