What does it mean to be a liberal? Is Bill Clinton a liberal? Is he more liberal than Eisenhower was?

Answer 1

Broadly speaking, liberalism emphasizes individual rights. It seeks a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power (especially of government and religion), the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. In modern society, liberals favor a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and an equal opportunity to succeed.

Bill Clinton is a liberal. It would be difficult to compare Eisenhower to Clinton because the issues of the day are very different. Eisenhower would be considered more liberal than Nixon, Regan, Bush I, and 100 times smarter than Bush II.