'We need a woman chancellor, not a womanising chancellor'

Close, but no cigar. Bill Clinton's candidacy as Chancellor of Oxford University is facing growing opposition from dons who fear that his election would endanger the reputation of the institution and the virtue of its undergraduates.

A number of academics have told The Telegraph that the former President of the United States would harm "the dignity of the office" if he were chosen to succeed Lord Jenkins of Hillhead, who died last weekend.

Mr Clinton, who studied at Oxford in the 1960s and whose daughter is taking an MPhil in International Relations at University College, his alma mater, has become the favourite to take over the chancellorship ahead of Baroness Williams, one of the founders of the SDP, Lord Heseltine, the former Deputy Prime Minister, and Chris Patten, the EU Commissioner for External Relations. Mr Clinton has won the support of Professor Alan Ryan, the Warden of New College, and a number of other heads of college who value the former President's international renown and fundraising abilities.

Growing numbers of dons, however, are arguing that Mr Clinton's sexual peccadilloes, including his affair with Monica Lewinsky, a 21-year-old White House intern, render him unsuitable for such a prestigious post.

They also argue that his lies on oath about the Lewinsky affair and his decision to award presidential pardons to a number of well-connected criminals just before he left office in January 2001 should disqualify him from the role. Dr Jeremy Catto, the Senior Dean of Oriel College and a fellow in medieval history, said: "Having Clinton as Chancellor wouldn't exactly add to the dignity of the office. Given his past record, I shouldn't think for a moment that the university's women students will be safe."

Mark Almond, a fellow of Oriel College and a lecturer in 20th-century history, added that Mr Clinton would face "endless allegations of sexual scandal"."There's bound to be trouble," Mr Almond added. "We need a woman chancellor, not a womanising chancellor.

"People say he will be a good fundraiser but from whom? Probably from all those rich people he pardoned when he left office. Also, he is quite young, so we're going to be stuck with him for 30 years. He's a man who gets into scrapes. Who knows what collateral damage he could inflict?"

Female academics also admitted that choosing Mr Clinton would send out a "dubious" moral message. Dr Laurie Maguire, an English fellow of Magdalen College who specialises in feminist criticism, said: "He has made an appalling error of judgment which I found an abuse of power, regardless of how willing Monica Lewinsky was. I don't think people in influential positions like that should have relationships with vulnerable young interns. As a moral figurehead, representing a university full of young people, I find it dubious."

Other objections to Mr Clinton include his patchy academic record - he went to Oxford as a Rhodes scholar in 1968 but failed to complete his degree - and his extensive commitments in America. Since leaving office, Mr Clinton, 56, has embarked on a series of lucrative foreign tours, giving lectures for a reputed £1,200 a minute.

Prof Nevil Johnson, an Emeritus Fellow of Nuffield College, said: "I wouldn't think it's a particularly good idea. I think we should be electing someone who has distinguished himself in a particular academic field and I don't think Clinton has done that."

A spokesman for Mr Clinton said last night that the former President was "too busy" to confirm or deny that he would be standing. It was reported, however, that he had secretly discussed the possibility of the chancellorship with a group of Oxford dons late last year.

Mr Clinton's greatest barrier to office, however, could be his gender. After Cambridge University appointed its first female vice-chancellor in November, pressure is growing on Oxford to follow suit and elect the university's first woman chancellor.

Prof Vernon Bogdanor, the constitutional historian and the acting master of Brasenose College, said: "Clinton may get opposition from the feminist lobby and, I should think, those who wish to see Oxford remain a primarily British academic institution. He is a strong candidate, but, in my view, Shirley Williams is stronger. It would be a good thing for Oxford to have its first woman chancellor."

Interesting to see academics finally admitting that Clinton never finished his scholarship and has not distinguished himself in an academic field. I get so sick of liberals fawning over Clinton as if he were Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius, while disparaging the intellect of George W. Bush, genuine Harvard MBA. Clinton's only genius was for concocting fast lies to worm his way out of the many scrapes he got into, thanks to his uncontrollable libido and undisciplined mind. "Slick" and "smart" are two different things. I think the only people on Earth with less brain power than Clinton are those nimrods who are forking over $250,000 to listen to his self-aggrandizing, content-free stump speech.

If he can be The First Black President, then he can certainly be The First Female Chancellor. And rape? So what? Since when has rape dimmed his prospects?

Hasn't Chelsea graduated with her guaranteed, no academic work necessary, degree yet?

As if poor old england hasn't enough to deal with.

Ivan, perhaps you had better weigh in on this.

Regards,

Clinton...

The knee walking, bib wearing, DNA swallowing democrats simply adored the bastard as President and Commander in Chief of the most powerful and wealthy nation on the planet..

The English won't accept him as the President of a single University...

Now tell me, who are the dumb asses..

Semper Fi

This information should be provided to the dons by email ASAP.

What about a link to Oxford? We should all make our opinions of the Sinkmaster known to these dolts.

And, yes, since Bubba is, as one person quoted in the article delicately put it, someone who "gets in scrapes," let Oxford make him Chancellor and let the tabloid chancellorship begin!

Clinton's conduct now is even worse than before, but it's not getting any publicity. Put him in a leadership position at this university and his ridiculousness (a word coined by Martha Stewart) will again be media fodder.

And what a great contrast he will provide to the decent and respectable President Bush.

"Having Clinton as Chancellor wouldn't exactly add to the dignity of the office. Given his past record, I shouldn't think for a moment that the university's women students will be safe."

Oh, my! Understated and blunt.

Mr Clinton, who studied at Oxford in the 1960s and whose daughter is taking an MPhil in International Relations at University College, his alma mater,

Was that what Billyboy was studying when he raped the local girl?

MPhil in International Relations no wonder she has so much time to party.

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