# If Monica Lewinsky had been really hot... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 10, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894 "2006-02-10T19:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/21 "2006-02-10T22:40:33Z")
Actually, Clinton’s mistake was to even engage in the conversation. He should have done what George HW Bush did when a reporter tried to pin an affair on him. Asked if he had had sex with this person, George Bush looked at the reporter and said something like, “I will not answer a scurrilous question like that, and you should be ashamed of yourself for asking it.” I can’t remember the exact response, but that was the flavor of it. Basically, screw you for asking. Next question. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/22 "2006-02-10T23:17:52Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Am I wrong to accept better and smarter from my head of state? I don’t care if the President gives hummers to goats in his spare time, as long as he does a good job of running the country. People say “It’s the lie, not the blowjob”. Nonsense. That’s a smokescreen. If Clinton had told the truth from the start he still would have been crucified for the blowjob. The Republicans had been digging for something to destroy him with for years. He stupidly gave it to them. The American People weren’t clamoring for the impeachment of Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton was one of the most popular and beloved presidents of this century. His approval ratings show it. The push for impeachment originated within the Republican elite. They were looking for any club they could find to beat Clinton with. Once they had their hands on a weapon, Monica or Angelina, it would have gone down exactly the same. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/23 "2006-02-10T23:32:38Z")
I have to admit to being disappointed in Clinton. A) He couldn’t keep it in his pants. B) It was an intern (this would have got most CEO’s fire if you think about it) C) She was not very attractive and I would expect the POTUS to be able to land a hottie. All that said and showing my shallowness, I think he handled it poorly and was tried on a technicality. The investigation never should have even gone to that closet and the Damn Blue dress. Jim ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/24 "2006-02-11T00:20:17Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Actually, Clinton’s mistake was to even engage in the conversation. He should have done what George HW Bush did when a reporter tried to pin an affair on him. Asked if he had had sex with this person, George Bush looked at the reporter and said something like, “I will not answer a scurrilous question like that, and you should be ashamed of yourself for asking it.” I can’t remember the exact response, but that was the flavor of it. Basically, screw you for asking. Next question. Well, he couldn’t very well have said that in his testimony under oath, could he? Or, are you saying better to plead the 5th than to lie? If so, then I agree with you. He had to know that the truth was going to get out. He couldn’t possibly have thought that all he had to do was lie, and no one would be able to disprove it. But then, there’s the whole “deny, deny, deny” tactic he was famous for wrt earlier affairs, so you never know. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/25 "2006-02-11T00:24:50Z")
IMO no real difference in what ended up happening if Monica had been conventionally “hawt” yet still an intern all the same, and had he still lied all the same. (And BTW, heck yeah, not-conventionally-hot-but-cute-in-a-way-chick who’s ready, willing, and able… well, hot is as hot does…) Had it been a dalliance with some standard Hollywood Hottie, OTOH, would have probably raised much less of a Big Deal, though still would have likely been an attempt to impeach had he lied about it(\*). His popularity ratings would have been even higher among us swine, though. Just as long as there were no Bill Clinton/Pamela Anderson sex videos released as a result; there are some things we’d rather not see, and Slick’s willie is one of them. (\*OTOH, to paraphrase Gilbert Godfried, if I got it on with [insert superhot celeb here] I’d call a news conference.) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/26 "2006-02-11T00:30:45Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Well, he couldn’t very well have said that in his testimony under oath, could he? > > Or, are you saying better to plead the 5th than to lie? If so, then I agree with you. He had to know that the truth was going to get out. He couldn’t possibly have thought that all he had to do was lie, and no one would be able to disprove it. But then, there’s the whole “deny, deny, deny” tactic he was famous for wrt earlier affairs, so you never know. I was thinking more of the public pronouncements he made that came back to haunt him, such as his definitive, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman”, and he equivocating nonsense about what the nature of ‘is’ is. If he had stood on principle that even presidents have private lives, and answered any questions about sex with a simple, “You’re out of line, and the dignity of this office demands that I do not tolerate questions of that nature”, then he would have been better off. As for taking the fifth on the stand, I don’t know. He was testifying in a lawsuit over sexual harassment. The court decided that the issue of his character had merit, and allowed the questioning. Perhaps he should have taken the fifth on the same principle. He probably would have been found in contempt, but if he haada been consistent in his public statements at least he could have said he was just defending the dignity of the office or something. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/27 "2006-02-11T00:34:42Z")
> [@KRM](#): > > This writer (on Foxnew FWIW) argues that if Monica had looked more like Angelina, there never would have been an impeachment trial. Frankly, I never understood the outrage, regardless of what she looked like. Francois Mitterand’s mistress attended his state funeral, and no one batted an eye. Much like the assertions that John Kerry’s Vietnam injuries were due to an “assful of rice shrapnel,” this was the best that the republican smear machine could hope for, so they made hay while the sun was shining. Sorry, but if I was having an affair out of wedlock, whether I was President of the United states or a migrant farm worker, the first thing I would do is deny, deny, deny. Why is it ok for “your guy” to leak classified information for simple political payback, but unforgivable for “the other guy” to get a little something on the side? I just. don’t. get. it. Americans are funny. ---
