Who misses Bill Clinton?

[Cascadian]

Poll question: Who misses Bill Clinton?

I know I asked this question before but it is worth asking over and over again. Because Clinton is worthy of this. Do you miss Clinton? Even though he was not a real liberal, he was the one man who made Republican Lite work. How they DLCers can work without him is a mystery.

But don't you miss the big lug?

John

[tedoll78]

1. Something to think about..

I know I sound like a broken record, but please think about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer every time you think of electing a Democrat to the White House. We have a chance to knock Bush out without a single USSC appointment; this hasn't happened since Carter.

We can all agree - if a piece of legislation is even remotely controversial, it WILL end-up in court where it can be knocked-down before ever taking effect. With good jurists, I'm more than willing to take a Clinton - or even a Lieberman. There's an argument to be made that the judiciary is our best line of defense against fascist policy taking hold in our beloved country.

I hope more progressives remember this when they go into the voting booth next year. Please remember this..

[GOPBasher]

2. With the person now in office,

how the hell can we NOT miss Clinton?

[booley]

3. right now..I find myself missing Nixon

..even he was better then the son of shrub.

not to say he was a good president..but better then what we have now.

I know, a bit hyperbolic;-)

[vi5]

4. Man, do I miss the big fella....

That was a man who despite his flaws (and there were many), was a consumate politician and statesman. The key was that he gave people the offer of hope and a future and they voted for that hope and future every time.

Sadly, I see nothing in our current crop of candidates but self righteous chest thumping, negativity, and lemming like behavior all around. I would never in my life vote for anything other than a democrat, but comparing the feeling I got seeing Bill Clinton run a campaign and then as president is so far beyond anything I feel right now.

[NicRic]

5. Who wont miss this !

Bill and Al's report card
Clinton/Gore administration acheivements:
1. The longest economic expansion in our history.
2. The creation of more than 22 million new jobs.
3. The lowest unemployment in 30 years.
4. Real wages rose at all income levels.
5. The highest home ownership in American history.
6. Unemployment reduced to 3.9 percent.
7. Hispanic unemployment reduced to 5%, the lowest level on record.
8. African-American unemployment reduced by 50% to its lowest level ever recorded.
9. The lowest welfare rolls in 32 years.
10. The lowest crime rates in 26 years.
11. Teen pregnancy and drug abuse were down.
12. Student test were scores up.
13. The number of people without health insurance was reduced for the first time in a dozen years.
14. The size of the federal government was reduced by over 340,000 workers.
15. The federal budget was balanced.
16. The Reagan-Bush federal debt had finally begun to be reduced.

Now to say you dont miss a President that knows how to get things done and while doing so make the quality of life better for all Americans ! Reguardless of your politicial beleifs, how could anyone not admire a man who came from such humble backgroud ,working his way up to the highest office in the country ,world ! He worked tirelessly for the American people , a big differance from the "is it my nap time yet" ,we have in office now ! We may not see a politician with the abilities of President Clinton for a long time !

[Enjolras]

6. In a word, NO

He did make a couple of top flight Supreme Court appointments and was a staunch defender of choice and of public education, but he's also the guy who, more than anyone else, is responsible for the party's rightward drift. All of you DLC bashers should remember that it started with him. You should be cursing his name.

Need more? How about welfare reform, the DoMA, and "Don't ask, don't tell". What would you say about a Republican president who signed those?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

10. Couple of questions for you....

Are you better off economically under the Chimpster than you were when Clinton was the last legally elected President? Do you feel secure in your current job?

Do you feel safer from terrorist acts? Do you think 911 was preventable?

Do you think we are in Afghanistan and Iraq for the reasons stated by the NeoCon Junta, or do you think they had other motives in mind? Do you think the death of even one American was justified?

Do you think the Patriot Act is a valid piece of legislation, or do you think it severely eroded the civil rights of all American citizens?

Need more?

