IN AMERICAN public life, surprising angst is generated by the task of finding private jets for political bigwigs to borrow. The chore is easy when a big corporation makes a plane available. Some billionaires relish flying political chums around, which is even handier. But sometimes, when all else fails, flights end up being cadged from frankly unsavoury jet-owners. This does not matter much once a political leader has left office and hit the global-grandee circuit—a lucrative world of paid speeches, charity work and discreet consulting gigs. But it does if a politician still has campaigns left to run.
The private-jet conundrum sheds light on a challenge facing Hillary Clinton. Her husband Bill long ago passed through what might be termed the “money door”, cashing in his celebrity, eloquence and connections to become a rich man. Fair enough; he is a private citizen and a brilliant speaker. Unlike the Brits, who treat Tony Blair as a pariah these days, Americans do not necessarily think it outrageous that a former head of government should become rich. Mr Clinton’s allies add that personal wealth holds little interest for him. Given a pile of money, he might buy an expensive watch but that is about it, admirers maintain.
His wife’s relationship with big money is more complicated. Mrs Clinton is described—to put it politely—as intently focused on her family’s...
from The Economist: United States http://ift.tt/1zgEyvu
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