A Woman in Charge

  • Sidney Blumenthal, in The Clinton Wars (2003), has given us an indispensable record of his conversations with Hillary and Bill during the Lewinsky period, as well as his unique analysis and reporting on the vast right-wing conspiracy and the Starr investigation.

  • Shadow, by Bob Woodward (1999), is also about other presidencies affected by the shadow of Watergate, but it is especially valuable with regard to Hillary and Bill in that it is based on interviews conducted during and immediately following the Lewinsky/Starr/Clinton engagement—while memories were fresh, and before extraneous political considerations caused some people to change or mute their accounts.

  • David Brock’s The Seduction of Hillary Rodham (1996) must be considered in the light of its author’s ongoing political conversion, but it contains some very useful reporting that nails down parts of the Clintons’ lives.

  • The System, by Haynes Johnson and David Broder (1996), is the indispensable account of Hillary’s health care debacle.

  • Connie Bruck’s profile “Hillary the Pol,” which appeared in the May 30, 1993, issue of The New Yorker, is a masterful piece of reporting to which all journalists writing about Hillary eventually return for some basic information.

  • Robert B. Reich’s Locked in the Cabinet (1997) is that rare Washington memoir—genuinely candid and filled with good humor, with some important insights into the political raison d’être of the Clintons, and their ambitions.

  • Elizabeth Drew’s On the Edge (1994) is invaluable in understanding how the Clinton presidency got off to such a difficult start, and the mind-set of its principals.

  • Dick Morris’s Behind the Oval Office (1999) is a reissued account of a memoir first published in 1997. It is therefore invaluable, because most of it represents his memories and analysis unclouded by the ideology and animus of his later published works.

  • The Survivor, by former Washington Post White House correspondent John F. Harris, is a well-written and solidly reported overview and analysis of the Clinton presidency.

  • Another Post reporter, Peter Baker, is the author of The Breach: Inside the Impeachment and Trial of William Jefferson Clinton, a compelling and extensively reported account.

  • Webster Hubbell’s Friends in High Places is an unusual and essential text in terms of understanding parts of the Clinton journey, and is notably introspective.

  • In A Vast Conspiracy, Jeffrey Toobin fills in important information about Harry Thomason and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, especially in the period surrounding Bill Clinton’s grand jury appearance.

  • Garry Wills’s essays in The New York Review of Books during the Clinton years are particularly insightful. Generally speaking, the extensive commentary and reporting in The New Yorker likewise was unusually perceptive.

  • Michael Tomasky’s Hillary’s Turn is a full-blown and well-reported account of the 2000 Senate campaign.

  • On first ladies generally, see Carl Sferrazza Anthony’s First Ladies and for sections on Hillary in particular, see Kati Marton’s Hidden Power.

  • Michael Isikoff’s Uncovering Clinton is a useful look at the journalistic process during the Clinton Wars.

  • The Clintons of Arkansas, compiled and edited by Ernest Dumas in 1993 and published by the University of Arkansas Press, has contributions by old friends and colleagues of Hillary and Bill, including Diane Blair, William T. Coleman III (Bill’s Yale housemate before he met Hillary), and Woody Bassett.

  • I have commented briefly on Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton in my last chapter, and more extensively about it and Hillary’s book It Takes a Village earlier in the narrative. The principal value of Living History is as insight into how Hillary sees herself and wants the story of her life to be told. It is often at variance with my reporting, other books, and with newspapers and periodicals as well.

  • The first half of My Life by Bill Clinton is reflective, fascinating, well-written, and often admirably candid about the early life of its author. Watching his politics evolve in those early pages is even inspiring. His admiration and love for Hillary suffuse the Arkansas and law school years. Unfortunately, he rushes through the presidential years. His account of the Lewinsky affair, Starr, and the impeachment period, makes important points about the Independent Counsel’s investigation, while eliding over what was happening inside the White House from his perspective.

