Bill on Fox

Dan Abbett

Bill Krystol, of the Weekly Standard, has a theory, that Bill Clinton’s “temper tantrum” in his interview with Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, was deliberate. Highly acclaimed radio talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, disagrees. Rush believes that Clinton’s angry outburst was genuine and a symptom of the former president’s intent to both create and protect his legacy. As someone who also has a personal reputation of “flying off the handle,” I am in the Krystol camp on this one.

When you are truly angry or upset with a person or circumstance, typically, you are far less in control of your words and actions. More specific, you don’t sit back in the heat of confrontation and display a wide grin, as is often the case during a political debate. In my opinion, Bill Clinton was in complete control of his words, his tone and his body language throughout his entire tirade. Lastly, he stated the record as he wants it to be recorded and the perpetual playback of his theatrics will almost guarantee that his will be the version most remember.

There should be no mistake; former president Clinton’s anger was genuine. It was however, the type of anger one might experience when being disciplined by an overbearing, temperamental boss. The kind of lecture that clearly indicates that it is their way or the highway. Probably the most telling comment was when Mr. Clinton accused Chris Wallace of “smirking.” Translated, it said, “look, you better take this seriously or things could go badly for you.”

Mr. Clinton once again wagged his finger and rattled off his perception of the facts. With audacity, he challenged the record and set that record straight with an equally straight face. The only problem is that history and the facts do not bear out his account. So now we know that our former president is not only a pathological liar, he can lie with gusto, bravado and passion.

Bill Clinton has been in overdrive since the instant he left the White House, to construct his legacy. What he fails to understand is that if he had just stepped aside, refrained from his practice of giving partisan political lectures, especially when overseas, berating President Bush, his legacy would have been a slam-dunk.

It was a happy time during the Clinton years, low unemployment, a solid economy and no war. Unless of course you count Bosnia, Haiti, camps in Afghanistan, Iraq, a Chinese Embassy and an aspirin factory. Even with these minor faux pas, Clinton would have been celebrated for presiding over an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity.

Such tepid circumstances however, are not adequate if you are Bill Clinton. Bill doesn’t just want to be remembered for prosperity, he wants to be right up there with Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman and JFK. Now that’s ego.

I personally believe that the performance given in the Fox News Sunday interview was both planned and practiced. What Mr. Clinton overlooked is that his audience is not as gullible as he believes they are. I also believe, that as that audience begins to reflect on what they saw from someone who should be above such theatrics, a more realistic impression of the real Bill Clinton will emerge.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad awaits the twelfth Imam, Hugo Chavez smells the devil and Bill Clinton is plagued with devils of his own. All three live in a world disconnected from reality. A testimony of traits and behavior we clearly should avoid in those who would lead nations.

Email: danabbett1@charter.net