McDougal Tells of Alleged Meeting During Interview

These are excerpts from an NBC interview with James B. McDougal, to be aired today on “Dateline NBC.”

Question: Did you feel abandoned by the president when he did not offer a pardon?

McDougal: Uh, I wasn’t so much concerned he had abandoned me. I felt he had abandoned Susan.

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Q: Your ex-wife.

McDougal: I really thought he would pardon her. That was a big factor in my decision.

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Q: And if the president wasn’t going to protect an old friend, you weren’t going to protect him?

McDougal: I just got sick and tired of lying for the fellow, you know?

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Q: During his testimony, David Hale says there was a meeting, Clinton was there, the three of you discussed a loan to Susan McDougal, and that Bill Clinton said something to the effect, my name cannot be on this.

McDougal: I don’t remember, uh, his saying that.

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Q: Was Bill Clinton there?

McDougal: We were together at Casa Grande, yes.

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Q: There with David Hale?

McDougal: Yes.

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Q: Talking about a loan?

McDougal: Yes.

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Q: For Susan McDougal?

McDougal: Yes.

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Q: Do you believe that he knew that this wasn’t all above board?

McDougal: I have no idea.

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Q: Did you know it wasn’t above board?

McDougal: Yes.

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Q: Is it fair to say that what you now have to say about that meeting could spell trouble for the president?

McDougal: I think that they should be deeply concerned.

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Q: Bill and Hillary Clinton were once good friends of yours.

McDougal: Yes.

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Q: Have you betrayed them?

McDougal: Well, I don’t think so. I think the Clintons are really sort of like tornadoes moving through people’s lives that . . . I’m just one of the people left in the wake of their passing by there, but I have no whining or complaining to do, because I have lots of company.