10 years on, Hillary Clinton reveals anguish over Lewinsky saga

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Hillary Clinton said in an soul baring interview aired Friday she never doubted her husband's Bill Clinton's love for her, despite the former president's infidelity with a White House intern. Exactly a decade after the Monica Lewinsky affair was first reported, the former first lady candidly revealed how she worked through the inner torment it caused, as she battles Barack Obama for the Democratic White House nomination. "I really had to dig down deep and think hard about what was right for me, what was right for my family," Clinton said on the Tyra Banks talk show on Fox television.

"I never doubted Bill's love for me, ever, and I never doubted my faith and my commitment to our daughter and our extended family. But I had to decide what I ought to do, I think it is so important to be able to hear yourself at a moment when it is hard ... there are so many times when you really have to listen to yourself."...

Clinton also said she was asked by other women "all the time" about what to do with unfaithful husbands. "I say you have to be true to yourself, no one story is the same as any other story," she said. "'I don't know your reality. I cannot possibly substitute my judgment for yours, but what I can tell you is you must be true to yourself, you have to do what is right for you.'"

Clinton's comments, some of her most open and public on the Lewinsky episode were broadcast 10 years and one day after news of the affair broke on the Drudge Report website, and shocked the world. A decade on from the scandal which tainted his legacy, former president Clinton is now his wife's most outspoken campaign surrogate, and a key behind-the-scenes strategist who has recently denounced what he sees as an easy ride being given to Obama in the press. Despite his impeachment, Clinton left office with approval ratings of around 65 percent, and has since further bolstered his reputation by working for his global foundation, on issues like AIDS relief....

Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iD2pnjLSISPm_PmWZjz5fJmP4wqA

[gateley]

1. She also wrote about it in her book several years back, to be fair. I never

read the book and I'm not a Hillary supporter, but even I know that.

[rodeodance]

2. it had to be hard on her to do that interview.

[Konza]

3. No Mas! No Mas!

I really can't take anymore reflections on Bill, true love and Monica Lewinsky.

Well, at least she didn't go on Dr. Phil.

Dr. Phil: "After yeeew found out 'bout dem blowjobs, how did yeeew feeeeel, Umm, kay?"
(off in the distance, the sound of me shooting myself in the face)

[shaniqua6392]

4. It looked like it was hard for her to talk about.

I give her a lot of respect for agreeing to talk about it and I liked what she had to say. I could tell it was really faith that got her through it all. She really came out as a class act.

[Malva Zebrina]

5. Pity party for Hillary

I see it as more a ploy for pity, just like her tearful presentation in New Hampshire. Come on. The woman scorned is what I see her as playing, while Bill is going around campaigning to be the next president. She allows him to do so--anything to win for this woman.

[msongs]

6. thank goodness nobody in the USA knows about that lewinsky , eh? nt

[Kittycat]

7. She lost any pity I might have had for her, when she decided to stay with him.

What a message that sends to young women in America.

When your husband compulsively cheats on you - as long as he can give you a leg up in your career later, stand by your dawg.

[DemIdeals]

9. I personally think that cheaters are the lowest of the low,

and I'm not even a Hillary supporter, but I think your post is out of line.

You have no proof that she stayed with him to boost her later political career. Some people are able to forgive cheating. It takes a lot of work and a lot of counseling probably, but to just assume that she stayed with him to boost her political career sounds like a Republican talking point to me. Absolutely baseless accusation.

[Kittycat]

10. Yes, and the stories of affairs since?

In the end, it doesn't matter what the truth is - in the political spectrum. She wants women to follow in her footsteps - does that include being a doormat to your cheating husband?

I've been cheated on numerous times in a prior marriage. The emotional damage that does to a person is horrible, and I personally believe the ONLY healthy solution, is to leave. Cheaters that do so more than once, do so again. The country doesn't need pulled back to the sewer when Bill's next affair has a spotlight centered on it.

