# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Habeed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a587f6/32.png) [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/61 "2015-09-09T02:33:49Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > 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. So I guess there’s no legal workaround, such as “Bill, as my body man (heh), is authorized to receive any briefs given to me. I declare that Bill Clinton has ultra-top-secret 100% clearance, same as me…” ---
**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 9, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/62 "2015-09-09T02:44:37Z")
Just what is it you think a body man is? ---
**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, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/63 "2015-09-09T13:05:36Z")
> [@Habeed](#): > > So I guess there’s no legal workaround, such as “Bill, as my body man (heh), is authorized to receive any briefs given to me. I declare that Bill Clinton has ultra-top-secret 100% clearance, same as me…” I don’t know if Presidents can just declare that certain people without any official position can just be cleared to get national security briefings. Of course, given their history, I could see them doing something like that and not bothering to let the public, or Congress, know about it. And then they’ll think it’s some kind of right-wing conspiracy when the NY Times reports on their legally sketchy arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/64 "2015-09-09T13:20:24Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I don’t know if Presidents can just declare that certain people without any official position can just be cleared to get national security briefings. Of course, given their history, I could see them doing something like that and not bothering to let the public, or Congress, know about it. And then they’ll think it’s some kind of right-wing conspiracy when the NY Times reports on their legally sketchy arrangement. But…I thought you were so confident that one of Your Guys was going to win in 2016? Now we see you’re already rehearsing The New Clinton Scandals. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/65 "2015-09-09T13:49:00Z")
ISTM that the only legal measure for preventing proxies of this sort is the election. If you don’t think Hillary will be an independent president, don’t vote for her. > [@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? Yes. That would be an appointment to an office in the State Department. Unless she was his ex-wife. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/66 "2015-09-09T13:53:32Z")
> [@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? I think so. That’s actually why I knew about the law (there was an article earlier this year explaining why it would be illegal). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/67 "2015-09-09T13:55:05Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > 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. Did you mean Eleanor or are you talking about Teddy’s wife? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/68 "2015-09-09T13:57:34Z")
Well, Edith did extensively remodel the White House. But I assume he means Eleanor. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/69 "2015-09-09T13:58:34Z")
Damn. Yes. I had been thinking of Edith Wilson in the prior paragraph. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/70 "2015-09-09T14:13:16Z")
Just wanted to say good job running down the legalities, **Alley Dweller**! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/71 "2015-09-09T14:14:19Z")
What is it with this thread and women’s names? ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/72 "2015-09-09T15:06:24Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > 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. Prime Example: Nancy Reagan. She controlled President Reagan’s schedule and served as an unofficial gatekeeper to access to her husband. Her meddling went so far as to cause a rift with Chief of Staff Donald Regan that led to his forced resignation. There have also been rumors, similar to Wilson, that she actually ran the Presidency for the last two years of Reagan’s second term due to his deteriorating mental condition from Alzheimer’s. ---
**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, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/73 "2015-09-09T18:06:04Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > But…I thought you were so confident that one of Your Guys was going to win in 2016? > > Now we see you’re already rehearsing The New Clinton Scandals. And it sounds like you’re rehearsing to defend her from something you know she’d be likely to pull.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/74 "2015-09-09T18:46:00Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And it sounds like you’re rehearsing to defend her from something you know she’d be likely to pull.🙂 No, I’m sure President Clinton will be able to defend herself. She’s been dealing with right wing liars for a long time. ---
**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, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/75 "2015-09-09T18:46:50Z")
Okay, so if she did make an arrangement to let BIll see classified documents, the public and/or Congress would be informed of that unusual arrangement. Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/76 "2015-09-09T19:03:41Z")
Former Presidents do get classified access. You guys will never again elect a President if you spend all your time engaging in spiteful whining, you know. The people are better than that, believe it or not. ---
**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, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/77 "2015-09-09T19:10:20Z")
Former Presidents’ access is quite limited, actually: > **[31 CFR § 2.2 - Access to classified information by historical researchers,...](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/31/2.2)** > [@](#): > > (C) A former President or Vice President is only authorized access to classified information that was prepared by Treasury while that individual was serving as President or Vice President. > (ii) Granting access to classified information pursuant to this section does not constitute the granting of a security clearance for access to classified information. And he certainly won’t be allowed to sit in on national security briefings or principal meetings, unless he is given an official position in the administration that allows for that, OR if Hillary issues an executive order. I don’t care if she does it, it just needs to be out in the open, not a secret arrangement. ---
**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 9, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/78 "2015-09-09T19:31:12Z")
I’m quite sure that Bill Clinton can be very helpful without ever needing to see classified information. ---
**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, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/79 "2015-09-09T19:37:45Z")
That I endorse fully. His expertise was domestic policy anyway. And I’d expect that we’re getting a package deal. That’s a plus, not a minus. But per the OP, he can’t help her with EVERY decision, because he won’t have the same information she does. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119/80 "2015-09-09T19:47:28Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Nope, anyone who’s ineligible to be president is also ineligible to be VP. [We’ve had this discussion before…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=652566) However, I assume Bill and Hillary both live in the same state, in which case the electors of that state can’t vote for both of them; presumably, the electors would vote for Hillary and, say, Elizabeth Warren. The problem here is, this runs the risk of Bill not getting the 269 Electoral Votes needed for VP, which leaves it up to the Senate, which could very easily still be in Republican hands (the electoral votes are counted on January 7th; the newly elected Senate is Constitutionally obligated to start on January 3rd). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119.md?page=5)