Bill Clinton, In Retrospect

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I think the same way! Great thread, Mr. D.!

I voted against him twice.

Looking back yeah the economy was good to great but I was not partaking in those riches

The biggest lasting impact culturally was the cult of celebrity really took off during his era. He was not the first president to hobnob with the stars but he really seemed to worship them. He was not the first bright president but during his adminisration bragging about bieng a "policy wonk" for policy wonks sake seemed to be in.

Who did you vote for?

Bush, Dole

What about 1988 and 2000?

Bush, Bush. in 2004 I wrote in former Senator Sam Nunn

why not Gore though.

Have you ever voted democrat.

For most of my life I was an independent that leaned Republican especially when the issues of the day were crime, affirmative action, and foreign policy during the cold war. As the Republicans became more and more social, religious based "party of no" I stopped leaning towards them
But that did not change my view of the Dems I have viewed the Dems first as naively liberal, then as elitists that looked down upon the working and middle class people that built America into what it was at its height.

In 1988 I viewed the Sr. Bush as a classy somewhat more moderate version of Reagan. In 2000 Bush was the lesser of two evils, I did not want a third semi Clinton term. 9/11 has changed my view of the Bush's family with their close relationship with Bin Ladin family, brother and cousins of Bush Jr working with a company that did security consulting work for the World Trade Center and United Airlines and Jr. Bush's inept presidency.

I have split tickets and wrote in candidates.
In 2016 I voted for Hillary as the lesser of two nightmares for pure never Trump reasons. To put it mildly, I was very tempted to vote a third party or write in a candidate but I felt "never Trump" was the most important thing and I felt that unfortunately Hillary was really the only choice for "never Trump". America has survived utterly corrupt leaders like Hillary before. You may wonder why I would vote for the ultimate elitist over the guy leading a long long overdue anti elitist revolt. I did not think Trump had personality/character I wanted in a person controlling nukes and war and peace. Nothing during the transition or his presidency has made me feel easier. Survival of my nieces and nephews, you guys etc outranks every other issue.

For me, the consensual aspect makes a big difference. I voted for Bill and would do it again, as he was pretty good at getting things done.

I didn't vote for Trump, as I see him as too destabilizing, in both world affairs and the economy. Our economy has changed a great deal in that a lot of non citizens run really important tech companies in the USA. And, not surprisingly, so are a lot of people who actually do really important work. On the other hand, my stock portfolio has been doing great. I'm at that tipping point in which retirement is a reasonable option. And I'm getting good practice in politely turning down cold calls if I want I new job. So, I can't say that it is bad for ALL people on the spectrum. You just need a lot of good investments and a bunch of highly desired job skills.

Good point sometimes you got to vote for the lesser of two evils. Its the only way to avoid the worst case scenario and I wish more people realized this rather than vote for Third parties.

Were the Democrats perceived as elitist back in the 1980s?

I would have voted Democrat for just about all years except 1996 where I might have voted for Bob Dole or Bill Clinton very reluctantly. I like Bob Dole allot but I might still have voted for Clinton because of what Dole and Gingrich might do for the country should they lead it.