Testy Clinton Snaps at Aide as ‘Live’ Microphone Listens

President Clinton lost his temper with a junior aide Tuesday when a miscue over seating threatened to mar a photo session with Washington, D.C., construction workers that was designed to help publicize his economic plan.

Clad in blue jeans, a leather jacket and cowboy boots, Clinton had set out for a noontime chat with workers on a public works project at South Dakota Avenue in Northeast Washington. The goal was to show Clinton selling his plan to “real people.”

But complications set in when Washington Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly and non-voting House Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton showed up unexpectedly. A young aide tried to keep them from joining the group on the porch, prompting an outburst from Clinton, who apparently was horrified that the two Democratic dignitaries might be offended.

“Listen, goddamn it. Come here,” Clinton told the advance-man, pulling him toward the screen of a front-yard shrub. “You can’t bring me out here with the mayor and the congresswoman and push them back.”

Because Clinton had been equipped with a wireless microphone so reporters could listen in on his chat, the beginning of his exchange with the aide was broadcast over loudspeakers in the White House press room. Aides quickly cut off the audio feed when they realized what was happening.

Clinton still wore a stern expression as he began his talk with the construction workers, William Davis of New Carrollton, Md.; Dexter Holmes of Washington, and Richard Windsor of Temple Hill, Md. Not until 20 minutes later did his smile return when the chat ended and he waded into a crowd of bystanders to shake hands.

The handshaking was, as usual, restorative. Clinton cheerfully told reporters that the construction workers were not distressed by the prospect of having to pay more in taxes.

The three said “they would pay a little more if we would create more jobs and pay the debt,” Clinton reported.