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PBS American Experience, Season 26
Tonight on American Experience: The Presidents
[Narrator] "He rose through American politics at a pace not seen in a generation"
[Montage of young candidate shaking hands and chatting with Ohio voters, 1986]
"A force that completely reshaped the American political landscape, and rose to national prominence at a time of renewed prosperity"
[George Stephanopoulos] "He was offering hope to Americans who felt left behind after years of what they thought was indifference from the Government. The idea that you can be part of this emerging new economy, if we all make an investment in each other."
[Narrator] "Guiding Democrats out of the abyss after 16 years on the political sidelines."
[Senator Tom Daschle] "We needed someone like the President who moved our party into the 21st century and opened our tent up to new voters"
[Narrator] "But who detractors say gave away the soul of his party"
[Senator Paul Wellstone] Oh I have no hesitation saying he blew our moment-- he squandered the chance to do something great. It became about sustaining majorities instead of truly helping people, and in the end, he did neither.
[Narrator] "Who ultimately changed media and politics forever,"
[Chris Matthews] "I seriously doubt we'll ever have a candidate that skillful at connecting with voters again. His Presidency showed the power you can have by controlling the media narrative with the cold precision that he did."
[Senator Bill Frist] "He'd talk about unity, and bringing the country together, but then cut you off at the knees on ticky-tack phony issues. I've never seen someone manipulate the media like that."
[Senator Trent Lott] "I think we were caught a bit off guard by the way he approached politics. He was something to everyone-- when he was talking outside the auto plant in Ohio he could down a Bud with the workers, then turnaround 8 hours later in New York and amaze executives. We just never saw anyone who did this with such ease"
[DNC Acceptance Speech, August 1996] "We will build a modernized society, passionate in its commitment to social justice and the goals of the New Deal, but flexible and innovative and forward looking in the means to achieve them."
[Narrator] "Tonight on American Experience, the Presidency of Tony Blair"