President Scarface.

• Author: Hazlett, Thomas W.
• Position: Bill Clinton's press relations - Brief Article

How Bill Clinton runs the press like Capone ran Chicago

By the time the president's obstruction-of-justice episode concluded last year in a mock-impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate--that made-for-TV drama in which "jurors" declared the man guilty of "high crimes and misdemeanors" but then voted to acquit--Bill Clinton had proven himself bullet-proof. Even when the press asked him about the compelling, specific, and credible rape allegation lodged by Juanita Broaddrick, all he had to do to shut them up was bark like a Mafia don: Talk to my mouthpiece! I ain't got nuttin' to say to youse!

Counselor David Kendall's pro forma denial--"Any allegation that the president assaulted Broaddrick more than 20 years ago is absolutely false"-got the job done, even as it opened up multiple windows through which Clinton might easily wriggle, (Hey, I wasn't even president 20 years ago.!). As The Washington Post, obviously exhausted by its minutes-long pondering of the issue of presidential rape, dejectedly concluded, "Mr. Clinton's word in this realm by now has no value." Clinton was an uncooperative witness, see, so the Post had to drop the case. The New York Times was similarly outraged by "The President's Missing Voice." But rather than fully and vigorously investigating the charges, the Times simply fretted that Clinton's reputation as a "recreational philanderer" may actually mask something considerably more sinister. The paper of record must have sent chills down the president's spine: "Surely there is a limit to how long Mr. Clinton can speak through his lawyer on these matters," sternly warned the T imes.

Now a millennium has passed. The Broaddrick story has simply floated on downstream in the toxic runoff from this most ethical administration in history. Even as a lame duck, William Jefferson Clinton effortlessly assumes the swaggering stride of a mobster, brushing off questions any public servant is morally bound to answer. He runs the press like Capone ran Chicago. "No one will ever know the complete truth about Juanita Broaddrick's allegation," mumbled the Times. But of course Bill and Juanita do! That's why investigative journalism to uncover corroborating facts ought to be pursued.

But the Godfather rules this village, flanked by wise guys and hit men on retainer. When Ken Starr popped up as nuisance under Clinton's own special prosecutor law, James "The Ragin' Cajun" Carville took out a contract. Starr, he said publicly, was one mistake away...