Tonight's Buzz’s Bedtime Stories centers on Bill and Hillary Clinton! And their “intimate relationship.” Pour a beverage, cuddle up, and read along. This is a cliffhanger!
One night, the president, first lady, and the entourage (including me) were on our way to a Washington, D.C., hotel for a fundraising event. My vehicle, the Control Van, was always immediately behind “The Beast,” the president’s limousine. Motorcades, even locally, were impressive in their size and logistics. Press vans, “Roadrunner” for communications, Secret Service guys, and a Counter Assault Team truck. I always found them really exciting.
As this motorcade pulled into the hotel loading dock area, I immediately knew it was going to be a rough night. I noticed the Clintons going back and forth at each other in the limo. They were animated and arguing in the backseat…and taking their time.
After a very pregnant pause, the president, the first lady, two Secret Service agents, the White House doctor, and I crowded into a loading dock elevator and headed up to the party on the top floor of the hotel. We used loading docks for security and to avoid the paparazzi.
SEE ALSO: Buzz's Bedtime Stories: Bill Clinton's Half Apology
Buzz's Bedtime Stories: That Time I Diverted Air Force One
Apparently, as I quickly discovered, Mrs. Clinton had just received some bad news about the Whitewater investigation. Then-Department of Justice Attorney General Janet Reno had denied her immunity testimony, and Clinton was blaming her husband. As soon as the elevator doors closed, she exploded at the president, spewing four-letter words like a machine gun.
Every vulgar word you’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard them all as a vet, poured from her mouth: “G*******t,” “you b******d,” “it’s your f*****g fault!” And on and on and on. The football and I tried to blend into the walls of the elevator to avoid any collateral damage. I’d seen this side of her before, on many occasions. I noticed the alarmed glances of the agents and the doctor, as well. We were just along for the ride.
Bill looked like a beaten puppy. He put his head down and said, “Yes, I understand. Yes, dear, I know.” The president, embarrassed, placated her as best he could between the volleys of expletives. He knew better than to fight back. We all did. This went on for the duration of the ascent.
We reached the top floor, and the elevator doors opened onto a crowded hallway for our arrival. Immediately, Bill and Hillary clasped hands, pulled out the fake smiles, and waved in unison. They could turn it on when they needed to. Same old bulls**t. The agents, the doctor, and I just looked at each other, rolled our eyes, and sighed. And followed them into the event.
Just another day in the Clinton White House.
