John B. Judis

John B. Judis is a senior editor of the New Republic magazine. In the following viewpoint, written when the U.S. Senate was debating the impeachment of President Bill Clinton for offenses related to a sexual affair, Judis examines the case of David Lloyd George, Great Britain’s prime minister from 1916 to 1922. He argues that although Lloyd George was plagued by financial and sexual scandals, he achieved a noteworthy public record as prime minister, including leading Great Britain to victory in World War I. His example demonstrates that a person’s private misdeeds can coexist with an outstanding public career, Judis concludes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Adulterous affairs were not usually publicized in Lloyd George’s time except in what case...