Clinton Camp Pounces On Vanity Fair Article: "Tawdry," "Attack Piece"

Politico.com:

The Clinton camp responded today to Vanity Fair's long article on Bill with its own 2,244-word memo, which includes attacks on the magazine's "penchant for libel," on editor Graydon Carter, and on writer Todd Purdum and his wife, former Clinton aide Dee Dee Myers.

The memo (after the jump) calls the piece "journalism of personal destruction at its worst" and singles out, among other things, Purdum's suggestion that Clinton's heart surgery changed his personality.

Purdum "is not an MD" the memo points.

The memo, provided by Clinton aide Jay Carson, also singles out Myers for this unexplained criticism:

Purdum's disclosure of [his marriage] in the piece does not, as Vanity Fair apparently concluded, remove the obvious conflict of interest. It's a conflict that would likely not be contemplated at more reputable publications, especially considering that, as a result of this relationship, at least one source's anonymity was revealed to others.

The memo also lists Bill Clinton's post-presidential accomplishments.

"Most revealing is one simple fact: President Clinton has helped save the lives of 1,300,000 people in his post-presidency, and Vanity Fair couldn't find time to talk to even one of them for comment," it says.

Full memo after the jump.

Read the whole story: Politico.com

Comments

[campgranata]

when will the Clintons stop regarding the truth as insult. It is the behavior that is insulting not the reporting of it. I thought the article well balanced but the truth of the matter is that Bill Clinton best exemplifies the struggle between the emotion and cognition with his emotional needs usually winning. luckily he has found the perfect mate who shares many of these struggles.

[nightslider]

To the obama supporters, and read real carefully

YOU NEED CLINTONS SUPPORTERS, MORE THAN WE NEED YOU.lets see if the empty suit can win with out us, regardless Of HILLIARY what SAYS AND DOES FOR THIS WORTHLESS CLOTHES RACK there are A LOT THAT WILL NOT SUPPORT HIM, ME INCLUDED.
My vote goes to Clinton as a write in candidate, he'll be the one and 0nly wanna be Black this century for the liberal progressive?"Naderites"

umm good luck with McBush

[JamieStarr]

My guess is you would not have supported him anyway.

We don't need people like you who are morally bankrupt.

[BOb4BO]

Well thank you for your wonderful comments. I do not understand why you think that Obama supporters need someone like you. You will not support Obama no matter what. So in fact you are useless and absolutely unneeded.

I don't know if you realize this but throughout the history of this party people have had issues with the change and the positive force of hope the Democratic party embraces. You are not the first person to be unable to get your head around the new way of the party. During the civil rights movement the South underwent a transformation from solidly Democrat to Republican. Small minded people cowardly could not be a part of the movement to treat African Americans fairly. So we lost them. Good.

And now it is happening again. But we want all of you to know that should you come to terms with the very personal issues you are having right now, we will welcome you back.

[debrouillard]

To be honest,We frankly dont welcome people like you. The entire theme of this moving has been to get ride of people thinking like you,with your IQ.

The only reason some of us(definately not me) will welcome your kind in any fashion will be only for PR and Political correctness and politeness.But the truth is We dont need people with a cerebral cortex the size of that of an ant.

[Bobrobert]

To that ladies supporters. You may read this if you like. Or not.

Excellent.

You should vote for the person of your choice.

A vote wasted on a lost cause isn't lost if it is your choice.

A vote wasted on a lost cause is only ineffective.

One must remember that many racists will vote for the lost cause of racism, many sexists will vote for the lost cause of sexism, and many Clinton supporters will vote for Clintons failed run for the Presidency.

Lost votes becomes a fact in any campaign.

We will prevail because of what McDoodoo offers.

We will forgive people that are willing to vote for someone else no matter the reason.

We will move on and Obama shall be our President.

Take care and sleep well.

We will.

Remember to vote all.

:-)

[arkgrfx61]

Well said!

[dadw5boys]

She was a Republican Plant playing to the MEDIA.

Notice she was quite till the Press got there!!!!!!!!!!

[mick7191]

Can't win without the black vote. Grow up.

[CookieWrites]

51% of the US are women and women are the backbone of the democratic vote. You should grow up and LEARN TO COUNT.

[cog1000]

I can't say I thought the article was worth reading in terms of all the innuendo about his sex life. Who cares? That's Hillary Clinton's business. And since there aren't any facts available, it's all unnamed sources. Filler. Tacky filler.

The real meat of the article was the info on Burkle and Clinton's other dubious business relationships. And all the millions he was paid for "advice" and "introductions." Since the Clintons haven't released any info on donors to his Presidential library or foundation, who knows what skeletons might tumble out of those closets. Info on his business dealings since leaving office are fair game; since there isn't much available, all the gossip was used as filler. Doesn't seem unusual in a VF article. However, for the Clintons to release a 2000 plus word memo just makes it worse.

I feel like his surgery and his private life is no one's business--unless his wife gets the nomination. In the meantime, it seems a bit crass to use it as filler. It's not big news that Bill Clinton likes the ladies and the high life.

