Lanny Davis, former special counsel to President Clinton, said everyone involved in the case felt immense pressure since so much was riding on the outcome.
"I had been in the middle of a few frenzies, but compared to this it was the difference between a bomb and a nuclear bomb," Davis said. "Everybody recognized what was at stake here could be the presidency itself."
In December 1998, Clinton became only the second president in U.S. history to be impeached. He was charged with grand jury perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with a coverup of his relationship with Lewinsky. The trial began in the Senate on Jan. 7, 1999. A little over a month later, on Feb. 12, Clinton was acquitted. He had kept his job, but his reputation had taken a beating.
Bad Behavior All Around
Looking back, presidential historian Michael Bechloss says the scandal brought out a lot of bad behavior.
"It was an ugly year. It was a brutal year. People were vicious to one another," Bechloss said.
Vlasto said almost everyone involved in the case got hurt in some way. "Every player involved was attacked and I don't think anyone came out unscathed," he said.
The five years that have past since the scandal may not be enough to judge the long-term impact of the Lewinsky scandal on American politics. It's possible, especially in the newly sobered, post-Sept. 11 world, that as riveting as it seemed at the time, it could have little lasting impact. When all is said and done, the scandal that rocked the world in 1998 might end up being little more than a memorable footnote in U.S. political history.
Monica Lewinsky moved to lower Manhattan after the scandal came to a slow end. Now 29, she has had a handbag line and an HBO cable special. She's now planning on going to law school.
ABCNEWS' Claire Shipman reported this story on Good Morning America.
Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.
