Clinton: Obama Must Exhibit More Leadership

The Democrats must create a positive national message if they want to beat back the growing Republican tide, says former President Bill Clinton. And it all starts with President Obama, he told Politico.

“He’s being criticized for being too disengaged, for not caring,” Clinton said of Obama. “So he needs to turn into it. I may be one of the few people that think it’s not bad that that lady [at a recent town hall meeting] said she was getting tired of defending him. He needs to hear it. You need to hear.”

And what should the current president do? “Be optimistic about our future,” Clinton said. “Embrace people’s anger, including their disappointment at you. And just ask ‘em to not let the anger cloud their judgment. Let it concentrate their judgment. And then make your case.”

Clinton is impressed with the GOP’s strength. “Let’s give the Republicans a little bit of credit here,” he said.