Campolo

Tony Campolo, a professor of sociology at Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa., said he hopes the allegations prove to be false. He said he will try to treat the president as Jesus would treat him in this situation.

Charges surfaced Jan. 21 that Clinton had an affair with a 21-year-old White House intern and encouraged her to lie about it under oath. Clinton denied the charges.

Campolo answered questions about the allegations in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he was speaking at Wake Forest University.

Campolo, one of a handful of ministers who have visited the White House frequently during Clinton's presidency, defended the president.

"I know this president is somebody who is a caring father, a loving husband, and somebody who is concerned about the poor and the oppressed," Campolo said.

Campolo said he hasn't talked to the president since the accusations surfaced, but he plans to speak to Clinton within the next few days.

Campolo said he is worried that some other ministers may try to distance themselves from Clinton because they are worried about their reputations.

"I follow a man who really didn't give a hoot about his reputation," Campolo said. "As a matter of fact, I think Jesus had the worst reputation in Jerusalem."

Campolo said he cried when his wife told him about the allegations during a phone call Wednesday night.

"If the worst is true, I'll be a heartbroken person, because he's my friend," Campolo said.

Campolo said he rose early Thursday morning to pray for Clinton, the young woman and the country.

"This is a very troubling day in the history of the United States of America," he said. "These are difficult days for me."

Campolo said he worries about people who take delight in other people's adversities. "To not be hopeful for the best in all of this would be to be something less than a good American," he said.

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