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.
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I'll take my chances with Hillary. The crop of Republican candidates is what's truly scary. Unless the nominee is McCain, Huckabee or Paul, all unlikely, I think, I've never seen a bigger bunch of natural disasters in one place. We don't need another one. I'll vote for the Democrat, whomever it may be, but sorry, can't convince mself that Hillary will be another Bush. Just to say she's smarter is an immense understatement. Besides, Bill C's smarts have been sorely missed. I don't care what he does in his spare time.
Of course she's smarter, the problem [and I'm not even considering gonad/ovum politics in this election - too much at stake] is she is as corporate as Bush. Period.
Neo-libs and cons are 2 sides of the corporate coin.
If you trust Hillary, you are voting to keep the same bigmoney calling the shots that does now with bush. Only now you get a blonde version with breasts and a skirt and brains....
prolifeprogressive: There will always be big money in politics. I don't think I want mom and pop sitting on the front porch, chewing on toothpicks, running things. I'm not concerned with labels, hair color or breasts. I believe that Hillary can put this country back on the right path. It won't be easy and she's not perfect, but this is her time. And I'm voting for her. Period.
This neo-rad criticism is just so much slop. "Two sides of the same coin." To extend the metaphor, if it comes up heads, you win. If it comes up tails, you lose. What's the "two sides of the same coin." What do you want? A World Revolution?
I agree with Mr. Bernstein.
She will continue Bushes policies. War and secrets. If she gets elected. She may get impeached because the american people will demand it. I'll be watching who going to be vice president. Both parties are becoming big losers.
Look to New York and you will see she done nothing great or helpful for the people of that state.
Upper New York is still in the same mess. The only reason she was voted in. The other party gave us the same old people to vote against...
and its happening again. She may win. If only the other party would get a new face.
I guess it's normal for the first female in a traditionally male job to undergo hazings from insecure males, and the psycho babble generated about Hillary is no exception. From 'cackle analysis' by Fox wonks to 'pseudo insightful' ruminations about her sexuality, it all reminds me when groups of boys were chasing the girls in sixth grade. When the girls were caught, the boys were at a complete loss of what to next. Whatever the outcome of the election, you have to give Hilliary credit for putting up with a lot of silliness in defining new roles for women in politics.
She's bought and paid for by the special interests. So no, it doesn't surprise me that she would continue Bush's Executive Orders.
Well fair enough, but precisely who in American politics is not bought and paid for? The system is the very embodiment of elite patronage.
Furthermore, no prez will overturn Bush's expansion of power because the closer you get your hands on that power, the less you wish to restrain it (and ideologically there is only a hair's difference between the democrats and the republicans anyway).
Although the rheotoric would be different with Hillary, for the most part, the reality would not.
Bill Clinton campaigned against Bush I's NAFTA, I and millions of others actively supported Bill Clinton's election, and then Bill Clinton signed NAFTA into law in a blatant act of betrayal that has now devasted middle and working class American families.
Although she voted for the war, Hillary is now campaigning against it, but she will continue the war if elected. The same with the massive and unconstitutional expansion of presidential powers, the hyper-secrecy that mostly hides corruption and traitorous acts, the emerging athoritarian police-state that is replacing our democracy, anyone that thinks that Hillary will change any of this will be sadly disappointed. She may smile nicely for the public as she continues the Oligarchy's current war on the Rule of Law, our Constitution, and the American Middle class, but that will be the only difference between her and George W.
Bush is now using CAFTA to strong arm more countries into accepting trade agreements that
will certainly affect jobs here. We are weakening
our economy. The jobs Bush says are growing are
ones that pay below $8 an hour. Watch the number
of houses in forclosure, how many people declaring
bankruptcy. Yea, some is poor debt management. A
lot is loss of high paying jobs.
Bill Clinton did not run against NAFTA. I was one of those who voted for Bill Clinton twice and I did so despite his clearly stated support for NAFTA. Bill did say he wanted to make it less labor unfriendly by including labor standards in the negotiations and he basically caved on that point, but he was clearly in favor of NAFTA.
