Trump is a 'master brander': Bill Clinton
Clinton however said that Trump's success 'may have a short shelf life'
US business tycoon Donald Trump, pictured on May 16, 2015, declared he was running for the White House, promising to make America great again. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON:
Former US president Bill Clinton attributed outspoken Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump's current success in surveys to his skills as a 'master brander' but said his appeal could be short-lived.
Speaking late Tuesday on the CBS 'Late Show,' host Stephen Colbert asked Clinton to explain why he thought that Trump - currently leading a pack of 15 Republican presidential hopefuls - was doing so well.
Read: Trump needs crash course in Pakistan, India politics: former ambassador to UN
"He's a master brander, and he's the most interesting character out there ... and because he says some things that overrides the ideological differences," Clinton said.
"There is a macho appeal of saying I'm just sick of nothing happening. I make things happen. Vote for me."
Clinton however said that Trump's success "may have a short shelf life."
The former president (1993-2001) denied a rumor that he urged Trump to run for president.
Read: I love the Muslims: Donald Trump
"His daughter told my daughter that he had tried to call me and I didn't get the message. So I simply called him back," said Clinton. "I had a very pleasant conversation with him and it wasn't about running for office."
Clinton's daughter Chelsea is a close friend with Trump's daughter Ivanka, according to US news media reports.
And who does he think is the most qualified to be elected president next year? "The lady I saw singing on 'Saturday Night Live,'" he answered.
That would be his wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who appeared on the comedy TV show on Saturday.
Former US president Bill Clinton attributed outspoken Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump's current success in surveys to his skills as a 'master brander' but said his appeal could be short-lived.
Speaking late Tuesday on the CBS 'Late Show,' host Stephen Colbert asked Clinton to explain why he thought that Trump - currently leading a pack of 15 Republican presidential hopefuls - was doing so well.
Read: Trump needs crash course in Pakistan, India politics: former ambassador to UN
"He's a master brander, and he's the most interesting character out there ... and because he says some things that overrides the ideological differences," Clinton said.
"There is a macho appeal of saying I'm just sick of nothing happening. I make things happen. Vote for me."
Clinton however said that Trump's success "may have a short shelf life."
The former president (1993-2001) denied a rumor that he urged Trump to run for president.
Read: I love the Muslims: Donald Trump
"His daughter told my daughter that he had tried to call me and I didn't get the message. So I simply called him back," said Clinton. "I had a very pleasant conversation with him and it wasn't about running for office."
Clinton's daughter Chelsea is a close friend with Trump's daughter Ivanka, according to US news media reports.
And who does he think is the most qualified to be elected president next year? "The lady I saw singing on 'Saturday Night Live,'" he answered.
That would be his wife, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who appeared on the comedy TV show on Saturday.