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In the Spring of 1992, I knew very little about this "Bill Clinton" guy who was wowing people with his speeches and rising in stature toward the nomination. Democrats were excited by his enthusiasm, his articulate speeches and his charm. "What a great candidate to topple the lack-luster Bush," I thought.
Then, it happened. In late March, Bill Clinton said one of the stupidest things I've ever heard a candidate say. When admitting that he had smoked marijuana, he said that he didn't inhale. Clinton had already been dogged by questions about his character and this seemed like it was going to push it over the top. Nevertheless, he continued on, gaining support everywhere he went. Of course, he didn't bother going to Texas for any public event, so I never got a chance to see him. After 12 years of Republican rule, and living in a redder-than-red state, I pretty much gave up on the idea that this Clinton buffoon could ever win national election.
Then, in June, I finally saw the guy. It was on the Arsineo Hall Show and he made his entrance playing saxophone with the band. After that, he joined Arsineo for a Q&A in which the subject of "I didn't inhale," was brought up. Clinton said, "I was a little startled by the question and I said something stupid." Arsineo asked what he'd do if he could do it again, and Clinton responded, "I'd just say 'yes'." That's when I knew that the character issues (which turned out to have some merit) and the "I didn't inhale" bullshit weren't going to stick. This guy was a winner — and he won two terms.
Obama is continuing to accrue delegates and he is continuing to rise above the bitter rhetoric and mud-slinging. Americans have a long time between now and the general elections to see and hear from Barack Obama. Reverend Wright is not Obama's "Macaca" moment, it's his "I didn't inhale" moment. It will be endlessly flogged by the enemies of American democracy and soon forgotten by anyone who hears Obama address the important issues — the issues that matter to them.
These issues are also supposed to matter to us. Whether you are supporting Clinton or Obama, we owe it to ourselves to rebuke the politics of personal destruction and support our issues and the candidates who are promoting them.
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