Was Bill Clinton One of the Worst Presidents?

[AnchorAlum]

Although I am a Republican and certainly a fiscal conservative, I think Clinton's Presidency, to be fair, is best assessed when it's broken into two parts:

His domestic policies were not the worst. He began reforming some health care issues (although his wife did not get her socialized medicine, thank heavens); he succeeded in driving welfare reform, passing NAFTA, and having the good sense to stay out of the way of a steamrolling economy which was just starting to take off as he came into office. So I give him props on domestics.

On the other hand - his foreign policiies left much to be desired. He and his Administration were not terrific (understatement) in Somalia, Bosnia, and the Middle East. He paid off North Korea, just delaying the inevitable. The Chinese bought influence and were successful in getting lots of technology knowledge handed to them. And then there is Al-Qaeda.
Remember the Buddhists and Algore?

Private life - disaster. Although he sincerely adores his daughter and was a good dad. Props for that.

I never "disliked" Clinton. But I did dislike many of those around him, including his wife.

Carter - different story. NOT a good President, IMO.

[33girl]

I don't think anyone is denying that Jimmy Carter is a wonderful person. He's done a lot of good in the world. That doesn't mean he was a good president.

[ADPiAkron]

I do not think anyone is perfect--especially the president. Everyone will agree and disagree with what each has done. So I would not say any president has been the worst--nor will I say any president has been the best.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by 33girl
I don't think anyone is denying that Jimmy Carter is a wonderful person. He's done a lot of good in the world. That doesn't mean he was a good president.

Someone said to me about Jimmy Carter, "Being a good man can get in the way of being a good President."

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by James
IS there any type of objective criteria out there to judge a presidents performance?

That's the real point.

I don't have much of a feeling for Carter, for instance, one way or the other. The fact that later Presidents used him for highly diplomatic missions and sought his advice seems to be what "they" are talking about.

To me, every President I can think of has had his good and really bad points.

I'm not much of a Bush II fan at this point, but think his dad did pretty well -- except that I believe he should have prosecuted the first Mid-East war to it's fullest extent.

Hey, even Nixon did a few good things.

My argument still is that history is the best, and perhaps the only, real judge of a President.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."

Really? So did Arafat the bloody terrorist.

-Rudey
--Carter does like him now that I think about it.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
His diplomacy brought peace between Israel and Egypt & Jordan...
And Iranian hostage situation was solved by Reagan administration selling weapons to Iran... not a very honorable way to end the situation.

Honestly you really do live a sheltered existence in Iowa and are among the many who know nothing about a topic other than superficial nonesense. He did not bring peace between Israel and Egypt & Jordan. If you would read, it might suit you better.

-Rudey

[Rudey]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
Carter has used his post-presidential years to work in areas that greatly help people- from Habitat for Humanity assisting low-income families get a home to his assitance with election over-sight for developing nations.
Of course back before he was president his mother was in the Peace Corp- it's a strong heritage of humbly helping others that his family instilled on him.
According to my staunch republican grandfather he's one of the few presidents that was unwilling to compromise his character and integrity to the politics of Washington.
The fraternity that can call Jimmy Carter their Brother is blessed to have such a man in their ranks.

I worked with Habitat for Humanity so I guess I'm a great president. As for election monitoring - well Carter does celebrity appearances I suppose.

-Rudey

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by Rudey
He did not bring peace between Israel and Egypt & Jordan.

Camp David Peace Accord...

[Rudey]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
Camp David Peace Accord...

Make a full sentence so I can chew you out.

-Rudey

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
Carter has used his post-presidential years...

Post-presidential years don't rehabilitate poor presidencies. Look at Hoover.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by AnchorAlum
His domestic policies were not the worst. He began reforming some health care issues (although his wife did not get her socialized medicine, thank heavens); he succeeded in driving welfare reform, passing NAFTA, and having the good sense to stay out of the way of a steamrolling economy which was just starting to take off as he came into office. So I give him props on domestics.

His domestic policies were not the worst, but they weren't his. NAFTA was a Bush initiative. Welfare reform were republin issues, and specifically from the Contract with America.