Yeah, right!
He looked like a raging freakin' psycho.
Posted on 09/28/2006 9:44:27 AM PDT by jhouston
Friday will be a week since former President Bill Clinton's angry, finger-pointing reaction to Chris Wallace's questions about his record on fighting terrorism. It's a story that continues to have legs — which Wallace considers a compliment.
We talked briefly with the host of Fox News Sunday to find out more about what went on behind the scenes during the interview, which was taped Friday and telecast Sunday.
Q: Chris, are you tired of talking about this?
A: Yeah, I'm getting tired of me.
Q: There seems to be a consensus that the interview did Clinton some good. What's your take?
A: I'm not in the business of doing the former president good or harm. I'm just doing my job, which is to ask questions.
Given the fact that we got our largest audience in the last three years, I think we did some good for the show and showed what we are all about, which is asking tough questions of both sides.
Q: But have the Clinton spinmeisters been at work?
A: Oh, absolutely. The Clinton spin machine is in full-wash cycle right now. They've portrayed this like he had planned it and had set a trap.
The fact is that, during the interview — and I was sitting with the (former) president, and he was genuinely angry, his emotions were somewhat out of control — things were happening off-camera. As (Clinton) went off, his press secretary was jabbing my producer in the shoulder, demanding the interview be ended and the cameras shut off.
After the interview, you could hear him yelling at his staff in the hallway for getting him into this situation. Preplanned?
I think not.
Q: Are you surprised that the interview wasn't ended?
A: When the cameras are rolling, it's hard for a politician to get up and walk out; they know it's not going to make them look particularly good. I think he had some things he wanted to get off his chest.
I was grateful he chose to do so on Fox News Sunday.
Q: Was it difficult for you to stay calm and civil?
A: No. There were three things going on. On the first level of consciousness, I was just astonished at the outpouring of emotion and anger. Sometimes amid the brilliant and cogent arguments, conspiracy theories were flowing out of the president. On another level, I'm thinking, how should I respond? I was thinking don't let him run over you and don't fight with him. I think I succeeded at both. And on a third level, I'm thinking I've got a hell of a story here.
Q: What are you hearing from colleagues and friends?
A: The response has been amazing. The public response continues to build. Even among colleagues and friends. They know I'm a straight newsman. This talk of right-wing is foolishness. Those who are familiar with me and Fox News Sunday know I ask probing questions of both sides. And secondly, that people felt I handled it about right, that I stayed professional and didn't try to get in a fight. My feeling is if you've asked a question and you're getting a good answer, don't interrupt it. I was getting a great answer.
Q: Have you heard from your father (newsman Mike Wallace)?
A: I have, and he thinks I did great and that the former president lost it.
Q: Have you heard from Clinton since?
A: No.
Q: Did you leave things in a bad way?
A: I wouldn't say so. He was ready to get up. He was still reeling from this outburst.
I didn't go into this interview wanting to get in a fight with him, and I didn't want to be in a fight with him. I tried to say to him that the last thing I was trying to do was to provoke him. But he was not to be mollified. He was angry. It wasn't unpleasant; he didn't stomp off.
He was upset, and he stayed that way.
Q: Is this the most combative or contentious interview you ever had?
A: Probably not. I've been an investigative reporter for years. We would track down crooks and confront them. I've had angrier or more unpleasant interviews, but never with a former president of the United States.
Q: Who should play you on the inevitable Saturday Night Live parody?
A: That's a good question. I would be happy to play myself.
I was really hoping that Clinton's head and that old alcoholic bulbous nose were going to explode on TV. It was hilarious. The funniest thing I have seen from him in several years. I bet that Hillary bitch-slapped him good when she saw him as he made such a fool out of THEM as a pair. Bafoon magic.
That's interesting. I hadn't heard the part about him tearing up his staffers out in the hallway afterward. Boy, I'll bet Slick Willie is sheer hell to work for...well, unless you're Designated Intern.
}:-)4
Exactly. This piece should put to rest all those idiots out there saying that this was some grand, brilliant strategy on the part of Clinton to give Democrats standing in the upcoming election. That kind of talk, like Clinton, Democrats, and liberals, is totally fraudulent.
Clinton exploded in anger. It was unplanned. Case closed.
..and Yes, it was real.
When this first hit the news we were siting in an airport terminal in LAX waiting for a boarding call. The gate area was full. As soon as it played thre was a loud laughter thruout the gate area. They were laughing at Bill Clinton. rofl
If that is an example of what most Americans thought, the Clintons are in deep doodoo.
Possibilty: Der Sclickmeister planned it to look rightious and powerful.
Sad Truth: Clinton's fellow travellers, instead of seeing him as the sad little man that he his, an obsessed, self-important little tinpot dictator with his fly open (as we clear-thinking Republicans do) actually, honestly, have to invent the second possibility and make themselves believe it, as if the mere act of getting angry somehow absolves him for his manyfold failures, including turning down Bin Ladin several times, which may, may have prevented or lessened the tragedy of 911. The incident is memorable, because it allows the pathetic wreck of a man to be exposed to history and to undecided parties for his judgement. But the worst of it is that like the almost giddy Sam Donaldson, whom I heard on the radio gloating about how wonderful this fiasco was, it shows that the Dems will do anything, anything, to keep their view of Bill Clinton as some sort of Liberal god.
I heard about him tearing into the staffers, I HADN'T HEARD about the staffers telling the producers to stop the interview!! THAT IS HILARIOUS! I'm still amazed at this...with all the hoopla in the weeks before with the PATH TO 9/11 being aired, wouldn't you think he would have had a stock, to the point, well thought out political answer at the tip of his tongue???? Does he think he's that immune to criticism??? That's just creepy.
When Wallace is asked if he's ever conducted a more contentious interview, he says..
...'Yes, with crooks...
...LOLOL...a Freudian slip, maybe?
Yes, and among all of the clintonistas claiming this, there are two especially to note. Bill Kristol and Newt Gingrich.
Perhaps it was a case that Clinton is sooooo used to having the news media fluff for him that to be questioned is a bit too much for him to bear. I still wouldn't put it past him to have planned it though...
Clinton has become so accustomed to the puff-ball questioning of the MSM that he was unable to adjust to pointed questions. So sa'yad!
I heard he threatened to fire staffers if that happened to him again.
Clinton should be in a padded cell, and not allowed to come within 100 yards of women. Instead, he is lionized by the MSM and about 49% of the electorate as a "great man." He makes me sick.
Just LOVE IT! Go Chris go!
Funny, I am not sure Wallace intentionally meant to compare Clinton's reaction to that of crooks.
>I HADN'T HEARD about the staffers telling the producers to stop the interview!!<
It's good to know that FOX is no ABC! Clinton came across like a horse easily spooked - a slow learner!
Yeah, right!
He looked like a raging freakin' psycho.
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