On radio, this afternoon, Sean Hannity interviewed Ed Klein, the author of The Truth About Hillary.
Klein claims his book takes Hillary on as a public figure, a politician, not as a woman. In other words, Klein took off the gloves.
Did Hill and Bill have sex?
Did they sleep in separate beds?
Is Hill a lesbian?
Klein said to understand Hill, you must understand where her philosophy was formed. She was fascinated by Political Lesbianism. He insisted that her personal behavior is relevant because it has affected her politics.
Hannity asked if Klein is creating a sympathy backlash when he makes such charges. Hannity pressed him on why he's making it personal rather than political.
Klein said it's impossible to write about the Clintons without writing about sex, since they were responsible for making sex part of political discourse.
Hannity, knowing that he would be criticized if he spent the interview lobbing softballs, kept asking the same question--"Why write this?" He spent the entire first segment of the interview questioning the appropriateness of writing a book packed with allegations about a former first lady, a senator, a mother.
While a valid question, Hannity didn't have to ask it repeatedly to prove he was being fair and balanced.
One revelation that I found interesting is that Hillary was completely aware of Bill's dalliances. Some women she allowed access to Bill. Others, she kept away. Klein said she knew there was something going on between Monica Lewinsky and her husband.
Remember Hillary's book, Living History?
That doesn't mesh with her account that she first learned of the affair on August 15, 1998--"I could hardly breathe! Gulping for air, I started crying and yelling at him!"
Although this is a personal matter, one wonders about her willingness to lie. If Klein is right, Hill was obviously pretending not to know because it could prove damaging to her political aspirations down the road, making her look weak or immoral. Either way, her knowledge of Bill's affairs would reflect poorly on her.
A very troubling thing that Klein unearths, if true, is that Hill took part in sliming and lying about women she knew were telling the truth about Bill. So much for feminism and sisterhood and decency.
Second segment--
Hannity asked if Bill raped Hill in Bermuda. Apparently, she claimed in her book that Chelsea was conceived at that “romantic getaway.”
He then brought up that Bill found out Hill was pregnant by reading it in the newspaper.
Hannity again asked about the personal issues. What’s the relevancy of making known that Bill announced to a friend that he planned to rape his wife? Why is that important?
Klein responded, “The issue of Hillary’s relationship with Bill will be central when she gets the nomination and runs for president.”
Klein said it’s relevant to know the character of someone interested in being leader of the free world.
Hannity asked about Chelsea. Klein said he thought long and hard about how the book would affect her; but that in the end, it was not Ed Klein that hurt Chelsea. It was her parents, especially Bill.
I think that's a rather silly question anyway. How long is Chelsea supposed to be protected from anything that might cause her pain? She's an adult. It's time to get over the "we can't hurt little Chelsea" stuff. In fifty years, will historians be afraid of recording facts about the Clintons because it might hurt poor, frail (elderly) Chelsea?
Klein condemned Hill for abetting Bill’s immoral behavior. He believes she does so because she’s not committed to him personally. Klein said he thinks Hill is either an immoral or an amoral person.
Again, Hannity kept saying he’s against bringing up the personal matters.
Klein kept insisting that the personal stories give us insight into her character.
Hannity again brought up the backlash factor.
Then, the discussion turned to Hill’s political makeover and her fake move to the center.
Hannity wanted to know, “Is part of the motivation for writing the book because you don’t want Hillary to be president?’
“The simple answer is YES,” responded Klein.
Hannity said that never before in the history of his show has he ever had more requests to cancel a guest as he has with Klein.
Klein attributed that to the massive Clinton political machine at work. He said others had cancelled interviews with him, bending and breaking under the pressure of the vast left wing army.
Third segment--
Then, Hannity briefly went to a caller.
Break at the hour--
Hannity offered equal time to Hillary, inviting her on the show.
Bill Clinton's recent infidelities were discussed, as well as the negative comments that Elizabeth Moynihan made about Hill.
Back to callers. There were about seven. Only one could be characterized as hostile toward Klein and his book.
Hillary freely uses the personal, so Klein feels justified in examining those aspects of her life that she didn't hesitate to address in her own writings.
Vince Foster came up. His role, as Hill's suitor, was important in keeping her busy while Bill was cheating on her in Arkansas. (An affair with Foster? So, Hill is bisexual?)
Again, Hannity said he wouldn't bring up the personal stuff. (Yes, we know!!!)
Klein then told of efforts to smear him because of his book. Hannity again said he was pressured to cancel the interview but went ahead with it anyway.
Final break--
Hannity said he may not agree with everything Klein has chosen to tackle, but they don't censor books. He said Klein has a right to be heard.
Then, a caller respectfully suggested that going personal was a mistake. Klein respectfully disagreed.
Another caller asked, "Mr. Klein, why would you write a character assassination book?"
Klein said it isn't character assassination; it's character assessment.
When all is said and done, I don't think this book is going to change anyone's mind about Hillary. Her supporters will view the book as slanderous and her detractors will find reinforcement for their opinions.
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