Savior Bill

I've been trying to square David Maraniss' suggestion this morning that Hillary Clinton won't run in 2016 with Bill Clinton's vigorous endorsement of Barack Obama last night.

The thinking is: Why would Bill be so enthusiastic about Obama if there's nothing in it for him?

Well, that's wrong. There is something in it for him -- even if Hillary doesn't run.

Bill Clinton would love, Love, LOVE to be known as the guy who saved Barack Obama's reelection, who reversed a president's fortunes in one night, who scored one million new votes for each minute he went on, who will always be remembered as the guy who won a presidency three times: 1992, 1996, and 2012.

Of course, if Obama wins, it won't be because of Clinton, but enthusiastic pundits have showered Clinton with those kind of talismanic powers both last night and this morning.

So I think Bill would, indeed, move heaven, earth, hades, and paradise for Obama -- even if he didn't think Hillary would run.

But.... only as long as people were giving him credit for the turn around.