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OK, but how do you explain all of that reading resulting in nothing more than strings of tired liberal cliches coming out of his mouth? It's been reported that he has an excellent short term memory, like his momma the gambler, I suppose, who (he not his momma!) never seriously studied while in college and only crammed the nights before the exams. He has a brightness of a shameless street hustler. I simply cannot imagine a relaxed, intelligent conversation with the guy about any of these books.

"The Imitation of Christ" is one of the most devout, worshipful books I've ever read. It's impossible to imagine X42 having actually read this, especially considering his hatred of traditional Christianity.

OK, but how do you explain all of that reading resulting in nothing more than strings of tired liberal cliches coming out of his mouth? It's been reported that he has an excellent short term memory, ... never seriously studied while in college and only crammed the nights before the exams.

1. Even Ken Starr said that he wished he were as smart as Clinton. I think this was in reference to Clinton having been able to easily absorb all the material in law school. Apparently Clinton never needed to study as hard as other people because he is unusually smart.

2. As I recall, prior to his becoming President, Clinton attended a lot of meetings with other governors and politicians where he surprised everyone with the depth of his investigation of various policy issues. He was known as a "policy wonk". Whether or not you agree with his proposed solutions to these problems, or the possible slant of his reading, the other attendees felt that he had done a lot of reading on these issues.

3. It's also been noted that he has an excellent long-term memory.

I simply cannot imagine a relaxed, intelligent conversation with the guy about any of these books.

4. Roger Ebert once had a show where he discussed films with Clinton. Clinton was able to have a relaxed intelligent conversation about all these movies. It was a little shocking that he had had time to see them while he was President. Ebert was surprised at the depth of Clinton's knowledge of films.

5. Apparently he was able to concentrate enough to learn how to play the saxophone quite well.

He has a brightness of a shameless street hustler.

So? A lot of street hustlers are very smart. Neither of us has had an opportunity to discuss literature with Clinton, but his self-centeredness and lack of morality does not preclude his having read many books.