I agree that Bill was a great president, but his personal life caused problems in this country - and will be the baggage waiting to be opened up once more if HRC gets the nomination. And of course it will be to her embarrassment (and that of the party).

[DemIdeals]

12. well sorry you've been cheated on

i've been cheated on too and i also did leave the person. but there are people who are able to forgive(though never forgetting i'm sure). it's not your job to tell them what they should do- in fact, it's really none of your business.

[Kittycat]

14. If only things worked that way though.

It would have been GREAT if we never had to hear the name of Monika Lewinsky, but sadly we did. And you know that's going to be thrust in to the spotlight if she gets the nomination. People will dig up his past, since leaving office - and we'll get to hear all about that too.

Is this REALLY want we want to go through? This is what is going to overshadow HRC, and our party.

[DemIdeals]

17. i'm not saying you have to support her in the primaries

i'm an obama supporter myself.

but you said that you have no pity for her anymore. would you also have no pity for a victim of a wifebeater who stays with him only to let it happen again? don't be so harsh on people is what i'm saying.

[Kittycat]

20. I've been through that as well

The phsyical abuse was only occasional though, but the verbal/emotional/alienation was severe. It took me 2 years to get the nerve just to leave, then 2 years and a move 2 states away before he stopped contesting the divorce. And we didn't have kids.

The difference is - that isn't HRC's issue. I have all the pity in the world for those women. But not one, who could have had all the support necessary to leave him, and she didn't. In her position, if she's in that extreme of an abusive situation - then she's also not qualified, IMO to lead our country - as least not until getting help. But that just isn't the case with her. She just chooses to either be a doormat to his cheating, doesn't care (and therefore doesn't care about the impact it has on the country), or is just using him to get ahead.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

26. she "Wants women to follow in her footsteps"?

That is a stretch.

[aquart]

41. You did what worked for you. Good!

What is unacceptable however, is that you would impose that highly idiosyncratic solution on EVERY WOMAN IN THAT SITUATION. That is rigid, intolerant, and...disrespectful of individual choice.

You might want to work on that tolerance thing. There is pretty much always more than one way to do anything (except a Neil Simon play but everybody knows that).

[DeepModem Mom]

13. Thanks for your posts, DemIdeals -- welcome to DU!

[DemIdeals]

18. no prob, thank you

good to be here

[aquart]

40. Hey, it's all they got.

Pitiful, ain't it?

[DemIdeals]

48. yes it is

bs republican talking point

[harmonicon]

16. excuse me?

Have you thought she stayed with him for reasons other than her career? Maybe it was because when they got married they really meant, "for better or for worse" and "to death we part". Have you thought of that? Maybe because they have a deep love for each other, want their daughter to grow up in a home where her parents are together. I think it's admirable that when it comes to things like marriage and Christian principles, the Clintons (whatever I may think of their politics) don't just talk the talk.

[DemIdeals]

19. give it up

apparently it is just never acceptable to stay with someone who cheats on you and if you do then you do not deserve that poster's pity because you are "asking for it", in a sense.

:eyes:

[Kittycat]

21. You honestly think she deserves pity, after staying with him after multiple times of this occuring?

Bill cheats on Hill. = OMG, that's horrible, I feel for her. I hope she's able to get the help she needs to emotionally recover.

Bill cheats on Hill again = Well, I really hope she sees it for what it's worth, and gets away from that. No woman deserves to be disrespected like that.

Bill cheats on Hill AGAIN - and you couldn't see that coming?

Again... No, sorry - no pity. It's her bed, and she can lie it, while he's in bed with someone else.

Give me a break - she's a public official.

[DemIdeals]

22. First off

I'd like to see some solid proof of these allegations after Lewinsky that you discussed. Why has the mainstream media not covered it? maybe it's talked about on freerepublic or something but they also think hillary killed vince foster over there so i don't think it's a great source.

