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Margo Howard and Martin Peretz

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from: Margo Howard

Clinton, Unmarried Couples, and the Oval Office

Posted Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001, at 11:25 AM ET

Dear Marty,

In the great Jimmy Swaggart tradition of "Don't do as I do, do as I say," the rhyming reverend, Jesse Jackson, has made an astounding double play. Not only has he made a huge heartache for his organization and his family (the legal one), but he has managed to bring Bill Clinton--yet again--into a sex scandal. I feel certain that our president, the one who has two days left in office, would have devoutly wished for a different end-of-term event by which to be remembered. (But live by the sword, die by the sword, pardon the metaphor.) According to--gasp!--the National Enquirer, Jackson took his pregnant mistress to an Oval Office meeting at the height of the impeachment drama ... which of course revolved around a sex scandal. The Rev. Jackson's private life is no surprise to this Chicago girl, but his choice of places to take a date is quite stunning. A little side note: If it's true that Jackson gives the woman--who has since given birth--$10,000 a month, this will likely cause supporters to his ministry to perhaps want to divert their contributions to Meals on Wheels. It is reported that the Rev Jackson advised Clinton, re the Monica thing, "If you respond with a contrite heart, that obligates the public to respond with mercy." Prepare for more contrition demonstrations, y'all.

So the last impression of Arkansas Bill, as he leaves office, is having hosted Jesse Jackson and his pregnant girlfriend in the Oval Office. And it will be a lasting impression because the White House photographer took a picture of the three of them with some Rainbow Coalition people in the room. It is my understanding that unmarried couples may not spend the night in the White House. Oval Office visits are apparently something else. For whatever reason, the Boston Globe did not have this story, but the Washington Post did. The latest report says the Rev. Jackson is giving up public life. By me, not a minute too soon.

To continue on the subject of religious men, I would have asked Mr. Ashcroft a question no one has so far. It is this: Why would a moral man (which I believe him to be, in his own mind) put himself in the position of upholding laws that go against his moral and religious beliefs?

I was most interested in an AP story about blue-collar kids who grow up to be academics. There is an Internet forum slugged "Working-Class Academics" devoted to managing class barriers. Their issue is that growing up with no money perforce means no connections. A sociologist, Barbara J. Peters, says she came from rural poverty, which made her uncomfortable at department receptions. "Poor people," she said, "when we talk to others, we sit down. We don't stand with a wine glass and a little plate of stuff trying to balance everything." I liked that and am going to switch to her method the next time the occasion arises. She also talked about mispronouncing names if one grew up blue-collar. I would like to tell her that that happenstance can befall anyone. I did not grow up the way she did, but my instinct is always to pronounce Proust to rhyme with "joust."

And so, old friend, that's what caught my eye this morning. And what has caught yours?

XX,
Margo

the breakfast table
entries
12345678910111213141516
from: Margo Howard

Clinton, Unmarried Couples, and the Oval Office

Posted Thursday, Jan. 18, 2001, at 11:25 AM ET
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Margo Howard writes Slate's "Dear Prudence" column. Martin Peretz is a lecturer in social studies at Harvard and editor in chief and chairman of the New Republic.
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