How did Starr turn Whitewater into Monica-gate, exactly?

[zaj]

I've been looking for a websource that outlines in detail the decisions and steps that lead to Starr's investigation broadening from a land deal to a sex deal.

Republicans believe it was a very natural investigative processes ("as part of one investigation he happened upon information he was compelled to investigate").

[zaj]

1. pmub

[Senior citizen]

2. Easy.

Monica wasn't a prostitute like Gannon/Guckert.

Monica wasn't gay like Gannon/Guckert.

Monica didn't visit the White House without forgetting to sign in or out like Gannon/Guckert.

Monica wasn't even male.

And Clinton wasn't a Republican.

So they felt compelled to investigate.

If the people involved are male Republicans, they don't feel compelled to investigate. Or to spend much time or money on it. Or to penalize anyone severely.

Look who Republicans go after:

Enron: Lea Fastow.

Insider trading: Martha Stewart.

Abu Ghraib: Lyndie England and General Karpinski.

[catzies]

3. Joe Conason's The Hunting of the President (book and movie)

Google that. :)

[Hamlette]

4. troopergate turned into Paula Jones turned into Monica

Starr kept going back for more authority to investigate other wrongdoings. Since the GOP had cooked the books (hand picked) the judges who gave Starr authority, he got it.

The GOP jumped on Paula Jones' allegations of sexual wrongdoing. Clinton was asked about other "sexual misconduct" in connection with the Jones case, Clinton basically denied that there was a Monica. Then you had Linda Tripp, a GHW Bush appointee held over but "demoted". She hated Clinton, befriended Monica. Monica thought Linda was a friend and confided in her. Linda recorded Monica's confidences.

Mix it all together and the STILL think lying about sex was more important than lying about going to war and killing 100,000.

Toobin also wrote a book about it. Jeffrey Toobin. The Right Wing Conspiracy.

[zaj]

5. A great review I found of Toobin's book...

http://dir.salon.com/news/feature/2000/01/18/toobin/index.html?sid=575501

[Hamlette]

7. shoot, I knew I didn't have the title quite right. It's a Vast conspiracy

and its a great read, I think better even than the hunting of the president. Maybe because Toobin talks more about the legal issues and I'm a lawyer.

It's a good read and a good review. Thanks.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. The Hunting of the President...

I started it last night, but fell asleep a few min. in.:eyes:

90 min. 2004

(from the sleeve)

This documentary provides a sobering look inside the "vast right-wing conspiracy" that Hillary Clinton claimed was committed to driving her husband from the presidency. Bill Clinton confidant Harry Thomason entertainingly chronicles a particularly tumultuous period in American politics, showcasing a cast of characters that includes Clinton foes such as Gennifer Flowers and Kenneth Starr. Narrated by Morgan Freeman.

[Hamlette]

8. if you want to understand our political climat today, you have to

understand Clinton's impeachment. Read the review of Toobin posted above or Toobin's book.

Of course the right is now saying the Clinton impeachment was just payback for Nixon. If that is what happened, the right is scarier than I thought. Nixon abused is power by getting the CIA to spy on the FBI and call them off the investigation into the burglary and other Nixon misdeads. What Nixon did was an abuse of power.

If Clinton's impeachment was payback for Nixon the right is saying: If you go after us when we abuse power, we will not let up on you, we will go after every Dem for the most trifling of reasons and destroy you.

These guys are evil and their slime knows no bounds. You should really know what you are up against. (This is for those of you too young or not very political during Clinton.)

[KittyWampus]

9. Remember- Starr Was Ready To Shut Down & Take A University Post

he was FORCED to continue.

[zaj]

11. My question is by Whom exactly?

As I read the book review, there was a judicial committee stacked with Republican leaning judges who expanded the scope of the investigation.

In talking with a RWer, he believes Janet Reno herself expanded the investigation rather than closing it.

What's the story there?

[ArmchairActivist]

10. Read Conason & Lyons' book...

It's quite thorough and comprehensive. Every so often books come out that so perfectly cover a topic that if you haven't read it, then your opinion about said topic is basically meaningless.

This is one of those books.

Folks may not agree with every sentence, but every sentence at least has to be reckoned with.

-AA

P.S. I haven't read Toobin's book. It sounds like it may well be just as good as Conason & Lyons, and may well serve the same purpose.

[Totally Committed]

12. I agree.

This book is, by far, the best account of what happened, and "how" and "why" and "who". Conason is an amazing writer.

The film that was made of the book was very good, as well.

TC