Hillary Clinton: Bill should "absolutely not" have resigned over Lewinsky scandal

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Hillary Clinton says that her husband was right not to resign from the presidency in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, she told CBS' "Sunday Morning." As first lady, she stood by his side as President Bill Clinton was impeached after lying about his affair with Lewinsky, a White House intern.

The former secretary of state said she disagrees with those who now say he should have stepped down.

"In retrospect, do you think Bill should've resigned in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal?" correspondent Tony Dokoupil asked.
"Absolutely not," Clinton said.

-snip-

In the past year, with the rise of the #MeToo movement, a host of key political, business and entertainment figures have resigned or withdrawn from their positions in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment or assault. There has been criticism — from New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, for one — that President Clinton, too, should have resigned after he was impeached by the Republican-led House in December 1998. (The Senate, also controlled by the GOP, tried and failed to remove him from office several weeks later.)
In May, Mr. Clinton told "Sunday Morning" that he was happy he fought to remain in the White House, and said that #MeToo critics today are "living in a different context."

In a report that aired on "Sunday Morning" about the rise of women candidates, partially in response to the #MeToo movement, Dokoupil asked Hillary Clinton, "There are people who look at the incidents of the 90s and they say, 'A president of the United States cannot have a consensual relationship with an intern; the power imbalance is too great.'"

"… who was an adult," Hillary said. "But let me ask you this: Where's the investigation of the current incumbent [president], against whom numerous allegations have been made, and which he dismisses, denies, and ridicules?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/hillary-clinton-bill-should-absolutely-not-have-resigned-over-lewinsky-scandal/ar-BBOmqzI?li=BBnb7Kz

[Me.]

1. In Retrospect Mr. Dokoupil...Do You Really Think You Should Be Asking Her This Question

and what is your motive for doing so?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I think it's obvious that she's thought about this, and was ready for the question.

And I also think she was absolutely right. It was their marriage, and they settled the problems between themselves. As it should be.

[politicaljunkie41910]

62. I agree. You couldn't flash your big "thong wearing ass" at my husband in a West Wing hallway, and

then later claim to be a victim if he takes the bait. I'm sorry but that just doesn't work for me. If Monica wants to blame someone, other than herself, she should blame her friend, Linda Tripp, who betrayed her confidences and sold her out. And to the women out there, your husband doesn't have to be the POTUS, for women to come on to him. He doesn't even have to be particularly handsome. But if he's a good man, who makes a good living; who loves his wife and family, treats his wife like a queen, and isn't ashamed to let the world know how much he loves her, women will come out of the woodwork to try and seduce him away from her. Trust me.

[3catwoman3]

66. Even 5 year olds know you are not supposed...

...to show people your underwear.

[UniteFightBack]

3. I agree. Lewinski and Clinton were entrapped. The whole country thought this was absurd and I was

about 25 at the time and not that involved. But I knew that it was bullshit. Duh it is not a good idea for a President and intern to carry on...yes we all agree about that.... but no laws were broken until Tripp entrapped and they laid a perjury trap. Talk about a set up.

[USALiberal]

6. Clinton was stupid to have that relationship. Totally wrong and disgusting. nt

[LisaL]

9. Nobody is perfect.

[triron]

44. This has been common historically. Get off your high horse.

The relationship was consensual.

[USALiberal]

48. Shit, common historically, then hell, allow it. Think about that silly statement. nt

[brush]

77. The key word is "consensual". They both wanted to do what they did.

It was not a crime, she was not coerced.

[IluvPitties]

82. Exactly.

[IluvPitties]

81. Affairs happen all the time.

Life's complicated.

[Joe941]

4. It was part of the vast right wing conspiracy, so no...

She answered correctly.

[Croney]

5. Imagine having a president whose biggest mistake

was that. We should be so lucky.

[madville]

52. He made plenty of mistakes

- Signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (Welfare Reform)

- Signed the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (repealed part of the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933, contributed to financial collapse of 2008)

- NAFTA (many American jobs lost, huge hit to Union membership)

[JI7]

7. wish the media would be as concerned about those who are currently in office

and their business dealings and just shit they are doing in office right now.

[triron]

45. Like treason.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Great headline for the midterms!

And the reason she needed to do this interview is?

[JI7]

10. it might turn off white people who will support the party of pussy grabber

and rapist kavanaugh like they did last time.

[BeyondGeography]

11. And/or remind them why they should vote against us

Awesome.

[JI7]

13. yeah, vote for ther party of sexual assault instead

[R B Garr]

17. LOL, Bill Clinton remained very popular after this type of

moral badgering, so your protestations don’t quite match reality. The Clinton’s were not rejected. It’s interesting you are not more concerned with Hillary’s point about why Trump is not subjected to the same morality police and formal investigations.

