Bill Clinton to the Rescue
Seeing Bill Clinton regain the global spotlight this week by flying to North Korea (Yes, via some Hollywood hotshot’s private jet. So what?), meeting personally with Kim Jung IL, and returning with two wrongly imprisoned American journalists was, in my opinion, a beautiful thing. Forget about the far right wing critics and talking heads who denounce his “palling around with terrorists” – this was pure rock star statesmanship and I’m loving every minute of it (Yes, that was a Loverboy reference). However, it also gives me pause to consider how much my opinion of Clinton has changed over the past 17 years.
I didn’t vote for Bill Clinton and, quite frankly, I never liked him until long after he was gone, which was basically after I realized that everything that Rush Limbaugh (I was a VIP member of his website and received the Limbaugh Letter for years), Bill O’Reilly (rarely missed an episode for about 6 years), and the rest of the so-called conservatives (none of them could carry William F. Buckley’s jockstrap) said was complete bunk. Throw in two terms of George W. Bush and it’s a wonder anyone would call themselves a Republican anymore without a disclaimer.
See if you recognize this criticism:
- He’s a socialist/communist and wants to “redistribute” all of your wealth
- He’s a lightweight in foreign policy and will get walked on by foreign leaders
- He “loathes” the military and has no respect for those in uniform
- He just wants to be loved around the world and will sacrifice our interests to further his own popularity
Sound familiar? Now ask yourself this – how were the 90’s compared to the past 8 years or so? Yeah, that’s what I thought. During those 8 years under what conservatives painted as the worst president ever (until now…Obama is already the worst after only 7 months in office) things were pretty damn good – not perfect, but good all around (A fact that conservatives still can’t seem to grasp while they insist that W. will be judged as one of the best by “history.”) And now Bill’s recent Asian jet-setting has given them reason to whine all over again. Why? Pure jealousy.
They just can’t seem to get a star of their own! Palin fired up the evidently easy to impress conservative base, then quit. Jindal impressed a few people until he was thrust prematurely into the spotlight and had to follow an Obama speech with the Republican response (i.e. train wreck). And…well…I can’t think of any others who at least tried but I’m sure they’re out there.
Newsflash: Bill Clinton did a great thing this week. If those were your daughters, sisters, mothers, whatever, you’d agree. Sitting back and criticizing the move on the principle that “we don’t negotiate with terrorists” is embarrassing and ignores history. We’ve always negotiated with terrorists! Pick up a history book or, better yet, just think back to the Reagan years (Marines withdrawn from Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attack, “Weapons for Hostages”). And there’s always the incestuous relationship between our oil dependent government and those with the oil (Saudi Arabia, etc.) Negotiating with terrorists is as American as Apple Pie.
Will Bill Clinton’s 20 hour trip to Pyongyang be milked for everything it’s worth? Yes. Will he bite his lower lip while trying to conceal his pure joy at being back in the spotlight? Absolutely. And will conservatives burn with envy as the rest of the world applauds? You betcha.
Comments and criticism are always welcome.
See you next week.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Jon Allen | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Randy – I couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older, or my days at Georgetown, watching the Daily Show, or working with past and present government leadership – I have become more “liberal”. While in uniform I had the opportunity to work for President Clinton and my opinion changed of him back then. He was extremely respectful of us and one of the most caring individuals in senior leadership that I have ever met.
Reading and hearing from those in the “Limbaugh” media who think he made this trip on his own all know better. This was coordinated by Foggy Bottom (while Secretary Clinton was out of the country) with direction and oversight from 1600 Penn Ave (and done very well). If Fox News thinks he was enjoying himself – just look at the pictures and his expression.
I don’t know what has happened to the party I was once a zealot for. I didn’t leave the Republican Party – the Party left me (actually – I did leave it). As my wife says every time we quickly flip by Fox News, “William F. Buckley is rolling in his grave”. I don’t know what the future holds for them as a new generation needs to step up and take over… as I’m sure the Democrats will step on it sooner than later. Unfortunately, hubris works both ways.
Enjoying your blog – we’ll have to catch up soon.
Chris | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Let’s not get star struck here. He did a good thing and I am glad our fellow Americans are free. However, it doesn’t mean that I would suddenly vote for the guy. I guess the old saying “time heals all wounds” stands true in Clinton’s case. Let’s not forget he was impeached, poorly handled Rwanda and Kosovo, and allowed UBL to get away. Granted, his V.P. invented the internet so I give him some credit.
Stephen | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
RHM – interesting read this week. I don’t think Mr Blue Dress has ever left the spotlight. He’s been visible ever since he left office making his millions and reaping the benefits to a T of what life can bring you after leaving the Presidency. What Clinton DID understand while in office is that it IS the economy, stupid. We also had the run-up to the dotcom bust under his watch, but that’s another topic for another day.
I think people tend to give too much credit/condemnation to a President – save for a few Exective Orders and Directives every so often. Some of it is deserved, though. Congress is the body that votes all of this massive spending, policies and treaties into law, and really, is ultimately responsible for this mess we are in.
