Even in the midst of a media blitz aimed as much at resuscitating his reputation as selling books, Bill Clinton is viewed in an unfavorable light by a majority of Americans. An Associated Press poll shows that Americans split on whether President George W. Bush or his immediate predecessor would be viewed more favorably by history. No such ambiguity marked the American public's reaction to the juxtaposition of Reagan and Clinton. By a seven to three margin, Americans believe Reagan the better president.

Such an outcome may be surprising to liberals living in their own dreamworlds, but to few others.

Clinton failed to get his major policy item--national health care--approved by a Democratic Congress. Reagan's domestic agenda sought a drastic reduction in tax rates. Despite Tip O'Neil controlling the House of Representatives, Reagan succeeded in radically slashing taxes. Clinton employed lofty rhetoric to address minor issues--gun locks, school uniforms, gays in the military. Reagan tackled huge problems and solved them--an out-of-control tax code, the Evil Empire, and America's standing in the world. Reagan revered the presidency so greatly that he reportedly never removed his jacket while in the Oval Office. Clinton was so base that he--well, we all know what he did in the Oval Office.

The American public views Ronald Reagan more favorably than an impeached president who shrank from the challenges of his times. That's news?