By: Mary Mostert, Analyst, Banner of Liberty (www.bannerofliberty.com)
February 13, 2001
Two recent articles on the front page of metropolitan newspapers are an illustration of how quickly things can change in our fast-paced modern life. One reported a newly released Gallup poll about the public's views on President George W. Bush and the other reported the investment firm of Morgan Stanley apologizing to its clients for inviting former president Bill Clinton to speak to a company conference for a fee of more than $100,000.
However, even in the current poll, the Gallup organization is still phrasing its poll reports to the public as favorably as possible towards Bill Clinton. Gallup started its poll results report with:
"George W. Bush may have lost the popular vote for president, but he receives positive reviews -- both personally and professionally -- from a majority of Americans three weeks into his presidency. A Gallup poll conducted February 9-11 finds that 57% of Americans approve of the job Bush is doing as president thus far, and 65% approve of view of him as a person. Bush also enjoys positive evaluations on a number of character dimensions rated in the new poll, particularly as someone who is "tough enough for the job," and "honest and trustworthy." While Bush's image ratings are similar to those of one year ago, the perception of him as "tough" has increased markedly over the past year.
Actually, the glossed over "positive evaluations" on character tell a story that Gallup either doesn't see or doesn't want the public to know about. Almost two-thirds (64%) of the public believes George W. is "honest and trustworthy." An even higher percentage, (68%) believes he is tough enough for the job. In fact, in all but one area, George W. Bush shows very clear majorities in such areas as: Is a strong and decisive leader (61%), Can manage the government effectively (61%), Shares your values (57%), Inspires confidence (57%), Cares about the needs of people like you (56%), and Understands complex issues (55%), Generally agrees with you on issues you care about (53%).
The only category that George W. Bush got less than a 50% vote was on the question: Do you admire George W. Bush? Only a mere 49% said they admire Bush.
After the November 7th election I'm not sure why any of us are reading polls anymore, and that includes me, but that strikes me as an interesting figure. While two thirds of the people polled believe Bush is honest and trustworthy, and tough enough for the job, only 49% admire those traits? Does this explain why the public admires Bill and Hillary Clinton, even though they have proved themselves NOT to be honest and trustworthy? Is the balance of power in America today controlled by people who admire lying and dishonesty more than truth-telling and honesty? Is that why Al Gore won the popular vote by one half of one percent? Were some Americans AFRAID of an honest, tough and trustworthy president?
Then there is the curious story of private citizen Bill Clinton's first speaking engagement in Boca Raton, Florida last week. He was paid more than $100,000 by the investment firm of Morgan Stanley. Apparently that caused a flurry of e-mails from clients, some threatening to withdraw their investment funds.
That prompted Morgan Stanley's chairman, Ray O'Rourke, to promptly apologize to irate clients: "I fully understand why you are upset that former President Clinton spoke at one of our conferences," O'Rourke e-maiedl thousands of clients. He observed,
"We clearly made a mistake. First, the decision did not receive the proper review within the firm. And second, we should have been far more sensitive to the strong feelings of our clients over Mr. Clinton's personal behavior as president.""We should have thought twice before the speaking invitation was extended. Our failure to do so was particularly unfortunate in light of Mr. Clinton's actions in leaving the White House."
The American people have given Bill Clinton a pass on harassing Paula Jones, oral sex with Monica Lewinsky, trying to socialize the medical care system, one seventh of the American economy, killing children at WACO, killing more children by bombing Yugoslavia for 79 days, (over a genocide that never happened), four sharp drops in the Stock Market during his eight years in office, his routine lying, but, somehow, when he and Hillary, in the words of their once supporter, consultant and friend Dick Morris, "stole" White House silverware it was just too much.
The public, and even much of the liberal media seems to have turned on him to such a degree that Hillary is complaining about it.
Hopefully, as time marches on, some of those Americans who admired Bill Clinton's abilities to lie, cheat on his wife and steal, will conclude that those traits may not actually be the best way to live one's life or to run a nation.
At that point, perhaps they will begin to even admire leaders who are honest and trustworthy, rather than considering it a negative.
To comment: mmostert@bannerofliberty.com
To Subscribe to the Reagan Monitor, the newsletter that gives you news FACTS you can USE to make your life, and the world, better go to:
Start Your Subscription
