Bill Clinton, Backup Negotiator

Jillian Bandes | August 04, 2009 11:38 AM

Bill Clinton is in North Korea to lobby for the release of two imprisoned American journalists -- a situation his wife is extremely concerned about as Secretary of State. This is an interesting turn of events. During the Presidential campaign, Bill was considered a liability for Hillary, and after she was installed in her foe's administration, he was considered even more of a threat.

Not anymore. Bill's baggage has been left at the curb, and Hillary and Obama are banking on his star power to convince Pyongyang to Let Their People Go. It's a mission that's tricky at best, and will serve as a curious experiment to see how much the former President can flex his aging political muscles.