Video: Bill Clinton doesn’t understand human biology?

posted at 2:13 pm on March 12, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Jill Stanek catches Bill Clinton in a deliciously ironic illiteracy on human biology. Maybe this explains why he tried to convince the nation that oral sex was not, you know, sex:

Emphases mine:

Gupta: Let’s talk about something you talked a lot about in the early part of your presidency, stem cells. There was an order today providing federal money for embryonic stem cell research. First of all, let me just ask you, as someone who studied this, is this going to always be as divisive an issue as it is now? Is this going to be the abortion of the next generation? Or are people going to come around?

Clinton: I think – the answer is I think that we’ll work it through. If – particularly if it’s done right. If it’s obvious that we’re not taking embryos that can – that under any conceivable scenario would be used for a process that would allow them to be fertilized and become little babies, and I think if it’s obvious that we’re not talking about some science fiction cloning of human beings, then I think the American people will support this….

Gupta: Any reservations?

Clinton: I don’t know that I have any reservations, but I was – he has apparently decided to leave to the relevant professional committees the definition of which frozen embryos are basically going to be discarded, because they’re not going to be fertilized. I believe the American people believe it’s a pro-life decision to use an embryo that’s frozen and never going to be fertilized for embryonic stem cell research….

But those committees need to be really careful to make sure if they don’t want a big storm to be stirred up here, that any of the embryos that are used clearly have been placed beyond the pale of being fertilized before their use. There are a large number of embryos that we know are never going to be fertilized, where the people who are in control of them have made that clear. The research ought to be confined to those….

But there are values involved that we all ought to feel free to discuss in all scientific research. And that is the one thing that I think these committees need to make it clear that they’re not going to fool with any embryos where there’s any possibility, even if it’s somewhat remote, that they could be fertilized and become human beings.

This may be the stupidest thing I’ve heard since Phil Donohue and Vladimir Posner tried arguing a few years back that human embryos become fish and dogs before becoming humans. (Yes, they did; I watched it with my jaw trailing the floor.) Unfertilized eggs have no research value in stem cell work because they don’t produce anything; they’re genetically incomplete. Only after fertilization does an egg become an embryo.  Nor is Clinton simply making a momentary mis-speak; he repeats this no less than six times in this interview with Sanjay Gupta.

And note that Gupta — a physician who was Barack Obama’s first choice as Surgeon General — never bothers to correct Clinton.  Did Gupta miss that lesson in pre-med?

The irony, of course, springs from the fact that Clinton got impeached and nearly removed for committing perjury and obstruction of justice over his attempts to explore human biology with the West Wing staff.  If this is the level of scientific knowledge from the pro-abortion, pro-hEsc research Left, I don’t think they’ll be finding any stem cell advances regardless of whether they get federal funding.  In fact, I’m not sure Clinton could find his rear end with both hands and a flashlight after watching this.

Like Jill, I wonder whether Bill Clinton will oppose hEsc research funding when someone finally educates him on actual human biology.  I won’t hold my breath.

Blowback

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Comment pages: 1 2

This guy was always considered “brilliant” only because he was always considered “brilliant”.

The source for his brilliance was never revealed, but the press was convinced and it became so.

Exact same thing with Obama. Unqualified, unaccomplished, he’s “brilliant” because we’re told he’s brilliant, nothing more, nothing less.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM

I can’t watch the video. Does Dr. Gupta call him on it or just let is pass?

BadgerHawk on March 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Unbelievable!

Mason on March 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Was Clinton intentionally lying (again!) or is he that ignorant?

flyfisher on March 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Nevermind. Should have read Ed’s follow up after the text. Apologies.

BadgerHawk on March 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM

I believe the American people believe it’s a pro-life decision to use an embryo that’s frozen and never going to be fertilized for embryonic stem cell research….

HUH? The premise of embryo… oh heck, he doesn’t even know he isn’t black!

upinak on March 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Clinton was going back to the Lewinsky matter … that involved the gushing of “unfertilized” matter on a blue dress.

OhEssYouCowboys on March 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM

I’m shocked I tell ya. And after all those years of hands-on studies.

kingsjester on March 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM

Dumbfounded… Not that Clinton doesn’t know what he is talking about. But that Gupta never corrected him.

myrenovations on March 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM

Perhaps in the planet that Clinton hails from, cigars really are stored in vaginas.

Badger40 on March 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM

Slick Willy doesn’t believe eggs become fertilized without the introduction of a fine Cuban cigar into the works, somewhere along the way.

Kent18 on March 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM

Perhaps in the planet that Clinton hails from, cigars really are stored in vaginas.

