Watch Clinton on PBS. See more from American Experience.
The rise once again of religious conservatives in the 2012 primary season is a perfect setting for “Clinton,” the PBS American Experience documentary of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency.
Today’s religious conservatives aren’t the same as they were in the Clinton era, but it’s a reminder of how dangerous their politics are for the country. See the Republican war on women being waged through Santorum’s candidacy, as well as in Virginia, where veep hopeful Bob McDonnell refused to sign the state rape bill, because of pressure coming down from women who aren’t amused at what they’re hearing from Republicans.
Watching “Clinton,” which aired on PBS on two nights this week, it was like rifling through 20 years of my own research, experiences and my own excavation on the way to writing my new book The Hillary Effect: Politics, Sexism and the Destiny of Loss.
It wasn’t until the second night that Lewinsky comes into focus. When questioned on the CBS “Morning Show,” Barak Goodman, director and writer of “Clinton”, was pressed by Charlie Rose and also Erica Hill about the lengthy part of the documentary that focuses on Monica Lewinsky. Before the show even aired I received emails wondering if this was going to be a hit piece because of how intently the Lewinski scandal would be reviewed.
Anyone enamored with former Pres. William Jefferson Clinton has to accept that history will record the Lewinsky scandal as a monstrously stupid act for any president, but with the enemies Clinton had it was exponentially so.
One particular quibble I have with PBS’s “Clinton” is the omission of when the Whitewater frenzy began. American Experience missed an opportunity to make note of the historical importance of Jeff Gerth’s spring 1992 New York Times article on Whitewater that has been thoroughly debunked. It was published before Clinton had even won the nomination, so unless the viewer is made aware of this he or she simply cannot understand how early the hunting of Bill Clinton began.
PBS American Experience did do a tremendous job on interviews starting with Dee Dee Myers, the first female press secretary, Lucianne Goldberg, the broker of the Tripp tapes and confidante of what Goldberg describes as a very angry woman. There is also Christiane Amanpour, as well as Betsy Wright, his powerful gatekeeper, who appears still not over what she considers a betrayal by Pres. Clinton.
John Harris of Politico gives incisive analysis of events, but Harris also makes a point to remind the viewer that Somalia began at Pres. H.W. Bush’s hands, which is no small point coming in the summer before the election. Harris is quoted in a couple of sections in my book as someone who offered contrary analysis at important points in the ’08 primary election cycle as well.
Remembering what presidents leave for their successors to clean up and that inevitably become part of the new president’s headaches is history worth noting. What Bush left Obama economically is a classic example, as is the disgrace of torture and Gitmo.
Surprisingly, Joe Klein, author of Primary Colors, which was originally penned anonymously, and someone who is well known for his standard insider views and harsh Clinton rhetoric as well, offers interesting analysis on the Lewinsky legacy for Clinton. Klein scoffs at the “what might have been” romancing of the Clinton presidency, believing that his record is remarkable regardless.
Bob Reich still sounds like a man mystified how Clinton could have let Lewinski happen.
I’ve always been of the belief that Clinton’s unquenchable thirst for multiple sexual relationships is simply part of his human appetite for all levels of life. It’s a function of being Bill Clinton. You can’t separate the corporeal Clinton from the mind that allowed the man to beat the lawyers through a brilliantly made agreement that led to the 4-hour time-limited deposition where William Jefferson Clinton carved his own narrow escape. His appetites, great and horrible, make him who he is.
And even Clinton hater Jonathan Alter offers declarations of just how badly people in Washington hated the Clintons and wanted them taken down.
American Experience, nor anyone interviewed, goes into the details of Chief Justice Rehnquist stacking the deck with conservative judges who were also Clinton haters. However, the producers do offer a brief citing of William Safire, the New York Times columnist and former Nixon man who went after Bill Clinton before he set his sights on Hillary.
All of this is part of the history collected in my book, because it was the baggage Hillary brought into her own political adventures.
Ken Gormley, the legal expert and scholar who crafted the definitive biography of the Starr vs. Clinton battle, and the man who proved the illegality of Starr’s team bracing Lewinsky, offers the freshest analysis on the Lewinsky matter, which also proves the zeal of Starr and his people.
“Clinton,” the PBS American Spirit documentary tackled what it was like for Clinton during his presidency. It was not a look back from where we stand today, which would surely look at Glass-Steagall repeal, though what people forget today is that it passed Congress by a veto-proof majority. Having it, however, would not have stopped the problem that AIG became. But at the time of Clinton’s presidency, Glass-Steagall wasn’t a problem, because everyone on all sides agreed. All were wrong, as Clinton himself has stated.
Pres. Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives, but that legacy for Ken Starr and Republicans like Henry Hyde, author of the discriminatory Hyde Amendment, says more about them than Clinton. As Hyde admitted, which I write about in the chapter “Blaming Bill” in my book, it was a clash of cultures, a hatred of Clinton born out of the time he (and Hillary) represented.
The best thing PBS American Experience does in “Clinton” is put into perfect view what we’re seeing unfold in the 2012 Republican primary contest. Religious conservatives giving rise to Mitt Romney’s conservative contortions, Rick Santorum’s Satan squeals, and Newt Gingrich’s hyperbolic ravings, all to appease the religious right.
