In a report previewing Bill Clinton’s upcoming address to the Democratic National Convention, on Tuesday’s NBC Today, correspondent Peter Alexander actually alluded to some of the former president’s problems: “As a surrogate, President Bill Clinton, he boasts an incomparable resume – husband, adviser, and past president himself. But he also brings to the table tonight some significant personal and political baggage.”
One would naturally assume that any discussion of Bill Clinton’s “personal and political baggage” would include his myriad sex scandals, most notably his admitted affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. However, viewers who made such a logical conclusion would have proven wrong by the segment that followed, which completely ignored any of those infamous controversies.
Alexander began by audaciously touting how Clinton was “ready to reclaim the spotlight on behalf of his wife” and how “Hillary’s aides say President Clinton will focus on the woman he’s known for 45 years.” A soundbite played of Hillary Clinton’s communications director Jennifer Palmieri declaring: “His value is in being able to tell the American people about his wife.”
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Rather than seize on such comments to examine Bill Clinton’s infidelity to his wife, Alexander offered a vague analysis of the former commander-in-chief’s pros and cons:
ALEXANDER: And a potent political force, viewed favorably by a majority of Americans. Still, Clinton occasionally veers off script. These comments ridiculing then-Senator Obama in 2008.
CLINTON: This whole thing is the biggest fairytale I’ve ever seen.
ALEXANDER: And more recently, taxiing into trouble, popping into Attorney General Loretta Lynch's plane.
That was the extent of the “political baggage” that the reporter dared to mention.
Wrapping up the report, Alexander proclaimed: “Aides to Secretary Clinton say that no one is better suited to speak on behalf of his wife. The word they say Bill Clinton likes to use in describing Hillary Clinton is ‘change maker’...”
Here is a full transcript of the July 26 segment:
7:31 AM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Well, tonight, the theme is “A Lifetime of Fighting for Children and Families,” it focuses on Secretary Clinton’s work with families around the country. And also tonight, we mentioned this earlier, the roll call, each state announces how their delegates are voting to everyone on that floor. Look for fireworks there from some Sanders supporters. The other big headliner, former President Bill Clinton making his case for why voters should send his wife to the White House. NBC national correspondent Peter Alexander is inside the Wells Fargo Center, he’s got more on that. Peter, good morning.
PETER ALEXANDER: Hey, Savannah, good morning to you. As a surrogate, President Bill Clinton, he boasts an incomparable resume – husband, adviser, and past president himself. But he also brings to the table tonight some significant personal and political baggage.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Bill Clinton to Take Center Stage; Former President Casts Long Shadow on Convention]
Bill Clinton taking in the convention’s opening night, ready to reclaim the spotlight on behalf of his wife. While Donald Trump may be a tempting target, Hillary’s aides say President Clinton will focus on the woman he’s known for 45 years.
JENNIFER PALMIERI [CLINTON CAMPAIGN COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR]: His value is in being able to tell the American people about his wife. She’s famous, but we still feel like there's a lot about her that’s not well known.
ALEXANDER: Politically speaking, Bill Clinton has strengths and weaknesses. Presiding over an economic boom in the 1990s, a talented speaker, delivering for President Obama in 2012.
BILL CLINTON: I want to nominate a man who's cool on the outside but who burns for America on the inside.
ALEXANDER: And a potent political force, viewed favorably by a majority of Americans. Still, Clinton occasionally veers off script. These comments ridiculing then-Senator Obama in 2008.
CLINTON: This whole thing is the biggest fairytale I’ve ever seen.
ALEXANDER: And more recently, taxiing into trouble, popping into Attorney General Loretta Lynch's plane. On stage, President Clinton’s had plenty of practice, this is his tenth DNC address, speaking at every convention for the last 36 years. His 88 remarks, widely viewed as a disaster, the biggest applause coming when he wrapped it up.
CLINTON: In closing –
[CHEERS]
ALEXANDER: But in '92, it was the man from Hope’s shining moment, accepting his party's nomination.
CLINTON: It’s time for a change in America.
ALEXANDER: Eight years later, basking in his accomplishments.
CLINTON: Are we better off today than we were eight years ago? You bet we are.
ALEXANDER: And I spoke to President Clinton briefly last night. He happened to get off an elevator right in front of me, pretty good way to catch up with a source, right? He said he’s very excited for his speech tonight. Aides to Secretary Clinton say that no one is better suited to speak on behalf of his wife. The word they say Bill Clinton likes to use in describing Hillary Clinton is “change maker,” what we expect to see tonight. Savannah?
GUTHRIE: Alright, Peter Alexander, thank you.
