Clinton Library to Open in Little Rock
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Bill Clinton is hosting a party befitting his role as a political rock star – complete with actual rock stars, Hollywood luminaries, an Air Force flyover and the whiff of scandal.
An estimated 30,000 guests were expected to pack downtown Little Rock on Thursday for the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center, the $165 million glass-and-steel home of artifacts and documents gathered during Clinton’s eight years in the White House.
President Bush, former presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and daughter Chelsea headline the event along with U2′s Bono and The Edge.
But the true star is Clinton, whose library collection consists of more than 80 million presidential items. Clinton has promised to give scholars early access to previously private policy advice and other documents he isn’t required to release until 2006.
When the building opens to the public Friday, visitors paying $7 can peruse the library’s 14 alcoves detailing different aspects of Clinton’s Oval Office years – one of which is dedicated to scandal.
A presidential timeline opens with Clinton’s 1993 inaugural address and his dream for the nation: "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
In a series of eight 18-foot-wide panels, the library marks highlights and lowlights from each year of Clinton’s presidency, such as the Oklahoma City bombing, Clinton-led peace efforts in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, and Clinton’s impeachment and acquittal over the Monica Lewinsky affair.
The Lewinsky matter is covered in an alcove dedicated to the "politics of persecution." The display lumps together Newt Gingrich’s "Contract With America," Kenneth Starr’s Whitewater investigation in a collection that evokes the memory of Hillary Rodham Clinton describing a "right wing conspiracy" against her husband.
"We had to show this was a systematic attempt by Republican leaders to delegitimize Bill Clinton and the administration," said former Clinton adviser Bruce Lindsey, who worked with the ex-president through much of the exhibit-design process.
Library director David Alsobrook acknowledged that many wouldn’t be satisfied.
"His supporters will say, `Oh, why did you give this so much space?’" Alsobrook said as reporters received advance tours Wednesday. "But his detractors will come up and say, `Dave, where is the blue dress?’"
Former Whitewater business partner Susan McDougal is pictured in an orange jumpsuit in the custody of U.S. marshals. Kenneth Starr is pictured prominently, but so are newspaper headlines screaming "Acquitted" after the Senate failed to convict Clinton.
Contrasting how the impeachment was treated, Clinton asked specifically for a double alcove on his diplomatic efforts in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and the Middle East, according to exhibit designer Ralph Appelbaum.
On the back of each display panel, visitors can access an electronic version of Clinton’s daybook. Eight touch-screen monitors call up a specific day in Clinton’s presidency to discover what was on his official schedule.
Another highlight is the only full-scale replica of the Oval Office in a presidential library. Administration officials took thousands of photographs of the office to re-create the placement of every statue, photo and award.
Before the official dedication ceremony, trumpeter Phil Driscoll was to play "America," several Arkansas musicians will perform and Rita Dove, who Clinton appointed as the first black U.S. poet laureate in 1993, will read her poem "This Life."
Also scheduled to perform are bagpipers from Lyon College in Batesville; the marching band from Hot Springs High School, Clinton’s alma mater; and African Drum Ballet, a group from Clinton’s birthplace of Hope.
The ceremony culminates with Sen. Clinton introducing her husband for what are scheduled to be brief remarks. Their daughter Chelsea follows with the official presentation of the library keys to the National Archives and Records Administration, which takes over management of the institution from Clinton’s private foundation.
Top-ranking members of Clinton’s administrations are in Little Rock for the event, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Health and Human Services chief Donna Shalala and former chief of staff Leon Panetta. Others spotted Wednesday include actors Kevin Spacey and Ed Begley Jr.
On the eve of the opening, Ilene and Charles Greinsky of New York City searched for a place to have dinner, wearing Clinton buttons and clutching shopping bags from the Clinton Museum Store.
"When he talks, even on TV, it still feels like he’s talking just to you. There’s no smirk on his face," said Charles Greinsky, pulling out of his wallet a laminated photo of the couple with Bill and Hillary Clinton.
—
On the Net: