Dean Supporters - Bill Clinton vs Howard Dean

[xultar]

I get the distinct impression that you think that Bill Clinton was NOT a good president. I get the feeling that you think that Dean would be a better President than Bill Clintion.

First, I want to know why in your opinion you think Clintion wasn't a good President. Second, I want to know you think Dean will be a better President than Bill Clinton.

Please don't do DNC DLC stuff. That really has nothing to do with being a good President. That is internal party crap.

Let's hear it...

Discuss

[retyred]

1. Crickets

retyred in fla
“Good-Night Paul, Wherever You Are”
So I read this book

[dsc]

8. BTW

you waited precisely two minutes before assuming no response would come. I think we deserved better.

[LuminousX]

2. I think first, you should explain how you got that impression?

[joeybee12]

3. I'm a Dean supporter who thinks Clinton was a GREAT President...

...and I also think he's backing Clark's candidacy, which is fine if he wants to.

I just think Bill is not in touch with the mood of voters this time around--and I think his ego is getting in the way right now, and he believes Dean will ruin his legacy.

But I'm sure he's smart enough to back Dean to no end if Dean indeed does get the nomination.

[1floridademocrat]

4. I thought..

Clinton was a damn good Presidetn, I just really wish he could have A) Kept it zipped, and B) Not lied about it when he got caught.

Other than that.. I like the man.

However..

What I DON'T agree with is the idea that we must "model" every nominee on Clinton. Clinton won because he was Clinton, not because he was a Southerner, not because he "triagulated" IMO Clinton won because Clinton had more Political chutzpah in his pinkie than 99% of politicians have in there whole bodies.

[KaraokeKarlton]

5. Clinton made a few mistakes, but he wasn't a bad president

Dean is actually very similar in his leadership style in certain areas...namely economic issues. Dean is a budget balancer and a surplus builder. Dean doesn't have the same zipper problem Clinton did, though. If you liked how Clinton handled the economy, you'll like a Dean presidency. I do think Dean will be more effective in other areas that Clinton didn't have as much success. For instance, Dean can get his health care program passed. He did it in Vermont and he needed to get some Republican support to do it. He was successful in doing that. Dean got 1/3 of all Vermont seniors a REAL prescription drug benefit. He will also work his tail off making sure that "Free Trade" becomes "Fair Trade" by pushing for international standards on Workers Rights, Human Rights, and Environmental Rights. Clinton overlooked those issues when NAFTA started, and it has to be fixed in order to stop the hemmorhaging of US jobs.

I lived under Dean's leadership for over a decade, and he's a GREAT leader. He's definitely the best candidate running.

[stopbush]

6. Clinton was a great president and could have been even greater

if the Dem congress would have really helped him in his first term (health care debacle) and the VRWC hadn't gotten revved up over a blow job.

What is it with you Clark supporters, anyway? You remind me of Asskkkroft's statement about being frightened by phantoms. Are you creating, projecting, imagining? What is it with you all and Dean? If you want to target the anti-Clark, take a look at Lieberman.

I did GREAT under Clinton. In April, 1992, I was making $26k a year in NYC. My salary continued to rise until 2001 - I was making $150k...until April 2001 when I lost my job in the bush economy and haven't found fulltime work since (yep, my repig boss saw "bad economic times ahead" AFTER he voted for bush and cut staff!). In that decade, I worked for 4 different companies, all of who recruited me away from a job, offered me more money, perqs, etc. Now, I can't get arrested.

BTW - if Clark gets the nomination, he's got my vote in a heartbeat.

[dsc]

7. You think I don't like Clinton

are you insane? I have defended both Clinton and Gore tirelessly. Clinton saw the lowest poverty rates, lowest unemployment rates, highest homeownership rates, lowest minority poverty and unemployment rates, and the first real increase in workers wages in over 25 years. What is not to like? Add in the fact that on social issues he was great except for DOMA.

I do think Dean will be a better President though due to Clinton having shown the way both good and bad. Dean won't have a Lewinski problem. Dean won't promise the moon and lose Congress. Dean will do what Clinton did for macroeconomics. It is always easier to replicate than to make. Dean only has to replicate and tweak.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

9. "good president" vs "internal party crap"

I'm not a Dean supporter, but I'm tired of this "vote for the man" policy. Internal party crap is where things happen, the man is secondary. This is a democratic republic, not a monarchy. I'm not interested in a "great leader" I'd rather have a delegate that will do what I want.

That being said, Clinton first, sold out the party to save his own political ass on numerous occasions, and moved the party so far to the right on economic issues that while it gave us a nice growth spurt, may have seriously hurt us in the end. Two, I can't say that Dean will or will not be a better or worse president than Clinton.

[Fleshdancer]

10. yeah, I hated Clinton so much I voted for him. Take that Clinton!

:eyes:

[Padraig18]

11. I happen to think Clinton was great.

:)

[ThirdWheelLegend]

12. He was a charming President... not necessarily a good one...

Depends on your view...oh and sorry I am not a Dean supporter :)

Clinton's legacy?

NAFTA?
DMCA?
telecomm deregulation?
Serbia/kosovo?
The anti-terrorism act after the OK city bombing(patriot act like bill)
No positives for the environment.

I mean he was a great speaker and charming.

My problem is that I see Dean as much of the same. Lot's of good tough talk while "fu**ing" the people at the same time.

TWL

[mandyky]

13. I think you are mistaken in your impression

While I am only one Dean supporter and I am sure some in the "fold" did not care for Clinton, I loved Clinton as a president, in most things he did. I think Dean can be Clinton without the scandals. I will be upset if I ever find out the Clintons are putting up Clark to give Hillary the edge in 08.

That said, one of the things I noticed about Dean early on like his 03 DNC winter meeting speech, he talked kindly of Bill Clinton. Did he or did I agree with everything Clinton did, or does what Clinton say now deserve no debate or arguement - I doubt it.

As for the DLC stuff, maybe YOU think that is a minor issue, but if Howard Dean has his way we may gain and regain membership in the party. We as a party lost a lot of loyals who are liberal with this whole DLC centrist theory. It made Nader right that it is hard to tell the difference between Dems and GOP sometimes.

I may as well put this out - if Howard Dean does not get the nomination and we run a DLCer who doesn't win against this crew, I'll probably become a Green or an Independent and work on finding a candidate somewhat like Dean for 08. I am sick of being a liberal Democrat who gets stuck with the lesser of evils every 4 years.

[Skinner]

14. I'm locking.

I'm not sure it's very helpful to start of by making a broad-brush statement about Dean supporters.

Skinner
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