[Kittycat]

29. Psst... I heard it here on DU ;)

search

[DemIdeals]

30. i can't search

i'm not a member yet.

maybe you could link it?

ps ONE duer saying it doesnt make it so. neither does a bunch of du'ers. until some reputable media source publishes it, it's rumors.

[Kittycat]

31. Neither can I, my membership ran out, and I donated to Obama instead of renewing :)

[DemIdeals]

34. without a source you shouldn't mention it

i also donated to obama

[aquart]

42. And no false rumor is EVER posted here.

You're funny!

[October]

67. Pretty cold

Self-righteous, too.

Karma can be tough.

[October]

66. Nice post, harmonicon /nt

[TankLV]

23. Disgusting posts - all of 'em...

at least now I know who's opinion to ignore on ANYTHING from now on...

idiot...

[DemIdeals]

35. are you talking about mine or hers?

because you responded to kitty's

just wondering

[yardwork]

57. I'm right there with you....the sexism and all-around sanctimony around here is too much.

These people call themselves progressives?

[aquart]

39. That's good, dear, because she's not asking for pity.

Although I have to wonder what peculiar mindset would even think that?

[Ellen Forradalom]

51. Maybe she genuinely likes the guy?

It's been known to happen.

[humbled_opinion]

53. Oh My

You are echoing my sentiments... and it is exacly what makes her unelectable in the General election IMO ... unless of course we can somehow ensure Huckster wins the Repuke Nom...

[yardwork]

56. A candidate is unelectable because she stayed married? What sexist tripe.

Would anyone say that about a male candidate. Good lord.

[humbled_opinion]

58. Sexist.. Yes many on the Right are...

As well as racist, homophobic and intolerant not to mention war mongering et.al. Don't you understand that Clinton sparks on the Right the same response that Bush sparks in the Left... How is that ever going to get anything accomplished?

The Democrats won a majority in Congress with the peoples mandate to end the war in Iraq...

Didn't happen and Congress polls lower then Bush... Get it ... Unless the Democratic POTUS can work with the Repukes to get things done... everything will be in fillabuster and stalemate... .Not only that but imagine the calls for investigation against Hillary... the spin the Pukes will start...

As stated she is unelectable because of her stand on all issues including her marriage... sorry but it is the truth...

Whether its fair or not is not my point.

[yardwork]

60. I'm not going to join you in running scared.

[humbled_opinion]

62. Fine be content with John Mcain in the WH for the next

I would say 8 but guess he'll die after 4 and then we'll have Rudy or Fred in there for 4 or 8 you figure it out with the 100 year War in Iraq....

Over 50 percent of America WILL NOT VOTE FOR HER... Check GALLUP and the poll has been posted.

That means unless there is a Third Party that sucks votes from the PUKES she cannot possibly win... SHE IS UNELECTABLE....

[humbled_opinion]

63. Oh but don't let me shed reality on the situation continue with your dream...

You know that same dream that got us the idiot in the WH today...

[yardwork]

55. I guess you know best about everybody's else's relationships.

[snooper2]

27. Always Remember One Thing

A politicians number one job is to get re-elected....

[aquart]

38. Of course you do, dear.

It's called getting the wrong end of the stick.

[CTyankee]

8. Funny, that's from Agence France Presse. The French have never given a damn about their

leaders' mistresses and neither have their wives.

I didn't see that interview with Tyra. I have a problem with the whole thing which is that it is really none of our business and I resent having it MADE my business. So I kept the TV off.

Why are we even talking about this? IT IS NONE OF OUR BUSINESS!

[ursi]

11. this is news?

[DeepModem Mom]

15. I think it's news only because Senator Clinton is a frontrunner for the Presidency...

and this issue will always be part of her story. Otherwise, I agree -- it would be gossip. And I didn't post it with an agenda. Knowing this would be reported, I think Senator Clinton wanted to get it said -- maybe hoping to put it behind her as the campaign goes on.

[Harper_is_Bush]

33. How could you think it's not?

If Obama wanted to talk about his personal trials, would it not be news?

