by William Neikirk
Even in death, the voice of Jerry Ford still reverberates in political circles. Bill Clinton was a sex addict in need of therapy. His former chief of staff, Dick Cheney, has not been the asset he could have been to George W. Bush. Ronald Reagan "had a helluva flair" but was "not up to the standards of either Democrat or Republican presidents."
As for Jimmy Carter, "I think he's the weakest president I've ever seen in my lifetime," he said in 1999. And George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq was made for the wrong reasons, since it turned out Saddam Hussein did not have weapons of mass destruction.
"Write It When I'm Gone," journalist Tom DeFrank's book on his interviews with the former president--interviews held until after his death by agreement--gives the world some juicy, posthumous candor. DeFrank, a former Newsweek reporter now with the New York Daily News, developed a close relationship with Ford and signs off his book with these words, "Thank you, Mr. President."
Yet it feels a little weird, perhaps even a bit unfair, to hear now what Ford knew would not be printed until his death. He never spoke this harshly in public as a major political leader of our time, and so it could be rationally concluded that he did not want to take the heat for these words and wanted to have it both ways. And how can those attacked in the book answer a dead man?
DeFrank is a solid reporter who made a pact with the former president. It began when Ford, as the vice president, blurted out to DeFrank that President Nixon couldn't survive and he would be the president, adding "but when the pages of history of written, nobody can say I contributed to it." Realizing that he had spoken out of school, he extracted from the reporter a promise that he would only write about his statement until after his death. DeFrank, who concedes he was a scared 28-year-old newsman, gave up a worldwide scoop for the promise of future candor.
Had DeFrank printed that story at the time, it would have undoubtedly created a sensation, perhaps even hastened Nixon's resignation, but it would have cleared the air while creating some major political problems. Ford was walking a fine line between supporting Nixon publicly and privately lamenting his behavior. That was a delicate line to walk, but let's face it, it was not totally honest and authentic.
DeFrank will get his share of criticism for not reporting what Ford told him at that time, but his book raises some interesting questions about the relationships between journalists and political figures. The Scooter Libby case brought on criticism that journalists in Washington are too close to political leaders and all too often traffic in information provided by nameless sources.
But DeFrank did some good stuff, as we say in journalism. Ford said, for example, that when asked about Clinton in public, he would only say that he voted for former Sen. Robert Dole to be the president. But to DeFrank, he said, "Clinton's got a sex sickness. I mean that." Later on, he said, "he's so sick he gets away with it."
He never forgave Reagan for running against him in 1976, telling DeFrank that he could have defeated Jimmy Carter if Reagan had not challenged him. But Ford stopped criticizing Reagan in his interviews with DeFrank after Reagan came down with Alzheimer's Disease.
When Clinton left office, DeFrank writes, Ford was scornful of his last-minute pardons, except for that given to Chicago's Dan Rostenskowski, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who had been convicted in the House Post Office scandal.
Said Ford: "Danny's problem was that he played precisely under the rules of the city of Chicago. Now, those aren't the same rules that that any other place in the world lives by, but in Chicago, they were totally legal, and Danny got a screwing, and I was pleased that Clinton granted it."
DeFrank had a book party Monday night and many old journalist friends showed up, along with former White House political adviser Karl Rove, whose name is not in the book.
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Comments
Who was it that brought total cynicisim to the American political scene by pardoning the first in a long line of completely venal and corrupt presidents?
Posted by: tom | October 30, 2007 9:38 AM
Please send Mr. Ford to his wife's clinic. After reading his thoughts, the only conclusion is he is ADDICTED TO CRACK.
Posted by: mike urban | October 30, 2007 9:50 AM
The phrase, "Tell it to my face," comes to mine. Ford was apparently a coward and a backstabber.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | October 30, 2007 10:10 AM
Ahhh, members of the Loony Left showing more of their hate for just about everything in life.
I don't agree with all of Ford's assessments. His jealousy and anger at Reagan is quite apparent. His being happy about Rosty's pardon also is wrong. Regardless of Chicago politics history of corruotion, that is no excuse that Rosty grew up in that corruption so being corrupt in Washington was OK. But he hits the proverbial nail on the head with Clinton and especially Carter, the worst president and worst ex-president in this nation's history.
