- The Washington Times - Tuesday, July 15, 2014

An overlooked joke that Bill Clinton told to a crowd of Jewish Republicans about Jews — one that fell flat — has now resurfaced in a new book, biting at the former president as his wife Hillary mulls a run for the White House.

The joke, the New York Post reported, was told at the 2003 Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.

It starts off: Two Jews were walking by a church with a sign out front that offered $100 to people who convert.

Daniel Halper, online editor for Weekly Standard and the author of “Clinton, Inc.,” recounted in his book: “Surely the former president of the United States is not about to tell an anti-Semitic story … This, of course, is exactly what he does.”

The joke continues, the New York Post reported: So one of the Jews named Abe takes the cash, and vows to split it with his pal. His pal then says, “Hey! Look at the new Catholic here. You got my money?”

Abe, recently converted, then says: “You [expletive] Jews. It’s all about the money, isn’t it?”

As Mr. Halper described in his new book, the joke didn’t go over well.

“Clinton, Inc.,” published by Broadside, is due for release later this month, Politico reported.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Clinton has yet to formally announce — or denounce — a run for the presidency in 2016. In the book, she’s painted as a warm and caring individual, albeit a political opportunist, one reader said, Politico reported. 

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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