Subject: Letter to the Editor

There are those who claim that the attacks on the President are purely partisan and part of a vast, right wing, Republican conspiracy. The problem with this theory is that Bill Clinton has been a pretty good Republican president, but a lousy Democratic one.

When Mr. Clinton first took office, the most important item on the national agenda was universal healthcare. Mrs. Clinton botched the presidential initiative so badly she drove healthcare off the agenda so far that it has disappeared from national consciousness altogether. The Republicans couldn't have dreamed of a better outcome. Mr. Clinton then worked hard with the Republican leadership to get NAFTA passed, against widespread Democratic resistance. Another Republican dream come true. Because of the huge unpopularity of the Clinton administration at the first midterm elections, Republican majorities were elected to both the House and the Senate, for the first time in a very, very long time. The Republican hit parade just keeps going. President Clinton helped to "abolish welfare as we know it". We intervene in Haiti and Bosnia, and bomb Iraq for good measure. Mr. Clinton says "the era of big government is over." Who knew the guy was a closet Reaganite? Mr. Clinton presides over a balanced budget, something a Democratic Congress couldn't achieve in my lifetime, and takes great pride in how well the economy is doing. So you tell me, who is happier about the last six years, Republicans or Democrats?

I know, the only flaw in President Clinton for Republicans is his ferocious support of abortion rights. Still, after all he's done for the Republicans, is that any reason to get rid of the man? Frankly, the attacks have nothing to do with politics, but are an illustration of McClaughry's Law: To make an enemy, do someone a favor.



Kevin Murphy