Monica's back – says Clinton lied

Politico.com ^ | 12/17/09 | JOSH GERSTEIN & JOHN F. HARRIS

[OldDeckHand]

In the years since their bitter battle, both former President Bill Clinton and independent counsel Ken Starr have predicted they’d be vindicated in the history books.

Now the first definitive history of the Clinton scandal is about to arrive – and neither man can be completely happy about his portrayal in its pages.

“The Death of American Virtue,” due out in February, asserts that Clinton had yet another extramarital affair, with Susan McDougal of Whitewater fame. Also in the book, Monica Lewinsky tells author Ken Gormley that she believes the president lied under oath when he described their encounters.

At the same time, Gormley offers a harsh portrait of Starr as a man out of his depth and who lost all sense of proportion. His interviews offer new ammunition to critics who contend the Lewinsky investigation was marred at its outset by improper questioning of Lewinsky in January 1998 by Starr’s lieutenants, who continued to grill her even after she asked for a lawyer.

Two presidents later, the saga feels like a far-off chapter in the nation’s history but the book makes clear that the principals, including Clinton himself, remain keenly interested in squaring the historical record to their liking.

In three interviews with the author, Clinton makes clear – to no surprise of longtime observers of the 42nd president – how aggrieved his continues to feel over the whole episode, unspooling a stream of choice invective about his other accusers. In Clinton’s telling, the head of the House impeachment team, Henry Hyde, is a “bitter right-winger” and “hypocrite,” and the judge who cited Clinton for civil contempt was merely currying favor with the conservative wing of the GOP.

[OldDeckHand]

If they're interested in talking about Clinton's trevails again, you know that they want to talk about ANYTHING other than Barry's EPIC FAILURE.

[The Sons of Liberty]

der Schlictmeister’s escapades seem tame compared to der Fuhrer 0bama’s attempt to become dictator.

[BenLurkin]

“The era of big government is over.”

[Abathar]

Monica dear, of course Bill lied, it’s who he is.

Heck unless you had a ruler with you it probably wasn’t his first one either.

[a fool in paradise]

Does she talk about how qualified she was for the 6-figure job she got to lie under oath?

[JoeProBono]

[Don Corleone]

This just in....der Schlictmeister’s now counselling Tiger.

[Drango]

YOU LIE!

[Tijeras_Slim]

I would never have thought I’d be even mildly nostalgic about Bubba’s antics.

Amazing.

[GovernmentShrinker]

I kind of wish Monica would write her own book. Of course I respect her for not having done so. But still, I wish she would.

[seanmerc]

Slick Willie, you are yesterday’s news. Begone!

[businessprofessor]

Only because slickmeister had a conservative Congress to restrain him.

[bgill]

Clinton and his defenders failed to acknowledge that Wright “could have ended his presidency with the stroke of a pen” by initiating criminal contempt proceedings against him while the impeachment case was still pending.

That should have been the headline. I wouldn't poo-poo this off as a detour away from the current pres_ent. It might remind some that this train wreck can be stopped.

[FrankR]

"If they're interested in talking about Clinton's trevails again, you know that they want to talk about ANYTHING other than Barry's EPIC FAILURE. "

EGG-zactly!

WHY are we revisiting Monica Lewinsky? So clinton lied...what else is new...and how does that make what she did OK?

She sealed her fate when she got involved with him, and if it's made "getting a lewinsky" a household word, then that is primarily the fault of her, him and the media putting "oral sex" on the evening news for months on end.

With all that is going on now with the kenyan and his minions, the lewinsky story falls within the rhelm of the old joke, "When you're up to your ass in alligators, it's hard to remember your initial objective was to drain the swamp."

'nuff said

[OldDeckHand]

"I kind of wish Monica would write her own book. Of course I respect her for not having done so. But still, I wish she would."

I'm not sure if she still is, but for a number of years, she was bound by an agreement with the Office of Independent Counsel that forbade her from writing a book.

She has appeared on at least one television special for which she was compensated, FWIW. I was watching the View (don't ask) a couple of months ago and Barbara Walters was talking about it. Walters likes Lewinsky, for some reason - perhaps on mistress to another.

[The Sons of Liberty]

This just in....der Schlictmeister’s now counselling Tiger.

LOL!

[Candor7]

Monica was recruited by Tiger Woods?

[Night Hides Not]

Memo to Billy Jeff: Better put some ice on that.

[Freddd]

And since they are already attacking the book, you know most of it is true....

[Harley]

When Bill Clinton and Hillary got married he made her promise she would never look in his old suitcase he kept under the bed. She agreed and finally one day about 30 years after they were married she decided to look in the suitcase. To her surprise there were 3 empty aluminum beer cans and about $84,000 in cash. She confronted Bill and said she had looked in the suitcase. He said well, every time he was unfaithful he tossed an empty aluminum can in the case. Hillary said well that's not so bad, 30 years three cans, but what is the $84,000 for? Bill said well, when the suitcase was full I would take the cans down and recycle them for cash.