Badger40 on March 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM

With flip top heads for the cigar to come out of!

upinak on March 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM

The Bush policy that Barry just over turned was actually a loosening of the Clinton policy.

MarkTheGreat on March 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM

O Billy!?!

~B

Brian on March 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM

Hm, I guess he meant implanted in a woman?

I’m surprised that Gupta didn’t challenge this.

SteveMG on March 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM

The left’s position on this is becoming as anti-science as the global warming nonsense.

econavenger on March 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM

To the left, brilliance was always defined as a willingness to accept their ideology. Those who accepted it were smart, those in a position to advance it were by definition brilliant.

Those who opposed them were, dumb, evil, or both.

MarkTheGreat on March 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM

Was Clinton intentionally lying (again!) or is he that ignorant?

flyfisher on March 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Who can tell?

MarkTheGreat on March 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM

Never mind Clinton…when did he ever say anything that had even just a tad of honesty attached to it?

As for Gupta…guess we all dodged a bullet when he took his name out of contention for Surgeon General.

coldwarrior on March 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM

I think the word he was searching for was “implanted” rather than “fertilized.”

But yeah, really dumb. And saying these embryos wouldn’t become babies under any “conceivable scenario” completely ignores “snowflake babies.”

Bill’s usually smarter than this. And I say that as a long-time critic of him.

cs89 on March 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM

My jaw is still on the floor, albeit not in the Lewinsky manner.

I agree with Ed though that Clinton’s statements are bad enough, but Gupta’s silence rather than correcting him is also noteworthy. It does the viewer a disservice by failing to immediately note the error

JohnTant on March 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM

How dare you question Bill Clinton.

He was a Rhodes Scholar!

Oh here, let me wet this napkin and clean that up…

Montana on March 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM

This guy was always considered “brilliant” only because he was always considered “brilliant”.

The source for his brilliance was never revealed, but the press was convinced and it became so.

Exact same thing with Obama. Unqualified, unaccomplished, he’s “brilliant” because we’re told he’s brilliant, nothing more, nothing less.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 2:15 PM

Are you talking about Clinton or Gupta?

We all know that slick Willy has a talent for talking out of his ass.
This makes me wonder if Gupa really withdrew on his own because he realized that eventually someone would see his lack of knowledge, or if Barak pushed him to withdraw because he is prettier than Obambi?

tempestleo on March 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM

To the left, brilliance was always defined as a willingness to accept their ideology. Those who accepted it were smart, those in a position to advance it were by definition brilliant.

Those who opposed them were, dumb, evil, or both.

MarkTheGreat on March 12, 2009 at 2:19 PM

Well said.

Montana on March 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Always remember, to an illiterate and/or ignorant voter, both Clinton and Obama are the “intelligentsia.” The fearless leaders who know all and, therefore, must be followed, without hesitation.

The seeds of Socialism are illiteracy and ignorance.

OhEssYouCowboys on March 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Mon Dieu!

Maquis on March 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM

What Clenis knows about biology: “Eatin’ ain’t cheatin’!”

flipflop on March 12, 2009 at 2:22 PM

Hell, his birth name ain’t even Clinton.

BHO Jonestown on March 12, 2009 at 2:23 PM

You just can’t make this stuff up…

Unless it’s the definition of what “is”, “is”…

I asked my wife of twenty-four years if I could have some “is” the other night…

Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Gosh, I’d like to hope that even my 10th grade biology students would know better than this.

Bob's Kid on March 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM

This makes me wonder if Gupa really withdrew on his own because he realized that eventually someone would see his lack of knowledge,

Well, he’s got to know the difference between fertilization (how does an egg become a human embryo?) and implantation which I think is what Clinton meant.

Doesn’t he?

SteveMG on March 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM

To the left, brilliance was always defined as a willingness to accept their ideology. Those who accepted it were smart, those in a position to advance it were by definition brilliant.

Dr Gupta is the new Einstein then.

econavenger on March 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM

I will say this in defense of Bill Clinton: at least he understood that the US economy needs healthy capital markets. Unlike our current Dear Leader.

rbj on March 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM

Gosh, I’d like to hope that even my 10th grade biology students would know better than this.

Bob’s Kid on March 12, 2009 at 2:24 PM

They only know that condoms go on bananas.

OhEssYouCowboys on March 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM

Was Clinton intentionally lying (again!) or is he that ignorant?

flyfisher on March 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Could be either, but I think he’s that ignorant. However, faced with the facts I doubt he’d change his mind.

INC on March 12, 2009 at 2:26 PM

The only reason Bill Clinton was ever considered brilliant was because of the creative way in which he managed to dodge the draft and avoid going to Vietnam.

