Indeed, Democratic operatives cast Clinton’s husband as a second-tier stand-in for the candidate — of less value than President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. He still has a 53 percent approval rating, according to a recent poll, and can speak to broad swaths of the electorate. But in some of the swing states where campaign operatives are putting in asks for big-name Democrats to visit, Bill Clinton comes in about even with Joe Biden and Tim Kaine, followed by Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, Democratic operatives say. He’s seen as a highly effective rainmaker with donors, but less useful than the reigning leaders of the party at rallies and among voters.
The value of the Obamas as surrogates also rises because they are scarce commodities on the campaign trail. Bill Clinton, by contrast, is an easier get, with a weaker case to make: He has traveled to more than 40 states and territories, and headlined more than 400 public events for his wife this year.
“When you see Bill Clinton, the first thing you think of is not Hillary, it’s not tomorrow — it’s the former president and yesterday,” said the DNC member. “He can go and raise money, but in terms of what she is going to do as president — she needs to be making that case. I’m voting for Hillary. I’m not voting for Bill.”
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