Bill Clinton defended Hillary Rodham Clinton's commitment to poor and working Americans, saying his family's post-presidential wealth had not prevented the former secretary of state from understanding people's economic problems.
"She's not out of touch," the former president declared at his family's annual domestic policy summit yesterday. Bill Clinton noted that in law school, his future wife sought legal assistance for the poor and advocated for paid leave for new mothers during the 1970s.
The former first lady, who is considering a 2016 presidential campaign, told ABC News earlier this month that her family was faced with legal bills and "dead broke" when they left the White House in early 2001.
Republicans have pointed to the millions of dollars the family has earned since Bill Clinton left the presidency and suggested his wife was out of touch with the daily demands of most working Americans.
Working-class families have been supportive of the Clinton family's political campaigns in the past. If she runs for president, Republicans say Hillary Clinton could be vulnerable to charges of being a Washington insider insulated by private jets and high speaking fees at a time when many Americans struggle.
The tactic could represent a payback of sorts after Democrats portrayed Republican Mitt Romney as rich and out of touch during his losing 2012 presidential campaign. The former president said during an interview with NBC News' David Gregory at the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting that his family's personal wealth was the "wrong debate" and the focus should be on how political leaders address "the central challenge of our time, which is the demise of the American dream."
With the gap between the rich and poor on the minds of many Americans, Bill Clinton said most Americans do not resent someone doing well financially. "I think they resent it if they're not getting a fair deal," he said.
His comments came on the opening day of the annual Clinton summit, which was focusing on economic issues like youth employment and child literacy.
Hillary Clinton did not address the debate over the family's wealth at the meeting but announced projects to create job opportunities for young people.
"For those who don't get a college education or even high school, most doors just won't open, no matter how hard they knock," the former first lady said.
