The Last Temptation of Bubba

The backlash against Bill…from Democrats!

Bill Clinton is one of the most polarizing figures in modern politics. He’s endured such things as impeachment, the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit, and seeing Monica Lewinsky in a thong, but he keeps on going. By now, he’s used to having to deflect criticism from Republicans, but now he has to deflect them from another source.

It started when he came out with George H. W. Bush in calling for Americans to help with the victims of Hurricane Katrina. To get an idea of what the Democrats were saying and doing in the aftermath of Katrina, I went to the Huffington Post and read what Democrats were saying. You’d think Clinton came out and French kissed the Bush twins at a Republican rally (Now that I think about it, that’s hot!). Posters were talking about how they had “lost respect” for Clinton and how he was betraying the Democrats.

I guess it’s a good thing he didn’t help a woman across the street or else he’d be crucified. If he helped her out of her pants, on the other hand….

I’ve had my fair share of criticism for the Commander in Briefs, but I have to admit that recent actions have made me reconsider those criticisms. I noticed a change in his demeanor after he needed bypass surgery. He seemed more mature, more like a statesman than a politician. This was the man I wanted to be President, not the pudgy smarter-than-everyone-in-the-room man with the libido and maturity of a teenaged boy. Of course, that describes me, too, but that’s not important.

So, why the change? I think it’s because when we are faced with our own mortality we tend to get more introspective and really take a look at what we’ve done with our lives. For all of his faults, Clinton has led an interesting and storied life, but it’s those faults that stick in our minds the longest. It’s been said that we’re our own worst critics. Well, except for those who reviewed “Deuce Bigalo, European Gigolo,” but there’s validity to that notion. And with Clinton being someone who thrives on making people happy, it adds a burden on his ego and his soul. So, he’s starting to do some karmic cleaning to atone for his past.

This is not to say that I’m completely convinced that he’s changed. Like Al Gore said, “A leopard can’t change his…” zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Wha…sorry about that. Even quoting Al Gore put me to sleep. As I was saying, there are times when the “old Clinton” comes out, like when he stumped for John Kerry in 2004, but these days he’s coming off as being more serious and sober. Now, if we could only get Ted Kennedy to follow suit, we might get somewhere.

I think the backlash against Clinton can be linked to the fact that he’s gotten chummy with the Bush family. Think of it this way. What if Rush Limbaugh came on the air and said, “I’ve been completely wrong about liberals. It’s conservatives who are truly screwing up the country”? His fans would be crushed, and some would stop listening to him altogether. When you put so much stock in someone, it becomes personal when they go against what you believed they were.

In Clinton’s case, the Democrats, who spent tons of political capital to defend him against impeachment, are upset because it appears that he’s betraying Democrat principles for face time. (Gee, who didn’t see that coming?) Add to the fact that he’s been allied with the hated Bush family, and you have the recipe for a backlash.

But this is where those Democrats get it completely wrong. What Clinton is doing is being a leader. I know Democrats have forgotten what it’s like to have a leader, but trust me on this. Instead of tossing rhetorical hand grenades from Air America or the Huffington Post, he’s trying to get Democrats to be as compassionate as they claim they are and inspiring others to be as generous as they can be to help those in dire need.

And I, for one, welcome it. Mr. Clinton, if you’re reading this, keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t let the slings and arrows of oblivious allies distract you from the great work you’re doing on behalf of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I'm going to give you a tribute that I'm sure you'll appreciate. Sir, I'm giving you a 21 zipper salute!

And that’s the Bottom Line.

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