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 10:11 AM
Here is a bulletin for Mike Urban- Ford died 12-26-06
Posted by: steve | October 30, 2007 10:15 AM
To Mike Urban, are you unaware that Ford is dead? And just what did he get wrong? Clinton has been described by professionals as a sex addict. Carter is listed by people who evaluate such things as a very bad president. His pardon of Nixon is criticised by many but most, even Dem's, indicate it needed to be done. Reagen was by no means a perfect president and there were better presidents than all of them in Ford's lifetime. So just where did he go wrong?
Posted by: John | October 30, 2007 10:18 AM
Think of the fun Hillary will have in keeping a monitor on Bill while he cavorts around the East Wing of the White House.
Better seal off the tunnel to the Treaury Building and go to only male interns.
Posted by: Horatio A. | October 30, 2007 10:19 AM
The quote about Chicago was priceless!
Posted by: PaulF | October 30, 2007 10:27 AM
John D-
Does serial adulterer Rudy Guiliani have a "sex sickness"?
Posted by: AJF | October 30, 2007 10:27 AM
Carter is weak? What is the word for someone who takes parting shots at former politicians post mortem? By the way Ford, "weak" Jimmy Carter trounced you one on one. Remember that, fool.
Posted by: jethro | October 30, 2007 10:28 AM
Please send Mr. Ford to his wife's clinic. After reading his thoughts, the only conclusion is he is ADDICTED TO CRACK.
Posted by: mike urban | October 30, 2007 9:50 AM
Exactly how would you send a dead person to a clinic? It is difficult to critisize a man who took office in unprecidented circumstances. I am sure the decision to pardon nixon wsa not soley his.
Have you ever met a crack addict? I have, including my own nephew, who did not survive his addiction. If you do not agree with anything, fine. But crack addiction is not funny, and should no be used for your own sarcastic satisfaction.
Posted by: Rob S | October 30, 2007 10:28 AM
Too bad Mr. Ford's comments about Clinton didn't come out sooner. It could have helped a lot of people with "sex sickness". Republicans are a fine group to dispense advice concerning healthy sexual relationships.
Posted by: Jimi | October 30, 2007 10:29 AM
I wish Ford were still alive, 20 years younger and running for President again; I might vote for him. He was one of the few Republicans I could tolerate.
Posted by: CC | October 30, 2007 10:43 AM
ford did'nt have the balls to say any of this to anyones face while he was alive. that says alot about a persons character. he sounds so spiteful and vindictive
Posted by: albanypark | October 30, 2007 10:56 AM
Yes, President Clinton likes sex, as all healthy men do. I don't find anything sick about that. What I find sick are the Republicans who hire prostitutes and molest underage male pages.
Posted by: Paul | October 30, 2007 10:56 AM
And they say dead men tell no tales!
DeFrank should have left the dead alone and not published this. Publishing this only serves to make money for DeFrank.
Posted by: Jill | October 30, 2007 11:04 AM
Hey Paul, Don't forget soliciting sex in airport bathrooms.
Posted by: Patrick | October 30, 2007 11:20 AM
Newsflash to Paul: Please provide the name of the Republican who molested male pages?
If you are referring to Mark Foley, here is a real newsflash: Foley never had sex with a male page!!!!
Now, Gerry Studds, a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts DID have sex with a male page.
Now, if you want to discuss Clinton's sex life, let's do that.
Here are some questions:
1. You say it's Ok to like sex, so was it OK for the president of the U.S. to have sex with an intern in the Oval Office?
2. Was it OK for Bill to rape Juanita Broadderick?
3. Was it OK for Bill to fondle and harrass Dem contributor Kathleen Willey in the White House?
4. Was it Ok that after Willey made her accusations that dead animals began appearing at the Willey home?
5. Was it OK for Bill to sexually harrass Paula Jones?
6. How many affairs did Bill have while married?
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 11:31 AM
What a weasel.
It's funny that he calls Jimmy Carter "weak". Jimmy's not waiting until he's dead to make his opinion known on Presidents and current issues. He at least isn't afraid to subject himself to the wrath of those who disagree with him on these matters (and he is subjected to it, THAT's for damnsure).
Jimmy's possibly the most accomplished ex-president in the history of the republic. The biggest thing Gerald Ford's done since leaving office is take posthumous pot-shots at everyone that politically whooped his arse in life.
Weak indeed.
Posted by: david k | October 30, 2007 11:35 AM
I can not believe how personal and mean comments become when attacking another party. It is disheartening to say the very least. Nixon was involved in a cover up, there are politicians that did way worse and still are in office or running for office. Why can't people stick to the politics? I was once declaring myself a democrat but now I am independent. The thought of being associated with such mean, bitter, sore losing whining babies turns my stomach. Neither party is worth losing your self respect, they are both crooks and hypocrits so stop the hate!
