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Yes, President Clinton was evasive in his answers - but who wouldn't be? Sex is the one thing that everyone will lie about when pushed up against the wall, and it is ridiculous that people think our president should be some sort of saint. After all, we don't elect a saint; we elect a politically-savvy veteran with lots of charisma and campaign funding. The rest of the world is laughing at the US for this months-long spasm of "moral outrage" we have been indulging in - and they are right. I just want the rest of the world to know that unlike the media and members of the Christian Right, most of my friends want to get past this nonsense, quit hearing a new episode of "The Bill and Monica Show" every five minutes, and get back to business.
Ann Jordan, USA

I think what Ken Starr has done is appalling. He has made a mockery of the US government, and has (unfairly) made not only President Clinton, but also the United States of America a target of ridicule. This investigation has lost its direction, and is now only about the president's relationship with Ms Lewinsky. If "all are equal under the law", this inquiry should be dismissed as any consented sexual relationship of two other individuals would have been. I am disgusted.
Nadia, Canada

I have not seen the tape. That does not matter. What does, perhaps, is the view expressed by one of this century's most eminent psychologists, Oscar Schwarz, that, within mutually agreeable limits, any individual sexual behaviour is always normal, because no two people have exactly the same inclinations. A view shared, I believe, by the equally influential Eric Frohm.
Alex Friend, Malaysia

Leave the man alone. Hasn't he suffered enough embarrassment? You Americans are so proud of your "democratic country" - well can you see what the politicians are doing to your country. Stand up and do something and don't wait for your representative to do it for you as he will not. Make a change - stand united and say enough. Contact the media as a whole country and send in a petition saying "leave our president alone. We are happy with him." America is always the forerunner in most matters - be unique and stand up as a country together and stop this nonsense which is making each and every one of you Americans a laughing spectacle around the world. I wish I were American, so I could show you how it should be done. After all, I am only an Indian but believe in my country. We are more literate and mature than to give the whole world a chance to laugh at our country due to a "sex scandal". We have other more important issues to worry about. Remember as long as there is life, there will be lies and sex and cover-ups and no one can stop that.
Priscilla Browne, Sultanate of Oman

The president's affair shouldn't have been under public investigation in the first place. Mind your own business, please! I feel sorry for people like Mr Starr and Ms Tripp. They are willing to go out of their way to get the president embarrassed and damaged in return for their now-world-wide-known status, even if their doings put the country through unnecessary political turmoil. President Clinton is a one of the best presidents this country has ever have, and he needs to stay in office to continue his good work for the American people.
Marguerite Lam, United States

Not only did the video of the president hurt him; it hurt our nation. Clinton has wasted and burned the time, money, and trust of his countrymen. His entire administration is one sordid affair of idiocy after another. Whitewater, Travelgate, Vince Foster's suicide, indictments and investigations of members of his staff and cabinet have cheapened and reduced the office of the presidency to new lows. Maybe it is time to adopt the policy that we have in the State of Texas where elected public officials in the legislature do not meet year round. Maybe that is the ticket for Clinton. Send him back to Arkansas every other month in the fashion of Texas politicos. It will be boring, but the result of less government and "exposure" by Clinton in all of our lives will be for the better. Send him packing back to whence he came and end the nonsense he characterises as governing on behalf of the American people.
P Smetek, USA/Texas

Releasing the tapes did not hurt Clinton. It only showed the children of America what politics are really about. I hope Starr has no skeletons in his closet. There is too much sex shown on television. Why do you want to continue to show such mess? Leave Clinton alone and let him finish his term in office, he has done a great job as president. He who is without sin cast the first stone.
Coleen W McIver, US

After listening to the recent orgy of Republican outrage and self-righteousness and considering the recent and past history of senior political figures globally, I was appalled at the hypocrisy and at the colossal waste of money. With so many appeals on TV for the starving children of the Third World it is an obscenity that this witch-hunt was allowed to go on.
Who among us is entrusted with the kind of power held by the US President? Could we place our hands on our hearts and say that once enduring the incredible pressure and uncertainty of that great office we would not be tempted by the attentions of a young, attractive and idolising woman. I believe that what people like Bill Clinton gain from this type of liaison is not so much cheap sexual satisfaction, after all there are less dangerous ways of satiating simple lust. I believe that, perhaps under pressure and in a time of doubt he allowed himself to wallow in her admiration. And what of the other party? Did she offer him simply support, friendship and adoration? Clearly not. This young woman had her own agenda, she was simply one side of a two-sided relationship and Clinton's loyalty to her even now demonstrates clearly that his motives were simpler than hers. Wake up America! Before casting the first stone be sure that what you destroy will be replaced by that which is truly better.
C Summerskill, UK