Dreadnought223 on March 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM

I think the word he was searching for was “implanted” rather than “fertilized.”

But yeah, really dumb. And saying these embryos wouldn’t become babies under any “conceivable scenario” completely ignores “snowflake babies.”

Bill’s usually smarter than this. And I say that as a long-time critic of him.

cs89 on March 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM

He seems beaten.

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM

I never watched this bum when he was potus because it always felt like my head would explode. The media seems to be absorbed with foisting idiots and liars onto the American people.

AubieJon on March 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Imagine if Palin had given that interview that way!

Just imagine!

mankai on March 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Rube.

juanito on March 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM

He seems beaten.

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM

Obama’s taken a sandblaster to the cornerstone of his domestic policy agenda. ARRA killed welfare reform.

DrSteve on March 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Bill Clinton doesn’t understand human biology?

No, I think he was more concerned with anatomy.

Mr. Bingley on March 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Well, in defense of Clinton, at least he thinks of sex in terms of human contact and not something that occurs in a laboratory.

No offense to the IVF advocates out there.

BigD on March 12, 2009 at 2:31 PM

Bill seems to be a candidate for stem cell therapies to fill in the “blanks”. I’m guessing Hillary may turn against the administration position soon.

DarkCurrent on March 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM

Highlighting the stupidty of Clinton. Isn’t Clinton still regarded as a smart politician?

He says some dumb crap like this, as smart as he supposedly is, and he still comes off a better choice than Obama!

Speaks volumes about the current office holder huh?

PS – I thought GWB was the stupid one?

catmman on March 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM

Our government is full of these idiots. How does it even slightly function? Oh wait… As far as gupta goes he is a lib too. He doesn’t want to correct him, he wants the popation to remain ignorant about the truth.

boomer on March 12, 2009 at 2:32 PM

well that was dumb.

however, none of those fertility clinic leftover fertilized embryos will ever be implanted. the pro life position on stem cells neither saves nor creates any life at all. why bother restricting research on pro life grounds if you are, in fact, saving no life? maybe if pro lifers found willing mothers for every single one of those embryos (and a government program for getting eggs to all the demanding mothers), people wouldnt argue this. as it stands, however, the pro life position on stem cell research saves no lives.

ernesto on March 12, 2009 at 2:33 PM

This is the “science” of the left. Political correctness gets in the way of even correcting an obvious scientific error. Same with evolution and global warming. This is a perfect example!

Christian Conservative on March 12, 2009 at 2:34 PM

Our government is full of these idiots. How does it even slightly function? Oh wait… As far as gupta goes he is a lib too. He doesn’t want to correct him, he wants the population to remain ignorant about the truth. Hope this isn’t a double post my edge service is screwy today.

boomer on March 12, 2009 at 2:34 PM

Clinton: I don’t know that I have any reservations, but I was – he has apparently decided to leave to the relevant professional committees the definition of which frozen embryos are basically going to be discarded, because they’re not going to be fertilized. I believe the American people believe it’s a pro-life decision to use an embryo that’s frozen and never going to be fertilized for embryonic stem cell research….

It’s hard to believe he is this ignorant. I think he believes the audience is this ignorant and this was just an easy way to avoid the fact that they are killing babies.

Adult stem cell research has been very successful and embryonic research has had no success. So once again Clinton just proves that the Democrats are the party of death.

Maxx on March 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM

Bill Clinton doesn’t understand human biology?

No, I think he was more concerned with anatomy.

Mr. Bingley on March 12, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Exactly. No fertilization without consummation.

BigD on March 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM

“In fact, I’m not sure Clinton could find his rear end with both hands and a flashlight after watching this.”

Yeap…………..

……………. and some people voted for him twice.

Seven Percent Solution on March 12, 2009 at 2:36 PM

I just realized the left’s next nonsensical argument on this topic:

It will be said that embryonic stem cells are adult stem cells because the ages of the cells are the same. Plus as a bonus Dr Clinton says they aren’t even fertilized.

