Hamilton observes that Clinton "missed an opportunity to educate the American people about the tough choices that must be made preparing for the future." What specific challenges or decisions might Hamilton have been referring to, given Clinton's focus on a "new century" and a "land of new promise"?

From the book

ism about the future. The President said that the nation stands "on the edge of a bright new prospect in human affairs". He has hopeful visions of a "new century in a new millennium", and said we should "shape the hope of this day into the noblest chapter in our history". It is clear that he sees his presidency as an opportunity to guide America through the challenges of the next few years into a "land of new promise" in the next century. Moving into the "land of new promise" was highlighted several times, almost as his central, unifying theme for his second term. I have been impressed by how…

the country through the transition into the next century, all the time keeping the American dream of opportunity alive. He called for a new spirit for a new century, with Americans working together to build "a nation ever moving forward, toward realizing the full potential of all its citizens." He clearly believes America has a lot of assets for its leadership role for the rest of the world. He referred to America as the "indispensable nation", with the strongest economy on earth and building stronger families and thriving communities. The President's clear sense of optimism dominated the…

is that it should not attempt to solve people's problems for them nor should it leave them alone to fend for themselves. He wants a government that gives people the tools to solve their own problems and to make the most of their own lives. Like most Americans, he likes the idea of a government that is smaller, lives within its means, and tries to do more with less. I wonder whether the President is overly optimistic in believing that his first term largely settled the debate over the role of government. My sense is that this is the central issue of American politics and it is not going to go…

the country in its transition into the new century and the "land of new promise" was clear to all who heard his address. Perhaps some were looking for sweeping policy initiatives or bold new programs, but the President really has little choice at this point. There is a shortage of federal funds; the American people do not want new taxes; and the major problems of government in recent years have been to restrain spending on current programs. Some criticize the address for not grappling with the tough problems that face the nation, like campaign finance reform, bringing entitlement spending…

s. I think it is appropriate for the President to urge that more of us think about the common good and contribute to it. Role of Government Another theme was the role of government. I was struck by the sentence in his address that "we have resolved for our time a great debate over the role of government". Since the beginning of our republic, the great question of American democracy has been over the role of government in the country. The President updated former President Ronald Reagan's declaration sixteen years ago that "government is not the solution to our problem, government is the…