Profiles in Courage — And Not
Guess which Hillary is.

Mr. George is an editorial page writer for the New York Post
February 2, 2001 3:25 p.m.

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 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.