As much as we think we know what each candidate stands for and would do under unforeseen events (Katrina, 9/11, Superstorm Sandy), presidential historians believe the times shape the presidency.
One good example: Clinton was a master of many arts, but he was the prime mover of the eventual economic disaster by his deregulation of the Glass-Steagall act: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass%E2%80%93Steagall_Act .. thus opening the doors to the financial farces like letting banks gamble with your money and the weird packaging of debt. And Lyndon B. Johnson of all things .. hero for civil rights and horror of Vietnam. Yes, I think I'd hate another idiot president (but nobody could be worse than Bush .. not even Mitt the Twit) but I really don't believe you can predict the success and failure of presidents. There are just too many exogenous forces. So I guess I'd enjoy being entertained by a good Libertarian for example. I won't be upset if Mitt wins, just ready for insane rhetoric and bumbling behavior. Maybe like Silvio Berlusconi. But who knows, that's why we play the game. -- Owen
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