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The Great Bush/Starr Whitewash!
Senior defends Dubya and Dad; Starr blames the world
by The Editors
Sunday, October 24, 1999--NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (APJ)--It was counterspin in Punditland this weekend. here's what happened:
Fox News Sunday
Tony talks to Bush Daddy, sponsored by dot.coms ad nauseum
"Democrats play smashmouth with the GOP," said Tony in his opening voiceover. He hyped appearances by "special guests," House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former President George Bush Sr.
Tony's first question to Hastert concerned the GOP proposal to "pare back" the budget by 1.4%. Hastert pushed "cutting fourteen cents from every ten dollars.. pare back... pare back..." Mara needled Hastert about the Congressional pay raise, to which Hastert said "We'll find 1.4% to pare back"--but not from their pay raise! No way!
Hastert started blathering about the Contract On America having been the reason for today's budget surplus. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth--since it was a Clinton/Democrat Congress initiative in '93 that really started the ball rolling. As Hastert said that "the President has to come over to our side" on not raiding Social Security, we laughed out loud--since the GOP-controlled CBO says that the GOP is raiding the trust fund with their budget! Mara had asked about the GOP's "issue advocacy" commercials, and Hastert's response just served to underlined the dishonest content of these spots.
Now remember, Tony started the show with his ever-so-clever "Democrats play smashmouth" line. But Hastert was playing his own game of stenchmouth, intermingling his own budgetary half-truths with bald-faced lies about the President "busting" the budget and comments about members of the armed services having to stay on food stamps.
Of course, this "food stamp" problem was as bad when Bush was President. Once anyone knows the full picture, there is no way the GOP can pin this one on Clinton.
Mara asked an inane question about Donald Trump, and Hastert gave a lame answer about "reforming welfare and the tax system" and "saving Social Security."
Reforming welfare and the tax system? Lemme guess--taking money away from the poor and transferring it to big companies in the form of tax breaks and subsidies. This is called "corporate welfare" and "tax reform" in GOP circles.
Hastert was asked about tax cut plans by Tony, and replied "Tax cuts are what we did." Huh? He did not specify his plans to "put more money in Americans' pockets." But we think the Americans he is talking about are Jack Welch and Rupert Murdoch.
Tony asked about the GOP's "new isolationism." Hastert tried reversing the issue, claiming that the Democrats were "economic isolationists." Well, then, we never knew that Pat Buchanan was such an ardent Democrat! And what a lie--a bipartisan coalition supported NAFTA, GATT and other such initiatives; a bipartisan coalition opposed them, too.
Hastert tried to pin "big spender" labels on the President. Good try, Dennis--but be real. The President has been gracious enough to share credit with Congress for balancing the budget, which is the truth.
Hastert also tried to depict House Minority Leader Gephardt as a leftie, and then was asked about Carol Moseley-Braun. Her nomination as ambassador to New Zealand is being obstructed by Jesse Helms (R-Cro-Magnon). Hastert called her "a delightful woman, but there are some questions to be asked... about Africa, about the Justice Department." Translation: "I intend to smear her using old innuendo."
On Hillary: "Well, Godspeed." Hastert sounded flustered.
Spots: PeoplePC, Mass Mutual, iVillage.com. This is interesting--Fox is attracting a crowd of e-business advertisers that target young, upscale consumers.
Following the break, Tony introduced a wide-ranging, taped interview with Bush Daddy. The pretense: a new Bush book, and we're not talking First Son or Fortunate Son, but some autobiographical book. Tony needled Bush about writing a letter to someone when he was a young man describing himself as a "professor of sexology." Bush described his childhood as "sheltered" and reflected on his career as a fighter pilot (immediately shifting from sexology into flag-wavingly patriotic imagery of his WWII glory days).
Is sending men into combat the toughest decision of a President? Bush said essentially yes, and Tony followed up with a question about the defense budget and capability. "I'm a little disturbed... that our readiness is down."
Readiness down? Since Clinton became President, we've engaged in a large number of military actions--with not one death in actual combat. Unlike Bush. Unlike Reagan.
Why? Readiness!
Tony then turned to the book Fortunate Son and the charges contained therein that Bush Daddy was an anti-Semite. "It's a lie! It's an absolute lie!" And that's the best Bush could do to counter the charges--sound like a Dana Carvey impersonation of himself. He tried to case doubt on the book's sources--and talked about legal action.
