Bill Clinton on GOP’s 2016 field: ‘No dummies’

Dan Merica
By Dan Merica, CNN
Updated 9:01 AM EDT, Sun June 14, 2015
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New York CNN  — 

Bill Clinton said in an interview set to air Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” that he is impressed by many of the Republicans considering a presidential run in 2016, offering praise for a group that has made attacking his wife a badge of honor.

“They’ve got a lot of youth, they’ve got a lot of energy, they’ve got some significant diversity and they’re no dummies,” the former president said during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper at the annual Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in Denver.

“And they believe what they believe,” Clinton continued, teasing them. “They still believe trickle-down economics works better than investment and their convictions are so great that they’re undeterred by evidence and that’s always amazing to me.”

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“They’re impressive,” he added later.

One of the few things Republicans have been able to agree on in the run up to 2016 is their disapproval of Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. The Republican candidates have made attacking her a staple of their stump speeches, and some, like business executive Carly Fiorina, have looked to use the media attention around her to get attention of their own.

“They’ll all sing in the choir about how bad Hillary was,” Clinton said to a chorus of laughs from the audience watching the interview. “And it will be difficult for those who thought she was great when she was a secretary of state and went on record saying it.”

What has most surprised Clinton? How many Republicans are running.

“There’s a lot of them. It looks more like the Kentucky Derby than Belmont,” Clinton said, noting that the field of 10 declared Republicans – with more on the way – more closely resembles the 20-horse Derby than the eight-horse Belmont. “I sympathize with the question of how the primary voters are going to decide who to vote for.”

So far, 10 Republicans have declared their plans to run for president, including Sens. Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, as well as 2012 veterans like former governors Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Rick Perry of Texas.

It is likely that five candidates – including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker – will enter the race in the next month.

This varies greatly from the Democratic field that has been dominated by Hillary Clinton. Three other candidates – former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee – have jumped into the race, but none have been able to match Hillary Clinton’s standing in the polls.

Bill Clinton said that despite the number of Republican candidates, he expects primary voters will “wind up voting for the person they think has the best chance to win” in spite of their ideological dreams.

