Many of you felt that media involvement in the President's affairs has a lot to answer for.

"Why does the media demand instant answer?" asked D.White (USA). The issue was taken up by another American, Jim Wells: "The news media, in their frenzy to attain higher ratings, seem intent upon bearing false witness and spreading what is so far only malicious gossip."

David Kennard (England) was clearly disappointed by the media's behaviour: "Clinton seems to have replaced Diana as the person whose sex life most fascinates the media. At least he's better able to defend himself."

The question of timing was raised by several correspondents. "It wouldn't be surprising if we had a war in the gulf to deflect attention", said Ramu from Malaysia. One of our Slovac users blamed the affair for diverting US attentions away from the Pope's visit to Cuba and the "unjust sanctions."

"A matter for Hilary"

Many went further and, in sympathy with Mrs Clinton, blamed far Right groups for what Adrian Dightman from Los Angeles described as "the assassination of Bill Clinton - without the bullets!".

Mr Clinton's position as an American role model worried some users, as is summed up by Paris Arcediano (USA): "As a mother of impressionable boys I am appalled at the role-modelling of our president. Are there no morals left in our country?"

President John F Kennedy

On the other hand many of you felt that public and private life should be kept entirely separate. "The president is not some demi-god, he is HUMAN after all ... it doesn't matter or not if he did have sex with on (or all three at the same time), just that he does his job to the best of his ability: defend and preserve the Constitution", wrote Will Korin (USA).

This issue was taken up by other users who pointed out that i) other presidents, JFK for example, had "got away with it" ii) if President Clinton was thrown out of office then "we'd better ride most of Congress out as well" and iii) the comparison was made with European heads of state - as S.F.Joseph (Belgium) said: "On the continent, a head of state can have a love child, or keep his mistress in an official residence, and nobody will turn a hair."

Other than political supporters of the Democrats, we also received many messages of personal support for the Clinton family. One particularly personal email came from Sammi Ridgeway, who says she grew up with the Clintons. She commented how Chelsea Clinton's "heart must be breaking" and that all in all "I've had enough of the whole thing... leave the man and his family alone."