JAY: How significantly different would a Clinton White House, Obama White House, or an Edwards White House-how much can they do? How much do they want to do differently? VIDAL: It's too broken. The first thing you have to do is get back habeas corpus. You've got to get back the Magna Carta, you've got to get back our legal system, you've got to get back the pillars of the Constitution, and they're gone. Republics don't restore themselves.
In a discussion regarding the potential impact of a Clinton, Obama, or Edwards administration, Jay raises questions about the significant differences these leaders might bring to the White House. Vidal responds by emphasizing the urgency of restoring fundamental legal rights, such as habeas corpus, which he believes are critical for a functioning democracy. He argues that the foundational elements of the Constitution, including the principles established by the Magna Carta, have been compromised and must be reinstated.
Vidal expresses skepticism about the ability of republics to regenerate themselves once they fall into disarray. He suggests that the current state of affairs is so dire that merely electing a new leader will not suffice; substantial changes are necessary to return the legal framework and civil liberties that have been eroded over time. His comments reflect a deep concern for the erosion of core democratic values and the need for decisive action to restore them.
