Posted on 06/25/2004 5:01:31 AM PDT by SJackson
Bill Clinton has a unique form of ADD — he is disordered when he does not get enough attention. Like a headlight reflector on the highway, he cannot shine unless a light illuminates him. Like a solar battery, he cannot generate energy unless he basks in the outside stimulus of sunlight. And like a cold-blooded creature, he cannot internally generate body warmth, but relies upon the sun to provide it.
Just remember how fully he realized himself standing before Congress and basking in applause, spotlights and public adulation. He chose a profession in which the band rarely stops playing and the press never goes home.
But now, in the twilight of his political career, he craves attention. He needs an audience. He has to have a mirror, to see himself in the eyes of others in order to understand who he is.
Clinton could no more resist writing his memoirs and releasing them in the middle of a presidential campaign than he could turn aside from any spotlight. Clinton has run for office in 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1992, and 1996. Indeed, the former president is launching his own campaign beginning with the unveiling of his portrait at the White House last week, continuing through his massive book publicity campaign and nationwide book signings, the release of Harry Thomasson's sympathetic "The Hunting of the President" movie, his upcoming speech to the 2004 Democratic convention and, finally, the opening of his presidential library in Little Rock later this year.
The real question is why Clinton is campaigning. A large part of the answer must lie in his neurosis and his inability to function when he is not on stage. This incessant need for outside stimulus that caused him to risk his presidency on a series of affairs cannot be extinguished. It can only be channeled. And he cannot resist mounting the platform when it is erected every four years.
But one cannot brush aside a pragmatic calculus where the former president is concerned. The fact remains that a Kerry victory would retard Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions for at least four years. The New York Democratic senator could clearly have the 2008 nomination for the asking. But if she had to wait until 2012 and compete with Kerry's vice president, who knows what the outcome would be.
Clinton certainly knows that the side-by-side comparison of his own charisma, pathos, empathy and charm with the stiff, patrician bearing of Kerry will redound to the disadvantage of the Democratic nominee. Even assuming that Kerry could grow, which man, only beginning to sample the national stage, is the equal of an experienced performer at the end of two terms as president?
Clinton owns prime time. Kerry is not even ready for it. The contrast will be telling. Contrasted with Clinton, Kerry will come across as aloof, arrogant, conceited and remote. Hardly the stuff of which presidential candidacies are nurtured.
But is there an even more devious motivation behind Clinton's tell-all psychobabble?
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
It has become clear that Bubba wants Bush to win so that Hitlery will have a shot at it in 2008. Bring it on. I can't wait to see her lose. :)
Yuck!
IT's always nice when Clinton is equated to a reptile.
I think as long as Kerry stays out of sight and keeps his mouth shut, his numbers will stay up. In that way, Clinton IS helping him.
"But if she [Hillary] had to wait until 2012 and compete with Kerry's vice president, who knows what the outcome would be."
Morris is right about this; if another democrat other than Hillary Clinton should get elected and spend 8 years in the WH, by 2012, she wouldn't stand a chance of getting elected. The country would be sick of democrat policies by then and need a change.
If the ultimate plan is to launch Hillary Clinton into the White House, who do you envision as the Republican answer?
It is now time to begin planning for the last four years of the Bush tenure, in order to present his successor.
Personally I would like to see the middle east reasonably independent of the United States by then, and a Republican president concerned with immigration, domestic issues, and education.
And I don't mean socialist solutions either - but common sense ones. I am very concerned for the disintegration of our own people within the nation.
Back on topic (apologies) - I enjoy Dick Morris' mind and speaking abilities, in this article he has captured much of what I believe Clinton to be as - reptilian - if you wish to label it.
You're absolutely right. As long as he keeps his mouth shut, he's "that other guy who isn't Bush." And that gives him the votes of the even vaguely grumpy.
But he can't stay invisible forever, of course. And once people get a good look at him, he's toast.
-"And he cannot resist mounting the platform when it is erected
Yuck!"-
Oh, you beat me to it!
One possibility would be to give the "Former Occupant of the Oval Office, 1993-2001" a high-level ambassador position, but where could he be placed that he could not be sure to make mischief? Not the UN, because he would certainly go counter to the position of the US on practically every vote. Not to the Russian Confederation, because he would be fighting with the entire Russian government within a week. Not to China, because he already has too many compromising ties in that country. To the EU, perhaps, or to either France or Germany within the EU? He would be well received there, and there is not much he could do that would get either of those two countries more riled up with the US. Sending him to Great Britain carries extraordinary potential for disaster. Canada is too close to home. Mexico would only exacerbate the border problems we now have.
Brazil. Now there is a scene where a guy could have some fun, and while Brazil is big, there is not all that much interdependence between Brazil and the US. Plus, if diplomatic immunity is not enough, he could always take refuge in Brazil and be beyond extradition.
Or his heart could explode next week, from a cocaine OD.
Its hard for Clinton to be too critical of Bush, afterall it was the Clinton doctrine which called for regime change in Iraq.
That must be all the time then, cause I see NO time when he's NOT "disordered".
I don't think Bill would do this on purpose, but you can't help but be disgusted when you see him.
I think it could do two things.
1. Make people remember how bad Clinton was and vote for Bush
2. Compare him to Kerry and come to the conclusion Kerry is more honest than Bill and therefore isn't that bad. (even though the informed know he is just as bad.)
he is disordered when he does not get enough attention. Like a headlight reflector on the highway, he cannot shine unless a light illuminates him. Like a solar battery, he cannot generate energy unless he basks in the outside stimulus of sunlight. And like a cold-blooded creature, he cannot internally generate body warmth, but relies upon the sun to provide it.
I have been saying a version of this for years. He has no core, and needs to see his reflection in others' presence, like they are mirrors, in order to know he is visible.
This is why he will say anything or do anything to be noticed. I hope Dick Morris' message will be understood by everyone.
I assume Dick Norris either has never had cats or they were killed long ago.
That's right. It will be his name on the ballot. If a voter can't form a picture of a candidate in his mind he won't vote for him. The only numbers that count are the numbers on election day.
Five? Clinton's firing on all nine cylinders.
I disagree with Morris on this; Sick Willy has no rational thoughts about Kerry or his candidacy. In his mind anyone or anything he supports is elevated and he can't imagine the possibility that it could be otherwise. I'm sure no one in the DNC has the guts to tell him otherwise either.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.