But here's the truth, folks: most of the charges in Fortunate Son show up in other books, including First Son. The Bushes are attacking the anonymity of the sources--practically inviting some of these sources to step forward with their own tell-alls, legal threats or no.
Talk turned to "charges" against Clinton, and Bush admitted that "many" of the charges were false--essentially claiming that some of them must, just must, be true.
Throughout the interview, Tony went very easy on Bush, though not lobbing as many obvious set-ups as Tim "Mr. Obvious" Russert did to Kenneth Starr over on NBC. Tony asked flattering questions about prayer, humor, his perceived humorlessness, and Reagan. Yes, the interview was an exercise in image-shaping--and part of an effort to return Bush Daddy to power.
Face it--if you think Bush Dad won't play a role in a Dubya Administration as a string-puller (which is essentially what he did during the Great Dodderer's eight-year tenure in the White House), you've got another thing coming.
Who would be in charge? Judge for yourself from this answer: Daddy said that if Dubya said "he has his father's looks and his mother's mouth," he could count on a call from Momma Bush telling him what he should do. Momma's boy and Daddy's boy. Just what America needs.
Bush also made a comment about "not sitting in front of a TV and bitching... go out and do something!"
Did Ross Perot sink his chance at a second term? "Yes." He admitted to having been bitter--but claims he's over it--then slammed Perot for criticizing Desert Storm on the eve of its beginning during a Larry King Live appearance, and claiming the CIA tried to interfere with his daughters wedding (which they did). It's crystal clear Bush is still bitter about the White House not having been his personal fiefdom for four more years.
Is China a threat? "No, not unless we mishandle them... They are not seeking hegemony." He said he'd like to meet with Republicans on the right and Democrats on the left and see their "proof" of hegemony.
He added. "There are more human rights in China [today]... then when I was there [as Ambassador]." He said that complaining about the human rights situation was harmful.
We found that answer particularly insidious. It looked to be aimed at hard-righters spoiling for a new Cold War--but also telegraphed Bush's own disdain for human rights worldwide.
Spots: two sandwiched How2.com spots, the film Music of the Heart (a serious drama by gifted horror auteur Wes Craven), local spots for Suzuki, Power for Living (a Christian tract), and local Fox TV shows.
The "heartwarming" portion of Bush Family Sunday continued with Tony interviewing both Barbara and George in the Bush Presidential Library and Museum. A fighter plane, a baseball glove, and photos of a daughter who died of leukemia figured in the stage dressing.
Somehow, we doubt that Roger Ailes would ever allow such a "sentimental" journey with, say, Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton.
But we did laugh at a photo of Bush Daddy standing on the CIA seal in the foyer of the agency's headquarters. Barbara's comment: "He looks like Mortimer Snerd."
There she goes again!
Standing before an exhibit, Bush concluded by talking about patriotism, family and faith. He hasn't lost that delicate propaganda touch, has he.
Spots: Salon.com, a "we don't sell cigarettes to minors--we card" spot from Philip Morris (who sponsor the mostly useless and ineffective program), and two from Fox: the "Grand Slam Superteam of Figure Skating" (Grand Slam? hot dog--now it's a full contact sport!) and their new game show, Greed ("Greed is good." Crikey...). Local spots for Toyota and flu shots were tagged on.
Panel time! Fred "The Weasel" Barnes claimed that Liddy Dole dropped out because he had no message--proving he is stupid, because she dropped out for money reasons. Mara Liasson pointed out that Liddy talked about guns, and Juan Williams said that McCain gains. Mara countered that Bush would get the Dole votes, and Fred said that while McCain gains, it's still the Bush show (citing Fox's questionable numbers showing Bush at 67%, McCain at 8%).
Talk turned to the Reform Party and Pat Buchanan. Barnes foolishly said it would not hurt the GOP--putting him at odds with people who know otherwise, such as RNC chair Jim Nicholson. Tony actually asked if Donald Trump might have a chance and if Pat is making a dangerous decision. Barnes hypothesized that if Trump spends his own money, Pat is in real trouble.
There was some discussion of Fortunate Son, which Mara dissed over all the obvious damning news (the author hid his own felony arrest). Barnes commented on Bush Daddy's comment that he might seek legal remedies--then dissed the author for writing Star Trek trivia books, and the publisher, St. Martin's Press (who we feel should never have withdrawn the book).
