[Baldwin:] Arguably, modern history's most famous intern is now on Twitter and on a mission. Monica Lewinsky wants to fight cyber bullying. She's really taking this on becoming an advocate. She explained why during the speech at the "Forbes" 30 Under 30 Summit in Philadelphia Monday.
[Monica Lewinsky, Former White House Intern:] I was patient zero. The first person to have their reputation completely destroyed worldwide via the internet. There was no Facebook, Twitter or Instagram back then, but there were gossips, news, and entertainment websites replete with comment sections and e-mails could be forwarded. Staring at the computer screen, I spent the day shouting, "My God, and I can't believe they put that in," or "that's so out of context." And those were the only thoughts that interrupted a relentless mantra in my head, "I want to die." When I ask myself how best to describe how the last 16 years has felt, I always come back to that word, shame. My own personal shame, shame that befell my family, and shame that befell my country.
[Baldwin:] With me now, CNN national political reporter, Peter Hamby. I have to say, I 100 percent commend her for taking on becoming an advocate when it comes to cyberbullying. But then there's that little voice in me, Peter Hamby, that wonders, yes, she pinned that "Vanity Fair" piece earlier this year. It generated a lot of buzz, but for the most part she's, you know, stayed out of the public eye. Do you read anything into her appearance why now?
[Peter Hamby, Cnn National Political Reporter:] Why now? Hillary Clinton might run for president. That's not the reason she's doing this. I think she is absolutely sincere.
[Baldwin:] Yes.
[Hamby:] The main reason the main thing that surprises me about this is why it took so long for Monica Lewinsky to reemerge in the public spotlight. There's something in the character of American public life that allows for rehabilitation, that allows for forgiveness. It's genuinely shocking to me that someone who is actually very sympathetic figure with a story to tell who, as the speech shows is actually very smart, very poised, you know, she gave a moving speech. She could've done this a long time ago. But back to your question a little bit, which is I think I don't think she's reemerging as any kind of antagonist to the Clintons. But the fact that the Clintons are in the bloodstream now, we're talking about them in the media because Hillary Clinton might run for president again. Sort of gives her a little bit of a platform to get back into the public conversation. In other words, if Hillary Clinton wasn't running for president, if Bill Clinton was a former president and they were sort of out of public life, I don't care I don't think we'd care that much about Monica Lewinsky. But the Clintons, sort of news gives her a little bit of platform to talk about cyber bullying.
[Baldwin:] OK, you know, it's that patient zero sound bite that people kept hearing over and over and over. But if you stay with the speech, she speaks a little bit more about that time when she was fresh out of college and about a certain love. Take a listen.
[Lewinsky:] Sixteen years ago, fresh out of college, a 22-year-old intern in the White House, and more than averagely romantic, I fell in love with my boss in a 22-year-old sort of way. It happened. But my boss was the president of the United States. That probably happens less often.
[Baldwin:] She even had to retell that story because people in the audience may actually the younger years may not be familiar with that.
[Hamby:] Right.
[Baldwin:] But the real question I had is when she mentions, you know, in love with my boss. Did we, America, know had the "l" bomb been dropped before, Peter Hamby?
[Hamby:] I mean, not to my knowledge. She did say she was sort of head over heels for Bill Clinton in that "Vanity Fair" piece that she referenced earlier in the segment that came out back in May. This is again why, there's nothing sinister about what she's doing now. The sort of people, you know, on Twitter talking about, this is awkward. What's she up to? Does she have an ulterior motive? It's obviously something the Clintons don't necessarily want to talk about. But, again, I think she's genuinely out there talking about cyber bullying. She has said Bill Clinton took advantage of me. She said that in the "Vanity Fair" interview, but she said it was consensual and doesn't necessarily bear any ill will. And when she talked about Hillary Clinton in that "Vanity Fair" piece, you know, she said she clearly felt bad for what happened when talking about Hillary Clinton. So the "l" word was certainly intriguing there, but I'm not sure
[Baldwin:] I thought it was. OK, Peter Hamby, thank you very much, my friend. Appreciate it from Washington today. Coming up next, an interview you have to see. Quote, "Mr. President, don't touch my girlfriend." Those words from a man in Chicago whose lady love voted alongside President Obama. See how the president responds and we'll speak live with the couple. All smiles I see there today in Chicago. They're joining me next.