[BeyondGeography]

19. Lmao

Another political genius who thinks rationalizing about the boss man having sex with an intern in this moment is winning.

[R B Garr]

21. True, Lewinsky should have been fired for her workplace

vulgarity. Bill should have immediately had her fired for cause. He was/is still very popular, though, and the morality police didn’t deter that. It’s just borrowing trouble and a RW talking point to suggest that people won’t vote for Democrats because of Bill.

[BeyondGeography]

22. He's so popular no Dems want him near their campaign right now

Or maybe you have a link proving otherwise?

[R B Garr]

25. I just Googled and found some answers that don't match

your insinuations. Not everyone wants Bernie either.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Yes, Bill absolutely SHOULD have fired her the second she flashed her thong.

[pnwmom]

46. An adult employee flashed her thong underwear at him, and he responded to her invite.

No, he shouldn't have, but, no, it wasn't a big deal.

[BeyondGeography]

51. If we're talking about the thong, we're losing

That much should really be understood by now.

[R B Garr]

61. This is the distortion of the RW and Clinton haters.

That is what should be understood by now.

[BeyondGeography]

67. Keep charging up that hill

It has brought us so much success the last two decades.

[R B Garr]

68. Gore was also maligned, so it's not like this is unique

to the Clintons. That is the real reason for Republicans in the WH. The constant drips of sneering at our candidates, just like the RW.

[BeyondGeography]

69. Bad comparison...Gore hasn't handed the RW machine a single headline since 2000

From their perspective, the Clintons are the gift that keeps on giving.

[R B Garr]

70. You made a statement about failures.

Gore was lied about just like the Clintons are lied about, and the RW are not the only ones engaged in that. The distortions over Clinton’s comments are done by the Clinton haters, who are not only the RW. You are the one claiming that Hillary’s comments are disastrous when they are not.

[JI7]

71. BS. Right Wing attacks Gore on his personal life as a way to attack his work on Climate Change

[BeyondGeography]

72. That was manufactured; Gore never gave interviews about his personal life

Look, if you and the rest of the HRC can do no wrong crowd think it’s smart for her to raise her hand post-Kavanaugh in the #MeToo midterms to volunteer for this line of questioning, knock yourselves out.

[JI7]

73. i don't make excuses for white bigots who vote for trash like Trump . they aren't voting for trash

because of thongs or whatever the fuck.

it's because of the hatred they have for miorities .

[R B Garr]

76. See, this kind of reveals the intentions behind maligning

the Clintons —to shame them into going away —usually to clear the path for your favorite candidate. It’s not like we haven’t seen this before.

If anything, Hillary’s response was brilliant for the times we’re in. Try some What about Trump for a change. The RW loves folks like you to do their dirty work for them with mindless Clinton bashing. What about Trump. He has two ex-wives with divorce papers hidden from the public, dozens of sexual violation charges, dozens more women tied up in non-disclosure agreements, porn star mistresses, p*ssy grabbing comments, FBI admitted pee tapes with Russian prostitutes. WTF. Hillary is right about looking into *that* for a change. Bill was sued and investigated decades ago.

[BeyondGeography]

78. You think I give a shit about Bernie, that's funny

Or any other candidate. I don’t. Plus, Hillary is retired, so she’s not a threat. Unless she gives herself and the Democratic Party a black eye like she did with this interview. Only the true believers think Monica was just another adult in this encounter. Sheesh.

And people wonder why Gillibrand distanced herself from the Ciintons.

[JI7]

83. no, she welcomed the Clinton's campainging with her when she first ran for SEnate

[R B Garr]

86. You are the one trying to promote a disaster when there is

none. That is doing the RWers a favor. There was nothing wrong with Hillary’s comments. It’s noticeable that you omit any outrage about Trump, which was pretty much what Hillary said — investigate Trump. Bill was investigated decades ago.

And Gillibrand sure didn’t distance herself from the Clintons. She used them for endorsements and campaigned with them. She needed their help and she used it when it suited her.

[IluvPitties]

84. People who like each other might wind up having sex.

Big f'n deal.

[nini]

23. She can give any fucking interview she wants

[BeyondGeography]

26. Right now, many Republicans would happily agree with you

[R B Garr]

27. This whole "Clinton's need to go away" narrative is

as old as the hills and toxic in itself. It’s not just Republicans spewing this.

[JHan]

30. right? It's always something. If it wasn't this interview, it would have been something else.

This is no different to anything she said during the campaign when this topic came up so why is she constantly asked?

[R B Garr]

31. Exactly, always the same questions no matter how

many investigations and lawsuits they’ve been subjected to. It takes away from the self-appointed morality police on both sides that he survived all of those while their favorite politicians are off limits.

[EffieBlack]

36. She should shut up and never do interviews again because someone might ask her

about something her husband to betray her 20 years ago.

Does that about sum it up?

