Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 16, 1994 TAG: 9403160168
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: NASHUA, N.H. LENGTH: Short
He came to the right place.
Whitewater was mentioned only once at a town meeting Clinton held in the Elm Street Junior High School gymnasium, which was packed with an overwhelmingly friendly crowd of some 1,200 people - most of whom got tickets through the Democratic mayor's office.
"Shame on those who would detract and distract from the important work you're doing with universal health coverage and jobs," said Betty Winberg, 68, a mental health activist, inspiring a burst of applause.
Clinton couldn't have said it better himself. He hopes to persuade the country to believe that Whitewater is not important but distracts from the nation's urgent public business.
The meeting highlighted a strategy through which Clinton seems to be trying to shame his critics for obsessing about Whitewater while he remains dedicated to purposes such as trying to reform the nation's health care system.
If the Nashua audience's reaction is any measure of America's attitude, this may be a winning political strategy for Clinton to minimize the damage Whitewater is inflicting on his presidency. Clinton clearly thinks it is.
"I'm very happy being here today. This is America," Clinton told reporters after the meeting.
by CNB