The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House, by John Harris
Former US President Bill Clinton angrily branded the 1998 impeachment attempt over the Monica Lewinsky scandal a “coup d’etat”, according to a new book.
The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House, by Washington Post reporter John Harris, presents contrasting pictures of the famously cool and unflappable president, reportedly claiming he lied about his weight, swore at staff and was taunted by his wife.
When Clinton first spoke to vice president Al Gore after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke, he is said to have yelled: “This is a f***ing coup d’etat,” as an unsympathetic Gore stared blankly ahead.
According to previews by internet gossip Matt Drudge, who first broke the Lewinsky scandal, Gore’s wife Tipper was also less-than-impressed.
Rather than attend a New York reception with Clinton and major Democratic fundraisers in 2000, she reportedly announced: “No, I’m not doing it. I’m not going out there with that man.”
During the same year, Clinton is said to have been so frustrated by his lack of weight loss that he ordered aides to release a bogus number after his annual Navy physical, making him 5lb lighter.
Harris, who covered the White House from 1995 to 2001, claims the stereotype of Clinton as a “supremely guileful and deceptive politician” was essentially wrong.
He portrays him instead as disorganised and insecure, and details various incidents which infuriated him.
Before the Lewinsky affair, his wife Hillary did not believe his staff were working hard enough for him on the Whitewater investigation.
“JFK had real men in his White House,” she reportedly taunted him.
A 1998 article by Sally Quinn, which explained why Washington was appalled by Clinton’s behaviour in the Lewinsky affair, apparently irked him for some time.
Weeks later, having had the article on his desk, he reportedly told aides he would be nominating her husband, Ben Bradlee, for a Presidential Medal of Freedom award.
“Anyone who sleeps with that bitch deserves a medal,” he is quoted as saying in explanation.
-- Scotsman.com, Victoria Ward
