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Dec 2, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

For a long time, Bill Clinton’s been called, not entirely in jest, America’s first black president, but he was only its second boy president (the first being Theodore Roosevelt), Peter Pans in the White House who never wanted, or did, grow up entirely, and I say that in the most affectionate way.

In his recollect8on, Bob referred to Nixon as “detestable,” and that he was, but that detestableness didn’t spring from his distinctive hairline fully formed as Athena did from the forehead of Zeus. With Nixon you knew he could be childish without ever being childlike, a man born old who could never discern the wonder in anything. Bill Clinton, by contrast, clearly does see wonder in everything. He wants to turn everything over and over in his hands to see what it’s made of, how it works and whether it can be put to use in bettering others’ lives — even the Nixons of the world.

Bill Clinton’s a flawed man, no doubt about it, but who isn’t flawed? The problem is that he is an Old Testament figure — specifically King David, for obvious reasons — whose enemies insist, for their own political and economic advantage, that he be judged by a New Testament morality.

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Dec 2, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

For those of us who love political history this is wonderful stuff. I can't wait for the next installment!

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Dec 2, 2022·edited Dec 2, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

Enjoyed this prelude to the whole testimonial. Strange isn't it that all our heroes have feet of clay, Even Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington were imperfect. Nice to know that it's ok to be imperfect as long as you are mostly good.

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"...we did not inhale together."

Thanks, you made my day.

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Dec 2, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

What a delightful story. I bet you could write a book, I would buy ,of your memories with political people. Clinton was no angel, he loved women and Hillary seemed to acknowledge that and live with it. Love is powerful and she seemed to love him regardless of his sexual antics. Well everyone has their own journey to follow. He did a-lot of good things in his Presidency. And Hillary Clinton was the most qualified person, regardless of being a woman, for the Presidency. He supported her in every way he could. That’s commendable They seemed to stay together and he proved his love for her .I wonder when you met him Professor Reich if you could have imaged almost 50 years ago you’d be speaking his obituary before his death. ?I’ll put my money on a definite NO! I throughly enjoyed your story. Waiting for another. Thanks. !!

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Dec 2, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

If we stop and listen carefully, we realize the richness of our lives. In our time on earth, we meet many different people, some lost to history and some either famous or destined to be so. It is ineffably sad we are so often mired in the minutiae of our mundane existence we fail to appreciate the true gift life can be.

Thank you for the reminder, Dr. Reich.

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Dec 2, 2022Liked by Robert Reich

Loved your share. Ten years earlier I also sailed off to England on a ship full of college students bound for study in Europe and England. I was headed for the University of Edinburgh. That year abroad shaped my World view for the rest of my life and I will always be grateful for the opportunity.

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after learning yesterday that christine mcvie died suddenly, your headline almost gave me a stroke.

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Great story! I think America misses the kind of entertainment Bill Clinton brought to the White House. It was kind of the Democratic standard...more highbrow and cultured than Reagan and Bush, sharing a little of Obama and Kennedy, far more engaging than Carter and Biden, our least entertaining along with Bush 41. Of course, Billary has been overshadowed by that master of stage and screen, DJT! It should be obvious by now that earnest and experienced men and women - think Gore, Kerry, Mitt, and HRC - just aren't wanted when you can have a good ole boy or a showman.

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I enjoy you so much Mr Reich!!!

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Wow! Great rehash and what a memory

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Bill Clinton had so much promise; I looked at him at the time as the 1st replacement for the lost JFK 30 years prior. That is, it took that long for the U.S. to regain political stature, again. Political hope. He turned out to be a better politician than benefactor.

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It was an enjoyable read, but one line in particular made it great: Oh, and we did not inhale together.

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Fortunate meeting for both of you!

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"I met Bill Clinton in September 1968 on the USS United States." If this were the opening line of a novel and I were the editor, I would say, "Oh, come on. At least change the name of the ship."

But these days, when someone says "Bill Clinton", I can only think of the scandals - selling out the labor movement and repealing the Glass-Steagal act. No doubt he thought he was being very clever.

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Very nice, thank you for sharing such wonderful memories from your youth. Was the soup good?

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