Bill Clinton will be joining his wife this week in Iowa.

I was wondering when she’d roll out the big guns. I guess the points she’s continuing to lose to people with real, new ideas finally pushed her to bring out the only weapon in her arsenal that can defeat Barack, Edwards, and all the rest of them: The undying affection the Democratic base has, and the shaken but general regard the centrists & moderates have for Bill Clinton.

I have a great deal of respect for former President Clinton. I have a grudging respect for his wife almost solely because her election would put Bill back in Washington, where he can be more effective than he is now, dancing around the country giving speeches with former President Bush.

They say that the best thing that ever happened to Carter was being beaten so soundly by Reagan in 1980. He went on with the title of ‘former President’ and has done some great things for the world, for human rights, for the advancement of the downtrodden. Bill Clinton is and will be for the foreseeable future a Big Name, someone whose mere presence elevates any event or concept into the Next Big Thing.

There’s only one other person who has that kind of star power, but he’s not running for office. He’s afraid of… afraid of what, exactly? Of losing? Of being handed the most powerful office in the land with which he could lead the world on the global crisis that he has spent much of his life leading for a small group of dedicated soldiers? Of turning this Once Great Country back into the global leader it shoudl be?

Bill can elect Hillary. The United States can elect Al Gore. I guess it’s just more politics.