Clinton helped Church of Scientology in return for Travolta softening up his portrayal of the Clinton character in Primary Colors!

Playing To The President

The Presidency has taken a few lumps from Hollywood in recent years, thanks to movies like Absolute Power and Murder at 1600, each of which involves presidential murders and official cover-ups, and Wag the Dog, in which a concupiscent chief executive launches a war as a distraction after he is caught in flagrante delicto with an underage girl. Thus, it is not surprising to learn that the Clinton Administration, which is tight with some of Hollywood's producers, has sought to influence the content of the upcoming film Primary Colors -- which is based on a thinly disguised retelling of Bill Clinton's ascent.

The film's director, Mike Nichols, and his wife, ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, were "on the President's A-list for summer barbecues at Martha's Vineyard," reported the New York Post. So it shouldn't be surprising that Nichols is using the film to promote the idea that presidential infidelity can be taken as a manifestation of compassion. After all, he claims, "a passion for people is expressed sexually, too."

The Clintonite schmoozing didn't stop with Nichols; John Travolta, who plays the quasi-Clinton character, was courted as well. "I was waiting for the seduction that I had heard so much about," recalled the actor. "I thought, 'Well, how could he ever seduce me?' And after we talked, I thought, 'Bingo! He did it.' Scientology is the one issue that really matters to me." Travolta is among Hollywood's most tireless missionaries for Scientology. According to the Post, Mr. Clinton promised Travolta that the Administration would work with the German government to advance acceptance of Scientology in that country if Travolta would soften up his portrayal of the Clinton character in Primary Colors.

National Security Adviser Sandy Berger and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met with German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel to urge his government to moderate its opposition to Scientology.

Travolta has held up his end of the deal as well. "You have to be dead not [to] see that the film favors Clinton," said Travolta. "The script was always kind to him. We're talking about kind to a character, but indirectly we're talking about [being] kind to the President."

The New American
Vol. 14, No. 7
March 30, 1998

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