Hillary Does Letterman 'Late Show'

CBS News ^ | June 16, 2003 | Lauren Johnston

[jimbo123]

After a week of record-breaking book sales and a whirlwind tour of interviews with media bigwigs the likes of Barbara Walters and Larry King, the Hillary juggernaut shifted down a notch to work a slightly less serious circuit.

She went on Letterman.

CBS "Late Show" host David Letterman, who's often used the Clinton family misfortunes to fuel his nightly monologues and "Top Ten" lists, served up the usual quips and wisecracks Monday night before ushering the senator into his desk-side hot seat. He commented he'd gone in for open-heart surgery shortly after their last meeting.

But once the former first lady took the stage, the after-hours comedy king put the cheap shots aside and was on his best behavior.

Letterman's questions ran the political gamut. Clinton parried them with practiced ease and coy smiles, offering replies as beige as her well-tailored pants suit.

He prodded Clinton for details on her political ambitions and plans to run for president in 2008: "I've said I have no intention to run." He pressed her to name a favorite Democratic candidate for the 2004 race: "I like them all."

And when discussing Clinton's newly published, top-selling memoir "Living History," Letterman asked whether she'd really considered divorcing husband Bill Clinton following his admission of a scandalous affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

"I made the right decision for me,'' said Clinton.

But the senator didn't mince words when it came time comment on the economy and bash the Bush Administration's recent tax cuts. "We should go back to having some fiscal responsibility in this country," she said. "I don't think you should be running a government on your credit card, like I don't think you should be living your life on a credit card, and when you do, you run into problems."

"The rich are going to get a whole lot richer and we're going to be leaving more and more middle class people behind. I don't think that's the way America is supposed to run," Clinton said.

Before the interview, Letterman fretted out loud that Walters and King had covered all the bases in their recent talks with Clinton, but neither posed this question:

"Does it bother you now, did it bother you then, that people like myself continue to make jokes about your husband?," he said.

To which the ever-poised Clinton replied, "Well part of the reason I came on this show is, I didn't know you did."

[nutmeg]

bttt

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

What is she rambling about?

[clintonh8r]

Ping me when Dave takes his face out of her lap....

[Fred Mertz]

The average income is $50-70K? Where does she live?

[clintonh8r]

Where does she live?

In a world of her own....

[Mo1]

But the senator didn't mince words when it came time comment on the economy and bash the Bush Administration's recent tax cuts. "We should go back to having some fiscal responsibility in this country," she said. "I don't think you should be running a government on your credit card, like I don't think you should be living your life on a credit card, and when you do, you run into problems."

Ummmm .. Senator Clinton those cooked books happened under You and your husband's Administration

OMG .. Dave just showed a picture of Bill and Hill looking like Hippies

[nutmeg]

*BARF* She's bashing Bush and the Republicans on the "tax cut for the rich"... "People like you and me, Dave, are going to benefit by this tax cut, but not the people at the bottom... it's a shell game. The government is giving with one hand and taking with the other... This is the old supply-side economics, that went on during the 80s... I don't remember all that working out very well..."

*Maniacal, witch-like laughter*

Back after commercial break... Letterman: Have you thought of running for President? Gee, according to this book, you've been president of just about everything else.

*More maniacal, witch-like laughter*

[lizma]

She's on now.

Is it just me or has she "acquired" a New York accent?

I swear she didn't have that accent last time I heard her speak (the VRWC speach).

[nutmeg]

Hillary: I'm not running in 2004.

[willyboyishere]

I don't think she ever joined the Venceremos Brigade---that would certainly have come out earlier. I did know a
girl who in fact did go to Cuba in the late 60s and worked with the Brigade---her name was Karen Nussbaum and she wound up heading the "Women's Bureau" in the Department of Labor in Clinton's first term.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Did I miss it, or did I see Dave *not* kiss the senatrix? Not that anyone would want to... I'm just mentioning it because Dave seems to welcome most of his female guests with a little kiss.

[Howlin]

Could Dave get ANY more sickening???

[nutmeg]

Is it just me or has she "acquired" a New York accent?

Sort of... what's she's now doing is talking really FAST... just like a "real" Noo Yawker! *barf*

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

LOL!

[clintonh8r]

No doubt related to Bernie Nussbaum, notable Clinton rectum-sniffer....

[nutmeg]

West coast Hitlery alert!

[Miss Marple]

Fortunately you guys are an hour ahead of me and are wiling to do the dirty work. I will read your comments and go to bed without having my dreams disturbed.

[Bob Eimiller]

The other countries have a .. KING and/or Queen!!??? Did I hear right? Our country is different? all on one person??? is this woman daft??

[nutmeg]

LOL!

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

*Maniacal, witch-like laughter*

Now that the sound is up, gee whiz, what is up with that scary laugh? It IS maniacal! Where is her broom?

Scare-eeeee!