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Bill Clinton has been enjoying a renaissance among the chattering class.
Pegged to his Clinton Global Initiative, he's giving advice to President Obama that the press is eating up. "Embrace people’s anger, including their disappointment at you," he told Politico. "And just ask ‘em to not let the anger cloud their judgment. Let it concentrate their judgment. And then make your case.”
Clinton added on "Meet the Press": "I think that [Democrats'] only chance here is to shake their own voters out of their apathy and respond to the legitimate voter anger by saying, 'What's going to happen in the next two years? What do we need to do, and who's more likely to do it.'"
And MSNBC's Joe Scarborough declared on "Morning Joe" today that there are many Democrats who wish Clinton could run for president again.
What explains the renaissance? Here's one explanation: Clinton is benefiting from the passage of time and Washington's collective short-term memory. (Two other reasons: Obama's weakened standing has created an opening for Clinton nostalgia, and Republicans no longer are attacking him.)
After all, it was just two years ago when Clinton was blamed -- due to his infamous comments in South Carolina -- for harming his wife's presidential bid. Also two years ago, these were constant criticisms of Clinton: He never won 50% of the vote in '92 and '96... He failed to pass health care... He squandered his second term.
And those were complaints among Democrats and liberals. Republicans and conservatives focused on his impeachment, the state of his marriage, and the numerous scandals during his administration, either real or imagined (Whitewater, Travelgate, fundraising with the Lincoln Bedroom).
Now when California gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown (D) jokes about Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky and then has to apologize for the joke, Clinton's rehabilitation is fully complete.
Of course, the passage of time and political forgetfulness could end up benefiting others. A year from now -- if she runs for president -- will voters and commentators remember that Sarah Palin quit her job as Alaska governor? What about her false accusation of "death panels" during the health-care debate?
Likewise, a year from now -- if the unemployment rate drops, and his poll numbers go up -- will Obama become the new "Comeback Kid"?
In short, time heals plenty of political wounds. More evidence of that: Republicans are poised -- just four years after being fired, and two years after George W. Bush left office with an approval rating in the 20s -- of taking back the House.
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I'm 1 Democrat who does'nt wish he could. Bushes & Clinton's are'nt Royalty, thier just Household names that get Attention.
Can ya answer this: Where's George Bush & why is he Silent?
Bush more or less stated upon leaving office that he didn't care to be part of the political scene in the future, IIRC.
Unlike Jimmy Carter Bush has refrained from criticising other presidents and goes about his business quietly.
Polishing Saddam's Pistol.
Frankly, the Repubs are keeping Bush out of the public political scene intentionally since they KNOW that him being publicly present would dash all of their chances of regaining ANY sort of power as he would remind the public just WHY we are where we are at now.
I guess you mean the place where we are right now thanks to four years of democrat mismangement of the Congress and our fiscal state.
Republicans notoriously attack the person, not the message!
Ask Dan Rather, Valerie Plame and of course My President and his entire Administration. Voting NO on everything and name calling....
Asking W to say anything about anything would be a death nail to any Republican currently seeking office. Notice they only refer to Ronnie....... They know the truth about the 8 years of Bush/Cheney, but since they personally benefitted.....oh well,!
Where's "Joe the non-plumber"? It's election time, I'm sure he could add something to the debate about small business, job creation and all that......... lol
and...where is LIZard Cheney......surely she has a comment on the failure to pass DADT!..or perhaps Daddy can speak on behalf of his other daughter, Mary!
Rick,Ky
I'm 1 Democrat who does'nt wish he could. Bushes & Clinton's are'nt Royalty, thier just Household names that get Attention.
Can ya answer this: Where's George Bush & why is he Silent?
Ricky, I find you questioning Bush lack of presence in tandem with WMDS.
During the campaign I spoke to so many youths who said "change" to them meant no more nepotism.
Obama's weakened standing has created an opening for Clinton nostalgia? How soon we forget the forces out to destroy the continuity of Democratics; namely disgruntled PUMAS and the right wing.
This is as bizarre as De-Nile being a River in Egypt. Moreover, it is circularly illogical. Contrary to what many forget, Hillary, notwithstanding her grit couldn't even get US health care when her husband was in office.
Don't get too happy clappy; it's just Ballyhoo designed to splinter the Democratic vote.
George W is silent because he has class and respects the Office of the President. He pledged not to criticize Obama and he has kept that pledge.
Regarding Clinton, he inherited 8 years of peace and prosperity that were due to the efforts of others ( GOP and Democrat). He didn't screw up; he appointed some good people, he did some good things ( welfare reform, NAFTA to name two).
After 10 years, my mellowed view is his presidency should be noted for what he did not do. He had a golden opportunity to do something on Social Security and did nothing. He had a golden opportunity to start health care reform and overreached and got nothing done. No one saw Osama bin Laden coming, but Clinton did nothing to make our country safer. He tried, but never got much done on middle east peace, although to be fair, neither has anyone else.
After losing Congress, he had sense enough to try to find solutions with the other side. All progress on the deficit and the booming economy happened after the GOP took over Congress.
