Whoops, that leaves Hillary out.
Posted on 01/11/2003 7:54:38 PM PST by aculeus
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."
Whoops, that leaves Hillary out.
No sh*t, Sherlock!!
But, But,.......
His private life is his own business
Remember.....
</sarcasm>
I would guess that they are very aware of it; and they're just not saying. Actually, it might have proven interesting if his candidacy had gotten more serious. Someone might have been tempted to leak actual records regarding the reason he left Oxford in order to prevent him from getting the job. Doesn't look as though things will get that far, though.
The Clinton's tenuous house of cards built with lies, deceit and corruption is slowly beginning to crumble.
He hasn't yet.
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