My opinion: I feel that the president's testimony displayed an individual who honestly acknowledges that his relationship with Monica Lewinsky was wrong and that he is sorry for it. It is also apparent that this is highly party-based. There are other much more important things in the world that need the president's and our attention at this time - crime, poverty, starving children, etc. Mr. Clinton's wife is standing by his side - she is really the only one he owes an apology to - not to you or me. I don't want to sound fanatical, but it has been quoted in a highly regarded book that he who is without fault should throw the first stone, and as human beings, I can think of no one who is without fault.
M Graminski, US

The video proved that Clinton was very evasive and put up a smokescreen of legalistic terminology. Why would one evade questions presented by a grand jury if one has nothing to hide? He puts his personal interests before the interests of his country, as he did when he evaded the draft. How can we possibly permit a man who may have perjured himself (a felony), and mislead and lied to the American people, to remain the leader of our country?
Robert Gross, United States

Starr is a madman of Salem witch-hunt proportions. The tapes have subjected Clinton to unnecessary public humiliation and emphasised the personal nature of the enquiry. I think the tapes have actually helped Clinton's image and reinforced a lot of people's views that if Starr manages to topple him it will be a black day for democracy and the rights of the individual. None of this has anything to do with anyone except Clinton, his wife, his daughter and Lewinsky.
John McDonald, Hong Kong

I personally think the American public are not so stupid as not to realise that the largest part of this misdemeanour is nothing to do with right or wrong doing but purely a political manoeuvre by the Republicans to oust Clinton, I think he probably has done such a good job as they fear the next election will go against them as well. What is the point in releasing the tape? Everybody knows what he did and we should leave it at that. As for Starr, what happened to Whitewater? And if no wrong doing was found why did he go digging for dirt in other places which were never part of Whitewater? What is the law in regard to Linda Tripp making a tape recording of a phone conversation without the permission of the other party?
Brian Burnett, UK

The video did not hurt Clinton more than he had already hurt himself. He should resign or be impeached quickly. He has no moral authority to lead. It is embarrasing to tell your children about it truthfully. When you want to teach them to respect and look up to the President of the United States, it is simply not possible. He stands in direct contradiction to the values you are trying to instill in them.
B. Meadows, USA

The worldwide screening of the video is an embarassing situation that should never have ocurred. It would be interesting to know how many members in the House of Reps who have had "Inappropriate Relations" themselves and how they would feel in a similar situation. With that in mind, any member would readily agree that the entire situation is ridiculous.
John Reid, Australia

Yes Clinton is damaged, but I expect him to continue. By the time the whole "Circus" has played out, many more Republican politicians will be much more damaged, not only by their own actions today, but when the de rigeur revelations/skeltons of their past come back to haunt them. It has only just begun, and many reputations are about to be pulled through the political shredder.
Chris Clayton, UK

Prior to the video release, I was of the view that President Clinton should resign to save face and to limit the embarrassment caused to the US of A. After seeing some parts of the video testimony (for, I could not bring myself to see it all), I am now very convinced that President Clinton should not resign. What he was put through was sheer madness by some fanatics in America. I would put these so-called "lawyers" on a par with the narrow-minded religious fanatics that bring so much chaos and terror to our world. Under very difficult conditions, President Clinton was articulate, dignified and sincere despite the "Spanish Inquisition". He should carry on the fight to govern his country and show that his continued fine leadership can right a wrong. Let me stress that what he has admitted doing with Monica Lewinsky is deplorable. It is quite strange that the American system persecutes and even destroys leaders of their country who bring general well being to all the peoples of this world. Remember John F Kennedy - assassinated with bullets and no clear solution as to really who did it and why. And now, President Clinton - being "assassinated" by fanatics unable to stomach his popularity.
Kish Rathor, UK

We knew it all before. The majority of Americans want the Congress to stop acting like a bunch of public schoolboys and get on with real government. If they didn't impeach Reagan for we should certainly not consider impeaching Clinton for his sexual problems!
M. Skinner, USA

