The State of the Clinton Marriage?

The New York Times has run a gossipy piece on the state of the Clinton marriage ("Mr. Clinton is rarely without company in public, yet the company he keeps rarely includes his wife").

It comes as no surprise to anyone that "since leaving the White House, Bill and Hillary Clinton have built largely separate lives." A friend says: "She needs to be in her own separate orbit, so if something explodes in his world, she will have at least some space and distance to manage it." Strictly in human terms, what a sad description of a marriage.

What would this kind of relationship, where the wife must distance herself in case "something explodes" due to her husband's behavior, mean for the nation should Hillary ever one day be elected President?

If we ever do have the misfortune to have the Clintons return to the White House, it's hard to even imagine what it might be like, between Bill's narcissism, the relatively idle time he'll have on his hands as the "First Spouse," and his penchant for the ladies.

All the more reason to work hard and see that that situation never comes to pass.

Update: Welcome to readers of Sonia Smith's column at Slate.