How will Bill Clinton be remembered?

[BluegrassBlueVote]

He'll be remembered as a good president, but he'll lose the rockstar status as the generations pass. If anything, I see Clinton's administration being brought up more for the Lewinsky scandal and his impeachment than anything else by the end of the 21st century (assuming future presidents learned from his lesson and avoid it).

[BluegrassBlueVote]

A man who performed way below his potential - sort of like Obama might well be remembered.

What was his potential? And what is Obama's?

[BluegrassBlueVote]

A man who performed way below his potential - sort of like Obama might well be remembered.

What was his potential? And what is Obama's?

Clinton had an encyclopedic knowledge about almost everything, and a fantastic gift of persuasion, and with more discipline and courage could have cut some of the Gordian Knots that hold us back. Obama with his tremendous influence with the African American community, and young people, and also a good ability to persuade, could have done the same. So far in my view he hasn't. Thus the grand bargain needed to get us out of the box, which both sides want so much, continues to elude us.

I think you're overstating what both were capable of in terms of actual governance. They're both brilliant, sure, but Clinton dealt with six years of a Republican congress and Obama is stuck in the most vile political environment since Abraham Lincoln was elected.

[BluegrassBlueVote]

"Try"? Clinton blew all of his political capital early on from overplaying his hand and Obama's ascension naturally coincided with the Tea Party uprising. That helps my argument, and Obama's first few years were certainly that of an active administration.

Clinton was accomplished at working with a Republican Congress, but he was never going to be some liberal icon. I don't know many people who think Obama was capable of being the next FDR just because he's highly intelligent and a great orator.

[BluegrassBlueVote]

A man who performed way below his potential - sort of like Obama might well be remembered.

What was his potential? And what is Obama's?

Clinton had an encyclopedic knowledge about almost everything, and a fantastic gift of persuasion, and with more discipline and courage could have cut some of the Gordian Knots that hold us back. Obama with his tremendous influence with the African American community, and young people, and also a good ability to persuade, could have done the same. So far in my view he hasn't. Thus the grand bargain needed to get us out of the box, which both sides want so much, continues to elude us.

I think you're overstating what both were capable of in terms of actual governance. They're both brilliant, sure, but Clinton dealt with six years of a Republican congress and Obama is stuck in the most vile political environment since Abraham Lincoln was elected.

Surely not .

It's amusing how you even think that's debatable. Find me a Congress less productive than the 112th.

[BluegrassBlueVote]

Could someone correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Congress controlled by Democrats when both Clinton and Obama were sworn in?

Exactly why Torie is overrating Clinton and Obama's "potential". Clinton faltered big time and the Tea Party was inevitable.