In his much anticipated interview with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta commented on the difference between Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama, as he worked for both in multiple capacities.
“Who is the better leader,” asked O’Reilly, “Bill Clinton or Barack Obama?”
“They’re both bright, they’re both able, they both want to do what’s right for the country,” said Panetta. “I think the difference is that Bill Clinton likes politics, likes the engagement in politics. Barack Obama does not like that process of engaging in politics, and I think that hurts his presidency.”
“It hurts him in terms of getting things done. You’ve got this stalemate in Washington to begin with where there’s partisanship and division that’s going on in the Congress, and then the president doesn’t engage with them, then you have a situation where everybody gives up,” he told O’Reilly.
“They’ve basically given up on things. They’ve given up on a budget deal, they’ve given up on immigration reform, they’ve given up on issues such as infrastructure funding, on trade, on energy. That is what concerns me because I do not think this country can stand another two and a half years of stalemate,” added Panetta. (RELATED: Panetta: Obama Damaged U.S. Credibility With Syria Red Line)