[Enjolras]

14. A couple of answers

I am neither better nor worse off economically now than during the Clinton years. But if I were either, I don't think I'd let it cloud my overall opinion of a 2-term presidents overall performance.

I never really felt all that vulnerable to terrorist attacks anyway. Still don't. And I don't really think 9/11 could have been avoided. Or if the hijacked planes could have been stopped from destroying the WTC and damaging the Pentagon, something else would have happened, like maybe a nuclear detonation. It is not just fearmongering and agitprop to say that millions of people in the mideast hate our guts, and that was true long before you knew who baby Bush was.

While I agree that the invasion of Iraq was "justified" on trumped up charges (WMD's my ass!!), I had no problem with the campaign in Afghanistan. I couldn't possibly oppose any action that would remove the Taliban from power. They were more repressive and brutal than Saddam's Baath party!

[AP]

19. Clinton drifted Democrats towards victory.

Did you like the days of Mondale and Dukakis better?

I see Gore as being farther to the right than Clinton, and he lost. I think people will look at Clinton and think that it was his concern for the middle and working class (which Gore lacked) that was the heart of his success and will pick a progressive, victorious nominee to beat Bush.

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. You betcha!

Clinton

Tried to get Universal Health Care
National Health Care Costs rising at 10% per annum. Cut to 3%
Deficit Reduction Package
Crime Bill
100,000 cops on street—crime down down down
Welfare Reform-- Mend do not end. GOP helped bit time
80% increase in child welfare payments
Job Growth-Record 236,000 per month. (Reagan/Bush 167,000)
Largest percentage of Americans working in history
Largest Home Ownership in history
Record number of small business formations
Tax Cut for 15 million working families
Family and Medical Leave Act
Defense Reinvest and Conversion—Bush enjoying weapons created by Clinton
Direct loan programs for students
Guts to put promises in a book "Putting People First"-58 promises in book. Took action on 56 in first two years.
Second best record in history for getting legislation through Congress in first to years. LBJ number one.
Reinvented Government—cut payroll
Fewest number of civilians on federal payroll in 36 years
Attacked cop killing nasty rifle association.
Attacked the cancer inducing tobacco industry
Promoted a global effort to ban abusive forms of child labor
Loan 12.8 Billion to Mexico. Made 800 Million profit. Kept Mexico afloat.
Wash. Post kept list of campaign promises. 162. Took action on 96% in first two years.
Took on prejudice toward other Americans in military
Took on his own Southern Baptist Church
Hard smart work in Middle East and Bosnia-Kosovo
Honored with all of the following:
Dove of Peace Award
Rabin-Peres Peace Award
Gandhi Peace Award
Order of Good Hope Award
Nominated for Nobel Peace Award
Northern Ireland Peace Agreement
Lifeaholics of America Award for Quarter Century "Working for a Life Not Just A Living".
First President to visit Northern Ireland
Cleanup of Toxic sites. Record
Increasing weekly earnings
Shoo Shoo Saddam get away from Kuwait
Stopping Haitians from drowning enroute to freedom
First to visit South Africa
First to make a determined effort to help the African continent come together and grow together
Taxing top 1.2% of very wealthy to get Zoom Zoom Boom economy
Stopping Republicans in the House from raiding Medicare of 181 Billion
Stopping Republicans raid on Medicaid
Stopping Republicans raid on education
Stopping Republicans attack on environment
Largest increase in Education funding since GI Bill
Increased funding for Head Start
Nafta.. A success until the Peso went south
Submitting 8 budgets close to rate of inflation
Brady Bill
Gaat
Assault Weapons Ban
Telling Japan "You take our auto parts or we will apply tariffs on you
California Desert Protection
Forest Management Plan for Northwest
Restoration of Florida Everglades
Preservation of land in Utah
Major increase in funding for homeless
Motor Voter Act
Lobbying Reform Effort. Handshake with Newt who reneged
Pressure to get Campaign Finance Reform.
National Export Strategy. Unbelievable success.
Over 250 Trade pacts
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Pact
Summit of Americas
Super 301
Chemical Weapons Ban Treaty.
Bottom Up Review of Military
Agreement with Cuba to stop flow of immigrants to USA.
Ameri-Corps
Reduced Nuclear Threat Around the World
Community Banking Act
FEMA used as an active participant and a leader in disaster relief
Tax on well off social security beneficiaries
100,000 new teachers effort
5,000 new classroom effort
50% of classes thru K-12 on internet
Fourth Graders improvement on world tests
Lifetime Learning Opportunity Program
Controls on Spending and Borrowing
Pension Protection Act of 1994
Record high consumer confidence
Very, very, very low Misery Index
National Agenda on Racial Prejudices
First to get African-American unemployment under 10%
Balanced Budget
Record Corporate profits
Record Bank profits
Record Savings and Loan profits
Never whining despite non-sop smears and attacks
Not having a Mean Bone in his body per Historian David Maraniss
Not knowing how to hate
Classing others as "opponents" not "enemies"
Inviting your attackers to the White House functions
Inviting your defeated opponent Bob Dole to visit troops at Christmas
A national attack on hate crimes
Fighting to protect "legal" immigrants from Republicans in the House.
Fighting hard for Fast Track legislation
Kennedy and Kassenbaum Portability of Insurance
Lowest interest rates in 30 years
Allowing millions of homeowners to refinance home loans at lower (much) rates
Lowest unemployment in 25 years
Lowest inflation in 25 years
Lowest welfare rolls in 27 years
Lowest crime Rates in 25 years
First balanced budget sent to Congress in 29 years
Protecting worker pensions (repeat?)
Opposed ban on "Late Term Abortions"
A stock market which passed a 1,000 mark six times
Greatest growth in federal revenues in history
Played Saxophone and Smoked Peace Pipe, instead of beating War Drums like____.
One of History's all time workers for Peace
President in a year when Fortune Magazine classified it as "Greatest Economy in the History of the world"
Popularity jump in the midst of a scandal.
President with highest peacetime popularity in Asia, Africa, Russia and Europe.
Highest popularity of any president at end of fifth year in office
One of the most highly regarded First Lady in History.
One of the most highly regarded Vice-President in History

