Opinion of Bill Clinton as a president and as a person

[Antonio the Sixth]

I think he was a pretty bad President whose accomplishments were almost entirely just taking credit for Republican initiatives

The welfare reform is a very good example. It was a Republican initiative, but Clinton signed it and started to claim "I reformed the welfare".

The idea that there is any credit to be taken for Welfare reform of any of the legislative horrors of the late 1990s is the root of the problem here.

[RI]

I think he was a pretty bad President whose accomplishments were almost entirely just taking credit for Republican initiatives and clearly kind of a sleazebag on a personal level, but the pearl-clutching in this thread is hilarious.

'Rosary-clutching', please; pearls are déclassé.

Yeah, but who actually wears a rosary? Try a scapular.

[Seneca]

A terrible president and an utter scumbag (Hitchens, 1999).

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I think he was a pretty bad President whose accomplishments were almost entirely just taking credit for Republican initiatives

The welfare reform is a very good example. It was a Republican initiative, but Clinton signed it and started to claim "I reformed the welfare".

The idea that there is any credit to be taken for Welfare reform of any of the legislative horrors of the late 1990s is the root of the problem here.

Even if they had the votes to override (which they likely wouldn't have if the leader of the party, the President, opposed), he still should have vetoed anyways like Truman did with Taft-Hartley.

[Clarko95 📚💰📈]

President: meh, overrated or unfairly maligned, depending on where you're coming from.


Person: trash

[Sasquatch]

HP/HP

Overrated President and Garbage Human Being

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

HP/HP

The presidency, as Franklin Roosevelt said, is pre-eminently a place of moral leadership. As president, Clinton did irreparable harm to not only the office to which he was elected, but also to America as a whole.

[SWE]

No redeeming features on either front.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

As a person, he's definitely likeable, but mostly a waste. 

Good point. One can be likelable yet still a horrible human being at the same time.

On the reverse: I don't find Hillary particulary likeable, but she's certainly a better person.

[ProgressiveCanadian]

HP/HP. Very overrated.

[politicallefty]

FF/FF. His Presidency had some seriously bad legislation, but some that was quite good as well. He also gave us Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer (and by some extension, Justice Sotomayor). As a person, I do find infidelity very disappointing, but not unforgivable (particularly when the spouse and family forgives). I think Bill Clinton has done well to continue a legacy of post-presidential activism (alongside GHWB, but unfortunately not GWB).

[Kingpoleon]

FF President, literal rapist.

[afleitch]

As a person? You don't know him. Simple as that. You can judge him as a figure and politician and president and moral leader if you want, but unless you are his family or close friends you know f-ck all about him to be honest. So take the feathers out of your caps and the sticks out your ass.

[Virginiá]

As a person? You don't know him. Simple as that. You can judge him as a figure and politician and president and moral leader if you want, but unless you are his family or close friends you know f-ck all about him to be honest. So take the feathers out of your caps and the sticks out your ass.

Example of an uncommon post which makes me reconsider a previously stated position.

[RR1997]

Massive FF/Tilt FF