From: exudtn@exu.ericsson.se (Derek Nelson,)
Newsgroups: alt.politics.clinton
Subject: Re: VOTE, BABY, VOTE!
Date: 10 Nov 92 21:06:19 GMT
Reply-To: exudtn@exu.ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Inc.
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In article 5518@gold.gvg.tek.com, mikea@zorba.gvg.tek.com (Michael P. Anderson) writes:
[ stuff deleted ]

>>*even* if every Anderson vote had gone for Carter, it would have
>>been a Reagan victory. Here, of course, a Bush+Perot vote would have
>>swamped Clinton.  The last comparable race was 1912.
>
>All right all you conservative whiners, this way to the gulag. No
>complaining now, now it's OUR turn. What did you say? "Life isn't
>fair," is that what I'm hearing?..Oh dear, now I'm afraid you're 
>going to have to be placed in isolation..That's right, the cell
>where we have Michael Kinsley piped in nonstop. Happy listening!
>

Uhh.  Errrrr.  Excuse me, I am a conservative, and I don't believe that we are 
whining.  Just pointing out that Clinton has less than landslide support for his 
Presidency.  (despite the electoral college count)  Despite the lack of majority
he will be my president come Jan. 20, 1993.  Any president deserves my respect 
for his office and my hope for a better future for this country. He will receive both.

I have heard it said in this news group that conservatives can leave the country 
now as we are no longer needed  as part of the citizenry of the United States or 
that its OUR turn (whoever our is) to run the country. To those people
who believe that, I say if Clinton does not build consensus for his positions he 
will go down the tubes mighty quick.  What's that?  You don't believe me?   Do 
you think that just because the Dems. control the Congress and the White House 
all will be rosey?  The conservative Republicans are already planning ways to 
throw monkey wrenches into the works to slow things down and cause division if 
they perceive that their interests are not being given consideration.  After 12 years 
in power they will still control positions in government. Some in those positions 
may have the ability (and inclination) to delay implementation of Clinton's proposals.  
What's that? Unfair you say?  DAMN right and what's worse is that it is bad for the 
country because of the resentment and division inherently bred by such action and 
attitudes. 

The point is this. All this resentment and division because consensus was not built.  You  
can't  run rough shod over your opponents. No one wins that war (battle - yes, war - no).  
Reagan and Bush ran rough shod over the opposition and look at the resentment 
it has bred.  Don't make the same mistake.

Clinton must build consensus for two reasons IMHO.  
1) He did not win a majority of the popular vote. 
2) The only way we are going to get out of the mess we're in now is
     if everybody pulls together. (ex. Carter couldn't  build a consensus to save 
     his life and look at how successful his term was.*) 

*( I think he was one of the brightest, most upright presidents we've ever
    had. I greatly respect his work with habitat for humanity and his fight
    for human rights ).  

The mood of the country is crucial to understand and I believe that Clinton
understands that mood.  People want action now.  They want to see results fast.
The problem, IMHO, is that Clinton understands that he must build a consensus
so that his ideas, plans and programs have an actual chance for success.   The 
problem with  consensus building is that it takes time and patience.  Time is 
not one of the things that Clinton has on his side.  

I look for him to start building a concesus before he even gets to office.  I hope
he does, because I will support ANY plan in which I feel that conservative 
views are fairly considered, acknowledged and reflected in some way.  I want
what is good for the country and I am willing to swallow some conservative
values if I see a real benefit to the country.

Please, people, let's pull together, not pull each other apart.

Derek Nelson