While speaking at a campaign rally for Barack Obama in Virginia Saturday, former President Bill Clinton gave an unorthodox assessment of the incumbent’s ability to unify the nation.
“One of the things the decider-in-chief has to do, is whether we’re going to bring this country together across all its diversity or let it drift apart,” Clinton said. “Look at how much stronger the American military is because it is less racist, less sexist and less homophobic and we’re just looking for people who can do the job.”
Clinton’s “less homophobic” remark is in reference to President Obama’s advocacy for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The policy was introduced by Clinton in 1993, and barred homosexuals from serving openly in the American military. Since leaving office, Clinton claims he didn’t choose the policy that ended up taking shape, but regrets the move nonetheless.
Despite a litany of criticisms Clinton made towards Obama and his qualifications for office during the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary when Clinton’s wife was a candidate, Clinton has become one of Obama’s strongest surrogates in 2012, attending nearly 30 campaign events for the president thus far.