Bottom Line, not bad for a democrat, but think about what he could have done with 8 years of peace and prosperity. No Osama, no Iraq, booming stock market, booming economy.
The massive time and energy consumed by his personal failings destined him to be a mediocrity. I don't care what he did with Monica. I care that he was dishonest and wasted 2 years of the country's time and his time.
Who knows how long it will be before we see a window of tranquility that were the 90s again?
Clinton = Missed Opportunity
Bush is doing the right thing by staying out of politics. At least he understands that he longer has a "dog in this fight". I do find it amazing that with all of the Bush bashing going in, he has the ability to ignore it. The republicans are probably happy that he is doing it, but don't think for a minute that they are actively trying to keep him quiet. Notice that there isn't very much about Bush I speaking out either, or Reagan while he was alive, or Nixon when he was alive.
The article was right in one respect, the memory of washington and our collective memory as a country is usually short, so who knows how Bush or Obama will be portrayed in 10 years or so.
But carter will be an a$$hole forever.
Gary..Backhanded slaps....
HE gave us 8 years of peace and prosperity despite the GOP wasting his time with impeachment for the same things they were doing. I wish they could change term limits and give him four more years.
Yes Clinton's administration seemed prosperous at the time, and even during most of Bush's Presidency it seemed so nice. Except for Bill Clinton's 1995 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP STRATEGY, which created the housing meltdown by 2005, YOU ALL need to wake up and read the facts.
Social engineering does not work, Clinton should own up to creating the 2 largest depression in our nations history. Bush tried to warn Frank, Dodds, Waters and others that loaning unending mortgages will lead to financial problems, but you all don't listen, "Franklyn Rains is doing a wonderful job over there at Fannie mae"..
You need to look up and do your reseach on Clinton's National Homeownship Strategy. This other article explains it the best, its under the title: The Affordable Mortgage Depression,, read it if you want to know the truth. or continue to hide behind your fallacies.
Unlike the current occupant, Bush has respect for the Oval Office.
As far as Clinton is concerned, he will always be the second president to be impeached. As a liar, America should be suspect of anything he says and or does. He is not altruistic by nature, he is only out for himself.
TMJ 07 Unlike the current occupant, Bush has respect for the Oval Office
How is the current occupant disrespecting the Oval office?????????????
Clinton was in office from when I was in middle school to the first 3 years of my enlistment in the Air Force. Much of my left-center ideals were formed during these prosperous years. He is likely the greatest Democratic president since Roosevelt.
Fletch2-1565982
Obama has disrespected the Oval Office by forcing down our throats a health care package that was taken largely from the Republican proposals back when Clinton was in office AND had the poor taste not to bribe the same Republicans with kick-backs to get it passed. Shameful, isn't it?
You are so right. Downright shameful.
President Obama is the President. We hold him accountable. The GOP never do that with their Republican presidents, until it's too damn late. President Obama will go down as a very very popular president. Just as Bill Clinton. Our current president is a good man, hard working, kind, honest and a sincere family man.
Speaking of Bill Clinton, Newt is another one trying to "redo" his image.
I wonder - did Newt and his mistresses sit in hot tubs together? Was he what you would call a real swinger? Sure seems like it. Of course this was a while ago, before his what - third marriage? And he's dictating to us how we should live? And people take him seriously?
Reminds me of that old quote from Oscar Levant -
"I knew Doris Day before she was a v!rg!n."
Funny how Pat thinks obama and bill are so alike...good, honest, hard working men.
Then she proceeds to scewer Newt for his marital indescetions.......hello.....anybody remember monica, cigars, what the definition of is is. Give me a break.....hypocrit much?
Then she proceeds to scewer Newt for his marital indescetions
proud republican: That's my point. Newt is attempting to dictate how we should all live, despite his many many indiscretions over the years. Bill Clinton never attempted to dictate to us how we should live our lives.
Without a doubt, the biggest hypocrite on the national stage is Newt.
And MSNBC's Joe Scarborough declared on "Morning Joe" today that there are many Democrats who wish Clinton could run for president again.
Who? How many is many? Clinton sold out too much to the GOP for my taste. And his Monica episodes were disgraceful.
I found his lying to be as equally distasteful - and of course, the lying was against the law as well.
Pat
Bill Clinton is anything but a good man!! He cheats on his wife, sends her out to lie for him in front of the whole country! Look up Juanita Broaddrick, She claims she was raped by your good man Bill Clinton. I believe her story. That scum bag Clinton should have done jail time for that crime and he should be a registered sex offender.
And democrats still stick up for that POS.
Actually JH, the do-gooders in the Republican Party should have left it alone. But they had to bring Clinton down because he was popular. They even went so far as accusing Hillary Clinton of being a murderer.
The country rightly stood with Clinton over the Republicans. No one likes hypocrites.
No one. And the Republican Party was full of them back then. They're still hypocrites today with their "family values" nonsense. They don't care about education, health care, jobs, the working class, the middle class. They even shut down the government at one time, which left thousands of people without a paycheck. The have zero family values.
Zero.
