In a new book titled “The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution” by journalist Ryan Grim, former President Bill Clinton is reported to have sharply criticized the 2016 presidential campaign of his wife, Hillary Clinton.
The book, released on December 5, 2023, delves into the political landscape from 2015 to the 2022 midterms and highlights various elements of the progressive movement in American politics.
It focuses on United States Congressional Representative from New York City, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the so-called “Squad,” analyzing their roles and influence in the Democratic Party. Grim’s narrative reveals the challenges and aspirations of these politicians, juxtaposing them with the internal dynamics of the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.
The revelation about Bill Clinton’s views on Hillary’s campaign is notable in this larger political discourse. According to Grim, in the fall of 2016, Bill Clinton expressed frustration over the campaign’s communication strategies and its political approach.
He is quoted as lamenting to a friend that the campaign “could not sell p—y on a troop train.” This statement is indicative of his thoughts on the perceived shortcomings in the campaign’s ability to effectively communicate and resonate with the electorate.
Bill Clinton, a two-term president himself, reportedly voiced concerns over the campaign’s failure to adequately reach out to certain demographic groups, particularly in suburban and rural areas less inclined to vote Democrat. His critique underscores a broader narrative about the campaign’s inability to resonate with a diverse voter base, contributing to Hillary Clinton’s upset loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
As noted by commentators, one of the most critical strategic errors of the campaign was the decision to not campaign in Wisconsin during the general election. Despite projections by pollsters that Hillary Clinton would win the state, which had not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1984, Donald Trump managed an upset victory there by a margin of about 22,000 votes. This blunder is emblematic of the campaign’s miscalculations and missteps.
The revelations in Grim’s book come at a time when Hillary Clinton is reportedly increasing her involvement in the political arena, particularly in support of President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign. She recently hosted a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., which is said to have raised $1 million for Biden’s campaign.