Posted by: caroline | October 30, 2007 11:48 AM
i agree with caroline
tom little t - the independent (not the other toms)
Posted by: tom | October 30, 2007 1:02 PM
Let's face it...Carter was/is a wimp. Reagan was a great president. Ford was respected...maybe not by most of you...but he was respected by most. That is why people want to know what he thought about a lot of things. That is why this book is catching interest. He was also very human, another reason he was very well regarded. If his view bugs you...so sorry...lol. I just think it is pretty interesting.
Posted by: Rob | October 30, 2007 1:27 PM
Let's face it...Carter was/is a wimp. Reagan was a great president. Ford was respected...maybe not by most of you...but he was respected by most. That is why people want to know what he thought about a lot of things. That is why this book is catching interest. He was also very human, another reason he was very well regarded. If his view bugs you...so sorry...lol. I just think it is pretty interesting.
Posted by: Rob | October 30, 2007 1:28 PM
Why didn't President Ford, who never won a popular election, come out in opposition to the Iraq war when it mattered? Like Colin Powell, he swallowed his tongue when he could have made a difference. Being a "good soldier" is not an admirable trait when loyalty to party comes at the expense of the country's best interest, IMO.
Posted by: dt | October 30, 2007 1:41 PM
Why is Reagan now considered a great president? What about those 241 Marines who died in Beirut with no reprisal? What about that Space Shuttle exploding so he could have a "teacher in orbit"? What about the deficit that took years to reverse until W took it back up again? What about the great military victory over Grenada when we attacked 200 cubans with 10,000 Marines?
Carter? Yeah he the Iranian Hostage deal happen but not one of them died!
Posted by: bill | October 30, 2007 2:30 PM
"2. Was it OK for Bill to rape Juanita Broadderick?
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 11:31 AM"
JohnD., rape is a very serious charge to level against someone. Very serious. If Clinton raped Juanita Broaddrick, WHY hasn't he been charged with it, especially considering that Republicans had no problems going after him with lesser charges? Could it be that there was never a case? Could it be perhaps that Ms. Broaddrick kept alleging and then denying so often that her credibility has long ago been shot?
If Clinton raped her, or anyone else, then he belongs behind bars. If you have some evidence that would lead to his arrest and conviction, get it to a D.A. so justice can be served. If he didn't and you don't, then you're just full of cr*p. Oh, wait -- we already established how full of cr*p you are. Never mind.
Posted by: Op109 | October 30, 2007 2:31 PM
No one more courageous than the dead.
Regards,
Posted by: Nancy_Naive | October 30, 2007 2:35 PM
Why didn't President Ford, who never won a popular election, come out in opposition to the Iraq war when it mattered? Like Colin Powell, he swallowed his tongue when he could have made a difference. Being a "good soldier" is not an admirable trait when loyalty to party comes at the expense of the country's best interest, IMO.
Posted by: dt
he would have been called a traitor by the government...i still remember how everybody was a traitor that was against the war.
Why is Reagan now considered a great president? What about those 241 Marines who died in Beirut with no reprisal? What about that Space Shuttle exploding so he could have a "teacher in orbit"? What about the deficit that took years to reverse until W took it back up again? What about the great military victory over Grenada when we attacked 200 cubans with 10,000 Marines?
Carter? Yeah he the Iranian Hostage deal happen but not one of them died!
Posted by: bill
so you dont like him because an accident happened with the space shuttle and he didnt get into another vietnam and gave no chance of failure against a small group of cubans...interesting...voted for bush both times huh
as for everybody saying that ford is a coward why dont you go up to your boss and say how poorly he is doing and insult his intelligence...bet you wont because your cowards IMAO...go yell at a grave more why dont ya
Posted by: lost | October 30, 2007 3:10 PM
Op109 where would they put him if he was convicted? not like they can throw him in prison with other people...maybe house arrest for rape...except it would look like a joke to the public. it's just easier not to even try...get out of jail free card i guess
Posted by: lost | October 30, 2007 3:14 PM
Well 30 years later, there is no direct proof. In regard to proof for a incidence of rape, the one being raped would need to have reported the crime and seen a doctor within hours of the event. But here are some takes on this event, both pro and con:
http://www.slate.com/id/1002027/
http://www.ishipress.com/wsjbroad.htm
And here from the Progressive Review (figured you folks might like this one), is a littany of Clinton scandals and stuff:
http://prorev.com/legacy.htm
I also suggest looking into David Schipper's book. He is a Democratic Chicago former cop who was on the Clinton impeachment investigation. His book and comments are eye-opening to say the least.
