Whitman Improvises Inflammatory Speech

New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman surprised a packed Arco Forum yesterday by foregoing her scheduled speech and instead condemning both President Bill Clinton and the feminist movement.

Posters billed her speech as a talk on "Progress, Prosperity and Quality of Life," but Whitman chose to address the issue of "personal accountability and trust" in public office, and spoke out against the feminist movement's silence regarding Clinton's actions in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"It's not asking too much if we ask the President not to lie the American people, and it's not asking too much of the feminist movement to stand by what they believe," Whitman said.

"[Clinton] lied under oath. We're a country of laws. There has to be consequences for that," she added.

Whitman began her address on a less inflammatory note, saying that the Nov. 3 elections will be decided on local issues, and will not be a referendum on Clinton's behavior. The American people, she said, are tired of the "agony of the last ten months."

Quickly, however, she launched into a full-fledged condemnation of Clinton.

"Despite our disgust, a few aspects cannot be ignored. This is not only about sex, but about trust," Whitman said. "The President's actions have not only damaged him, but every public servant."

Whitman also chided the American public for their apparent willingness to condone Clinton. She said that America is "indulging in a false sense of complacency," and that "character does count."

Mentioning Clinton by name only infrequently, Whitman expressed the need for "trust" in public officials and spoke in general terms about the institution of the presidency.

"The presidency is bigger than any president. It should never be a forum for working out personal problems," Whitman said.

Despite her condemnation of Clinton's actions, Whitman refused to address the question, asked during the question and answer period following the speech, of whether she herself would votefor impeachment given the chance to do so.

Whitman next decried the "silence" of mostmajor feminist organizations in the wake ofClinton's extramarital affair.

"I'm perplexed by the reaction of many feministleaders. They have been silent, silent as neverbefore," she said. "Feminism has never been aboutpartisanship."

Whitman said that the feminist movement is"putting its credibility at risk," and, referringto the lack of a public censure of Clinton, said,"most people call that hypocrisy."

The feminist movement is sending a "mixedmessage," Whitman added. "Women across the countryno longer can count on sisterly solidarity, andmen are thinking, `If I do good things for women,it doesn't matter how I act to individuals,'" shesaid.

Whitman herself has been a longtime supporterof the feminist movement. The first femalegovernor of New Jersey, Whitman attributes much ofher success to the "pioneering" women of the past,and in her tenure as governor has appointedseveral women to high office.

As to her continued affiliation with thefeminist movement, however, Whitman said, "I'vewritten my last check."

Whitman also spoke out against Clinton for hisfailings as a moral leader, particularly forchildren. As an example, she told the story of anine year-old child who, when her father was awayon business, asked her mother, "How do you knowhe's in New York? How do you know he's notcheating?"

"The impact of this situation will be felt foryears," Whitman said. "It will be hard to holdchildren accountable if we can't hold thePresident accountable."

Whitman concluded by emphasizing the importanceof the current debate over trust.

"This is going to determine our future as anation, the way no single off-year election evercould," she said.

While the reactions of the audience, composedof undergraduates, Kennedy School of Governmentstudents and community members differed over thespeech's content, most agreed that it was"well-delivered" and "powerful."

"She was a good speaker, but I resented thefact that she condemned feminists as a group,"said Roona Ray '02. "There's a lot of diversity inthe feminist movement, not only in demographicsbut in political thought."

On the other hand, Erik A. Beech '02 agreedwith much of what Whitman said. "I agree with themain points of her address and I wonder why morewomen haven't spoken out against the actions ofthe President," he said.

Jessica A. Bowen '01 respected Whitman's rightto speak her mind. "I don't think that ifpolitical figures come to the Forum they shouldwithhold their partisan opinion," she said. "Idon't expect to agree with everything that's said.

While Jeffrey M. Weinshenker '00 did not agreewith all of Whitman's policies, he respected hercall for serious discussion.

"It's important to stir up dialogue aboutpersonal responsibility," Weinshenker said. "Whatbetter way to stir up dialogue than discussingthis at a national university.

Whitman next decried the "silence" of mostmajor feminist organizations in the wake ofClinton's extramarital affair.

"I'm perplexed by the reaction of many feministleaders. They have been silent, silent as neverbefore," she said. "Feminism has never been aboutpartisanship."

Whitman said that the feminist movement is"putting its credibility at risk," and, referringto the lack of a public censure of Clinton, said,"most people call that hypocrisy."

The feminist movement is sending a "mixedmessage," Whitman added. "Women across the countryno longer can count on sisterly solidarity, andmen are thinking, `If I do good things for women,it doesn't matter how I act to individuals,'" shesaid.

Whitman herself has been a longtime supporterof the feminist movement. The first femalegovernor of New Jersey, Whitman attributes much ofher success to the "pioneering" women of the past,and in her tenure as governor has appointedseveral women to high office.

As to her continued affiliation with thefeminist movement, however, Whitman said, "I'vewritten my last check."

Whitman also spoke out against Clinton for hisfailings as a moral leader, particularly forchildren. As an example, she told the story of anine year-old child who, when her father was awayon business, asked her mother, "How do you knowhe's in New York? How do you know he's notcheating?"

"The impact of this situation will be felt foryears," Whitman said. "It will be hard to holdchildren accountable if we can't hold thePresident accountable."

Whitman concluded by emphasizing the importanceof the current debate over trust.

"This is going to determine our future as anation, the way no single off-year election evercould," she said.

While the reactions of the audience, composedof undergraduates, Kennedy School of Governmentstudents and community members differed over thespeech's content, most agreed that it was"well-delivered" and "powerful."

"She was a good speaker, but I resented thefact that she condemned feminists as a group,"said Roona Ray '02. "There's a lot of diversity inthe feminist movement, not only in demographicsbut in political thought."

On the other hand, Erik A. Beech '02 agreedwith much of what Whitman said. "I agree with themain points of her address and I wonder why morewomen haven't spoken out against the actions ofthe President," he said.

Jessica A. Bowen '01 respected Whitman's rightto speak her mind. "I don't think that ifpolitical figures come to the Forum they shouldwithhold their partisan opinion," she said. "Idon't expect to agree with everything that's said.

While Jeffrey M. Weinshenker '00 did not agreewith all of Whitman's policies, he respected hercall for serious discussion.

"It's important to stir up dialogue aboutpersonal responsibility," Weinshenker said. "Whatbetter way to stir up dialogue than discussingthis at a national university.