[Diane R]

24. Oh. You mean, 'THAT WOMAN'? Can we really stand 4 more years of the dysfunctional Clinton marriage

[aquart]

43. Didn't bother me the first time.

I guess I ain't that rude and nosy.

[Infinite Hope]

25. I sympathize with her on this issue. Been there, done that. Touch decision. n/t

[rayofreason]

28. Bill Clinton as First Husband?

Sometimes reality can be stranger than fiction.

[aquart]

44. Hopefully they will finally recognize it as a real PR job.

AND GIVE IT A SALARY!!! Outrageous what we expect from First Ladies as a freebie. Maybe if a man's doing it, they'll suddenly notice it's real work.

[rayofreason]

49. Violate anti-nepotism laws?

Say it ain't so!

[Harper_is_Bush]

32. Brilliant move. She's building on "the cry" with this. n/t

[daleo]

36. Yeah, it's hard not to see it that way

I do think that Bill and Hillary have some sort of peculiar but deep and real bond, but this issue does have a "humanizing" effect that can't hurt HRC's campaign.

I mean, how is Obama going to trump this "bitter but meaningful life experience"? I think there is a larger element of psychodrama to this contest than usual. Even if the candidates don't want to go down that road, it is bound to be emphasized by the media.

[Harper_is_Bush]

37. Yep. The whole "listen to yourself" meme has a good ring. We can all relate to that.

She's onto something there.

[aquart]

45. Hey, he found a way to trump all the "sexism" attention.

I'm sure he'll find a way to trump this.

[Vinca]

46. I suppose, if another campaign employed Republican tactics,

they could pose the question "Will he do it again?" Do we want to return to the soap opera that was the Clinton White House? Obama won't do it, but if she's the nominee, you can count on seeing it.

[humbled_opinion]

64. Exactly... N/T

[noel711]

47. Do Presidents appear on the Tyra show...?

Yuk...

This is low. I know she was on Letterman, but they simply traded barbs... it was all phoney anyway.
But now.. this? What's next? Montel? Jerry? Morey? Cheesy stunts to attract attention,
cheap tricks to 'prove' that she's just one of the folks?

Hillary Rodham Clinton, you know better than that.
Where is your dignity, your decorum, your sense of being above the fray?

First of all, it is nobody's business what happened behind the scenes when
the scandal broke. There are just some things that need to remain behind
closed doors. By bringing this up, you simply re-open that painful time for
our country. And you once again remind all the conservatives why they resent
your husband, and why they have issues with you.

This must be due to bad advisors... a ploy to pimp out the women's vote,
and to tempt black women to leave their Obama allegience.

Sadly, there are far too many of the electorate who don't think below the surface,
they take everything at 'face value' and will say: "Oh, poor Hillary!"

This lack of thinking, and attention to detail is the reason why we, as a nation,
are in such bad straits now. People need to wake up.

Hillary.... what were you thinking?

by the way... Go Edwards!

[focusfan]

50. the only reason she let the Lewinski affair slide is because

she knew she was going to run for president and it would look
bad if they divorced.which Bill was going to leave her for
another woman anyways but Hillary talked him out of it.

[ixion]

52. is she going to cry again?

that seems to be her new thing.

[humbled_opinion]

54. Read this rationally and without emotion.

This is what the Right is going to use to divide the country over her. She is already being painted as a calculating Bitch by the right... This Lewinsky is just the begining the Right is going to prod and pull and investigate beyond reason to tie her or bill into something else...

The Problem with that is that most likely there is something else... I have been disappointed by the Clintons on too many occasions to give them political backing...

Its time for Obama/Edwards... Hillary go sit down and color.

[yardwork]

61. Thank you for your concern.

[kskiska]

59. Did Monica ever reveal any anguish on the part she played

which led to an attempt to bring down a sitting president? Not that I can recall.

[October]

65. Excellent point /nt