Clinton provides direction

Former President Bill Clinton appeared on Larry King Live last night, reminding us why he is one of the greatest political minds of his time. If you missed it, the transcript is worth reading.

Two highlights:

1. Clinton offered calming words for today's hyper-partisans.

“I mean, you know, this idea that somebody we disagree with on economic or social policy or something we have to turn into some kind of ogre or demon, I think, is a mistake. I mean, it's like telling the American people or half the American people that don't agree with you, they're all fools. That's just not true.”

2. While praising Karl Rove, Clinton offered good advice for progressives who see their candidates traditionally smacked around during campaign time.

In 2002, I thought -- that was maybe one of his [Rove's] most brilliant achievements, the 2002 congressional elections. Because I think he was largely responsible for the fact that, you know, the Americans were concerned about security.

It was shortly after 9/11, but they also thought the White House was too far to the right, and they wanted a correction. And were inclined to vote for more Democrats for Congress. But they really supported the president on 9/11 and how he handled Afghanistan and terror. And so they said, well, what are we going to do? Two-thirds of the Democrats were for Iraq, 100 percent were for Afghanistan. How are we going to make them look weak on security? That's the only way because we don't agree with them on the domestic issues.

So, they come up with this Homeland Security bill, which the president had opposed for eight and-a-half months. All of a sudden they decided they're for the bill, then the next day if you're not for it you're Saddam Hussein's ally. And they beat Max Cleland, you know, who was profoundly wounded in Vietnam and a lot of other people.

But I think that's our fault. We let them get away with that. We've got to learn to stand up engage in those debates.

(Emphasis mine)

Stand up and engage, indeed.