Carl Bernstein: Hillary Will Continue Bush's Legacy of Secrecy

The following piece is part of an ongoing series of OffTheBus reports by citizen policy experts critiquing different aspects of Campaign 08.

"Hillary's fear of humiliation, her fear of secrets being revealed, absolutely permeates her life," Carl Bernstein told a packed auditorium at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA., earlier this week.

Bernstein is the Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post reporter on Watergate, and author of a new book on Hillary, A Woman in Charge. His appearance in Yorba Linda was a historic moment of sorts, as he himself noted: if he had said in 1999, when he started doing research on Hillary, "that I would be invited to speak at the Nixon Library, and that I'd be talking about Hillary as possibly the next president of the United States, I'd be accused of smoking something - and inhaling."

The event marked the transformation of the Nixon Library from a private institution run by Nixon loyalists to a public one run by the National Archives, under the direction of historian Tim Naftali. Bernstein spoke to a full house - 300 people - including many students from nearby colleges getting extra credit for showing up.

Hillary's life with Bill, Bernstein said, was one of "remarkable sacrifices and embarrassments," because "she undertook the job of containing and covering up the effects of his sexual compulsions."

At lunch before his talk, Bernstein emphasized Hillary's continuing obsession with secrecy. He told me he did not think Hillary would repeal Bush's Executive Order on Classification, the most restrictive ever, which has outraged advocates of freedom of information in Congress and the media. Bush's order gives the president or any former president the right to withhold the former president's papers from the public. At the time it was issued - shortly after 9-11 - it seemed intended to conceal from the public information about the presidency of Bush senior, many of whose staffers held high positions in the White House of Bush junior.

But the Bush executive order on classification would have a special appeal for Hillary as president, Bernstein said. "Do you think she wants to open the papers of Bill's presidency, which include all the material on her role?" Asked about the legislation introduced by Congressman Henry Waxman to repeal Bush's classification order, Bernstein was skeptical it would pass in the next congress: "Do you thing Democrats in Congress would demand repeal in the face of Hillary's opposition?"

"Nixon's history is settled," Bernstein told the audience at the Nixon Library. "What is not yet settled is the history of the Clintons--their use and abuse of power." That's important because, if Hillary wins, "we're talking about a restoration."

Her obsession with humiliation and secrecy can be traced back to her "hellish childhood," Bernstein said, in a family where her father "verbally humiliated and abused her mother." The question asked by people at the time, according to Bernstein, was "why did her mother stay with this man?" He couldn't help noting that the same question would be asked about her.

While Hillary's concern with secrecy remains a constant today, Bernstein said, she has changed in other ways since her days as First Lady. In the White House she had "a take-no-prisoner combativeness, an anger that was consuming." It had disastrous effects: the 1994 victory of New Gingrich and the Republicans, which transferred control of the House away from the Democrats for the first time since the New Deal, he said, "was a result of the failures of Hillary Clinton."

But in the Senate "she became self-confident in a way she had never been since she met Bill." Her old combativeness "is gone." As for the senators who voted to convict her husband in his impeachment trial, Bernstein said, "she joined their prayer group."

Finally, does Carl Bernstein think Hillary going to win the presidency? He replied, "The night the Supreme Court voted to make Bush president, I said on TV I thought he would be a compassionate conservative, reach out to Democrats, and govern from the center. So don't turn to me for predictions about politics."

Read more OffTheBus coverage here.

Comments

[olivia]

Bernstein is no longer credible.

And Hillary is not the best choice.

[deminmo]

Why is Hillary the front runner months before
the election? Is she likely to be picked because
she is a woman, and a way to change the male
dominated realm of Washington politics?

I worry about the corporate backing, the lobbying groups, that have helped Hillary gain
the financial lead. She has had a history of
association with people of questionable
integrity. How much would she be influenced to
look the other way?

Hillary is a strong woman and would be an excellent CEO at a major corporation. I don't
feel she is the right person for the job of
President. My gut feeling is, nothing about
accountablility, integrity, or honesty would
change. And we need absolute change.

[hugs4u]

Hillary is just a female gw bush.

[KenoshaMarge]

Hillary is nothing like GW Bush. She's smart to begin with, she wasn't born into a rich and famous family and she may not be liberal enough for everyone on the left but she sure as hell ain't a neo-con or a religious fanatic. Saying such drivel don't make it so. Damn, here I am defending the woman and I don't even like her much.

[applespider]

Nah. Hugs4u is right. Hillary is just a female GW Bush.

[PuffAndStuff]

[It had disastrous effects: the 1994 victory of New Gingrich and the Republicans, which transferred control of the House away from the Democrats for the first time since the New Deal, he said, "was a result of the failures of Hillary Clinton."] ..........­...


Wow. THAT is quite a charged assertion.


Great post -- the entire entry was very interesting and thought-provoking.

