Clinton rages against Dimbleby in Panorama confrontation over Lewinsky

The Sunday Telegraph ^ | June 20, 2004 | Chris Hastings and Charles Laurence

[MadIvan]

Bill Clinton loses his temper with David Dimbleby during a BBC television interview to be broadcast this week when he is repeatedly quizzed about his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

The former American president, famed for his amiable disposition, becomes visibly angry and rattled, particularly when Dimbleby asks him whether his publicly declared contrition over the affair is genuine.

His outrage at the line of questioning during the 50-minute interview, to be broadcast on Panorama on Tuesday night, lasts several minutes. It is the first time that the former President has been seen to lose his temper publicly over the issue of his sexual liaisons with Ms Lewinsky.

The President initially responds to Dimbleby's questions by launching a general attack on media intrusion. When the broadcaster persists with the question of whether the politician was truly penitent, Clinton directs his anger towards Dimbleby.

The atmosphere, which was initially warm, then turns decidedly chilly. One BBC executive who has seen the interview, which took place in a New York hotel last Wednesday, said: "He is visibly angry with Dimbleby's line of questioning and some of that anger gets directed at Dimbleby himself. As outbursts go, it is not just some flash that is over in an instant. It is something substantial and sustained.

"It is memorable television which will give the public a different insight into the President's character. It will leave them wondering whether he is as contrite as he says he is about past events. Dimbleby manages to remain calm and order is eventually restored."

Mr Clinton agreed to speak to Panorama as part of the publicity campaign for his autobiography My Life.

[MeekOneGOP]

..... i was not impressed with the artistry of the artist

haha ! I wasn't either. In fact, the actual portrait of clintoon could be captioned .....

Doh !!!

I hope to find a good quality of the clintoon 'portrait' so I can maybe have some more Foto Fun with it. :^D

hint! hint! :^D

[OldFriend]

I was referring to the stories that his grand jury testimony had him all red faced and ready to explode.

Never happened!

[NavySEAL F-16]

Rush is on vacation this coming week. Mentioned that it will be the last long (I think that's what he said) before the election. Maybe he'll come back just for this! He's always said something big happens when he's on vacation. This will be great TV --

[Brad’s Gramma]

OR.....if Roger Hedgecock from San Diego is on, HE'LL have a ball with this one. COUNT on it!!

[CyberAnt]

Great News Ivan .. the dems are self-destructing as we speak!

[SevenofNine]

I forgot about Roger I just remember Rush is on vacation OHHH I rather hear Rush do that

OH MAN I can't get any photos so far of BBC world news or SKY news coverage

COME ON Fleet Street bring it on home baby

[Wolverine]

Apparently Clinton was embarrassed when he didn't measure up to standard..

[Bogey78O]

Well part of being in the press is asking a politician things you know to be true just to get their reaction.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Keep trying (if you have time).

Oh heck, even if you don't....I'll buy ya lunch or something. BTW, Seven, on a different topic, are you going up to the Library with a bunch of us in July?

[F.J. Mitchell]

Maybe, but doubtful. It's more a chance to poke fun at Clinton than a big event.

[Bogey78O]

Once may be reaching.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the post. I'm betting hundreds if not thousands of these outbursts went unreported from 1993 to 2001. Clinton the child comes of age.

[Chi-townChief]

bump

[WalterSkinner]

An interviewer at the Beeb ticks off Bubba, then the Slimes trashes his book -- what's going on here?

[Wolverine]

Panorama: Clinton - The Interview will be broadcast on BBC One on Tuesday, 22 June 2004 at 22:35 BST

 

Excerpt: On the other hand, despised and pursued by his political opponents, Clinton became the first president in over a century to be impeached by Congress whilst still in office.

[hattend]

It is the first time that the former President has been seen to lose his temper publicly over the issue of his sexual liaisons with Ms Lewinsky.

Hmmmm...remember when he reportedly did the same thing at his Grand Jury testimony? Then it didn't happen when we saw it on TV? Could this just be some more, "Watch Me" BS from Slick?

[joesnuffy]

Cociopaths never repent....they always blame others for their mistakes and attack when confronted with their failures even if it is in the spirit of constructive criticism....

The fact that the American people ..brainwashed by media...could have elected this first fornicator not once...but twice...is mind boggling and kinda scary...

imo

[fightin kentuckian]

Has the thought crossed anyones mind that this could be a well planned publicity stunt. However, whether it was planned or genuine it may buy Bill some publicity that will bump his book.

[I'm ALL Right!]

Just his nose.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Someone needs to make sure Rush knows about it.