Hillary Clinton likens White House to prison

Not that it's going to diminish her ambition to live there again, but Hillary Clinton says she views the White House as something of a prison.

She also thinks that when she gets there, she'll have to have some kind of national contest to decide what to call her husband because First Lady wouldn't be appropriate.

This and other minutiae Clinton shared with Tyra Banks during a Monday taping of her syndicated TV show that will be broadcast nationally Friday.

"Do you ever get lonely?" Banks asked the New York senator. "Do you ever sit in your room by yourself sometimes and just feel alone?"....

"I don't feel lonely," Clinton said. "But I do feel sometimes isolated. Because when you are in these positions that I have been in, it can be very isolating. It is one of the reasons I put on the dark glasses and the baseball cap and go out of the White House. President Harry Truman once said that the White House was like the crown jewel of the American penal system because you can feel confined."

"And kind of jails," Banks added.

"Yeah," Clinton replied. "Because you feel so set off and really isolated."

Banks also wanted to know what Clinton's husband would be called if she won. "He will always be Mr. President," Clinton said. "But now we need to do a nationwide contest for a name."

"Like a reality show," Banks suggested.

"Like a reality show," Clinton agreed. "This is good, because think about it; here are some of the things that have been suggested like First Mate. His Scottish friends say 'First Laddie,' but we need ideas.  I'll just keep calling him Bill."

Banks didn't get around to asking policy questions, but she was curious about something that so many of us have also long wondered about -- which reality show Clinton might like to be on someday -- "Dancing with the Stars," "American Idol" or "America's Next Top Model."

"In my dreams," Clinton said, "I would be on 'America's Next Top Model,' but in reality I would have to chose my limited talents and of them, dancing is better than singing. You do not want me to sing."

"What type of dancing do you do?  Do you do hip-hop?  Can you do the Soulja Boy or the Spongebob dance?"

"I have heard of those," Clinton said. "I think that is a variation of what I did like 30, 40 years ago."

"My mother says the same thing."

Finally, Clinton announced her decision: "I think it would have to be 'Dancing with the Stars,' " she said, "especially if I could have one of those really good partners."

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Mark]

Prison (a real one) is exactly where she belongs.

[WhoCares]

Reviewed comments are a waste of time - it allows your feminist staff to censor! Which is the new American way.

(Not censoring this, but there are some words some commenters are calling Bill Clinton that do not meet our standards of civil discourse. But it's a free country. You can guess.)

[John Fairplay]

I'm pretty sure that 95 percent of the responses to the "What to call Bill Clinton" contest would be unprintable on a family website.

(Now, how in the world would you know that? To be honest, the percentage is not that high, but there have been some. You're right.)

[kitty]

Who does Hillary think she's kidding? She drools over The White House.......with Bill pushing her ratings, she'll do or say anything to return. So will he, lots more interns there.

[Greg Neubeck]

Hillary's exit strategy:

Having meticulously planned their coveted return to the White House for several years now, the Clintons will certainly not exit the scene with grace or dignity. This is the political duo that honed "The Politics Of Personal Destruction" into an artform; and, most certainly will not tolerate, who is in their mind, the "upstart Obama" to derail Hillary's pre-choreographed coronation.
With regards Slick's comments on Obama's Iraq record; and, the draft dodger's false accusation of flip flopping on the Iraq issue against Obama: It was actually Hillary who was the serial flip-flopper on this issue. Obama to his credit, as a matter of conscience, refused to deny American troops the funding for the bullets and equipment that they required to survive in ongoing combat. Hillary, on the other hand, with no such compelling principles, was one of only two U.S. Senators who voted to deny funding for essential equipments for our troops who they had "previously" voted to commit to lethal combat. A despicable breach of trust with the young men and women laying their lives on the line in defense of our Nation. Obama made the classical rookie error of not responding to Slick's false accusation, which he could have easily turned to Hillary's well deserved detriment
Barrack and his supporters best be prepared for the "Political Lynching" that will rival anything previously witnessed in Presidential politics.
Slick and Hilla-the-Hun have repeatedly demonstrated a vicious mud-slinger demeanor that is unprecedented whenever their political dynasty has been threatened in the past. Just ask anyone of their innumerable victims.

Greg Neubeck

[Jim]

Ha! I always wanted to see the Clintons go to prison, but not like this!

[JOSE]

first lady will be fine ,because she is the one that wears the pants in the family.

[Artie Curtis]

Then why is she working so hard and spending so much money to get back there?

[Jeff]

I think I'm going to be sick.

[BlueMax372]

Both Clintons BELONG in prison.

[Michael Lawrence]

Hillary talking about the White House being a prison - Fruedian slip perhaps???

[R COllins]

And when President Clinton was in office it was like a brothel

[jackieaxe]

"Banks didn't get around to asking policy questions, ..." this says it all. See I'. H*llary Clinton and I'm talking to a black person. See. See. Don't ask me any political questions, I'm only running for president. It's insulting to listen to not just her but the other candidates who speak for 30 minutes but say nothing. Standing for Change, or readyt for change are not policy positions.