[Ihaveadream]

If anyone thinks that any woman, especially Hillary with all her baggage, can win a US election, you need to get a reality check. I can't see TX and the south, to include areas where there are lots of retirees, voting for Hillary. Just watch the Borat movie and then tell me if any of those people in the south being themselves would vote for a woman president? Even a NASCAR flyover won't change anything.

[mongus]

Hillary is nothing more than an empty pantsuit.

Her supporters know better, but are afraid to admit it.

Are we that deparate to win the White House, that we will support a candidate with all those scandals, illegal fundraising and all of her other "baggage?"

Only in your wildest dreams will moral and ethical Democrats ever vote for 'that woman'.

We are not going to let Hillary lead us to defeat....­again.

Let's select a Democrat with integrity and good judgment to represent us, because that what we stand for. No more secrecy, no more 'big money lobbyists' running this country.

America, we deserve better.

[KenoshaMarge]

Now that I will agree with. One of the reasons that Hillary is the target for so much vitriol is that there are more sexists in this country than racists.

[applespider]

Well, I can't speak for the rest of the country, but I will tell you that this is one American man who would support a woman chief executive. Just not Clinton.

I live in San Francisco. The rest of my family is back in Ohio (very "red state" folks). They can't stand her for the same reason my wife and I can't: Clinton will do anything, say anything to take the Office of the President. She seems very disingenuous, and therefore is untrustworthy. Her gender has nothing to do with it. Decent people don't trust her.

[nuglet304]

i think you're assumption that mosta those people featured in borat actually take the time to vote might need some researchin­...

[scoobynooby]

Obama called it right when he said "bussinees as usaul if hillary elected" She loves her secrecy as all the NWO group do. Bill is a 33 degree freemason and so is bush, so are most of the leaders and they don't want you to know all the crap thats going on to impliment thier NWO. Wake up America The bush's ,the clintons and anyother 33rd degree mason is a devil worshiping mongrel and fellow minion. Why do you thinkGore just laid down when the election was stolen? It doesnt matter to them who gets electedas long as its one of thier own. Of course she will continue the NWO agenda and all its secrecy.

[LiberalLo]

IF Hillary wins the presidency, I have no doubt she will expand the powers of the presidency to a degree not even dreamed of by bushco. But, since the two parties are one now, in everything, but name, there will not even be nominal opposition to the power grab. We have been bamboozled, folks, for the last 4 decades, at least.

[Bleedingroseca]

Where in the world has she ever indicated anything of that sort? She has said she will review and possibly, proably, roll back executive power. You sound insane.

Where do the other candidaters stand on executive power and rolling it back. Oh right, they stand silent.

[Tshober]

Don't you know? Everything she says is a lie and she will do exactly the opposite when she is elected. Except for when you don't want her to do the opposite, then she is telling the truth and needs to be denounced for it. I know it's true cause Rush told me and he even gave examples.

[Dandrea]

Bernstein- even a Woodward he ain't.

[Melissa]

Bernstein is pretty upset as his book about Hillary has only sold approx. 19,000 copies according to Barnes & Noble. He is just another Dick Morris out to get Hillary.

[Maezeppa]

Very misleading and inflammatory headline. I urge everbody to read the article through to the end (especially the last sentence) before commenting. I applaud ALL politicians who are discreet about their personal lives. Hillary Clinton's severing personal from the public is laudable and has NOTHING to do with how she will uphold the constitution.

[ChrisR]

Excellent - thank you.

[andyboy]

But make sure you let us know how much Guliani's kids hate him right? I thought all's fair? Your sensitivity belies your irrational support of this Republican in Democrat's clothing.

[TurnThePageGA]

Got Freaking Dog. Why? Neither party has selected there Nominees. Can we put this on hold? As John Edwards said, Did Miss Something? Did we already hold the Iowa Caucus?

[knowhelpnow]

This may or may not happen but it could, that is why we need to Impeach Bush and Chaney NOW, so we can get back our Constitutional rights. We need to bring back the balance of power, this power that no one man should have.
He can literally say you are an enemy combatant and put you away NOW.

[diondra]

Go away Bernstein. You're just trying to get paid for garbage spewed on a topic that's selling at the moment.

And as far as secrets go, it depends on what you're trying to achieve with the secret. If you're trying to figure out a way to spin intelligence and grab power from the other branches to invade the next country to line the pockets of your supporters, that's one thing. If you're trying to figure out policy and the best way to proceed to put together decent programs for the citizens of this country (in the face of corporate objections--just like early 90's health care reform) or trying to diplomatically work in America's interest overseas or wherever else to keep us safe and not make us look like war-mongering idiots then that's another.

I've been in management­/executive situations, and you have to keep some things quiet until you figure out what where and how you are going to itroduce new policies and procedures to your employees. Having the employees determine their own and getting a jump on what you will be proposing is never the best way to lead.

I have confidence that Hillary will try to lead our country out of the Bush embarrassment and back into reputable standing both in the world community and in the eyes of our citizens.

[andyboy]

This the equivalent of the lady on MadTV who would go LALALALALA and cover her ears whenever she heard someone say something she didn't want to hear.

