James Bennet of the Atlantic Monthly Makes His Play for the Stupidest Man Alive Prize
James Bennet of the Atlantic Monthly is surprised by Bill Clinton. Let's set the stage. Bennet writes:
The Atlantic at Aspen: Bill Clinton has weathered more political attacks than probably anyone alive, George W. Bush included. As president, and in public, he managed almost always to keep his famous temper in check -- an extraordinary accomplishment, really, given the magnitude of his temper and the amplitude of the attacks. He appeared today before a friendly audience, and the questions almost without exception played to his strengths...
So Bennet is horrified when Clinton reveals not just that he has teeth, but chomps down on Elizabeth Drew:
But Elizabeth Drew, no great friend of the Bush administration, did venture to challenge him: She noted that Republicans had criticized him as not doing more while he was president to combat terrorism; she asked why he had not made more of a priority out of getting Osama bin Laden.
Clinton responded by feeding her to the supportive Aspen crowd. "Well, Elizabeth, congratulations on speaking for the Republican National Committee," he began...
Bennet is horrified by the audience at his own conference:
...to a round of applause and laughter that in retrospect should embarrass the good people of Aspen. And I think it will... Several women, in particular, said to me later that they were offended by Clinton's treatment of Drew...
Then Bennet condemns Clinton:
It seemed totally uncalled for, they said. It was. I was astonished. In the old days, Clinton would have simply turned Drew's question into a softball and blasted it out of the park, by contrasting his record with Bush's, pre-9/11 and post-Afghanistan...
And he ignores the substance of what Clinton said:
And, indeed, Clinton did eventually find his way to a defense of his record. But his initial burst of temper made the defense sound like he was protesting too much...
And he diagnoses Clinton as having lost his fastball:
But I also now suspect that, in his post-presidency, he is growing unaccustomed to being challenged. For the most part, he was bathed in affection by the Aspen crowd. And, for his truly good works in Indonesia, New Orleans, and elsewhere, as well as for his global celebrity and the golden glow his administration is acquiring in retrospect, he is probably getting used to being adored wherever he goes. Being a former president, after all, is different than being the president. You shouldn't have to constantly face inconvenient truths, and find yourself being held accountable for addressing them. For a former pinata like Clinton, that must be a nice change...
And forecasts that Bill Clinton--now a softie and a weakie--will crack during the 2008 campaign:
And this makes me wonder: How much will he really enjoy being a focus of a campaign that is likely to grow ever more brutal?
Of course, to all of us it is remarkable that the simplest explanation never crosses Bennet's mind: Clinton was simply telling the truth. When Elizabeth Drew asks, "Republicans have criticized you for not doing more while you were president to combat terrorism; why did you not make more of a priority out of getting Osama bin Laden?" she is speaking for the Republican National Committee.
Now under such circumstances the truth is discreditable to the reporter who is carrying water for the Republican slime machine. Bill Clinton the governor or the presidential candidate or the president and Hillary Clinton the first lady or the senator or the presidential candidate cannot afford to tell the truth: reporters keep grudges, seek vengeance, and can harm active politicians.
But Bill Clinton the ex-president doesn't need to worry 24/7 about keeping the press corps sweet. So he can tell the truth. And does.
