LE‘WINCE’SKY
Hill's odd defense of Bill and Monica: She was an adult
Hillary Clinton left jaws dropped across the nation Sunday when she said her husband’s affair with Monica Lewinsky wasn’t an abuse of power — because the then-22-year-old White House intern “was an adult.”
The assertion by Clinton was stunning given its timing amid the sweeping #MeToo movement she has championed, not to mention her 2016 presidential campaign, during which she focused on becoming the nation’s first female commander in chief.
Asked if her husband should have resigned after his affair came to light, Clinton told CBS’ “Sunday Morning,” “Absolutely not.”
Pressed on whether former President Bill Clinton had committed an abuse of power — on the grounds that a president of the United States couldn’t have a consensual relationship with an intern — she added, “No, no,” because Lewinsky “was an adult.” Bill Clinton was 49 at the time. Hillary then tried to deflect, switching the topic to President Trump and the allegations of sex- ual misconduct against him.
“Let me ask you this: Where’s the investigation of the current incumbent, against whom numerous allegations have been made and which he dismisses, denies and ridicules?” Clinton said.
Trump has been accused of extramarital affairs, then paying to cover at least one of them up, and during the 2016 campaign, video surfaced of him bragging about grabbing women’s genitals.
His response before a 2016 de- bate was to hold a press conference with several women who accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct or assault, while alleging that Hillary tried to silence them.
Clinton said she played “no role” in criticizing the character of the women who accused her husband of sexual misconduct.
“No role,” Clinton said. “I take responsibility for my life and my actions.”
As for the allegations of misconduct and lying against her hus- band, she added, “So there was an investigation, and it — as I believe — came out in the right place.”
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Bill Clinton for lying under oath and obstructing justice, but the Senate acquitted him, and he remained in office.
The CBS interview came as a record-breaking number of women are seeking office this year, including some Democrats who are running in response to Trump’s election, many buoyed by the #MeToo movement.
And some female activists say Clinton isn’t helping them.
Among her critics is Jessica Maria Moreno, 25, who has traveled from Charlotte, NC, to Washington, DC, to protest the Trump administration.
“I don’t think she’s accepting her truth and the role that she played in staying by Bill’s side and being complacent with what happened” said Moreno, an organizer for Action NC who voted for Clinton in 2016.
“Who is she to represent women who have been really hurt and really victimized by men in power? It’s kind of hypocritical. I think that she needs to sit down somewhere.”