The Nattering Nabob

Clinton vs. Bush

"At the end of his second term, Clinton had the highest approval rating of any departing president in polling history, and even now, two-thirds of Americans approve of the job he did. That's primarily because during his presidency, America experienced the longest-running, peacetime economic expansion in our history — with more than 20 million new jobs created — which resulted in Clinton having created the largest budget surplus ever when he left office. Also, during those years, crime plummeted, welfare rolls and poverty levels shrunk dramatically and an unprecedented number of minorities were appointed to federal judgeships and other top offices.

In foreign relations, Clinton was able to lead America and its NATO allies to victory in Kosovo over genocidal dictator Slobodan Milosevic. He also brokered peace in Northern Ireland and his aggressive, balanced involvement in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict resulted in a remarkably peaceful eight years in the Middle East. When Clinton left the White House, America was liked and respected internationally, while here at home there existed an undeniable air of optimism.

So the more the Republicans want to talk about stained dresses and $200 haircuts, the more Clinton will let them hang themselves — and the more he'll use his matchless intellect and full-Bubba charm to make the case that America can certainly do better than George W., a man who couldn't tear himself away from the reading of My Pet Goat after being informed on 9/11 that a devastating attack was underway on American soil.

When Lyndon Johnson was under siege during Vietnam, he literally hid in the Oval Office and cried his eyes out. When Nixon was ready to be impeached, he was gulping down booze and talking to paintings. In contrast, what people will be reminded of upon seeing Clinton on this book tour, at the Democratic Convention and on the stump for Kerry is a tough-as-nails guy who somehow remained positive, relentless and focused in the teeth of withering adversity — and in doing so fashioned one of the most successful presidencies of the 20th century.

That's the Clinton legacy. And that's why he scares Republicans to death."