Final Outside Reading Post

In modern America there are only two major parties that rule the political world: Democrats and Republicans. There are only two sides to an issue, the Liberal side, or Conservative side. At times, one needs to cross over the partisan line so as not to appear totally unbipartisan (forgive my Bush like terminology there). During the budget formation of 1995, Clinton could either choose to collaborate with the Republicans, or cost them politically with his own plan. Mr. Stephanopoulos expresses the situation as, "The former chairman of the House Budget Committee knew how tough it would be to produce a balanced budget that protected our priorities, and he understood the pace of the negotiating process. We accepted that Clinton would eventually have to compromise with the Republicans, but now was too early. They were just starting to pay a political price for their unpopular cuts; why let them off the hook?" (343). The president could either choose to tighten the noose around the republicans necks, or let them go free and appear politically weak. Their were benefits to both situations, a fine line needed to be crossed or left alone. A lone central question remained, with only two possible choices. Clintons choices were, "The 1996 presidential campaign would turn on the budget showdown of 1995. But how? Would voters, as Morris believed, reward Clinton for cooperating with the Republicans and signing a version of their balanced budget and tax cuts into law? Or would they, as I believed, reward the president for vetoing the Republican budget and protecting core government programs against crippling cuts?" (344). This decision, or any major decision made in political office for that matter, would shape the reelection and possibly even future ones because of the magnitude of the choice. Countless hours were spent making that one decision, showing the gargantuan ripple effect one choice can have in the world of politics.