The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaderseral sources that are unlikely to be wholly satisfactory. The analyst
can gain some information from what the now grown child says of
his parent(s), but this is limited by emotional attachments, discre-
tion, and even political needs. The analyst would also, ideally, like to
draw on a president's family for their views. However, here too it
would be foolish to believe that such recollections would not be col-
ored by the wishes and motives of family members to put themselves
and their child in the best light. It is an appreciation of the parents'
psychology, not necessarily their recollections of their children's
early years, that is perhaps of most use to the analyst.
For example, Virginia Kelley's autobiography reveals far more
than she intended, much of which does not reflect well on her. It also
raises troubling questions regarding her son, Bill Clinton. This cre-
ates certain issues for the psychoanalyst. It is obvious from her auto-
biography that her behavior, as a parent, had a decisive influence on
her son's psychology, not always for the best. Her impact is riot the
salutary one that both she and her son describe. What should an ana-
lyst do in such circumstances?
Her autobiography is, of course, a public document, made so by
Kelley and her son, who reviewed the manuscript before publication
(Kelley 19943, 285). In doing so, they presumably stand by her
account as presented. Still, the material that emerges from the auto-
biography is damaging to the image that both held publicly of each
other. The only path an analyst can follow under these circumstances
is to frame the material as carefully as possible, noting its limitations
and, where plausible, presenting alternative explanations.
By revealing herself, Kelley also allowed others access to the
heretofore very private and carefully presented world of Clinton's
developmental experiences. These experiences often do not coincide
with what Clinton has said about them. In many ways Kelley's book
reveals more problems than her son has either been aware of or has
chosen to reveal. His mother's book therefore has the effect of help-
ing to undercut the Clinton family myth and, in doing so, reveals
much about the gravity of the emotional issues Clinton faced.
At the same time, the analyst of presidential performance has
another responsibility, and that is to trace the public consequences of
what he uncovers. One can appreciate and empathize with the prob-
lems Clinton faced, and one can appreciate and certainly respect his