“These are not the stem cells you’re looking for.”

econavenger on March 12, 2009 at 2:36 PM

Don’t know much about history
Don’t know much biology
Don’t know much about a science book
Don’t know much about the law I took

But I do know that Obama would love imposing Marxism on you
And I know that if you would just love Lenin like he does too
What a wonderful Obama socialist country this would be

La ta ta ta ta ta ta
(History)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Biology)
La ta ta ta ta ta ta
(Science book)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Law I took)

But I do know that I Obama would love imposing Marxism on you
And I know that if you would just love Lenin like he does too
What a wonderful Obama socialist country this would be

MB4 on March 12, 2009 at 2:37 PM

The “Rhodes Scholar” president doesn’t know that an embryo is a fertilized egg and his wife, the “smartest woman in the world”, thinks the US democracy is older than any in Europe.

ladyingray on March 12, 2009 at 2:37 PM

I want to laugh…but I am crying!

vitaatcaritas on March 12, 2009 at 2:39 PM

however, none of those fertility clinic leftover fertilized embryos will ever be implanted. the pro life position on stem cells neither saves nor creates any life at all. why bother restricting research on pro life grounds if you are, in fact, saving no life?

Ever heard of snowflake babies? There was a huge party at the White House for them.

myrenovations on March 12, 2009 at 2:39 PM

Speaking of Billy Jeff and biology…does anybody know whatever happened to the famous blue dress?…are there any bastard 15 year old blue dresses running around out there??!!…

LadinPlaid on March 12, 2009 at 2:40 PM

“In fact, I’m not sure Clinton could find his rear end with both hands and a flashlight after watching this.”

You know………..

………….. he kinda sounds like some other guy.

Seven Percent Solution on March 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM

Mrs. Clinton gives the Russians the “Overcharge Button” a few days ago and now Bill comes out with this jaw dropping stupidity. These people need to take back every unkind word they ever spoke against Bush. Bush was a super genius compared to them.

Maxx on March 12, 2009 at 2:41 PM

Human beings are formed by some mysterious process, whereas a clump of cells – much like a cancer – becomes a human upon contact with air approximately 9 months after initially metastasizing.

lorien1973 on March 12, 2009 at 2:42 PM

Bill Clinton for Surgeon General!11!1!!eleventy!!!

Dusty on March 12, 2009 at 2:42 PM

That depends on the meaning of the word “fertilized.”

drjohn on March 12, 2009 at 2:43 PM

Imagine if Palin had given that interview that way!

Just imagine!

mankai on March 12, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Yeah, isn’t it strange that the media has never called Bill Clinton a dumb hick?

Maxx on March 12, 2009 at 2:45 PM

You can see Bill’s influence on Obama. Via Executive Order Obama has created the White House Council on Women and Girls. Those Wednesday night parties at the White House are going to get interesting.

WashJeff on March 12, 2009 at 2:46 PM

Anyone else here find the look on Gupta’s face from 2:22 – 2:30 as funny as I did? LOL

DarkCurrent on March 12, 2009 at 2:46 PM

Gupta was a uncritical messenger man for embryonic stem cell research last night. He refused time and time again despite being granted ample opportunities to discuss the real progress ongoing with adult stem cells and stuck to the CNN script of promoting ESC without any critical viewpoints.

gabriel sutherland on March 12, 2009 at 2:47 PM

Sort of like the time he told Monica, “Oh, that’ll wash right out.”

Jim Treacher on March 12, 2009 at 2:49 PM

“Oh what a tangled web we weave once we practice to deceive.” Clinton is all tangled up in the deception of when life begins. OK he’s an idiot. But Gupta???!!! How can he sit there and listen to this utter nonsense?

davo on March 12, 2009 at 2:50 PM

Potatoe or potato doesn’t matter unless you have more than one then its potatoes or patatos? It only matters when the MSM says it does. Besides what a liar says doesn’t have credibility anyway. More than half the people I know have no idea either and don’t care. They work on one prime directive: Democrats good, Republicans bad.

rsl775 on March 12, 2009 at 2:57 PM

Obama Also Rescinds Executive Order for Alternatives to ESCR

http://www.wesleyjsmith.com/blog/2009/03/untold-story-radical-obama-also.html

bnelson44 on March 12, 2009 at 2:57 PM

tempestleo on March 12, 2009 at 2:21 PM

Clinton.

As for Gupta, perhaps he should open a joint practice with Dr. Dean and Dr. Elders.

Reminds me of the old Bugs Bunny routine, “Dr. Killpatient, Dr. Killpatient, please report to the O.R.”.

Should make the undertakers a ton of money.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 2:59 PM

F in biology.
A in anatomy.

Oink on March 12, 2009 at 3:02 PM

The syphilis is eating his brain.

ctmom on March 12, 2009 at 3:03 PM

President Clinton please take this advice.

Dr Evil on March 12, 2009 at 3:04 PM

Of course the embryo isn’t fertilized! The stork brings babies that are born in the cabbage patch!

crazy_legs on March 12, 2009 at 3:06 PM

Forget Clinton and his bs, someone needs to call Gupta (the media) on this. Why would he sit there and not correct the guy? Well, I guess because he didn’t want to compromise the message.