  NOTES

  Prologue

  She had never…on the prowl: Author’s interviews with Jim and Diane Blair, Dick Morris, Betsey Wright.

  Robert S. Bennett…intertwined: Author’s interview with confidential sources.

  Hillary, too…with Lewinsky: Author’s interview with Betsey Wright.

  That afternoon…to resign: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  Chapter 1: Formation

  “He was rougher than…as could be”: David Maraniss, First in His Class (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995), p. 320.

  “Don’t let the…your way out”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “She would never…had it”: Ibid.

  “golden boy”: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Living History (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003), p. 5.

  She fulfilled…grandchild: Author’s interview with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason.

  Her favorite movies: Ibid.

  “character building”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “How would you…Miss Smarty Pants”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “Competitive, scrappy fighters”: Martha Sherrill, “Mrs. Clinton’s Two Weeks Out of Time: The Vigil for Her Father, Taking a Toll Both Public and Private,” Washington Post, April 3, 1993, p. C1.

  “pragmatic competitiveness”: Marlene Cimons, “Hugh Rodham, First Lady’s Father, Dies,” Los Angeles Times, April 8, 1993, p. 7.

  “Hillary’s mom…own home?”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “I could go…earn it”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “basically a Democrat”: Clinton, Living History, p. 11.

  “He was a bullshit artist”: Jerry Oppenheimer, State of a Union (New York: HarperCollins, 217), p. 42. And confirmed by author’s interview with Oscar Dowdy.

  “hard-headed, often gruff”: Clinton, Living History, p. 4.

  Hugh was afflicted by self-doubt: Ibid.

  “Dad was…in my life”: Quote confirmed by Rodham’s ex-wife Nicole Boxer. Appeared originally in Jerry Oppenheimer, State of a Union (New York: HarperCollins, 2000), p. 44.

  Mother and daughter…and ran: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “They eat…as well”: Judith Warner, Hillary Clinton: The Inside Story (New York: Signet, 1993), p. 17. 20 “cheapskate”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “the SOB”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “should have completed the other one”: Martha Sherrill, “Growing Up in a Chicago Suburb: A Good Girl, Getting Better All the Time,” Washington Post, January 11, 1993.

  “Occasionally he…loved me”: Hillary Rodham Clinton, It Takes a Village (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996), p. 156.

  “not one to spare the rod”: Ibid., p. 155.

  “critical…kindhearted”: Sherrill, “Mrs. Clinton’s Two Weeks Out of Time,” p. C1.

  Tony seemed to…too physical: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling, Nicole Boxer, and confidential sources.

  “Hugh was…his father”: Author’s interview with a confidential source.

  “Tony, on the…younger child”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “They got ridden…years old”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “was the girl…loved that”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “‘Little Hillary’…about it”: Sherrill, “Mrs. Clinton’s Two Weeks Out of Time,” p. C1.

  “Learning for earning’s sake”: Donnie Radcliffe, Hil
lary Rodham Clinton (New York: Warner, 1993), p. 205.

  “Learning…learning’s sake”: Warner, Hillary Clinton, p. 13.

  “Do you…or do?”: Clinton, It Takes a Village, p. 147.

  Dorothy’s mother…and children: Clinton, Living History, p. 2.

  “I’d hoped so…find out”: Clinton, Living History, p. 3.

  “My [step]grandfather…her mother”: Author’s interview with Oscar Dowdy.

  “I have nothing…Rosenberg”: Seth Gitell, “Meet Hillary Clinton’s Grandmother,” Forward, August 6, 1999, p. 1.

  In the last years…for his wife: Author’s interview with Nicole Boxer.

  She also seemed…in himself: Ibid.

  “weak and self-indulgent”…“disengaged from reality”…“be enchanting”: Clinton, Living History, p. 4.

  “They were both…loaned him money”: Author’s interview with Oscar Dowdy.

  “I realized…laugh a lot”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  Dorothy made her own…the children: Author’s interviews with Betsy Johnson Ebeling, Nicole Boxer, Oscar Dowdy, confidential source.