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jonnyblitz]

11. I am hardly a freeper.

I just am not enamored of DLC types. Not all of us suffer from cognitive dissonance. sorry.

On edit: its against DU rules to call other DUers freepers.

[Catherine Vincent]

36. The poster didn't call you a freeper.

He/she didn't mention any particular poster's name.

[Aidoneus]

16. I am not a freeper

I spit on those fascist creeps. I just frown greatly on those who vigorously fight against the interests I identify with.. that tends to be predominantly Republicans, but often enough from their "opposition" as well and I will treat such figures in the same way, regardless of the letter in parenthesis after their name.

[JVS]

20. I post regularly

I am tired of Democrat's having to waste energy defending this horndog and his legacy instead of actually making progress on issues that matter.

[Valarauko]

32. You are calling me a freeper? (-)

WOW!

[sandnsea]

9. Then why a revolution???

This is what blows me away. People say they want a revolution against everything Clinton did, then turn around and say they want Clinton back. :crazy:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

23. Consider then, the reception Dean will get outside of Democrats

if we need to consider the power of MODERATION.

[izzie]

12. I think they all should only have 4 years. It is all we can take.

Both parties.It would also make them work the whole 4 years and not always be running.

[devinsgram]

13. I miss him everyday, more than ever.

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. NO

Nafta.... letting the Enrons of the country get away with their shady book keeping, deregulating everything, not signing on to kyoto

The list goes on and on.

No, I don't miss him.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. No. Sort of like missing a headache because you have

a broken leg. Was he better than the Cowbaby? A mentally retarded carrot would be better than Mr. Newkuler. Clinton did some good things, mostly via vetos, but he is responsible for moving the Democrat Party to the right with his support of NAFTA, Welfare "Reform", etc., and helping the DLC program of making the Democratic Party into a republican party clone.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Did You Vote For Him?

