Publisher Says Willey Offered 'A Different Story'

Viner says he lost interest in a book deal

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 17) -- The publisher who considered a book deal with former White House aide Kathleen Willey said Wednesday he lost interest in the proposed manuscript in part because the story she told on "60 Minutes" was different than the one he heard earlier from Willey's lawyer.

"The Kathleen Willey presented on [CBS'] "60 Minutes" was a different person with a different story than the portrait that had been painted for me in the last couple of months," said publisher Michael Viner, appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Willey has accused Clinton of hugging her, kissing her, touching her breast and placing her hand on his genitals. Clinton has denied doing anything improper.

Viner, head of New Millennium Entertainment in Beverly Hills, Calif., said Willey's lawyer, Daniel Gecker, approached him earlier, seeking $300,000 for a Willey book that presented her as "a fan, a friend who cared about President Clinton." Viner said he had doubts about the book idea's viability even before her "60 Minutes" appearance.

Gecker, in an interview with The New York Times, has denied he was pursuing a book contract for Willey, but acknowledged he approached Viner to determine if he would be interested in such a book.

Since Willey went on "60 Minutes" on Sunday to accuse Clinton of making unwanted sexual advances during a November 1993 meeting, the White House has questioned her motivations and credibility.

Clinton's lawyer, Bob Bennett, raised the possible book deal Monday, at the same time the White House released Clinton-Willey correspondence, which after the alleged incident, in which Willey maintained an admiring attitude toward the president.

CBS denies it lobbed softballs in the Willey interview

In New York, the head of CBS News brushed aside charges that "60 Minutes" correspondent Ed Bradley's interview with Willey was too soft.

CBS News President Andrew Heyward told The Associated Press Willey was in no way rewarded for bringing her accusations to "60 Minutes" with easy questions.

"I've never known `60 Minutes' to pull a punch, and certainly not for that reason," Heyward said Tuesday.

Some critics have rapped Bradley for not pressing Willey harder on her motivation for speaking out and on a claim by a friend, Julie Steele, that she lied to a reporter at Willey's request about the alleged Clinton incident.

Senators react to Willey's accusations

Meanwhile, Clinton' troubles remained a hot topic on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said he gives Clinton the benefit of the doubt, but suggested the president hold a news conference to deal with Willey's accusations.

"You have to give the president the benefit of the doubt," Hatch said. "He is the president of the United States. He has denied it and there doesn't seem to be any corroborating evidence, but I have to say that I think most people believe Ms. Willey. I thought she was very credible.

"There has never been, as far as I know, a person who has criticized this president, that they [the White House] haven't tried to smear into the ground. They've just plain attacked everybody and they've got these sleazy investigators that find that they've got dirt on everybody," Hatch said. "He ought to hold a press conference or go to the Oval Office and tell what happened."

Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) said Willey's accusations were "very troubling, I think, very demeaning to the office of the presidency if they prove to be true, and frankly an embarrassment to the United States."

"I listened to her [Willey] with my wife and my 17-year-old daughter," Nickles said. "I was embarrassed for our country, this president. My 17-year-old daughter, I asked her what she thought and she said, 'Sleazy.' And that's embarrassing."

Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D-Ill.) said Americans should give Clinton the benefit of the doubt and let the legal process unfold.

"The president is not above the law, and he's not below it either," Moseley-Braun said. "And inasmuch as there is a process at work, I think we have a responsibility to take him at his denial, to wait for the proof to come out, to let the rule of law function as it should appropriately function, to give an individual the benefit of the doubt before the proofs come out otherwise.

"Right now, all we have are allegations," she said. "This is a very, very serious matter, and it's something that is of concern not only to the president and his family but to all of us as Americans; it's a very, very important matter that we let the rule of law dictate the result and the way we consider this issue."

Wednesday March 18, 1998

• Publisher Says Willey Offered 'A Different Story'
• Jerry Brown Leaves Democratic Party
• House Rejects Attempt To Remove U.S. Troops From Bosnia
• Jones Lawyers: Clinton's Testimony Not Credible
• Former Espy Aide Gets 27 Months In Prison
• Democratic Leader Criticizes GOP Schools Bill
• First 'Air Force One' To Be Retired
• Ex-Gov. Tucker Goes Before Grand Jury
• A Taxpayer-Friendly IRS?
• Fitzgerald To Face Moseley-Braun For Illinois Senate Seat

Transcripts:
• Vice President Al Gore Speaking On IRS Changes