Two men, simple choices

By TAD BARTIMUS

The President and his spin doctors communicate in double speak. The Hero talks in straightforward verbs. The President ducks hard questions with "No comment." The Hero looks us in the eye and says, "Okay, what do you want to know?"

The President's first priority is "don't get caught." His second is "if you do, lie about it." The Hero's is "do your best." His second is "share the credit and be grateful."

Mark McGwire, on his way to glory, didn't have time to endorse shoes or baseballs or burgers.

In these bittersweet last days of the summer of '98, Americans are riveted by two larger-than-life Native Sons. Born with great gifts, tempered by hard knocks, each man had big dreams and made simple choices.

Bill Clinton spent most of his life trying to become president. The "Slick Willy" label came early, even before he told us he'd smoked marijuana but never inhaled. Despite Arkansas political mud and Gennifer Flowers he reached his goal, Hillary at his side and all those Friends of Bill (FOBs) believing he hung the moon, believing he really could feel their pain.

Mark McGwire spent most of his life playing baseball. He lost his wife and son to divorce early in a career he thought might have been over 10 years ago. He had regular slumps, seasons when he wondered if his time had passed. He got injured, he got his own pain. When he hit bottom he spent four years in therapy to learn to be, as he put it, a better man. He made peace with his ex-wife, made his son Matt his No. 1 priority, began to say thank you. Frank about taking the strength-builder androstenedione, he set out to be the best baseball player he could be.

Two men. Simple choices.

At the top of his game, Bill Clinton wielded power like a Carny, even selling nights in the Lincoln Bedroom to FOBs with deep pockets and hidden agendas. His supporters knew he needed to be the most famous, the most beloved President of them all. That's why they excused him for telling everybody what they wanted to hear, including himself.

Mark McGwire, on his way to glory, didn't have time to endorse shoes or baseballs or burgers. Didn't have the inclination, either. "Too distracting," he'd say, when asked why he wasn't cashing in on merchandising like everybody else in big-time sports. Instead, The Hero took time out to appreciate the Great Ones who'd come before him -- Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris. He reached out to the Maris family; he frequently, publicly, embraced his own. He saluted his peers -- Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr. Then he got down to business and became the greatest home run hitter in history. After he did it, he told the world, "I think I've amazed myself."

One day later, Bill Clinton's career culminated in delivery to Congress of a Special Prosecutor's report on possible perjury and obstruction of justice charges which could lead to his impeachment.

Two men. Simple choices.

Bill Clinton, no matter what the impeachment outcome, has destroyed his legacy and seriously damaged the office of the presidency. He has short-changed the American people and betrayed all who love him.

Mark McGwire has given Americans back their national pastime, rescued it from greed, petulance and second-rate performance. He has proved the power of one by bringing tears of joy to opponents' eyes, hugging his child at home plate, and even inspiring a guy who caught his record-tying home run ball to GIVE IT BACK FOR FREE!

When asked if his history-making season was the best thing that's happened to baseball in years, Mark McGwire had this to say:

"If I'm responsible for it, then I'll take the responsibility..."

Two men. Simple choices.

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