  “Mr. Difficult”: Joyce Milton, The First Partner (New York: William Morrow and Company, 1999), p. 15, and confirmed by family sources.

  “Maybe that’s…with him”: Martha Sherrill, “The Education of Hillary Clinton,” Washington Post, January 11, 1993, p. B1.

  “It was drummed…we did”: Author’s interview with Nicole Boxer.

  “children without…seas”: Clinton, It Takes a Village, p. 40.

  “I grew up…Best”: Ibid., p. 20.

  “the stability…growing up”: Ibid., p. 27.

  Hillary’s first boyfriend…or so she said: Author’s interview with Geoff Shields.

  As a child…treatment of her: Clinton, Living History.

  “Love the sinner…have been wrong”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “kind of the…down again”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “Hillary hates the…puritan line”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  Dorothy and Hugh…he became: Author’s interview with confidential sources.

  “Dorothy is the…her daughter”: Author’s interview with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason.

  “be either her…in different situations”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  Dorothy wanted to…beekeeper in Auckland. Author’s interview with Dick Morris.

  “There’s no room…cowards”: Clinton, Living History, p. 12.

  “I can play with the boys now”: Ibid.

  “Imagine having this…bring it back”: Gail Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice (New York: Ballantine, 1999), p. 26.

  “Who is this…looked like”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  By her own account…underdeveloped: Clinton, Living History; Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice; and author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “I was immediately…with her”: Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, p. 26.

  “absolutely political…wasn’t cool”: Ibid.

  “slinging mud…apple pie”: Ibid., p. 37.

  “against several…elected president”: Clinton, Living History, p. 24.

  “We were ignorant…like ours”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  As Hillary’s school life…on weekends: Ibid., and Clinton, Living History.

  “Sister Frigidaire”: Martin Kasindorf, “Meet Hillary Clinton: She’s Raised Hackles and Hopes, but One Thing’s Certain: She’ll Redefine Role of First Lady,” Newsday, January 10, 1993.

  “He didn’t want…or time”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  Betsy and others…boys: Ibid.

  “You don’t need…a bike”: Ibid.

  Hillary’s father…awful driver. Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “Looking at it…is so modest”: Maraniss, First in His Class, p. 254.

  “practice date”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “[He] put her…the date”: Ibid.

  “She didn’t like…with men”: Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, p. 72.

  “I also understood…his heart”: Clinton, Living History, p. 162.

  “She’s a prude…Chicago suburbs”: Author’s interview with Lissa Muscatine.

  “[My family] talked…with God”: Clinton, It Takes a Village, p. 171.

  “rabble rouser”: Ibid., p. 23.

  “Vanity asks the…it Right?”: Martin Luther King Jr., Speech, “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution,” in Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, p. 36.

  “Hillary’s faith is…a Methodist”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “She elevates her…malice”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “freethinking…mind”: Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, p. 34.

  “Can you…compassionate misanthrope?”: Ibid., p. 53.

  Chapter 2: A Young Woman on Her Own

  “She and I…could accomplish”: Bruck, “Hillary the Pol,” The New Yorker, May 30, 1993.

  “it is not… both ways”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  Hillary’s time at…prevailed: Clinton, Living History. And author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “February depression…middle-class America”: Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, pp. 53–54.

  She had begun…after meeting a young man: Ibid., p. 54.

  Its thesis, based…their husbands and children: The description is adapted from the Encyclopedia Britannica.

  “not to be…wives”: Radcliffe, Hillary Rodham Clinton, p. 57.

  “You don’t have…they don’t”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “psychic space”: Clinton, Living History, p. 29.

  “There was a…minor chord?”: Author’s interview with confidential source.

  “She was neither…take note”: Bruck, “Hillary the Pol.”

  “I would argue…social reform”: David Brock, The Seduction of Hillary Rodham(New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996), p. 11.

  “It seemed…relatively by”: Author’s interview with Greg Craig.

