Clinton biographer David Maraniss on Bill: 'No gleam in his eyes, no electricity, muted'

Is Bill Clinton’s magic on the campaign trail gone? Maybe so…

Here’s David Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author of the book, “First in His Class: A Biography of Bill Clinton,” with some rather harsh observations of what he’s seeing from the “Big Dog” as he campaigns for Hillary in N.H. In short, this is not Bill Clinton at his best:

1) For what it's worth, seeing Bill Clinton for the 1st time in quite a while at campaign rally in Manchester NH…

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

2) It was odd, when BC was introduced and stood on stage w/ Chelsea, he showed nothing on his face, mouth agape, eyes seemingly blank..

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

3) no affect at all, just frail, like he had to conserve every ounce of energy. No gleam in his eyes, no electricity, muted…

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

4) He lit up only when Chelsea talked about him. Then when it was his turn to talk a little bit of his old self came back, but not much.

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

5) ,Again there was not much electricity, the same hoarse voice and some familiar sentence constructs, some old synthesis…

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

6) …but not as evocative as it was even 3 years ago at the DNC in Charlotte when his words bailed out Obama…

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

7) Hillary on her new riff IMAGINE had more energy and staying power…but then…

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

8)…at the end when they worked the ropeline he was in his element and almost restored as though he had been given an IV…

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

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9) The Big Dog was barking again, however briefly.

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

Although he advises don’t count out Bill just yet:

I) It is well to remember the cycle of loss & recovery in Bill Clinton's life.

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

2) If he seemed down to me y-day, for whatever combination of reasons, I would never be shocked to see him recover again.

— david maraniss (@davidmaraniss) February 9, 2016

Maybe the “Big Dog” needs a nap?

Update: Don’t forget to check out Townhall.com’s live New Hampshire Primary results tonight!

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Related:

Bill Clinton sometimes wishes he weren’t married to Hillary