But now American women are having a hard time digesting President Bill Clinton's confession this week that he did indeed have an affair with the former White House intern.

``I support Clinton's policies, what he's done,'' said investment planner Judith Zillner. ``But I'm uneasy with his personal conduct.''

Dianne Feinstein, a Democratic Senator from California, spoke for many when she said the President's televised remarks on Monday ``leave me with a deep sense of sadness.''

``I was present in the Roosevelt Room in January when the President categorically denied any sexual involvement,'' Feinstein said.

``I believed him,'' but after the confession, which follow months of denial, she said, ``my trust about his credibility has been badly shattered.''

But Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organisation for Women, said that while Clinton's affair with Lewinsky was ``an abuse of power by the President...It is not an impeachable offense.''

Clinton would never have been elected in 1992, and re-elected in 1996, without the strength of the women's vote. In 1996, he received 56 per cent of female votes compared to 38 per cent for Republican opponent Bob Dole.

``Women voters elected Clinton, and the majority of women still approve of his performance in office, apparently judging him as a President whose strengths outweigh his flaws,'' Ireland said.

No President has done more to advance the cause of women in government, notably through the appointments of the country's highest ranking female cabinet official, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and the nation's first female Attorney General Janet Reno.

On the Legislative front, Clinton has fought for day care, maternity leave, education and health care, abortion rights, and a higher minimum wage.

``What Bill Clinton has been able to do for this country far outweighs any problems he might have in his personal life,'' said Kathy Reed, president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers.

But many women find themselves repelled by the spectacle of the married President and father having an affair with a young woman working under him.

The President has always presented himself as a champion of women's issues, often telling how he learned respect and admiration for strong women from his mother, Virginia.

He is also married to a women known as a brilliant lawyer in her own right, whom many say could have had an independent political career of her own had Clinton never entered politics.

American feminists feel even more betrayed because they kept their silence in similar scandals, from Gennifer Flowers, Kathleen Willey to Paula Jones, all women who claim to have had sexual contact with Clinton.

Dara Silberstein, head of Feminist Studies at New York University, sees a downside to Clinton's continued high support

``The fact that he's got such a high approval rating even after it's become clear that he is a sexual predator typifies America's attitude toward women in the workplace,'' Silberstein said.

Marie-Josee Ragab, president of the local now chapter in Dulles, Virginia, has a different attitude. ``Clinton must resign,'' she said.

Ragab's chapter split with the national organization in February, accusing it of being too closely tied with Clinton's Democratic Party.

``If it hadn't been so close to the Democratic Party, it would have said something, especially in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case,'' she said.

``It's not a feminist issue,'' adds former Senator Patricia Schroeder.