[BOb4BO]

I believe if Senator Clinton does not end it this week there is going to be an eruption of articles like this one.

[CookieWrites]

THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF WOMEN ON STRIKE.

[dawlishgal]

The article of most interest to me was the one in the Nov. '07 issue of Vanity Fair. (available on the web) ...the one that tells how the Clintons, both of them-- in 2000, while he was still president--, diverted campaign resources of the presidency to her senatorial campaign and withheld these things from Gore. Also how Bill badmouthed Gore in ways that made it into the press.

It is pretty clear that they sabotaged Gore's campaign in order to get a Bush win that would keep the seat in the Oval Office warm for her in '04. Then they did the same thing to Kerry in order to keep the seat warm for her in '08. And now they are doing the same thing to Obama to keep it warm for her in '12. When will the Democratic Party put a stop to the nefarious activities of these disloyal opportunists who only pretend to be Democrats?

[whsmith]

Yeah, "who cares"? "It's no ones business" until the republicans get their hands on it. Then the whole country has to be put through yet another disgraceful display.

[NoahVail]

It probably is tawdry, but I am not yet ready to sing Kumbah Yah. I know I should, but I just cannot find it in my heart. Maybe some time next week I will be able to find forgiveness. Maybe....

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Agreed.

Obamanistas need to hold off a bit on all the political grave-dancing.

Otherwise, it's good luck with that half-a-party strategy.

[Chip1222]

I've had dealings with Bing and Burkle (and other Hollywood FOB), and Purdum is right on. Yuk.

[LairdKeir]

I found the article itself to be a thoughtful result of research and considered opinion. There are a number of pointed issues the piece raises and it is instructive that Clinton, rather than choosing to address any of them, reverts to a classic ad hominem attack.
www.lairdkeir.spaces.live.com

[Bill3rdterm]

And once again after a weekend away from blogs etc. I start to consider to throw my support behind Obama, after Tuesday. Then i come here and listen to Obama supporters applauding an attack article that doesn't have facts, named sources or anything of real credibility. It even has a bunch of idiotic one liners, yet Obama supporters, in their obsession to smear and attack the Clintons at all angles and oppurtunity stoop to such lows. I cannot and I will not join forces with So-Called Dem's who would attack, not only HRC, but Bill as well, in worse ways then the GOP did in the 90's. And so called felllow dems use the same tactics and the same rumors, in lame attempts at slander. Obama supporters say they don't us, fine then do it without us.

[arkgrfx61]

It's not that Obama doesn't need you...(and I say Obama because HE is the one running), but he doesn't need racist jerks, who if their candidate doesn't win, then they will vote for McCain.
I can't fathom after the hellacious 2 terms we have been through, that ANYONE would even think of voting for him.
This is NOT a time for divisiveness, this is a time for unity. I don't think you are seeing any more Obama supporters saying anything worse than what the Clinton supporters are saying...I think it's just about equal on both sides.
Please don't blame Obama - we all need each other, and we all need to get behind the nominee for the Democratic Party.

[bygollymissmolly]

No, you would rather support a woman who attacked Obama in a vicious and very GOP like manner. What does that say about you?

Hillary Clinton has made history and the fact that she ran the nastiest and dirtiest campaign against a fellow Democrat will be her legacy. It won't be that she was the first viable female Presidential candidate. That is sad, but it is something she did to herself.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

I'm with you, Bill. They think they can win without us. I'm not worried about needing an abortion. I have two sons instead of daughters. My sons and I will be saying "eh" at the end of each sentence if the draft is reinitiated. And my car stays parked most of the time due to the fact that I bike or walk everywhere I need to go. If McBarelySane gets into office....oh well. It'll be worth it to see the writhing about on the ground and gnashing of teeth his supporters do when he, his wife, his two daughters, and his little dog too, get dragged through the mud by the 527's and the swiftboat a**holes for crap team. Carry on!!!

[XME]

Without actual proof and named sources, you can't assume this article is true. But, if nothing else, it certainly serves as a reminder of what an embarrassment Bill Clinton was to the presidency, and since Hillary is still married to him, her presidency could have been quite messy simply due to Bill. Maybe I'm just a skeptic, but I tend to think "once a cheater, always a cheater", especially the ones who do it for sex, not for another relationship. As a woman, I'd respect Hillary much more today had she left him way back when...

[sk7326]

Well yeah, this article is speculation and assessment in some ways. Named sources are nice, but really the concrete evidence is a little more problematic. That said, scanning the 2400 word memo, a few of things come to mind.

1. About half of it is dedicated to promoting the Clinton Foundation, which to be fair, is a worthy cause which has done quite a bit.

2. The facts the memo refutes are essentially just opinions and assessments of the author. There is nothing to refute that lis libelous in nature here. Just stating a conflicting opinion.

3. Clinton defends Band and bashes the depiction of him, but does not REALLY offer a factual defense.

The article in VF might be rubbish. But the memo absolutely is rubbish.

[XME]

That's very true. Just the fact that he got so offended and spent six pages promoting himself says a lot about Bill Clinton and the only thing he really cares about: himself and his "legacy". Hillary inherited his attitude that he's the greatest, and anyone who says anything about him is evil and conspiratorial. It's pretty sad...

