Hillary Clinton Gets An Unlikely Defender

A few weeks ago, likely 2016 presidential candidate Rand Paul introduced a pathetic new line of attack on Hillary Clinton, suggesting that Bill Clinton’s indiscretions with Monica Lewinsky in the late 1990s somehow disqualify Hillary from becoming president. The tirade, which was insulting to both Hillary Clinton and the general intelligence of American voters, was criticized by liberal and conservative commentators alike. But Paul hasn’t let up on the attacks, and now even Mitt Romney — far from a Clinton apologist — is defending Hillary.

“I don’t think Bill Clinton is as relevant as Hillary Clinton if Hillary Clinton decides to run for president,” Romney said on Meet The Press Sunday. “And in her case, I think people will look at her record as the Secretary of State and say, ‘During that period of time, did our relations with nations around the world elevate america and elevate our interests, or were they receding?’ And I think her record is what will be judged upon, not the record of her husband.”

Let’s give credit where credit’s due: This was a classy, respectful and dignified way for Romney to respond. Granted, he’s not running for office anymore, but even so, it would be easy for him to simply tow the party line and jump on Paul’s intellectually-bankrupt bandwagon. But he didn't. He took the high road, despite having criticized Hillary frequently during the 2012 campaign, and that’s all too rare for politicians of either party.

“I think Hillary Clinton, if she becomes the nominee, will have plenty to discuss about her own record. I don’t imagine that Bill Clinton is going to be a part of it,” Romney said when host David Gregory repeated the question. “He embarrassed the nation, he breached his responsibility as an adult, I think, and as a leader, in his relationship, and that’s very unfortunate. But I don’t think that’s Hillary Clinton’s to explain. She has her own record, her own vision for the country.”

Indeed. Bill and Hillary aren’t the same person, as Paul so desperately wants voters to believe. If pretending that they are is how he plans to win over women voters, his quest for the White House will probably be about as successful as Romney’s.