Pat,
To use Bill Clinton and "family values" in the same post is laughable. Bill Clinton used his power to seduce a very young intern and then defaced the oval office by using it as his "love Shack" all with his wife and daughter close by. Defend it all you want but it is what it is and Republicans didn't screw him he screwed himself. It is a good thing Hilary had political ambition because it was easier for her to stand by him so he could help her out later. Are there any politicians out there that have any morals?
Look watt, I never said Clinton was perfect. I already said I hated this Monica stuff. I hated it then and I hate it still today.
This country voted for Bill Clinton, regardless of his many affairs, known long long long before he was elected. And the country said okay.
The family values belong to the GOP. And they're full of it. Newt was doing the same thing in his office up on the Hill when he was the speaker. Yet he said it didn't matter how he lived, only what he said. He is an evil evil man. They all are.
The country made a choice and they chose Clinton over them. And not only that, but Gore won the most popular votes in 2000. So their little scheme didn't work. The country saw right through them. I'm happy to say.
Now we have Ensign and Vitter. Two Republican United States Senators. What are you going to do about that? I bet I know. Look the other way.
It's only important if a Democrat does it according to the GOP. Creeps.
President Clinton the only two term democratic president since FDR, created over 20 million jobs and balanced the federal budget during the eight consecutive years of economic growth, peace, and prosperity of his presidency.
Economic Growth
Peace
A Balanced Budget
Why would ANYONE be nostalgic for that?
While he came the closest out of any president in the previous 100 years, Clinton didn't balance the budget. It was "balanced" with IOUs from social security. The National Debt still rose every year he was president.
There are also some who would say that the economic growth under Clinton was a result of Reagan/Bush I policies, just like those folks who say the problems we have under Obama are Bush's fault.
As far as peace is concerned, while there were no major incidents, there were still a great number of "minor" ones under Clinton: WTC bombing, embassy attacks, USS Cole, etc. and his lack of willingness to handle them decisively, allowed 9/11 to happen.
Pat,
As I said before, are than any politicians with morals? At least I am open minded enough to know that this happens on both sides. Where did I say only democrats were sleaze bags? Your post shows you are willing to forgive the left but hold the right to a higher standard of morals. I guess if you have no morals you can get by with just about anything.
There are also some who would say that the economic growth under Clinton was a result of Reagan/Bush I policies
For EIGHT YEARS? Yes perhaps it was a carryover from the TRUMAN years
And they would be jumping through semantic hoops to try to support a ridiculous contention
http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2010/jul/25/sherrod-brown/sherrod-brown-touts-job-grown-during-clinton-presi/
The numbers speak for themselves, for both administrations.
percentage growth by term
1993-1997-11.5%
1998-2001-11.3%
Twin towers bomber Ramzi Ahmed Yousef brought to justice...Where's the mastermind of 9/11?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramzi_Yousef
Bosnia genocide ended without the loss of a single American soldier.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/index/nbos000.htm
Cole Attacked in OCTOBER of 2000
President Bill Clinton declared, "If, as it now appears, this was an act of terrorism, it was a despicable and cowardly act. We will find out who was responsible and hold them accountable". Some critics have pointed out that, under U.S. law, an attack against a military target does not meet the legal definition of terrorism[25] (see: 22 USC § 2656f(d)(2)).
On January 19, 2001, The U.S. Navy completed and released its Judge Advocate General Manual (JAGMAN) investigation of the incident,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cole_bombing
Embassy Bombings
In response to the bombings, U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered Operation Infinite Reach, a series of cruise missile strikes on targets in Sudan and Afghanistan on August 20, 1998, announcing the planned strike in a primetime address on American television. In Sudan, the missiles destroyed the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory, where 50% of Sudan's medications for both people and animals were manufactured. The Clinton Administration claimed that there was ample evidence to prove that the plant produced chemical weapons, but a thorough investigation after the missile strikes revealed that the intelligence was unreliable.[17]
The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1189 condemning the attacks on the embassies.
After Clinton ordered the attacks in August 1998, ACCORDING TO THIS STORY in the Associated Press, "most lawmakers from both parties were quick to rally behind Clinton in a deluge of public statements and appearances yesterday, a marked contrast to the relatively sparse and chilly reception that greeted his Monday statement on the Lewinsky matter."
"I think the president did exactly the right thing," said House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said. "By doing this we're sending the signal there are no sanctuaries for terrorists." Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) called the attacks "appropriate and just," and House Majority Leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) said "the American people stand united in the face of terrorism."
The AP says: "Gingrich dismissed any possibility that Clinton may have ordered the attacks to divert attention from the scandal. Instead, he said, there was an urgent need for a reprisal following the Aug. 7 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. 'Anyone who watched the film of the bombings, anyone who saw the coffins come home knows better than to question this timing,' Gingrich said. 'It was done as early as possible to send a message to terrorists across the globe that killing Americans has a cost. It has no relationship with any other activity of any kind.'
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2006/09/the_truth_about.html
Some are obviously very, very wrong about just about everything
He was a great President and his stature will grow with each passing year...
Pat
Bill Clinton brought himself down by his "perjury". The republicans followed the law by impeaching him. In my opinion Bill Clinton is a lying rapist who should be a registered sex offender for the rest of his lfe. He never denied the allegations brought by Juanita Broaddrick.
