To paraphrase Fitzgerald, there are no successful 2d terms in American politics. FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, and Clinton all had major 2d term problems. Hell, if you count 1965-68 as the 2d term of the JFK/LBJ Admin, the trend becomes even more apparent.
An arrogance and even a hubris sets in during a 2d term. After pretty well skating on a series of other problems, Clinton had every reason to expect a little dalliance w/ an intern to blow over. Since humility was in short supply in W's WH already, giving them a 2d term was like pouring gasoline on a fire.
I have no idea what prompted W to allow JG2 to ask a question at the latest press conference. I have no idea what prompted JG2 to ask it. I do know that JG2 never guessed that he might be igniting a firestorm, and I suspect that those in the WH who knew who JG2 was never guessed it, either.
The Freepers' planned demo in favor of JG2 today shows how deep the entire hubristic ethos is buried on the right. It has apparently never occurred to these people that, after proudly proclaiming themselves to be the champions of public decency and family values, they shouldn't tie themselves too closely to a male prostitute who openly advertised his "wares" online. They've gotten away w/ so many other things over the last 4-5 years, why shouldn't they expect to be able to get away w/ this one?
It's too early to tell whether this scandal will balloon, but it's off to a promising start. It has the sex, the lies, and the videotape that are the building blocks of major crises. I would prefer that this WH was taking a hit for, oh, lying the country into an unneccessary and ill-advised war, but I'll take whatever I can get about now.