(5 Sep 1998) English/Nat
Clinton is winding up a triumphant visit to Ireland which has been overshadowed by allegations of sexual conduct back home.
With an investigation by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr shortly to report to Congress, many Americans are wondering whether Clinton can survive as president.
Seldom has Bill Clinton received such a rapturous welcome.
In city after city large crowds of flag-waving wellwishers have turned out to applaud the U-S president and the First Lady.
But there have been other more cynical eyes on the president's three-day tour of Ireland.
The White House press corps have been on hand to provide him with a constant reminder of his troubles back home.
Even Democratic allies are now distancing themselves from Clinton, unsure how damaging the report by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr will be and fearful he will pull the party down in November's midterm elections.
CNN's political correspondent says it's an odd sort of a story to cover.
SOUNDBITE:
It's definitely parallel universes. You have the leader of the Western world getting warmly received in Ireland, being given great credit by the people and by the Irish leaders for what's happening in the peace process. Then you have this awful story back home, a very personal, tawdry story back home. Trying to cover both of them is difficult; being involved in both of them must be excruciating.
SUPER CAPTION: Candy Crowley, CNN's Political Correspondent
Tom Fenton, who reports on European affairs for network broadcaster CBS agrees the trouble back home is spoiling Clinton's moment of glory on the foreign stage.
SOUNDBITE:
It's certainly ironic and perhaps a little tragic that on the occasion of what is arguably his greatest foreign policy success in the second term of his presidency, his presidency is in peril. He cannot get far enough away from Washington; the Monica Lewinsky affair dogs his every step and it's here in the person of the Washington press corps. So every time there's a chance to throw a question at him, there is a question about Monica Lewinsky.
SUPER CAPTION: Tom Fenton, CBS's Europe Correspondent
For tens of thousands of Irish fans, it's all rather perplexing.
SOUNDBITE:
I think he should get the support of his people because I think he's a great man and he's done great work for his country and for his people and which of us can play God? You know, that's all I have to say. I don't think that any of us can condemn him, okay. His personal life is his personal life.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
SOUNDBITE:
I don't know, I think there's some things bigger than the personal stuff -- the international. him as president is more important than his personal life and his personal life should be left to one side.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
SOUNDBITE:
Well his wife is sticking with him, why shouldn't everybody else and the American people stick with him?
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
SOUNDBITE:
I think he's a good president, I mean, he's doing his job well and his private life, it's his business really, you know, people should leave him alone. He's just doing his job, he's doing his best, really.
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop
Clinton's trip to Ireland has given him a welcome chance to bask in a bit of adulation.
Now he flies back to Washington -- and to harsh reality.
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