Part 1: “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow”
Bill Clinton’s campaigns and presidency were centered on the need to have America work as a collective front with the citizenry interested in the betterment of their lives. Nothing could have captured this theme better that the Fleetwood Mac song. Ideally, it should be appreciated that Bill was persuaded by the hope that the song inspires in its listeners. Clinton’s main aim was to impart on the American electorate the possibility of a better tomorrow and the fact that the better tomorrow was going to be the consequence of the collective action by the people. Ideally, this is what informed his choice of the song as his campaign theme song.
The question as to whether the choice was good depends on one’s perspective of the issues. In my opinion, I believe the choice was good. My reasoning is a product of a number of factors. Foremost, one needs to consider the circumstances prevailing then. As Clinton observes, America was in a state where everyone believed in individual pursuits. This had not necessarily yielded fruits and the people were unhappy with the state of affairs. There was, therefore, need for anyone seeking the presidency to offer a solution that at least had offered hope to the lives of the citizenry. In addition, it is noteworthy that the song emphasized on the personal contributions of the citizenry to the state of affairs. It clearly indicated that worrying about the past was unnecessary. However, it was necessary that one worries about the future and that some positive contribution towards the same would avail encouraging results in the long run.
The message of the song was, therefore, the place of hope. It reminded the citizenry that all could be changed only if they dared hope. It was critical that the people have some hope for the system. It was essential that the dissatisfied in the nation not lose their desire for a better future. Indeed, the song was critical in disabusing the citizenry from the relative state of hopelessness. It emphasized that worrying over the past was unnecessary. On the contrary it was critical to worry about the future.
If I was running for office, the theme song I would use would be the Hall of Fame song by the Script featuring William. This is because the song has the effect of uniting persons for the common good. In the current American political context, people have assumed excessively partisan positions on critical issues affecting the citizenry. This partisan attitude to national affairs has occasioned government inability to deliver including the recent government shutdown. It is, therefore, necessary to marshal the citizenry towards a collectiveness that benefits the nation. The need for such rare unity is appreciated in many quarters and a theme song that does that would easily win over the electorate. The American citizenry is becoming acutely aware of the need for service to the nation rather service to self. In that context, a campaign approach that emphasizes on the common good of all the people would receive support across the national political base. In conclusion, it is my postulation that campaign songs need to be in sync with the current political affairs of the nation. As it stands, the unity of purpose that overrides the partisan nature of the political class would be most essential.
Part 2: Clinton’s life
The video brings into perspective the general life of Bill Clinton prior to his presidency. It highlights a number of aspects about his family background and career. Foremost, the humility of the Clinton’s is overwhelming. The video begins by drawing the audience’s attention to the fact that Clinton had no contact and relationship with his own biological father. This draws the audience’s emotion as Clinton is placed under the category of children who grow under foster parents. Secondly, the poverty and relatively humble background that made dreaming about the presidency an illusion comes out evidently in the description about his childhood. Interestingly, despite Clinton’s humble background, at a youthful age, he manages to pay a visit to then President Kennedy whom he identifies with. Clinton’s view on rights is brought out clearly in his conception of Kennedy and Martin Luther King Junior. That he mastered the “I have a dream” speech by Luther is a testament of his belief in a free America and indeed it is this belief that even draws his candidature to the presidency. He equally displays his ability to defend the people in his defense of his mother against the violent attacks by the foster father.
Later, the video presents the family life of Clinton as a father. It displays him as a committed father determined to bring up his family with love and care. This is appreciated especially in the context of his fatherless childhood. His love for his wife equally plays out right from the point in which they found each other, to their engagement and consequential marriage.
In my opinion, the video does not present any daring elements. However, the video perhaps foreshadows some issues that present themselves in his presidency. Of course the most screaming issue is the Clinton-Lewinsky saga that nearly brought his presidency to an end. In the video Clinton is presented as a man who loves and has commitment. He is brought out as being bold and honest with his feelings. He loves his wife and daughter. The Lewinsky scandal, therefore, presents a contrast to the depiction in the video. The scandal perhaps attests to the fact that the video should not be considered as the representation of the whole of Clinton’s personality.
However, Clinton’s commitment to uniting America and solving the economic crises is well foreshadowed. It has been noted that within two years of his presidency, Clinton had created millions of employment opportunities and cut taxes on the poor. This is perhaps foreshadowed by his humble origins clearly depicted in the video and his own confession that Americans needed to start worrying about each other. This democratic ideal essentially informs most of the policies and statutes formulated and implemented during his presidency. Lastly, it needs to be appreciated that Bill Clinton passed out as one of the most charismatic presidents America ever heard. The same charisma is displayed in the video and it is this element that connects him with the electorate including his own family. In conclusion, this paper postulates that Clinton’s personality was critical in his ultimate success before and during the subsistence of his presidency. It is this that engendered him to the electorate and provided the citizenry’s belief in him.
Works Cited
Don't stop thinking about tommorrow . Perf. Fleetwood Mac. 2012. Film. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SybgWaQy7_c>.
US Democrats - Bill Clinton 1992 . 2012. Film. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l_h9ltTZD0, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPrfYLBoZdo>.
