In a conversation with reporters, former US President Bill Clinton, before his ‘Clinton Global Initiative meeting’, described the secret underlying Sarah Palin’s ‘appeal’. He said that he understands why Sarah Palin is popular in the heartland: because people relate to her. He added, “I come from Arkansas, I get why she’s hot out there. Why she’s doing well.”

Palin, the governor of Alaska, became an overnight star when Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, chose her as his running mate – the vice presidential candidate. Ever since, media has shown immense interest in the Palin family - her husband, Todd, four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, and her ‘Down syndrome’ baby, Trig.

Sensing the views of the voters about Palin’s family, Clinton said voters would think, “I like that little Down syndrome kid. One of them lives down the street. They’re wonderful children. They’re wonderful people. And I like the idea that this guy does those long-distance races - stayed in the race for 500 miles with a broken arm - my kind of guy.”

This is not the first time Clinton has expressed his admiration for Palin. Earlier also, in an exclusive CNBC interview with Maria Bartiromo, where the upcoming election and Sarah Palin’s ‘appeal’ were a part of the conversation, he said some complimentary things about Palin, adding, “It would be a mistake to underestimate her.”

However, Clinton is unwavering as far as his support for Barack Obama is concerned, and he has often made it public that he hopes Obama wins the general election in November. He has stated that the recent economic problems will bode well for Obama. In fact, the former president agrees more with Obama-Biden policies than with McCain-Palin issues.

In the extended interview, Clinton also remarked: “I think, on the issues that matter to our future, the Obama-Biden team is, is more right. And I believe they’re gonna win. But, I think that it will be competitive until the end.”