Notably, the entire panel ignored the fact that other books are making the same claim--that Bush did community service for a DUI conviction. Under the influence of what? And then there's the question about why Bush got a new driver's license number. Take our word for it--this story will not go away. And Bush will not sue because he risks seeing the awful, ugly truth about his son being made public.
In fact, we would not be surprised if "oppo research" advisors to Bush's challengers see to it themselves.
Following spots for iVillage.com, we saw the controversial Pizza Hut spot that mocks Hillary Clinton's run for the Senate in New York--including a prop carpet bag.
Did you know that a senior board member of Tricon Foods, Pizza Hut's parent company, is a GOP activist? His name is Kenneth Langone, and our sources tell us he's a big-time backer of Rudolph Giuliani. If you have an opinion on the commercial--and we can't imagine you wouldn't--you can call Pizza Hut at 1 (800) 948-8488 or write to:
Pizza Hut, Inc.
14841 Dallas Pkwy
Dallas, TX 75240-2100
We also caught a spot for IBM just before Tony had a heartwarming final word on Bush Daddy's patriotism and humor--the sort of pap one tends to hear about St. Ronald from his most sycophantic worshippers. Hoo-boy... here comes St. George.
We don't buy a word of it--but do credit Tony for having the best-written and best-delivered "final comments" in punditdom.
The McLaugh-In Group
Right-wing encounter group tries to "help" John with his issues as McLaugh-In plays the race card
Issue one! We give you.. Democratic Senator Johnny Cochran Daschle!
McLaugh-In lit into Daschle for playing "the dreaded race card" against Jesse Helms for his opposition to Carol Moseley-Braun as New Zealand Ambassador, citing "a criminal campaign chairman" who was her boyfriend and ties to a Nigerian dictator. John then sarcastically said that Daschle "sees a more sinister pattern.... Why is Daschle playing the race card so blatantly?"
Maybe because Jesse Helms is acting like the bigot apologist he is--and is engaged in a personal vendetta. But these facts didn't get in the way of John's mostly-loony encounter group.
Michael Barone, resident imbecile at US News, called Daschle a "racist" playing "cheap politics... a smear." We laughed. Barone is as crazy as John, only dumber. Eleanor Clift said the stats speak clearly: minorities and women appointments are routinely held up by Congress. Tony Blankley shrewdly said that this was part of a strategy to hit Bush Baby and tie him to Senate racists. Blankley, whose politics we don't agree with one whit, should be listened to here: his prognostication is a bellwether of how Reeps--and Bush--may well handle this blowup. Jim Warren of the Chicago Tribune said that Bush was distancing himself from the ilk of Helms. Barone fired back at him, but Warren blasted Barone over the issue of even moderate minority judge appointments being held up. When Eleanor said these judges got excellent ratings from the ABA, Barone started screaming that the ABA is "tool" of the liberals.
Hey, Mike, you idiot, most ABA members are NOT Democrats!
John smeared Moseley over the "odious ethical smell" of her background, including "visiting a blood-soaked dictator" in Nigeria. Of course, if she'd visited, say, Manuel Noriega or Pinochet, John McLaugh-In would love the woman. John is one to talk about odious smells--especially after Eleanor punctured the accusation that Moseley was involved in crime. John then read off a litany of unproven allegations against Moseley-Braun--before he claimed that "Clinton joins the race-baiting game" in accusing the delay of Judge White's appointment.
Advice to John: your point would be far more effective if you'd remember to wear your white sheet and hood, and maybe burn a cross or two. We know how scared you are that blacks might, just might, get out and vote in numbers high enough to boot a few of your reactionary pals out of Congress. Eleanor pointed this out, and then mentioned the dirty doings of John Ashcroft in stalling White. And amidst all the shouting, Jim Warren said that Clinton is out to show liberal Democrats are more sensitive to minority issues. Barone sounded furious that Moseley-Braun "stymied" Helms "over a flag!!"
Problem is, it was the unpatriotic, de- facto- racist Confederate flag, symbol of slavery, rape, torture and murder--and not just to black Americans. We should know--one of our white writers can trace his family tree to a white ancestor who died in Andersonville Prison, the Confederate Auschwitz.
