Political tone harms nation, Bill Clinton says

Speech marks election’s anniversary

Former President Bill Clinton smiles as he arrives at a symposium in Georgetown University in Washington, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Former President Bill Clinton smiles as he arrives at a symposium in Georgetown University in Washington, Monday, Nov. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON -- Former President Bill Clinton warned Monday that incivility and invective have impaired Americans' ability to work together.

The Hope native and former Arkansas governor was speaking at a symposium marking the 25th anniversary of his successful White House bid.

"It's a crazy time. It's more polarized ... than when I was elected," he told students during a speech at his alma mater, Georgetown University.

The nation's 42nd president compared last year's election to the 1968 race, when former Alabama segregationist Gov. George Wallace "ran a right-wing populist campaign that did surprisingly well that presaged what we heard in the 2016 election."

The tone of the current political discourse is unhelpful, he said.

"I don't believe your ability to bad-mouth somebody else is evidence of authenticity," he said, drawing applause. "I think we should be listening to each other. I think it's OK to treat each other with respect. I think it's OK to hear the other side."

The nation, Clinton said, must come together. "We've got to have a united country. We've got to have a more perfect union, and 'us-versus-them' is a dead end in an interdependent world."

Clinton delivered his message in the same room where he had laid out his campaign vision 26 years before.

During a speech and a question-and-answer session that ran for roughly 90 minutes, he touched on the subject of failure.

"I can say to you, having lost as well as won over a long lifetime, losing is not the end of the world. ... The important thing is to get caught trying."

Addressing the packed hall, Clinton, a 1968 graduate, reminisced about his time at Georgetown, and he urged the students to pursue knowledge.

"I think you should get a degree in something you care about, that will develop your mind and activate your capacity to think and to stay hungry, to want to know," he said.

"There will come a time again, believe it or not, when knowledge will be valued," he added, drawing laughter and applause.

Clinton's speech was the culmination of a three-day event highlighting his 1992 presidential campaign and his two terms in office.

Sunday night, survivors of the "War Room" -- his Little Rock campaign headquarters -- gathered to discuss the keys to his victory.

The event included Arkansan Rodney Slater, who was candidate Clinton's deputy campaign manager and senior travel adviser.

Earlier Monday, there were three separate panels. The first discussed Clinton's "Vision of America" and included Clinton's top domestic policy gurus.

The second, titled "Vision of the World," featured former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo. The speakers touched on everything from the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Asian debt crisis, to NATO and the nuclear arsenals of India and Pakistan.

The third panel, "Vision of Leadership and Service," included Hope native Mack McLarty and two other former White House chiefs of staff: Erskine Bowles and John Podesta.

They highlighted Clinton's success in balancing the budget and forging compromises with Congress.

During breaks, White House alums from Arkansas greeted each other warmly. They'll have another opportunity to mingle later this month when events marking the anniversary are held in Little Rock.

McLarty said going to Georgetown was "special and meaningful. It kind of reminds you the years have passed."

Slater, who served as Clinton's transportation secretary, said the time flew quickly.

"I think we've all aged well. Fortunately, most of us who had hair still have it. It's a little grayer," he said.

Clinton's 1992 themes remain relevant, he said. "A lot of what the president campaigned on ... is important to the country today: Opportunity for all, responsibility from all and building a sense of community among all. Those were the principal tenets of the campaign."

Metro on 11/07/2017

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