Clinton and Jordan: A Fracturing Friendship at the Epicenter of the Sex, Lies, and Tapes Scandal

Strategic Insights -

As the President's closest friend and confidant, Vernon Jordan's relationship with Bill Clinton is at the forefront of the Sex, Lies, and Tapes Scandal. The two men, once inseparable, now find themselves in a delicate dance, with Jordan's grand jury testimony holding the key to Clinton's survival. Jordan's extraordinary efforts to find Monica Lewinsky a job have raised suspicions of payola and potentially obstruction of justice, putting him in the crosshairs of independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vernon Jordan's testimony is pivotal to Clinton's survival, and Starr has made him a "gotcha" target.
  • Jordan's job search for Monica Lewinsky was extraordinary, with him taking her on chauffeured limo rides, meeting with her four times, and making seven phone calls.
  • Jordan's potential indictment could topple Clinton, and Starr has offered Lewinsky immunity in exchange for testimony against Jordan.
  • Jordan has changed his story on the timeline of his job search for Lewinsky, initially stating that he was motivated by altruism but later admitting that he was caught off guard by the revelation of the Clinton-Lewinsky affair.
  • Clinton and Jordan's relationship has been strained, with Jordan reportedly feeling blindsided by the revelation of the affair and Clinton's assurances that he never had sex with Lewinsky.
  • Jordan's friends and associates have described him as a life preserver for Clinton, and his loyalty is being tested in the face of Starr's pressure.

Statistics:

  • Jordan made seven phone calls to Monica Lewinsky and had four meetings with her as part of his job search.
  • Jordan's job search for Lewinsky was unusual, with his friend and fellow lawyer, Bob Strauss, stating that he rarely went to such lengths for someone in need.
  • Instructions were issued for a date that Lewinsky swore Clinton had sex with me in 1998.
  • Lewinsky swore in her affidavit that she never had sex with Clinton, but later admitted to the affair.
  • Jordan's immunity offer to Lewinsky came apart because she wouldn't finger him as Clinton's fixer.

Sources:

  • Philadelphia Daily News (c) 1998
  • Philadelphia Online: the World Wide Web site of the Philadelphia Daily News, http://www.phillynews.com/
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services Distributed Articles