Whoa! Talk about awkward…
In a recent publication titled “The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution” by Ryan Grim of The Intercept, insights into former President Bill Clinton’s candid critique of his wife Hillary’s 2016 election campaign have surfaced.
Clinton reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the campaign’s communication strategies, characterizing them as ineffective, with a particularly vivid remark that they could not successfully sell “p—- on a troop train.” This disclosure, attributed to a conversation during the fall of 2016 with a close confidante, has come to light as the Democratic Party reportedly seeks Hillary’s assistance in President Biden’s re-election efforts.
Grim, the author of the book, delves into the communication dynamics of Hillary’s campaign and its comparison with then-Democratic candidate Senator Bernie Sanders. The book presents Bill Clinton’s perspective on the campaign’s shortcomings and the challenges of identity politics during that period.
This is not the first instance of Bill Clinton criticizing Hillary’s campaign. Previous accounts, such as those in the 2017 book “Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign” by Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen, reveal that Bill had cautioned against neglecting swing states. Despite these warnings, the campaign faced significant criticism for its failure to sufficiently engage in Midwestern states, a factor believed by many to have contributed to Donald Trump’s victory.
Despite Hillary’s setback in 2016, the Democratic Party is reportedly turning to her for support in Biden’s re-election bid. She recently hosted a fundraiser at her Georgetown home, raising nearly $1 million. Recognizing her appeal to women and key Democratic demographics, the party views her involvement as an asset in broadening Biden’s voter outreach. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it is anticipated that Clinton’s role in supporting Biden will expand, according to NBC News.