The public has a mixed reaction to the prospect of Bill Clinton’s return to the White House, should Hillary Clinton win the 2008 election; nonetheless, most Americans (64%) believe that Bill Clinton would have a positive influence on the way his wife would do her job if she becomes president. Fewer than half of Americans (45%) say they “like the idea of Bill Clinton being back in the White House;” a third says they dislike that prospect. Republicans are overwhelmingly negative about the prospect of Bill Clinton’s possible return, while Democrats are overwhelmingly positive. Notably, men are much more favorable about Clinton’s possible return to the White House than are women: by 52%-29% men like this idea, while women are divided (40% like/36% dislike). There is greater agreement that the former president would have a positive influence on his wife, if she wins the presidency. Despite the reservations that women express about Bill Clinton “being back in the White House,” nearly as many women as men say Bill Clinton’s influence on a President Hillary Clinton would be positive (62% of women vs. 67% of men). Read More

Russell Heimlich  is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.