How will Bill Clinton be remembered?

[Torie]

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

[Torie]

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.

[Torie]

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.

Pity they didn't try so we could find out, no?