The Supreme Court; Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer

[question everything]

For more than a year, many of us said that the most important reason to support the nominee is to assure that the Supreme Court does not have more "Thomases and Scalias" thus assuring Bush's "legacy."

But I think that it is important to note that, were it not for President Bill Clinton, who appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer during his first term, such a goal would be so unattainable that we would not even be talking about it.

So when so many on DU, and the Obamas, trash President Bill Clinton, belittling most, or all, of his accomplishments, concentrating on all the "gates," his affairs, his centrist position - remember these two Supreme Court Justices. This is one point that today's WSJ editorial - listing all his "sins" with relish and triumphantly concluding that the Democratic party "has finally voted to impeach" - conveniently chose to ignore.

But we should not.

You may not like Bill Clinton very much now. You choose to ignore the fact that he is the first Democrat to be re-elected since FDR, that he came to a huge deficit and left with a surplus. That the economy expanded and wages went up across all income level. You may agree with everything that the WSJ Editorial say today - isn't it ironic?

But if nothing else, remember that the fact that it was he - not papa Bush - who made the nomination in 1993 and in 1994, kept Scalia and Thomas at bay and make it still possible for us to tilt the court back in the direction of "we, the people."

[gateley]

1. K&R - You're right and we owe him our gratitude for that. nt

[NJmaverick]

2. Bill Clinton brought this upon himself

if he had behaved honorably, during this campaign, he wouldn't be getting this blow back. I have zero sympathy for his situation. I am his defender no longer, I retired.

[question everything]

4. You don't need to defend him, just to reconginze his accomplishments

We all build on what others have done before us: in politics, in life, in science.

If the fate of the Supreme Court is important to you - and it may not be - that you will at least give him credit for that.

[NJmaverick]

5. I see the good things and the bad things he has done, and I don't care what others do

Like I said, I am a retired Bill Clinton defender.

[dana_b]

3. and I love him for that!

What some (can't speak for a lot of people here) are frustrated with President Clinton about now has nothing to do with his performance as president. It's his behavior on Hillary's campaign trail. I'm sorry if it came across as we dislike him as our former Pres.

[question everything]

8. Too many now bash his term as President

They did not like his centrist position, even though this was the only way to win. They don't like all the "gates" the pardons at the end.

And his campaigning for Hillary finally "released" them to attack everything about him.

[cd3dem]

6. The swiftboating of the Clintons by the media and the democratic party has moved me to...

give up my reproductive rights and the reproductive rights of my daughters... it is the ball and chain that has kept women enslaved! If you do not conform, you will lose your rights! Well I say, by allowing this election process to swiftboat a president who has been the only light in my adult years for democrats, we have enslaved ourselves and our sons and daughters.

Whether Obama is the nominee or not, I will not vote for him! If this means McCain wins then so be it! For when we look the other way we allow ourselves to be victimized. If McCain winning and the country going to hell is the only way for democrats to knock it off and stop beating each other up then there we go! Screw Obama and all his supporters including the media. I am tired of having an empty suit thrown down my throat! The guy is unqualified! His only talent is making speeches written for someone else... and no one cares.. his spiritual mentor is a racist and hates America and no one cares... his wife is not proud of America and no one cares.. she is wonderful! BS!!!

The republicans have been trashing the Clintons and praising Reagan for years and now we are about to nominate a person who does the same. Nope you can steal this endorsement, but you cannot steal my vote!

Get your coat-hangers out ladies!

[question everything]

7. I hope that we will be able to reconcile come November

even though too many on DU have no desire to reconcile.

I am concerned about Obama's comments that he hoped women choose to terminate their abortions "prayerfully." Perhaps he will change his mind once his daughters grow up.

But, we've had an "empty suit" in the White House for the past 8 years and he pretty much accomplished what his supporters wanted so, depending on Obama's "handlers," perhaps he, too, will move the country back to (almost) normal.

I do know that many will be disappointed with him for the sheer reason that no one can be everything to everyone, after being a blank slate upon which so many projected their hopes.

[question everything]

9. Kick for the evening crowd (nt)