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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Bill Clinton 'reckoning' for Democrats? Don't hold your breath.
A Bill Clinton 'reckoning' for Democrats? Don't hold your breath.
The word has gone forth that a "reckoning" is due. Democrats are preparing to come to terms with Bill Clinton's sexual transgressions. Sort of. Depending on what you mean by "reckoning."
Last week, in a conversation with a male Democratic consultant about the extraordinary wave of sexual harassment allegations or, more accurately, the reaction to those allegations shaking American culture, it seemed as if some sort of grappling with the sordid side of Clinton's history was inevitable. Clinton is 71 years old. His wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has run her last race. There is nothing he can do for Democrats now in return for their continued silence about a sleazy past.
Some ambitious Democratic politician, we agreed, might even perceive long-term benefit in lambasting the former president for his sins. (On Thursday night, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., seized the opportunity, saying Clinton should have resigned from the presidency.)
In The New York Times, liberal columnist Michelle Goldberg wrote a column this week titled "I believe Juanita," referring to Juanita Broaddrick, a woman who accused Clinton of rape. In The Washington Post, Alyssa Rosenberg denounced "moral sickness in the service of partisanship." She was referring specifically to the partisan hacks shout-out to Ann Coulter! justifying Roy Moore's Senate campaign in Alabama. But she meant the Democrats who explained away Clinton's behavior as well.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-democrats-bill-clinton-sex-20171120-story.html
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This article made me think it seems suspicious now that Gillibrand came out against him. Why would she do that? My theory is that she and possibly some media members have been tipped off about something that will be coming out soon against Bill and she jumped ahead of it to distance herself. It's a feeding frenzy at the moment with new public figures and new accusations coming out everyday, I'm thinking a new Bill Clinton accuser is making arrangements to go public.
BannonsLiver
(16,548 posts)DFW
(54,506 posts)I think the shelf life of "new" accusers of Franken and Clinton lasts about as long as it takes for the winner of the Alabama special election to be certified. Hannity won't be spending even the price of a phone call for Franken accusers after that. The "new accusers" will go back into their dormant Swiftboat cocoon stage until the next election cycle.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)uponit7771
(90,371 posts)... the same can't be said for some of the other folk.
DURHAM D
(32,619 posts)among her peers in academia and the media she is openly ridiculed.
madaboutharry
(40,247 posts)harassment, but I am starting to get very uncomfortable with what is going on. The culture needs to change. However, I think lives are getting ruined for no purpose other than vindictiveness and in some cases politics.
Something doesn't feel right about this. I am having a problem with this #metoo campaign. There certainly are egregious cases, like with Roy Moore. But there are also cases where there was no real malicious intent. I don't know how to express this other than saying there is a difference between a true predator and someone being a jerk. I don't think every jerk deserves public tar and feathering.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)If it happened after 1998, I imagine she has an opinion on how it influenced her experience. A lot of these incidents seem to have happened with the implied understanding that powerful men will have a team pulling for them if they happen to get caught.
Bill Clinton could do a lot of good by finally offering a sincere public apology to the women who should have gotten one.
GaryCnf
(1,399 posts)kacekwl
(7,028 posts)tell them all to fuck off. Enough already.