As far as his 8 years as President, the only reason he succeeded was because he was forced to do the republican agenda. The last 6 years of his administration was under a republican Congress.
I noticed you didnt say anything about competent or effective for obama. As for newt, he got more of his agenda passed than clinton did.
I have news for you, BS detector. You are the source of what you detect. You can count on the fingers of one hand and have five left over the number of "Contract" promises that Gingrich got passed. You should also know that most reputable economists credit the reduction in the deficit to the Tax Increase passed by the Democratic Congress in 1993 (without a single GOP vote). [The Dems lost the House over that, but it was the right thing to do.] The most memorable achievements of the GOP controlled Congress were the government shutdown, the politically-driven impeachment and the repeal of Glass-Steagman, which set up the Wall Street meltdown. [Clinton's failed us there because he did not veto it.]
"Bosnia genocide ended without the loss of a single American soldier."
Yeah they had pretty much wiped everyone out by the time we started bombing. I am actually ashamed that our country did nothing while this was going on, same for Rhowanda. Our country is supposed to stand up for the weak and defenseless. But the coward, who loathed the military, allowed hundreds of thousands to be murdered.
Rick,KY
I have to agree with you, I don't want to see Clinton back either. To answer you question about Bush. He is showing some class by laying low and not critiqing everything Obama fails at.
Proud, I personally think he's staying silent Hopeing Congress does'nt Investigate his personal destruction of American Society.
But, I did'nt Declare it like JoeSmoe did.
Personal destruction of American society?
Got hyperbole?
Bush made numerous mistakes and made some really bad calls, most of them with the support of Congress. However Bush being silent now just goes to show you he is more Presidential than our current President. For all Bush's faults at least he was not a blamer or a whiner and has the good sense to keep his mouth shut now.
However Bush being silent now just goes to show you he is more Presidential than our current President.
More Presidential? Really? After what he did in Iraq and Afghanistan, you call his leadership "Presidential". Well, read all about it. His book is coming out after the election. He timed it that way so he wouldn't be in the news before the election.
He didn't want to embarrass anyone with his "presidential" behavior.
Pat,
President Obama has caused more of a divide in this Country than any before him. Race against race, religion against religion, rich against poor, right against left ect....Mr. President you won the election, you have the majority, you did not inherit this mess you signed up for it...now pull up your "big boy" pants and be a leader!
President Obama has caused more of a divide in this Country than any before him.
President Obama didn't cause it. The racists in this country caused it. Surely you have seen what they are saying about him daily. President Obama has done a lot of good with his life. A lot.
People don't care. Because they're failures. And racists. And stupid. And believe the worst in everybody.
I'd contend, watt75, that the divide is more the result of lasting, deeply-held prejudices on the behalf of all Americans than a single man actively inciting ethnic and religious calamity. Take proud republican-1888838 as an example - he's stated numerous times on this blog that he finds homosexuals "disgusting;" I somehow doubt his erroneous belief in that regard was instilled in him by the President.
Clinton's begin their quest to get back into the White House. By giving advice to Obama, they are confirming that, Yes Mr. Obama you are clueless, so please get out of the way so Hillary can have her turn before it is too late.
Her turn? What in the world are you talking about? She will get her turn ONLY if the people of this country elect her.
Snowball's chance after the current liberal fiasco.
Oh, I don't know, it depends on what she has to say and the republicans still don't have a viable candidate for 2012.
I think Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) would be a good choice. I also like Gov. McDaniel from Indiana.
It was that sense of entitlement that killed her chances last time. We need somebody with enough backbone to do what they agree is needed even if it means commiting political suicide. They're all paralyzed by the fear of hurting their legacy or losing the next election.
Marc Cola
I don't think Hillary wants to be President. She's doing an awesome job as Secretary of State, however.
Marc Cola. Keep on dreamin'--wishin', hopin', prayin' that.... I supported and continue to support President Obama; Hillary Clinton is a superb Sec of State. Hillary -- 2016
Obama was the best choice for President in 2008 and he will be in 2012. The Clintons have too many skeletons in the closet folks and they are not going away, frankly if Obama gets shed of Raham Emanuell I look for him to get back on track, Obama has had some admirable accomplishments and would have had many more if it weren't for our corporate owned Senate, remember Obama can only suggest changes, Congress has to make it happen, people need to send more "real" democrats to Congress and get rid of the traitors that are just corporate Republican wannabes, the media says that ain't what’s going to happen come November, I can't imagine any reasonable person would want the Republicans back in the majority after what they have subjected this country to, it just is not logical, the anger among the masses is understandable but that anger should be squarely focused on the party responsible for the grief and despair currently being experienced by millions in this country, the Republican Party.
Palin cannot count on the collective "forgetfulness" of the voters because there has not been enough time yet and she is still making public appearances, which both work against her. Clinton bided his time and stayed out of the limelight, which would make excellent advice for Palin. Unfortunately, Palin's resignation as governor of Alaska is also working against her -- she gave up the only responsible public office she ever held to pursue a career in show business.
