Ex-Aides Wary of Bill Clinton's Tactics

Bill Clinton's increasingly angry and touchy campaigning on behalf of his wife is prompting more former associates and aides to privately question his tactics.

"I think he's on the verge of hurting her if he keeps slapping at Obama and the press," said one former top White House aide. Others have expressed surprise at his approach, suggesting that it was understood by allies early on in the campaign that his role was to be the "lovable uncle," as one former aide described it.

Some Clinton associates are suggesting that he is genuinely worried that Hillary Clinton's campaign is in trouble, especially with white male Democrats, and that his sharp attacks on Barack Obama, including his description that he's the candidate of choice of blacks, are meant to bring the white males to the polling booths to support her.

Another former aide to both Clintons suggested that the former president is stressed by both the campaign and his heart condition and that both might be resulting in his frustration.

—Paul Bedard