Clinton’s New Book is a Smoke Screen to Avoid #MeToo Questions
Former President Bill Clinton has recently co-authored a book with the novel producing machine known as James Patterson. I found this interesting, because I had not read anywhere in recent months that he was working on it until late May. However, after some research, I did discover how the idea allegedly came about.
The New York Times reports “The project came about late last year when Robert B. Barnett, a lawyer at Williams & Connolly who represents both Mr. Clinton and Mr. Patterson, had the idea of pairing them up on a novel, according to someone familiar with the project who did not want to speak publicly because the publishers were holding back details about the publication. Mr. Barnett, who also represents the Obamas, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Laura Bush and other politicians, first approached Mr. Clinton to see if he was interested in collaborating on a novel with Mr. Patterson.”
I believe this book was done fast — and purely — for the purpose of giving the former President something to discuss other than Monica Lewinsky… It has not worked.
Take note of the time frame — “late last year” is when the idea came up. “Late last year” — October 2017 — is when the world, for sexual predators, became very hostile as accusations became public against famed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. Overnight, many celebrities were under a microscope for their years of inappropriate behavior. The timing of all this could not be worse for Bill Clinton, since the stories surfaced just months before Clinton “celebrated” the 20th anniversary of his infamous relationship with Monica Lewinsky. That, the exploitation by a powerful male against a young and vulnerable female. The “Clinton–Lewinsky scandal” was an American political sex scandal that rocked the political world as it involved a 49-year-old President and 22-year-old White House intern. The saying, “old enough to be her father” is almost a cliche, but is very true in this situation.
So in October, every powerful person that had been involved in behavior that was inappropriate was now on the radar screen of women who have had enough with sexual exploitation. I believe, right after the story broke on Weinstein in October and accusations against other powerful males grew, the Clinton team decided to write a book. I’m surprised it became public that this only came to pass late last year. I thought Clinton and his team would argue this was a long term project. I believe it was designed with one purpose in mind — to be a distraction from the #metoo debate and little else. Getting James Patterson as the “co-author” (I think, ghostwriter) was smart. Patterson now averages more than two books a month, so getting this together quickly was no problem for someone like him. I believe this book was done fast — and purely — for the purpose of giving the former President something to discuss other than Monica Lewinsky.
He (Clinton) will continue to make a fortune with his new book with Patterson, even as his sexual scandal haunts him. He will be crying all the way to the bank.
Unfortunately for Bill Clinton, it has not worked. Every media event I have seen with Clinton and Patterson has gone to the #metoo issue. One of the interviews that gained attention was one the authors did with Craig Melvin of NBC. In it, Clinton admitted he never personally apologized to Lewinsky, but said she was part of a generic statement he made to “everyone.” He was asked about the many who have said that he should have resigned over the incident (something Al Franken did), and he argued he should not, based on the times.
Patterson tried to help Clinton by discussing the misbehavior of former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. It made matters worse, leaving the former President looking like a child caught with his hand in the old cookie jar, but trying to explain away his behavior with that of others. He also moaned about being $16 million dollars in debt — legal expenses he acquired for lying under oath (fact checkers has found his debt statement “mostly false“). Clinton sounded like a victim, when the actual victims were Monica Lewinsky, Clinton’s family, and the American people. This is chump change compared to what he has made from his presidency, being the highest earning former President, his wife and him made over $153 million in speeches alone between 2001 and 2015. They have made tens of millions more in book deals. He will continue to make a fortune with his new book with Patterson, even as his sexual scandal haunts him. He will be crying all the way to the bank.
Clinton sounded like a victim, when the actual victims were Monica Lewinsky, Clinton’s family, and the American people.
I think Clinton believed he was clever, hiding behind a book. It was certainly better than turning down interviews about calls from US Senators that he should had resigned after the scandal rocked his presidency. Instead, his book tour has forced him to do interviews and none of these journalists are staying away from Lewinsky.
Oddly, there does not appear that other journalists see the obvious timing in the release of the book and the #metoo scandal that follows Clinton everywhere he goes. Of course, I am only speculating. However, this appears to be vintage Clinton behavior.