SFGate King Out, Clinton In? CNN may have perfect post for ex-president

Tim Goodman Monday, March 5, 2001

With CNN desperately trying to reinvent itself, one of the men who created the network -- Reese Schonfeld -- is pitching a new idea: Replace Larry King with Bill Clinton.

This is not a good idea. It's a brilliant idea. And don't think it's a pipe dream.

Used to be, if you were an ex-president, you had to vanish from the public eye or do something "presidential" and honorable, like building homes for poor people as Jimmy Carter does. Other than that, you'd just wait around until one of the newer presidents rounded up all the used ones for a photo op at the White House.

Clinton no longer has to worry about tainting the office or acting presidential. Whatever slim hopes he had that history would conveniently forget his political goofs (kind of like how the dreaded Richard Nixon turned into a statesman and a good guy upon his death) are now completely out the window. Even his staunchest supporters believe that the so-called Pardongate scandal is the nadir in a political career where elements of genius were blackened by front-page headlines about ethical lapses.

Taint the office? Clinton is well beyond that. So why not be an ex- president with a nightly talk show on television?

Besides, Clinton is a relatively young man. And he needs the work. He can't just golf himself into his late 70s or reside in some political think tank on an Eastern campus (everyone would just think he was chasing coed skirt anyway).

The man needs a hobby. And, frankly, America needs a break from Larry King.

Let's think about this clearly. What would stop the country's most modern- acting ex-president from debasing himself and the office by -- good Lord! -- going on television? Nothing. Who would be surprised if Clinton announced next week that he had signed an endorsement deal with No Excuses jeans? Would you fall out of your chair one night to see him in a Weight Watchers commercial?

At this point, we're lucky he's not on QVC hawking something tacky. Replacing Larry King? Given the options, it's almost noble. CNN is a great fit for Clinton because all his right-wing enemies have long labeled CNN "the Clinton News Network." Are you beginning to see the synergy here?

This isn't a joke. It makes perfect sense, for many reasons. First, the one thing people forget about Clinton is that the man is a political wonk. Even his detractors admit he's incredibly smart. And his staff said he loved to dissect political minutiae. He could upgrade the inane navel-gazing and self- aggrandizement that passes for political thought on TV.

Second, even with all the scandals du jour leading up to Pardongate, why did he maintain one of the highest approval rates of any sitting president? Because the people loved him. That enraged Republicans, but it was true. Bill Clinton was the Oprah of presidents. To have his own talk show would only extend the love because, despite some pretty convincing evidence to the contrary, people believe that he's genuine and honest. He connects with them.

Now, a two-pronged reason why this whole idea is beyond perfect. One, the Republicans loathe Clinton and, even while vilifying him over his pardons and commutations, they want him off the front page because he's making President Bush as newsworthy as a city council meeting in Obscureville. Being the next Larry King keeps Clinton in high profile. Even better for him, it gives him clout and a perch from which to wield it. Following in the footsteps of politically biased TV hosts before him, he can berate and abuse the Republicans nightly. It's payback time. And we all know that payback is a . . .

tool.

Secondly, as the new Larry King, Clinton does not go gentle into that good night, as even the Democrats want him to. They don't want him to be the party leader, its standard-bearer. Before the pardons, they were going to use Clinton for fund-raising and to be the figurehead -- a better option than Al Gore. Now? He's a pariah in his own party. But with this TV host gig, he can rebuild his reputation nightly and reinvent himself in prime time -- all while reclaiming the Democratic Party and making it stronger.

And, like Larry King, he can kiss anyone he wants without scandal. It's scary perfect.

-- Anonymous, March 06, 2001