The former president was at her side to help put the best face on her third-place finish Thursday in Iowa, and he was beside her again when dawn broke the next day on the final push to Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary. “I was never more proud of Hillary in all the days we’ve been together and all the days of this campaign than when she gave that speech in Iowa,” the former president told New Hampshire voters. He is at once a huge part of her political bona fides and a living reminder of days gone by. The former president has attracted large and enthusiastic crowds as he campaigns for his wife.

“It’s hard to detect any signs of Clinton fatigue in a Democratic primary,” said Democratic strategist Donna Brazile.But, by the same token, the profile of Bill Clinton isn’t necessarily an ideal backdrop for a campaign.

“Senator Clinton needs to make this campaign about her vision, her plans and her strengths,” says Brazile. A survey of Democratic contenders in Iowa found that by a margin of 52 per cent to 20 per cent, more Democrats said they wanted a candidate who could bring about change than said they were seeking a candidate with the proper experience. And Barack Obama, who won decisively in Iowa, was the overwhelming winner among voters looking for change - he got 51 per cent of their votes, compared with 19 per cent for Clinton.

Not only does Hillary Clinton have to carefully navigate the change factor as she deploys her husband on the campaign trail, she must deal with the charisma factor as well. He’s just hands-down the better campaigner.