Julian Zelizer : Bill Clinton has re - emerged as a political force to be cultivated . When Republicans painted the president as left of center early in his term , he responded by aggressively highlighting his centrist credentials , lowering the deficit in 1993 and reforming welfare in 1996 . Obama could learn how Clinton got himself re - elected , he says , won high ratings . Zelizer : Clinton succeeded in avoiding GOP voters , stayed focused on economy . Another lesson for Obama is Clinton 's empathy for struggling Americans , he writes .
Julian Zelizer : Bill Clinton has re - emerged as a political force to be cultivated . Obama could learn how Clinton got himself re - elected , he says , won high ratings . Zelizer : Clinton succeeded in avoiding GOP voters , stayed focused on economy . Another lesson for Obama is Clinton 's empathy for struggling Americans , he writes .