A Night of Presidents (Real and Fictional)

{this is a long post...you've been warned} As previously mentioned, last night was the speech by President Bill Clinton at Butler University. Also yesterday was the "Live" West Wing Debate episode (which I recorded due to the speech). So, I will give you my opinion of both of these items. It was a really good evening. Onto my thoughts:

President Clinton
I'll be honest and come straight out and say it: Clinton was the best President I've seen in my years (especially in my since begining to think on a national/political level). With that disclaimer said, here is the gist of his 1 hour speech. The man has great charisma and is extremely personable. He really makes you feel like a friend. He started his speech by focusing on the role of the US in the world (the speech was also part of the Diversity Lecture Series). He used the word interdependence (instead of globalization). His primary points were that we live in a world economy and share world politics. Countries around the world are now depedent on other countries for pretty much everything, and it's a two-way street (hence interdependence). His major point was that the US needs to make friends, not enemies, in the international community. Via friendships, the economy grows, a free exchange of ideas and goods can then flow.
His next section focused on national areas. Primary focus on security, economy, and education. On security, he mentioned several ways to improve. Checking more of the cargo shipments that enter the country (via sea and airports). On Iraq, he felt it wrong to go to war, but now that it has been done, we must maintain a presence or else it "will become the haven for terrorism that it was falsely accused of being" when we attacked. He also mentioned increased foreign aid and efforts to countries that dislike us. [Interesting stat: Indonesia (largest muslim populated country) Approval of US-38%, and Bin Laden 60% before the Tsunami; after the Tsunami US-60%, Bin Laden 25%] On education, he talked about leveling the playing field. A specific he mentioned was NC (I believe) and their system of economic equivalence in the school. Where the schools were set-up so students of all socioeconomic class were present. An interesting idea.
Now, a Democratic president has to make some pokes/differences of opinion with a sitting Republican president. Clinton did not Bush-bash, but did state what he disagreed with. First, was the attitude of correctness in the US, but requiring more from other countries. Examples: Retaining the right to torture (ie. exempt from Geneva convention) in the "war on terror"; renouncing Nuclear test ban, nuclear proliferation while requiring other countries decrease supplies/never start a program. Clinton's biggest complaint came in area of economy. He feels the Bush economic plan is a disaster and makes the country far worse off for future generations. Here is the Bush plan: lower taxes and increased spending growing the debt to a huge amount. Clinton knows this must stop. He talked about what he did during his years (when the economy was soaring), and his response when asked what economic plan he brought to the White House: "Arithmetic." It's simple, if you give tax cuts, you can't increase spending.
That's the highlights. I was really impressed and enjoyed my time listening to Clinton. I do look forward to Bush Sr in March.

The West Wing
Last night was a Live episode of the West Wing. The two Presidential candidate (Santos [D] {Jimmy Smits} and Vinick [R] {Alan Alda}) squared off and dropped the stupid rules of normal debates. Instead they went, no holds bars and argued the issues. Here's what I thought was neat: 1) they actually discussed things, instead of just giving quotables; and 2) It mirrored the previous speech by Clinton. The debate actually had the candidates lay out their plans/policies they will seek if elected. It allowed more than just rhetoric, but actual dialogue. Personally, I more often agreed with Santos' positions, but still had several areas where I felt Vinic was more correct {esp. about the Pharmaceutical industry}. For those unfamiliar with the show, Santos represents a fairly liberal candidate, and Vinick is a moderate republican.

I've already gone quite long on this post, but would be more than willing to discuss any of the above with anyone. Alrighty, gotta go.