Factcheck.org: I Love the '80s: Part Deux (Clinton statements checked)

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/clinton-obama_slugfest.html

Obama also has been taking heat for praising Ronald Reagan in that same interview. See the text box to the left for his exact words. Clinton tried to avoid mentioning that, for good reason, but Obama turned it against her anyway:

Obama: The irony of this is that you provided much more fulsome praise of Ronald Reagan in a book by Tom Brokaw that's being published right now, as did – as did Bill Clinton in the past. So these are the kinds of political games that we are accustomed to.

Obama is correct: Both Bill and Hillary Clinton have lauded Reagan’s political skills.

-snip-

Hillary Clinton (in Brokaw book): When he had those big tax cuts and they went too far, he oversaw the largest tax increase. He could call the Soviet Union the Evil Empire and then negotiate arms-control agreements. He played the balance and the music beautifully.

-snip-

Bill Clinton (May 5, 1998): The only thing that could make this day more special is if President Reagan could be here himself. But if you look at this atrium, I think we feel the essence of his presence: his unflagging optimism, his proud patriotism, his unabashed faith in the American people. I think every American who walks through this incredible space and lifts his or her eyes to the sky will feel that.

We’ll leave it to others to decide who's praising Reagan more. The fact is that Bill and Hillary have done it, not just Obama.

What would Bill Clinton have to say about that?

Bill Clinton was running in 1992 against George H.W. Bush, who was was then trumpeting his won experience over callow youth of Bill Clinton. That year Bush aired a television commercial urging voters to keep America "in the hands of experience.

"The same old experience is not relevant." Another successful president scorned any need for years of apprenticeship in Washington, declaring. "The same old experience is not relevant." He suggested the most useful training comes not from hanging around the White House and Congress but rather from experience "rooted in the real lives of real people" so that "it will bring real results if we have the courage to change."

How ironic and disturbing is that? :grr: