EDITORIAL: Sex, lies and now videotape

The videotape of President Clinton's testimony raises a whole new round of questions. Now, with Congress' decision to release the videotape of Clinton's grand jury testimony at 9 a.m. today, the public will again see Clinton discuss what is one of the most sordid affairs in the history of the presidency. The merits of the vote to release the tape to the public have been debated for the past week, and surely those merits will be re-evaluated depending on how the public receives the videotape. If, for example, Clinton is seen as evasive and even angry -- which he reportedly is -- his approval ratings could fall substantially more than the 3-point decrease this past week. On the other hand, if the public is turned off by seeing their president accosted by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and his prosecutors, the Republicans could very well face a strong backlash. Regardless of its reception, the videotape is bound to receive widespread coverage in the national media. Two cable networks are airing the four-hour tape today, and the three major networks are planning extensive coverage as well. The videotape will also be available on the Internet. Such attention comes both with its benefits and pitfalls. On the plus side, the release of the videotape allows the public to draw its own conclusions from first-hand accounts of the president's actions and thoughts -- truthful or not. And certainly many citizens -- whether they agree that the videotape should be released or not -- will take advantage of this opportunity. Indeed, long lines quickly formed outside the Government Printing Office to purchase copies of the Starr report. And the Internet almost came to a standstill as cybersurfers went on-line to read the 455-page referral. But the timing of the videotape release is questionable. Some Jewish leaders, for example, have called it insulting that Congress would make public such lurid details -- reportedly even more sexually explicit than those contained in the Starr report -- during the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest holidays in the Jewish calendar. Additionally, because of the Jewish holiday, some school districts -- including New York City and Los Angeles -- have canceled classes. Children's advocates have decried the release of the videotape on a day when so many children are home. Pros and cons aside, the next week will be telling for Clinton, the nation and the future of the American presidency. White House officials have been on stand-by mode, hoping for a backlash against the GOP this week. Republicans, meanwhile, were out defending the House Judiciary Committee's decision to release the videotape and were denying claims that the release is aimed at humiliating Clinton. New offenses and defenses will likely take shape this week, as both the White House and Congress explore the public's reaction to the videotape. Those strategies could determine whether Clinton will indeed be the bridge to the 21st century -- or merely a sullied stone.