In my view the Presidebt should immediately resign. As you se he has done so many mistakes and lied so many times that he cannot be faithful to himself now. First of all the person of such a stature shouldn't behave and second thing is he is defending it. If this kind of behavior from a person is OK. Then doing anything by any person is fine, then I think there is no word called "sin" in the dictionary . Since doing any kind of mistakes and any sin is fine in this world.
Mohammed, India

The videotape has come through as very convincing testimony by a man in a delicate position. President Clinton to me appears only to have tried to protect himself and Monica. There is no justification whatsoever for hounding him any further. Let him get on with his job. He is human after all! Let those without sin cast the first stone. His expressions of contrition are sufficient.
Arjun Kapur, India

Clinton seemed very open and candid to the grand jury's questions and surprisingly elaborated quite a bit on his answers. It was obvious the grand jury was trying to get Clinton to commit perjury. He did a pretty good job of sticking to his previous deposition statement in regards to his answers based on the "court's" definition of sex. It seems to get lost that it is the court's definition and his interpretation.
Sherri McCloud, USA

Quite on the contrary. Its intent has backfired in the face of the hysterically fanatical, gutless wonder Republican Party.
Jeremiah Sullivan, USA

I don't think the video has damaged Clinton. However, we will see when we have the election's results in November. What the Republicans are doing is trying to deface his personality. The public is tired of hearing all about Clinton's sex life. I am sorry to see that he made a mistake; but he is sorry. That is very important to me.
John Llerena, United States

Mr Clinton's testimony was as it had to be: honest yet careful. What many Americans want is total candour. But how can the prey be expected to open itself up totally to attack? It must, by its very nature, be very careful. President Clinton is the prey and I think that's very clear. The result of all of this will be to discourage many great but imperfect men or women from ever seeking political office for fear of the "hunt".
Joseph Furtado, USA

I believe he stood up to the inquisition in as dignified a manner as possible.
Selwyn Malin, USA

My respect for Clinton just went up several notches. He stands with dignity under fire.
Ken Nakayama, USA

I think Clinton and the White House should be glad that the videotapes are released. Now I understand why Starr's team could not find anything substantial - BECAUSE they are just INCOMPETENT!
But there is some danger of ORDINARY people thinking that CLINTON is speaking to the public in those videotapes - BUT HE IS TALKING TO LAWYERS IN LEGAL TERMS.
When Clinton spoke to the public he apologised for what he did - I didn't think he had to do that. It was his personal business, no one is owed an apology from him, except maybe his wife and daughter.
Dr Pulipaka, USA

After seeing the tapes I think President Clinton is in a stronger position than before (he was very dignified throughout the whole session just as a president should be). He knows what he did was wrong - it's time to forgive and get on with the more important issues going on around us.
Anuja Patel, UK

This is a porn movie: starring Bill Clinton, produced and directed by Kenneth Starr, funded by the American taxpayers, and distributed by the United States Congress and the irresponsible media in defiance of all common sense and in general and good taste in particular. What a national disgrace!
Frederick Mayanja, USA

I think it is entirely stupid on the one hand to try to nail Clinton using legal means and on the other disapprove of his "legal hair splitting".
If you mount an attack on legal grounds and effectively disallow the attacked to mount a legal defence on "moral" grounds, what kind of a system are you trying to establish?
In the tape Clinton came out as someone desperately trying to protect himself using all possible legal language without appearing to step out of the law. This is entirely normal behaviour of any sensible human. So it has not damaged his standing to me.
Frankly if this is what 40 million dollars bought the USA, considering Clinton's numerous faults, they employed a bunch of incredibly incompetent frauds to do the job.
Fei Xia, UK

Mr Clinton is a very smart lawyer and his 'interview' showed that. Mind you, after four hours of very personal questioning, wouldn't everyone be just a little bit annoyed? However, it appears to me that a major witch-hunt is in process for a president who most Americans believe, is doing a very good job. And what about 'poor Monica'! From the Starr report, in her own words, she pursued him; seemed to me she behaved like a lovesick adolescent. Although Clinton should have known better - she is very much at fault - why don't the media say anything about that?
Annette Lovett, Dubai, UAE

Nobody comes well out of the situation. Clinton has been made to look humiliated but many of the public and most of the media are so hooked up on their own sexual uncertainties that the whole issue reflects more on the people as a whole than it does just on the president. I suspect history will be astonished that we could all have spent so much time and emotional energy on this matter. Many or most men are sexually vulnerable and often weak. Hypocrisy is rife! As one British commentator (female) has said, sex is the one thing most of us would lie about if necessary.
David Buckton, UK

