Chuck Todd: 'It Galls Me' Bill Clinton Hasn't Apologized to Monica Lewinsky for 'Ruining Her Life'

[FBaggins]

58. Her opinion on that appears to have evolved

But that wasn't my point re: "the answer"

There are two positions involved in the question that I'm asking. One says that any sexual relationship between two consenting "adults" (with some variability in how that is defined) is just between the two of them and not open to societal judgement. If one or both are married it might be relevant to the spouse(s), but isn't our business.

The other position says that when the disparity in power is large enough, it isn't possible for the junior member of the relationship to truly consent. This is similar to the concept of statutory rape. A 14 year old might actually be attracted to a 30 year old and "want" the relationship... but we define legally that he/she is not capable of consenting in that scenario. Apart from age disparity, relationships like the ones discussed (college professor with student or business executive with junior subordinate) have a large enough disparity in power between the two that it complicates the notion of "consent".

By that second position... she is owed an apology whether she realizes it or not.

Re: her thought "evolution". She recently wrote an essay for Vanity Fair:

“Now, at 44, I’m beginning (just beginning) to consider the implications of the power differentials that were so vast between a president and a White House intern,” Lewinsky writes in her essay published online Sunday. “I’m beginning to entertain the notion that in such a circumstance the idea of consent might well be rendered moot.” She added that power imbalances and the ability to abuse them “do exist even when the sex has been consensual.”