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 3:19 PM
But he hits the proverbial nail on the head with Clinton and especially Carter, the worst president and worst ex-president in this nation's history.
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 10:11 AM
Geographically Challenged Dumb Dumb Little Johnnie D, "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood":
Yeah, those 8 years of peace and prosperity during Clinton's presidency just sucked, didn't they?
Posted by: BC | October 30, 2007 3:29 PM
Op109 where would they put him if he was convicted? not like they can throw him in prison with other people...maybe house arrest for rape...except it would look like a joke to the public. it's just easier not to even try...get out of jail free card i guess
Posted by: lost | October 30, 2007 3:14 PM
For starters, he could go to the same jail Scooter Libby would have gone to had he not been pardoned. What ARE you talking about?
Dyslin,
Op109's point stands- you are throwing out allegations that border on slander. Ms. Broaddrick attended a fundraiser for Clinton 3 weeks after being raped? Hmmm.
We are all supposed to defer to your Republican overlords and "show some respect," yet you are clearly incapable of showing even the most basic respect for the 42nd President of the United States. Your cries ring exceedingly hollow.
"lost,"
Reagan left the largest deficit the country has ever seen, armed our 3 biggest enemies of modern times: Iran, Saddam and Bin Laden, and cut and ran immediately after the Beirut bombings and never responded, other than redirecting our military from Beirut to Grenada within days. Talk about bait and switch. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reagan/peopleevents/pande07.html
"
Posted by: Distrust and Verify | October 30, 2007 3:35 PM
Jethro, Carter did not "trounce" Ford.
Carter had 50.1% of the vote compared to 48% for Ford. The last decisive victory for a Democratic presidential candidate was in 1964.
Posted by: TWB | October 30, 2007 3:51 PM
"GHOST OF FORD SPEAKS"
OH SO WHAT, EVERY MAN THAT LOVES A WOMAN HAS A SEX ADDICTION TO A WOMAN. EVERY MAN THAT LOVES ANOTHER MAN WILL HAVE A SEX ADDICTION FOR THAT MAN TOO. OH SO WHAT IF A WOMAN LOVES ANOTHER WOMAN AND HAS A SEX ADDICTION TOWARDS THAT WOMAN.
IT'S HUMAN. IT'S HUMAN TO ERROR. IT'S MANKIND AND WOMANKIND ALIKE.
BUT WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH WEAPONS OF MASS OF DESTRUCTION. PURGING PROSECUTORS FOR POLITICAL REASONS. WIRETAPPING AMERICAN CITIZENS (AKA) THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, EVEASDROPPING ON AMERICAN CITIZENS, AKA QWEST CEO NACCIO. RENDERING AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CITIZENS BECAUSE THE LOOK LIKE O.J. AND WE JUST GOT TO GET THAT ONE BROTHA.
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH TORTURE! 2.4 TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. 46 REPUBLICAN FILLIBUSTERS, AND VETO AFTER VETO.
I KNOW IT'S CONGRESS'S FAULT THAT GEORGE AND MARTHA BUSH HAD GEORGE BUSH JR! WE WERE NOT THERE, DURING ALL THOSE FAMILY VALUES BEING DISCUSSED THAT EVENING.
SO WHY DO WE HAVE TO DANCE IN HIS IMPEACHMENT ORDERS!
CONGRESS IS AT 78% LESS THE 5% WEALTHY. NOT 29% OR 22% BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO VOTES IN THIS ADMINISTRATION IT ONLY MATTERS WHO COUNTS THOSE VOTES?
REGENTS UNIVERSITY VS AMERICA AND IT'S CONSTITUTION.
AMERICA!
Posted by: Roger Morris | October 30, 2007 3:51 PM
as for everybody saying that ford is a coward why dont you go up to your boss and say how poorly he is doing and insult his intelligence...bet you wont because your cowards IMAO...go yell at a grave more why dont ya
Posted by: lost | October 30, 2007 3:10 PM
Who was Ford's boss after he left office?
