“In American public life, surprising angst is generated by the task of finding private jets for political bigwigs to borrow. The chore is easy when a big corporation makes a plane available. Some billionaires relish flying political chums around, which is even handier. But sometimes, when all else fails, flights end up being caged from frankly unsavoury jet-owners. This does not matter much once a political leader has left office and hit the global-grandee circuit—a lucrative world of paid speeches, charity work, and discreet consulting gigs. But it does if a politician still has campaigns left to run.
The private-jet conundrum sheds light on a challenge facing Hillary Clinton. Her husband Bill long ago passed through what might be termed the “money door”, cashing in his celebrity, eloquence, and connections to become a rich man. Fair enough; he is a private citizen and a brilliant speaker. Unlike the Brits, who treat Tony Blair as a pariah these days, Americans do not necessarily think it outrageous that a former head of government should become rich. Mr. Clinton’s allies add that personal wealth holds little interest for him. Given a pile of money, he might buy an expensive watch but that is about it, admirers maintain.”