Can anyone tell me why Newt is in the news? He's nobody. Always has been, always will be. Whenever the GOP gets more outlandish with their preaching of hate and distrust, another weasle crawls out. Newt contributed nothing when he was in Washington. He has even less to contribute now.
His proud parents took one look at him, and decided "Newt", what a perfect name for him, indeed!!
Why on God's green earth do we even listen to this man? Why is the liberal media always shoving his face in ours. This person is not fit to open his mouth in public.
Just a reminder. He was doing the horizontal mambo with the little intern. Got caught and lied to everyone to include his wife. Disgraced the American people and then had the audacity to lie to congress about it. He was impeached people!
Please note: Went do you know a Democrat is lying to you?
Answer: When they open their mouths!
Alioop!
First, he did not lie to Congress about it. That was never the charge. He was accused of lying to Ken Starr.
He was impeached...and acquitted by the Senate.
Da Noid,
So what he did was okay in your book because he got away with it? Liberal thinking at best.
So what he did was okay in your book because he got away with it? Liberal thinking at best.
Eight Years, 20+ million Jobs created in the PRIVATE SECTOR despite RAISING TAXES...Yep, IN MY BOOK that is liberal thinking at it's very best!
Your book only seems to have one little paragraph...
watt75------
You should appreciate the liberal thinking, if that's what it was.
If you dislike liberal thinking then I guess you would be in favor of investigating the 8 years of the previous administration. My President seemingly refuses to investigate the Bush years...but, Betraying the Public Trust...torture.....LIES, lies, and more lies.
Let the investigations begin!..would that please ya'?
That's called winning the cold war and reaping the benefits. People saw a promising future and invested in it. They dont see it now and that's what's dragging out the recession.
Reminds me of a joke that President Lincoln made. When reporters asked Lincoln what he thought about General Grant's drinking, he said he was going to find out what brand he drank and send a case to his other generals.
Given how President Clinton helped this country, I say we send all our Presidents chubby, beret-wearing interns.
This is off the topic, I know, but I just felt the need to check...
...with the first provisions of Health Care Reform taking effect today, has anyone's Grandma been killed by a Death Panel yet today?
Just checking.
No, but she was run over by a reindeer.
Da Noid, not that I'm aware of, but I see were the insurance companies are considering not offering insurance to families of children with pre-existing conditions, they will not offer ANY such policies, so once again these children will be uncovered, nice counter move eh!!
Now people can see how awful it is to keep our health in the hands of the for-profit corporations. Their refusal to insure children is not going to go over well, and the push for a single payer or public option can move forward again.
No, not yet......but her doctor no longer accepts medicaid patients..............and her new insurer won't pay for her cancer medicine because she's 93..........
The Democrats can still pull this one out. There was so much Negative and Misleading info coming from the Republicans the first 20 months of Obama's term that even diehard Dem's where starting to believe it.
The President's staff was responsible for getting the correct word out on his policy's and they failed.
It's time to get tough with the FEAR party and get the good word out. If it takes Clinton to help with that, It's ok.
Enough of the Party of Fear.
Enough of the Party of Fear.
Yeah...but which one?
Dem base told: Fear Tea Party
By Shane D’Aprile and Bob Cusack - 09/08/10 06:00 AM ET
Democrats desperate to convince their base to show up at the polls in November have begun talking less about issues and more about the possibility of a “Tea Party Congress” next year.
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/117557-dem-base-told-fear-tea-party
RNC Strategy: Raise Money Through Fear of Socialism
Politico's Ben Smith has obtained a Republican National Committee PowerPoint fundraising presentation encouraging Republicans to raise money by promising to "save the country from trending toward socialism."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-6263790-503544.html
As an aside...my God, that photo. How the man's aged since his Presidency, good Lord.
That's what having heart surgery will do to you.
He did age quite a bit from 92-00 as well. Thats what the presidency will do to you.
It's true that President Bush has kept his silence for the most part, and that's probably the wiser course.
I do wish he would speak up regarding the "Ground Zero" business and similar goings-on elsewhere. After all, he distinguished more than once between Islamic terrorists and ordinary Muslims. But I guess some Republicans would jump all over him if he did speak up.
As for President Clinton -- yes, his behavior was despicable. Yet we give people a chance to try to earn back respect, even forgiveness to some degree. He has proven useful on a number of occasions, including for President Bush. And he certainly is popular internationally. (I live abroad and can attest to favorable local attitudes towards him.)
To the person who called Republicans "traitors," that's a terribly strong charge, and I say that as one quite exasperated with a number of individual Republicans and the approach they have followed virtually all the time in the House and Senate. That does not, however, lead me to accuse them of treason. Further, that not only likely doesn't help any Democrat but well may actually polarize people even more, if such is possible.
This is going to be one interesting election. . . .
This is the guy the teabaggers want back. George W. Bush. I'll take Clinton any day. Either Bill or Hillary. And CERTAINLY President Obama over Senator McCain. Actually, President Obama over all of them.
Think Progress Today:
The Bush administration has long maintained they had not decided to invade Iraq until the days before it actually began and that they did “everything” they could to “avoid war in Iraq.” President Bush even claimed that the “American people can know that every measure has been taken to avoid war.”