I have always respected Americans as a group of people with a positive attitude to life in general and others in particular. That the Congress could be so partisan as to want to destroy the American President is rather extremely negative. What point was the release of the video expected to make? Congress seems inept at handling a crisis in a mature manner. I will remind the so called religious right that even God did not dethrone King David for having sex with his soldier's wife. The Lord even destroyed the counsel of Ahitophel shortly after. What you are doing is extremely ungodly and distasteful in the extreme. Republican Congressmen should bury their heads in shame for what they showed the world yesterday.
Chris Laye, England

I think the video serves Clinton well - he's finally, really explaining his side of the story, and managed it well; a bad miscalculation on the part of the Republicans.
As for his memory lapses? Two words: Ronald Reagan. He was clueless for eight years, and the right wing still fawns. Clinton's memory lapses about a misguided affair with a young girl pale in comparison to Reagan's much more constitutional - much more impeachable - lapses.
Mike Wolfe, USA

After viewing the whole of the tape, I came away totally shocked; shocked that the president couldn't answer basic yes and no questions put to him by members of the grand jury; shocked that he thinks that anyone with a thinking mind would agree with the idea of him getting sexual gratification from a young woman is not sexual contact; and shocked that he believes that by doing all of this under oath, somehow he should not be held accountable for telling lies within a sworn court statement.
The president is to represent the law and is not considered above it. Actions such as his have put others in jail. Clinton's standards are not the standards set by those within the United States or for that matter held by those in power throughout the world.
R Butler, United States

The video has shown the worst possible side that any politician could show: that he is an ordinary person with all the failings of any man on the street. That is not what the American people want to see in their president!
Robb Wayne, USA

The whole point of releasing the unedited tapes was to destroy him. This is unprecedented. Even Nixon was allowed to edit his own tapes before sending them to Congress. This is how Rosemary Woods erased a critical part of the tapes.
The hypocrisy of the GOP is stunning. It turns out they have sex with married women and men and are adulterers themselves. They use cute euphemisms to describe their sins. Then they attack Clinton for not being forthright! Good grief!
Elaine Supkis, USA

Clinton came across very composed and dignified though the questions were truly hurtful and meant to debase his persona rather than obtain any new evidence or prove a point. The Republicans are definitely in store for a severe backlash from the public and they will be simply uprooted and thrown about. Ken Starr may consider himself lucky if he doesn't get lynched in public. Clinton has done wrong and has apologised. He definitely looks contrite and he deserves pardon. This is simply mud-slinging personified. Can Ken Starr stand up publicly and acknowledge that he never in his life ever committed adultery or misbehaved? Come on guys, we are all humans and to err is human. Clinton could be censured and let off. The tapes as evidence should have never been made public. I find it difficult to sit with my daughter and watch either BBC or CNN with all these sexual topics right on the main headlines. Can you ever put yourself in Chelsea's shoes and think for a moment the agony going through her, if at all she is watching the testimony. God help Clinton and his family to overcome this trial and tribulation. To think that many Christian leaders have publicly called for Clinton's resignation/impeachment. They have forgotten the basic tenet of Christianity ie forgiveness. God help them too!!!
George Mathew, native of India but residing in Kuwait

In addition to my reaction, people seem to have the wrong concept of legal truth as opposed to moral truth. As Clinton was questioned in a legal situation, his answers were legally true. However this was confused, on purpose, by his adversaries, with moral truth. That the public has problems understanding and appreciating this difference is logical, but exploiting this the way the Republicans are doing it is disgusting. They have no wish to use the scales of justice to weigh his statements, but their own, crooked moral scales. This is the real embarrassment of this case, that they are willing to corrupt justice for their own means.
Robert J de Vries, The Netherlands

Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
America how far we have fallen! The corruption Bill Clinton and parts of our government are involved in are only a reflection of the corruption we as a nation have come to accept. What a shameful example we have become to the world. We used to be a beacon of freedom and hope in this world because of our desire to abhor corruption and earnestly conduct ourselves as being individually accountable before our God. We used to desire to live justly and humbly before our Lord; God blessed America for it. Each of us needs to return to the God of our forefathers and repent of our sins. Else we as a nation will undoubtedly face greater reproach and judgement. Do you cherish the freedoms our Constitution affords us? Our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honour to secure it for us. Are we going to throw that all away? "Liberty and justice for all" is being slowly destroyed by the Bill Clintons in our nation and we must not allow it.
Steve, USA

