One major project of Reagan Republicans was to screw over every constituency that ever voted Democratic.
Union labor voted Democratic, so screw them over by moving operations overseas.
Black people voted Democratic, so screw them over with the war on drugs.
Women voted Democratic, so screw them over by getting their husbands to be violent and tyrannical.
Scientists, teachers and civil service voted Democratic, so screw them over by defunding them and having people see them as losers.
Artists voted Democratic, so screw them over by getting people to fail to value art.
Democrats have never acted that way. Clinton bore the hatred of many without wishing them ill in return and while considering even their interests in formulating his public policy. Many people think that Clinton didn’t have character, but he very much did. It takes character to bear people’s hatred and still consider their interests. And it is character that stands to be instructive to Republicans.
I’ve known Republicans whom I respected. However there is nothing respectable about this course of action. It is vindictive, it is shallow and it is cruel. Whether or not you agree with these people, they are still your people, and you as a political leader need to consider their interests. Bill Clinton did that. Reagan Republicans did not.
When you are in charge of a country, you are accountable to the people. That not only means the people who voted for you; it also means the people who voted against you. Bill Clinton understood that. The result was one of the most benign governments that America has ever had.
A woman in Uganda said that African leaders need to “grow up.” It’s not about themselves or their family or their home tribe; it is about their country. Presidency in America is not about the people who voted for you; it is about your country. And that also means people who don’t like you. Bill Clinton considered even the interests of people who supported survivalist militias in his public policy. Whereas Reagan Republicans wanted to screw over Democrats – and did.
On this matter Clinton is vastly morally superior to Reagan Republicans. He set the standard for American presidency. And this should be instructive to all people who are to come into power, whatever their political affiliation happens to be.