You Say 'Colombia,' I Say 'Colombia'

April 10, 2008 — -- Bill and Hillary Clinton's marriage has survived eight years in the White House, three presidential campaigns, two gubernatorial terms, two Senate races, a sex scandal and an impeachment trial.

So a disagreement over a free-trade agreement with Colombia probably won't upset things too much at the Clinton homestead.

The Clintons' public dispute on the issue -- a Bush-backed trade deal awaiting congressional approval that would reduce tariffs on Colombian imports and U.S. exports -- does, however, shed light on when, if ever, spouses should take a public position that differs from their politician husband or wife.

Bill Clinton is, of course, an exception to the rule about what a political spouse should look and sound like. As a former president he is expected to have opinions on things like trade agreements, but in the fight for the Democratic nomination where every vote counts and every sound bite is mulled over, a small spat could have real consequences, analysts told ABCNEWS.com.

"It is rare for a spouse to disagree with her politician husband," said Russell Riley, a presidential scholar at the University of Virginia. "Normally, if there is a disagreement between say the first lady and a president it is not over a major issue, but instead one of those special areas where first ladies have purview -- the arts, education."

"But when it comes to the Clintons we're in completely uncharted waters here. You can hunt and fish for historical precedents but there has never been anything like a former president campaigning for his wife's presidential bid," he said.

The Clinton campaign was quick to chalk up the dispute -- he's an avowed free trader, she's not -- to the sort of quarrel married couples are wont to have.

"Sen. Clinton is the candidate for president and she is a clear and firm opponent of the Colombian free-trade agreement. Like other married couples who disagree on issues from time to time, she disagrees with her husband on this issue. [Former] President Clinton has been public about his support for Colombia's request for U.S. trade preferences since 2000," said spokesman Jay Carson in a statement.