A better analogy would be that, after you retire, you continue kissing your bosses arse for another 30 years, only to leave a movie to run at your funeral of you calling your boss a jerk. THAT'D be cowardly! (And what a last statement.. bitter and petty)
"go yell at a grave more why dont ya"... that's exactly why it's cowardly.. because he gets his little pot-shot in posthumously and nobody can retort without being disrespectful of the dead. If he wasn't a coward he would have either 1) made these opinions of his known while he was alive, thus giving the objects of his derision a chance to respond, or 2) taken his laundry list of petty beefs with him to the grave.
The ONLY reason he would have done it this way was that he wanted to get his little cheap-shots in, but avoid having to deal personally with the backlash... a cowardly approach, no doubt.
Posted by: crafty b | October 30, 2007 3:58 PM
I would just like to point out what I think alot of people have already tried to say... there is a reason Ford couldn't say these things while he was alive. Do every last one of ya'll tell every person you meet what you really think of them??? You’re lying if you say yes. We live in a society that calls for a certain level of political correctness and alot of what we see Ford as saying in this book is anything but PC. Can you see the back lash he would have faced for saying these things? He was a politician by trade and to be frank is to retire. Maybe if President Ford wanted to make sure he could never again contribute to the American political scene if would have said these things while he was alive. But be that as is it may it is clear Mr. Ford waited till his retirement from the American public to let his true views be known. If only all Presidents where like this I feel like I know the man better, and I too would have voted for him if given the chance even after reading this. But many would not have and many would have made any effort he put forth in politics a failure. Think about.
Posted by: Christina | October 30, 2007 4:04 PM
Only calling Carter weak should be considered charity. Once we suffered through 4 years of him he couldn't beat R.R. even among Democrats. George McGovern admitted to his wife he couldn't vote for him again, turns out neither could she.
Posted by: whatnow | October 30, 2007 4:24 PM
you repubs are such weak streams. after eight years of lies, toe tapping and corruption even the dumbest of dumb asses in the public has seen enough. pay back is hell, with hillary in the whitehouse, with the dems in both houses, no repub will be safe starting with cheney and rove.
Posted by: bob s. | October 30, 2007 4:45 PM
And Ford was insignificant...
Posted by: pgb | October 30, 2007 4:58 PM
Do every last one of ya'll tell every person you meet what you really think of them???
Posted by: Christina | October 30, 2007 4:04 PM
No, I don't.
But I'm also not saving all my petty beefs in little letters that I've addressed and postmarked to be mailed to everyone after I'm dead. Gawd, how pathetic. If your gonna say it at all, then for chrissakes, at least have the dignity to say it while your around to be responded to.
Posted by: crafty b | October 30, 2007 5:15 PM
I think Mike Urban's on crack. You can't send a dead man to a rehab clinic.
Posted by: Jim D. | October 30, 2007 5:17 PM
He was a politician by trade and to be frank is to retire. Maybe if President Ford wanted to make sure he could never again contribute to the American political scene if would have said these things while he was alive.
Posted by: Christina | October 30, 2007 4:04 PM
Christina.. he was a retired politician for almost 30 years... lol. That's plenty of available time to be Frank.
Posted by: crafty b | October 30, 2007 5:18 PM
That would be a really creepy Halloween prank to send Ford to his wife's clinic.
Posted by: CTS | October 30, 2007 5:28 PM
John D doesn't realize we have a worse president and a soon to be worst ex-president in the White House right now. I agree Carter is pretty bad as an ex-president though. Helping out and all. That's just awful behavior. He should be making some money, or at least lobbying for the corporations.
Posted by: Bob Frapples | October 30, 2007 5:32 PM
OMG...What does "no repub will be safe" imply? And when did we become the type of country filled with such anger? I think we all need to consider what bob s just posted and decide if that is the kind of mean-spirited vision we want to be known for? It doesn't matter which political party I belong to...I think this is over the line.
Agree?
Posted by: VONNY | October 30, 2007 5:34 PM
Said Ford: "Danny's problem was that he played precisely under the rules of the city of Chicago. Now, those aren't the same rules that that any other place in the world lives by, but in Chicago, they were totally legal, and Danny got a screwing, and I was pleased that Clinton granted it."
Excuse me President Ford, Danny's activities were illegal in Chicago too. IT's just that Chicago politicians believed and still believe that doing things that are illegal is okay. Chicago is run by people who don't mind breaking the law. Though they do get nervous when fellow politicians are convicted or get indicted and become informers. I hope one day Chicago is run by honest people and then without graft and corruption it will become a great city.
