Julian Zelizer : Bill Clinton won re-election by blurring differences with GOP . He says Barack Obama is trying to win by articulating what the Democrats stand for . He agreed to legislation that ended the existing welfare system and made deficit reduction his priority . Zelizer : The president has been able to do this because he's a Democrat who can appeal to voters in blue states and red states alike, but also appeals to independents as well. He says Obama needs to offer voters a choice and energize Democrats ' base voters .
Julian Zelizer : Bill Clinton won re-election by blurring differences with GOP . He says Barack Obama is trying to win by articulating what the Democrats stand for . Zelizer : The president has been able to do this because he's a Democrat who can appeal to voters in blue states and red states alike, but also appeals to independents as well. He says Obama needs to offer voters a choice and energize Democrats ' base voters .