THE POLITICS OF PERCEPTIONS
This piece was written in 1993.
He may have garnered only 43% of the votes, nevertheless, the expectations for President Clinton were high last November. He promised everyone everything: "It's the economy-jobs-environment-homosexuals-healthcare-deficit-crime-education-abortion-blacks-women-AIDS-drugs-Haitians-reform-infrastructure-ect. stupid!"
His litany of promises are now legendary. Yet even as the faint clinkings of breaking promises could be heard within minutes after the election, most people were still in a generous mood. Give the guy a chance already!
Sometime around "nannygate" -- remember Zoe Baird? -- Bill's free fall began. Or did he first blunder with his gays-in-the-military issue? It seems as though the president who wanted to please everyone was ticking them off instead, and President Clinton, who positively revels in the reach out and touch y'all technology, was suddenly being phone-blitzed by an angry public.
As though caught in a pinball machine, Clinton frenetically careened from one disaster to another -- gays, Zoe Baird, Haitians, Kimba Wood, Waco, Hollywood, Janet Reno, Bosnia, jogging track, abortion, haircuts, taxes, taxes, taxes -- while ringing up negative ratings along the way. It was the honeymoon that wasn't.
The once-generous public became disillusioned and hostile, which was translated into Clinton's record-setting low approval ratings. They grew tired of his lies, his blunders, his arrogance, and his lack of leadership. With his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions, you had to wonder what we didn't know, and it wasn't long before the dreaded "C" word had once again reared its ugly head: CHARACTER.
Clinton, on the other hand, believed his low approvals were merely a problem of poor public relations. After all, within the beltway perception is reality; hence, the politics of perception. So, enter Mr. David Gergen on day 129 of Bill's floundering administration, and back to the bench with George Stephanopoulos.
David Gergen, the official presidential polisher, was brought in as Bill's imagemeister. Rather like bringing in Martin Scorsese to coach Madonna on how to convincingly play the part of Mother Teresa. Under Gergen's paternal directive, Clinton held an impromptu press conference so he could make nice with ABC's Britt Hume after his temper tantrum the day before.
Maybe it's the redundant recitation of Clinton's lies, or maybe it is Gergen. Whatever the reason, the first-generous then-hostile public is beginning to respond. Listen to the call-in shows on radio and t.v. and you'll hear the occasional "stop picking on the president" plea. Did the public's expectations for President Clinton sink so low that something as puny as a kiss-and-make-up press conference suddenly looks good?
Gergen or no Gergen, the law of averages alone would have favored Clinton. Sooner or later, for whatever reason, his approval ratings would have eventually risen. However, with Gergen at the helm Clinton's approvals may not dip as low again.
As the White House begins celebrating the return of the Comeback Kid, remember those first 128 days of the Clinton administration. We were afforded a rare opportunity to view the emperor without his clothes, the real Bill Clinton in action. Gergen may be able to fashion Clinton a new suit, but will Clinton be able to fill it?
© 2005 Kitty Myers; All Rights Reserved
He may have garnered only 43% of the votes, nevertheless, the expectations for President Clinton were high last November. He promised everyone everything: "It's the economy-jobs-environment-homosexuals-healthcare-deficit-crime-education-abortion-blacks-women-AIDS-drugs-Haitians-reform-infrastructure-ect. stupid!"
His litany of promises are now legendary. Yet even as the faint clinkings of breaking promises could be heard within minutes after the election, most people were still in a generous mood. Give the guy a chance already!
Sometime around "nannygate" -- remember Zoe Baird? -- Bill's free fall began. Or did he first blunder with his gays-in-the-military issue? It seems as though the president who wanted to please everyone was ticking them off instead, and President Clinton, who positively revels in the reach out and touch y'all technology, was suddenly being phone-blitzed by an angry public.
As though caught in a pinball machine, Clinton frenetically careened from one disaster to another -- gays, Zoe Baird, Haitians, Kimba Wood, Waco, Hollywood, Janet Reno, Bosnia, jogging track, abortion, haircuts, taxes, taxes, taxes -- while ringing up negative ratings along the way. It was the honeymoon that wasn't.
The once-generous public became disillusioned and hostile, which was translated into Clinton's record-setting low approval ratings. They grew tired of his lies, his blunders, his arrogance, and his lack of leadership. With his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions, you had to wonder what we didn't know, and it wasn't long before the dreaded "C" word had once again reared its ugly head: CHARACTER.
Clinton, on the other hand, believed his low approvals were merely a problem of poor public relations. After all, within the beltway perception is reality; hence, the politics of perception. So, enter Mr. David Gergen on day 129 of Bill's floundering administration, and back to the bench with George Stephanopoulos.
David Gergen, the official presidential polisher, was brought in as Bill's imagemeister. Rather like bringing in Martin Scorsese to coach Madonna on how to convincingly play the part of Mother Teresa. Under Gergen's paternal directive, Clinton held an impromptu press conference so he could make nice with ABC's Britt Hume after his temper tantrum the day before.
Maybe it's the redundant recitation of Clinton's lies, or maybe it is Gergen. Whatever the reason, the first-generous then-hostile public is beginning to respond. Listen to the call-in shows on radio and t.v. and you'll hear the occasional "stop picking on the president" plea. Did the public's expectations for President Clinton sink so low that something as puny as a kiss-and-make-up press conference suddenly looks good?
Gergen or no Gergen, the law of averages alone would have favored Clinton. Sooner or later, for whatever reason, his approval ratings would have eventually risen. However, with Gergen at the helm Clinton's approvals may not dip as low again.
As the White House begins celebrating the return of the Comeback Kid, remember those first 128 days of the Clinton administration. We were afforded a rare opportunity to view the emperor without his clothes, the real Bill Clinton in action. Gergen may be able to fashion Clinton a new suit, but will Clinton be able to fill it?
© 2005 Kitty Myers; All Rights Reserved
posted by Kitty at 2/15/2005 12:05:00 PM
<< Home