Newt Gingrich and Trent Lott shared the load in planting the seeds of destruction for the Republican Party with that phony Contract With America. GWB just threw the water and fertilizer on it. He was no conservative – just a F@&#!NG moron. The GOP is just full of weeds now. Although there is still an R in my voter registration file, it is more like an I or an L(Libertarian). Have little use for either major “party”. There is nobody in the GOP playing field that can help them right now. Even Romney is an empty suit.
Anyway, if it were my daughter/spouse, etc, I would be grateful to Mr Clinton for brokering the deal, the politics of it aside.
RHM | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
@ Chris
You forgot Somalia. He botched that one pretty good too and emboldened Al Qaeda by abandoning the mission. PS: I’m far from star struck.
@ Stephen
Points well taken. Presidents get credit for everything that happens or fails to happen on their watch. I agree that the dot com boom and bust may have had very little to do with Slick Willy, but there was an overall tone that contrasted deeply with his successor. One was positive and seemingly genuine, the other was bellicose and “macho.” Bush would have made a good Latin American leader.
Joseph | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Randy, I think this was a brilliant political stroke for the Clinton legacy, Sec of State Clinton gets former President Clinton to travel to N. Korea, that cemented both his and her diplomatic/international credentials and legacy. We could have sent any number of folks to do the honors. Mr. Clinton went because he knew he was not coming back without them. My question is what did we give in trade? There had to be something in it for N. Korea besides the press coverage…
RHM | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
@ Joseph,
Actually, Bill was one of several candidates that included Gore, Carter and Bill Richardson. The N. Koreans sent word that they would deal with Bill. He agreed and went after a long list of questions were answered (i.e. he wasn’t coming home without them).
What did we give in return? No idea. Maybe we offered Kim cash for his clunkers.
Stephen | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
RHM – have to agree with the Latin American dictator comment. He even acted that way towards his own people with the suspension of Posse Comitatus and other anti-civil liberty proposals/enactments (what has Obama done to reverse???). Have to respect your observations as you lived outside the US during most of his reign and saw it all from a unique perspective. I still think he was a bleeping moron and a simpleton at his core.
Joseph – agree. What did WE give up in return?
Stephen | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
RHM – “cash for his clunkers”. LOL Or maybe a collection of Rush Limbaugh ties? I bet you had a few back in the 90s.
gpalmer | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
The one question in politics that never ceases to annoy me when I hear it… Are you better of today than you were in XXXX…. The President that presides over good/bad economic times gets much, deserves little of the credit/blame. The circumstances are way too complex, and the president is to far removed from having a direct impact to deserve blame or credit. Clinton gets a ’shine’ from the economy during his terms, while GWB looks worse (if that’s possible) because of the economy…. Clinton was not as good, nor GWB as bad, as the overall perception, due largely to the economy. Clinton was good, just not as good as he gets credit for.
RHM | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
@ Greg,
I couldn’t agree with you more about the perpetual “Are you better off?” question. I’m almost always better off and who sits in the Oval Office usually has little to do with it.
Daniel Williams | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
While I’m quite happy to see both young women safe and home at last, my opinion of Bill Clinton hasn’t really changed. He set the stage for the “it’s all about me presidency” that became a distraction in too many ways to recount here (and it appears, sadly, that Obama is on the same course).
Bill Clinton was our first baby boomer president, giving hope to many millions of that (my) generation seeking fulfillment in his version of “change we can believe in.” Along with the MTV generation, we fell for his claim that change to our draconian drug policy was just around the corner – embodied by his wink and a nod that he although he “didn’t inhale”, he sure wanted to.
During the eight years Bill Clinton sat in the Oval Office more than 5,000,000 Americans were arrested for the simple possession of marijuana. Careers were put on hold, with many ruined, lives were lost and far too many families were torn apart. Bill Clinton gave those of us advocating drug policy reform nothing but a bunch of verbal blowjobs while, comfortably seated behind his Oval Office desk, he got the real thing from Monica.
Chris | Aug 9, 2009 | Reply
One point that could be made is that the release of the two Americans had nothing to due with Bill Clinton other than the fact that he is a former President and held in high regard in many parts of the world. The North Koreans wanted somebody to come that made them look good so in some respects Bill Clinton was a ransom payment. I applaud him for going but the work was already done prior to his trip. He just had to show up. In the end though, who cares what the perception is- the Americans are free and that is what counts.
David Cobb | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
If any of those right-wing critics were wrongly imprisoned in North Korea they would be begging for Clinton to come over and get them out of prison, or they would try to start a war to bring about their imagined Armageddon.
The Republican party has been hijacked by some religious zealots. I too left the party. For me it was after Pat Buchanan’s 1992 speech at the Convention. I had long since stopped voting Republican, but still held out hope. Perhaps further losses and marginalization will change their makeup. Perhaps this is the time we will see a viable third party.
Frank the Tank | Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
It’s all about Bill. Always has been and always will in his world. And for what it’s worth Obama is definitely more liberal than Clinton ever was.