A looming sex scandal. A “chaotic” White House. And a secret cable from the British ambassador to Washington depicting a president who is shaky on foreign policy and obsessed with newspaper headlines.
No, not Sir Kim Darroch, ousted from his post after his confidential thoughts about President Trump’s White House were leaked, but a missive sent by his predecessor Sir Robin Renwick in 1994 about President Bill Clinton.
The document, released by the British archives, shows there is nothing new about British diplomats offering frank assessments of American leaders.
“White House organization remains chaotic,” wrote Renwick in his briefing note to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ahead of a presidential visit to the United Kingdom. “Clinton continues to have difficulty winning the approval of more than 50 per cent of the American people and that could be constant throughout his presidency.”
Sound familiar? The words resonate down the decades and bear a striking resemblance to Darroch’s leaked assessment of an “inept,” “chaotic” administration in 2019.
The earlier memo was published under rules that aim to transfer historically significant documents into the public domain after 20 years.
It describes “Clinton’s roller coaster ride” and the fallout from sexual harassment claims by Paula Jones, a former civil servant who accused Clinton of exposing himself to her in a hotel room during his time as governor of Arkansas.
“The personal stories may have taken their toll on Clinton’s popularity,” wrote the then-ambassador. “No one believes the full Paula Jones story but the thought that the president may have to testify in court against her gives the White House fits.”
Clinton later agreed an out-of-court settlement with Jones.
The frank assessment of the president’s performance also suggested Clinton was interested in foreign policy but indecisive.
“Instead of talking softly and carrying a big stick, he is accused of talking loudly, then failing to act,” Renwick said.
And he also wrote that Clinton was “concerned” about his treatment by the British media, a symptom of the White House’s “excessive preoccupation” with coverage.
“I have told him that he will get a very different reception from the public,” he said.
