Posted on 06/21/2004 1:35:17 PM PDT by marshmallow
LONDON (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton (news - web sites) lost his temper during a BBC interview after being repeatedly asked if he was genuine in voicing regret over his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton, revving up a publicity campaign ahead of the release Tuesday of his memoirs, bristled at relentless questioning about the affair with the White House intern by veteran BBC interviewer David Dimbleby, according to British newspapers.
The Times said Monday that Clinton, known for being media savvy and cheerful in public, let out a rant that lasted several minutes.
"As outbursts go, it is not just some flash that is over in an instant. It is something substantial and sustained," said a BBC executive who viewed the interview, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
The weekly said Clinton then branched out into an attack on media intrusion into the private lives of public figures.
Britain's public broadcaster will air the Clinton interview Tuesday, in step with the release of his much-awaited memoirs.
While the book recounts key global events of the charismatic Clinton's two-term presidency -- Kosovo, the Middle East, Somalia -- public interest in the 957-page tome has focused on the Lewinsky affair, one of the "old demons" that nearly brought down the world's most powerful man.
In leaked excerpts of the book and interviews ahead of its release, Clinton describes the Lewinsky affair as a moral failing, says he worried about losing the love of his daughter Chelsea and confesses that his marriage was salvaged by a year of intensive marital counseling.
I can imagine the rant beginning with, "how dare you ask me about Monica Lewinsky, we agreed to a friendly interview in advance!"
I just want someone to tell me that there's a way that I can see or at least hear this.
Are we going to be able to see this?
It says it will be broadcast, but can we see it in the US?
one of the "old demons" that nearly brought down the world's most powerful man.
World's most powerful man? I thought this was about Clinton, not someone powerful.
Why? ...It's the cause for what is probably your Administrations biggest positive accomplishment: Tying up government so it can't change tax laws back and forth to a substantial degree. This was an enormous boon to the economy.
They should be asking him about the rapes.
Absolument!
"Y'ever hear of 'Arkancide', son?"
Must have been uncomfortable for Bill. Sitting there without the reporters nose between his cheeks. Probably felt vulnerable.
If it weren't for the American media handling this psychopath with kid gloves, he'd never have elected president.
Clinton, revving up a publicity campaign ahead of the release Tuesday of his memoirs, bristled at relentless questioning about the affair with the White House intern by veteran BBC interviewer David Dimbleby, according to British newspapers. More Clinton pathology-- "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING I SAY!" Very Kerry-esque, as well.
I would find it very surprising if the book is interesting even to his followers (to read, not just to buy). Clinton's popularity is a personality cult. It relies on emotional impression, which can only really be delivered verbally. His speeches, in written form, are just a meandering trail of contradictions and verications. Only in verbal form can his empathic drive come across - especially to those who are not already cultists.
Woaaaa....dude...and like you paid someone to do that?
"I'll get you a an apartment Hillary, and some fine women, for about a year. By then it should all blow over."
I wonder if this is all a ruse, like when they let out the rumor that he had angrily stalked off during his grand jury testimony?
Interesting that Clinton's concerns about Chelsea is whether or not he will lose her love. No mention about worrying whether he is a good parent or roll model in spite of serial womanizing and all the attendant publicity. Only whether he'll lose her "love". It is, after all, about him. Well, there's no news here. He's consistent. He's really, really consistent.
Clinton should just stick to the alphabet (i.e. Dan Rather style) channel interviews....
Did Flubba try pelting him with Big Macs?
Last night Drudge had a picture of Clinton posted, I assume
during the interview. It was a side view, he was
clinching his jaw to the max. His nose was purple and
his right jaw, all up the side of his face was knotted
up and purple, absolutely reddish purple.
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