Remember, he ran in 1992 on reforming welfare. The system was damaged and did need to be revised. I don't agree with the whole of the changes made during the 90's to the welfare system, but he did what he said he was going to do.

He admitted he was an advocate of free trade, on a global level. (Look up his New Hampshire stump speeches.)

He didn't coopt any Repub ideas. Those were his ideas in 1991.

So, if you voted for him in '92, then you weren't listening closely enough.

And, if you did, do you really think that if he did what he said he was going to do, that you are not partially to blame?
The Professor

[Beaker]

18. Nope.

what I miss is the Democratic Party prior to the DLC.

[dansolo]

21. The DLC is a failure

It always was. I honestly believe that their entire premise of the need to move to the right is not correct, and I believe that Clinton's success was more due to his personality and charisma, and not because of his policies. All he did was encourage the conservatives to reach for more.

[ArkDem]

22. Well, he is the one who put the repukes in power.

Almost single-handedly.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Unbrilliant

The Professor

[ArkDem]

26. during Clinton's administration,

the Democrats lost:
- 48 seats in the House
- 8 seats in the Senate
- 11 governorships
- 1,254 state legislative seats
- Control of 9 legislatures
In addition 439 elected Democrats had joined the Republican Party while only three Republican officeholders had gone the other way.
While Democrats had been losing state legislative seats on the state level for 25 years, the loss during the Clinton years was striking. In 1992, the Democrats controlled 17 more state legislatures than the Republicans. After November 2000, the Republicans controlled one more than the Democrats. It was the first time since 1954 that the GOP had controlled more state legislatures than the Democrats (they tied in 1968). Among other things, this gave the Republican more control over redistricting.
In fact, no Democratic president since the 19th century suffered such an electoral disintegration of his party as did Clinton.


Unbrilliant but factual.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. Blame the party, not Clinton

also, there is the slight chance that most of the Pubs happened to be better candidates, (for whatever reason) than the Democrats. That is certainly what happened to the Massachusetts governorship last year, where a much disliked and abrasive Democrat lost to an image friendly Republican. It wasn't the issues that lost that race.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Redux

The Professor

[Bucky]

27. Fun, while he lasted, but democracy works coz there's always someone new

And don't forget. He's still around. Ten years from now, when the Shrub's retired in Crawford and receiving supplicants, Clinton will be there to offer sage advice on how to clean up all the messes.

[Gringo]

30. He could've been great, but made himself an easy target.

Unfortunately, his massive charisma & intelligence were offset by a ridiculous libido and some real lapses in judgement.

Any democrat has to understand the power & scope of the GOP trash machine, and must be PERFECT while in office. No dead girls or live boys, no questionable associations. It ain't fair, but that's the way it is...

[Valarauko]

31. HELL NO!!!!

One word: Lamplugh

[oasis]

33. HELL YES

[Selwynn]

34. What I miss more is an ACTUAL Democrat.

Not a "New" Democrat.

But because things with Bush are so god-awful, I put "yes, but only a little."

[Catherine Vincent]

35. Yes, I do miss President Clinton.

I love him. :-)

:loveya:

[corporatewhore]

37. NO !!!

NAFTA
WTO
bombing of iraq 1999
bBombing of kosovo
bombing of sudan
workfare
sanctions
occupation of vieques
didnt like billy boy dont like shrub

[BargainMan]

38. I miss the party before Clinton

I miss the party prior to CLinton. Now we are just a collection of special that are getting harder and harder to hold together.

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[maveric]

40. Thanx Trollie!

Now ask yourself if the lies by the current liar-in-cheif are just as bad, worse, or not as bad as the ones mentioned in that RW shitwipe site you have engraced us with.

[Bush is a chimp]

41. Hell yes!

Also Clinton could pronounce "Nuclear".