I'm pretty cynical about either party taking credit or giving blame for economic success and failure. IMHO when it comes to our current situation, we made too many promises to the boomers, we shouldn't have so fully repealed Glass Steagall, and "starving the beast" has failed as a means to shrink the size of government. Both parties are in bed with interests to their detriment. But that's how they retain power, by promising it away. By power going back and forth, we get a bit less than totally screwed as the parties make and unmake each others' plans, all the while adding complexity, which does bring some stability. If either party had a majority for 20 years, we'd probably end up in a very bad place. When it comes to Clinton, he was an effective President, and a very smart guy. Bush senior was too, but he lacked the charisma. IMO we need more presidents like them.