Bill Clinton sees less divisive politics under Obama

[JimGinPA]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Bill Clinton said on Monday that American politics over the next 30 years will be marked by a practical, inclusive approach rather than the partisan battles that defined the last 40 years.

The victory last November of President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on Tuesday, closed the curtains on the post-1960s era during which politicians used divisive issues like gun control to motivate an ideological hard core, Clinton told a gathering of mayors.

In the future, Democrats and Republicans will try to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters concerned with effective government and other nuts-and-bolts issues, Clinton said.

"We will not go forward anymore, I don't think, with the politics of division and destruction that for too long have dragged us down," said Clinton, like Obama a Democrat.

Clinton's 1993-2001 White House term was marked by stark partisan battles with a Republican-controlled Congress, even as the country enjoyed peace and economic prosperity.

Those battles reflected the culture of alienation and suspicion of government that emerged after Republican Richard Nixon's victory in 1968, Clinton said.

Americans have since grown comfortable with the country's increasing ethnic and religious diversity, he said.

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More at link

http://uk.reuters.com/article/usPoliticsNews/idUKTRE50I48S20090119

Interesting.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Folks didn't know how good they had it. nt

[ddeclue]

2. Well that will largely be because we vanquished them

and they can't really block progress any more.

[zbdent]

3. if the Republicans want to survive as a viable party, they will work with Obama ...

instead of doing what they have done all the rest of the time they were in charge ...

[Cha]

4. This had to happen sooner or later

and I'm excited it's happening on our watch:bounce: It won't be easy but we have to start trying..thanks Obama.

[NJmaverick]

5. Bill is right

Then again Bill is a brilliant man, that sees and understands things better than most

[Radical Activist]

6. No thanks to Bill.

But I'm glad he's recognizing the new reality that he himself couldn't create as President.

[Lord Helmet]

7. duh!

[nichomachus]

8. Up until now

"bipartisanship" in DC has meant giving the GOP whatever they want. I'm still hoping to see that reversed, although the signs so far aren't good. Consequently, I'm postponing any inauguration "celebrations" until we have some solid results from the "change we can believe in."

I've turned down invitations to two parties already -- I've been burned before with premature celebration.