A Bill Clinton Appreciation post

[housewolf]

From "The Bull Moose," formerly of John McCain's presidential campaign staff. This is a really nice read - do yourself a favor, click on the link and read the whole post.


Sunday, June 05, 2005

Bubba Legacy Project

The Moose waxes nostalgic about Bubba.

The Moose never voted for Bill Clinton, and that will long be one of his great political regrets. Although President Clinton had his flaws, he earnestly attempted to heal the divisions in the country. He pioneered a new politics that attempted to bridge the divide between the left and the right. He transformed the welfare system and brought us peace and prosperity. Not bad at all.

<snip>

What was particularly impressive was Clinton's sensitivity to the concerns of religiously observant Americans. He was magnificent in explaining the attraction of mega-churches to their members. He explained how they provide a range of spiritual and social supports that are not available elsewhere.

Prompted by the interview, the Moose purchased the paperback edition of Clinton's autobiography that was just issued. There are a couple of pages in the book that detail Clinton's relationship with Pentecostals in Arkansas that are truly magnificent and should be must reading for all Democratic office holders. Clinton eloquently expressed that he had differences with them on abortion and other social issues, but that he appreciated their commitment to their faith and their willingness to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

<snip>

One of the big surprises since the Moose has rejoined the Democratic side is the lack of appreciation of the Clinton legacy in the party. Contrast it to the way the GOP has enshrined the Reagan legacy.

<snip>

more...

http://www.bullmooseblog.com/

[FreedomAngel82]

1. God bless Clinton

He'll always be one of the best. :loveya: I really do miss him in the White House. Too bad he couldn't have had three terms.

[smartvoter]

7. Agreed. We'd all be better off if he could have continued serving. nt

[Carla in Ca]

11. There was talk of a third term, remember?

Thats why the repugs started the snowball of lies and investigations.

[craiga86]

2. Oh how I miss Clinton

That was one of the few times in my life that I actually felt like our President was actually aware of homeland security and wasn't full of crap when he talked about protecting our country. Clinton was one of a kind in my opinion, and I think thats why the Republicans really went after him throughout his years in office.

[Mythsaje]

3. The wrong wing

demonized him, but he did some remarkable things for this country. Long live President Bubba.

[man4allcats]

4. He is my favorite from my lifetime.

I am a great admirer of the Kennedys, and to me at least both Bobby and JFK are legends. I don't know whether President Bill is in that same league, but the answer to that will forever remain elusive since Bobby and Jack died so young. It is not possible to know with certainty how history would have played out for them had they lived.

Of Clinton I will say that I think of him as a worthy successor to JFK. His presidency and his enthusiasm inspired me with a confidence in this country that I had not felt in a long time. It seems so sad that we waited for such a long time for someone like him to come along, and now, just a few short years later, we are stuck with a veritable thug who has put this country in probably the worst position and worst international light it has ever been in.

Whatever human failings he may have, Bill Clinton knew better than anyone in recent history how to be President of the United States, and it showed. Here's to you, President Clinton! :toast: How I wish you were at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue now!

[oasis]

5. Bill Clinton is tops. (eom)

:pals: Bill n' me.

[T Town Jake]

6. The Clinton years were eight great years of Peace & Prosperity...

...'nuff said.

[ulysses]

8. "He transformed the welfare system"

Yeah. He did that.

[FDR33]

9. WJC

He had a true sense for what America needed by showing Republicans how an economy should be managed. He showed that is was possible to have economic prosperity while improving the lives of the most vulnerable (by helping them move into the middle class) at the same time. He could have done much more if he didn't have to face the most vicious attacks a president has ever had to endure.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi FDR33!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[housewolf]

16. He had a heart...

and an ability to connect with an amazing diversity of people.

Welcome to DU, FDR33! Thanks for your post and I look forward to seeing more of you around DU.

:toast:

[Selatius]

10. He was okay

I just disagree with the free trade principles of the DLC.

It's foolish to pursue if there are no worker protections and environmental protections involved. Ultimately, I think it's pushed because corporations know "free trade" comes without those protections, so they make more money when they don't have to pay to clean up the environment and more when they don't have to respect workers.

That isn't centrist economics. At best, it's center-right. At worst, it's solidly rightwing.

I condemn his silence on the Rwanda genocide and his "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the military. He could've introduced a Security Council Resolution through the UN ambassador urging regional powers to intervene to save lives.

[housewolf]

12. He regrets those too...

I heard him on NPR's Talk of the Nation of Friday, and the question was asked of him what he regrets. He cited those two exact points.

[lonestarnot]

13. He is tops in my book! Best President ever, but for NAFTA.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Best Republican president we've had in the 20th century.

I voted for him twice. I still regret it.

[bamacrat]

17. thinking back to the better days got me teary eyed

[Pendrench]

18. The Survivor

I'm interested in reading the new book by John Harris "The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House". There are only a couple of reviews (so far) over at amazon, but they were both positive...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/102-9592336-2428138

Tim