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smooth · 08-27-2004, 04:38 PM

Maybe so pan, but one difference, that may or may not be significant, is that those allegations were true about Clinton.

We saw similar explanations from Schwarzenegger over here in California. There was much talk that the new trend in politics may be to just admit a bit of personal failure, defuse the opposition, and go on with your message.

But two points need to be made: that may not hold true for this type of assault. First, the accusations aren't even true and they already are laughably out of bounds. But some people are still not saying WTF? about them, so it becomes apparent that someone needs to call it to their attention. Second, the amount of money being poured into this campaign is *huge* compared to times past. It's quite possible that the opposition might have asked why the public should forgive clinton even though his wife did if it had the gumption or money to take it that far.

But I think you attribute too much to his reponses. The viewpoint I have is that people were content with the economy and domestic situation. They were safe and well-fed. That's why he was Slick Willy, because he was full of shit, everyone knew it, but most of the people were economically satisfied enough to just let it pass. I don't think that accusations became an issue or failed to become an issue due to the way he dealt with things--but rather due to the economic conditions that provided the context in which he was running.

I don't agree with you that kerry is speaking on the issue too much. I don't agree that what you suggest is a good strategy for an unproven candidate (Clinton was up for re-election, too, a factor I didn't list above) and I don't agree that he is even discussing the issue all that much. So neither case do I think your assessment is correct on that part. But that's just my personal belief. I don't agree that answering accusations gives them legitimacy nor do I think that ignoring them will result in their going away short of some external factor.

08-27-2004, 04:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
smooth Junkie Location: Right here	Maybe so pan, but one difference, that may or may not be significant, is that those allegations were true about Clinton. We saw similar explanations from Schwarzenegger over here in California. There was much talk that the new trend in politics may be to just admit a bit of personal failure, defuse the opposition, and go on with your message. But two points need to be made: that may not hold true for this type of assault. First, the accusations aren't even true and they already are laughably out of bounds. But some people are still not saying WTF? about them, so it becomes apparent that someone needs to call it to their attention. Second, the amount of money being poured into this campaign is huge compared to times past. It's quite possible that the opposition might have asked why the public should forgive clinton even though his wife did if it had the gumption or money to take it that far. But I think you attribute too much to his reponses. The viewpoint I have is that people were content with the economy and domestic situation. They were safe and well-fed. That's why he was Slick Willy, because he was full of shit, everyone knew it, but most of the people were economically satisfied enough to just let it pass. I don't think that accusations became an issue or failed to become an issue due to the way he dealt with things--but rather due to the economic conditions that provided the context in which he was running. I don't agree with you that kerry is speaking on the issue too much. I don't agree that what you suggest is a good strategy for an unproven candidate (Clinton was up for re-election, too, a factor I didn't list above) and I don't agree that he is even discussing the issue all that much. So neither case do I think your assessment is correct on that part. But that's just my personal belief. I don't agree that answering accusations gives them legitimacy nor do I think that ignoring them will result in their going away short of some external factor. __________________ "The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -- Walter Lippmann "You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." -- Abbie Hoffman