Former U.S. President Bill Clinton. AFP FILE PHOTO
LOS ANGELES – Former US president Bill Clinton brought Hollywood to its feet Sunday with a brief appearance at the Golden Globe awards.
Clinton, 66, a favorite of the US entertainment industry, got a standing ovation when he stepped out on stage at the Beverly Hilton ballroom to introduce close friend Steven Spielberg’s historical epic “Lincoln.”
“A tough fight to push a bill through a bitterly divided House of Representatives – winning it required the president to make a lot of unsavory deals … I wouldn’t know anything about that,” he quipped.
Lincoln’s struggle to end slavery was a reminder that “enduring progress is forged in a cauldron of both principle and compromise,” said Clinton, who left the White House 12 years ago this month after two terms.
“In ‘Lincoln’ we see a man more interesting than the legend and a far better guide for future presidents.”
No sooner was Clinton off the stage than co-host Amy Poehler squealed: “Wow! What an exciting special guest! That was Hillary Clinton’s husband.”
The former first lady and senator is President Barack Obama’s outgoing secretary of state.