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 ell, to be honest,
this column was going to be all about Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
This weekend
marks
her first month in office and it seemed like a good time to catch
up on the doings of New York's freshman senator. Especially in light
of the remarkable pace that President Bush has set in less than two
weeks. Sounds like an interesting topic, no?
Well, since you ask, the answer actually is, "no." Hillary Clinton
has been anything but interesting. In the two weeks since Bush became
president, all we've heard from the new senator is that: Predictably,
she knew "Nothing!!" (best Sgt. Schulz voice here) about her husband's
questionable pardons of financier Marc Rich and others. Predictably,
she claimed there was nothing wrong with the nearly $200,000 in
gifts she and Bill accepted from various celebrity friends before
Senate ethics rules kicked in. And predictably, she voted against
John Ashcroft yesterday. That's been about it. In years past, Mrs.
Clinton's venality and deception, while predictable, was balanced
by the entertainment value that her hubby, the president provided.
Now, even that's gone. It's even difficult to become enraged anymore.
Turning Elvis Costello's line on its head, I used to be disgusted,
then I tried to be amused. Now, I'm just bored.
Thus, Hillary Rodham Clinton is not worth an entire column.
Instead, let's consider the actions of two real leaders and how
they demonstrated that this week. One's a Democrat, one's a Republican.
One's a current Southern governor, the other one's a former Southern
governor. One happens to be the state of Georgia's chief executive,
the other happens to be the sitting president of the United States.
Roy Barnes may now just be the wiliest Democrat governor around.
He's managed to boss around the teacher's union in the Peach State,
but he gets props this week not from a legislative or policy triumph,
but from navigating an awkward, but reasonable compromise on the
Confederate battle symbol design on Georgia's state flag. A situation
that was potentially just as fraught with political danger as the
flying of the Confederate flag over South Carolina, seems to have
been resolved with barely the agony that the neighboring state underwent.
Georgia's flag incorporated the symbol into its design. The matter
was a lot more complex. Working with both black Democrats and white
Republicans — and with the support of the man who helped design
the Confederate-inspired banner in the late 1950s, Barnes helped
produce an all-encompassing design. It included miniature versions
of several previous flags — including the "offensive" one,
as well as Old Glory itself. Over the last two weeks, both chambers
of the Georgia legislature approved the new design.
Considering the raw emotions unleashed by anything having to do
with the Confederacy, it's nothing short of amazing that the new
flag design passed. However, the design represents a true compromise;
not everyone will be pleased: Confederate partisans have to give
up a flag design where
| “It’s
nothing short of amazing that the new flag design passed.” |
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the
symbol makes up two-thirds of the entire flag, in favor of one where
it is a just a small part of the entire flag. Activist blacks have
to live with a state flag that incorporates a bit of the Confederate
symbol, small as it might be. Aesthetically, one might criticize the
new flag, but politically, Barnes should receive kudos from all around.
Meanwhile, President Bush sat down with the Congressional Black
Caucus. This would be the same group which had several members walk
out during the January 6 ratification of the presidential election.
Three Florida members (and California's obstreperous Maxine Waters)
still chose to boycott Wednesday's meeting. But, just as he has
on the policy side by including Democrats in announcements on education
and faith-based initiatives, Bush's charm offensive has been relentless.
The CBC may still question the president's "legitimacy," but it
will be hard for them to complain that they have been "shut out"
of the new administration. Considering how little support he got
from the black community, Bush is clearly going above and beyond
the call in arranging a listening session with the most partisan
sect of the Democratic Party.
Bush surprisingly brought up the issue of AIDS in Africa. Roger
Clegg has written that this seemed like a bit of needless pandering,
however it is a legitimate issue that the black community is concerned
about. Bush was rather savvy to raise it. However, he should go
one better. Bush might also note the recent study that showed AIDS
is spreading in this country most aggressively among black men.
In fact, one of Jesse Jackson's less publicized ventures has been
trying to educate the black community about the disease — and
the importance of testing. Funny, just a few years ago, liberals
were up in arms over the concept of mass testing for HIV. Apparently,
the civil libertarians haven't been wandering through inner-city
neighborhoods of late. Initiating a two-pronged AIDS effort, domestically
— emphasis on education — and abroad, might not be a bad
idea. It could translate a symbolic meeting into substantial policy.
But even in the context of symbolism, Bush's willingness to sit
down and listen to even his most steadfast opponents must be applauded.
The biggest surprise from this new administration is just how interesting
the Bush style truly is.
As the one still-elected Clinton remains stuck in a banal limbo,
real leaders move forward.
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