The video has not persuaded the group of people who were sitting on the fence. The number of Clinton-bashers and Clinton-loyalists remain about the same. Congress will probably try to impeach him, but fail. Clinton will probably serve out the rest of his term ineffectively.
Doug Krause, USA

As an American, I can't help but be ashamed today. For the sake of political mileage, the president's political enemies took advantage of the failings of a human being. It was in many ways, a sad day for this country. The video showed a man who was remorseful, yet very troubled by having his private life exposed. Any sane individual can identify with the pain and agony this man obviously went through. Yet, he managed to maintain his very dignity.
Mike Pouraryan, United States

The tapes contained no real surprises; most people already had enough information to make up their minds and did not need to see his body language in order to form an opinion.
Stuart Friedman, USA

I wish the American public and politickers would grow up and face the facts of life - nobody is perfect and leaders have a personal life. Clinton is no different from any other US president, but he was caught and we live in a political time when this is ammo for the other side. I hope Clinton will hang strong and fight for his right to be human and be able to run the country at the same time.
Sonny Felts, USA

It is my opinion that the Republicans are trying to assassinate our president's character. The American people must not forget that President Clinton has done an excellent job for our country and must be judged by those achievements. He should not be judged by a sex scandal. Will the president be judged by his accomplishments or by sex scandals in the White House? If the president lied it was to protect his wife and daughter. Please, no impeachment or resignation for this president.
Regardless of what many people may think now, I feel that history will record his accomplishments and not this sex scandal blown out of proportion by the Republican Party. It is interesting to note how many who maintain that they are good Christians, are acting so unforgiving towards our president. President Clinton should be allowed to get on with the important business of this country. We are wasting his time and everyone else's time on this nonsense.
Patricia Louks, United States

No, Clinton is not damaged by the tapes but the reputation of his lawyers is (and should be) as well as that of the Republican leadership. The House of Representatives should be impeached for their hideous lack of judgement.
Richard Konopka, USA

After viewing the whole of the tape, I came away totally shocked. Shocked that the President couldn't answer basic yes and no questions put to him by members of the grand jury. Shock that he thinks that anyone with a thinking mind would agree with the idea of him getting sexual gratification from a young woman is not sexual contact. Shock that he believes that by doing all of this under oath, somehow he should not be held accountable for telling lies within a sworn court statement. The President is to represent the law and is not considered above it. Actions such as his have put others in jail. Clinton's standards are not the standards set by those within the United States, or for that matter held by those in power throughout the world.
R. Butler, United States

His inability to answer a direct question with a direct answer continues to damage his reputation. His character is damaged. However, more importantly the example he sets for the youth of America is simply unacceptable. The message is clear: lies and deceit appear to be acceptable behaviour. This is definitely not the message we should be giving to the youth of the world. It is time for Bill to do the honorable and moral thing - resign from office.
Heather Croll, United Arab Emirates (Canadian citizen)

These tapes and the publication of the report has not damaged Clinton but surely damaged the Presidency and the USA. The politicians, especially the Republicans and that saint Kenneth Starr are to blame! They should be censured by the American public - not Clinton.
S Madhav, UK

I think that he handled himself very well under the pressure and explained his position well. I wish they'd just leave him alone and let him do his job. I'm not married to him! Let Hillary punish him!
Ellen Berrios, USA

I think that Clinton tried to answer the questions asked and succeeded. I got the inpression that Starr was out to get him and there I had a great sympathy with him. I think he pulled it off.
Colin Wappat, UK

President Clinton has serious problems, not least with his obvious refusal to answer any question directly. He also seems to have a problem understanding the meanings of words and his memory seems to be failing. So, we have a man without the ability to tell the "whole truth, and nothing but the truth" and now he tells us he has failing memory. Certainly a man who should not be the leader of any country.
Matt Guzzetta USA

This is all getting old....there are more important things in life.
Peter Bachner, USA

I say President Clinton is human. Who is perfect in domestic sexual affairs?
Claudio Toro, Chile

No he stood up well to persistent attempts to entrap him. Why should his private life impinge upon his ability as a leader in the USA and a world leader? Ask other politicians in many countries about any minor incidents and see what freedom of speech is all about.
P Lewis, UK

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