"she joined their prayer group."
Hillary is a hypocrite.
Carl Bernstein has absolutely no idea what will happen if/when Hillary is elected:
"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."
At least he is honest enough to admit it.
LOL, well said! You DID your homework!
I agree, and I see this as FUD. I'm looking forward to another Clinton presidency, but I also want to see either a change in the behavior of Democratic "leaders" in Congress or a change of the leadership in Congress.
If you want these criminals prosecuted for their crimes Hillary Hillary and the DLC backed Lieberman,
Until she felt the heat and wielded out of all out support.
She voted for the War and continued funding of it.
She voted for the Patriot Act. TWICE
She voted a NV for the Credit Card and Banking Bill which Equaled a Yes in a Republican Congress.
She voted for the REAL ID ACT.
She would renew NAFTA.
She is a Corporatist.
She is not a Democrat.
She is part of the problem.
NO MORE CLINTONS
NO MORE CLINTONS
NO MORE CLINTONS
will let them off the hook.
>She voted a NV for the Credit Card and Banking >Bill which Equaled a Yes in a Republican >Congress.
Gawd I hate the left wing, Hillary was with her husband at the hospital for his heart surgery
No excuse she could have registered her vote.
This is not news, Hillary is campaigning on a platform to continue a Bush presidency. Besides she's a Republican having campaigned for Nixon in 1960, voted for him in 68,a Goldwater girl in 64 and President of the Wellesley Young Republicans. The BillHillar
I really don't want HRC to be president for many of the reasons listed in this article. I think it would be a better continuation of the same (really, we can't get worse). But above all I would be thrilled to have the nomination go to someone else just to prove pundits and pack mentality wrong. It's too bad we can't find another candidate to get behind in mass. I'm voting for Edwards but many people I know are backing Obama, who I really feel isn't ready. I really think Edwards would win the presidency if he got the nomination, but that's looking unlikely unless people vote differently than they poll.
Please don't let the polls sway you. Vote for the person you feel would be the best. When you go to a excellent restaurant and can afford to get anything you'd like, do you order what you want or do you say "I'll have what everyone else is having" even though it's not something you like? If more people would do their homework and put their support behind the candidates they like we could see some very real and much needed change. Please don't let MSM and polls influence your vote. This is TOO important.
I personally prefer Kucinich but if you like Edwards, do everything you can to get him nominated and elected. Hillary and Obama = more of the same.
If everyone would do what they thought was right instead of drinking the MSM/poll Kool-Aid things could be quite different.
He may be right but he ought to make a distinction between wanting to keep ones personal life secret, which probably all of us want to do, and running a secret administration. There is big leap here which even a pop psychologist should be wary of making.
The anti-Clintons have never been able to distinguish the line between one's public and personal life. A big reason why America's politics is so upside-down today.
The republicans can not find any dirt on Hillary so they resort to Bill's indiscretions
and other weird *ss innuendos. Faux news,limpballs, sucks hannity can really come up with some wild stuff and the pathetic listeners run with it.
Thanks melonman and bluesky. I didn't think of that while reading the post but you are correct, that is what the whole thing swings and swung on, why the impeachment thing and the hullabaloo was specious and silly back in what was it, 1999? And why Bernstein's argument is baloney. It is an interesting thesis if he can argue that the one form of secrecy will imply the other in her case, but he doesn't. I thought he had some character.
He's NOT right. All democrats obviously understand basic practices of transparency and separation of powers, including Hillary. What in the world is Carl talking about? It was Hillary's fault that Newt gains power and seats in Congress? Good Lord, how short-sighted and stupid. The forces that welled up to support Newt were real, whether you liked them or not, and those forces and factors continued into the Bush presidency. To blame all those years of power on a single first lady is laughable, just laughable.
you are plain stupid if you think Hillary was any old first lady, or that Bill will be any old first gent!