  “Hillary was in…seen it”: Ibid.

  “reflected what you…manifested itself”: Author’s interview with Peter Edelman.

  “I was testing…the church”: Radcliffe, Hillary Rodham Clinton, p. 69.

  “Look how…a Negro”: Ibid.

  “She already…popular”: Bruck, “Hillary the Pol.”

  “not always easy…very insistent”: Radcliffe, Hillary Rodham Clinton, p. 65.

  “not in extremism, but in moderation”: http://www.riponsociety.org/history.htm.

  “extremism in the defense…no virtue”: Bart Barnes, “Barry Goldwater, GOP Hero, Dies,” Washington Post, May 30, 1998.

  “It is really…rest for nature”: Hillary Rodham Clinton, letter to Geoff Shields, provided by Shields.

  “went steady…in love”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “two feet rule”: Clinton, Living History, p. 33.

  “she was attractive…dancer”: Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, p. 45.

  “The best place…about it”: Hillary Rodham Clinton, letter to Geoff Shields, provided by Shields.

  “was healthy…respect”: Author’s interview with Geoff Shields.

  “devoted to the…care”: Christian Brothers Academy literature.

  “my boyfriend”: Sheehy, Hillary’s Choice, p. 69.

  “an intense love affair…like her father”: Ibid., p. 64.

  “we always used birth control”: Ibid., p. 69.

  “personally very conservative”: Maraniss, First in His Class, p. 256.

  “for both…awakening”: Charles Kenney, “Hillary: The Wellesley Years,” Boston Globe, January 12, 1993, p. 65.

  “She was very…decisions”: Ibid.

  “adopting a…political activist”: Maraniss, First in His Class, p. 256.


  “whether someone…heart liberal?”: Ibid., p. 257.

  “Some people…civil rights”: Ibid.

  “She was more…you win!”: Ibid.

  “very interested…politics”: Ibid., p. 255.

  “saved city”: Maraniss, Ibid.

  “See how…becoming”: Ibid.

  “from ideas…desire”: Author’s interview with Geoff Shields.

  “Miss Rodham questions…with them”: Kenney, “Hillary: The Wellesley Years,” p. 65.

  “I can’t believe…happened?”: Ibid.

  “They each expressed…second objective”: Ibid.

  “I can’t stand…it!”: Kenney, “Hillary: The Wellesley Years,” p. 65.

  “Hillary would step…to do”: Bruck, “Hillary the Pol.”

  “She presented her…mind”: Radcliffe, Hillary Rodham Clinton, p. 73.

  “Fight Now, Pay Later”: Ibid.

  “Instead of…be made”: Ibid.

  Near the end…John Wayne: Clinton, Living History, p. 36.

  The Democratic convention…with war…the two…said Ebeling: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling; Clinton, Living History, p. 37.

  “It was kids…open”: Author’s interview with Betsy Johnson Ebeling.

  “that our government…own people”: Ibid.

  “She kept the…discuss it”: Martha Sherrill, “Hillary Clinton’s Inner Politics: As the First Lady Grows Comfortable in Her Roles, She Is Looking Beyond Policy to a Moral Agenda,” Washington Post, May 6, 1993, p. 1.

  “the science of revolution…maximum feasible participation”: Brock, The Seduction of Hillary Rodham, p. 16.

  “started out…big difference”: Maraniss, First in His Class, p. 257.

  “might make…difference”: Alan Schechter, cited in Maraniss, First in His Class, p. 257. 57 “I basically argued…years”: Sherrill, “Hillary Clinton’s Inner Politics,” p. 1.

  “There was no…all of us”: Ruth Adams, Wellesley College Commencement Speech, May 31, 1969.

  “empathy”: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Wellesley College Commencement Speech, May 31, 1969.

  “coercive protest”: Ibid. 58 “I find myself…impossible, possible”: Ibid.

  “We are…of living”: Ibid.

  “She said it…. too far’”: Maraniss, First in His Class, p. 259.