Panelists Debate Clinton-Lewinsky Sex Scandal

The Presidential sex scandal hit close to home yesterday.

On the same day that undergraduate and former White House intern J. Caroline Self '99 testified in Washington about the President's alleged affair, the Harvard Political Union (HPU) last night sponsored a debate about the effect that Monica S. Lewinsky has had on the American Presidency.

Four students from opposite ends of the political spectrum participated in a panel discussion before about 100 undergraduates in Emerson Hall.

The panelists were Eric S. Olney '98, former president of the Harvard Democrats; Naomi A. Schaefer '98, former editor-in-chief of the Harvard Salient, William A. Zerhouni '98; former president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance; and Erin L. Brinkman '00, former director of campaigns for the Harvard College Democrats.

Two of the panelists, Brinkman and Olney, said the American people should wait to hear all of the facts before judging Clinton.

Brinkman said the alleged affair is a personal issue for the Clintons to deal with and not an issue for the American public, unless the President broke the law in the course of a cover-up.

"His sins are not worse than any of hispredecessors," she said. "That's not to say that[the alleged affair with Lewinsky] is acceptable."

Olney said Americans should "step back and getsome perspective" on the scandal and not use it tojudge whether or not Clinton was a good President.

"I don't think the Monica Lewinsky crisis iswhat might threaten the presidency," he said. "Ithink what hurts [Clinton's] legacy most is thathe has presided over good times and has not seen agreat crisis."

Schaefer and Zerhouni, however, said Clintonshould not be vindicated by comparing him to pastPresidents who may have had affairs while inoffice.

The debate surrounding the Lewinsky eventshould instead focus on Clinton's behavior in thisparticular case and on his actions over the pastfive years, they said.

Schaefer denounced Clinton as having "apresidency anyone would kill for and [yetmanaging] to screw it up."

She also expressed concern that Hillary RodhamClinton came to her husband's defense so quickly.

"Her husband has clearly shown that he has norespect for her and no respect for his daughter,"she said.

But Zerhouni was critical of Hillary Clinton.

"She must have graduated from the Oliver Stoneschool of public affairs," he said, refering tothe First Lady's accusation that the scandal was aconspiracy by conservatives.

Zerhouni also said the Lewinsky affair shouldconcern all Americans.

"The White House is our house. Bill Clinton hasbrought shame upon that house," he said.

After the four speakers made openingpresentations, the floor was opened to questions.

"A man who lied to his wife and his family isgoing to lie to this country," Zerhouni said, inresponse to a question about whether or not thePresident's personal life should be separated fromhis track record in office.

Olney countered that presidents Eisenhower,Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt allegedly hadaffairs while remaining successful presidents.

Byron J. McClain '00, a member of the CollegeDemocrats who watched the debate, said he was notconvinced by any of the panelists.

"I think what was interesting to hear is thateveryone thinks that Clinton did have an affair,and that it was improper and unethical," McClainsaid.

"But the key difference is that most Democratsare still waiting for the facts to come out," headded. "I think many of the Republicans aredefinitely willing to give credence to theaccusations."CrimsonMelissa K. CrockerERIN L. BRINKMAN '00 and WILLIAM D.A.ZERHOUNI '98 debate the impact of the allegationsagainst President Clinton at a Harvard PoliticalUnion Debate last night.

"His sins are not worse than any of hispredecessors," she said. "That's not to say that[the alleged affair with Lewinsky] is acceptable."

Olney said Americans should "step back and getsome perspective" on the scandal and not use it tojudge whether or not Clinton was a good President.

"I don't think the Monica Lewinsky crisis iswhat might threaten the presidency," he said. "Ithink what hurts [Clinton's] legacy most is thathe has presided over good times and has not seen agreat crisis."

Schaefer and Zerhouni, however, said Clintonshould not be vindicated by comparing him to pastPresidents who may have had affairs while inoffice.

The debate surrounding the Lewinsky eventshould instead focus on Clinton's behavior in thisparticular case and on his actions over the pastfive years, they said.

Schaefer denounced Clinton as having "apresidency anyone would kill for and [yetmanaging] to screw it up."

She also expressed concern that Hillary RodhamClinton came to her husband's defense so quickly.

"Her husband has clearly shown that he has norespect for her and no respect for his daughter,"she said.

But Zerhouni was critical of Hillary Clinton.

"She must have graduated from the Oliver Stoneschool of public affairs," he said, refering tothe First Lady's accusation that the scandal was aconspiracy by conservatives.

Zerhouni also said the Lewinsky affair shouldconcern all Americans.

"The White House is our house. Bill Clinton hasbrought shame upon that house," he said.

After the four speakers made openingpresentations, the floor was opened to questions.

"A man who lied to his wife and his family isgoing to lie to this country," Zerhouni said, inresponse to a question about whether or not thePresident's personal life should be separated fromhis track record in office.

Olney countered that presidents Eisenhower,Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt allegedly hadaffairs while remaining successful presidents.

Byron J. McClain '00, a member of the CollegeDemocrats who watched the debate, said he was notconvinced by any of the panelists.

"I think what was interesting to hear is thateveryone thinks that Clinton did have an affair,and that it was improper and unethical," McClainsaid.

"But the key difference is that most Democratsare still waiting for the facts to come out," headded. "I think many of the Republicans aredefinitely willing to give credence to theaccusations."CrimsonMelissa K. CrockerERIN L. BRINKMAN '00 and WILLIAM D.A.ZERHOUNI '98 debate the impact of the allegationsagainst President Clinton at a Harvard PoliticalUnion Debate last night.