Come on, whether you like or hate or objectively assess the clinton's, you can not possibly think Hillary was not up to her elbows in all the backroom discussions! Hell, I would prob not take her advice, but I would certainly listen to it! You think Bill didn't? Many times?
Oh, and did newt force anti:middle class/unio
Did Newt give the order to illegaly bomb Yugoslavia cause they were not being nice enough to the BIN-LADEN trained KLA?!?!!?
Sorry, I know what good she and Bill bring to the table, watched it for 8 long years....
Sure is better than bush, but that still leaves her nowhere good enough for america.
So you support keeping Larry Craig in Congress.
I have been urging Larry Craig to fight this with everything he has. At least keep it alive until the 2008 general election, please. Go get 'em, Larry!!
Oh it's okay you can still vote for her. Just rationalize everything away. She really is a Democrat. She'll start acting like one someday.
I do like the assumption here that she IS the next President.
Hillary doesn't impress me. Nothing bold, no vision, no departure from business as usual. Her desire to be president dilutes any convictions she might have had. She ain't doing bitty-bop to stop the A-hole in the Oval Office right now, that's for sure. And yes, I am taking notes.
New blood required.
I'm voting for Kucinich in the primary, but I'd be OK with Edwards or Obama, in that order.
Good Lord why?
Sure she is nocer than Giuliani on the eyes, but both their policies are sure to be Murdoch approved poison.
Hillary is going to be a return to Bush-Lite years of the Clintons
Better managed American lawlessness and destruction:
illegal yugoslav war vs. illegal iraq war
bad trade agreements
pro-corpor
OK Hillary won't veto S-Chip, but if you think she'll pull the plug on the Middle-East policy of protecting the oil - well I think you are likely to be very disappointed. The Clintons have always been about looking after Corporate America.
Eww Yuk. It will be like having Joann Leiberman.
Democrats who think of themselves as liberals are falling all over themselves to elect Hillary President.
Then they rationalize this by saying it's better than a Republican winning.
Pick a peck of pathetic partisans.
They'll sell their souls to have anybody labeled a democrat in the White House.
She's not fight for President. We need a real New Direction- she, sad to say because I do like her, is just another DC Whore. The candidate I will support & vote for- will be a statesman, A Public Servant. One who seeks to right the wrongs, and justice for National Betrayals. One who will truley rid our gov't of It's pork futures. Only three I like to listen to now is Kucinich, Gravel & someways Paul. The rest are Stepford Politicians with the same excuses and agenda.
I'm the most non sexist nor racist- I WON'T vote for them JUST BECAUSE they are female or of color. I'm voting for the best person for the job. And I'm hoping that person will come forward soon. (Sorry Denise, Mike & Ron- but hope you have a seat in the next Executive Branch (Al too)
It is time for an exception person to enlist for duty for an exceptioanlly difficult assignment- get US back on track.
I'm Waiting...
hmmm... where have we heard all this before?
Oh yeah "Gore|Kerry| is just a Republican! I'm stomping my footsies and going home, after voting for Nadir (sic) and making sure we have 8 more Republican years.
That way we can keep on bitching and not getting anything done. That is, after all, what we're all about."
Luckily, the loony want-it-all-NOW!!! crowds on each side look like they'll probably cancel each other out this time and whatever Dem runs will win. (thank god).
No the big difference now is that we are having this discussion IN THE PRIMARY!!!!
I do not think the left will put forward a serious 3rd party candidate - won't blame 'em if they do, No american should be forced to choose only between Hillary and oh, say Rudy!
Hillary Clinton can and will do all that. Do some research.
I agree w/ you Purplegal.
Kucinich [for all his problems even being seen as presedential] has, along with Paul, the most important qualifications we have not seen in years.
They do not lie. They shoot straight and they can actually listen and most amazingly, think outside the beltway box.
The rest are just going to shepherd our decay as a country. Neo-libs and Neo-Cons.
Been there, done that. No Thanks.
Kucinich or Paul - you choose!
Kucinich thank you!
