The Handling of a Scandal
“I did not have a relationship with that woman.” The words came from President Clinton, following rumors that he has had an illicit relationship with a White House internee. Now the problem arising from his statement to the country that day were manyfold: firstly, the whole country was taken aback by a sexual scandal involving the World’s most powerful man – a scandal I must say is not new to this World’s history – but a few weeks after his seemingly unconvincing statement accompanied by a frail yet reassuring voice, the whole statement was debunked.
Well. Not entirely debunked. The President’s appearance on national television weeks later had the purpose of convincing the audience of the lexicons involved. Indeed, oral sex is not really “sex”. I am amazed by how these scandals actually erupt. I don’t blame the present Secretary of State for not knowing what was happening behind closed doors. What is even more interesting is how women involved in politics are willing to grasp onto their betrayals in exchange for power.
This article is not about Hillary herself, and I will not ramble about my point of view on how she has managed foreign affairs to date. What I has been tickling my head these last few days is the whole John and Elizabeth Edwards ordeal. This is a woman that has gone through a great deal in the last few months. Not only was she humiliated by Edwards and knew about it all, but she preferred to keep her mouth shut to media watchdogs - hoping that her husband’s efforts would eventually get her to the White House. Would life at the White House be that jolly after all?
From my viewing of these scenarios, and let me again reiterate that these incidents are not new in history or kind, people really are willing to risk everything for power and fame. Different from the Clinton scandal, John Edwards actually had a child with Rielle Hunter.
What is even more disgusting, however, is watching CNN’s quest to find out whether we should feel pity for Elizabeth or see her as part of the whole scandal. Is this the best way to put the word out there? Why not just cover the story and have it that way instead of asking for the whole country’s opinion on the poor woman? Shouldn’t we be talking about John Edwards instead?