LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (AP) - There were no “Billigans” recorded when former President Bill Clinton recently sat down with former golf pro David Feherty to reflect on golf and the nation’s highest office.
The former president opened up for the May 14 episode of Feherty’s Golf Channel show, “Feherty.” Clinton, during his time in the public eye, earned a reputation for taking free second-chance golf shots known as mulligans, or in his case “Billigans.” Feherty retired in 1997 with 10 professional golf wins.
“He’s kind of the Arnold Palmer of politicians,” said Feherty, who was admittedly more serious than normal for his interview with the former president. “He makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room.”
The conversation drifted back and forth between politics and golf.
Clinton told Feherty that dialogue is a sign of respect that should be shown when talking with foreign leaders.
“People used to tell me if you do this you’ll look weak. And once in a while we’d say we have to bomb this place_ if we don’t do it today we’ll look weak.”
Clinton said he always had the same answer: “I have one question? Can I kill them tomorrow? And if the answer was yes, then I’d say, `Then we’re not weak because if we kill them today I can’t bring them back tomorrow.’ I regret I didn’t do more of it.”
Clinton reflected on the stresses that accompany the leader of the free world, but said the job was worth it.
“It’s a good thing we have a two term limit,” Clinton said. “I’d have made them vote me out or take me out in a pine box.”
The 42nd president shared his list of who his all-time list of ideal golf partners would be.
“I would like to play golf with Harry Vardon and Bobby Jones … and probably Byron Nelson,” Clinton said. “I’d like to see what it was about the way his body worked and his mind worked that allowed him to win all those tournaments in a row. “
One topic Feherty didn’t touch on was scandals.
“I’m sure I’ll take some heat for that,” he said. “I just don’t care. I’m not interested.”
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