[Martinn]

Now THIS is really a hard hitting interview.

[Joe Salad]

She belongs in a prison, a goulag..whatever..along with her slab of a so called husband.

[Barry Schumann]

I have a good name for Bill if HRC is elected...how about "First Liar"?

[michael loehrer]

Hill escaped the White House wearing a ballcap and sunglasses? I think she just finished watching the movie, "Dave". Would this be another Edmund Hillary moment?

[Joe]

Actually, prison would be more appropriate for the Clintons. But should BJ Clinton get back into the WH, perhaps the title "Perjurer in Chief" would tell it best.

[CAnservative]

It's tough when you cannot identify with your constituents. Does she cry during this quite moments alone?

Do we have to do this Clinton thing all over again? The deceptions and the calculations? Please Obama, save us from this prison that HRC will have us committed!

[TANKFIXER]

She views the Whitehouse as a prison ?
And she wants to go back ?
Isn't that a sign of mental instability ?

[jimbo56]

"It is one of the reasons I put on the dark glasses and the baseball cap and go out of the White House."

Is she currently occupying the White House? It sounds that way.

[choren2u]

There's only one fitting name for Bill Clinton if Hillary wins...First Pimp

[AnyoneButtClintoon]

Why in the world would we elect her if she thinks the Clinton Whore house was a prison? She belongs in prison for so many things including treason, so lets put her in a real hardcore prison for life! Clinton CRIMINAL INC should consided a political MAFIA and needs to be destroyed! I vote for Hillary to be in JAIL not the Whitehouse!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Douglas C]

I doubt that Hillary will ever make it to a real prison, but she is soon going to be under oath BEFORE THE ELECTION in the Los Angeles civil case, Paul v Clinton. A status conference is set for Feb. 21, a trial date will be set, and discovery can begin. To our friends at the Los Angeles Times, once again I invite you to the courtroom to cover this. Please send a real investigative reporter who will report what the FEC did. In Dec 2005, Hillary's treasurer signed a conciliation agreement. The campaign had filed three false reports, hid over $720,000, and paid a fine. They didn't learn their lesson. Hillary has her treasurer file a fourth false report in Jan. 2006. In May 2007, video evidence surfaced that had been withheld by the office of a US Attorney while a criminal trial was held of Hillary's campaign finance chairman and official investigations proceeded. Hillary has compromised all three branches of the government in the coverup of the greatest campaign finance fraud ever.

On video with Hillary's audio at the other end of a conference call, Hillary admits to being fully briefed by Kelly Craighead about the Hollywood Gala. She offers her help and says that Kelly will convey what she needs. She admitis to soliciting Cher's performance. On tape, she is caught participating in the illegal solicitation of a hard money, in-kind contribution of over a million dollars. The FEC never considered that video evidence or called key witnesses. During the Rosen trial, the video evidence was not available, and they did not call key witnesses. The discovery in the civil case is going to finally reveal to the voters this massive campaign finance fraud directed by Hillary. Go google "Hillary Uncensored."

Come on, LA TIMES, I have vetted the documents for over 2 1/2 years, read thousands of pages, and attended court hearings. It is time to tell the real story. We do it on film in HILLARY! UNCENSORED: Banned by the Media.

[Robin B]

Too bad Tyra didn't ask better questions:

1) What would you do to gain government control over the U.S. border and stop illegal immigration?

2) Why do you think Socialist and Communist groups oppose Republican and Conservative ideals, just like the Democrats do?

3) If President, what would you do to stop your husband from cheating on you.

4) What is your opinion of your friend Andrew Young saying your husband has probably had sex with more black women than has Barack Obama?

5) When your time in the White House ends, will you be following your husband's example of offering pardons for cash?

[Dan Collins]

The cankles! The cankles!

[Robert Davidson]

How many people get to collect $400,000+ every year from the suckers (excuse me, "taxpayers") and travel anywhere they want while they are in prison?

"Poor me, I'll be just like a prisoner in the White House." What a complete load of horse manure, and it shows just how much contempt Hillary has for the intelligence of most Americans. God help us all if she is right.

[Michelle]

i love hillary clinton but im scared for her because there could be some bad people who dont want hillary to be president because they are sexists or maybe just because they dont like what she has to say but i really would like her to become the first female president

[Jim]

WOW more riveting questions by another talentless hack. So lets see hillary has been asked, "do you feel isolated? "do you preferDiamonds or Pearls" "do you like Bill in boxers or briefs" Can these idiots ask a serious question. Like lets say "Senator Clinton you have proposed a health care package that would give everyone socialized medicine, how will you pay for that?" and when you have taxed the "wealthy" out of all their money, what group gets taxed next?

[Jenny Bea]

Ironic she calls it that when so many people think it's exactly where they should go- bringing Sandy Berger with them.

[Charles Storey]

It may usefull for Hillary to know the feel of what prison might be like as she may end up there.

