Clinton Threw Back Vodka Shots After One Of His First Meetings With Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and President Clinton shake hands as they begin a private meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York after the opening session of the United Nations summit, Wednesday, S... Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and President Clinton shake hands as they begin a private meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York after the opening session of the United Nations summit, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2000. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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After one of his first meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Bill Clinton drank vodka shots with his chief of staff, John Podesta.

“We saw Putin and then we had the evening free. We went to the Cafe Pushkin in Moscow, and as is habit in Moscow, we started drinking vodka shots. I’m not much of a drinker, but I had plenty to drink that night,” Podesta said in an interview with Runner’s World published on May 1, recounting his trip to Moscow with Clinton in 2000.

Podesta, who now serves as a White House counselor for President Obama, was a mess after a night on the town.

“I don’t know how I managed to get out of bed. I wouldn’t even describe myself as hungover; alcohol was still pouring out of my pores,” he said. “Yeltsin and Clinton went off for a private meeting. Mrs. Yeltsin had made a Linzer torte. She doesn’t speak a word of English, and (former national security advisor) Sandy Berger and I sat there and ate Linzer torte, just hoping she didn’t notice the bloodshot nature of my eyes.”

[H/t Business Insider]

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Notable Replies

  1. Never drink with Russians, LSU fans, or people from Wisconsin. Ever.

  2. I don’t get it. How does this relate to BENGHAZI??

  3. Who gives a crap? Clinton has been out of office for 14 years.

    What is it with former presidents and candidates who just won’t go away? If they never leave, how can we miss them???

  4. That’s what I’m talking about. Who cares? This is what TPM considers news!! Oy

  5. “When I was in Russia, I experimented with vodka a time or two, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t swallow, and never tried it again.” – Bill Clinton

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