For Clinton, dignity or disgrace?

After six years in office all American presidents become enthusiastic historians. Their place in political memory emerges as an all-pervasive obsession. This must be especially true for Bill Clinton, a man who can expect three decades or more of life as a former resident of the White House. He has been dogged by personal and political scandal throughout his entire period of power. The next few weeks will determine whether such controversies will be the defining feature of the Clinton era.

At the outset of this scandal the obvious comparisons were with Watergate and the Iran-Contra fiasco. The Lewinsky affair will probably fall between the two. Ronald Reagan's managerial methods were severely criticized as a result of Iran-Contra, but his reputation for personal integrity remained intact. The affair only partly damaged his political legacy. President Richard Nixon was brought down by what he described as a "third-rate burglary". His reputation, despite intense efforts, never fully recovered. Clinton will almost certainly remain in the White House until January 2001. Starr and his grand jury will largely determine whether he then departs Washington with dignity or in disgrace.

-- The Times, London