The Elephant in the Clinton’s Room
HOLLYWOOD MOGUL David Geffen has kicked up a storm by saying publicly something that Democrats usually only whisper privately.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s camp immediately cried foul at those and other comments, demanding that primary rival Barack Obama distance himself from the erstwhile Clinton ally, who had cohosted a fund-raiser for the Illinois senator.
“I believe Bill Clinton was a good president, and I’m very proud of the record of his two terms,” Hillary said.
This is one of those situations where both sides have a point — points that highlight the odd dualism in which Bill Clinton exists today.
Respected around the world and prudent and pragmatic in his policies, he was a solid, successful president. Certainly his record looks particularly strong in contrast to the rash, ill-considered actions of President Bush. That’s something some conservatives have been honest enough to acknowledge.
So despite the roller coaster ride of his presidency, Clinton counts as the first successful Democratic president since JFK. Yes, he had his failures, but overall, he inherited a mess, and left the country in relatively good shape. That’s left him a revered figure among Democrats — as long as he’s considered in the frame of former president.
And yet, in his personal conduct, he displayed a breathtaking recklessness — a trait that renders him a risk as a candidate’s spouse. Although his impeachment was an orgy of partisan excess, it’s still hard to believe that, attuned as he was to the realities of American politics, he would risk his presidency on a fling with a Generation X flibbertigibbet.
Now, whether one thinks the Clinton union is merely a political partnership masquerading as a marriage or a real relationship, its history shadows Hillary Clinton as she seeks the presidency.
Some argue that marital conduct shouldn’t matter, and certainly that’s long been the European view. William Gladstone had known 11 prime ministers, he once observed, “and 10 were adulterers.” An indulgent Italy found itself amused recently when the wife of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi publicly demanded an apology from her husband for his flirtations with other women.
Yet would even those Democrats who say that infidelity shouldn’t matter honestly argue that it doesn’t or won’t , particularly in the strait-laced heartland?
It’s hardly fair to blame Hillary for her husband’s past conduct. And yet it’s also impossible to separate her from the psychodrama of their marriage — or the political peril a recurrence of that conduct may present.
In May, The Times ran a story examining the “largely separate” lives the Clintons lead. That account said that since early 2005, they had averaged about 14 days together a month. Although diplomatically done, it was a story whose subtext couldn’t help but raise questions about their marriage.
Asked about the piece by David Remnick of the New Yorker, the Clintons brushed it off.
“I’m just not going to give up a lot of psychic energy worrying about what other people worry about,” Hillary Clinton said.
After initially suggesting that The Times wanted “to take the place of the Enquirer, and the Globe, and the Star,” Bill Clinton had this to say: “You know, when I look at how old I am, and see my gray hair in the mirror, I can’t imagine that anybody’s interested in my life anymore.”
Perhaps that’s all the Clintons can say. After all, they’ve offered previous professions, notably on “60 Minutes” during the 1992 campaign, that their problems were past and their marriage was fine. Who, really, would credit a rerun of those assurances?
Still, people can’t help but wonder — and worry.
And that’s why Geffen has given voice to something usually unspoken but nonetheless real.
For all the attractiveness of Hillary Clinton as a candidate, for all her brains and policy savvy, she represents a dilemma for Democrats. It’s one reason why, despite the nostalgia for the Clinton presidency, some wonder whether they really dare take a second chance on Bill and Hillary.
7 Comments
February 23, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Man! I’ve missed a lot since the cat spanking! If Hellary is our next president…oh lawdy. About adulterous men, I used to practically worship Martin L. King…until I found out this “man of God” liked to cheat on his wife. I know he still did a lot for the world, but if you care that little for someone who is supposed to mean the most to you and be THAT disrespectful, what kind of a human being are you really? That ruined him for me. Now he’s just another man who was lucky enough to draw a crowd and be listened to. He didn’t say anything different than what a lot of other people were saying…just lucky enough to get a following. Bummer. I guess that’s what happens when you realize these people who seem to be larger than life and so fantastic are really just regular Joe’s.
But enough ranting. I just came over to get your link for my blog roll. Let me know if you oppose.
February 24, 2007 at 1:22 am
Thank you so much for correcting a horrible error that was in ALL CAPS! YOU’RE helpful. YOUR editing skills are excellent. I should hire you full time. I’ll clean your litter box for free proofing.
I couldn’t be more confused about your gender. I’m about to search for a profile. Did you not tell me you had a secret girl crush on me? And are you not Saur–Sauer?? Kraut? What the heck? When you said “red pumps” I thought…”MAN!” What woman says pumps these days? You’re too confusing. You need to be spanked like the cat spank fever video.
February 24, 2007 at 1:23 am
Crap in a bag! Did I just have a wake up call? One hand and a video? Was that you? What the hell?
February 24, 2007 at 5:52 pm
About a dozen years ago, the King estate sued Boston University over the ownsership of papers he wrote during the time he was a grad student there. I was fortunate to meet Mrs. King. She is a very gracious lady. She was an icon for decades and I’ll not judge her based on his personal weaknesses. I separate what he did between the sheets from what he did at the helm of the civil rights era. Everyone has personal flaws and if we always judge people by their moments of weakness then no one will ever be recalled for the substance of what they accomplished. Yes, we should judge him by his character, but what he did for an entire group of people far out-weighs his marital flings.
As for the other things, I was just being a wise-ass commenter on your very funny site. meow.
February 25, 2007 at 5:06 am
You made a good point, and I actually agree. She definitely shouldn’t be judged for his weaknesses, and his flaws are no greater than mine, just of a different nature.
He’s still on a pedestal, but down a few notches for me. Men in his position have an obligation to walk the walk. He was a Christian first with a “political” cause. If the people put their trust in you (well, not you because you’re a cat) and select you to be their international leader for their cause and their faith, then you should keep it in your pants.
Sorry for the penis reference.
Don’t put your credibility on the line along with the credibility of your cause because you’re too horny to remember ethics, commitment, integrity, honesty, loyalty, etc., etc., etc. I know I shut down when I hear a leader talking out both sides of his mouth. One error in judgment, okay. We all make mistakes, but over and over?
Which takes me off on another tangent I’ve never vocalized until now…Why is it if a white preacher commits adultery, he’s scorned forever more and no one wants to hear another word he says, but an African American preacher can do it and he continues to thrive in his community? Why is Jesse Jackson still front and center? It makes no sense to me. I don’t understand the double standard–which has absolutely nothing to do with your blog.
I’ll shut up now and clean your litter box. Meow.
February 25, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Yes, Hilary’s candidacy creates a real dilemma, and she doesn’t need Bill’s ballast to slow her boat. Hilary could very likely be the best president out of the bevvy of contenders due to experience, skill, and savvy. Sadly, there has long been vicious vitriol slung at her from the Right for having the audacity to step out of the pink and lace 1st lady’s office when Bill was prez to use her skills to serve the nation in substantial ways. How could she win a general election when she wants to take the driver’s seat? I want to vote for her, but I am sadly, staunchly pragmatic this time around. I will support in the primary the Dem. I feel is most likely to win the general, no matter how inexperienced or lacking in spine. At least with any Dem. in the whitehouse, a strong team could start turning the country out of our current living nightmare.
February 26, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Hillary sucks. I knew Barack when he was a law student but he’s too inexperienced for my tastes. Maybe in 4 more years. I like Richardson. Good experience, very little personal or political baggage.