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.

[NYC GOP Chick]

I had a feeling I would get that response when I posted it.

I had a feeling you were looking for that response. ;)

[Pikamax]

bttt

[RoseofTexas]

The Pastiche of a Presidency, Imitating a Life, in 957 Pages
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI


Unfortunately for the reader, Mr. Clinton's much awaited new autobiography "My Life" more closely resembles the Atlanta speech, which was so long-winded and tedious that the crowd cheered when he finally reached the words "In closing . . ."

The book, which weighs in at more than 950 pages, is sloppy, self-indulgent and often eye-crossingly dull — the sound of one man prattling away, not for the reader, but for himself and some distant recording angel of history.

In many ways, the book is a mirror of Mr. Clinton's presidency: lack of discipline leading to squandered opportunities; high expectations, undermined by self-indulgence and scattered concentration.

This describes the RAPIST to a tee!I'm shocked this is from the NYT!

[rodguy911]

I'm glad we found out about this cause you can be sure no one else will.

[mware]

LOL, in a way yes, but it is the truth Clinton is getting all the news bites right now.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Awesome! Mo, didja see this?

[NYC GOP Chick]

LOL, in a way yes, but it is the truth Clinton is getting all the news bites right now.

And to repeat a recent line of mine, he better put some ice on it!

[F.J. Mitchell]

"My Life." Too bad the title "My socalled Life" was already protected by copywrite, that's so much more definitive of Clinton.

[kcar]

For some reason this elicits a mental image in me (that my better half won't put into Flash): an image of Clinton's book with a hand icon at hover, that when you left click causes the book to suddenly open and a narrow and bent Jack-O-lantern with Bubba's face bursts out along with the words "Kiss it".

[oblomov]

Does anyone have a clip of BJ Clinton's on-air blowup in 1992 (regarding something Jesse Jackson said about him)?

[July 4th]

Wow...I just read the whole review. The NYT rips Bill Clinton?!?! The world is going to implode!

[mware]

That is what I heard, they really panned the book.

[Mister Baredog]

Dimbleby is old school.

He obviously doesn't understand the agenda.

The whole idea is for Clintoon to rewrite history.

The American press wouldn't confront Bubba like this. They know the agenda. "Bill's Life Lies" is the greatest book ever written. They're calling it the "summer of Clintoon". GAG ME.

Looking foreward to Dimbleby!LOL at the un-spun der schlickmeister popping a cork.

[prion]

to be broadcast on Panorama on Tuesday night

Panorama is on Sunday nights. What gives?

[oblomov]

Hmmmm... wonder what he had to say about Waco six years after the fact?

[Sacajaweau]

I think the media is learning that maybe the truth does sell in this world...Ask Fox!!

[YaYa123]

oh drats! I would love to see this....a real interview! Might be the only one Clinton has to endure.

[ErnBatavia]

His legacy is a sad, 16-acre hole in the ground five blocks west of my apartment.

I sense a fabulous "Freep Poster" for his next local book signing...

[Night Hides Not]

How fitting. What an embarrassment this man is...hawking Chinese suits and signing books at K-Mart.

I agree wholeheartedly. K-Mart is much too high tone for Billy Jeff!