July 19, 1995 - Part 2
July 19, 1995 - Part 2
(12:10:29) Bernie Nussbaum was in the position of protecting a client, the President, and protecting a friend, Vince Foster. Is it fair to say that he did those things very conscientiously, but perhaps in terms of public relations or handling a public office, he may not have been as adroit as he might have been? Mr. HUBBELL. I want to say, first, that I have the greatest respect for Bernie's legal abilities and his loyalty. He became, in 6 months, one of Vince's closest friends. As I said, Bernie and Vince both referred to each other as brothers. We love Bernie; he loved Bernie, and Bernie loved Vince. So I hope as we think about Bernie's actions we don't forget that part of Bernie. He is a very lovable man himself. I think Bernie himself will say that he's not the best PR for himself. He's a protecting lawyer as he has been trained to do for many years. Bernie is an open person. I mean, Bernie tends to go in one direction, but a lot of times I have seen Vince or myself sit down and say now, Bernie, let's talk about this, and Bernie is open to suggestions. But I don't think, I hate to hear the word that Bernie is becoming a heavy because I think Bernie always did what he thought was the best thing to do. I know I have made mistakes, and I can't judge. It's this Committee's job to say whether Bernie made a mistake or not. But I'd never doubt his heart. Senator SIMON. As far as doing anything-and some mistakes were made-we didn't anticipate we were going to be here Mr. HUBBELL. No. Senator SIMON. -in this hearing. As far as doing anything ethically or legally improper, you're not aware of Bernie Nussbaum doing anything like that? Mr. HUBBELL. No, and I think Phil would have told me, Phil Heymann would have told me if he felt that way. Senator SIMON. Then you-in your deposition on July 13th, you are asked: Question: Now, I think as a point of reference, the question was really limited ill time from the time of the election up to and including Mr. Foster's death. Let me ask you if before that time the President or Mrs. Clinton, then Mr- and Mrs. Clinton, expressed to you any concerns about Whitewater Development Corporation, Madison Guaranty or the McDougals? Then you, as a partial answer here, say: Answer: I was aware that Mrs. Clinton wanted to get the records assembled, fig- ure out what had happened with Whitewater and get it resolved, 121 Did Mrs. Clinton at any point ask you to do anything improper in connection with Whitewater? Mr. HUBBELL. Oh, absolutely not. She never would do anything like that. Senator SIMON. Did Mrs. Clinton at any point ask you to do anything improper on anything else? Mr. HUBBELL. No, she did not. Senator SIMON. Did President Clinton ask you at any point to do anything improper on Whitewater? Mr. HUBBELL. No, Senator. Senator SIMON. Did President Clinton ask you to do anything im- proper on anything else? Mr. HUBBELL. No, Senator, and he never would. Senator SIMON. Is it conceivable in your mind that either President Clinton or Mrs. Clinton would have asked Vince Foster to do anything improper? Mr. HUBBELL. It is inconceivable that they would ask Vince to do anything improper. Senator SIMON. If-because you were, as you've mentioned, a close friend of Vince Foster's-if either one had suggested something improper, you think Vince Foster would have told you about it? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, I believe Vince would have got on the phone with me immediately and said I need to talk to you about this, and I would know about it. But it's just inconceivable to me that they would have ever done that.