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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHillary Clinton: Bill should "absolutely not" have resigned over Lewinsky scandal
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with the rise of the #MeToo movement, a host of key political, business and entertainment figures have resigned or withdrawn from their positions in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment or assault.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.
(35,454 posts)and what is your motive for doing so?
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,627 posts)And I also think she was absolutely right. It was their marriage, and they settled the problems between themselves. As it should be.
politicaljunkie41910
(3,335 posts)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
(23,997 posts)...to show people your underwear.
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)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
(10,877 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)triron
(22,006 posts)The relationship was consensual.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)brush
(53,782 posts)It was not a crime, she was not coerced.
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)Life's complicated.
Joe941
(2,848 posts)She answered correctly.
Croney
(4,661 posts)was that. We should be so lucky.
madville
(7,410 posts)- Signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (Welfare Reform)
- Signed the GrammLeachBliley Act (repealed part of the GlassSteagall Act of 1933, contributed to financial collapse of 2008)
- NAFTA (many American jobs lost, huge hit to Union membership)
JI7
(89,250 posts)and their business dealings and just shit they are doing in office right now.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)And the reason she needed to do this interview is?
JI7
(89,250 posts)and rapist kavanaugh like they did last time.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)Awesome.
JI7
(89,250 posts)R B Garr
(16,954 posts)moral badgering, so your protestations dont quite match reality. The Clintons were not rejected. Its interesting you are not more concerned with Hillarys point about why Trump is not subjected to the same morality police and formal investigations.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)Another political genius who thinks rationalizing about the boss man having sex with an intern in this moment is winning.
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)vulgarity. Bill should have immediately had her fired for cause. He was/is still very popular, though, and the morality police didnt deter that. Its just borrowing trouble and a RW talking point to suggest that people wont vote for Democrats because of Bill.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)Or maybe you have a link proving otherwise?
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)your insinuations. Not everyone wants Bernie either.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)pnwmom
(108,978 posts)No, he shouldn't have, but, no, it wasn't a big deal.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)That much should really be understood by now.
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)That is what should be understood by now.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)It has brought us so much success the last two decades.
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)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
(39,374 posts)From their perspective, the Clintons are the gift that keeps on giving.
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)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 Clintons comments are done by the Clinton haters, who are not only the RW. You are the one claiming that Hillarys comments are disastrous when they are not.
JI7
(89,250 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)Look, if you and the rest of the HRC can do no wrong crowd think its smart for her to raise her hand post-Kavanaugh in the #MeToo midterms to volunteer for this line of questioning, knock yourselves out.
JI7
(89,250 posts)because of thongs or whatever the fuck.
it's because of the hatred they have for miorities .
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)the Clintons to shame them into going away usually to clear the path for your favorite candidate. Its not like we havent seen this before.
If anything, Hillarys response was brilliant for the times were 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
(39,374 posts)Or any other candidate. I dont. Plus, Hillary is retired, so shes 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
(89,250 posts)R B Garr
(16,954 posts)none. That is doing the RWers a favor. There was nothing wrong with Hillarys comments. Its 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 didnt 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
(3,181 posts)Big f'n deal.
nini
(16,672 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)R B Garr
(16,954 posts)as old as the hills and toxic in itself. Its not just Republicans spewing this.
JHan
(10,173 posts)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
(16,954 posts)many investigations and lawsuits theyve 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
(14,249 posts)about something her husband to betray her 20 years ago.
Does that about sum it up?
R B Garr
(16,954 posts)interns who flash their underwear in the workplace.
JI7
(89,250 posts)nini
(16,672 posts)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
(24,122 posts)nini
(16,672 posts)LOL
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)R B Garr
(16,954 posts)on the monster in the WH and the dozens of accusations against him...now. RIGHT?? Clinton was investigated decades ago.
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)former9thward
(32,013 posts)https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/10/09/hillary-clinton-bill-clinton-speaking-tour/1574904002/
Rhiannon12866
(205,409 posts)And those who are still hung up on this ancient issue continue to support him.
MichMan
(11,932 posts)I believed him when he said to everyone that he didn't do it.
Va Lefty
(6,252 posts)unblock
(52,243 posts)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
(24,259 posts)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
(2,857 posts)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
(52,243 posts)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
(2,857 posts)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
(1,547 posts)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
(16,954 posts)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? Dont 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 Monicas friend Tripp to reveal all this. Lets not reward felons used by the GOP.
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)Too bad Bill, Hillary and Monica were as malingned as they were by Republicans.
betsuni
(25,532 posts)She knew what she was doing.
unblock
(52,243 posts)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
(32,610 posts)because he attacked at least 19 women?
rainy
(6,091 posts)Hekate
(90,704 posts)Zing Zing Zingbah
(6,496 posts)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
(9,967 posts)comradebillyboy
(10,150 posts)of attacking Franken and Clinton. Any presidential buzz around her has died out as far as I can tell.
blm
(113,063 posts)since 2000.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)This happened in 1997. Focus on the current national emergency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
badhair77
(4,218 posts)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. Shes going to end up with this baggage forever.
Hekate
(90,704 posts)Hekate
(90,704 posts)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
(4,218 posts)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 Marthas Vineyard. Hillary was noticeably angry.
JI7
(89,250 posts)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
(13,181 posts)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
(7,410 posts)and gave us 8 years of GWB. If he had resigned in 98 then Gore may have easily won the 2000 election.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)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
(22,236 posts)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
(45,096 posts)have investigated a private consensual relationship. They only did that to embarrass Bill, Hillary and Monica.
LuvLoogie
(7,007 posts)It's a shame that not enough people had her back.
WE let her down.
blue cat
(2,415 posts)That whole period time was crazy.
Gothmog
(145,288 posts)erpowers
(9,350 posts)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.