Bill Clinton is seen in 1998 during his second term as US president.
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Bill Clinton is seen in 1998 during his second term as US president.
Clinton was born in Hope, Arkansas, on August 19, 1946.
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Clinton was born in Hope, Arkansas, on August 19, 1946.
A young Clinton shakes hands with President John F. Kennedy while other American Legion Boys Nation delegates look on during a trip to the White House in 1963.
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A young Clinton shakes hands with President John F. Kennedy while other American Legion Boys Nation delegates look on during a trip to the White House in 1963.
In 1974, Clinton ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives seat for Arkansas' Third Congressional District.
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In 1974, Clinton ran unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives seat for Arkansas' Third Congressional District.
Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas in 1978. He is seen here with civil rights activist Rosa Parks and first lady Rosalynn Carter in July 1979.
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Clinton was elected governor of Arkansas in 1978. He is seen here with civil rights activist Rosa Parks and first lady Rosalynn Carter in July 1979.
Talk show host Arsenio Hall gestures approvingly as Clinton plays the saxophone during a taping of "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992. Clinton was running for president at the time.
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Talk show host Arsenio Hall gestures approvingly as Clinton plays the saxophone during a taping of "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992. Clinton was running for president at the time.
Clinton and his running mate, US Sen. Al Gore, tour a factory in Davenport, Iowa, in 1992.
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Clinton and his running mate, US Sen. Al Gore, tour a factory in Davenport, Iowa, in 1992.
Clinton debates President George H.W. Bush and independent candidate H. Ross Perot, not pictured, in October 1992. It was their third and final debate.
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Clinton debates President George H.W. Bush and independent candidate H. Ross Perot, not pictured, in October 1992. It was their third and final debate.
From left, Hillary Clinton, Tipper Gore, Bill Clinton and Al Gore celebrate their election victory in Little Rock, Arkansas, in November 1992. Clinton won with 43% of the vote to Bush's 37% and Perot's 19%.
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From left, Hillary Clinton, Tipper Gore, Bill Clinton and Al Gore celebrate their election victory in Little Rock, Arkansas, in November 1992. Clinton won with 43% of the vote to Bush's 37% and Perot's 19%.
The Clintons' cat, Socks, is photographed outside the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock in November 1992.
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The Clintons' cat, Socks, is photographed outside the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock in November 1992.
Former President Ronald Reagan presents Clinton with a jar of red, white and blue jelly beans in Los Angeles in November 1992. Reagan said they kept him from smoking cigarettes.
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Former President Ronald Reagan presents Clinton with a jar of red, white and blue jelly beans in Los Angeles in November 1992. Reagan said they kept him from smoking cigarettes.
Clinton takes his morning jog through the National Mall in May 1993.
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Clinton takes his morning jog through the National Mall in May 1993.
From left, Former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush join Clinton at the White House for the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement in September 1993.
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From left, Former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush join Clinton at the White House for the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement in September 1993.
James Brady, the Reagan administration press secretary who was wounded during a 1981 assassination attempt, watches Clinton sign the Brady Bill at the White House in November 1993. The bill required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
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James Brady, the Reagan administration press secretary who was wounded during a 1981 assassination attempt, watches Clinton sign the Brady Bill at the White House in November 1993. The bill required a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
Clinton calls on a reporter during a White House news conference in March 1994. The President said he would release his tax returns from the late-1970s to answer questions about his Whitewater investment. Six years later, independent counsel Robert Ray closed the Whitewater investigation, clearing the Clintons of any wrongdoing in the real-estate scandal.
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Clinton calls on a reporter during a White House news conference in March 1994. The President said he would release his tax returns from the late-1970s to answer questions about his Whitewater investment. Six years later, independent counsel Robert Ray closed the Whitewater investigation, clearing the Clintons of any wrongdoing in the real-estate scandal.
Clinton sits in a 1967 Ford Mustang while visiting the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina in April 1994.
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Clinton sits in a 1967 Ford Mustang while visiting the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina in April 1994.
White House intern Monica Lewinsky embraces Clinton at a Democratic fundraiser in Washington, DC, in October 1996.
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White House intern Monica Lewinsky embraces Clinton at a Democratic fundraiser in Washington, DC, in October 1996.
Clinton tees off while playing golf at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts in August 1997.
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Clinton tees off while playing golf at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts in August 1997.
Paula Jones, center, arrives at the office of a lawyer representing Clinton in January 1998. The former Arkansas state employee filed a federal civil lawsuit in 1994 accusing Clinton of making "persistent and continuous" unwanted sexual advances during a conference in 1991, when he was governor. The President agreed to an $850,000 settlement in November 1998.
