The reelection of President Bill Clinton should present many opportunities to America.

One opportunity Americans should not be readily anticipating, however, is the chance to besmirch the office of the presidency.

Some Republican leaders have actually expressed pleasure at the prospect of four more years of a Clinton administration.

Why?

It will give them an opportunity to continue to pursue Whitewater, campaign financing and other issues that have plagued Clinton’s administration in a high-profile, public manner.

In other words, Clinton remaining in office gives his political opponents the opportunity to embarrass him on as bright a political stage as possible.

During the presidential campaign, BobDole and the groups opposing Clinton’s reelection expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that American voters seemed to be uninterested in uncovering Clinton’s apparently shady past, that character in this race did not matter.

Not true.

If our president has indeed engaged in illegal and/or improper conduct, the American people would most likely be very interested in discovering the truth. We know we sure as heck would.

If the legal procedures dogging Clinton were indeed focused on unearthing the facts and seeking justice, the American voters would most likely be interested.

But the manner in which Clinton’s political opponents have pursued these matters calls into question whether they are seeking justice, or just simply revenge.

Prosecuting Clinton or members of his cabinet or his associates is seen not as doling out justice after a fair hearing, but rather as one long smear campaign. And, as this past election has proved, American voters are growing tired of negative campaigning, which is what this “pursuit of justice” seems to be.

Our leaders should seek the truth in these matters.

Let the rest of us decide how the truth should affect who leads our nation.