Reagan, Clinton: a Comparison Lest We Forget

‘Reagan (to Soviets): “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” Clinton (to Chinese): “Cream or sugar?” ’

Americans are more cynical than ever about politicians, believing that the conduct of the Clinton administration is no different from any other presidency in recent memory.

Yet even a cursory examination of the record of President Clinton as compared to that of President Reagan, the other recent two-termer, leads to the comforting conclusion that not all politicians are created equal. Consider:

* Administration’s guiding principles.

Reagan: limited government, a strong defense, encouraging democratic movements abroad.

Clinton: See latest polling data.

* Domestic policy hallmarks.

Reagan: restoring national pride, beating back runaway inflation, reducing taxes.

Clinton: school uniforms, midnight basketball, the V-chip, mandatory 48-hour hospital stays.

* Justification of most damaging administration scandal.

Reagan (Iran-Contra): fighting the juggernaut of communism in Central America.

Clinton (fund-raising): fighting the juggernaut of Bob Dole.

* Vice presidential strategies for fulfilling presidential ambitions.

Reagan ( George Bush): solicited support from the Christian Right.

Clinton (Al Gore): solicited cash from the impoverished Buddhists.

* Nominees rejected by the Senate confirmation process.

Reagan (Robert Bork): toughed it out, forced a Senate vote, was vilified in the press for his judicial views.

Clinton (Anthony Lake): withdrew after three days of questioning, complained it was a “brutal ordeal” and still cannot explain why he was not aware of intelligence gatherings of his own agency.

* Most unorthodox confidant of first lady.

Nancy Reagan: astrologer.

Hillary Clinton: Eleanor Roosevelt.

* Important forces behind presidential reelection.

Reagan: blue-collar workers, Southern Democrats, Catholics.

Clinton: China, the CIA, the INS, the Lippo Group.

* Political renegade who best captured the spirit of the presidency.

Reagan: Lee Atwater.

Clinton: Dick Morris.

* Trademark suit.

Reagan: brown, wide lapels.

Clinton: Paula Jones, sexual harassment.

* Memorable presidential dialogue with repressive regimes.

Reagan (to Soviets): “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

Clinton (to Chinese): “Cream or sugar?”

* Location of First Family vacations.

Reagan: ranch in Santa Barbara.

Clinton: wherever a rich friend has an empty house.

* Widely touted instance of presidential poor judgment.

Reagan (joke on radio show): “We’ll begin bombing in five minutes.”

Clinton (handwritten on DNC fundraising memo): “Ready to start overnights right away.”

* Controversial positions taken by surgeon general.

Reagan (C. Everett Koop): against tobacco abuse.

Clinton (Joycelyn Elders): for self-abuse.

* Stance on hot-button issue.

Reagan (abortion): pro-life during 1980 campaign, pro-life during first term, pro-life during 1984 campaign, pro-life during second term.

Clinton (welfare reform): for it (during 1992 campaign), vetoed it (twice), for it again (signing GOP bill during 1996 campaign), then promised to fix it (soon after signing bill).

So lest we forget, there was a time not long ago when the presidency and the White House had value for Americans beyond providing fresh material for Letterman and Leno. Ronald Reagan didn’t have degrees from fancy places like Oxford and Yale, but even his political foes knew he led by holding a firm grip on the rudder of right and wrong. Can Bill Clinton’s boosters credibly contend the same?