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Paula Jones, center, arrives at the office of a lawyer representing Clinton in January 1998. The former Arkansas state employee filed a federal civil lawsuit in 1994 accusing Clinton of making "persistent and continuous" unwanted sexual advances during a conference in 1991, when he was governor. The President agreed to an $850,000 settlement in November 1998.
Clinton speaks about the Monica Lewinsky scandal at the White House in January 1998, as first lady Hillary Clinton looks on. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," he said.
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Clinton speaks about the Monica Lewinsky scandal at the White House in January 1998, as first lady Hillary Clinton looks on. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," he said.
Members of the 105th Congress fill the Senate chamber as Clinton delivers his State of the Union address in January 1998.
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Members of the 105th Congress fill the Senate chamber as Clinton delivers his State of the Union address in January 1998.
Vice President Al Gore looks on as Clinton writes a "0" on the board, showing what the federal deficit would be after unveiling his balanced budget plan for 1999. The President declared an end to "an era of exploding deficits" as he sent a $1.73 trillion budget to Congress that promised the first surplus in more than three decades.
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Vice President Al Gore looks on as Clinton writes a "0" on the board, showing what the federal deficit would be after unveiling his balanced budget plan for 1999. The President declared an end to "an era of exploding deficits" as he sent a $1.73 trillion budget to Congress that promised the first surplus in more than three decades.
The Clintons and their daughter, Chelsea, depart the White House with their dog, Buddy, in August 1998. They were leaving for a two-week vacation at Martha's Vineyard. The day before, the President gave a televised address regarding his testimony to a federal grand jury in which he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
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The Clintons and their daughter, Chelsea, depart the White House with their dog, Buddy, in August 1998. They were leaving for a two-week vacation at Martha's Vineyard. The day before, the President gave a televised address regarding his testimony to a federal grand jury in which he admitted to an inappropriate relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton answers questions from reporters in December 1998 before the start of a meeting with his foreign policy team. After a December 16 military strike on Iraq, Clinton warned Iraqi President Saddam Hussein against threatening his neighbors. Clinton also indicated his determination to complete the operations that continued the next day with renewed bombing of Iraqi sites suspected of housing parts to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
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Clinton answers questions from reporters in December 1998 before the start of a meeting with his foreign policy team. After a December 16 military strike on Iraq, Clinton warned Iraqi President Saddam Hussein against threatening his neighbors. Clinton also indicated his determination to complete the operations that continued the next day with renewed bombing of Iraqi sites suspected of housing parts to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
The Clintons listen as House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt addresses the nation oat the White House in December 1998. It was after the House of Representatives voted to impeach the President on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal. A defiant Clinton rejected calls for his resignation.
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The Clintons listen as House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt addresses the nation oat the White House in December 1998. It was after the House of Representatives voted to impeach the President on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Lewinsky scandal. A defiant Clinton rejected calls for his resignation.
Clinton pauses while reading a statement in the White House Rose Garden after the Senate voted to acquit him in February 1999. Clinton apologized for the actions that led to his impeachment, saying he was "profoundly sorry."
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Clinton pauses while reading a statement in the White House Rose Garden after the Senate voted to acquit him in February 1999. Clinton apologized for the actions that led to his impeachment, saying he was "profoundly sorry."
Clinton meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, left, and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat at Maryland's Camp David in July 2000. It was at the end of a Mideast peace summit. The talks ended without an agreement.
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Clinton meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, left, and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat at Maryland's Camp David in July 2000. It was at the end of a Mideast peace summit. The talks ended without an agreement.
Clinton leaves a McDonald's in Monroe Michigan, in August 2000. The day before, he spoke at the Democratic National Convention, passing the Democratic Party's symbolic torch to Vice President Al Gore.
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Clinton leaves a McDonald's in Monroe Michigan, in August 2000. The day before, he spoke at the Democratic National Convention, passing the Democratic Party's symbolic torch to Vice President Al Gore.
Clinton speaks at a New York fundraiser as he supports his wife's US Senate campaign in October 2000.
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Clinton speaks at a New York fundraiser as he supports his wife's US Senate campaign in October 2000.
Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, wave as they leave Washington, DC, following George W. Bush's inauguration in January 2001.
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Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, wave as they leave Washington, DC, following George W. Bush's inauguration in January 2001.
Clinton cheers a group of saxophone players at a rally in New York in July 2001. Harlem residents were welcoming Clinton, who was moving into his new post-presidential office.
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Clinton cheers a group of saxophone players at a rally in New York in July 2001. Harlem residents were welcoming Clinton, who was moving into his new post-presidential office.
Dr. Craig Smith, right, answers a reporter's question about Clinton's health after Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery in September 2004. Clinton was hospitalized after suffering chest pains and shortness of breath. Doctors announced that some of Clinton's arteries had been blocked more than 90%.
