Clinton's Relationship with Lewinsky: A Growing Concern

Strategic Insights -

The controversy surrounding President Bill Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky continues to unfold, with high-ranking officials and lawmakers calling for greater transparency. Leon Panetta, a former White House chief of staff, urged Clinton to come forward and explain his relationship with Lewinsky, citing that "there was something more here" that has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, Senator Arlen Specter questioned the handling of the investigation by Kenneth Starr, alleging that he was biased against the president. The situation has escalated with allegations of leaks, and lawmakers are calling for greater oversight of Starr's office.

Key Takeaways:

  • Leon Panetta, a former top aide to President Clinton, called for the president to come forward and explain his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
  • Panetta accepted Clinton's assertion that he never had sexual relations with Lewinsky, but noted that it was increasingly clear that Clinton had some sort of relationship with her.
  • Senator Arlen Specter questioned the handling of the investigation by Kenneth Starr, stating that he was biased against the president and that it would have been better to have someone else handle the investigation.
  • Lewinsky's lawyer, William Ginsburg, alleged that Starr's office leaked information to the media and trampled on her constitutional rights.
  • Newsweek reported that Lewinsky told a friend that she was hiding in the president's study off the Oval Office, waiting to have sex with Clinton.
  • Time magazine reported that a woman signed an affidavit that conflicted with the story of Kathleen Willey, who alleged she was groped by the president.
  • Senator Dick Durbin called for an oversight hearing to investigate Starr's private legal practice and determine if he was guilty of any breaches of ethics.

Statistics:

  • February 19, 1997: Lewinsky's email to her friend Linda Tripp mentioning "the Big Creep," her unnamed boyfriend.
  • March 5, 1997: Lewinsky's email to Tripp saying her paramour should get her tie today.
  • November 1997: Lewinsky told Tripp that she was hiding in the president's study off the Oval Office, waiting to have sex with Clinton (as reported by Newsweek).

Sources:

  • "This Week" (ABC News)
  • "Time" magazine
  • "Newsweek" magazine
  • An unidentified source (quoted by Newsweek)
  • Senator Arlen Specter's remarks (as reported by ABC News)
  • Senator Dick Durbin's remarks (as reported by ABC News)
  • William Ginsburg's statement (as reported by ABC News)
  • Kathleen Willey's testimony (as reported by Time magazine)
  • John West's statement (as reported by Time magazine)