Why apologize for a joke when it speaks the truth?
SACRAMENTO -- It's a withering television ad that has created the first storm of the gubernatorial race: Then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton eviscerating Jerry Brown in a 1992 debate, accusing Brown of lying about whether he raised taxes as governor.
But Brown's response has compounded the awkwardness. Over the weekend he turned the issue away from Whitman into a wrestling match with Clinton, telling a group, "I mean, Clinton's a nice guy but whoever said he always tells the truth?"
He continued: "You remember, right? There's that whole story there about did he or didn't he. OK, I did not have taxes with this state. So, let's be clear about that."
Well, OK, I know why. If you're running for governor, it isn't smart to antagonize the most popular member of your own party. But whatever you think of Clinton and that whole Monica thing, "I did not have taxes with this state" is a funny line.
Comments
It was a funny line. But it may have been political suicide. Before he poked Clinton, he looked like a shoo-in. Now it's too close to call. An experienced pol like Brown should have known better. If he loses, he has only himself to blame.