**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:** [February 11, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/28 "2006-02-11T00:44:39Z")
Incidentally, I’ve always thought [this](http://www.jfkmontreal.com/graphics/hillary_vince.jpg) was the most attractive photo of Hillary. Anyway, if Monica had been hot (though I disagree strongly that she’s ugly/unattractive), she’d’ve been even _more_ overexposed in the media, as well as chased afterward for TV talk-show hosting gigs and whatnot. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/29 "2006-02-11T01:00:19Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Incidentally, I’ve always thought [this](http://www.jfkmontreal.com/graphics/hillary_vince.jpg) was the most attractive photo of Hillary. True love just brings out that glow in some people. The breakup really affected him. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/30 "2006-02-11T01:49:25Z")
Another vote for Monica as hot. Heck, Hillary can sometimes be quite fetching. Still don’t want her as Pres. ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/31 "2006-02-11T02:08:24Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Another vote for Monica as hot. > > Heck, Hillary can sometimes be quite fetching. Still don’t want her as Pres. um, padre, with respect, this is really not your area of specialization… ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/32 "2006-02-11T02:15:00Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > I was thinking more of the public pronouncements he made that came back to haunt him, such as his definitive, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman”, and he equivocating nonsense about what the nature of ‘is’ is. > > If he had stood on principle that even presidents have private lives, and answered any questions about sex with a simple, “You’re out of line, and the dignity of this office demands that I do not tolerate questions of that nature”, then he would have been better off. > > As for taking the fifth on the stand, I don’t know. He was testifying in a lawsuit over sexual harassment. The court decided that the issue of his character had merit, and allowed the questioning. Perhaps he should have taken the fifth on the same principle. He probably would have been found in contempt, but if he haada been consistent in his public statements at least he could have said he was just defending the dignity of the office or something. not the fifth amendment–he did not need to. The only sanction for a refusal to answer in the civil oontext is, _in extremis_, the striking of a defendant’s pleading and a finding by operation of law that liability is established. fine. Let’s move on now to the damage to your reputation, Paula, you miserable skank… He could have gotten up in the mdddleof the deposition and told Plantiff’s counsel to fuck himself (they tell me that all the time…) ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/33 "2006-02-11T02:20:32Z")
- there are some things we’d rather not see, and Slick’s willie is one of them.\* at least we’d finally know for sure if he tends to the left or to the right… ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/34 "2006-02-11T02:26:25Z")
disclaimer:hijack coming. It certainly gives one a warm glow, as an example of the razor sharp function of the mind of the heteroxexual male in contemplation of the truly large issues of our time, that men (such as those here gathered…)who will enthusiastically tear each other a new rhetorical asshole over politics, can lay aside their partisan divisions when called upon to exchange pleasantries on the sexual acceptability of such and such a woman ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/35 "2006-02-11T02:27:58Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > Perhaps he should have taken the fifth on the same principle. He probably would have been found in contempt, but if he haada been consistent in his public statements at least he could have said he was just defending the dignity of the office or something. 😕 If you can be held in comtempt for pleading the 5th, doesn’t that kinda defeat the whole purpose? ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/36 "2006-02-11T02:39:06Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > 😕 > > If you can be held in comtempt for pleading the 5th, doesn’t that kinda defeat the whole purpose? you can’t. Contempt in that context arises only after the operation of the amendment has been obviated by a grant of immunity _vis-a-vis_ the issues to which the questions are directed. ---
**Author:** ![CLedet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@CLedet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLedet)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/37 "2006-02-11T02:44:14Z")
Back to the OP, if Monica were AJ, much more than a cigar would have been inserted up her coochie. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/38 "2006-02-11T02:58:42Z")
Sorry, I didn’t know that. I thought I had read once that a plea of the fifth had led to a contempt charge. On retrospect, it doesn’t seem logical. Forget I said anything! ---
**Author:** ![alaricthegoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/39 "2006-02-11T03:08:17Z")
> [@CLedet](#): > > Back to the OP, if Monica were AJ, much more than a cigar would have been inserted up her coochie. one would hope… Let’s have no more of that silly parsing of verbs… ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2006, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894/40 "2006-02-11T03:48:07Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Another vote for Monica as hot. > > Heck, Hillary can sometimes be quite fetching. Still don’t want her as Pres. cite? No really…yer kidding , right? [GAAAAAAAK!](http://www.usasurvival.org/images/hillary.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-monica-lewinsky-had-been-really-hot/343894.md?page=3)