Tim Russert vs. The Clinton Machine
The finger wagged, the eyes narrowed, the angry tone bounced off the walls as he spoke. “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,— Ms. Lewinsky.”
Remember how you felt as a sitting President attempted to convince us that this was a fabrication being fueled by the Republicans and the press?
I did not write the above to rehash old issues or open old wounds. Frankly, other than the fact that he chose to use the Oval Office for his pleasure, I couldn’t care less about the escapades of the former President.
I mentioned it so that if you choose to view this video of Mr. Clinton, it may serve as a reminder of how he reacts when confronted with an uncomfortable situation.
Some things never change. Point the finger..squint those eyes..blame the messenger…Hillary didn’t know…Russert was “breathtakingly misleading”..watch the press eat this up, I’m Bill Clinton.
I am one who believes that while there has to be an ego attached to running for an office such as the presidency, there should also be a humility attached to the honor of winning. A simple, “We believe Mr. Russert was incorrect in his assertion and will work to release these records as quickly as possible,” would have sufficed. Instead it’s the same old game.
Who is the candidate running for President? Can Mrs. Clinton not defend her positions and herself? Why are they both not out waving a copy of this letter (which Tim Russert used in his questioning) in the face of the press and public?
At least for the moment the network is standing behind Russert:
In response, Barbara L. Levin, spokeswoman for NBC, said: “Tim’s question was entirely on the mark.”
Given the spin and rhetoric his question has prompted, I would have to say Ms. Levin is right however, my hopes for any real tough questions being posed to the former First Lady in further debates has waned.
The RNC has also issued a rebuttal statement to the former President’s remarks:
Paul Lindsey of the Republican National Committee responded to Clinton’s comments this afternoon:
“The only thing that’s breathtakingly misleading is Bill and Hillary Clinton’s continued distortion of the facts,” Lindsey wrote in an e-mail. “All this takes is for the Clintons to release the documents related to their time in the White House instead of regaling the American people with more flimsy delaying tactics and excuses.”
Very few have proven in the past to wish to take on the Clinton’s and I give Mr. Russert credit for doing so on more than one occasion in the recent forum, but I will not expect to see more of the same any time soon.
I hope I am wrong, as we need this type of question posed to all serious candidates so we may make informed decisions.
Written by Sue