An hour of GE commercials were followed by "Issue two: Libby, we hardly knew ye!" Most of the shouting surrounded both money and Eleanor's point that Dole never stuck to the gun control issue, which Eleanor called "a women's issue." Warren was somewhat right in that Dole was losing women's support to Bush and never played up her name identification or gender.
John, sounding like he missed his dose of Ritalin, said the problem was that Dole ran in the wrong party! Will she be back as a VP contender? Tony said the best thing we heard all weekend on the presidential race: it's too early to tell.
Issue three: The Empire Strikes Back! The Darth Vader theme played under shots of Mitch McConnell, who was responsible for killing campaign finance reform. We loved it--we were rolling on the floor. John asked about "so-called campaign reform"--no surprise there, since his GE handlers would be hammered by McCain-style legislation. Warren called big money corruptive, Tony argued the "First Amendment" view, and Barone started talking about the so-called "partial-birth abortion" vote! Huh?
John asked a very good question, for once--is the problem the money, or the compressed primary calendar? He explained the "top-loading" issue and the "squeezing out" based on money pretty well. We don't particularly agree at all, but this brief moment of lucidity and comparative calm from John surprised and pleased us.
Following another ten minutes of sentimental, feel-good GE commercials (including health insurance?!?!), frenzied predictions were spouted by Washington's loudest oracles! Bradley vs. Gore debate this week: who wins?
Michael: Bradley
Eleanor: The rigged rules will make it a draw
Tony: Bradley
Jim called it "pro wrestling"--we were laughing out loud--so is McLaugh-In
John: A draw
The most interesting pattern to emerge from the last few weeks of McLaugh-In: Tony Blankley is beginning to sound like the most level-headed of John's Beltway oracles, and Eleanor is screaming too much. Is John's disease contagious?
Beat the Prezz
starring Ken Starr
with Tim Russert as the Insidious Counsel's Ed McMahon
You could hear that Tim Russert was beside himself with pride in the introductory voiceover as he hyped his top guest: Kenneth Starr.
But his first guest was far more entertaining: Donald Trump, who has announced he is dropping out of the Republican party. "They are too 'right'... [and] Gore and Bradley are way too liberal." He will register with the NY Independence Party (the Reform Party affiliate in New York) on Monday.
Tim mentioned poll numbers showing that a large number of people would never vote for Trump, and Trump talked about the "amazing" (and unbelievably biased) range of polls, including the National Enquirer poll which put Trump at the top. Tim dissed it as "unscientific"--and we laughed, because the NBC polls are about as scientific themselves with their slanted questions. If NBC really cared about polls, they'd hire Underwriters Digital to administer them--but they don't want honest polls. They want Clinton-bashing.
Trump was his usual egotistical self--but in a somewhat more restrained, soft-spoken (!) manner than we have seen in most of his previous media appearances. "I'm looking at this seriously... and I wouldn't do this if I didn't think I can win, and that means win."
Tim mentioned Buchanan's announcement tomorrow, and Trump slammed Pat. "I can't see how anyone can take him seriously.... He's a Hitler-lover, an anti-Semite, anti-black, anti-gay."
On the "character issue, Trump said "I'm controversial, but I'm also a successful businessman...." We could see where this was going--right toward Tim bringing up Clinton's awful, immoral behavior for which he should have been eviscerated and burned at the stake.
Poor Tim--he just can't let go.
When Tim said "You said if Clinton were with a supermodel...," Trump cut him off: "That's not what I said." Good for Donald. We wish more guests would jump down Tim's throat this way. But Tim looked happy nonetheless--he'd again managed to slam Clinton over his personal life.
Tim then quoted Trump's ex, Marla, who had unflattering words for the developer. Trump turned the tables on what are obviously "woman scorned" comments that "put her in the limelight for another day." One of our knowledgeable sources tells us that Marla's ego rivals Donald's.
Tim then tried another shot at tagging Trump as a loon: saying he was willing to launch a first, preemptive strike against North Korea's nuclear capability. And Trump once again corrected Tim: "I said I'd negotiate first... If it doesn't work, you'd better solve the problem now than solve the problem later."
Tim then said "the fallout would be devastating to Southeast Asia." Problem is, Trump had already explained that he wants to negotiate first, and rigorously. Trump said that he would not necessarily launch a nuclear preemptive strike.
