True a golden opportunity missed and down "right" shameful. However, the Clinton surplus to me is a myth perpetuated by the Clintonistas and the media. If there was such a surplus, why did the federal debt continue to rise every year?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2005/sheets/hist07z1.xls

That is a link to an OMB web site Excel spreadsheet and is virus-free to go ahead and open. Mind you, I am no accountant but I do not see any reduction in the Federal debt in ANY year regardless of Prez. The only difference is the different rate of GROWTH in the debt.

>All true, but it was the only president of the last 4 to not only balance the budget, but run a surplus. Why can't we get the Republicans to show some fiscal discipline?
>
>>No, the events and lack of intelligence that lead up to 9/11 bombings, not accepting the extradition Osama bin Laden when offered by the Saudies in the late 90s, etc. He also corrupted the FBI by rifling through files of about 500 of his political foes.