[R B Garr]

43. Yes, lol. Hillary is responsible for what happens to all

interns who flash their underwear in the workplace.

[JI7]

74. don't you know. people who voted for "grab em by the pussy" might be offended

[nini]

54. yea.. call me a republican

go ahead - I won't lose an ounce of sleep over that nonsense

Hillary has empowered many many women across this country - including myself. Shutting her and them up plays right into republican hands, so save your concern lecture.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

56. Your comment seems a bit harsh. Sure she can say anythin, but didn't help w/ the midterms comin up.

[nini]

60. Thanks for your concern

LOL

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

64. You're very welcome.

[R B Garr]

63. It was perfect, because her main point was to focus

on the monster in the WH and the dozens of accusations against him...now. RIGHT?? Clinton was investigated decades ago.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. Probably not a good idea to remind voters of this so close to the midterms.

[Power 2 the People]

33. +1

[former9thward]

35. She is doing publicity for a tour she and Bill are doing after the election.

Bill and Hillary Clinton set to begin 6-month speaking tour

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/10/09/hillary-clinton-bill-clinton-speaking-tour/1574904002/

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Trump boasted about much worse during the campaign

And those who are still hung up on this ancient issue continue to support him.

[MichMan]

14. I still wish he hadn't gone on TV and emphatically denied it ever happened

I believed him when he said to everyone that he didn't do it.

[Va Lefty]

57. Me too. In retrospect, it was his "I am not a crook" moment

[unblock]

15. Key difference everyone glosses over here

Consent.

Kavanaugh's victims said no.

Weinstein's victims either said no or felt unduly pressured based on his ability to make or break their career.

Lewinsky is on record as having actively sought out a sexual relationship with Clinton and never claimed to have been pressured into it. She said yes.

Huge difference.

Clinton certainly should have politely refused, as the status relationship is problematic, and any affair is ill-advised for a politician, and could have led to a legitimate scandal. But as it was, it wasn't a real scandal.

[WePurrsevere]

39. And this is exactly right. There's a huge difference...

Between consenting adults having a sexual fling and someone FORCING or trying to FORCE sex on another who says "no" or is unable to consent. The first is NOT a crime, the later certainly is.

Bill having an affair with an intern was foolish, lying about it was too but I'm not sure how many married men, especially in a position of power, would willingly admit that they had a sexual fling and not lie about it at least at first.

[sarah FAILIN]

55. I felt like Lewinsky was almost blackmailing him

When you read her letters she sent to him, imo she comes off as threatening. Now I feel a little sorry for him.
[link:http://www.famous-trials.com/clinton/890-monicaletters|]

[unblock]

58. I only skimmed but don't see anything threatening

I see her as young and emotional in an emotional and difficult situation.

I can see Clinton being worried that she might do something out of control, including threatening, but no threat there yet.

[sarah FAILIN]

95. It was her attitude

By almost threatening, I do mean almost and not actual threats. She was demanding imo. She wanted to see more of him and would not sto asking even to the point of getting his schedule from his secretary. She didn't have to say she was going to expose him directly. After 6 weeks of not seeing him I would think a normal woman would give up.

[Le Gaucher]

75. I disagree... Bill had the advantage of years of experience and should

Have known when to reel his charm in. He was no teenager with out of control hormones. He exactly knew what he was doing.

Monica was probably trying hard to impress her boss..and I bet Bill led her on.

Very unhelpful to have this interview. I think Bill should have resigned.

[R B Garr]

80. Wrong, she flashed her thong at him. I guess by your standards,

that was trying to impress him. Did she think his wife was going to move out of the White House and she was going to move in? Don’t put her obsessions and grandiosity on Bill. She put a lot of forethought into how she was going to lure him, she admits this herself.

He should not have resigned. Remember: it took felony wiretapping by Monica’s “friend” Tripp to reveal all this. Let’s not reward felons used by the GOP.

[IluvPitties]

87. She was an adult woman who was attracted to the boss.

Too bad Bill, Hillary and Monica were as malingned as they were by Republicans.

[betsuni]

88. It was her second affair with a married man.

She knew what she was doing.

[unblock]

90. I'm not saying he's a saint

I agree he should not have done it for a host of reasons.

I disagree about him resigning. When Republicans are forced to resign for such things, fine. But until then, no, we can't unilaterally be that strict about such things. It's counterproductive if it weakens us politically too much

[DURHAM D]

16. Has anyone asked Melania if Trump should resign

because he attacked at least 19 women?

[rainy]

18. Did Monica ever claim to have been assaulted or abused?

[dalton99a]

38. +1

[Hekate]

42. Not by Bill. Only by Ken Starr and the GOP.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

94. Yeah, right. It always sounded consensual to me

which is why I think it was improper of the Republicans to ever make it public. They were just trying anything to take him down. Sure, bad on Clinton for having an affair, but people do it all the time. Many presidents before him have. I think that's all personal relationship stuff that the country didn't need to or even want to know. That doesn't impact how he does his job.