Tim and Trump then turned to trade issues--Trump said that Japan "is ripping up and ripping us big," citing Japanese tariffs that jack up the cost of American products. Trump said he did not like the idea of privatizing Social Security, but is open to it. He also agreed with the Reform Party's view on restricting immigration and is not bullish on NAFTA.
Tim: "You said we're headed for a crash..." Trump: "It's based on intuition... there is the possibility for very tough times ahead." Tim, of course, would love to see a crash--he could pin it on Clinton. But Tim looked a little deflated Trump praised Clinton for the appointments of Bob Rubin and Alan Greenspan. He compared America's economic comeback to his own comeback from bankruptcy.
Tim asked Trump about gays--and Trump said it would not bother him to see gays in the military. Why didn't Trump serve in the military? He was never drafted, he replied.
"Partial-birth abortion," said Tim ominously, betraying his own views, "...a big issue in Washington." Among white, southern, hard-right loons, Tim! "I don't like it," said Trump, " it makes me cringe... but I believe in choice."
Tim tried to confront Trump over alleged quotes in a book critical of him by a man who supposedly "knew" Trump. Trump said that he hardly knew the guy, and racist quotes attributed to him are false. Trump handled this one almost as if in passing--he did not look as perturbed or ruffled as the Bush clan over multiple allegations that BushBaby served community service in 1972 for a DUI arrest.
Tim then tried to pull out his own "Trump" card--that Donald's involvement in the construction and casino industries imply ties to organized crime. Trump flashed a "you're out of your mind" look at Tim and said, "My life is an open book... more so than most people in the public... I have never been involved with organized crime."
Spots for Texaco, Philip Morris, and local spots for Montefiore Children's Hospital.
You remember Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? That game show that was on every night for about two weeks in which contestants answered questions for a shot at a million bucks?
Well, there's a new game show--The Blame Game. The contestant is Ken Starr, and he appears on a different chat show each day seeing how many people he can blame for his failure to pin anything on Clinton. He'll blame anyone and everyone.
But himself.
And the next segment was the latest round of The Blame Game. Russert gave Starr as wide a berth as possible to pin the blame on as many people as he could. It was like watching Tim play Ed McMahon to Ken's Johnny--because every time Tim would feed Ken a line, Ken would have us laughing, and laughing hard, at his effete, pouty excuses, evasions, and pinning of blame on others.
Why did he quit without completing the report, asked Tim? Starr cited "public confidence" on certain matters (blame the public). On what matters? "I cannot say." He cited the need for a unanimous verdict to get a conviction-- a specious comparison (blame the system).
Starr praised his successor, Robert Ray--and Tim pointed out that Rudy Giuliani hired Ray at one time! Starr said that it is important to "get politics out of this process (ignore the man behind the curtain)... this is a completely phony issue (blame the White House and Hillary's team)... he has an unblemished record of success" (blame politics for these attacks).
Unblemished record? You mean Mike Espy, Ken? Don't make us laugh.
Starr then whined about not having the support of the Attorney General (blame Janet Reno). What an outright lie--if that's the case, why did she keep giving Starr more work?
Starr, you little weasel, you can't have it both ways.
Starr repeated his refrain that "it would have been wiser in retrospect" not to have accepted so many investigations. "Our investigation of the Arkansas phase is far along but there is still much to do."' To smear Hillary, we guess. And what's with the "Our?" You're gone, Kenny.
Starr did admit that he might have erred by staying in private practice--the only time he came close to blaming himself. But this is a mere bit of PR he is setting up for the inevitable--and possibly devastating--Bar Association investigation into his conduct. His "my bad" doesn't cut it.
Tim then played a clip of the blustering Jim Carville "declaring war" on Starr, decrying his slamming "scuzzy, slimy" tactics. Did the White House win the war? Starr admitted as much (blame Carville), but asked why the White House did not call for his firing (blame Bill Clinton).
Starr must think we're idiots. Has he heard of the Saturday Night Massacre? The press would have demolished Clinton. Starr also called it unethical (blame Clinton and Carville again). Gee, that means criticizing the likes of Roy Cohn, Henry Hyde and Joe McCarthy must be unethical, too.
Tim then played two minutes of Hillary Clinton's now-famous appearance on the Today show in January 1998.
