Conspiracies, vast and imaginary

Bill Clinton apparently believes that the "vast right-wing conspiracy" that undermined his presidency (Did Republicans smuggle buxom interns into the White house?) is diminished but not dead.

This vast right-wing conspiracy theory is just as dopey as the vast left-wing conspiracy theory that remains very popular on Fox News. Isn't it about time that America's leaders came to to accept that some people will inevitably oppose their policies, dislike them personally, or find some other reason to make their lives as difficult as possible? It is a mystery to me why American politicians feel that they ought to be handled with kid gloves.

In the UK (also New Zealand, Australia, Canada and India) the Prime Minister is required to front up in parliament on a weekly basis and answer the best verbal assault that the opposition parties can muster. This forces the leaders of these countries to develop nice thick skins. It also removes any illusions they might have about entitlement to deferential treatment.

By contrast, American leaders, who generally avoid unscripted situations whenever possible, are complete wusses. Perhaps weekly 'President's Questions' in Congress toughen up the denizens of the White House so they don't feel the need to cry like little girls when people don't treat them nice.