The first lady's spokeswoman, Marsha Berry, said Tuesday that the comments weren't meant to excuse the president's behavior, only to explain what he had to overcome from childhood. While Then isn't convinced, other psychologists say it's a reasonable explanation for Bill Clinton's wandering eye. Bill Clinton lived with his grandparents in Hope, Ark., for the first four years of his life so his widowed mother could attend nursing school. He moved out when his mom remarried. Family members say his grandmother made flash cards and taught young Bill to read by age 4.
People do tend to repeat patterns of triangling that appeared in their childhood.
It may sound like Hillary Clinton is making excuses, but it's also possible that she's simply trying to come to terms with her pain at being betrayed. So many betrayed spouses need to know the story behind the betrayal. And she has developed a story that makes sense to her and allows her to continue in the marriage. Clinton's explanation also makes sense to Rita Justice, co-author of The Abusing Family , who goes so far as to label Bill Clinton a sex addict. In fact, she once counseled a client with the same kind of problem.