One was the slight, erudite rabbi from New Jersey and the other was the bold, charismatic leader of the free world. But the two men, Rabbi Menachem Genack and President Bill Clinton, formed an uncommon bond that has endured to this day. How did Rabbi Genack become a friend of Bill?
When Bill Clinton took the podium atMadisonSquareGarden in July 1992 to accept the Democratic nomination for president the entire nation was talking about “change” and a new era of political leadership.
Clintonhad risen from the South as a little-known governor ofArkansas exciting crowds with his charisma his oratorical skills and his pledge that he would invigorate anAmericathat some felt had grown moribund under the leadership of President George H.W. Bush.
Still from time to time Clinton who many consider to be the greatest political speechmaker since President Kennedy needed a little help for his addresses. And on this occasion standing before the waving masses inNew York he looked to a pulpit rabbi inNew Jerseywho he had met just months prior.
Clinton’s speech that night touched on many themes: the end of the Cold War unemployment taxes and creating opportunity for all Americans. Then toward the end of the address he turned his rhetorical knife on Bush attacking the Republican incumbent for his lack of “vision.”
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