Re: Support for Clinton
Abdul Haq, you write:
My problem is in understanding the people who do believe Bill Clinton is a worthy leader. Instead of pushing him to greater degrees of integrity in office, it appears like there is a mass enabler drive to tell him that support for whatever he does is
unconditional, as long as we are getting our goodies.
May I suggest that part of your problem is your (mistaken} assumption that there are a lot of voters out there who "unconditionally support" the President, whatever he does?
For example, if I personally am not panting for Clinton's impeachment, does that mean that I am a "supporter", not to speak of an "unconditional supporter", of the President? Not at all. Democrat though I am, I even cast a protest vote against Clinton in 1996. Needless to say, I am not unique.
Again, are American "going with the flow" now simply because they are "getting their goodies"? Again, not at all. In fact, it could, and has been, argued that the very constituencies that have supported the Clinton Administration the most(e.g., African Americans) have gotten the LEAST from it.
Something else is going on here than what you think is going on.
I don't profess to have a singular insight into the psychology of the average American voter. But I would suggest that the best way to find out what it is is to talk directly to as many people as you can (especially to those who disagree with you), and to listen carefully to what they tell you (rather than what your favorite commentators tell you).
My own hunch is that although the "average voter" is indeed often somewhat uninformed about the issues, he/she has a saving grace: common sense. And this explains a lot.
jbe |