The ending of “Clinton” talks about Hillary’s rise, as her husband ends his presidency. There is not a better continuation of the last 20 years of politics and what Clinton’s presidency meant for Hillary’s candidacy than my book The Hillary Effect.
“Clinton” captures the presidency of William Jefferson Clinton, with the Lewinsky scandal as much a product of the Republican Party as it was Clinton’s own reckless appetite, which before, in the era of John F. Kennedy and coming amid the sexual revolution, women’s liberation, but before cable and the Internet, was known, yet completely ignored.
I watched the 1st half. havent seen the 2nd yet. So far not too dissapointed – I feared a hit job but this seems to not be. I dreaded watching it bc of the feelings rehashing the 90s stirs. Clinton had his problems- he was human, and was hunted terribly. And no blogs to defend. Whole cable shows deicated to being hunted. Clinton is the most brilliant pol of our age. He gets people. Gets policy.
Ive heard Clinton speak 2 times in person. Met him up close. It doesnt matter what your politics is- when the guy talks the whole room goes quiet. Everyoen stops griping. people listen to him when he speaks- which is why msm and others find him so dangerous to them. Whenever he has a comment people will listen regardless of the media slants.
Obama has to deal with the Fox hate machine. The right wing blog machine. But at least he has MSNBC. Left wing blogs who defend him no matter what. Blog radio programs etc.. Clinton simply didnt have that. yet remained triumphant- the most popular politician in the nation- besides his wife that is.
Never since FDR and Eleanor have there been such a political power couple. Both compliment each other in so may things. Eleanor was a wronged woman and so is Hillary. eleanor would have run for POTUS if society allowed. Hillary did and there will at some point be a woman in the WH for certain.
Im a progressive but love the Clintons. I suppose it is their larger than life characters. The way they connect so deeply with people. Clinton practised real politics- made more than transactional political relationships with folks like Sen Hatch- thus he got through most his judge nominees. Clinton didnt flinch from fights like Medicare and PBS. He stood firm and they caved. He ate the repubs for lunch- as Joe Scarbrough has described the terror of being summoned to the WH. And it was a joy.
I abhor NAFTA. Abhor “welfare reform.” Yet did do key things – hiking taxes on the rich when he walked into office is HUGE. Protecting Medicare and SS when he could have had a grand bargain with Newt. Oh and PBS as well.
i think also most Americans i.d. with the Clintons’ struggle to be respected. Bill was hated by natl msm bc he came from Ark and came from poor white stock. And the public felt connected with Bill in his battles against a media hell bent on drowning his presidency.
2 speeches I wont forget from Bill: his OK City speech which I think truly bound people in a emotional way to his presidency, and his speech at Rabin’s funeral is as potent as any given. Nothing more American than the story of the rise of the Clintons- a rise from obscurity to the WH and beyond into intl powers in themselves.
I blame Clinton for allowing himself to be hunted. Whitewater was a scam, but rather than fight it he let the right wing have anything they wanted. I blame him for not reigning in Janet Reno, allowing her to let Starr broaden the investigation again and again. The Clinton assault was the first sign of what was to come from the rabid dogs of Gods army. I was angry that he did not use his bully pulpit to attack these pigs. Now we know what it was all about, they just don’t believe a Democrat belongs in the white house and Clinton beating HW unleashed their primal fears. If Clinton had been tougher, we might not be where we are; in something akin to Dante’s Inferno.
Hell, if meant 8 more years of the Clinton presidency and economy, I’d f*ck The Big Dog myself! ;)
Joe, I think a lot of people on the right and the left are right there with you.
Joe, I am with you.
I don’t think there is a solitary voter on the right that would do anything for more Clinton Presidency. I however, while not personally willing to do a Lewinski would certainly encourage any and all who would to do so if it meant 8 more years..
“…reckless appetite, which before, in the era of John F. Kennedy ….. was known, yet completely ignored…”
I know this has nothing to do with this post, but I can’t let it go. In the age of Liz and Dick, ignoring Kennedy/Monroe would have been like ignoring WWII. They all stand around patting themselves on the back, congratulating each other about saving the nation by keeping the biggest story of their lives under wraps. They didn’t report it because they didn’t know about it. Two people knew about it and they weren’t talking. The day after the story broke, years later when JFK/MM were both dead, I do not doubt thousands of people were yanked into thousands of front offices and yelled at for hours for not having the story. How many of them defended themselves by saying “Gee, boss I had the story. I just didn’t want to use it.”? (Reporters Found Beaten To Death With Paperweights In Publishers’ Offices). Two people knew about BigDog/Monica and one of them talked. Case closed. People in the Media are insane idiots. If you don’t believe me go 5 minutes into PBS ‘Clinton ‘ and look at Dick Morris. I’ll try to watch this, Taylor, because you say it’s relevant; but I need to adjust my meds first. Obviously.
Great review Taylor. Like Art I am a liberal but also an unabashed Clinton admirer. I agree with you he is full of good and bad and that is just who he is, no great men have ever been perfect humans and he is a great man.
I was happily surprised at Joe Klein and so happy to see that he got it, adoring Hillary and being a dog are not mutually exclusive. I have never judged her for keeping the marriage together and don’t really understand why others do, everyone’s marriage is their business only.. They have one of the greatest partnerships of any political figures through American history, like Art I can only think of FDR and Eleanor and Abigail and John Adams.
I was disappointed that his work for peace in Ireland was not covered.