Yet there is evidence that the Bush administration, from its very early days, was actively plotting to go to war with the Arab country. From a British memo that noted that “Bush made it clear the US intended to invade whether or not there was a second resolution and even if UN inspectors found no evidence of a banned Iraqi weapons programme” to memoirs by administration members Richard Clarke and Paul O’Neill, there have been numerous disclosures that strongly suggest that the Bush administration was plotting a war against Iraq while recognizing it was not a threat to the United States.
Now, with the help of a Freedom of Information Act request, the National Security Archive has obtained a newly declassified document that details talking points that emerged from a meeting between Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and CENTCOM Commander General Tommy Franks in November 2001.
The talking points mainly revolve around the logistical planning for a war in Iraq. They detail the “decapitation” of the Iraqi government by U.S. forces and make regime change the goal. Interestingly, they already mention U.S. forces “coming out of Afghanistan” to join the invasion of Iraq. Yet the most alarming part of the document is a bullet point titled, “How start?” (which is a discussion that actually appears after the planning of the entire war). The participants in the Rumsfeld-Frank meeting discussed possible ways to provoke a conflict with Iraq, including an attack by Saddam Hussein against the Kurdish north, the U.S. discovering a “Saddam connection” to 9/11 or the anthrax attacks, or a dispute over WMD inspections. It appears from the language of the talking points that the Bush administration had already decided to go to war with Iraq and was looking for an opportunity to invade-
I would've taken McCain in 2000 over Bush - but certainly not McCain in 2008 paired with Palin.
JH-479998
Pat
Bill Clinton is anything but a good man!! He cheats on his wife, sends her out to lie for him in front of the whole country! Look up Juanita Broaddrick, She claims she was raped by your good man Bill Clinton. I believe her story. That scum bag Clinton should have done jail time for that crime and he should be a registered sex offender.
And democrats still stick up for that POS.
How many Ensigns, Vitters, Gringrichs, wanna be are there in the Republican Party? In regards to sex offenders you have Mark Foley, and Craig
Albeit, cynical Republican politicians lips drip with sex, lies and video tapes. in other words claiming democrats as POS is just more bogus hogwash.
Beverly, the Republican supporters have blinders on. They always did. How often do they harken back to Reagan? Weekly. It's just the way it is with our culture. I remember as a child how no one, and I mean no one, had a good thing to say about Harry Truman. I think a lot of the so-called GOP supporters today, in the 30ish year old range grew up believing Reagan could do no wrong so they vote GOP. But most of what is said about Reagan for the good are lies. Reagan killed the middle class. Now it appears Truman is more popular than FDR in many ways. He had to end two wars and deal with Stalin, an evil monster, after the war. He had to deal with MacArthur. He had to deal with a Congress that he couldn't stand. He desegregated the military.
There is a lot to admire in Mr. Truman, all these years later.
Is the term 'Rockefeller Republican' as dead as its namesake?
yep....the Libs think Monica was a GOP spy.....ggg
Although I liked Clinton personally, a lot of people remember a lot of bad decisions on his part. Mainly naming super-liberals to a lot of top posts.
Hey Chilled: Thats like calling the kettle black and you can have that wothless turd of a so called president. I sure wouldn't have voted for anyone who could never give any details of what he was going to do but then theirs a sucker born every minute and no shortage of em either
DMAC-1004611
Hey Chilled: Thats like calling the kettle black and you can have that wothless turd of a so called president. I sure wouldn't have voted for anyone who could never give any details of what he was going to do but then theirs a sucker born every minute and no shortage of em either
______________________________
Que?
Let he who is without guilt cast the first stone. Newt shouldn't even go near the stones much less pick one up and cast it.
Yes, Clinton did some disghusting things but if we go past his sexual exploits he was a pretty good president. Unlike Bush Clinton actualy accomplished things that were good for the ordinary American people and not just the greedy or rich. Unlike Bush he didn't start unfunded wars. Unlike Bush he left office with a surplus budget. Bush was hated around the world where Clinton and Obama are well liked because they aren't bullies but willing to work with both allies and foes alike to promote peace in the world.
Finally, we went from Rhodes Scholar to Villiage Idiot Frat Boy to Law Professor and smart cookie. Sure there are things I disagree with Obama about but most things we ageree on. Also there were only one or two things I agreed with Bush on. Given the choice I wouldn't mind having Bill Clinton as President again.
Adler....shows there is a sucker born every minute.
And dennispaul, are you not demonstrating intelligence isn't necessarily a birthright?
Bill Clinton needs to go crawl in a hole and stay there forever after signing NAFTA and sending millions of American jobs to other countries. Thanks a$$hole for sending my job to Mexico!!
If it were not for his sexual scandals, President Clinton would have been viewed as one of our greatest Presidents, and history may still judge him in that light.
He understood the economy and American politics better than any Republican then or now.
I would love to see a moderated discussion between Clinton and Limbaugh on the right direction for our nation. From an intellectual perspective it would be like the NFL All Stars vs. 75 LB Pee Wee league in Clinton's favorite.
BUT after all the trash Rush has said about the Clintons over the years it would be nice to see him stuttering to defend is stupid policies and his white trash radio show.
got to be kidding........he caused 9/11 and his financial policies set us up for what we are going through now....where the hell have you been ?????
