Barack Obama appeared on Good Morning America this morning. In the interview, he attacked Bill Clinton for his use of "facts" and stated he was running against both Clintons.
I am not sure that this strategy will work for a few reasons. However, this is what it seems he is doing:
(1) Attack the authority of Hillary Clinton by implying that one of the reasons people are voting for her is because they like Bill. This means that her Presidency will be about him and not her.
(2) Attack the credibility of Bill Clinton. We know that Bill Clinton has had a problem with the facts and the truth while in office and Obama wants to make sure that people remember this and its effect on the Democratic Party in the minds of independent voters.
(3) Make the connection that Hillary endorses Bill, which means Hillary endorses the lying. From this vantage point, it is hard to argue for change, which Hillary does, because it is no different than the current administration.
(4) Attack the notion that a former President and former leader of the party is providing an unfounded attack on a member of the party, showing that the Clintons will not be concerned about the party itself just its interest in the party.
Yet, the problem with this strategy is that people, especially Democrats of the establishment, like Bill Clinton. This is very important when comparing the Clinton and Bush administrations. While focusing the election on Bill rather than Hillary may effect the pride of Hillary, it may help her by gaining votes from people that may vote against her.
update: Top Democrats will ask President Clinton to tone down his remarks while campaigning for his wife because it is hurting his (Clinton's) image and doign a disservice to the party in the campaign. This may be a problem for free speech (social coercion) and further divide the party.
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