The President of the Democratic Party

There’s a certain amount of chortling over Hillary Clinton’s recent response to an interviewer’s question to the effect that people liked and trusted her which would certainly seem to fly in the face of the polling evidence. However, if you examine Sec. Clinton’s statement more closely I think you’ll find it’s true if circular. Her supporters like and trust her.

If you don’t think that’s a signal of what a Hillary Clinton administration would be like, I think you’re sadly mistaken. The job she wants may be as President of the United States but she’s running to be President of the Democratic Party.

There are many (many) things for which President George W. Bush can and should be criticized but I do think he did view himself as the president of all of the people and made at least an attempt at meeting the Democrats half way, earning himself the enmity of the more extreme members of his own party. The lesson that Barack Obama took from that was, unfortunately, the wrong one. The president appears to want the rest of the country to meet him half way rather than the other way around. During his presidency he has exerted very little effort to attempting to convince anyone of anything or reaching out to the opposing party.

I have no doubt that President Hillary Clinton (and future presidents) will do much the same thing. I can’t imagine Hillary Clinton doing anything else. Can you imagine President Ted Cruz extending an olive branch to Harry Reid? Me neither.

6 comments… add one
  • jan Link

    There are many (many) things for which President George W. Bush can and should be criticized but I do think he did view himself as the president of all of the people and made at least an attempt at meeting the Democrats half way, earning himself the enmity of the more extreme members of his own party.

    That’s how I saw GWB as well. Other observations about him were personal anecdotes describing his humility and ability to at least seek out and listen to diverse opinions. I shudder, however, in gauging how HRC might be as POTUS. Her blind ambition, closeted actions as a public figure, forked tongue, all accented by a demeanor of royalty, accentuate Bernie Sander’s more frumpy but honest stump speeches. And, while I don’t necessarily agree with his ideas, I can’t help but admire Sander’s style of laying what he thinks directly onto the public table.

  • steve Link

    I am sure GWB saw himself that way. I certainly didn’t. Other than No Child, what did he do that would be considered reaching across the aisle? Nada as far as I can tell. This was the guy widely acclaimed for a lack of curiosity about the rest of the world. But then, I guess Dave has succumbed to the common syndrome of seeing presidents through rosier lenses after they are gone. Otherwise, I think he is correct, but I think it true of everyone who is running.

    Steve

  • PD Shaw Link

    common syndrome

  • steve Link

    Echo chamber. Yes.

  • CStanley Link

    I think some of it is related to the temperament of the last two presidents, as Dave describes, but a lot of it is just a general trend in our politics. Divisiveness pays off for politicians more so than bipartisanship.

  • jan Link

    But then, I guess Dave has succumbed to the common syndrome of seeing presidents through rosier lenses after they are gone.

    …unlike our current president who sees only himself through rose-colored glasses, as he blames everyone preceding him for the troubles/failures of the last 7 years.

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