[lunamagica]

20. You are correct, Hillary. Too bad Gillibrand turned out to be such a back-stabber

[comradebillyboy]

24. Gillibrand seems to have miscalculated the political benefit

of attacking Franken and Clinton. Any presidential buzz around her has died out as far as I can tell.

[blm]

32. SAME media subject every gawddam last quarter of election cycle

since 2000.

[sharedvalues]

34. Who cares who cares who cares. VOTE. CANVASS.

This happened in 1997. Focus on the current national emergency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[badhair77]

37. I am tired of Hillary having to answer for her husband.

She had no affair. She tried to have faith in her marriage. I am not responsible for what my husband or other family members do. She’s going to end up with this baggage forever.

[Hekate]

41. What you said

[Hekate]

40. Hillary was correct then & she is correct now, ESPECIALLY about the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy...

What the hell is wrong with (some) Dems and (nearly all) news media that they cannot hold this truth in their minds longer than 10 minutes?

The VRWC is a fact. It was then and it is now. They hunted Bill. They hunted Hillary. They engineered voter suppression, they engineered gerrymandering, they engineered a RW majority on the SCOTUS, they are enabling a Fascist takeover of our country. They sold out this country to the fcking Russians.

And they pretty much started with the impeachment of Bill Clinton.

[badhair77]

47. Yes. And isn't it ironic that her reply was to Matt Freakin' Lauer, sex creep.

I think she truly believed Bill at that point. He made a fool out of her but they decided to keep their marriage which is their business. If he could have only kept his pants on he could have accomplished so much more. Funny JFK is still revered and he had quite the “busy life” through the whole White House. But I digress. I will never forget that visual of Chelsea holding both their hands as they walked to AF1 on their way to Martha’s Vineyard. Hillary was noticeably angry.

[JI7]

59. its important to remember how matt lauer, mark halperin and other men

were during the election. i never saw that matt lauer thing where he was tough on Hillary but just let trump get by but heard enough about it .

[gulliver]

49. He should have, and it has nothing to do with MeToo.

Clinton should not have been impeached. The Starr investigation and impeachment were a gross abuse of power by Republicans. But Clinton should have resigned. His selfish, stupid acts cost this country and the world big time. It's unfortunate, because he has greatness in him.

Imagine if Clinton hadn't gotten into his fling with Lewinsky. The world would likely be different now. Trump most likely would not be president. A whole chain of misfortunes, starting with the 2000 election debacle, could have been avoided. We'll never know for sure of course. But someone who has been entrusted with the awesome power and influence of the presidency and the leadership of our party simply can't deliberately choose to act in a way that fails us all, not for any reason.

I voted for and was 100% behind Hillary, by the way.

[madville]

53. I believe him not resigning cost Gore

and gave us 8 years of GWB. If he had resigned in 98 then Gore may have easily won the 2000 election.

[leftstreet]

85. +1

[LisaL]

89. Gore lost FL by the tiniest of margins.

There were hanging chads, butterfly ballots and third party votes, either of which could have cost him the election. I don't think it's fair to blame it on Clinton.

[mtnsnake]

50. Maybe the only Democrat who should think about resigning is Kirsten Gillibrand

for what she said about Bill and for helping Republicans drive a wedge through the heart of Al Franken's political career. We've got enough problems, we don't need one of our own people throwing some of our best people under the bus and doing the enemy's work for them.

And no, I don't mean Gillibrand should really resign. We need every Senator we can get in there, even her. Boy has she gone downhill, though. When she first became my senator here in NYS, I thought she would possibly become the first woman president someday. Not any more.

[Autumn]

65. There was no reason he should have resigned, there was no reason the republicans

have investigated a private consensual relationship. They only did that to embarrass Bill, Hillary and Monica.

[LuvLoogie]

79. Hillary has always been a fighter. She went toe to toe in the face of a lot of vile crap.

It's a shame that not enough people had her back.

WE let her down.

[blue cat]

91. I agree

That whole period time was crazy.

[Gothmog]

92. I agree with Hillary Clinton

[erpowers]

93. I Agree With Her

I do not think President Clinton should have resigned over his affairs with Monica Lewinsky, or for lying about the affair. Yes, he should have refused to have an affair with Monica Lewinsky, but I do not see it as an abuse of power. First, as far as I know she pursued him. Yes, once again he should have said no, but she has to take some of the blame due to the way she acted toward him. Yes, he should be condemned for allowing her to behave in such an unprofessional way around him, but he should not have resigned for the affair, lying about the affairs, or allowing Lewinsky's unprofessional behavior. Second, Lewinsky was about 22 years old. She was old enough to know better and old enough to be able to make an informed decision and say no to having an affair with a married man.