Why has Bill Clinton been so reluctant to criticize Donald Trump?

[Ronnie]

If there's one thing that's really struck me about Bill Clinton's behavior this election, it's that he seems to go out of his way to not attack Donald Trump.  I wonder if he's doing it because he perceives that entering the fray with Donald would detract from Hillary, or if he genuinely likes him and hopes he can continue to be chummy with him after the election.  What do you all think?

[Badger]

Entirely the former.

[Speed of Sound]

Entirely the former.

Yep. Bill has a way more important job: humanize Hillary and raise her favorables. Getting into the mud lowers his ability to do that and distracts the message....especially since Bill can sometimes put his foot in his mouth when he gets flustered.

[Vega]

I'm sure it also has to do with Trump shouting "Rapist!" whenever he starts slamming him to hard. Probably not great to hear that.

[Seriously?]

My theory is that Bill Clinton would rather be with the Energizer Bunny in Chappaqua than "Stuck With Hillary!" in the White House. Can't say I blame him.

[Ebowed]

My theory is that Bill Clinton would rather be with the Energizer Bunny in Chappaqua than "Stuck With Hillary!" in the White House. Can't say I blame him.

So, just to be clear, you think Bill Clinton is intentionally sabotaging his wife's campaign?

[Fuzzy Bear]

If Bill took on Trump, Trump would throw the kitchen sink from the 1990s back at Bill.  And it would stick.

Bill's smarter than Hillary, and he cares about his own personal legacy.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Trump made it clear pretty early on that he'll go there.

[Seriously?]

My theory is that Bill Clinton would rather be with the Energizer Bunny in Chappaqua than "Stuck With Hillary!" in the White House. Can't say I blame him.

Your theory is a mix of wishful thinking and gutter rhetoric.
Which is actually a pretty accurate description for almost all your posts.

When the shoe fits about a politician, I have no problem calling a spade a spade. Bill Clinton's mistress is well documented,

[Sir Mohamed]

Likely for the same reason W hesitated to attack Mr. Drumpf. Both may think that it is unworthy for a former president to do so. And Bill seems more engaged to humaize his wife.

[heatcharger]

He learned his lesson from 2008 so he's staying in the doghouse until after the election.

[Speed of Sound]

Bill's smarter than Hillary.

I don't have many good things to say about the woman, but I would bet the house that you're wrong on that one.

[Senator-elect Spark]

He's afraid of Trump

[Erich Maria Remarque]

If Bill took on Trump, Trump would throw the kitchen sink from the 1990s back at Bill.  And it would stick.

Bill's smarter than Hillary, and he cares about his own personal legacy.

This! And that Bill is pretty low-energy/tired.

[skoods]

Probably because in this election, Bill is the spouse of a candidate, a role not traditionally known as an attack dog.

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

Bill doesn't want to come across as a hypocrite. That's my guess.

[Hermit For Peace]

Seems to me that Bill is not the focus of this election, so his place is to promote Hillary. He needs to let Hillary fight her own battles.

That, and also, he does have a questionable past and it would be best to let that rest in the past.

Of course Trump will bring it up in the debates, but what is to stop his opponent from trashing his marriages and divorces and affairs, and his own rape charge? Not to mention the occupation of his present wife as represented in nude photos all over the place?

I mean, Trump really needs to give it a rest, although he won't. This isn't a personality contest, it's a Presidential election. The focus really needs to be on issues and policies and the American People, not all about Trump and his sick attacks.

[defe07]

Muh Donald Trumpz a plantz!! Lolz

[Kingpoleon]

I'm sure it also has to do with Trump shouting "Rapist!" whenever he starts slamming him to hard. Probably not great to hear that.

You mean because he raped Juanita Broadrick?

[MIKESOWELL]

They both have been accused of rape, womanizing, etc., so perhaps Bill is staying away from firing back at Trump due to fear of retaliation from Trump. Trump doesn't have the usual filter of a normal politician, and will say some outrageous things at times. This will also only distract from the intended message of the Hillary Clinton campaign. Another theory I guess, and I have to go there, is that Bill and Donald are friends, and that Trump is a plant for the Democrats.

[Virginiá]

I'm sure it also has to do with Trump shouting "Rapist!" whenever he starts slamming him to hard. Probably not great to hear that.

You mean because he raped Juanita Broadrick?

Definitive statement backed by zero evidence. How useful and convincing. I love how some people's burden of proof is significantly lower for people they don't like.