Ed Klein Guesses Wrong

There's been numerous books over the last decade from people who were privy to events in the Bush and Clinton White Houses. Many were shameless attempts to make a buck such as Paul O'Neill and Richard Clarkes tomes. They were timed to maximize the PR they would receive (not that the MSM wasn't willing to shower praise on any former Bush aide even if the book was written in crayon on toilet paper) and they gladly ran into the arms of the Democrats.

Something strange happened with Ed Klein and his new book and Kathleen Parker examines what that may be:

This rejection from some (though not all) on the right suggests a couple of things:
One, that Americans of all stripes are tired of nasty, and Klein's treatment of the Clintons is reminiscent of a time we're trying to forget. He focuses overmuch on Hillary's alleged lesbianism, for instance (she didn't shave her legs and underarms at Wellesley!), and even writes that Chelsea was conceived one night when Bill raped Hillary.

Only the fringiest Clinton-haters could find pleasure with that level of prurient tabloiding of a former U.S. president and a present-day U.S. senator. After a few paragraphs, you find yourself reaching for the Brillo.

Another possible explanation may be that conservatives understand Hillary Clinton is a serious presidential contender in 2008 and that Klein's book is not helpful. By attacking her in ways that fair-minded Americans find indecent, Klein helps burnish her image as victim.

Recall that Hillary Clinton was not universally beloved as first lady. Her "Me, Too" co-presidency with Bill, notable for her failed national health-care plan (and her contempt for the stand-by-your-man, cookie-baking wife), won her few friends.

I tend to think it's a mix between the two. Hillary is a formidable candidate and her makeover began when she entered the Senate.

I also think that this book is entirely too distasteful for conservatives. I doubt this book would be rejected by the left if the tables were turned, however.