# If Hillary wins, can she have Bill help her on every decision? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 6, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119 "2015-09-06T00:52:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/41 "2015-09-06T16:47:35Z")
> [@Habeed](#): > > Also, executive privilege means that even if Hillary were taking Bill’s view 100% of the time, who would have standing to sue, and how would you subpoena the Presidential records that are protected by privilege? Forget standing to sue. What basis do you think such a lawsuit would have? What law would be violated? And as others said, it seems pretty clear that should would govern or preside (not “rule”, which is the verb you used upthread) as her own person. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/42 "2015-09-06T16:52:47Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Yes. And it goes directly to the question asked and repeated by the OP: > > Would there by anything wrong with Hillary (or Chelsea, or Charlotte) serving as a proxy for an extended Clinton presidency? > > And given that the constitution protects Gay Marriage, I certainly can see the term limitation being read to exclude proxy terms. > > I don’t see that “remote” is a conclusive argument. I think “totally fucking absurd” is a better fit mainly because it would effectively prevent the spouse of a former President from ever being President which isn’t Constitutional. How could anyone determine a proxy term from a real one legally anyway? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/43 "2015-09-06T16:56:48Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > [Here](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/90/hr7977/text)’s what **Lord Feldon** is referring to; it’s long been nicknamed “The Bobby Kennedy Law”; jump ahead to Section 221, which spells out that, for purposes of this section, It looks like they could get divorced to circumvent that law. It will never happen, of course, and even if they did try the resulting deserved shit storm would make it beyond not worth the try. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/44 "2015-09-06T17:05:32Z")
> [@SigMan](#): > > If Hillary wins will Bill become the First Gentleman? I believe Bill has said his title should be “First Laddie”. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/45 "2015-09-06T18:25:48Z")
First Dude, he says. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/46 "2015-09-06T19:04:23Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > It looks like they could get divorced to circumvent that law. It will never happen, of course, and even if they did try the resulting deserved shit storm would make it beyond not worth the try. Use any tool in the box to get the job done. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/47 "2015-09-06T19:12:10Z")
IIRC, didn’t Woodrow Wilson’s wife essentially run the government on his behalf for the last year or so of his term after his stroke? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/48 "2015-09-06T20:46:53Z")
> [@Habeed](#): > > I guess what I’m wondering here is if Hillary goes with Bill’s ideas say, 90% of the time … One wonders if it wasn’t that Bill went with Hillary’s ideas 90% of the time. Or more. My impression has always been that she is more of the brains of the two and that he has been the more effective communicator/sales force. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/49 "2015-09-08T16:40:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Presidents have legal requirements and constraints on their _actions_, but they can listen to, or ignore, anyone they choose to, just like anyone else. This. I’m pretty sure she will listen to him, at least, but she will form her own opinion. I doubt he’ll be given any formal appointments, but I’d be surprised if she didn’t make him part of her kitchen cabinet (which a lot of Presidents have had in the past…basically, informal groups of friends they trust who they can bounce stuff off of). ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/50 "2015-09-08T17:19:18Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > IIRC, didn’t Woodrow Wilson’s wife essentially run the government on his behalf for the last year or so of his term after his stroke? That’s the legend, although it’s unclear how much real effect on national policy she had. Many presidential spouses have had a distinct political impact, though - Abigail Adams, Edith Roosevelt, and, yes, Hillary Clinton are prominent examples. There is no reason to doubt Bill Clinton would be one too. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/51 "2015-09-08T18:49:45Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Maybe Bill will be Hillary’s VP. A couple in the white house. Nope, anyone who’s ineligible to be president is also ineligible to be VP. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/52 "2015-09-08T19:33:39Z")
> [@SigMan](#): > > If Hillary wins will Bill become the First Gentleman? :rolleyes: Actually the first First Gentleman. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/53 "2015-09-08T19:58:26Z")
I hope we’re far enough along for a _House of Cards_ tangent - does the Bobby Kennedy law mean that Frank Underwood couldn’t actually appoint his wife as ambassador to the UN? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/54 "2015-09-08T20:01:03Z")
Y’know, all this argument about is it Constitutional for Hillary to take Bill’s advice in her Executive decisions, or is it legal for him to be a part of her cabinet or hold some form of office during her potential presidency—when really, would it kill Bill to do the dishes every now and then?! ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/55 "2015-09-08T20:02:53Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I hope we’re far enough along for a _House of Cards_ tangent - does the Bobby Kennedy law mean that Frank Underwood couldn’t actually appoint his wife as ambassador to the UN? Well, I heard… (_looks around_ …they might be getting a divorce!) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/56 "2015-09-08T20:04:32Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Y’know, all this argument about is it Constitutional for Hillary to take Bill’s advice in her Executive decisions, or is it legal for him to be a part of her cabinet or hold some form of office during her potential presidency—when really, would it **kill Bill** to do the dishes every now and then?! Well, Bill did have Beatrix Kiddo shot in the head at her wedding… ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/57 "2015-09-08T20:06:11Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Well, Bill did have Beatrix Kiddo shot in the head at her wedding… Good point. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/58 "2015-09-09T00:20:04Z")
Surely Hillary Clinton will not rely only on her husband’s advice and expertise, as president she will have a cabinet and advisors. Nothing weird about her getting advice from Bill Clinton, or any president doing so from a former president. And all said and done she will make her own decisions, so no Hillary won’t be Bill’s puppet and the situation is nothing like Russia. Dmitry Medvedev was/is Vladimir Putin’s stooge, as soon as Putin left she was appointed by his hand picked successor. Bill Clinton will never become vice president, just as Barack Obama can never be Joe Biden’s. None would even be cabinet members. But nothing wrong with getting advice, it’s not sinister or harmful to American democracy. As for Bill Clinton’s title should his wife be elected to president, I would guess First Husband. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/59 "2015-09-09T00:29:21Z")
I would expect Bill to give advice and generally be part of her inner circle. I’m sure HIllary was during his administration. The major caveat though is that he has no legal authority unless he’s part of her Cabinet or National Security advisor or chief of staff or something of that nature. He can’t sit in on NSA meetings and he can’t give any orders without an actual job. So any advice he gave would be based on less knowledge than Hillary will have since he can’t legally be in on principles’ meetings. That’s why I’d still really love for Hillary to explain her “experience” given that the first time she had legal authority to do anything or hear anything of a sensitive nature was in 2001. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/60 "2015-09-09T02:00:38Z")
Dude. We get it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119.md?page=4)