I watched Bill Clinton on CSPAN this evening. He was speaking at BookExpo in Chicago regarding his upcoming book.
I found myself on the edge of tears again and again. Not because I'm such a Clinton supporter, but because of the stark contrast between Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
Immediately apparent: Clinton is a deeply engaging person. He speaks with a clarity and directness that George Bush lacks.
In discussing his book, Clinton tries to set himself in the context of history, and in the context of America's history. Not by jingoistic cliches; but in terms of shared experience and culture, reflecting his own life in America's history. He tells his story as a microcosm of America and America's story. I simply can't imagine President Bush doing this.
As Clinton talks about his political career, he tries to explain what his political opposition thinks and feels. He wants to understand why his opposition thinks they are right. Has President Bush ever done this? In his world of Good and Evil, is there room for understanding opposing points of view? Clinton presents the current republican / democrat split as an opportunity to affirm the union, to become a more inclusive country, rather than a political battle to be won at all costs. President Bush calls his opposition un-American, unpatriotic, or on the side of terrorists.
Clinton sees hope and inspiration in our country's current situation. I can't hear President Bush speak, however, without a sense of dread, of hope that things just don't get any worse.
Clinton delivered a fascinating, literate speech without reading from a script. He is tremendously thoughtful, and represents such a wonderful, practical application of 60's idealism. President Bush rarely speaks at length, and never seems at ease while speaking. When he does speak, it is often in generalities and catch phrases.
Seeing Bill Clinton speak reminded me what can be. This makes me terribly sad with how things are. Clinton's speech will be re-aired on CSPAN2 this Sunday, at 6:00 PM.
I found myself on the edge of tears again and again. Not because I'm such a Clinton supporter, but because of the stark contrast between Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
Immediately apparent: Clinton is a deeply engaging person. He speaks with a clarity and directness that George Bush lacks.
In discussing his book, Clinton tries to set himself in the context of history, and in the context of America's history. Not by jingoistic cliches; but in terms of shared experience and culture, reflecting his own life in America's history. He tells his story as a microcosm of America and America's story. I simply can't imagine President Bush doing this.
As Clinton talks about his political career, he tries to explain what his political opposition thinks and feels. He wants to understand why his opposition thinks they are right. Has President Bush ever done this? In his world of Good and Evil, is there room for understanding opposing points of view? Clinton presents the current republican / democrat split as an opportunity to affirm the union, to become a more inclusive country, rather than a political battle to be won at all costs. President Bush calls his opposition un-American, unpatriotic, or on the side of terrorists.
Clinton sees hope and inspiration in our country's current situation. I can't hear President Bush speak, however, without a sense of dread, of hope that things just don't get any worse.
Clinton delivered a fascinating, literate speech without reading from a script. He is tremendously thoughtful, and represents such a wonderful, practical application of 60's idealism. President Bush rarely speaks at length, and never seems at ease while speaking. When he does speak, it is often in generalities and catch phrases.
Seeing Bill Clinton speak reminded me what can be. This makes me terribly sad with how things are. Clinton's speech will be re-aired on CSPAN2 this Sunday, at 6:00 PM.
posted by Eric Hancock at
10:05 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home