1/19/01 9:00 a.m.
Jesse’s Girls
A perfect coda to the Clinton error.

By Robert A. George, an editorial page writer
for the New York Post------------------------------------RAGGEDmail@aol.com

he earthquake that hit New York City in the early morning hours of January 17 certainly couldn’t compare with the one hitting the political world less than 24 hours later.

Well, it’s certainly easy to frolic in the admission that Rev. Jesse Jackson has a mistress and a, to use the quaint term, “love child.” It would be so easy to revel in this situation, considering the reverend’s over-the-top moralizing. It would be easy — but it would wrong.

Oh, forget it. This is too good to pass up.

So, what do we know? Jackson has had a long-time mistress, one Karin Stanford. Ms. Stanford, who gained her doctorate with a thesis on Jesse Jackson himself (“Well, you don’t really know someone, until you really know them!”). From this woman, he has a 20-month old daughter who he asserts her is supporting “emotionally and financially.” The support includes a cash payment to Ms. Stanford of $40,000 for “moving expenses,” according to Ms. Stanford. (“I feel the earth move under my feet...”)

Hmm...how often will Jesse refer to Bush’s presidency as “illegitimate” now? Or does Bush just respond quickly with, “Takes one to know one?” Oh this is too good.

But, actually, this is the perfect coda to the Clinton years. Bill goes on TV later this evening to give his “farewell” to the nation — as if he’s going anywhere. How fitting that a Democrat sex scandal leads the headlines one more time. And Teddy Kennedy is leading the attack on George W. Bush’s attorney general nominee (How come Kennedy never asked Ashcroft if he would enforce drunken-driving laws?).

While scandals involving politicians of any variety are not exactly new, there is something perfectly Clintonesque about this one. Consider, George W. Bush takes office on Saturday and this story is out in the press. Four years ago, the day before Bill Clinton was about to give his acceptance speech before the Democratic National Convention, the tabloid Star broke the news that Clinton adviser Dick Morris had a fondness for toe-sucking with a lady of the evening in a Washington hotel (which, coincidentally shared Bill Clinton’s middle name — “Jefferson”).

It was Bill Clinton’s triumphant moment and Dick Morris intruded in the worst way possible. This was the president who had tried to evade questions about his sex life ever since the Gennifer Flowers episode exploded as he was a candidate. Of course, a couple of years later, the country was tossed into the Monica mess and nothing could be evaded. Who was Clinton’s biggest supporter? Jesse Jackson. Of course, we now know Jackson had brought his pregnant mistress to the White House at a time when he was offering Clinton spiritual “counseling.” The circle becomes complete.

In his statement issued Wednesday, Jackson said, “I will be taking some time off to revive my spirit and reconnect with my family before I return to my public ministry. This is a private and family matter and to protect all those I love I will not discuss it any further beyond this statement.” There would be much more compassion for all concerned were it not for the rank hypocrisy all around. Isn’t it odd that Jackson chooses to take this moment to “revive” his spirit and “reconnect” with his family? Wouldn’t it have made much more sense to do this 20 months ago when his daughter was born? Or how about months before that so the affair would never have occurred?

Meanwhile, Jackson still cops to the “private and family matter” line. Even if the dichotomy between private and public activity were true for elected officials (and that is an arguable point which both those on the left and right have danced around), should it also hold for those whose only portfolio is moral suasion? If moral conscience is supposed to guide public policy, should not the morality of the messenger be called into question? And it’s hard to argue that these are “private and family matters” when Jackson and Clinton were so ready and willing to make such a public relations gambit out of “spiritual counseling.” Jackson covers for Clinton on his indiscretions. Who will counsel Jackson? Hugh Hefner?

And thus the Clinton Error ends just as it begins: Derisive giggles all around.