Of presidents and the media

Published 9/17/98

It has been a while since our commander in chief left his mark on the Oval Office. Some observations:

Right now, pundits on every level of the ideological scale are weighing in on the scandal involving Bill Clinton and what's-her-name. "He can't resign because the American people wouldn't be able to handle such a traumatic event," and, "Why should he resign? Nobody cares" have been some of the dribble-drabble I've consumed recently in the news media. However, even with an overabundance of around-the-clock cable news channels, one area of this scandal has been drastically overlooked.

Slogans.

That's right. Slogans. If Clinton would have had a catchy phrase or rhyme during his 1992 or 1996 campaigns, the media would have had more of a field day with that than what they could have with an ugly beret or a gaudy tie.

"It's the economy, stupid" has no real sexual connotation to it and "Vote for me; I'm not Bob Dole" doesn't remind me of hanky-panky either. If he would have adopted a slogan such as "I like Ike" or "LBJ: All the Way," he'd regret it now.

If today's media would have been transplanted 150 years ago, could you imagine the headlines had former president William Henry Harrison done acts reminiscent of our current leader? Or worse yet, if Harrison and his vice president, John Tyler, would have had an escapade with a campaign aide or intern? I could see the New York Post headline:

"Tippecanoe and Tyler too."

While I'm on the subject, be thankful the Non-Intercourse Act was passed by James Madison and not Bill Clinton. (The act dealt with economic sanctions and not a stained dress.)

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