NEW YORK, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton commended New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for leaving the Republican Party on Thursday while stressing Bloomberg will not stand in the way of Hillary's White House run.

    "Well, he's a very smart fellow," said Clinton. "I suppose he couldn't bear to be in the Republican Party anymore, which I thought showed great, good judgment on his part."

    Bloomberg announced Tuesday he has left the Republican Party and switched to unaffiliated, a move that could clear the way for his possible bid for the White House.

    The 65-year-old billionaire has been sending mixed signals about his plans for months, saying he intends to return to the private sector after his mayoral term. But at the same time, he has relaunched his campaign website and toured some 20 U.S. cities in the past 18 months, on a tour similar to a campaign.

    Regarding Bloomberg's possible preparation to join the 2008 presidential race, Clinton stressed that even if he did, Bloomberg could not beat the best candidate - his wife Hillary Clinton.

    Clinton also talked about Hillary's spoof of the "Sopranos." He said he did not come up with the idea, but had a lot of fun playing a part in the advertisement. The online video featured Senator Hillary Clinton imitating Tony Soprano, as she listened to her new campaign song.

    The former president said he does not want to steal the spotlight from his wife.

    "I don't expect to do a lot of it this year and I don't think it's helpful," said Clinton. "I want people to get to know Hillary."