According to a recent survey by the ruling Grand National Party, Lee's approval rating has dropped to 28.5 percent. In 1992 Clinton overcame a strong lead by incumbent George H.W. Bush, who at one point had been given a 90 percent chance of staying in office, and handily won the White House. But just four months after his inauguration, Clinton's approval rating had slumped to 36 percent, the lowest since Harry S. Truman.

After working as a non-mainstreamer in the GNP and the mayor of Seoul, Lee won the presidency thanks to his image as a business expert. Clinton, an obscure governor of Arkansas, won the presidency with his phrase, "It's the economy, stupid!"

Both Lee and Clinton enjoyed high approval ratings in their very early days in office, but both quickly faced problems with their Cabinet appointments. Lee's nominees for the ministries of environment, unification and gender equality were rejected in parliamentary confirmation hearings. Two of Clinton's nominees for attorney general, Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, were rejected by the U.S. Congress (because both had hired illegal immigrants).

Clinton's early troubles were due in large part to poor senior staff choices. Under the pretext of breathing fresh life into Washington politics, and in total disregard of established conventions, he appointed Thomas McLarty, a 40-year-long friend from kindergarten and a Washington outsider, as his chief of staff. Key White House posts were given to members of the so-called "Arkansas mafia," former officials of the Arkansas state government and Clinton campaign loyalists. This led to serious problems for the administration's policies and political decisions.

Political circles point out that Lee is similar to Clinton here as well. Lee has continually stressed the need to break from old-style political practices. He appointed a university professor, a close associate who had no experience in politics or public administration, as his chief of staff. Key posts at Cheong Wa Dae were given to former officials of the Seoul city government and Lee campaign staffers, the so-called members of the "S (Seoul city) Line".

Clinton eventually replaced his long-time friends with professional experts, overcoming his early troubles and paving the way for reelection. Lee's associates say there's a lesson to be learned from the Clinton story -- that Lee will also turn out to be a successful president who will have revived the economy. Some who have considered the circumstances have even gone so far as to call for reshuffling the Cabinet and Cheong Wa Dae staff.

(englishnews@chosun.com )