[diondra]

Right--I didn't make any logical points whatsoever did I. LALALALALALALALA

[iPaul]

It seems that an attractive part of the Hillary presidency is we'd get 4 or 8 more years of Bill. If people think that she's going to be a lot like Bill, Bill version 2, or huddle up with Bill on every decision, I think they're greatly mistaken. Frankly, I can't understand the attraction to Hillary, other than celebrity. I find her cold and somewhat robotic, but well produced. I think if a lot of democratic voters actually listened to what she said on Iraq, especially, they wouldn't find all that much common ground with her. Again, once you get past the prospect of Bill 2.0, and her celebrity, I'm really don't see why she's been able to draw as much money and support as she has.

[KnoxBlues1]

What's so attractive about Bill 2.0? His uncontrolled libido is the biggest reason Dubya is in the White House now. What happens when he starts hitting the Viagra again as First Laddy?

[jake1az]

If Gore had run a real campaign Bush would have never had a chance at using the USSC to win.

Clinton left office with a 65% approval rating...r­emember

[backtoreality]

Agree iPaul, but if I, as a conservative, have a choice between voting for MORE "Bush lite" enablers such as Rudy or McCain, and Hillary (if she gets the nod), then my vote is for Hillary.

I'm done seeing this Nation go down the tubes towards FASCISM.

Sadly, we need a little more dose of "socialism" in this great nation. In saying "socialism", I mean that we need to start thinking more about the PEOPLE of the United States of America. If that means some would call thinking about the poor and middle class a little bit more "socialism", then so be it. It's high time we started thinking of others, instead of continuing the divide. Maybe "humanism" is more appropriate, and a small amount of "socialism" here and there is healthy, and is needed at this juncture.

It's simple. I'll take a dose of "socialism" over the continuing rampant march towards "fascism" that we've been on for the last 7 years, any day...

Hillary/Ru­dy...Hilla­ry
Hillary/Mc­Cain...Hil­lary
Hillary/any other fascist Bush boot licker....­Hillary

[areacode631]

I am pleased to read that most of the posters on here today have their eyes wide open. I think it is safe to say that America has had more than enough of the Bush's and Clinton's. Surely, out of over 300 million people, their has to be at least on qualified person to run this country. I don't see it in any of the present field of candidates-left or right. I hate the thought of having to go into the voting booth, holding my nose and then voting for the lesser of 2 evils. This is pretty sad!

[jmundstuk]

Sad, but accurate.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Would that a PAIR of THIRD parties would emerge: one, evangelical and the rest of it, to siphon votes from the core of the Republicans, and then some vehicle with some of the fervour of Ross Perot to give the Democrats a dope slap.... (Don't parse this strategy closely, it's VERY flawed on the Dem. side.....) This political entity would be environmen­tally-dedi­cated, very wary of wars that exhaust the Treasury, focused on domestic social and economic needs, NOT Hell-bent on granting AMNESTY to the Third World's invaders, and relatively transparent, i.e., it wouldn't owe much to the ideologies of big donors. Sort of a reverse-formation of a WHIG Party with modern goals, policies..­...

[MPeter]

Not just the secrecy but the wars and stridency too. And she will be just as polarizing. We do not need her anywhere near the WH.

[mongus]

I am sure it is difficult for the Hillary supporters to defend all of their 'scandals' and her secrecy issues without the scripted 'talking points' from the Clinton Machine.

The only thing 'inevitable' about Hillary is that 'her past' will finally catch up with her.

America, we deserve better.

[Chavez08]

Judging by all the Hillary/Obama talk in this forum, the Mainstream Media and their banker puppet masters will control your vote by simply telling you a candidate is not electable.

F*@& Chris Mathews and your TV set in general, think for yourselves for a change. Hillary is NOT the only choice, don't listen to Parallax!!

We are broke, can't afford education, morally drained, a large number homeless, in an endless world class-war, corporations have free reign to poison us, shoot-us, kill our children and tell us what we can or cannot say under this Reagan-era inspired Hell and the top Democrats are the same as Republicans in that regard....­.

.....Would­n't a vote for Joe Walsh be better than the Status Quo????

[SiskoKid]

Finally, does Carl Bernstein think Hillary going to win the presidency? He replied, "The night the Supreme Court voted to make Bush president, I said on TV I thought he would be a compassionate conservative, reach out to Democrats, and govern from the center. So don't turn to me for predictions about politics."

So he predicts Hillary would be as secretive.­..and then admits his predictions can be flat out wrong or even the opposite.

Oh, well. I predicted Bush wasn't going to govern from the center and he'd be an evil pig from the get go. I'm also for Hillary.

I guess I need to write a couple of books first before my predictions, whether wrong or right, can be believed.

[asl3676]

Bernstein is a has been drunk. Why does anyone pay any attention to him? For his next act we'll probably see him as a Fox News contributor whoring himself out to bash Hillary.
What some people won't do to make their alimony payments.

[diondra]

Thank you