COMMENTARY: TO THE RIGHT

Bulletproof Bill

By Warren Swartz



Our nation's fearless leader, Clinton, is the model for the use of the adjective "bulletproof." For if Ronald Reagan was the "teflon President," a term the media applied to him in deference to Reagan's ability to escape criticism, what term should rightfully be applied to Clinton? "Slick Willy" no longer fits the bill. Clinton goes far beyond "slick." He is truly, as the kids would say, "bulletproof!"

The very first time I ever heard of the man was when the Jennifer Flowers tape was being aired, almost endlessly, during the primaries in New Hampshire. On the tape, one could hear Clinton telling Flowers that his fate depended on her silence, who to see to land a job she was seeking with the State of Arkansas, and even discussing the possible Mafia connections of N.Y. Governor Mario Cuomo, then a possible contender for the Democratic party's nomination for President.

I thought at the time that it was the end of Clinton in the primaries, and in fact, as a potent political figure ever again. Certainly far less had sent Gary Hart to the showers forever a few years earlier. But "60 Minutes" producer Don Hewitt stepped in and, to this day, rightfully claims credit for bailing Clinton out of the Flowers mess.

Clinton was no great help to Hewitt in the Flowers affair either. After first denying that the voice on the tape was his, you'll recall that Clinton incredibly ended all pretense by sending Cuomo a letter apologizing for his Mafia remarks.