"Very serious charges... using the justice system to political ends," said straight man Tim to Starr. Starr replied: "There was a remedy--fire somebody!" (Blame Clinton and Reno--repeat that straw man.) He then cited victories before "impartial" judges--another lie, since his victories happened before judges proven to be biased toward the right and/or personally or politically against Clinton.
Tim then brought up Starr's Pepperdine appointment and speaking at Pat Robertson's right-wing university. Starr actually said that in retrospect he realizes that his own private decisions could be spun (blame the White House, the "liberal" press)--but had to admit it was inappropriate.
Tim then opened the door for Starr to "explain away" the ties between the OIC and the Paula Jones cadre--setting up Starr by giving an incomplete accounting of the events involving Linda Tripp leading up to the January 1998 deposition of Clinton. Starr said that Tim's recounting was absolutely accurate (a lie), and "we did it by the book, we informed the Justice Department what we were doing and how we were doing it... it cried out for investigation" (blame the critics).
Then, Tim showed his bias in such a shameless way even we were shocked: "Let me clear up another issue, that of Monica Lewinsky being mistreated."
That's right. Tim himself was going to "Clear up the issue" and put all our minds at ease that Starr did the right thing. And Starr once again gave a partial recounting of events (blame everyone but Starr).
NBC should fire Tim for this sloppy gaffe. But they won't--Tim is Jack Welch's little lapdog. It's one thing for Tim to softball Starr with bits and pieces of fact, another to be an unindicted co-conspirator with Starr.
Tim then played Clinton's "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is" statement from the August 1998 deposition. Starr said he was "disappointed" (blame Clinton) and then talked about the "sacred oath" as if he were some sort of archbishop (blame Clinton again; call him a liar).
But once again, Tim's ploy backfired. Once again, America saw that Clinton had made fools out of Starr's staff--for a stupid choice of wording in their question. Clinton was mocking them--and had every right to. In fact, anyone who has seen the full tape of that deposition can hear, by the tone of the following questions, that Clinton actually angered the members of Starr's team for their sloppy wording and questioning, not only rattling their cage but disrupting their intrusive line of questioning. He won, They lost. That's life. Starr's solution: blame Clinton.
Starr then pointed out that Clinton "chose not to appeal [the] decision" by anti-Clinton Judge Wright to fine him for allegedly misleading the court (blame Slick Willy). Of course, this is no admission of guilt--and may have set up Judge Wright for some most unwelcome investigation into her own ethics, judgment, and conduct.
Tim: "Your dream has always been to be on the Supreme Court." Starr said he had reconciled himself "a long time ago to not being on--"my time came and went" (blame fate).
Starr's consistent pattern and practice in responding to Tim's questions shows that he has decided to take out his rage and disappointment about not seeing his dream come true on William Jefferson Clinton.
And Tim overlooked one issue: Starr's open, unethical and illegal advocacy of impeachment before the House Judiciary Committee. Starr no doubt would have blamed Reps. Wexler, Conyers and Jackson Lee for that problem.
And there you have it. Another round of The Blame Game. And once again, Starr comes up the returning champion loser.
He should count his blessings. He lost his Quest for Impeachment. He lost the public relations war. He lost the Malibu beach house.
At least he hasn't lost his license to practice law.
Yet.
Spots (GE) preceded the final, boring Meet the Press moment, an appearance by Liddy Dole on MTP in the '80s being asked about the possibility of a woman president. Yawn.
What We Missed
Two of our writers were away this weekend, meaning we were unable to cover the near-useless This Weak on ABC and the too-short Face the Nation on CBS.
And while there was some mention of Libby Dole's leaving the Republican presidential race, little was said on the "big three" concerning the continuing dust-up between the White House and Congress over budget bills, continuing resolutions, and the possibility of another government shutdown. This meant we heard very little about the GOP's utter fear that another shutdown would be a PR nightmare for them.
Also neglected was the change of power in Indonesia and their de facto abrogation of claim to East Timor (a very important regional development) and an increasingly troublesome showdown between Russia and Chechnya got no mention.
The Sunday talk shows have, for the most part, become so obsessed with the Presidential race (which is still more than a year away) and the continuing politico-legal assault on Clinton (which continues to embarrass the GOP) that they have become utterly useless as programs that reflect on issues that people want answers on: education, health care, Social Security, preserving peace, and the future of the nation.
Copyright © 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, American Politics Journal Publications. All rights reserved. ISSN No. 1523-1690