I seem to recall Clinton giving credit to the republican legislature during his speech, essentially saying that back then they were willing to get things done and weren't the Mitch McConnell party of "no". I listened to Clintons speech and I have to say that it may have been one of the best delivered speeches I've ever seen anybody (politician or otherwise) give. Clinton's powers stem beyond being an ex-president, though that helps too. He has a rare, natural gift to communicate. He's a master and any politician would do well to study him. His policies or perceived inaccuracies aside, he's damn fun to watch. Like watching Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods in their prime. One of a kind.
The credit he DIDN'T attribute to them was actually formulating the budget. Brother Bill made it sound like it was all him - Bunk! Bunk I say! Brother Bill, did sign the budget, TO HIS CREDIT, into law (a raving rebuke of the current Senate which has failed to produce one of their own - which is unconstitutional and they completely rejected, on a bi-partisan basis Barak Obama's proposed budget – HISTORICAL FACT!) - However, to say "I left with a budget surplus, like he came up with it" is deceptive (a three quarter truth). By the way, I don't give any credit to the post 9-11 Republican Congresses for helping squander the surplus (they became like the past politicians and got FAT and ambivalent about the fiscal sanity produced in earlier years) a albeit after 9-11. I also did not agree with G. W. Bush’s expansion of federal power (even in the name of “compassionate capitalism”). We all seem to be "Monday morning quarterbacks" about 9-11. We don't know how a Democratic President would have responded, but surely it was a most trying situation for ANY AMERICAN to face (the worst loss of life in that type of attack in American history and the first on our shores). I guess, unlike many who read this, I will read his book to understand his, GW's, response. It is easy to sit back and criticize someone else, but what would any of US have done? So, while he gave some credit to the Republican congress, he minimized it to say the least.while he gave some credit to the Republican congress, he minimized it to say the least.
Brother Bill does what EVERY politician does which is to take complete credit for the good things they were involved with. Hypocrtich... I mean, Gingrich takes full credit for it too. No doubt it was shaped by both the executive and the legislative forcing compromises. Which can be the best governance there is unless one of the two branches is completely unwilling to work with the other.
That's exactly WHY the American people don't need to remain, for a large part, in ignorance and DEMAND that "politicians" change and become representatives with integrity and truth. It is our responsibility to enforce that as VOTERS and take active parts in writing and corresponding with our representatives in local, state and federal arenas.
I would be surprised if he's ever delivered a better speech. I think circumstances have placed him in a very favorable light, which may mean he is in his "prime".