Clinton factor poses uncertainties for Kerry, Demos

WASHINGTON — Democrats and Republicans alike wonder what the publishing frenzy over President Bill Clinton's autobiography "My Life" means for Sen. John Kerry's presidential prospects.

At a minimum, it pulls Clinton into the race.

Both the former president and his putative heir are staying cool about the new political dynamic, at least in public. But the re-emergence of the crocodile in the living room cannot be ignored.

No one can predict how voters will react, but react they surely will.

On a personal level, Clinton and Kerry get along well. They speak together often about campaign details and appreciate each other's complex nature, intellectual prowess and love of public policy intricacies.

Kerry insists Clinton will be an asset and plans to frequently campaign alongside him. He says he's "happy to have Clinton out there reminding people" of the administration's record balancing the budget and supporting progressive programs (and not Clinton's troubling personal behavior).

For his part, the former president enthusiastically embraces Kerry. According to guests, Clinton noted at a private Washington dinner recently that "I predict John Kerry will be one of the greatest presidents of the past 150 years."

He also told Time magazine this week that it would insult the voters to worry that his book would be a negative distraction from Kerry's campaign. But politics at the center of the national power vortex is seldom so permanently straightforward.

Their political interests, at the moment, neatly converge. Clinton wants to be rehabilitated, returned to the Democratic fold after his impeachment and Vice President Al Gore's painful snub four years ago. Kerry would wisely rather have Clinton inside his tent, spitting out, than outside spitting in. To have true party unity, Clinton should be there.

But as the campaign unfolds, a number of "what ifs" will raise their pointy heads. What if Clinton's strong personality overwhelms Kerry's image, making him seem unpleasantly somber and cold? What if Republicans succeed in reminding voters of Clinton's personal weaknesses instead of his policy strengths? What if a newly popular Clinton reverses field and undermines Kerry to help re-elect President Bush, clearing the Democratic path to the presidential nomination for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in four years? Clinton dismisses that possibility, noting that he has no idea whether his wife will run for president or is even inclined to do so.