Synthesized answer
Clinton identifies "the ability to make a difference" as what he will miss most about the presidency, stemming from the work, job, contact with people and issues, and the opportunity to solve problems and open opportunities for others [1]. This personal motivation connects to his responsibilities in addressing millennium terrorism by highlighting the core function of the presidency as a platform for action and problem-solving. The effort to protect the American people from potential threats during the millennium celebrations is a direct manifestation of this "ability to make a difference" [2, 4].
The passages do not explicitly detail a contrast between his personal motivation and the practical responsibilities of addressing millennium terrorism. However, they show that his desire to "make a difference" is fulfilled through his engagement with critical issues like the threat of terrorism. He expresses concern but confidence in the efforts of law enforcement, asking the public to remain aware and report suspicious activity, thereby enlisting them in the solution [2, 4]. This engagement with a tangible threat demonstrates how his personal drive to impact the world is enacted through…
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
Term Mr. Rose. All right, let me--I look around this office, and I see a desk over there that President Kennedy sat at. And I remember the story he said about the Presidency, and one of the great things about the Presidency was he could walk to work. As you think about leaving this building, what will you miss the most? The President. I think what I'll miss the most is the work, the job, the contact with all kinds of people and all kinds of issues, the ability to make a difference, to solve problems, to open up opportunities for other people. There's almost no--not almost, I suppose there is…
rican people, they should go on about their business and celebrate the holidays as they would, but they should be aware. You know, this whole millennial idea draws out a lot of people who are maybe, by our standards, deranged, and other people maybe want to use it for their own political ends. So if people see anything suspicious, they should report it to the authorities as quickly as possible. But otherwise, I should say, they should go on about their business. We're working very, very hard on this. Mr. Rose. It worries you? The President. No, I'm concerned, but I think we have, I think, the…
-when you leave this office? What's the single most important thing for you to accomplish when you leave? The President. You mean, after I'm not President anymore? Mr. Rose. After you're not President. The President. I think the most important thing is for me to be a useful citizen of this country and of this world, because I've had opportunities here only my other living predecessors have had. And I think that for me to be able to continue the work I've done in racial and religious and ethnic reconciliation and trying to convince people that we can grow the global economy and still preserve…
← Interview with Charlie Rose of CBS' '60 Minutes II' ( 1999 ) by William Jefferson Clinton → Interview with Charlie Rose of CBS' '60 Minutes II' . Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 52 (Monday, January 3, 2000). Pages 2670-2677. Online from the Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov. Date of interview: December 22, 1999. 1559433 Interview with Charlie Rose of CBS' '60 Minutes II' 1999 William Jefferson Clinton Interview with Charlie Rose of CBS' '60 Minutes II' William Jefferson Clinton Charlie Rose Oval Office in The White House December 22, 1999 Interview With…
what's coming down the pike that gives you great pause? The President. Well, there are a lot of things that concern me. You know, we've done a lot of work--the other thing that, besides the chemical and biological weapons, trying to protect computer systems. Year 2000 Problems Mr. Rose. Speak to Y2K. Where are your concerns, and do you think that most of those---- The President. My concerns--well, they're much more traditional in Y2K. I think we've done a good job here. We've spent a lot of money--I say we, the American people, not just the Government, the private sector--we've spent a lot of…
More questions about this book
- Clinton advises Americans to "go on about their business" while simultaneously urging vigilance against terrorism. What are the underlying assumptions about public psychology and civic duty that inform this dual message, and how might it be perceived differently by various audiences?
- How does Clinton's choice of words, such as describing potential perpetrators as "deranged" or motivated by "political ends," aim to shape public perception of the threat, and what are the potential long-term consequences of such framing on national discourse?
- Beyond the direct answers, what implicit qualities or values does Clinton suggest are essential for effective leadership, particularly when navigating a public crisis and reflecting on one's legacy?
- If faced with a similar ambiguous, non-state-actor threat today, how might a contemporary president's communication strategy differ from Clinton's 1999 approach, considering changes in media landscape, technology, and public engagement with security issues?