Posted on 10/18/2003 9:41:29 AM PDT by Bob J
"Clinton and Character "
By Hans Zeiger
He secretly does uncalled-for things in the White House. He was supposed to act as a soldier in the Vietnam War. He even said he would. He then tricked officials to escape fighting for our country when he was needed. He eats too many hamburgers, which makes him fat. Clinton made a secret 12-year deal with another lady to be going on dates with her. Though I barely understood the scandals and tragedies Clinton was genius enough to cover up as early as 1994, I knew he was a terribly corrupt, amoral president.
The week before the 1996 election, my understanding of Clinton's character was more refined when I wrote a letter to the editor of my local newspaper summarizing several reasons that he was not fit for the presidency. Among them were Whitewater, Filegate, Paula Jones, Travelgate, and the mysterious deaths of 30 people in Clinton's inner circle. If Clinton's first-term scandals have been forgotten, his impeachment will be his defining moment. He will be most remembered for lying: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinski."
Thus, when George W. Bush was elected, his promises of bringing integrity and character to the White House became a refreshing point of hope for all the 9-year-olds around America in need of a role model in the Oval Office.
For Bush, the defining moment was Sept. 14, 2001, when he stood on a pile of rubble encasing a former fire engine at Ground Zero. His impromptu speech to the rescue workers with one arm around retired firefighter Bob Beckwith will be his remembered words. Like Lincoln, Wilson and Roosevelt before him, Bush has led this nation through dark days of war.
I have always been taught that a well-rounded person leads a healthy life in all aspects thereof. A role model is such a person. Consider the Clinton-Bush contrast in several areas of well-roundedness:
Physical: As I alleged a decade ago, Clinton was overweight as a result of a fast-food diet. Bush is a dedicated marathon runner who always finds time to stay in shape.
Intellectual: Clinton had the brains, but he wasn't wise. Bush isn't the greatest genius to occupy the White House, but he knows how to prioritize and surround himself with the world's top experts.
Spiritual: Clinton went to church when it was a good photo op. Bush is known for daily White House prayer meetings, nationwide presidential prayer groups, and frequent use of the Bible in the Oval Office.
Marriage: Bill Clinton is reported to have had many relationships with many women besides his wife: Gennifer Flowers, Paula Jones, Juanita Broadrick, Kathleen Willey and Monica Lewinski. George W. Bush has a very private relationship with Laura that does not exist for political reasons.
Leadership Style: Bush is a uniter, not a divider. He rallies America around core ideals of freedom and justice. Meanwhile, Bush's humility shines through. Clinton was an arrogant, egotistic politician whose decisions, foreign and domestic, usually came down to self-interest. Every time a new scandal arose, Clinton sent out the bombers to engage in a wimpy, worthless, Wag the Dog diversion in a foreign land. Clinton's character was so thoroughly disgusting that I believe it will be considered by history with greater disdain than Richard Nixon's.
If the art of role modeling is based on moral character, the current president wins over the previous in a landslide.
Copyright 2003 The Seattle Times Company.
Hans Zeiger is an 18-year old Seattle Times columnist and conservative activist. He is president of the Scout Honor Coalition and a freshman at Hillsdale College. Contact: hazeiger@hillsdale.edu.
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