Nuke's

(Originally published 9/11/06)

Last night’s review of The Path to 9-11 contained a paragraph that stirred up many of my Freeper friends:

“In the last hour, I have spent some time browsing several of my hangouts to get a feel for viewer opinion from those whom I consider most informed: the web readers, on both the left and the right. Not surprisingly, many of the viewers on the left didn’t like it for the reasons that we’ve heard about all week. After viewing Part 1, I can certainly understand their point of view. The Clinton Administration did not look good. Whether or not history views Mr. Clinton in a favorable light, I couldn’t help but wonder if his response wouldn’t have been stronger had he not had to fight the impeachment battle. And, for that reason, in retrospect, I am sorry that that sordid chapter occurred, and that at that time, I cheered on the Republicans. Perhaps the current War on Terror, as well as the events of 9/11 might have been much different if impeachment proceedings had not been deemed necessary by the majority, or if the President could have curbed his own licentiousness.“

That line of reasoning was termed “disappointing” by one commenter, and “retarded” by another. Several folks were ready to re-fight the Impeachment battle. In light of the possible ambiguity contained in that paragraph, I wanted to take an opportunity to revise and extend my remarks. And, since it’s my blog…

I didn’t include that line of reasoning in order to re-fight the impeachment battle. At the time, I thought that impeachment was justified, and deserved a hearing in the Senate. My disappointment over the failure of Trent Lott and the majority to bring a conviction in light of the evidence against the President was very real. Lott didn’t realize that the case had a political front, a legal front, and a PR front. The House Impeachment covered only the legal front. Lott figured, incorrectly, that the weight of the evidence would sway public opinion. That didn’t happen. He also didn’t count on a vigorous defense from the Clinton team. He fought a weak fight, and lost an important battle.

That PR failure, by the way, mirrors the PR effort (or lack of one) that GWB is currently putting forth against the islamofascists. Our guys just do a poor job of PR. I don’t know why that is.

Having said all of that, let me add this: I said what I did regarding Clinton’s impeachment, not as a defense of his Presidency, but as a reflective thought on what might have happened if Clinton had shown some of the “cajones” that SAIC O’Neill talked about in the program toward the enemies of this country, rather than toward his political opponents.

Whether or not history judges the Clinton Administration favorably or negatively, or even judges him at all, depends upon this country prevailing in the long struggle that confronts us. For, it is the victors who write the history texts.

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