Well I'll be dipped in double shit. Another saying we had in Nam. Two days on the HuffPo and two excellent write ups.
Hillary is in FACT Bush in a skirt as evidenced by her announcement yesterday that she would "consider" rolling back some of the Chimps orders.
Now, I said "Consider" NOT pledge to do so. So my fellow posters, WHAT do you think the chances are of it actually happening?
ZILCH, ZERO, NADA and anybody who thinks differently needs to get back on their medication.
It has already been decided that HRC will be the Dem nominee and the RNC, along with old Karl and the rest are just salivating because they KNOW they can BEAT her.
As to the mindless sheep out there who say they'll vote for her I submit you need to get your heads out of your asses and rethink that position because all you'd be doing is exchanging one Bush for another one.
Time has come people for us to step into a voting booth and say enough is enough. You don't then you'll get exactly what you deserve.
Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, The RNC, The DNC, Hillary, and George W. Bush all wish to thank you for your continued support.
Remember this as well.
It has been reliably reported that Pelosi and Reid are in fact sheep in sheep's clothing. This report has now been confirmed by numerous sources who wish to remain anonymous.
Too much time in the Hanoi Hilton???? ALL of your feeble words have been repeated here for the last 6 months! You must like seeing your name in print!!!..
Thank you for that slam to a combat veteran of VietNam.
You may wish to look at the Zogby poll out today that says that HRC CAN NOT beat the leading Repub (that being Rudy) or old Mitt for the WH in 08.
On the other hand, my candidate, Gov. Bill Richardson, would defeat BOTH Rudy and Mitt quite handily and thus WIN the WH for the Dem's. Now if we could do something with Pelosi and Reid we might come out pretty fair.
So much for Hillary trolls.
Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, The RNC, The DNC, Hillary, and George W. Bush thank you for your continued support.
"Hillary is in FACT Bush in a skirt as evidenced by her announcement yesterday that she would "consider" rolling back some of the Chimps orders ... So my fellow posters, WHAT do you think the chances are of it actually happening?"
You speak the truth TankerRat, my only friendly amendment is that Hillary is actually George W. in a bad pants suit.
Any 8 year old knows that "I will consider it" means no. I'm just surprised Hillary was this honest, and didn't just tell everyone what they wanted to hear up until the election (much like her voting for the war and then campaigning against it).
Hillary's rhetoric may be different, but the reality is that you couldn't fit a worn dime between her and George W. on the issues that really matter to our future.
Hillary will in fact be another version of the same. If that's what you want, by all means vote Hillary. But if you have your head out of your butt far enough to see that we are in big trouble here folks, things are NOT going well, and our very future is at risk, then you had better get to work right now to make real change happen a.s.a.p.
Don't think any real change will be coming from inside Washington. Those folks are the people that gave us the current mess. It's been a disaster for most Americans, but for them, it's still working out just fine.
If we want change the change is going to have to start with ordinary Americans and be forced on the oligarchy in Washington. They don't want change. They want what they are currently giving us, and will continue to do so until change is forced on them through real consequences by an overwhelming majority of Americans demanding that the rule of law be enforced, that those who claim to act in our name serve us and not their own selfish interests, and that those that violate our trust face speedy and certain impeachment, prosecution, and imprisonment.
My gawd, at least its on the table, just think what a Giuliani would do.
my thoughts exactly " consider!'
Personally I am shocked she is that forthright about it!
Of course when wearing so many faces, juggling so many triangulations, one can forget who one is talking to....
The plutocrats that run the country know that Republicans have little chance of winning the Presidency in '08. To hedge their postion they are working hard to ensure that Hillary is the Democratic Party nominee. Plutocrats see Hillary as the most palatable candidate on the Dem slate. You don't really think they'd leave it to chance do you?
She "may do this" or "may do that", but never a conviction is heard from her mouth. She is politiK incumbent extrordinaire!
Ask her if she would support HR Bill 3835 The American Freedom Agenda Act. That will tell you everything you need to know.
Write your representatives, call them, and get this bill passed!
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