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Dr. Craig Smith, right, answers a reporter's question about Clinton's health after Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery in September 2004. Clinton was hospitalized after suffering chest pains and shortness of breath. Doctors announced that some of Clinton's arteries had been blocked more than 90%.
Clinton attends the inauguration of his presidential library and museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, in November 2004. Clinton was joined, from right, by his wife, his daughter, former President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
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Clinton attends the inauguration of his presidential library and museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, in November 2004. Clinton was joined, from right, by his wife, his daughter, former President George W. Bush, first lady Laura Bush, former President George H.W. Bush, former first lady Barbara Bush, former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
Clinton gestures as he explains to journalists that the baby being held here was born just two days earlier at a refugee camp in Jantho, Indonesia, in May 2005. Clinton was visiting ground zero of the tsunami disaster.
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Clinton gestures as he explains to journalists that the baby being held here was born just two days earlier at a refugee camp in Jantho, Indonesia, in May 2005. Clinton was visiting ground zero of the tsunami disaster.
Clinton visits Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston in September 2005. That same day, Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush announced the formation of the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to assist victims.
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Clinton visits Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Houston in September 2005. That same day, Clinton and former President George H.W. Bush announced the formation of the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to assist victims.
In January 2006, Clinton announced that an agreement was reached by the Clinton Foundation to allow the sale of anti-retroviral drugs Efavirenz and Abacavir, as well as HIV tests, at a lower cost in developing countries. Anti-retroviral drugs and rapid tests were regarded as part of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative.
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In January 2006, Clinton announced that an agreement was reached by the Clinton Foundation to allow the sale of anti-retroviral drugs Efavirenz and Abacavir, as well as HIV tests, at a lower cost in developing countries. Anti-retroviral drugs and rapid tests were regarded as part of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative.
The former President addresses the Democratic National Convention in August 2008.
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The former President addresses the Democratic National Convention in August 2008.
Journalist Laura Ling speaks in front of Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and Euna Lee in August 2009, after she and Lee were released by North Korean authorities. Ling and Lee were arrested by North Korea for illegally entering the country on the Chinese border. They were pardoned by President Kim Jong-Il after a meeting with Clinton. Ling and Lee had been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
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Journalist Laura Ling speaks in front of Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and Euna Lee in August 2009, after she and Lee were released by North Korean authorities. Ling and Lee were arrested by North Korea for illegally entering the country on the Chinese border. They were pardoned by President Kim Jong-Il after a meeting with Clinton. Ling and Lee had been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Clinton visits the General Hospital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country in January 2010. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon placed Clinton in charge of overseeing aid and reconstruction efforts.
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Clinton visits the General Hospital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the country in January 2010. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon placed Clinton in charge of overseeing aid and reconstruction efforts.
Bill Gates, co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March 2010. Gates and Clinton voiced their support for legislation that would increase funding for global health and outlined what they believe could be cost-effective ways to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty around the world.
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Bill Gates, co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March 2010. Gates and Clinton voiced their support for legislation that would increase funding for global health and outlined what they believe could be cost-effective ways to fight HIV/AIDS and poverty around the world.
The former President walks his daughter down the aisle during her wedding to Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010.
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The former President walks his daughter down the aisle during her wedding to Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010.
Clinton welcomes President Barack Obama to the stage during a campaign rally in New Hampshire in November 2012.
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Clinton welcomes President Barack Obama to the stage during a campaign rally in New Hampshire in November 2012.
Clinton speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing in November 2013.
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Clinton speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing in November 2013.
Obama awards Clinton the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2013. The medal is considered the nation's highest civilian honor.
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Obama awards Clinton the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2013. The medal is considered the nation's highest civilian honor.
Clinton swears in New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in January 2014.
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Clinton swears in New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in January 2014.
Clinton and former President George W. Bush share a laugh during a September 2014 event launching the Presidential Leadership Scholars program at the Newseum in Washington, DC.
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Clinton and former President George W. Bush share a laugh during a September 2014 event launching the Presidential Leadership Scholars program at the Newseum in Washington, DC.
