Televised Press Conference Quotes
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Source: Televised Press Conference
Speaker: Bill Clinton
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman."
But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie. Not a single time. Never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people.
Context
President Bill Clinton denied having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky in a televised address on Jan. 26, 1998.
All people cared about in 1998 was whether or not President Slick Willie Clinton had an affair with White House intern and apprentice handbag designer Monica Lewinsky.
The details of Clinton's personal life became such a hot-button topic that he issued this famous denial on TV: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."
Oh, and it turns out he was lying.
The lie led to his impeachment, the second in U.S. history.
Where you've heard it
You're looking at one of the most famous political lies of all time. The Clinton scandal—along with the infamous blue dress and cigar and the debate over the definition of "is"—is equal fodder for tabloids and history books.
And a few more references for good measure:
- A sketchy website used this sketchy quote in its ads.
- Clinton's entire fast-food eating, philandering, smooth-talking persona was often parodied on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s.
- Of course there's a "Mambo No. 5" parody, "Bimbo No. 5."
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Unless you actually didn't.