Evidentally I have not been smoking a crack pipe and listening to ignorant Republican propaganda that has no foundation or credibility..
When one says ignorant things like Clinton caused 9/11 AND he is responsible for the corporate wellfare of George W and the economy they have NO credibility and should probably refrain from speaking to grown ups.
Birdman, you beat me to the punch. Excellent scathing, however~
how about you read a book ....then we will discuss it further....you can start at the beginning .......Ghost Wars, Bush at War, The War Within........then see if you don't think CLINTON blew it ....BIG TIME
Your Hero.....
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998
Just a quck example....want more ????
how about you check out the following name........Brooksley Born ........so much for his Financial Programs........gggg
The LEFT is so Entertaining at times
how about you read a book ....then we will discuss it further.
Read Ghost Wars; he's a lot harder on Bush 1 and previous administrations. Former WP managing ed.
Maybe You should read
Fiasco (providing needed context to the quotes above)
Hubris
The Looming Tower
The 9/11 Commission report
Against all enemies
State of Denial
I could go on...I've read many books on the subject and challenge you to back up your assertions from the source material you cite. That President Clinton "Blew it big time"
I will wait to see if you're willing to put your money where your ego is
Arrogance reduces the impact of intellect by at least a factor of 2X...
Start with Ghost Wars ( I read it too, you are wrong about the author and Bush 1) , Bush At War (that is where the author really starts to lay blame on Clinton), The War Within, Al Queada, Descent Into Chaos (about half way through...Clinton is a dope), Islam, Courting disaster ( BO is a dope), Kill Bin Laden (the real Heros), .......now Frontline Specials...10 Trillion and Counting, The Meltdown, Brooksley Born (google her, can't remember the name of the special....Clinton destroyed her )......
Want more ???.......you are right about one thing......your Arrogance does reduce your intelligence....your refusal to acknowledge every post I wrote providing FACTS and FIGURES....a true Liberal at work.
GB is remaining silent so Jeb may surface and run in 2012. Also, what would he have to gain by speaking, he had his turn. Carter is a tool.
I would like to see a reality show that fiollowed Slick Willy around and capture him chasing/nailing skirts. He has to be tearing it up with the Sec of St on the road so much.
History will judge this guy as one of the WORST Presidents in our short history.....IMPEACHED and the cause of 9/11.....no moral character and a SLICK talker ....people just eat it up.....the original Reality TV Superstar. BO must bite his lips evertime SLICK opens his mouth.
He won't make the bottom ten. There's 220 years or so of other administrations that had decidedly grander muck-ups. Why is it so many people seem to think history only stretches as far back as Kennedy or Eisenhower?
Besides, you presume too much by claiming he's the cause of 9/11 - that's as ludicrous as the left stating Bush allowed it to happen or engineered it.
What's your next trick? Comparing Obama to Hitler?
what was Bill doing while Bin Laden was planning ?????????......hint.....starts with an M and sounds like Impeached.
why didn't he go after Bin Laden when the CIA had him at Tarnak Farms ????.......because he was afraid of the Political fallout.....read Ghost Wars !!!!
blowjobs does not sound like impeached
Yeah....he was a real Rhodes Scholar alright......
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
Like Husband like Wife..............g
It's easy to see the cold, clear objectivity in your scholarly critique. That's why you make such a convincing case.
That you have this much spleen/envy/jealousy left to vent 11 years after the fact is ample proof of the quality of President Clinton's leadership.
Peace, Prosperity, 22 million jobs, a balanced budget, and a nation far better off than when he took office. You could look it up, and you can't deny it, so you try to spin it, but it's in the history books now...
right.....apparently you and I lived in different Realities at the time. Did you read the article above ???
btw....all the jobs were "created" because of Reagan Policies...Bill was smart enough not to screw that up till the end.....the budget was never balanced...smoke and mirrors ....he raided the Trust Funds to make the numbers work
Apparently. Tell us, what was that reality like? It's certainly different from what happened here in good ol' three-dimensional space.
Yeah...between him signing Deregulation, NAFTA, Barney Frank and the rest of the Dems at that time screwing up the housing Industry, slick Willy getting Impeached and taking his eye off the ball (Bin Laden) etc etc etc....yeah, he was a great President.
Bill was not impeached, they wished they could have impeached him. How can you impeach a president for having oral sex? You can only impeach a president if he does something wrong regarding the country, now Nixon definately was impeached because he broke in to the watergate building, now that is what you call an impeachment deserved.
He was impeached which is like being indicted; but not convicted when tried by the Senate
rewrite history much?
Clinton caused 9/11????? .....clinton warned that bin laden is going to attack america and the repubs called it tail wagging the dog
Bush was president when bin laden attacked NY that will never change
you are so wrong it is pathetic.....try reading a book instead of drinking so much koolaide......start with Ghost Wars (Pulitzer Prize btw)
Clinton warned ???..........Prove It !!!!!!!!!!!
