A Breath Of Fresh Air
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
I enjoyed watching President Clinton come out of his seat during his interview with Chris Wallace over the weekend.
Everyone is talking about the former president's tirade against Fox News and the right wingers. And yes, he did make a mistake by throwing Wallace, a uniquely tough interviewer of all subjects, in with the right-wing crowd. But, no matter.
What we got a chance to see was the real man: Clinton in full defense of his record.
There are plenty of folks ready to blame him for not being more vigilant in his pursuit of Osama bin Laden. But Clinton made a pretty good case Sunday for doing what he could under the circumstances. CIA types will dispute his assertion that they and the FBI were the ones who ultimately prevented him from pulling the trigger on bin Laden when he had the chance. But, as the President said on Fox, he will take the blame.
So much of what we hear from politicians is couched, calculated. The President's tirade was like a breath of fresh air.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on manyCBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith