# Bill Clinton cheated on his wife? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 27, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187 "2003-01-27T06:36:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/1 "2003-01-27T06:36:37Z")
From [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=158458) I see many people say Bill Clinton cheated on his wife. Does anyone have a cite for this? What I mean is, does anyone have a reference or source that says the Clintons have a closed marrage? It seems Bill has had several other “relations” in the past yet Hillary stays with him. I would think you could only “cheat” if the marrage didn’t allow it. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/2 "2003-01-27T06:52:01Z")
Yep, it all depends on what your definition of “cheat” is. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/3 "2003-01-27T06:53:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Seven \* > What I mean is, does anyone have a reference or source that says the Clintons have a closed marrage? It seems Bill has had several other “relations” in the past yet Hillary stays with him. I can imagine her putting up with it (as many married women do) with roll-eyed contempt and silent anger, but in the case of this specific marriage, Hillary had to know that being married to Bill helped her own political ambitions immensely. He may be a cheating dog, but he’s damn smart and charming and had she dumped his ass back in 1991 or so, she would not now be the junior Senator from New York. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/4 "2003-01-27T06:55:09Z")
So what are you saying - if you cheat on your spouse, and your spouse stays with you, then you have the green light to cheat as much as you want? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/5 "2003-01-27T07:02:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blowero \* > \*\*So what are you saying - if you cheat on your spouse, and your spouse stays with you, then you have the green light to cheat as much as you want? \*\* If you’re asking me: Of course not. But you may be able to get away with more cheating if your spouse has a major incentive to stay married to you, as Hillary does. If she wanted to stay a Senator from NY forever (i.e. go no further politically) she could probably dump Bill now in a quiet divorce and suffer little repercussions. However, if she plans a Presidential run of her own in 2008 or 2012, she’ll have a better shot if she’s still married to him, provided he doesn’t do anything really flagrant (i.e. Chappaquiddick-sized) between now and then. A conventional marriage without these political elements probably would have dissolved long before now. Of course, it’s also possible that despite his antics, she still loves the big dumb schmuck. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/6 "2003-01-27T07:15:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blowero \* > \*\*So what are you saying - if you cheat on your spouse, and your spouse stays with you, then you have the green light to cheat as much as you want? \*\* If you’re asking me… What I’m saying is you can only “speed” in a place with posted speed limits. I’m just a little tired of hearing this as no one seems to know the facts of their relationship -which is why I’m asking. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/7 "2003-01-27T07:19:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blowero \* > \*\*So what are you saying - if you cheat on your spouse, and your spouse stays with you, then you have the green light to cheat as much as you want? \*\* Depends on how they react. If they get mad at you, and you promise not to do it again, then it would be wrong of you to do it again. If you make no promises and they don’t tell you to stop, that’s pretty much a green light to me. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/8 "2003-01-27T07:21:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bryan Ekers \* > \*\*Of course, it’s also possible that despite his antics, she still loves the big dumb schmuck. \*\* It’s THE LION IN WINTER, Arkansas style. ---
**Author:** ![Tejota](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Tejota](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tejota)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/9 "2003-01-27T07:32:28Z")
For all we know, he has _permission_. Hillary is the only one in a position to tell us whether or not what he did qualifies as cheating. Everthing else is just speculation. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/10 "2003-01-27T07:37:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Seven \* > If you’re asking me… > > What I’m saying is you can only “speed” in a place with posted speed limits. > > I’m just a little tired of hearing this as no one seems to know the facts of their relationship -which is why I’m asking. And we aren’t _going_ to know, because if they did have an agreement between each other that they would see other people, Hillary isn’t likely to admit that to the general public. You’re suggesting that they might have an “open” marriage, but I think it’s more likely that Hillary disapproves of the extra-marital affairs, but stays with Bill for the sake of her career (and perhaps for the sake of their daughter as well). ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/11 "2003-01-27T09:25:34Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m just a little tired of hearing this as no one seems to know the facts of their relationship -which is why I’m asking. Well, if they had the standard wedding vows, then yes, what Bill did would, colloquially, be called “cheating”. ---
**Author:** ![Texican](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ebca7d/32.png) [@Texican](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Texican)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/12 "2003-01-27T12:32:07Z")
There are many published accounts stating that Hillary and Vince Foster had a long term relationship going. How reliable is questionable as are many of the accusations against them. There also rumors that Hillary’s true feelings lie with women. Deep down, I believe she loved him at one time, but she always knew how he was. I have read letters that have been published where she asks “how can you keep hurting me with all your girls” and such. She knew he was a rogue all along, but he was her best chance to get what she wants. One other thing; Bill has supposedly told other women that he cannot get them pregnant as he had mumps after puberty or some such. Has anyone else noticed the similarity between Chelsea’s facial features and Web Hubble’s? She looks a lot more like him than Bill. ---
**Author:** ![BURNER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@BURNER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BURNER)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/13 "2003-01-27T12:57:53Z")
I have to agree with **SPOOFE** here. If they did the whole “Love,honor and cherish” bit at a church cerimony then ,YES , Bill is a big cheating dog. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/14 "2003-01-27T13:11:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BURNER \* > \*\*I have to agree with **SPOOFE** here. If they did the whole “Love,honor and cherish” bit at a church cerimony then ,YES , Bill is a big cheating dog. \*\* I did that whole “bit,” and I don’t recall the bit about “and I won’t have sex with anyone else.” Perhaps if you define having sex with someone else as not “forsaking all others,” you have a point. Otherwise, the wedding vows don’t answer the question here. I take them to pertain to the union of the two people in the marriage, but not specifically to the usage of the bits and pieces. Certainly, it’s up to the partners in the marriage to define the terms, no? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/15 "2003-01-27T13:19:09Z")
A little common sense goes a long way. Since Clinton himself admitted to having had an “inappropriate relationship” with Lewinsky, it is safe to say that indeed he was cheating on Mrs.Clinton, and was not involved in some sort of ‘open marriage’. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/16 "2003-01-27T13:20:49Z")
What I like about this thread is that it supports Bill Safire’s theory that Hillary is a congenital liar. If we thought she were honest, we would _know_ where she stands on Bill’s philandering. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/17 "2003-01-27T13:31:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Texican \* > \*\*There are many published accounts stating that Hillary and Vince Foster had a long term relationship going. How reliable is questionable as are many of the accusations against them. There also rumors that Hillary’s true feelings lie with women. Deep down, I believe she loved him at one time, but she always knew how he was. I have read letters that have been published where she asks “how can you keep hurting me with all your girls” and such. She knew he was a rogue all along, but he was her best chance to get what she wants. > > One other thing; Bill has supposedly told other women that he cannot get them pregnant as he had mumps after puberty or some such. Has anyone else noticed the similarity between Chelsea’s facial features and Web Hubble’s? She looks a lot more like him than Bill. \*\* I’ve got to ask you, **Texican** , are their any unsubstanciated rumors about the Clintons that are just to vile and ugly to pass on, or does your irrational hatred of them justify anything you might say? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/18 "2003-01-27T13:40:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*What I like about this thread is that it supports Bill Safire’s theory that Hillary is a congenital liar. If we thought she were honest, we would _know_ where she stands on Bill’s philandering. \*\* The only thing this thread supports is the fact that some people will pass on _any_ rumor if it involves the Clintons. Are you willing to say that all people in open marriages are “congenital liars”? It’s not enough that the Clintons are E_V_I\*L because they had the audacity to be Democrats-you and others just _have_ to pass on ugly rumors about the both of them being mentally ill. The only facts we have are: 1. He had sex with someone not his wife. 2. Hillary might or might not have known about it, and she might or might not have approved of it. 3. He lied about it to the public(if he hadn’t, _I_ would have thought him to be mentally ill!) 4. Facts number 1 and 2 are private matters between them, and none of our business. ---
**Author:** ![Texican](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ebca7d/32.png) [@Texican](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Texican)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/19 "2003-01-27T13:54:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Czarcasm \* > \*\*I’ve got to ask you, **Texican** , are their any unsubstanciated rumors about the Clintons that are just to vile and ugly to pass on, or does your irrational hatred of them justify anything you might say? \*\* I am curious, does your indignation carry over to when there are unsubstantiated, ugly rumors about Republicans? At least I have the decency to post them as they are, as unsubstanTiated, and not as gospel fact like those posted about Bush. I guess it also depends on what your definition of unsubstantiated is, after all. The Clintons have made a habit of defending themselves not by outright disproval of allegations, but by obfuscation, delay, obstruction, and if all else fails fall back on the trusty “I can’t recall” defense. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187/20 "2003-01-27T13:54:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hentor the Barbarian \* > **I did that whole “bit,” and I don’t recall the bit about “and I won’t have sex with anyone else.” Perhaps if you define having sex with someone else as not “forsaking all others,” you have a point. Otherwise, the wedding vows don’t answer the question here.** Um… why is there any ‘perhaps’ about it; ‘Forsaking all others’ (which statement actually goes on to say ‘…be faithful to [him/her] as long as you both shall live?’), then there’s the bit later where the groom says ‘all that I am I give to you’… [sub]NB: this is the C of E marriage vows[/sub] But yes, it’s all down to semantics; one can apparently imaginatively define ‘faithful’, ‘all’, ‘forsake’, ‘is’ as anything one should choose. I’m pretty sure though, that the _spirit_ of the generic Christian marriage vow is unconditional fidelity. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-cheated-on-his-wife/151187.md?page=2)