DP...
okay;
The crux of the issue is a January 25, 2001, memo on al-Qaeda from counterterrorism coordinator Richard Clarke to National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, the first terrorism strategy paper of the Bush administration. The document was central to the debate over pre-9/11 Bush administration policy on terrorism and figured prominently in the 9/11 hearings held in 2004. A declassified copy of the Clarke memo was first posted on the Web by the National Security Archive in February 2005."
CLINTON: But at least I tried. That’s the difference in me and some, including all the right-wingers who are attacking me now. They ridiculed me for trying. They had eight months to try. They did not try. I tried.
So I tried and failed. When I failed, I left a comprehensive anti-terror strategy and the best guy in the country, Dick Clarke, who got demoted.
QUESTION: So you’re saying Bill Clinton is a liar?
SECRETARY RICE: No
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB147/clarke%20memo.pdf
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB147/index.htm
Got it?
I didn't say he was a LIAR....I said he BLEW IT........try reading an INDEPENDENT analysis of the situation....not Bill's words...what the hell would you expect him to say.....btw,......most would agree he did NOT try hard enough....he had plenty of opportunities to take OBL out ....literally the CIA had him in their sites more than once at Tarnak Farms and Bill would NOT pull the trigger...all this is well documented in Ghost Wars....so much for his big "Warning".
Got It ?????????
...so facts pretty much just ricochet off your skull then, dennispaul?
facts like what ???.....he left a "detailed plan" .......right......a detailed plan that he admits HE failed at several times....quite the plan.........if it was such a "comprehensive strategy" " than why didn't he enact it BEFORE he left ???? ....hmmmmm......or did that bounce off your skull ????
But, what the hell ....he said he tried......between blow jobs I guess
M'kay. You aren't making posts with any value to them - your so-called 'points' have been refuted numerous times 'till now by people who align themselves as both liberals and conservatives, yet you remain stalwart in your erroneous beliefs.
Ricochet.
dennispaul----- in 1996, the GOP, lead by Ashcroft , Lott and Gramm GUTTED Clinton's anti-terrorism legislation that contained MANY of the provisions now in the Patriot Act! They claimed Clinton was trying to gain powersnot appropriate for a President to have; they also cried wolf!!
Ask yourself a question: Had the GOP NOT gutted this legislation, would 911 have happened??? Many terrorist attacks have been foiled because of powers DENIED to Pres. Clinton!
You can find MANY articles on this using Google.
@ dennispaul
...in their "sites". @!$%# man. Is English your native tongue?
CLINTON: But at least I tried. That’s the difference in me and some, including all the right-wingers who are attacking me now. They ridiculed me for trying. They had eight months to try. They did not try. I tried.
Of course when the Saudis offered Bin Laden to you you did not try then, did you? When they bombed the World Trade Center, what did you do? When they bombed our Embassy's what did you do. The answer is NOTHING. the same as you did when he bombed the USS Cole.
Thankfully we elected a real leader who did something, and since 2001 there has not been an Bin Laden attack on the USA. So bottom line we will take results over your chest pounding look at me statements any day of the week.
This is from your OWN source...not mine....but got to admit one thing....the Left can sure SPIN the truth....there is much more but you get the idea
http://www.truth-out.org/article/clinton-911-and-facts
In 1993, a $150,000 study was undertaken by the Pentagon to investigate the possibility of airplanes being used as bombs. A draft document of this was circulated throughout the Pentagon, the Justice Department, and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 1994, a disgruntled Federal Express employee invaded the cockpit of a DC10 with the intention of crashing it into a company building. Again in 1994, a pilot crashed a small airplane into a tree on the White House grounds, narrowly missing the building itself. Also in 1994, an Air France flight was hijacked by members of a terrorist organization called the Armed Islamic Group, who intended to crash the plane into the Eiffel Tower.
The 1993 Pentagon report was followed up in September 1999 by a report titled "The Sociology and Psychology of Terrorism." This report was prepared for the American intelligence community by the Federal Research Division, an adjunct of the Library of Congress. The report stated, "Suicide bombers belonging to Al Qaida's martyrdom battalion could crash-land an aircraft packed with high explosives into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the CIA, or the White House."
So you still want to argue that the GOP stopped the Commander In Chief from doing his Constitutional obligations ???.......remember....he was preoccupied at the time with his girl friend.
Talk radio and Fox News to the contrary, the chattering classes adoration for Bill Clinton never waned. Network newsreaders and commentators and political collumnists have been laying on the whitewash nonstop since Clinton won his party's nomination in 1992.
agreed.....the liberal left wing media puppet master.....just like BO
Obviously won't change your mind...better to expose the fallacies behind your assertions...
danger....go ahead expose away......name ONE thing I said that is/was not true.....ONE !!
I have everywhere on this thread dp...
You're the only one who doesn't see it.
Your OPINIONS are not supported by any facts, and your assertions have been refuted, what else is there?
You have been reduced (if that's possible) to sputtering about fellatio...about which the historical verdict will be " so what?"
The overall approval rating of the Clinton administration remained at 64% 10 years after he left office!
Clinton never had 50% of the vote , and when he left office in Shame after selling pardons, what was his approval rate in National respected polls, ie. non Daily KOS polls. lol
here is the answer 31%.