Cynical Nation

Kerry and Clinton Have Another Long Talk Days after Democrat John Kerry and former President Clinton had a lengthy, late-night telephone chat to discuss campaign strategy, the two were at it again on Thursday. Only this time, politics weren't involved, says a Kerry aide.

Kerry just wanted to check in and see how Clinton was doing as he recuperates in a New York City hospital after heart bypass surgery earlier this week, said Kerry spokesman David Wade.

"He only called to see how he was doing," Wade said. "They didn't talk politics."

Does anyone buy that? Does it really require a "lengthy" chat to ask, "Hey, Big Guy, how's it hangin'?"

And I've got another question. How much should Kerry really trust this guy? Yeah, I know, I'm going to get e-mail accusing me of being a conspiracy freak, but I do find it highly unlikely that the Clintons want Kerry to win.

I don't have much evidence to support this, but it's primarily the "dog that didn't bark." The Clintons have been pretty much AWOL in the campaign so far, doing only perfunctory campaign duty, basically the minimum required by them as leaders of their party. Why did Clinton wait until Kerry called him, on the eve of his surgery, to offer crucial advice about Vietnam?

Again, I can't prove it, but if I were Kerry, I'd have to at least question whether Bill and HRC had my best interests at heart. A Kerry victory would definitely be a huge obstacle for Hill's presidential aspirations. Then again, Kerry has shown remarkably inept political instincts for someone who's been in the game as long as he has.