Before Franken, Dems fell for the Roger Stone-ization of Bill Clinton
You'll recall, a year and a half ago, Trump first used the word "rape" in an interview with Hannity, when referring to Bill Clinton.
At the time, most of the media was shocked that he would go there, and many commentators warned of the coming ugly general election campaign.
Compare that today, when pretty much all the beltway media practically make it out as indisputable fact that Bill Clinton is a rapist.
The push to brand Clinton as a rapist began with ratfucker, GOP operative, and longtime Trump advisor and pal Roger Stone in his batshit "The Clinton's War on Women" book," released last spring.
It was nutty tome, collecting all the crazy rightwing fever dreams, many long debunked. Stone accused the Clinton's of everything from rape to murder and, bizarrely, he also claimed in the book that Chelsea was secretly not Bill's daughter and had special plastic surgery to look like him (seriously - and Trump promoted the book in 2016 and got zero pushback from media).
From there, Stone went to tinfoil hatter, moon landing hoaxer, birther, NASA sex camps on Mars believer, Set Rich troofer , anti-vaxxer and 9-11 troofer Alex Jones, who giddily helped push the books idiotic claims.
At the time, it seemed to be a fringe attack, but Trump soon adopted it, then even brought Broaddrick to the debate.
And, with the rise of the #metoo movement, many on the left were all too quick to fall into the trap, instantly accepting Broaddrick's story.
Never mind that Broaddrick, when actually put under oath, said nothing happened with Bill and only changed her story later on when rightwing media came calling.
"I met President Clinton more than twenty years ago through family friends. Our introduction was not arranged or facilitated, in any way, by the Arkansas State Police. I have never been an Arkansas state employee or a federal employee. I have never discussed with Mr. Clinton the possibility of state or federal employment nor has he offered me any such position. I have had no further relations with him for the past (15) years."
---sworn affidavit- Dec 23, 1998, Juanita Broaddrick
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/10/09/sworn-affidavit-juanita-broaddrick-denies-allegations.html
Never mind that Ken Starr (that beloved liberal) examined her claim and found it "inconclusive" and did not feel it worth pursuing.
Never mind that she attacks Trump's victims, and says that his accusers, as well as Roy Moore's, are liars.
Never mind that she spreads discredited conspiracy theories about the accusers of Trump, who she proudly backs, despite the pussygrabber tape.
(Got News provided no evidence to back up their claim, which was based entirely on a comment made by an unidentified source. https://www.snopes.com/summer-zervos-paid-500000/)
Never mind that she mocks Trump's accusers on Twitter and points out that he won even after he came out.
Never mind that she's friends with Stone and routinely retweets conspiracy buttery folks like Jones, as well as accused sex offender James Woods.
But, Dems fell for the #BelieveEveryWoman , no matter what, trap.
And now we have people like Chelsea Handler and newly-minted Franken accuser Tina Dupuy apologizing to Broaddrick and writing "I believe Juanita," while opportunists like Sen. Gillibrand play into them to a degree by saying Clinton should have resigned for the Lewinsky affair.
"I believe Juanita?" The question is which one?
Under Oath Juanita, or Revised Story Rightwing Media Darling and Trump Booster Juanita?
But, in any case, the batshit narrative Stone pushed, with help Alex Jones, has been mainstreamed, despite zero evidence. And Broaddrick's inconsistencies and hard right activism are not to be questioned.
The #metoo movement was long overdue, with women's claims finally being taken seriously and providing an atmosphere far different from what Anita Hill had to endure when testifying against Clarence Thomas. However, the misguided notion to simply believe everyone, regardless of contrary info, provided a perfect opportunity for rightwing character assassins like Stone and Jones. What better way to smear an opponent than to make charges where, if anyone offers the slightest defense or attempted debunking, they are instantly labeled as part of the problem. A noble cause has been weaponized by the right.
In addition to being one of the most popular presidents of modern times, Bill Clinton has long been one of the most effective campaigners for Democrats, with his convention stump speeches often game changing events in a campaign. Now, media will see to it that he is shunned and persona non grata.
And Dems stupidly fell for it and helped it along.