Nathan at The Argus posted regarding Bill Clinton's address to the US-Islamic World Forum in Qatar. I finally had a chance to watch the video of the address.

I'd agree with most of the positive attention the speech got. This was a refreshing change from the "Leftist American Abroad" fare we've been subjected to of late. No Jimmy Carter or Michael Moore is Clinton. Here is an ex-President who understands he's an advocate for America - and not just Bill Clinton's America, but George Bush's America, too. Only once during the speech did he take a bit of a partisan swipe (concerning the deficit), and he never named the administration or the President, he merely decried the deficit. Of course I'd rather he didn't do it, but if you gotta criticize, that's the way it should be done. Not personal - policy, and keep it down in front of the neighbors.

I got a little antsy watching him talking about the Geneva Accord, but maybe that's my own negative feelings coloring my perceptions. I thought I saw the old "Slick Willie" fighting to come out. He got that little head-shake, and he flapped his arms and got a little excited. His praise for Rabbo and the Accord sounded absolutely patronizing and insincere to me even as he tried to be praising. Perhaps that speaks well for him after all.

When he starts talking about America's many errors and mistakes, he seems to me like a swallow dipping and diving over deep waters, but just managing to keep from going under. He was clearly enough of an advocate for America to be critical without drowing in it. Again, he's more critical than I might have liked, but that's probably what was necessary given the audience, and it also allows him to get across a message of responsibility for the Arab world as well. Yes, yes, more focus on that might have been good as well, but you can only expect so much given the circumstance.

It's a shame. Clinton's brain and communication skill with Bush's moral core might make one decent President if his policies are right. Where have the great leaders gone?