JEFFERSON, CLINTON: NOT TWO PEAS IN A POD

At a time when presidential morality and character are so much in the news, along comes scientific proof that Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, fathered a child with one of his slaves, Sally Heming. Not only have historians known this bit of information practically since it happened, the matter was fodder for political accusations as the nation's second president sought and eventually won election.

So why all the notice now? First, there is the matter of DNA testing, the sort of scientific proof used to catch rapists and settle paternity issues -- and now to besmirch long-dead presidents. And then there is the matter of the current president, who is beleaguered by his sexual escapades.

It is interesting that some of President Bill Clinton's diehard supporters are using the renewed interest in Jefferson's private life to somehow defend the current president's behavior. After all, they are saying, this sort of thing has been going on since Thomas Jefferson, so ... .

So what?

Jefferson's involvement with Sally Heming (who, by the way, was his deceased wife's half-sister) was a shocker at the end of the 18th century. But, as careful historians have long known, the lives of many heroes of that revolutionary era were pockmarked with events and ideas that don't seem to fit the sanitized image of an eighth-grade textbook.

While Jefferson -- and many of his contemporaries -- held strong opinions about ideals and morality, it is clear that this Founding Father had some novel ideas about the status quo. His religious views, for example, were intolerable to most of the mainstream theologians of his day. He even created his own version of the New Testament as a guidebook to his unorthodox thinking.

Thomas Jefferson and Bill Clinton are more than 200 years apart. They are light years apart in what history will record about them, DNA tests and all.

President Clinton's six years in office have been hobbled by his personal indiscretions. So much of his administration's time has been spent on dealing with rumors, allegations, grand juries and independent counsels that he has been virtually hamstrung in the way of real accomplishments.

Clinton's closest and most trusted aides have blamed the incessant attacks on the president's character for his administration's inability to push the most important items of the White House agenda. Except for Monica Lewinsky, et al, the Clinton presidency would be a shining example of national leadership and vision, they seem to be saying.

Jefferson, on the other hand, contended with many of the same accusations regarding his involvement with his half-sister-in-law, who happened to be a slave. One major difference between Jefferson and Clinton, however, was Jefferson's ability to recognize when his views -- mostly strong and unyielding -- stood in the way of the governmental process. For example, he resigned as George Washington's secretary of state in deference to Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's equally strong views on executive control in the fledgling nation. (A strong case could be made that Clinton's ideas as chief executive place him in the Hamilton camp in this regard, not namesake Jefferson's.)

In spite of his rash views and a gossip-inducing private life, Jefferson managed to serve as minister to France, secretary of state and vice president before becoming president. His presidency included the great westward expansion of the Louisiana Purchase and the expedition of Lewis and Clark. He also founded the University of Virginia and designed its buildings.

Does this sound like the accomplishments of a man consumed by what people said about his private life?

Another question: What legacy of presidential accomplishments will William Jefferson Clinton leave for those eighth-grade history books of the 21st century?