Most people remember the Clinton pardon scandal as the last gasp of the VRWC to nail Bill Clinton. Not much is discussed about Hillary and her brother's role. Who knew Hugh Clinton charged $400,000 to arrange pardons for special clients?
When her brother's role was revealed, Hillary said she was unaware and disappointed that her brother sold pardons. As a matter of fact, Clinton added she didn't even know much about the pardons she helped to facilitate:
While much of the news conference centered on her brother, Mrs. Clinton briefly discussed her own role. Asked if she had any discussions about pardons or commutations with Bruce Lindsey, the former deputy counsel in the Clinton White House, she said, ''information was coming to me, information was passed on.'' Later she elaborated, ''People would hand me envelopes. I would just pass them on. You know, I would not have any reason to look into them.''
That's experience no other candidate can own.
When the pardon payment was revealed Hugh claimed he returned the money, but according to the court in his later bankruptcy, it didn't happen.
One of the beneficiaries of Hugh Rodham's pardon help (whose access was supposedly provided for free) later committed other crimes.
Related clips, hope was a business for Hugh:
Second Clinton In-Law Says He Helped to Obtain Pardon
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In an interview tonight, Mr. Rodham acknowledged that he had asked the president to pardon Mr. and Mrs. Gregory, but he said he received no payment for his efforts. But Mr. Rodham does have a financial tie to the Gregorys and has worked as a consultant for Mr. Gregory, helping him buy radio stations and expand his carnival business. Mr. Rodham is a consultant.
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Several people involved in the pardon process said Tony Rodham had referred to his success in helping the Gregorys gain pardons in convincing others that he had White House influence in pardon decisions. Mr. Rodham denied the assertions. Mr. Rodham did play an active role in helping Mr. Gregory's company have the opportunity to erect a carnival on the White House lawn in June 1998.
Then, this speaks for itself:
Mrs. Clinton's appearance today came just hours after another potentially damaging disclosure: that her campaign treasurer, William Cunningham III, had helped obtain last-minute pardons for two felons. Mr. Cunningham had been hired to draw up legal papers for the men.
Mrs. Clinton repeatedly tried to draw a distinction between what her brother did and what Mr. Cunningham did. Mr. Cunningham's role, she said, was that of a lawyer who was doing work on behalf of a client. But she called her brother's action a ''terrible misjudgment'' given that he was a member of the family.
Since Hillary has been thoroughly vetted, McCain won't bother to mention these issues in the fall.