Clinton Character

Bloomberg's Francis Wilkinson writes the story of the Clintons - Bill and Hill - in ten talking points, done as point/counterpoint. The real "meat" is in the first six, the last four are basically padding.

Point One: Bill and Hillary Clinton are victims of a perpetual right-wing smear campaign.
Point Two: Bill and Hillary Clinton evade rules and skirt laws that others are required to follow.
Point Three: The conservative campaign against the Clintons has been so vile and relentless that they are naturally defensive.
Point Four: If the Clintons have really been subject to a quarter century of unscrupulous attacks, then surely they know that they need to be extra cautious about appearances.
Point Five: Politicians aren't machines. They're human beings, with insecurities, neuroses, quirks and blind spots just like everyone else.
Point Six: The Clintons have an uncanny habit of making themselves vulnerable to attack.
Point Seven: Obama benefited from having witnessed what the Clintons were subjected to.
Point Eight: But it won't end with them.
Point Nine: No, it will never end. Because it's politics.
Point Ten: Because it's the Clintons.

It's the recurring crises of their careers, in a nutshell. Like many of us, they're their own worst enemies.

Their joint shortcoming is character. If you'll forgive my wordplay, it needs to be something one has, not merely something one is.