Out to Take Down a President:
The Political Right and 'Zippergate'
By Martin Klapheke
What's all this commotion in the media about, you ask? Hanky-panky at the White House? Now, shouldn't it be just business as usual, to investigate such things? They poked around a lot during Watergate, didn't they? Is this really any different? Yes, well, it is ultimately a private matter. Well, no, it doesn't involve national security. Uh-uh, it doesn't seem to be interfering with the business of guiding our country during one of the most challeng ing periods we've faced. Okay, maybe he's showing a little savvy and even has some policy initiatives that do not ring hollow, and that show some substance or merit for Americans. But, well, certainly this couldn't be a partisan thing being jumped on and promoted by the right wing, the White House have-nots ... could it?
Admittedly, we haven't heard the other side of the story, yet -- but let's look for a moment at some of the key players in this little game. An interesting summary that you probably didn't read in your local daily is provided by Women Organizing for Change. Let's take an other look at these play ers.
Here's a short primer of right-wing involvement in Zippergate:
Kenneth Starr, Independent Counsel (who has spent more than $32 million for this investigation so far). Starr is a long-time supporter of right-wing causes, and has been funded by the far right for years. Dur ing his term in office, he announced he was resigning to take a right-funded position at Pepperdine University. He later rescinded his resignation. He replaced Robert Fiske as Independent Counsel through intervention by the right into the appointment process. Before taking this position, he was an attorney for Paula Jones, which in most jurisdictions would force him to resign because of conflict of interest.
Paula Jones, plaintiff. Jones's story first came to light -- by her first name only -- in the right-wing magazine The American Spectator, in an article about Clinton and his state trooper guards. She then sued President Clinton (not the magazine) for defamation, demanding her 'good name back.' Although she said the case was not about money, she consistently demanded large dollar amounts to settle the case. Starting with Ken Starr, through Gil Davis (former Virginia Republican Attorney General candidate) to the Rutherford Institute, she has always been represented by right-wing attorneys. Despite the fact that her team claims 'the feminists' have abandoned her, Jones has refused every offer of help from feminist organizations.
Susan Carpenter McMillan, Jones's spokesperson. McMillan is a long-time spokesperson for the anti-abortion movement in California. She has been active in right-wing and anti-women's rights causes for more than a decade.
Monica Lewinsky, former White House intern. Lewinsky's web page links to the National Right to Life Committee, the same group Susan Carpenter McMillan once represented.
Linda Tripp, who allegedly tape-recorded Monica Lewinsky claiming she had sex with Clinton. Tripp was hired by the Bush Administration to work in the White House, and stayed on after the 1992 election. Tripp claims to be one the of the last people to see Vince Foster alive. Before meeting Lewinsky, Tripp tried to sell a book proposal on scandal in the White House, with a chapter on "The President's Women." She had previously claimed that Clinton was sexua ly involved with a different White House staffer. She is represented by Attorney James Moody, who also represents several right-wing legal groups, including the Landmark Foundation. (This foundation is of note because it is funded by Richard Scaife, who also funds much of the anti-Clinton media, including The American Spectator and the Vince Foster murder theory.)
Lucianne Goldberg, book agent and advisor to Linda Tripp. Goldberg is an unabashed Clinton hater. While a reporter on George McGovern's campaign plane, she sold political intelligence to the Nixon campaign. She was the author of an anti-equality book in 1971 (Purr, Baby, Purr, by Lucianne Goldberg and Jeannie Sakol, New York, Hawthorn Books), before the Equal Rights Amendment had passed out of Congress. She led an anti-women's rights organization, the main thrust of which was that 'real' (read: attractive) women were loved by men and didn't need equality. In 1992, she told People Magazine, "When you're tall, thin, blond and have big boobs, you can have any job you want."
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