BILL AND BARACK

Welcome to summer on the tube. It’s buddy series time whenever the nightly news hits the air except this time no one slides across the car hood to begin pursuit. Welcome to the series premiere of What’s My Gaffe?

What else can explain the Alphonse and Gaston verbal blunders that have been flying thick and fast out of the 42’s mouth? It has to be Clinton is trying to woo the nation’s pro-business disaffected by appealing to their inner reason. And Bill, don’t play dumb about the Bush Tax Cuts. You shouldn’t resurrect the “aw shucks” yokel. It’s time to get serious since the Republicans are getting their game together for a full frontal assault once their convention infomercial is a wrap.

And Mr. President, you can’t get away with mangling the truth about our private sector economy. Man, if you don’t sound like 2008’s doddering old man-candidate, the McCainster. No wonder he’s off patrol duty and back at a desk urging everyone who passes by to start another war. No one’s listening but it would be the only way to arrest those responsible for the world’s latest killing fields.

This show reminds me a bit of I Spy. Clinton is playing his own down home version of the silver-tongued devil-may-care Robert Culp while Obama plays Bill Cosby’s role straight up. Whenever, Culp screws up, Cosby begins spouting some prehistoric jive intended to say “I know you made a boo-boo, but I still love you like a brother from another mother”. Meanwhile when Barack blows one big time, Clinton is there to offer his own encouragement in the form of a quick trip the burger stand for solace and fries.

Nevertheless, Bill is now part of the fixtures, or better yet, soon to be that in-law you just can’t crowbar out of the guest bedroom. It’s all part of the deal made four years ago when Hilary lost. In exchange for keeping his mouth shut (up until now, that is)as Obama felt his way, he got his misses named Secretary of State with the ability to opt out of her current day job to run for commander-in-chief in 2016. Let the dynasties continue: the crowd roared in approval.

Despite all the contrivance, we still think Bill is one badass. And whether or not his latest sidekick wins in November, he is going to test that love as he slips from one presidential campaign to another.