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Historian Sheds Gossipy Light on Clinton Years

In new book, ex-prez discusses Lewinsky, Yeltsin's drunken caper

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 21, 2009 1:07 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Between 1993 and 2001, historian Taylor Branch met regularly with then-President Clinton for a series of taped interviews. The transcripts form the basis of a new book, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President, to be released next week. USA Today got a look and singles out some highlights:

  • Secret Service agents had to corral a drunk Boris Yeltsin trying to hail a cab on Pennsylvania Avenue—wearing only his underwear. The Russian leader, who was bunking at Blair House, told them he wanted a pizza.

  • Discussing the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Clinton told Branch he "just cracked" under the pressures of the Whitewater investigation and the Democrats' congressional losses in 1994.
  • After Al Gore lost the 2000 election, the two "exploded" at one another in a heated conversation. Clinton accused Gore of underutilizing him on the campaign; Gore said the Lewinsky scandal had ruined his chances.
  • George W. Bush "was unqualified to be president … but he had shrewd campaign instincts," Clinton told Branch, John McCain "might make a good president, but he had no idea how to run."

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the Clinton Foundation Millennium Network event in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 30, 2009.
Former President Bill Clinton speaks at the Clinton Foundation Millennium Network event in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, acknowledges the audience with former President Bill Clinton Thursday, Sept 25, 2008 in New York.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, acknowledges the audience with former President Bill Clinton Thursday, Sept 25, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
Robert_Dada
Sep 22, 2009 12:10 PM CDT
Though I admire his politics, I can't say I admire and respect the man. Not only did he disrespect his wife and daughter (as if that was not enough), he disrespected us progressives who enabled him to come to power. His selfish acts of self-absorbed sexual desire created the 'easy ammunition' used by conservatives against him and helped usher in the 8 years of the Bush Dark Ages. He should have f*cking known better that the conservatives would be looking for any and all kind of dirt that they could make stick and he served it up to them on a silver platter.
reasonator
Sep 22, 2009 4:04 AM CDT
What makes it sound like I'm jealous? She did have nice lips, and I guess that's what matters most for Oral Office pleasures
carol
Sep 22, 2009 2:38 AM CDT
He had "just cracked" most of his political career. Still a smart man, tho. It is ashame reporters look for dirt. They would certainly have had a field day during JFK's time. Back then the press didn't pursue a president's personal life.

 
John McCain • Al Gore • Boris Yeltsin • White House • Bill Clinton • president • Democrat • Clinton administration • Monica Lewinsky • George W. Bush • interview • Taylor Branch • Blair House • The Clinton Tapes

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