In a speech this past Friday to more than 2,000 members of ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation's largest bipartisan group of state legislators) who met in Orlando, Miller described Clinton's response to several terrorist acts as "a wimpy response so totally inadequate I was ashamed."
Miller's comments drew thunderous applause as he detailed a litany of terrorist acts that Clinton didn't adequately respond to.
"I had watched in great disappointment when we did nothing after the terrorists first attacked the World Trade Center in 1993, killing six and injuring more than 1,000 Americans," Miller said.
Miller noted that another serious terrorist incident went unresponded to by Clinton.
"Then again, when 16 U.S. servicemen were killed in the bombing of the Khobar Towers in 1996 and we still did nothing," he said.
But the failure to respond didn't end in 1996, Miller continued.
"I watched when U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Nairobi were attacked in 1998, killing 263 persons, and the only response we made was firing a few missiles on an empty terrorist camp," Miller said with dismay.
While only describing the Clinton years with contempt, Miller had nothing but praise for President Bush.
"Today, I am proud of our president. He said we are at war with terrorism and with states that sponsor and harbor terrorists."
Miller also stated that he supports a wider war against terrorism, including action against Saddam.
"We know [Saddam] has weapons of mass destruction," Miller said, noting ominously, "It's not if, but when" these weapons will be used against the United States.
On other issues, Miller expressed anger with the U.S. Senate and "the petty partisanship on both sides of the aisle."
But his fire seemed to be aimed at members of his own party as he touted his record of bucking his leadership.
The maverick Miller voted for President Bush's sweeping tax cut. He also broke with his party to support John Ashcroft's nomination as attorney general. Later he cast the crucial vote for Ted Olson, confirming Bush's nomination of him as solicitor general.
"I cannot believe that one party has all the right answers and the other party doesn't have a single right answer," Miller said to loud applause.
