The Bush-Clinton Parallel May 8
History sometimes cycles through repeating patterns that aren’t easily noticeable. Political history - obfuscated as it is by partisan squabbling and self-interest - is a particularly difficult place to notice them. Sure, there are plenty of polls, records galore, and election results to ponder, but 
ideological differences tend to make us think of politicians in opposing parties as completely different from one another.
As hard as it is to see, and as appalled as both would be to hear it, George Bush and Hillary Clinton are two of those politicians who are so alike they’re almost the same. From their membership in privileged political dynasties to their ability to effortlessly divide constituencies, they become more and more alike as time goes on. Both have squandered political capital like shore-leave sailors spending money on cheap hookers and booze. Both have an affinity for scorched earth policies and little tolerance for those mere mortals who question them. Compromise and easy forthrightness are anathema to them and the day either of them admits a mistake is the day the planet will reverse direction.
But their quixotic pursuit of unattainable goals, regardless of the cost to others, is perhaps their single most noticeable parallel.
George chases a phantom peace in Iraq, so convinced that only he can see the one true victory that he’s willing to take his party, the country, and the rest of the world down with him. He’ll brook no compromise regardless of any pesky facts that get in the way and insists that one day historians will see him as a cowboy prophet whose memory is to be revered and genuflected to. He’s a man accustomed to an easy life that’s given him a sense of entitlement that produces a hubris-filled cloud so big it covers the whole of the western hemisphere.
On many issues - except perhaps staying in Iraq - the two of them look like polar opposites. But look closer. See how Hillary chases the nomination even while the country is steadily turning against her? Doesn’t that smack of the Bushonian belief that anything is fair as long as she gets what she wants? What about her willingness to fling poop when the odds stack against her? Or what about her belief that she’s winning even as she loses? Just as George sees his prize right around the next corner, Hillary predicts that each new primary will put her over the top so she’ll be able to attend her own coronation in 2009. If the two of them live in bubbles, they are bubbles that have conjoined.
It’s time for one of them to break out of the George Bush mold. Since George is, well, George, it looks like Hillary is the one to make the move. Of course, she has the right to conduct her campaign any way she chooses, no matter how destructive the rest of us believe it is. However, it would be nice if she considered the needs of the country instead of the needs of Hillary for once. She can continue to pitch money (much of it her own) down a rat hole and continue to anger everyone in sight, but the result will be much the same as it’s been for Bush - she’ll become a pariah responsible to ruining her party and possibly creating an opening where even a doofus like McCain can win. She’ll have so thoroughly pissed on every person who might otherwise have been her friend that the terrible thunder of karma will rain down on her in apocalyptic fashion. If I was her, karma is the thing I’d fear most.
After all, look what it’s done to George.
The Poobah is a featured contributor at Bring It On!
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daveawayfromhome May 8
I didnt think of that, but you’re right. Maybe Hillary ought to switch parties. I keep hearing her say stuff like, “I’d have won by now if we counted votes the way the Republicans do”, apparently missing the point that Democrats aren’t supposed to be like the Republicans!.
daveawayfromhome’s last blog post..quick note
Dusty May 10
From their membership in privileged political dynasties to their ability to effortlessly divide constituencies, they become more and more alike as time goes on.–dude..that is IT in a nutshell.
Because it’s all about power..and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Dusty’s last blog post..New Documentary from Brave New Films and The Nation.
distributorcap May 11
op
that was great — it is amazing how alike their “personalities” are
i never thought it that what hillary is doing with the nomination process is exactly what george is doing in iraq
excellent post and analogy