It is hard to believe, but there was a President Clinton at one time that actually believed in policy over politics.
And this reasonableness even extended to the gas tax.
Come back with me, over the fold, and let's revisit the days of Bill Clinton's 1996 reelection campaign..............
And Bob Dole was proposing to repeal the 4.3 cents gas tax that had passed a tied Senate vote in 2003 only Vice President Al Gore's tiebreaking vote.
This tax increase (the last time the gas tax was raised) led to a balanced budget, and many years of fiscal responsiblity and solid growth under Democratic leadership.
The "money" quote comes through Leon E. Panetta, the White House chief of staff under Clinton at the time. Panetta issued a statement saying the President shared Mr. Dole's concern about rising gas taxes, but added,
"In an election year, it is hard to separate speeches from serious proposals."
Well Bill, if it is true that a gas tax repeal was not serious in the heat of the 1996 campaign, don't you think maybe the same standard should apply to your wife in 2008?