[clyde]

hillary clinton . . . YUCK! i'm sick of her and her cackle already.

we do not need bush - clinton - clinton - bush - bush - clinton!

[Charmaine]

How about First Giggolo?

[Kay Cowan]

How about calling Bill Clinton First Ladies Man?

[Carroll]

Gag me. or her. make her go away.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Wow - Tyra is really stupid.

[Keith]

"Impeached" comes to mind. And yes he was impeached -The senate just could not nut up and convict. Lying to a Grand Jury is a crime and even a president is not immune from that law.

[Larry]

Hillary thinks the White House is a prison, but her husband thinks it's a bordello.

[Confuzled]

Why is a political candidate (of any stripe) appearing on the Tyra Banks show??? Not to bash Ms. Banks or anything, but what's next - the View?

As for the contest: Trust me - there aren't many expressions we can submit to Hillary that she hasn't already called Bill.

(P.S. Hillary Clinton has already been on the view too.)

[David Eckard]

There isn't enough money in the world to get me to live within the confines of the Presidential "bubble" - constant attention, media scrutiny, special security, etc. I commend Sen. Clinton for her many years of service to this nation and her continued enthusiasm and efforts to make this a better country for all of us. She is truly our best hope to return America to its proper place in the global community. When she assumes power in January 2009, she will do everything possible to erase the last seven years of war, fear, corruption, and scandal. Thank you, Sen. Clinton, for all that you do.

[The 7-10: Anthony Palmer]

What a failure of journalism.

Of all the more substantial things to address regarding the presidential race, our state of political discourse has been reduced to asking our leading candidates which reality show they'd like to appear on.

Voters often complain that they don't know very much about their candidates. Nonstories like this are a perfect example of why.

What ever happened to media responsibility?

(So I gather you're not a regular viewer of The Tyra Banks Show?)

[JW]

It's all a huge, right wing conspiracy..........and remember The First Liar on national television, wagging his finger at the camera, saying "I did NOT have sex with THAT WOMAN!".

Do we really need these people back in the White House?
How about, Anybody but Hillary?

[Lance Morrison]

***Tears in Heaven?***
Liberals have had it their way for years--trying to define race as a conservative shorfalling in America. All of the rented 'First Black President' allusions were illusions--Bill paid the 'rainbow' crowd off with our money. Now they get to see how the Clintons really regard race--as a wedge issue. They are used to the wedge on their side, but in an instant they have turned it around.
Anyone with an open mind could see it for what it is:
**Hillary's comment about Ghandi as a gas station attendant.
**Her unbelieveable assertion that LBJ was responsible for the 1964 Civil Rights Act as opposed to the marchers and activists.
I could almost feel MLK's 'tears in Heaven'
**Think about her concession speech in Iowa, and her lilly white entourage--Bill, TerryMcAuliff, Albright and Wesley Clark--like a vanilla snow cone.
Conservatives believe in equality--equal right and equal worth. The divide that liberals have created is due to their black phobia--and they have insulated themselves FROM blacks with money that never changes a thing.
If Hillary was different than my analysis would suggest, we wouldn't be hearing that she is the single most qualified person in the country to be president.
**Does she believe there are no blacks more qualified then she?
**Does she maintain there are no Hispanics more qualified than she
**Women? Lesbians or gays? Asians? Handicapped?
She plays to these demographics, yet only if she is the deliverer of their mother's milk--public money.
I address Hillary in song with 'Hillaryous,' a song I wrote as part of 12 musical slaps to The Left. I'm just a cop, but I know bad mojo when I see it. I pray for the day when race gets out ahead of politics. Hear it @
www.conservativemusiconline.com

[stvnscott]

First Ladies' Man?
First Philanderer?

These names are a good start, no?

[Nichella, L.A.]

I hope Tyra was told she HAD to ask fluff questions in order to secure Hilary as a guest, because she is so much smarter than this interview.

A mix of fun and serious questions would've been much more appreciated by the audience.

I suspect though, that their "handlers" agreed on topics beforehand and that was that.

How are we ever to be an educated public across the board? Geez

[PO'ed Peacenik]

Well, if the White House is a prison, then let's get the bars up now and start it off by incarcerating Bush and Cheney first, kind of a war-crimes holding cell before they get sent to Gitmo.

[Macon Hardy]

Wow! I feel Hilary's Pain. I have an idea!!! Let's save her and Bill from such hell and make sure she doesn't get into the white house!

I am so surprised the media doesn't see through her fake, phoney, acts. I am a democrat and I'm voting for Obama. If he is not the nominee then I'm not going to vote. What's the use. It is time for my generation to be heard. Hillary does not represent my generation. She is old, worn out, and tiring. She would be no different than those old republicans running on the other side.

[Anisa Rhys-Jones]

She is clawing her way back on hands and knees, her and Bill. If she makes it, God forbid, I will stage a prison break myself and rescue her from her jail.

Obama is running against two people. I think that is just wrong. Can't she do it alone?

[Paula Jones]

Call Bill the First Felon

[Frank]

A prison, Barack Obama will fit right in