Bill Clinton: “There is, and I would say to her, I don't mind the daily criticism. What I don't like and don't agree with is the sort…”

“There is, and I would say to her, I don't mind the daily criticism. What I don't like and don't agree with is the sort of atmosphere of negativism and cynicism. That is, I should be criticized by people who disagree with me; we should have an honest debate. That's really the way you make progress in this country. But we have gotten to be entirely too negative and cynical and divisive, and that's one of our country's big problems. We need to get out of being quite so partisan and quite so personal and quite so interested in the destruction of our opponents. This country, with all of its problems, no other country would trade places with us as we get ready to go into this new century, because our productivity, the strength of our people, the wealth of our resources, the diversity of our population in a global economy--if we can just figure out a way to restore middle class dreams and middle class values and pull this country together, there's no stopping the United States. So I say to the lady, it bothers me not to be criticized, but it bothers me that there is an atmosphere that is more negative than positive. America should be more positive than negative. 1996 Presidential Election Mr. King. A couple of political things. Do you think Senator Dole will be your opponent? The Vice President. I don't know. I don't know. Mr. King. Do you think so? The Vice President. It looks that way now, but it's impossible to tell. It's so far off.”