How will Bill Clinton be remembered?

[Cory]

If anything, Clinton will be remembered negatively for his actions that led us to the Great Recession. Plus I doubt he'll get high marks for implementing NAFTA, PNTR with China, ignoring the genocide going on in Rwanda, missing OBL more than once, and other terrible things his administration was complicit in, like the Welfare 'Reform' Act of 1996, the Telecommunications Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright act, the Defense of Marriage Act, or creating Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

The further away his administration gets, the worse it looks. The idea that this man will be remembered as a progressive is also very dubious. If anything, the history books of 2050 will have a section called the 'Second Gilded Age' that starts with Reagan and includes Clinton.

[Maxwell]

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 .

[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.

[Lief 🗽]

As an interesting historical footnote: a decent and popular president who was married to a truly great one.

[memphis]

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.

Neither was able to overcome a well organized Republican Congress that fought them at every point just for the sake of the fight. You can't bargain with yourself, though Obama has tried very hard.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

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

[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.

[angus]

do you think with time... he'll be sort of forgotten...?

No.  He will be in a very exclusive club.  Andrew Johnson will be the other member of that club.