Matt Drudge is reporting that Ed Klein’s new book on Hillary (yes, as advertised to the left-update: not anymore) claims that Bill raped Hillary and that the result of that liason was the conception of Chelsea.
I must admit, I am aghast at the allegation and embarassed that the book is now being advertised here (I am working on that issue at the moment). How in the world Klein can make this claim (based, it seems, on a alleged throw-away line that Bill supposedly uttered-see Ann Althouse for a likely explanation) is beyond me. It certainly goes beyond the bounds or reasonable research and journalism.
This claim takes me back to the worse of the Right during the Clinton years: the making of allegations without foundation out of a visceral and sensational dislike of the Clintons.
I have no problem with a book that criticized Mrs. Clinton’s politics, or one that examines her career-I think that there are questionale issues in her past and certainly elements of her politics that I think need refuting. However, to allege that Bill raped her is stunning and to link the conception of their daughter to that act is despicable unless there is actual proof. Given that Mrs. Clinton herself has not made the allegation, and the fact that story appears founded in the fact that Clinon may have made a bad joke and the fact that room was allegedly a mess after the fact is a pretty shoddy foundation upon which to make this charge.
Could we please debate the issues for crying out loud?
And understand: I am not a fan of the Clintons, and am sympathetic to various claims madea about Bill vis-a-vis other women. However, this strikes me as beyond acceptable in the extreme.
Update: After some initial technical issues, I have suspended the ad in question pending resolution with the advertiser.
In a sense, the Clinton’s are reaping what they’ve sown: while this charge seems to me outrageous (and about as distasteful as you can get), it was largely the work of the Clintonites who pushed our discourse toward politics at the exclusion of policy. So to answer: Could we please debate the issues for crying out loud?
No. MTP, This Week, Hardball, and every other show I can’t think of is all about politics. And this is reflected in print journalism as well. Policy debates went out in the 90s.
Comment by Leopold Stotch — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 12:17 pm
Good for you on suspending the ad!
Comment by AJStrata — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 12:56 pm
I Support The Clintons on THIS!
What in the world is going on where an author claims a beloved child is the result of a rape. Drudge has a report of a total loser making this digusting claim about the Clinton’s and Chelsea.
I will defend Chelsea and her loving parents agains…
Trackback by The Strata-Sphere — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 12:58 pm
“In a sense, the Clinton’s are reaping what they’ve sown: while this charge seems to me outrageous (and about as distasteful as you can get), it was largely the work of the Clintonites who pushed our discourse toward politics at the exclusion of policy.”
Yeah, sure.
Damn that Hillary for bring up Mena Airport, the nuts cut off guy, the boys run over by a train, the Clinton Chronicles and the Vince Foster “murder”.
It’s all her fault.
Comment by Pug — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 1:04 pm
So it starts this soon. The vast right wing conspiricy is active. They have made this left leaning media person from Newsweek put out this book attacking the Clintons already. Bill has already come out and denied that “He had sex with that woman, Hillary, in Bermuda.” Case closed. Or is rape and sex the same thing to Bill? And someone said this might just be a joke on Bill’s part. What a funny guy. He was just making a joke about raping his wife. This guy cracks me up. If Hilary runs, we will all be entertained for the two years prior to 08 and if she wins four more years at least of this ongoing saga. How about both the Democrats and Republicans finding someone other that a Clinton or a Bush in 08. Give us a break.
Comment by Joe — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 1:17 pm
I would have to say that this is not a Right Wing effort to get Hillary. You must note that Ed Klein was never a friend of the right. Quoting Drudge Report, “But Hillary and her camp may have a hard time typecasting Ed Klein as a Clinton-crazed right-winger. Klein is the former foreign editor of NEWSWEEK and former editor in chief of the NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE. He is a frequent contributor to VANITY FAIR and PARADE.” Drudge goes on to say, “He is also the author of THE KENNEDY CURSE; FAREWELL, JACKIE; and several other NEW YORK TIMES bestsellers.” So right wing nut job he is not, sleezeball most likely.
Comment by c.v. — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 1:43 pm
A Sign Of How Far Journalism, Politics, And Internet News Has Fallen
A new charge in a book that Bill Clinton raped Hillary Clinton to conceive Chelsea is a sad sign of just how far journalism has fallen, how politics increasingly means seeking (often via planting information or allegations) the most brutal destruction…
Trackback by The Moderate Voice — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 2:46 pm
I don’t believe that Slick Willy raped Hillary. However, I do believe that he is sleazy enough to joke about it. And this entire issue would have no traction if we didn’t know he did rape Juanita Broderick.
Tantor
Comment by Tantor — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 2:58 pm
Sounds fake but accurate to me… that is the standard we’re supposed to judge media stories on, right?
Comment by Chris Lawrence — Monday, June 13, 2024 @ 5:09 pm
The Truth About the Truth About Hillary
When Drudge broke news of “The Truth About Hillary” by Ed Klein some time back, I was skeptical about both the content and its ultimate impact on the campaign. Now that Drudge has revealed the substance of the book’s most sensation…
Trackback by Outside The Beltway — Tuesday, June 14, 2024 @ 7:00 am
Steven,
I applaud you for removing the ad for this book. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Kristopher — Tuesday, June 14, 2024 @ 8:21 am
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THE DAY, WHEN SOMEONE ON THE RIGHT WOULD ACTUALLY TREAT THE CLINTON’S AND CHELSEA AS HUMAN BEINGS…THANKS FOR PUTTING DOWN THE FLAME THROWERS…IF ONLY FOR A SECOND
Comment by mike eagan — Tuesday, June 14, 2024 @ 9:09 am
MSM Using Klein to Bash VRWC
The response to Klein’s garbage claims was fairly universal on the right - disgust. Mark Coffey posts on an article by John Conason which was reasonably balanced and noted the uproar on the conservative blogs. So there was some hope of recogni…
Trackback by The Strata-Sphere — Friday, June 17, 2024 @ 10:25 am
[…] . Steven Taylor @ 1:51 pm
NRO has an interview with Ed Klein in which the whole “I’m going to rape my wife” story about Bill Clinton is discussed. While he tries to explai […]
Pingback by PoliBlog: Politics is the Master Science » Ed Klein and the “Rape Story” — Monday, June 20, 2024 @ 1:52 pm