Clinton: Pope "Had a Mixed Legacy"

In his magnanimous way, Bill Clinton talked with reporters about himself the Pope and his legacy. Clinton "said the Pope had demonstrated support for NATO actions to end genocide in Bosnia and Kosovo." Naturally, Clinton was simply trying to remind people of the popularity of his war vs. the two Gulf wars waged by President Bush 41 and Bush 43.

Clinton said he recognized that John Paul "may have had a mixed legacy," but he called him a man with a great feel for human dignity.

And, Clinton said, noting the throngs the pope would consistently draw, said, "The man knows how to build a crowd."

He must be kidding. Could Clinton belittle John Paul II any more by repeating the "mixed legacy" mantra that the liberal media is starting to utter? Then, as if the Pope is a politician or someone who only cares about popularity, Clinton expresses the real reason for his admiration: "the man knows how to build a crowd."

Unbelievable. Some things never change...

*Update*
Drudge Report is giving the full quote:

En route to Rome, Clinton told reporters the pope “centralized authority in the papacy again and enforced a very conservative theological doctrine. There will be debates about that. The number of Catholics increased by 250 million on his watch. But the numbers of priests didn't. He's like all of us - he may have a mixed legacy.”

As Jiblog notes,

I think that it is actually a classic example of Clinton's spinelessness...Yes, a classy member of President Bush's delegation to the Pope's funeral would either say nice things about the man the funeral is for or nothing at all. No one has ever accused Bill Clinton of class, though.

*Update 2*
President Bush made it clear that he disagrees with Clinton's view, saying:

"I think John Paul II will have a clear legacy of peace, compassion and a strong legacy of setting a clear moral tone," Bush told reporters on Air Force One as he flew from Rome to the United States just hours after the funeral. He said he wanted to amend his remarks to add the word "excellent."