Posted by: MACK | October 30, 2007 5:36 PM
Typical cowards way of handling things by Ford. The pardon of Nixon was a huge blackeye on American politics but this beyond the grave backstabbing is as low as it gets. The book has no credibility.
Posted by: Alex Dean | October 30, 2007 5:36 PM
Ford was a class act. He's definitely right about Carter and Clinton. The problem today is most people don't care about a candidate's character. They vote from sound bites and partisan/biased reporting. Ford made all the right moves when he was president, including Nixon's pardon. He made decisions based on what was best for the country, not the next election.
Posted by: Regular Guy | October 30, 2007 5:37 PM
The last decisive victory for a Democratic presidential candidate was in 1964.
Posted by: TWB | October 30, 2007 3:51 PM
1996
Clinton 49.2% popular vote
Dole 40.7% popular vote
Clinton 379 electoral votes
Dole 159 electoral votes.
Looks pretty decisive to me.
Posted by: AJF | October 30, 2007 5:47 PM
Addictions run throughout the Clinton family;informed people would identify Bill as one member gripped with a sexual one. I've met him in person, and even though I consider myself one of the last remaining heterosexual males in Chicago, I'd say he could even charm the pants off of me. I'm an "Obama guy" yet watching the antics under another Clinton administration would be far more interesting, if you know what I mean.
Posted by: Mike Donnelly | October 30, 2007 5:50 PM
"Well 30 years later, there is no direct proof.
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 3:19 PM"
My point EXACTLY. No further comment neccesary.
Posted by: Op109 | October 30, 2007 5:59 PM
"His book and comments are eye-opening to say the least."
Too bad we can't say the same for you, John D.
Posted by: The Left | October 30, 2007 7:22 PM
Dumb for Life BC:
Geographically Challenged Dumb Dumb Little Johnnie D, "the Joseph Stalin of Streamwood":
Yeah, those 8 years of peace and prosperity during Clinton's presidency just sucked, didn't they?
Posted by: BC | October 30, 2007 3:29 PM
I called CARTER the worst president and ex president, NOT Clinton.
Reading and comprehending another one of your many deficiencies, including geography? Still think that Cuba doesn't border the southern end of the Gulf of Mexico, do ya?
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 11:58 PM
he would have been called a traitor by the government...i still remember how everybody was a traitor that was against the war.
lost..yet the "weak" Jimmy Carter came out against the Iraq War and said that a preemptive, unilateral invasion was against everything the U.S. stands for.
Posted by: dt | October 31, 2007 1:29 PM
I called CARTER the worst president and ex president, NOT Clinton.
Reading and comprehending another one of your many deficiencies, including geography? Still think that Cuba doesn't border the southern end of the Gulf of Mexico, do ya?
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 11:58 PM
Bush will, far and away, be considered a worse President that Carter. While Carter could have been more effective, he didn't sully the reputation of the United States, worldwide. He didn't trash the Constitution or endorse torture. He wasn't, and isn't morally bankrupt, like Bush. He didn't leave the Country with staggering debt that will take decades to repay. He's dedicated his whole post-presidential life to bringing peace and prosperity to the world, for which he received a Nobel Prize. The fact that you despise him for this, says a lot about you.
Posted by: dt | October 31, 2007 1:41 PM
It is apparent that Clinton had or has a psychological problem with sexual compulsivity. I do doubt he ever forced a woman to have sex; just exposed himself and requested it. Sometimes it worked (Monica); sometimes it didn't (Paula). He was a good president in a way, but a dangerous man to have in office with the kind of problem he had. Sex is normal, true, but it is abnormal when one can't control him or herself when the chips are down, and I'd say being president, in the Oval Office, with a still young daugher and Ken Starr and the neo-cons after him, he couldn't keep from doing what he did with Monica.
As to Ford, he wasn't a bad man, but it does seem silly for him to have allowed these thoughts to be published after his death. He was busy making money after his presidency and didn't want to rock the boat, so he didn't allow stuff like this to come out, and he didn't allow himself to oppose Iraq. He was very much a tool.
And I find it sad that he "hated" on Jimmy Carter so much when it was apparent at Ford's death that Jimmy very much believed they had become real friends and was clearly shaken by Ford's death. I think he even flew with Ford's casket to his grave. I thought that was very touching, and it is sad that Ford allowed this stuff to be attributed to him after death, besmirching something decent that Carter thought had happened between the two of them over the years, i. e., friendship developing in the wake of political enmity.
Posted by: Jay Mooney | January 15, 2008 6:57 PM