Watch The Hunting of the President

The Hunting of the President is a 2004 documentary that explores the history of the political opposition against former United States President Bill Clinton from his time as Governor of Arkansas to his impeachment trial in 1998. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, the film is based on the book by the same name, written by Joe Conason and Gene Lyons. It features a cast of political analysts, journalists, and friends and former associates of Clinton who provide insight and commentary on the events.

The documentary starts by examining the political climate in Arkansas during Clinton's time as governor, where he faced a lot of criticism and scrutiny from the media and his political opponents. The film then delves into the 1992 presidential campaign, during which Clinton was accused of infidelity, draft dodging, and drug use. Despite the negative press, Clinton won the election.

The Hunting of the President explores the rise of the right-wing media, including Rush Limbaugh and the Drudge Report, which played a significant role in disseminating negative information about Clinton. The film also reveals the existence of a smear campaign against Clinton called the “Arkansas Project,” funded by conservative billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife.

The documentary discusses the accusations of sexual misconduct against Clinton, including the Monica Lewinsky scandal that led to his impeachment. The film argues that Clinton's impeachment was driven by a political agenda rather than a genuine concern for his actions.

The Hunting of the President also reveals the dirty tactics used against people close to Clinton, including Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey, and others who accused Clinton of sexual harassment. Some of Clinton's associates and friends, including Susan McDougal, were jailed for not cooperating with independent counsel Kenneth Starr's investigation.

The film examines the role of the media in sensationalizing and misrepresenting the accusations against Clinton. It highlights how independent counsel Kenneth Starr's investigation focused on Clinton's personal life and failed to find any wrongdoing relating to the Whitewater real estate deal that the investigation was initially supposed to look into.

The Hunting of the President concludes by questioning whether the attacks against Clinton were a precursor to a larger political strategy that has continued to this day. The documentary argues that the political opposition to Clinton was not just about removing him from office but also about changing the political landscape of America.

Overall, The Hunting of the President is an engaging and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the political opposition against President Bill Clinton. The film's use of interviews and archival footage creates a compelling narrative that explores the complex motivations and tactics behind the attacks on Clinton. The Hunting of the President is a must-see for those interested in American politics and the role of the media in shaping public opinion.

The Hunting of the President is a 2003 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 53.