He did project a moral authority, although he started his political career by turning in old friends in the Actors Guild to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. His people stole Jimmy Carter's debate briefing book to obtain advantage, but that and the fact that there were scandals enveloping over a hundred of his cabinet and staff never seemed to affect the "teflon presidency." People were burned out on Watergate and started to blame the messenger - the media, for even bringing it all up. Admittedly, Clinton benefitted from the same kind of fatigue.
