The Strange Death of Vincent Foster
Encyclopedia
The Strange Death of Vincent Foster: An Investigation is a book written by journalist
Christopher W. Ruddy. Ruddy first wrote about the Foster story while reporting for The New York Post and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
, owned by the millionaire Richard Scaife. The book is about a conspiracy theory tying Bill and Hillary Clinton to the alleged murder of Vincent Foster. There were three separate official investigations of Foster's death, which each concluded that he committed suicide. Ruddy believes Kenneth Starr
's investigation was part of the conspiracy, calling Starr a "patsy for the Clintonites and those that believe that the stability and reputation of America is more important than justice." Even some of the more outspoken conservatives like Ann Coulter
have dismissed Ruddy's conspiracy theories about Foster.
(editor of the conservative National Review
) wrote in the New York Times that "Ruddy argues that his doubts do not require him to posit some vast conspiracy of silence.... At the same time Ruddy clearly believes that something dastardly happened, and he cannot stop dark hints from leaking out."http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E2D71E38F93BA1575AC0A961958260 Brookhiser wrote "'If,' Ruddy writes on page 1, Vince Foster 'had been killed ...' If Ruddy didn't want to make such an Oliver Stone argument, even hypothetically, he should have left his rhetorical teasers on the cutting-room floor."
Brookhiser explained, "The Park Police, the F.B.I., Special Counsel Robert Fiske and Foster's family all concluded that he had killed himself where he was found. But for four years a floating crap game, including Clinton bashers, radio hosts, Net crawlers, kooks, Jerry Falwell and a few journalists, has questioned the verdict, suggesting or insisting that he died elsewhere or by some other hand." Referring to Ruddy's evidence, "some of Ruddy's unanswered questions are undoubtedly the normal static of police work."
Jacob Cohen (professor at Brandeis University
) wrote in National Review
that the book was "conspiracy central." While Ann Coulter
"ripped it as a 'conservative hoax book' that was 'discredited' by conservatives."http://conwebwatch.tripod.com/stories/2005/earle.html
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
Christopher W. Ruddy. Ruddy first wrote about the Foster story while reporting for The New York Post and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, also known as "the Trib," is the second largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, owned by the millionaire Richard Scaife. The book is about a conspiracy theory tying Bill and Hillary Clinton to the alleged murder of Vincent Foster. There were three separate official investigations of Foster's death, which each concluded that he committed suicide. Ruddy believes Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Winston "Ken" Starr is an American lawyer and educational administrator who has also been a federal judge. He is best known for his investigation of figures during the Clinton administration....
's investigation was part of the conspiracy, calling Starr a "patsy for the Clintonites and those that believe that the stability and reputation of America is more important than justice." Even some of the more outspoken conservatives like Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter
Ann Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
have dismissed Ruddy's conspiracy theories about Foster.
Content
Richard BrookhiserRichard Brookhiser
Richard Brookhiser is an American journalist, biographer and historian. He is a senior editor at National Review. He is most widely known for a series of biographies of America's founders, including Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and George Washington.-Life and career:Brookhiser was born...
(editor of the conservative National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
) wrote in the New York Times that "Ruddy argues that his doubts do not require him to posit some vast conspiracy of silence.... At the same time Ruddy clearly believes that something dastardly happened, and he cannot stop dark hints from leaking out."http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E2D71E38F93BA1575AC0A961958260 Brookhiser wrote "'If,' Ruddy writes on page 1, Vince Foster 'had been killed ...' If Ruddy didn't want to make such an Oliver Stone argument, even hypothetically, he should have left his rhetorical teasers on the cutting-room floor."
Brookhiser explained, "The Park Police, the F.B.I., Special Counsel Robert Fiske and Foster's family all concluded that he had killed himself where he was found. But for four years a floating crap game, including Clinton bashers, radio hosts, Net crawlers, kooks, Jerry Falwell and a few journalists, has questioned the verdict, suggesting or insisting that he died elsewhere or by some other hand." Referring to Ruddy's evidence, "some of Ruddy's unanswered questions are undoubtedly the normal static of police work."
Jacob Cohen (professor at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
) wrote in National Review
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
that the book was "conspiracy central." While Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter
Ann Hart Coulter is an American lawyer, conservative social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist. She frequently appears on television, radio, and as a speaker at public events and private events...
"ripped it as a 'conservative hoax book' that was 'discredited' by conservatives."http://conwebwatch.tripod.com/stories/2005/earle.html