Wow

by tristero

I read the transcript but nothing prepared me for the passion and intelligence shown by President Clinton as he makes mincemeat of Chris Wallace. It really must be seen.

More importantly, it must be carefully studied by the leadership of the Democratic Party. This is exactly how to respond to the right wing’s attempt to load the questions and manipulate the debate to their advantage. Notice how Clinton responds immediately to the rhetorical framing* of the question by challenging its honesty. Notice how he reinforces that assertion of opinion – the question is loaded, biased and cheap – by literally overwhelming Wallace with clear, detailed, assertions of fact. Wallace expected evasion and bluster. But he clearly had no idea who he was dealing with.

Within the space of a few minutes, Wallace realized he was in way over his head – that Clinton, this figure he’s held in contempt, knew far more about the subject of his responsibilities, his successes, and his failures than Wallace ever would – and that the trap Wallace had tried to spring on Clinton had totally backfired. He seemed to be all but begging Clinton to let him off the hook. But Clinton, both furious and capable of channeling that fury, toyed with him longer. By the end of the segment, Wallace looked drained, grinning inanely, and Clinton appeared as if he was just getting started.

Many honest folks, as opposed to rightwingers, had serious problems with the Clinton presidency – NAFTA, welfare “reform,” don’t ask don’t tell – and I’m not sure they’re wrong. But warts and all – damn, that was a helluva president and is a helluva human being. There are some great potential presidents out there – Gore, Clark, Kerry, add or subtract your own names – but it is very, very unlikely this country will see anyone as brilliant as Clinton – both intellectually and emotionally brilliant – in my lifetime.

Watch the video. The only thing I can compare it to is Coltrane live at the Half Note or the Ives Concord Sonata. A simply amazing treat for which we have the hapless Chris Wallace to thank almost as much as Clinton. Chris Wallace is surely no Elvin Jones. He’s more like an insipid melody like “My Favorite Things” or “Inchworm” which a genius can turn inside out, develop and reveal a reality that the melody itself could hardly imagine it held.

*Simply because fans of Lakoff have made the words “frame” and “framing” trendy, slathering them on arguments where they don’t belong, is no reason to avoid using it in the proper context.