The Clintons hold their granddaughter, Charlotte, at a New York hospital in September 2014.
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The Clintons hold their granddaughter, Charlotte, at a New York hospital in September 2014.
Clinton and actor Sean Penn visit a cholera treatment center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in February 2015.
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Clinton and actor Sean Penn visit a cholera treatment center in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in February 2015.
The Clintons embrace after Hillary announced her presidential campaign in June 2015.
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The Clintons embrace after Hillary announced her presidential campaign in June 2015.
The Clintons vote at a school in Chappaqua, New York, in April 2016.
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The Clintons vote at a school in Chappaqua, New York, in April 2016.
The Clintons, their daughter and their son-in-law leave a hospital in June 2016 after Chelsea gave birth to her first son, Aidan.
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The Clintons, their daughter and their son-in-law leave a hospital in June 2016 after Chelsea gave birth to her first son, Aidan.
The Clintons greet supporters during a presidential campaign rally in Pittsburgh in July 2016.
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The Clintons greet supporters during a presidential campaign rally in Pittsburgh in July 2016.
Clinton talks to his daughter, Chelsea, before the start of one of Hillary's presidential debates in October 2016.
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Clinton talks to his daughter, Chelsea, before the start of one of Hillary's presidential debates in October 2016.
Former President Clinton campaigns for his wife in Waterloo, Iowa, in November 2016.
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Former President Clinton campaigns for his wife in Waterloo, Iowa, in November 2016.
Clinton listens to his wife speak to supporters after her election defeat in 2016.
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Clinton listens to his wife speak to supporters after her election defeat in 2016.
Clinton attends Alec Baldwin's celebrity roast in June 2017.
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Clinton attends Alec Baldwin's celebrity roast in June 2017.
Clinton and former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama pose for a selfie with golfer Phil Mickelson during the Presidents Cup event in September 2017.
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Clinton and former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama pose for a selfie with golfer Phil Mickelson during the Presidents Cup event in September 2017.
In June 2018, Clinton signs copies of his novel "The President Is Missing," which he co-wrote with James Patterson.
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In June 2018, Clinton signs copies of his novel "The President Is Missing," which he co-wrote with James Patterson.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump join the Clintons and other former Presidents and first ladies at the state funeral for George H.W. Bush in December 2018.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump join the Clintons and other former Presidents and first ladies at the state funeral for George H.W. Bush in December 2018.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, welcome Clinton for a lunch in Paris in September 2019. Clinton was in France to pay tribute to the late French President Jacques Chirac.
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French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, welcome Clinton for a lunch in Paris in September 2019. Clinton was in France to pay tribute to the late French President Jacques Chirac.
Clinton delivers a speech during the Democratic National Convention in August 2020.
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Clinton delivers a speech during the Democratic National Convention in August 2020.
Clinton pays his respects to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Ginsburg was appointed to the high court by Clinton in 1993.
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Clinton pays his respects to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020. Ginsburg was appointed to the high court by Clinton in 1993.
Bill and Hillary Clinton arrive for <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/gallery/joe-biden-inauguration-photos/index.html" target="_blank">Joe Biden's inauguration</a> in January 2021.
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Bill and Hillary Clinton arrive for Joe Biden's inauguration in January 2021.
A moment of silence is held at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York in September 2021. From left are Bill Clinton; Hillary Clinton; former President Barack Obama; former first lady Michelle Obama; President Joe Biden; first lady Jill Biden; former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Bloomberg's partner, Diana Taylor; and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
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A moment of silence is held at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York in September 2021. From left are Bill Clinton; Hillary Clinton; former President Barack Obama; former first lady Michelle Obama; President Joe Biden; first lady Jill Biden; former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Bloomberg's partner, Diana Taylor; and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“It may be harder this year than before to figure out who’s the most electable candidate,” he said, adding later that “for an outsider who doesn’t understand all the ins and outs of it, it will make it difficult to predict” who is the most electable.

“I predict that at some point during this process, whatever they’re debating and whatever the stories are, there will be a move by people who think they can influence the process to settle on the one that’s most electable,” Clinton said, citing how Mitt Romney, John McCain and George W. Bush – the last three Republican nominees – were all viewed as the most electable when they ran.

Realizing that he didn’t give a definitive answer on who he thinks will win, Clinton said that he doesn’t know many of the Republican contenders. He did not mention, however, his close relationship with the Bush family, particularly former President George H.W. Bush, whose son is expected to announce his run on Monday.

Bill Clinton grew close to the Bush family after defeating the elder Bush in 1992. He regularly jokes that he is the black sheep of the Republican family.

After giving a wide ranging answer, however, Clinton said that even if he had a prediction, he wouldn’t let it slip.

“If I did and I thought I knew who’d win, I probably still wouldn’t say,” he said to laughs.