Posted on 06/19/2004 4:38:44 PM PDT by 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.
Guess where I am.
For some reason, i always thought you were in Canada. Sorry.
I believe it!
Hee hee...this is going to be a great interview. Bookmarking.
It sounds like this Dimbleby fellow is of the same stuff.
Wow! Ping to myself, for followup. Can't wait to hear the details!
Did his face turn a reddish purple?
Did he bite his lip ?
This is the real Bill, all right.
And as I recall, the first time we saw him angry about "Miss Lewinsky" was when he blew a fuse at US, the American People, and shook his finger in all of our faces and told us he had had no "relations."
And if so, did he put some ice on it?
You have to love it, Clinton is sucking the air right out of Kerry's lungs.
hey, let's not forget how he dressed down Britt Hume at the presser with RBGinsburg. well, i'm warming up to this book tour idea now. only downside: if Clinton continues on this track, it might make JFKerry look better in comparison.
Yep, just like Monica su... nevermind... ;)
It's an insight, all right, but not a different one.
We've seen him remove his microphone at news conferences before and walk off pouting, like the little kid he is, at the asking of a probing question.
Thanks Ivan. Was David Dimbleby's father Richard Dimbleby
of years ago BBC?
I like it.
Perhaps Bush should take that up as his excuse for any and everything he is accused of!
I had a feeling I would get that response when I posted it.
Gorelick is involved in EVERY Clinton scandal according the articles I found googling.
Will the BBC be "allowed" to air this interview?
He really doesn't consider it a badge of honor, and knows full well that unless he cures Cancer, impeachment was his final, historical eviseration and judgement.
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