my love/hate affair with bill clinton continues.

[xchrom]

his economics put in practice i cannot stand and belies the gorgeous, heart rending rhetoric of his speeches.

the man has a way of connecting to his listeners that is unparalleled -- he speaks to the crowd like he his speaking to each one individually.

i wouldn't ever want to see him as prez again -- but the man can speechify.

[gopiscrap]

1. I kinda feel the same way!

[GeorgeGist]

2. Many successful con men ...

Are very likable and persuasive.
May I suggest:
Judge him by his actions.

[xchrom]

5. oh no. i've washed my hands of triangulators, centrists, and pragmatists.

but when that man talks -- he moves me every time -- if only he believed what he said.

[KittyWampus]

20. so basically, you've washed your hands of anyone who can get somewheres. Even though it's not

exactly where you want to be.

"If we can't get there the whole way, I'm going to stay put".

Ted Kennedy loved sailing. Which is like politics. When faced with a strong gale the only way to move forward is to tack to the sides.

[xchrom]

22. I've washed my hands of people who break everything

& have convinced people like you - they're the only ones who can fix it.

[Egalitarian Thug]

9. You're right, but you've never met him have you? n/t

[Just Saying]

3. I would go do far as to say he's the best speaker of his generation.

He's got, for lack of a better word, charisma. He's just a natural.

[xchrom]

6. he makes it new every time i hear him.

and i don't trust his politics one bit.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. He has a lot of abilities; it's just too bad he didn't use them better.

He could have been one of the greatest Presidents ever.

[Egalitarian Thug]

7. Exactly what got me. He is truly one of those people that cannot be ignored.

He can quietly walk into a room with 1,000 people talking and drinking and capture the whole room without saying a word, he has that kind of charisma.

Unfortunately, he has the heart of a teenaged football star.

[xchrom]

8. you feel what i'm sayin. nt

[11 Bravo]

12. I still love the Big Dog, but that may be the best encapsulation of his charm that I have ever read.

[Autumn]

10. He certainly can connect, like you're the only person in the

world that he's talking to.

[xchrom]

11. right? that's it. nt

[Autumn]

13. Yes it is.

He's got some amazing insane charisma.

[sufrommich]

14. Have you ever seen Primary Colors ?

I'm sure my feelings for Cinton are more positive than yours,but I thought it was probably a pretty honest portrayal of him. He's both caring and cruel at the same time. He's a great politician,but I wouldn't want to be involved in his personal life.

[hamsterjill]

15. I like him!

I'll just leave it at that.

[polichick]

16. Con men are often incredibly good speakers...

And in some ways both Clinton and Obama conned the people.

Maybe we need to elect a really shitty speaker.

[leftstreet]

17. Religion or politics - charismatic leaders are dangerous n/t

[xchrom]

18. yes. but they seem to be a necessary - torch bearing evil. nt

[Egalitarian Thug]

21. Necessary only because we demand it. Since Kennedy at least, politics

has moved wholly into the realm of show business. Not one of our greatest Presidents could be elected today.

Can you imagine the Lincoln-Douglass debates happening today?

[Blue Owl]

19. They don't call him Slick Willy for nothin...

[LondonReign2]

23. His speech at the Democratic convention

was perhaps the best political speech I've ever witnessed.

I cut him some slack for the good things he accomplished while recognizing his several epic policy failures (Telecommications act, trade regs, deregulation, etc.)