[thirteen13]

If she did leave Bill, she would have had a better chance of winning. I am from NY where we have only one full time senator. The other senator (Hillary Clinton) is a forever candicate for president.

[CookieWrites]

And what's wrong with making a marriage work? If women left their husbands for cheating no one would be married. Wake up!!!!!

[BJMS]

So much for being "fully vetted!" I hope the supers read the entire article so they can feel even better about their decision to back Obama...A crazy pastor is NOTHING compared to what would have come out about the Clintons between now & November!!

[Dayahka]

Poor Bill is caught between a rock and a hard place. The rock is his promise to Hillary to support her candidacy. The hard place is Bill's knowledge that Hillary is totally unqualified for the presidency. So he has to divert attention to himself.

[CookieWrites]

Like Obama is qualified????? His two chief accomplishments have been cheating Alice Palmer out of her Illinois congressional seat and cheating Hillary out of her presidential candidacy by disenfranchising 600,000 Michigan voters. He may be black, which makes him a black chauvinist pig.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Uh-oh, Cookie....you've stepped into it now. Didn't anyone give you the rule book that says you are not allowed to reference his race? Get ready to be called every name in the book.

[LouisPWu]

This campaign has given us a tiny, tiny glimpse into the sleaze and slime of the Clinton political machine. I'm not going to read the article because I've already seen more than I can stand.

[nectanebus]

Attention superdelates: This is the tip of a very large iceberg....is this what you want in the headlines between now and November?

[ibivi]

This is a very unkind attack on President Clinton. It is a smear job from the get go. No one would talk to him but he stilled managed to write all the gossip he could find. While reading it I got madder and madder. Vanity Fair had no business accepting this piece. It is not journalism. Most of it is speculation. Clinton may have made some missteps during Hillary's campaign but he didn't deserve this hack job. Totally disgraceful!

[MrPunch]

I agree. I am a big Obama supporter, but that Vanity Fair article was a total hit job. The writer even goes so far as to parenthetically snipe that Bill Clinton cheats when playing golf. I mean, come on, really. For a nine page article on the former president and the company that he keeps, there is very little substance. Most of the writing consists of that sort of locker room slander. The article raises some legitimate questions regarding Bill Clinton's business dealings, but those matters could have easily been covered in a piece a quarter of the length, without all the petty innuendo.

I do not like Hillary Clinton, the candidate. (I did before, but in this campaign, she and her husband have squandered whatever good will their prior achievements earned them within the Democratic party.) Nonetheless, the Vanity Fair article was so slanted, speculative and shrewish that it was, in sum, completely unfair to Bill Clinton.

[thirteen13]

Bill Clinton's actions in the White House humiliated our Nation. Bill Clinton is a laughingstock.

[JayJ1130]

I guess the Clintons haven't been fully vetted after all. You can bet the Republicans would have jumped all over the newest scandals if they had gotten Hillary...like they wanted. This says alot for Obama too, that he didn't research this dirt and put it out there. He is really running a different campaign and the Clintons took advantage of it, digging up anything at all they could find and trying to spin it into a scandal, meanwhile knowing all the real dirt was on their side.

[PJay1]

Yup, Karma for sure.
Supers, take note.
While the 90s were some good years in many respects, do we really want the Clintons with all their baggage back in the White House? I know I don't.

[thirteen13]

No one deserves a third term as president. Remember there were three Bush terms. Three terms is a disaster.

[DCtrain]

Sometimes it is best not to respond. A non-response is a response. The more attention the Clinton's give to problem areas, the worse they look.

It's time to make wise decisions and try to salvage the future for Hillary and Chelsey. Ichey's needs to advise his candidate to think about her future and her future role in the party... think long term and cut losses before it gets really ugly

[4Hope]

But the Clintons did respond & it was lengthy....me thinks thou dost protest...too much?!

This article was insightful, informative, long overdue & answered many questions which the American public has a right to know.

Couldn't help but remember a favorite Harry Truman quote: " I never gave them hell, I just told the truth & they thought it was hell."

[thirteen13]

Why doesn't she just do her senate job full time or move to another state. I am sure someone out there wants Hillary to be their senator or governor.

[JJeff88]

When anyone howls that loudly, my first instinct is to assume there's some basis for their anger.

And it cannot be denied that Bill Clinton has done a lot of good things for humanity since leaving office

That said - there does seem to be a pattern in Clintonland that reminds me of too many Little League parents, sports fans and those we'd play against when we were kids - who spent more time complaining about bad calls by the refs than they did playing hard and/or enjoying the game.

If a kid complained too consistently, there were always a number of his own peers who would cuff him around and keep him in line. The Clintons don't have the benefit of that street-level check and balance.

Oh well. At least Bill Clinton has a new target for directing his frustration and rage. (The Obama campaign and mainstream media sure can use the "vacation").

It just sad that the good deeds attributable to both Clintons have been stained somewhat by their inappropriate actions during this campaign.

[dawlishgal]

LOL, as Shakespeare said, the Clintons doth "protest too much."