Players Conventional Wisdom B. Clinton arrow up B. Clinton: Back from the dead. Campaign slogan: “He’s not quite as bad as you think.” H. Clinton neutral H. Clinton: Who? But ‘96 Whitewater torture may raise her profile again. N. Gingrich arrow down N. Gingrich: Old CW: Man of the Year. New CW: Just another blowhard. B. Dole arrow up B. Dole: Survives GOP free fall. Campaign slogan: “Check out my cardiogram!” P. Gramm arrow down P. Gramm: Old CW: Mean, ugly s.o.b. New CW: Mean, ugly s.o.b. loser. L. Alexander neutral L. Alexander: Nobody’s heard of him, which means he has a chance. But don’t bet your shirt. P. Buchanan arrow down P. Buchanan: He’s mad as hell and nobody seems to care too much. Crank it up, Pat. S. Forbes arrow up S. Forbes: GOP Dough Boy spending millions. But he’ll get ’em back if his flat tax passes. B. Bennett arrow down B. Bennett: Trashes trash TV, but neglects to stay off G. Liddy’s sicko radio show. W. Brown arrow up W. Brown: New Frisco mayor is the true Slick Willie. Watch him cut deals to save the cities. C. Whitman arrow up C. Whitman: Gov. Christie as veep? Better get on Dole ticket before N.J. budget hits the fan. G. Bush arrow up G. Bush: Exprez resigns from NRA in protest after pro-violence letter. Now he gets a spine. N. Reagan arrow up N. Reagan: Reconciles, shops with Patty as Ron ails. CW now calls her “Mommy,” too. A. Huffington arrow up A. Huffington: Newtsie’s No. 1 fan is the Belt-way’s hostess with the mostest (money). Cigarettes arrow up Cigarettes: Cool again, especially on campus. Growth career in year 2020: Cancer doc. B. Yeltsin arrow down B. Yeltsin: Hoist another before they hoist you, Boris. The next round’s on the commies. S. Peres neutral S. Peres: Big enough to fill Yitzhak’s shoes? Aside from Assad, he’ll do OK. Y. Arafat arrow up Y. Arafat: Old CW: Stubbly terrorist. New CW: MTV statesman. Unanswered: Boxers or briefs? B. Boutros-Ghali neutral B. Boutros-Ghali: Happy b-day, U.N., you jaw-boning bureaucrats. The check’s in the mail. Gerry Adams arrow up Gerry Adams: Old CW: IRA s.o.b. New CW: VIP FOB. Tony Blair arrow up Tony Blair: Whip-smart Brit Laborite neclib sure to be next prime minister. Bill’s Maggie? S. Milosevic neutral S. Milosevic: Listen up, Slobo: If one of your guys so much as sneezes on our GIs you’re history. J. Chirac arrow down J. Chirac: With strikes, nuke protests, ‘95 another poor vintage for France. Coup de grace: Sarajevo. CBS arrow down CBS: Sorry, Dan, Dave, nobody’s watching. Except tobacco-company lawyers. O. J. Simpson neutral O. J. Simpson: He’s free–to watch his assets vanish in civil suits. But enough left for new gloves. J. Cochran arrow up J. Cochran: Springs client, wins fame, fortune. Best of all: Ex-wife’s tell-all book flops. A. Silverstone arrow up A. Silverstone: “Clueless” star is adorable. But don’t pull a Macaulay Culkin on us, cutie-pie. Babe arrow up Babe: Charming pig stars in year’s best flick. But better grab that Oscar or you’re bacon. C. Cox arrow up C. Cox: Those blue eyes still dazzle. But your “Friend” Jennifer has that haircut. Cooked tomatoes arrow up Cooked tomatoes: New study says they prevent prostate cancer. Downside: Checking to make sure.
Chuck and Di again served as the poster parents of the world’s most famous dysfunctional family. But there were plenty of other examples of “family values,” 1995 style. At least we didn’t have to hear much about the Bobbitts or Buttafuocos.
Players Conventional Wisdom Grant/Hurley arrow up Grant/Hurley: Divine comedy boosts all three careers. But don’t try at home. Naruhito/Masako neutral Naruhito/Masako: Japan’s royals childless. Try the Poconos. Clark/Darden arrow down Clark/Darden: Liaison rumors denied. But the CW loved it while it lasted. Waldholtzes arrow down Waldhoitzes: Whiny Rep. Enid blames Joe, baby, for all. Tell it to the judge. Jacko/Lisa arrow down Jacko/Lisa: Presley shows up at hospital. First time she’s seen hubby in bed?
