Party of ideas?

Obama called the Republican party “the party of ideas” over the last 10-15 years.  Bill Clinton replied that “we” had good ideas.  The problem with Clinton’s presidency was that, while they had ideas, they weren’t willing to fight for them.  Clinton managed the economy well, but did little to advance the Democratic agenda.  When the failed on health care, that was the end of it.  His promise to allow gays in the military became “don’t ask, don’t tell”.  Welfare reform was fine as long as the economy was strong, but failed the people once the economy took a dive.

Clinton did a good job as US president – he managed to seize the centre for Democrats (or, at least, for himself), and he really managed the Republican ascendancy.  But he didn’t bring new ideas into the world of politics.