lakritze,

I’ll go so far as to agree that a loud minority does exercise influence disproportionate to the size of their numbers. The Civil Rights legislation comes to mind, as do the laws protecting the environment. Routinely though, little legislation becomes law that is not acceptable to the voters. That is what democracy attempts to achieve, wouldn’t you say?

While I may be wrong, I doubt that the president represents a significant moral influence to the citizens. The best candidate for such a notion would be President Carter, no? But outside of that (unusual) example, would you suggest holding up the infidelities of JFK as a good example for children? Perhaps one would prefer President Clinton as an exemplar of virtue? President Nixon wouldn’t do. While President Ford was a straight arrow, he was tainted by his predecessor. I’m sure you have problems with President Regan. No, on balance, that presidential bully pulpit is probably most effective in influencing politics, not ethics (except possibly in a negative way).

In re the party in power supporting groups that are ideologically similar, I have a hard time identifying one that does not. Can you provide examples to the contrary – where, for example, President Johnson (who brought much Civil Rights legislation to fruition) nominated a racist for high office? Perhaps a list of the Human Rights offenders that Jimmy Carter nominated? If you wish, I’d be happy to research and then list the organizations which received President Clinton’s support. So no, on balance, I’d guess that all presidents tend to favor like minded organizations.

Actually, as a President who has overseen a huge increase in the Federal bureaucracy (traditionally a Democratic prerogative), signed into legislation a farm bill which subsidizes farmers to the tune of $57 billion over the span of a few years (same comment), attempted to hide inefficient American workers behind illegal trade barriers (Down with Free Trade!), and just recently signed a bill prohibiting the outsourcing of Federal contracts (thus guaranteeing that these contracts may not be let to the lowest bidder), I’d say that President Bush is the best Democratic president to ever have been elected on the Republican ticket.

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Eudaimonia