Can we get Gupta’s email address?

Vince on March 12, 2009 at 3:08 PM

Was Clinton intentionally lying (again!) or is he that ignorant?

flyfisher on March 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM

Who can tell?

MarkTheGreat on March 12, 2009 at 2:20 PM

Can’t say for sure, but I DISTINCTLY saw his lips moving, so lying is a statistical probability.

RegularJoe on March 12, 2009 at 3:11 PM

It makes murder more palatable if you refer to an embryo as an “it” or “thing”. NUANCE again.

GarandFan on March 12, 2009 at 3:13 PM

Bill’s more of a botany and geography aficionado …. he knows his cigars and trailor parks.

fogw on March 12, 2009 at 3:13 PM

I figured Clinton mixed up his terms. But what shocked me was that Gupta didn’t correct him, and then at the end, Gupta told Clinton, “This is our own little health seminar. I appreciate it.”

Is this why he had to withdraw from being considered for Surgeon General? :)

Kel-C on March 12, 2009 at 3:15 PM

Obviously these are magic pixie embryos that don’t turn into humans but instead solve all the world’s problems.

herrevery on March 12, 2009 at 3:15 PM

This is totally plausible in cinton’s mind…after all they had chelsea and surely he didn’t sleep with Hillary…who in their right mind would

winston on March 12, 2009 at 3:24 PM

He’s mental GIANT in the Democratic party though.

This kind of reminds me of the democratic illiteracy on assault weapons. Ask them to define one …

“Well an assault weapon is an automatic weapon.”

Great, then we can still buy SKS’s, and non-auto M-16′s and Ak’s.

“Uhmm … no … those are assault weapons … I guess we misspoke … assault weapons are anything SEMI-Automatic.”

So you’re banning the SEMI-auto hunting rifles like the Mini-30 also?

“Uhhm … no … we’re not against hunters – well, some of us are but we’re not out to thump hunters just yet. Guess we misspoke. Well an ‘assault rifle’ is anything that looks really scary”
Wha?

HondaV65 on March 12, 2009 at 3:27 PM

Pardonme but these same scien– oops, politicians are making scientific declarations about global warming and all matter of things. They are using scientific issues to further political goals and the people will suffer because of ignorance and dishonesty.

Pardonme on March 12, 2009 at 3:30 PM

“I did not have sex fertilize that woman.” –B.J. Clinton

Glenn Jericho on March 12, 2009 at 3:31 PM

Forget Clinton and his bs, someone needs to call Gupta (the media) on this. Why would he sit there and not correct the guy? Well, I guess because he didn’t want to compromise the message.

Can we get Gupta’s email address?

Vince on March 12, 2009 at 3:08 PM

Exactly! Proof Positive of Jounalistic Malpractice!!

ihasurnominashun on March 12, 2009 at 3:32 PM

He seems beaten whipped.

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 2:27 PM

FIFY

Laura in Maryland on March 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM

MB4 on March 12, 2009 at 2:37 PM

This wasn’t funny.

Xolom on March 12, 2009 at 3:45 PM

Not even a doctor will say that the emperor has no clothes on. What else are they not challenging that is clearly wrong.

Dilophos on March 12, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Slick Willy doesn’t believe eggs become fertilized without the introduction of a fine Cuban cigar into the works, somewhere along the way.

Kent18 on March 12, 2009 at 2:18 PM

Heh!

+1

Conservative_SAHM on March 12, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Perhaps Gupta, doesn’t know what an embryo is either.

Kjeil on March 12, 2009 at 3:58 PM

For a guy who equates cigars with some other things and then smokes them this isn’t a surprise.

Speakup on March 12, 2009 at 4:00 PM

Human beings are formed by some mysterious process, whereas a clump of cells – much like a cancer – becomes a human upon contact with air approximately 9 months after initially metastasizing.

lorien1973 on March 12, 2009 at 2:42 PM

At what point do the storks enter into this equation?

TheUnrepentantGeek on March 12, 2009 at 4:05 PM

Oh big stupid world that has such peeps in it.

ronsfi on March 12, 2009 at 4:05 PM

omg.

He has to be deliberately prevaricating. He can’t possibly not know that an embryo has been fertilized.

Alana on March 12, 2009 at 4:07 PM

And Gupta – no intellectual honesty whatsoever.

Liars, thieves, cheats.

Alana on March 12, 2009 at 4:08 PM

I can’t believe that they even aired this!

Shows how misinformed Clenis really is.

PappaMac on March 12, 2009 at 4:08 PM

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