Reagan Death Crowds Clinton Book Hype

NewsMax.com ^ | June 12, 2004 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

The national focus on the life, times and death of Ronald Reagan has put a crimp in promotional plans for ex-President Bill Clinton's $10 million memoir, "My Life," which is due out in just ten days.

Mr. Clinton had already begun hyping his book when news of Reagan's death broke last Saturday, with a speech to Chicago's Book Expo two days earlier that had garnered national headlines.

But the Clinton hype machine had to be put on ice as Americans quickly turned their attention to the 40th president.

"I'm a Democrat and I like Clinton," Laurence J. Kirshbaum, chairman of the Time Warner Book Group, told the Associated Press a day after Reagan's death. "But Ronald Reagan lives in the hearts and minds of people in a way, frankly, that Clinton doesn't."

Part of the carefully choreographed Clinton media blitz was to include an announcement Friday of all the bookstores where he had agreed to appear. But Knopf spokesman Paul Bogaards told the Boston Globe on Saturday that the company postponed a press release on the book tour because of Reagan's funeral.

Publicity for "My Life" was expected to shift into high gear next week, with Mr. Clinton set to tout his memoirs on high-profile venues like CBS's "60 Minutes," "Oprah Winfrey," NBC's "Today Show" and ABC's "Good Morning America."

With coverage of Reagan still running at a fevered pitch, however, it may be tough for the 42nd president to reclaim the spotlight as soon as he'd like to.

Attempts to edge Mr. Clinton back onto the national radar screen began even before Mr. Reagan was laid to rest in California Friday evening, with Knopf announcing that "My Life" had sold out its first press run of 1.5 million in advance orders.

Still, news of Reagan's funeral dominated Saturday's news rotation, with little mention of the top Democrat's memoirs in TV, radio and print reports.

Clinton's publicists have also been forced to compete with Reagan on the literary front, with demand for books about the 40th president said to be running at all time highs.

Reagan titles that haven't moved in years have climbed into Amazon's top 100, with publishers scrambling to meet the new demand.

What's more, several new books on Reagan are being rushed into print, a move that has even Mr. Clinton's publisher hedging its bets.

Knopf announced last week that Reagan daughter Patti Davis has been working on a book about her father for some time, with company spokesman Bogaards saying the Davis book would be released "soon."

That could force Clinton to compete with Davis for TV face time after the initial burst of publicity for "My Life" subsides.

The timing of Reagan's death may turn out to be even worse news for Sen. John Kerry, who put his campaign on ice for the week-long Reagan commemoration. Some say he might as well take next week off, too; what with the Clinton publicity machine likely to elbow him out of the way as it struggles to make up for lost time.

Another factor that has to concern Knopf bean counters: Clinton's last book - a 1996 tome titled "Between Hope and History" - was a huge commercial flop.

[Fiddlstix]

Another factor that has to concern Knopf bean counters: Clinton's last book - a 1996 tome titled "Between Hope and History" - was a huge commercial flop.

We can pray this one is too.

[Servant of the 9]

This is the real reason Clointon wanted to give a eulogy for Pres. Reagan on Friday.

So9

[Chuzzlewit]

I wonder if we walk into a Barnes and Noble, if Ronald Reagan bios will be front and center...

duh! what was I thinking..... they will be on the shelf in the middle of the store.

[cardinal4]

"But Ronald Reagan lives in the hearts and minds of people in a way, frankly, that Clinton doesn't."

Snicker..

[Libloather]

"I'm a Democrat and I like Clinton," Laurence J. Kirshbaum...

He may be in luck. *Bill is still dating - no?

[Socratic]

"Ariolimax columbianus"

Is it some kind of slug?

[ozzymandus]

If Patty Reagan's book could be released on the same day as clinton's, it would swamp him in sales. Only the DNC will buy a book of cinton's lies.

[Bob J]

All a publicity blitz by Clinton at this point will do is point up his glaring deficiencies as a Commander in Chief compared to Reagan.

[Fixit]

So, you'd like to...

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Clinton hype-machine had to be put on ice...

Fair's fair for the man whose advice to women everywhere was that they had "better put some ice on it."

[RGSpincich]

Reagan also did a number on Carter's big hurrah. Didn't see one picture or headline of the submarine christening.

[cardinal4]

Is it some kind of slug?

Go to the head of the class. Its a "Banana Slug". I believe its the mascot for UC-Santa Cruz, but I could be wrong..

[COUNTrecount]

But the Clinton hype machine had to be put on ice as Americans quickly .....

...worse news for Sen. John Kerry, who put his campaign on ice for the week-long Reagan commemoration.

"Put on ice" is used in the article twice.Is this a subliminal message to remind us of BJ Clinton's farmiliarity and fondness for frozen H2O as an analgesiac ?

[giotto]

After an entire week of national consciousness raising, during which even the criminal media were forced to present Reagan in a positive light, is there anyone in America who doesn't know that Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War? That Reagan was a decent, Christian man who loved and believed in America's greatness?

After this week, Bill Clinton should just go and hide somewhere. The contrast between Reagan and him will not be good for book sales.

[WestTexasWend]

The Barnes&Noble in No. OKC didn't have a thing up front on Reagan. It did get their attention when I bought the last 5 Time commemoratives and 5 more of Newsweek's special edition. (First time I've bought either magazine since Reagan was president...) The young clerk did say he was in for a long day because he'd have to tell everyone they were sold out of Time (which, at a glance, is the better of the two). Going back today to get "The Economist" and "National Review". If they haven't got any Reagan books up front by then I'll ask why...(although I plan to call at least one bookstore a day after Clinton's book comes out and ask if they have <<>>;)

[FrankR]

Nobody cares about his book...except the DNC who'll use it to hide illegal contributions to Lord Eff'n of Ketchup's campaign.

I have heard everything I ever want to know about bill clinton, I don't give a damn about his life, his boyhood, or his presidency. He is a tarnished, impeached, skirt-chaser who deserves to be more in the hall of Shame than anywhere else.

I once heard some liberals complaining about "how many poor people could have been fed for the price of the stained glass windows in a church". But, I think many more could have been fed by the millions paid to the clintons for their drivel, not to mention the trees that were wasted to create the paper.

[suzyq5558]

Another factor that has to concern Knopf bean counters: Clinton's last book - a 1996 tome titled "Between Hope and History" - was a huge commercial flop.

As this worthless missive will be also.

you couldnt pay me to read a book full of lies which is what this tome will be full of. revisionist history,well we had to live those years and you cant lie or paint your way out of what you did to this country of ours sir.

Really dont you think its a tad too early to write your lying history? no, there isnt any reason on earth for me to even look at this book in the stores.

[Socratic]

I also think it would be a good idea if everyone visted their library and pointedly asked what kind of selection of books they have about President Reagan. (One could also make some snide remark about Clintscum, within earshot of others, if they felt so inclined.)