The World Changed Since 9/11. Just Look at the 2000 Debates.

(PHOTO: George W. Bush and Al Gore debate each other in the town hall presidential debate in October 2000).

If you want a good indication on the anniversary of 9/11 of just how much our world has changed since that day, just watch a few minutes of the 2000 presidential debates. My friend Rio Hart reminded me of this last night at dinner I had with him and other friends. The principal national political conversation actually surrounded around how the next president should spend the $200 billion federal budget surplus left to us by President Clinton. Of course, the next president left office with an over $1 trillion deficit. Other matters of debate included school uniforms and TV ratings; since then, social and cultural issues have since shifted to the advantage of progressives. In the sit down debate, President Bush actually said we should have a "humble foreign policy" in which we don't act like "the ugly American" telling other nations "we do it this way, so should you." Needless to say, 9/11 - and Dick Cheney - changed his mind. Take a look here for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9pqmW-D14I